Photo: kolesaru / Instagram
After years of playing with everyone's expectations and defiantly creating new styles for some of its most popular models – the disjointed looks of the M3 and M4, 7 Series and i7, plus iX or XM might become a thing of the past. So, it's almost time for the BMW 'Neue Klasse.'
With the design architect responsible for the wacky styling of the past few years out of the picture – he's been sent to be tamed at Rolls-Royce – BMW is preparing to introduce a whole new generation of models. They're called 'Neue Klasse' at the moment, a reference to the models that saved the company in the 1960s but also as a way to signal they're looking forward to a new age of design and technology.
These are supposedly touching every upcoming model, including the passenger cars or the crossover SUVs – from X5 down to the 3 Series. The latter has been recently spied on by our spy photographer partners in a premiere – the 2026 BMW i3 'Neue Klasse' sedan, to be more precise. While the original i3 was a quirky suicide-door hatchback EV made of CFRP, the new iteration will be the all-electric version of the BMW 3 Series, just like in the case of the larger 5 Series and i5 plus the flagship 7 Series and i7.
As far as we can tell, behind the thick layers of camouflage hides a premium compact sedan featuring a toned-down version of the design exhibited by the Vision Neue Klasse sedan with more traditional proportions and slightly less quirky styling compared to the prototype. The 2026 BMW i3 will probably debut next year with an 800-volt architecture and the latest BMW eDrive goodies, followed by the iX3 crossover based on the Vision Neue Klasse X.
Many assume that the BMW 3 Series sibling, powered by ICE powertrains (including PHEV), will follow the same design ethos – but not everyone across the rumor mill concurs with that line of thought. For example, the good folks over at Kolesa acknowledge the recent batch of spy photos and the potential connections to the Neue Klasse concept.
However, with help from their resident pixel master Nikita Chuicko, aka kelsonik on social media, they have imagined the eighth iteration of the BMW 3 Series featuring a more conventional design for the traditional ICE-powered version. So, it's out with the toned-down 'Neue Klasse' styling exhibited by the i3 prototype and in with the BMW 5 Series DNA on this unofficial, hypothetical CGI situation.
The CGI expert prepared a completely new design for the premium executive sedan with the same proportions as the current car – a long hood, short front overhand, long wheelbase, and larger rear overhang. On the other hand, the design project features elements seen on the latest models up front and a rear setup that's obviously a shrunk version of the 5 Series four-door sedan. So, what do you think?
If you don't like it, no worries. We also have the unofficial, hypothetical vision of the creator behind the germanysfinest43 account on social media embedded below. This pixel master, on the other hand, imagined the BMW i3 with the 'Neue Klasse' styling - and it's surely something to behold, though we are not entirely convinced it's a good thing!
These are supposedly touching every upcoming model, including the passenger cars or the crossover SUVs – from X5 down to the 3 Series. The latter has been recently spied on by our spy photographer partners in a premiere – the 2026 BMW i3 'Neue Klasse' sedan, to be more precise. While the original i3 was a quirky suicide-door hatchback EV made of CFRP, the new iteration will be the all-electric version of the BMW 3 Series, just like in the case of the larger 5 Series and i5 plus the flagship 7 Series and i7.
As far as we can tell, behind the thick layers of camouflage hides a premium compact sedan featuring a toned-down version of the design exhibited by the Vision Neue Klasse sedan with more traditional proportions and slightly less quirky styling compared to the prototype. The 2026 BMW i3 will probably debut next year with an 800-volt architecture and the latest BMW eDrive goodies, followed by the iX3 crossover based on the Vision Neue Klasse X.
Many assume that the BMW 3 Series sibling, powered by ICE powertrains (including PHEV), will follow the same design ethos – but not everyone across the rumor mill concurs with that line of thought. For example, the good folks over at Kolesa acknowledge the recent batch of spy photos and the potential connections to the Neue Klasse concept.
However, with help from their resident pixel master Nikita Chuicko, aka kelsonik on social media, they have imagined the eighth iteration of the BMW 3 Series featuring a more conventional design for the traditional ICE-powered version. So, it's out with the toned-down 'Neue Klasse' styling exhibited by the i3 prototype and in with the BMW 5 Series DNA on this unofficial, hypothetical CGI situation.
The CGI expert prepared a completely new design for the premium executive sedan with the same proportions as the current car – a long hood, short front overhand, long wheelbase, and larger rear overhang. On the other hand, the design project features elements seen on the latest models up front and a rear setup that's obviously a shrunk version of the 5 Series four-door sedan. So, what do you think?
If you don't like it, no worries. We also have the unofficial, hypothetical vision of the creator behind the germanysfinest43 account on social media embedded below. This pixel master, on the other hand, imagined the BMW i3 with the 'Neue Klasse' styling - and it's surely something to behold, though we are not entirely convinced it's a good thing!
Google News