BMW is set to abandon front-wheel drive (FWD) in favor of a return to its rear-wheel drive (RWD) roots with the introduction of the Neue Klasse platform. This shift will affect not only BMW models but also the BMW-owned Mini brand, which has become synonymous with FWD.
Neue Klasse Ushers in a New Era
The Neue Klasse platform, set to debut later this year, will underpin BMW's next generation of electric vehicles (EVs). These vehicles will boast improved electric motor units capable of delivering up to 30 percent more range than current electric BMWs. This marks a significant technological leap for the brand, as well as a philosophical return to its heritage.
Rear-Drive Design Constraints
The sixth-generation eDrive electric motors designed for the Neue Klasse platform cannot power the front wheels alone. This is due to the rear motor incorporating a gearbox, while the front motor does not. As a result, Neue Klasse vehicles will be exclusively rear- or all-wheel drive.
Impact on BMW Lineup
Only a handful of current BMW models send drive exclusively to the front wheels, including select variants of the 1 Series, 2 Series, X1, iX1, and iX2. All of these models will transition away from FWD with the introduction of the Neue Klasse platform.
Mini's Paradigm Shift
The change is particularly significant for Mini, a brand whose Cooper, Countryman, and Aceman models all heavily rely on FWD. The shift to RWD (or AWD) marks a major departure from the design philosophy that has defined the brand for decades.
BMW's "Ultimate Driving Machine" Philosophy
BMW has long championed RWD as a key element of its "ultimate driving machine" philosophy. While the brand introduced its first FWD model in 2014 with the F45 generation 2 Series, it has remained committed to RWD in many of its core models. This change signals a recommitment to that philosophy.
Gradual Transition
The transition away from FWD will be a gradual process. Combustion models will continue to be sold alongside the new Neue Klasse range, ensuring that customers have a variety of drivetrain options to choose from.
First Neue Klasse Model: The iX3
BMW's first electric vehicle (EV) built on the Neue Klasse platform will be the new iX3 mid-sized SUV, which is slated to debut late this year.
Six Neue Klasse-based sedans and SUVs are planned for launch by 2028, with the new i3 – an electric sibling to the 3 Series – arriving in 2026.
