Latest news with #NeueKlasse
Miami Herald
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
BMW Backs Away from Self-Driving Promises
In demonstrating its next-generation Neue Klasse electric cars, BMW was surprisingly diffident about the prospects for high-level autonomy. This comes at a time when Tesla and rival robotaxis grab the media landscape, and other established manufacturers scramble in the same direction. BMW is almost setting itself up not as the Ultimate Driving Machine, but the Only Driving Machine. Perhaps BMW is just recognizing what the whole industry has found: that autonomous driving is far harder than anyone thought, and also that in most places outside China, the car-buying public isn't sure they want it anyway. The prevailing thought used to be very different. In the early to middle of the last decade, most car companies said autonomous driving would be here by 2021 or so. In 2017, BMW showed a concept-car version of what would become the iX. The engineers told us the production iX would be able to drive itself door-to-door in many parts of the world by 2023. That date has come and gone, and there's little sign of the capability. Related: 2026 BMW iX gets more power, range, and trim levels Alexander Karajlovic, head of driving dynamics and assistance for the next iX3, no longer talks much of autonomous driving, preferring the phrase 'co-operative driving'. The car will assist its driver in many new ways, but the driver has to be – and wants to be, BMW thinks – always in the loop. If you drive well, the systems won't nanny you, but if you seem to be inattentive, they step in. For instance, if your eyes are on the road and you steer a smooth line through a curve, even if you transgress the dotted line in the center of the road, the wheel won't nudge your hands back into the lane. Change lanes without signaling? No annoying buzzer, as long as you've checked your mirror. If a parked car blocks your lane, it'll brake gently and steer around it, rather than panic braking and blaring alarms. There are also some fancy self-parking systems, using AI to help drivers find spaces, make it easy to select one, and drive in with natural-feeling precision. The processor's power to do this is significant. It's a single central water-cooled chip, as powerful as the 'Heart of Joy' computer that controls the vehicle's powertrain, brakes and chassis. It's 20 times more powerful than BMW's existing driver-assist brains. It uses AI algorithms for perception planning, making the operation smoother, but, Karajlovic says, sticks to rule-based planning for safety. "We are looking for safety, not planning flashy features," he insists. "We are not focusing on a few customers on level three [high-level highway] assistance, because the majority won't get an advantage." But all cars in the Neue Klasse are upgradable. If customers truly want it and the legislative climate gets more favorable, an OTA update will give all Neue Klasse cars capability for SAE Level 2+ driving. That's feet off, hands off, eyes on the road. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Hindustan Times
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
BMW sales take a hit in Asia despite global gains. Check details
The all-new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is slated to arrive in India on July 17, 2025. Check Offers BMW Group might have reported record global sales in the first six months of 2025, but a closer look suggests a concerning trend in one of its important markets - Asia. Other sub-brands from its premium division reported sales and growth in demand for electric vehicles (EVs) that are astounding, but the primary BMW brand reported a notable drop, especially from China - which is its biggest Asian market. Asia pulls down BMW brand ,omentum Asia, a major proportion of BMW's global sales, experienced a significant 11.1 per cent decline in H1 2025, with the second quarter alone experiencing a 10.1 per cent loss. The decline was worse in China specifically, as compared to previous year BMW's sales volume of deliveries is down 13.7 per cent in Q2 and 15.5 per cent compared to the past half-year. The decline BMW faces also follows broader problems for German luxury brands in China, with rival brands Mercedes-Benz and Porsche performing worse over the same period. A range of issues has purportedly caused the problems for BMW in Asia. Prices and competition from local EV producers, changing consumer preferences, and macro uncertainty could all have impacted core BMW brand's Q2 sales fell 2.6 per cent globally, and this decline would have been deeper without the robust performance of its high-margin divisions. Also Read : BMW Group reports record H1 2025 sales as EV and SAV demand accelerates India emerges as a bright spot Interestingly, not all