Automakers typically unveil their new models with grandiose presentations. But sometimes a new design can quietly make its way to the public. BMW’s accidental display of images of a future electric vehicle on its German website has sparked a wave of speculation among car enthusiasts and journalists. Here are the details.
Mysterious car appears in iX3 animations
The mysterious vehicle appeared in animated videos designed to showcase the high-tech driver assistance features of the brand’s new BMW iX3 SUV. The videos showcased features like advanced cruise control and automatic parking, but instead, a completely different, never-before-seen four-door sedan, not the iX3. This digital model clearly reflects the design language of BMW’s next-generation electric vehicles, which it calls “Neue Klasse.”
Representing a significant transition for BMW, this new electric vehicle family focuses on advanced technology, sustainability, and a brand new design philosophy. The first confirmed members of this family are the iX3 SUV and a new sedan that will revive the i3 name. However, the vehicle in the video doesn’t exactly resemble the i3 seen in concept and spy photos.
Some might think the car in the video is a generic model created solely for animations. However, some details suggest this model could be more than just a placeholder. The most obvious clue is the vehicle’s side mirrors. Futuristic concepts are often shown with tiny cameras or no mirrors at all to make them appear more fluid.
This mysterious sedan, however, features traditional, production-style mirrors. It’s quite strange to see this detail on a car that doesn’t belong in the real world. This reinforces the belief that the design is much closer to a finished product than BMW has shown.
The most popular theory is that this mysterious electric vehicle is a preview of the next-generation BMW i4. The current i4 is known for its sporty fastback profile and is a major contender in the premium electric sedan market. The proportions of the vehicle seen on the website perfectly fit its role as a sportier model than the more traditional i3 sedan. As the industry shifts towards electric cars, it makes sense for BMW to develop a Neue Klasse successor to one of its flagship electric vehicles. A dedicated electric platform like the Neue Klasse would allow a future i4 to offer more interior space, better range, and faster charging than the current model, which is based on a platform shared with existing gasoline-powered cars. Creating a distinct, sportier sedan could help BMW target a broader market segment, offering some buyers the practical i3 and others a more performance-oriented model.
So, what are your thoughts on this? Share them in the comments.
