The Imaginative and prescient Driving Expertise made headlines for its unprecedented technical specs. The quad-motor EV has 18,000 Nm of torque (probably on the wheels) and over 1,300 horsepower. It may climb a 55-degree ramp and incorporates 5 followers that generate 1,000 kilograms (2,204 kilos) of static downforce. Lively aero provides one other 200 kg (441 lbs), and BMW claims the automobile can generate lateral forces of as much as 3Gs.
That’s spectacular and all, however what in regards to the design? At Auto Shanghai 2025, Bmwblog spoke with Adrian van Hooydonk in regards to the VDX. A beefier follow-up to the 2023 Imaginative and prescient New Class Ideathis can be a useful prototype fairly than a static idea. BMW Group’s Head of Design says they’ve widened the automobile by becoming bulging arches, presumably hinting on the electrical M3 (“ZA0”) coming in a few years.
Though there’s no combustion engine beneath the hood, BMW added aspect air retailers to chill the electrical powertrain. The unique Imaginative and prescient Neue Klasse didn’t have the slots between the hood shut line and the fenders. At that time, warmth dissipation wasn’t a difficulty. Whereas the VDX gained’t go into manufacturing, the corporate’s design chief let it slip that the electrical i3 sedan will share some similarities, notably across the C-pillars and rear shoulders.
One function we hadn’t seen earlier than is on the again, the place air retailers are mounted beneath the taillights. The rear of the VDX protrudes greater than the present automobile’s. In line with van Hooydonk, the blown diffuser with big retailers provides the rear finish an “excessive” look.
The BMW Group’s design head confirmed that sedans will use the broader, horizontal kidney grille with built-in daytime operating lights. SUVs will undertake an upright format with narrower kidneys, as seen on the Imaginative and prescient Neue Klasse X. Curiously, van Hooydonk steered future fashions will function cleaner front-end styling by hiding a few of the sensors used for autonomous driving expertise.
Total, the brand new design language will use fewer strains to create smoother surfaces, as previewed by the 2 Imaginative and prescient Neue Klasse present automobiles. We additionally discovered that BMW will substitute chrome on the entrance with LEDs. The profile will embrace electrically operated winglets mounted on the beltline. Nonetheless, the iX3 gained’t have them—however the future X5 (“G65”) will, together with the Skytop.
Inside, the simplified cabin is nearer than ever to the production-ready i3 (“NA0”), together with the Panoramic Imaginative and prescient show and the brand new steering wheel. In fact, the roll cage and racing harness aren’t deliberate for the common i3 or its M variant.
BMW is actually retaining various issues beneath wraps till the iX3 premieres in early September. The i3 sedan will comply with subsequent yr, together with a long-wheelbase iX3 for China.