Asian markets are following the same trajectory. India has emerged as a rare bright spot for the company. BMW India reported its highest-ever first-half sales, with 7,098 cars and 4,167 motorcycles delivered in H1 2025 — a year-on-year growth of 21 per cent and 33 per cent, respectively. The growth was primarily fueled by the demand for Sports Activity Vehicles (SAVs) and the growing popularity of BMW's electric range in the nation. This juxtaposition reflects the disparate performance of the brand in Asia and underlines India's increasing significance in BMW's regional strategy. EV push offers hope for core brand BMW's bet on electrification continues to pay dividends. In H1 2025, global EV sales grew 15.7 per cent, while combined EV and PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) deliveries rose 18.5 per cent. Even in Q2, which was less buoyant, electrified vehicles accounted for a 10.2 per cent increase year-on-year. Also Read : New-Gen BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe First Drive Review - More substance with style With the introduction of the Neue Klasse — BMW's next-gen EV platform scheduled for introduction in 2025 — the brand will be ready to take a giant leap in terms of technology and design. BMW is banking on this new range to turn around the overall brand's negative trajectory and become more competitive in markets such as China where local EV players have established themselves strongly. Sub-brands carry the load While the core brand faltered, BMW Group's overall automotive sales rose marginally by 0.4 per cent in Q2, thanks to strong performances from BMW M (+7.8 per cent), MINI (+33.1 per cent), and Rolls-Royce (+9.4 per cent). These sub-brands have helped shield the Group from more severe headwinds. The group's total automotive deliveries stood at 621,271 for Q2 and 1.2 million for the first half, only marginally down by 0.5 per cent year-on-year. However, these aggregate figures obscure the growing pressure on the main BMW brand in its most strategically important region. Get insights into Upcoming Cars In India, Electric Vehicles, Upcoming Bikes in India and cutting-edge technology transforming the automotive landscape. First Published Date: 14 Jul 2025, 09:30 am IST
Motor 1
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Everything Coming to the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed
It's that time of year again—the Goodwood Festival of Speed kicks off this week. The annual automotive event, which sees hundreds of vehicles take on the 1.17-mile hillclimb course, returns to the iconic Goodwood House in West Sussex for its 32nd consecutive year. This year looks like it'll be another doozy. Dozens of automakers plan to debut new vehicles on the show lawn, while a handful of others hope to break records at the hillclimb event over the long weekend. We'll be there to see it all in person. In the meantime, here's a quick list of every new car you'll be able to see when Goodwood opens its doors beginning on Thursday, July 10. BMW Vision Driving Experience Concept Photo by: BMW Following its debut at the Shanghai Auto Show, BMW will run its Vision Driving Experience up the hill at Goodwood this weekend. While there are no plans to put this car into production, it serves as a clear picture of how the upcoming 'Neue Klasse' 3 Series will look when it hits the road next year. Funky fascia and widebody aside, the most interesting part of the Vision Driving Experience is what BMW calls the 'Heart of Joy,' a centralized computer system responsible for controlling the car's dynamic functions like braking, charging, battery regeneration, and steering. Dash SlipStream Photo by: Dash Bespoke Dash, a UK-based racing company that's been around since the mid-2000s, just launched a new spinoff focused on road-going sports cars . But instead of debuting just one vehicle, this company will build you your own supercar, essentially from the ground up. And instead of charging millions for a bespoke chassis, the company will base its new creations on its carbon fiber monocoque architecture, codenamed TR01. The TR01 works with anything from batteries to a naturally aspirated V-8 with a manual transmission. It uses a mid-engine layout paired with a double-wishbone suspension with inboard springs and dampers. The first car to be based on the TR01, the SlipStream, will show its face at Goodwood. Honda Civic Type R Ultimate Photo by: Honda Honda killed the Civic Type R in Europe due to stricter emissions regulations, but the hot hatch gets a proper sendoff with the Type R Ultimate Edition . It gets a host of cosmetic mods, including a carbon fiber wing, a black roof, and some red stripes on the hood and doors. Inside, you'll find even more carbon fiber trim, along with red floor mats. Things are untouched