Taking inspiration from BMW's Vision Driving Experience, Sugar Design has imagined what a future i3 wagon could look like

The Gen6 battery found in the Neue Klasse EVs will be more power-dense, thanks to a switch to cylindrical cells that replace prismatic ones in the current lineup. BMW will offer its minute, 1.8-inch-diameter cells in two different heights (3.

German carmaker BMW released the initial details of the electric drive system that will go into the Neue Klasse range of electric vehicles.

BMW’s taking what it calls a ‘technology-open approach’ with the Neue Klasse, giving rise to a variety of electric motor layouts - though don’t expect any front-wheel drive BMW EVs to directly replace the current BMW 1 Series. That’s because while single-motor power will be offered, it’ll be mounted on the rear only to drive the rear wheels.

The company recently revealed that it will begin mass production of its groundbreaking sixth-generation (Gen6) electric vehicle (EV) batteries in China by 2026. BMW is focusing on a new battery architecture that will utilize large cylindrical cells.

Gen6 debuts in this year’s Neue Klasse iX3 but Rolls and Mini also get it. We’ve already got a pretty good idea what BMW’s Neue Klasse cars will look like both inside and out thanks to a couple of previous concepts and a Land of the Giants interior mock-up at this year’s CES in Vegas.