BMW Group EV Platforms

Neue Klasse · Gen6 eDrive · CLAR · MINI

BMW waited longer than its rivals for a dedicated EV platform. The Neue Klasse iX3 nearly doubles the range and more than doubles the charging speed of the car it replaces.

Same car, two generations: the BMW iX3 on Gen5 eDrive versus the Neue Klasse iX3 50 xDrive on Gen6 eDrive. Peak DC charging rises from 150 kW to 400 kW, WLTP range from 460 km to 805 km, and usable battery from 74 kWh to 108.7 kWh. Voltage moves from 400 V to 800 V, cells from prismatic to 46 mm 4695 cylindrical, and compute to four central high-performance computers. SAME CAR, TWO GENERATIONS: BMW iX3 GEN5 VERSUS NEUE KLASSE GEN6 Peak DC charging Gen5150 kW Gen6400 kW WLTP range Gen5460 km Gen6805 km Usable battery Gen574 kWh Gen6108.7 kWh Voltage 400 V to 800 V Cells prismatic to 4695 Compute four superbrains
Voltage
800 V
Cell
4695 cylindrical
iX3 peak charging
400 kW
First plant
Debrecen
Hub
Systems

Finding

The Neue Klasse ends BMW's multi-energy approach for its core EVs and moves it to 800 V, cylindrical cells and four central computers in one step

BMW's Gen5 EVs - i4, i5, i7, iX, iX1, iX2 - share bodies and lines with combustion cars on CLAR and FAAR, at 400 V with prismatic cells from CATL and Samsung SDI. The iX was the most dedicated of them. All use BMW's electrically excited synchronous motor (EESM), which needs no rare-earth magnets.

The Neue Klasse, built first in Debrecen, Hungary from late 2025, moves to Gen6 eDrive: 800 V, 46 mm 4695 cylindrical cells from CATL and EVE Energy in a cell-to-pack design, in-house silicon carbide inverters and a new EESM. BMW quotes about 30 percent more range and 30 percent faster charging than Gen5. Four high-performance computers, which BMW calls superbrains, run driving dynamics, automated driving, infotainment and body functions over a zonal network with far less wiring.

Production spreads to Munich (i3 sedan, 2026), Shenyang (long-wheelbase iX3 for China, 2026), San Luis Potosi in Mexico and Spartanburg, South Carolina, with packs assembled near each plant. In China, BMW uses Momenta for driver assistance and builds the MINI Cooper E and Aceman with Great Wall Motor in the Spotlight Automotive joint venture. See Mercedes-Benz EV Platforms for the closest rival architecture.

Platforms

BMW Group platform lineup

Representative models only.

BMW Group EV platforms
PlatformVoltageBattery and driveE/E and computeRepresentative EVsPlants
Neue Klasse (Gen6 eDrive)800 VUp to 108.7 kWh; 4695 cells (CATL, EVE), cell-to-pack; EESMZonal, four superbrains; Panoramic iDriveiX3, i3 sedan; more models through 2027Debrecen, Munich, Shenyang, San Luis Potosi
CLAR (Gen5 eDrive)400 V67-106 kWh prismatic (CATL, Samsung SDI); EESMDomaini4, i5, i7, iXMunich, Dingolfing
FAAR (Gen5 eDrive)400 V65 kWh prismatic; EESMDomainiX1, iX2; MINI Countryman ERegensburg, Leipzig
MINI (Spotlight)400 V41-54 kWhDomainMINI Cooper E, AcemanZhangjiagang (with Great Wall)
Architecture of Luxury400 V102 kWhDomainRolls-Royce SpectreGoodwood

Gen5 vs Gen6

Gen5 versus Gen6 eDrive

Figures compare the outgoing China-built iX3 with the Neue Klasse iX3 50 xDrive.

BMW eDrive generations
ItemGen5 eDriveGen6 eDrive
Voltage400 V800 V
Cell formatPrismatic4695 cylindrical
PackModulesCell-to-pack
MotorEESMEESM, new generation
Peak DC charging150-205 kW400 kW
ComputeDomain ECUsFour central computers, zonal

Sources

Sources and scope

Scope
BMW Group EV Platforms
Sources
BMW Group Neue Klasse and iX3 releases (IAA 2025); Gen6 eDrive technical data; CATL, EVE Energy; Spotlight Automotive
Updated
October 2026