BMW has officially started series production of its sixth-generation eDrive motor — a key piece of its all-electric Neue Klasse platform. Built at BMW’s Steyr plant in Austria, the new motor will power the company’s upcoming wave of EVs, starting with the 2026 BMW iX3. This production milestone signals a major shift for the brand as it pushes toward greater electrification, higher efficiency, and smarter software integration across its future lineup.
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New Power For A New Platform
The Gen6 motor is part of a clean-sheet electric drivetrain that will underpin all Neue Klasse models. Developed in tandem with BMW’s next-gen battery technology, the new system features a high-efficiency 800-volt electrical architecture and a redesigned cylindrical cell format offering 20% higher energy density than the previous generation. The result is a projected 30% increase in range and the ability to gain 220 miles (350 km) of range in just ten minutes using fast charging.
Related: BMW Vision Neue Klasse Gallery: In The Metal From Goodwood
That’s critical for vehicles like the upcoming BMW iX3, which will debut the Neue Klasse architecture in production form. Slated for launch in late 2025, the iX3 promises more than just performance upgrades — it also showcases the first real-world application of BMW’s Gen6 tech.
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Smarter Software, Simpler Hardware
More than just motors and batteries, Neue Klasse introduces a major leap in BMW’s vehicle software. A zonal wiring architecture drastically cuts complexity and weight, while four centralised control units — or “superbrains” — consolidate tasks like driving dynamics, infotainment, and driver assistance. This new setup is said to offer 20x more computing power than current-generation systems.
At CES earlier this year, BMW gave a preview of the in-car experience with its next-gen Panoramic iDrive display. The system features a head-up display stretching across the entire windshield, 3D overlays, swipe-able central screens, and haptic steering wheel controls — all designed to make the cabin as futuristic as the tech beneath it.
A Modular Future With Global Reach
BMW has said that Neue Klasse will eventually spawn 40 models across multiple segments, including a forthcoming electric 3 Series and the high-performance iM3, which is expected to feature quad-motor AWD and arrive by 2027. A recent round of M5 spy shots suggests that even combustion-based models will borrow design and tech cues from Neue Klasse — including the panoramic display and exterior styling elements previewed by the concept.
The Gen6 motor itself is modular, scalable, and built with platform flexibility in mind. BMW says the motor can be adapted for front-, rear-, or all-wheel drive configurations, and is capable of supporting both one- and four-motor layouts. With production lines now operating in Steyr, and future Gen6 capacity coming to Debrecen, Hungary, BMW is ramping up quickly to meet global EV demand.
