The traditional Hofmeister kink in the rear window line is clearly visible, while pronounced wheelarches give the new 3 Series a planted stance. However, while the heavy camouflage does a good job hiding some of the finer details – like the intricate front bumper – the concept’s LED strakes appear to have been replaced by a more conventional set of headlights. The concept’s digitised wing mirrors have been replaced by conventional mirrors on the EV test car, too.
While our spy photographers couldn’t get a look inside, based on the Vision Neue Klasse concept, the interior of the new 3 Series will be very minimalist and designed around the principle of “eyes on the road, hands on the wheel” driving.
The technology onboard will include next-generation iDrive infotainment software, and a brand-new setup which BMW calls ‘Panoramic Vision’ that does away with an ordinary instrument cluster and instead projects information across the base of the windscreen. It’ll be complimented by a 3D head-up display, while easy access to certain functions will come from buttons on the steering wheel. However, if the concept is anything to go by, the familiar iDrive rotary controller will not make an appearance.
As mentioned, the 3 Series EV will use a brand-new scalable platform that has been “uncompromisingly optimised for electric drivetrains,” says BMW. It features an 800V electrical architecture, which allows for ultra-rapid charging speeds; supposedly, fast enough to add 186 miles (300km) of range in only 10 minutes.
That’s thanks in part to BMW’s latest, sixth-generation eDrive powertrain technology, which uses cylindrical battery cells that deliver up to 20 per cent better energy density, 30 per cent more range and 30 per cent faster charging than current powerpacks. These cells will also be used as a part of Neue Klasse models’ structure, plus on certain cars, the cells can be packed differently to maximise space.
