BMW is set to transform its lineup by introducing more than 40 new or updated models within the next 24 months, all featuring technology from its Neue Klasse platform. The move, led by the 2026 BMW iX3, marks a significant shift toward software-defined vehicles and advanced digital integration.
According to Mike Reichelt, head of BMW’s Neue Klasse, the technology represents such a leap forward that not adopting it across the portfolio would make the existing lineup feel outdated. While body structures will remain unchanged, key elements like the Panoramic iDrive system, advanced driver-assist features, cybersecurity improvements, AI tools, and enhanced over-the-air updates will be integrated into current and future models.
The 2026 iX3 debuts with four high-powered computing units, or “superbrains,” that drastically reduce wiring while improving performance. One unit, called the “Heart of Joy,” manages drivetrain, braking, energy recuperation, and steering with ten times the speed of past systems. Other processors handle driver assistance, infotainment, and comfort functions, cutting weight by 30 percent compared to older setups.
BMW’s analysis of user preferences also ensures that some traditional controls, like the volume knob, remain alongside the advanced digital systems. With roughly one launch scheduled every six weeks, BMW is racing to align its entire range with the Neue Klasse’s design language and technological innovations, ensuring both future readiness and customer familiarity.