under the hood, though we're not complaining. The turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four produces a healthy 324 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, sending power to the front wheels via one of the best six-speed manuals on sale today. Honda hasn't said how many Ultimate Editions will be built, though we suspect it won't be many. Honda Super EV Photo by: Honda A special Type R isn't the only thing Honda's bringing to Goodwood this year. The automaker will also debut a new concept called the Super EV . It's a tiny, A-segment hatchback that could be a successor to Honda's much-loved E hatchback sold in Europe. Details on the Super EV are slim, though judging by its license plates and full-sized side mirrors, it looks fairly production-ready. There are significant fender flares and a big, wide bumper hiding under that camouflage, suggesting some sportiness. To us, the Super EV looks most closely related to the Honda N-One, a similarly sized hatchback currently sold in Japan. So it's possible this car could be its replacement. Hyundai Ioniq 6 N Photo by: Hyundai The Hyundai Ioniq 6 N is one of the most highly anticipated EVs of 2025. And since it was teased way back in 2022, it's also long overdue. Teasers and spy photos suggest widebody fenders, a more aggressive fascia, and a big wing out back for better aerodynamics. Hyundai has yet to reveal specs, though we expect the Ioniq 6 N to share a drivetrain with its crossover sibling, the Ioniq 5 N. That means up to 641 horsepower and 545 pound-feet of torque from two electric motors—one at the front, and another at the rear. The 6's smaller size means it should be lighter, equating to a 0-60 time in the low three-second range. Land Rover Range Rover Sport SV Black Edition Photo by: Land Rover Blacked-out trim is an ever-growing trend in the industry, and Land Rover is taking full advantage with its latest model, the Range Rover Sport SV Black. As the name suggests, virtually every surface, inside and out, is covered in black trim, from the 23-inch alloy wheels to the gigantic brake calipers. The leather, the logos, and even the lug nuts are blacked out. Thankfully, nothing changes under the hood. Like the regular RR Sport SV , the Black gets a BMW-sourced twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 with mild hybrid assistance, pushing out a total of 626 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. That's enough for a 0-62 time of just 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 180 miles per hour. Lanzante 95-59 Photo by: Lanzante Bespoke UK carmaker Lanzante has a lot of history with the McLaren F1. It was the team that fielded an F1 GTR at the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans, taking overall victory. Now, to pay tribute to that victory, it's building an F1-inspired supercar of its own. The car, codenamed Project 95-59 , will be based on a McLaren and utilize a three-seat configuration. Though Lanzante hasn't confirmed it, we suspect that means it'll be based on the Speedtail, McLaren's only modern three-seater. The company says the car will target a 700-horsepower-per-ton power-to-weight ratio, but stopped short of revealing what sort of powertrain we should expect. If we had to guess, it'll likely be a modified version of the Speedtail's twin-turbo V-8. More From Goodwood 2026 Aston Martin Vantage S Revealed: More Power, But Softer Suspension The Pagani Huayra Codalunga Loses Its Roof and Adds a Manual Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
The Drive
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Drive
Next-Gen BMW X5 Spied Hammering the Nürburgring With Full-Width Kidney Grille
The latest car news, reviews, and features. BMW's midsize X5 SUV is due for an overhaul in not too long, and our spies recently caught a prototype on everybody's favorite public road—that quaint little German byway known as the Nürburgring. The current X5 received its mid-cycle update for the 2024 model year along side its rake-back platform mate, the X6. That may seem like only yesterday in this fast-moving news climate, but even among luxury entries, the two-row family SUV is still a hot segment, and keeping up with the Joneses is still as important as it has ever been. After all, the X5 is no spring chicken. It was one of the early entries in the mainstream luxury SUV market in the late 1990s, and has been a staple of the segment ever since. Bear in mind that this prototype is still rocking some fairly comprehensive camouflage, so the finer details will emerge a bit different from what we're seeing here. Still, the aggressively squat rear fenders and the buttress-like d-pillars make it look lower and wider than we'd imagine from a mid-size luxury SUV—even one that has consistently been offered in a corner-carving 