BMW has made a few controversial design choices recently – none moreso than the redesign of the M-series grille.
I could write a thousand words about the grille, really I could. But they’d be boring words. And even though I own this website – and can therefore do what I want – it’s probably is in my best interest to not.
Suffice to say, many people think the new grilles are ugly. I am one of them.
BMW’s recent design changes have filled me with a lingering anxiety. I like BMWs, the aesthetic, the history. I would like it if they kindly don’t fuck that up.
Thankfully, they’ve released a new concept car at the 2023 Motors Show in Munich which has given me a bit of hope.
Introducing the “Neue Klasse”, which means ‘new class’ in German, but reads as ‘New Klaus’ to me.
This little cutie patootie has the design markers of a BMW – the kidney grille (but not a stupid oversized one) a sedan-shape similar to the ubiquitous 3-series cars, and the the iconic backseat window with the “Hofmeister kink” (not as sexy as it sounds).
The interior is completely surprising, mostly because it has yellow corduroy seats. I want to hate them. I can’t.
Gimme that yellow.
The car also boasts a sophisticated heads up display which BMW promises will give drivers “a unique digital user experience that merges real and virtual worlds.” By that I hope they mean I’ll be able to drive around Sydney’s streets like Pac Man, gobbling up glowing white orbs.
When will these cars be on the road? Sooner than you might imagine.
According to BMW, they’ll launch up to six new electric models under the the “Neue Klasse” name – including sedans and SUVs – between 2025 and 2027.
They won’t look exactly the same as what we’re seeing here, but hopefully they’ll be close.
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