'M' variant. That said, there's one element we can pretty much guarantee is here to stay: the Neue-Klasse-inspired nose job. We've seen it elsewhere on BMW's next-gen prototypes (it gives this M3 EV prototype some VW Jetta vibes) and we expect it to be incorporated into virtually everything BMW builds, electric or otherwise. And speaking of 'otherwise,' so far, these X5 prototypes fall into that category. That's right: According to our spies, BMW has thus far only tested internal-combustion variants of its new mid-sizer in public. While we're certain there's a new battery-powered 'iX5' in the works somewhere, BMW has either put it on the back burner, or is not yet at the stage of development where on-road testing is required. You can browse through the full gallery below. Got a news tip? Spy something cool? Send it our way at tips@
Miami Herald
05-07-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
BMW Drops Incredible X3 Lease Offer For July
The SUV that spawned an entire product line for BMW, the X3, has been a pillar of BMW's success for over 20 years. Combining the automaker's world-class driving experience with the seating and cargo capacity many consumers crave, the BMW X3 is found on roads everywhere and is a perennial favorite for reviewers and buyers. For its fourth-generation X3, BMW is bridging the gap between an already stellar SUV (or "Sports Activity Vehicle," in BMW parlance) and the company's future Neue Klasse design ethos. In many regards, there has never been a better time to own a BMW, which might be why BMW has such an incredible lease offer for its mainstay Sports Activity Vehicle. If you're looking for a lease deal on the BMW X3, the automaker will put well-qualified buyers behind the wheel of a 2025 BMW X3 30 xDrive for $599 per month, with only $5,589 down. This is a 39-month lease with a 32,500-mile mileage allowance. This lease deal is good through July 31, 2025. Lease terms are often negotiable, but they are dependent on the dealership. If you'd prefer to drive off in a 2025 BMW X3 lease with zero money down, that might be possible. Your monthly payment will increase, of course, and we estimate the additional monthly premium to be around $140, bringing your total monthly payment to approximately $879 per month. The 2025 BMW X3 incorporates a lot of design cues from BMW's future-facing Neue Klasse vehicles but has its feet firmly planted in 2026. Up front, you're met with BMW's familiar kidney grille fascia, which the automaker dubs the "BMW Iconic Glow Kidney Grille." The large grille features a customizable inset that lights up at night, with an air intake located at the bottom of the front bumper. Its big, bold headlights frame the X3. The 2025 BMW X3 is subdued around the sides and rear; minimal body lines help the X3 appear far more aggressive than previous iterations. Tall side glass and a small rear window are hallmarks of the X3, and they remain for this model as well. Inside, BMW has incorporated its dual-screen setup for front passengers. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster sits behind the wheel, blending seamlessly into the 14.9-inch infotainment screen, which supports iDrive 9. A vertical wireless charging pad, first seen in a BMW Sports Activity Vehicle in the X1, is located below the touch capacitive comfort controls. Meanwhile, a drive mode toggle and iDrive control wheel are at the driver's ready on the center console. Under the hood, BMW packed a 2.0-liter TwinPower Turbo inline 4-cylinder engine, which has a maximum horsepower rating of 255 and a 0-60 time of six seconds flat. The X3 keeps you tethered to the road with BMW's xDrive system, the company's all-wheel-drive powertrain. You'll also get metallic paint options, BMW's Premium Package and Convenience Package, and the Parking Assistant Package. Remember, lease offers depend on dealership participation and vehicle availability. The monthly payment incorporates a suggested dealer contribution, which is optional. Lessees are responsible for insurance, and not all applicants will qualify for the $0 security deposit. *Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. The information presented herein is based on manufacturer-provided lease offer information, which is subject to frequent change and may vary based on location, creditworthiness, and other factors. We are not a party to any lease agreements and assume no liability for the terms, conditions, availability, or accuracy of any lease offers mentioned. All terms, including but not limited to pricing, mileage allowances, and residual values, require direct verification with an authorized local OEM dealership. This article does not constitute financial advice or an endorsement of any particular lease or vehicle. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
