Neue Klasse: Inside BMW's "blank-sheet" reinvention for the EV era

Neue Klasse marks BMW's most sweeping rewrite of how it designs and builds cars for the electric era, aiming to preserve the driving feel that defines the brand while changing architecture, engineering, and manufacturing processes. The Mundy Award for Engineering—named for Harry Mundy, an engine designer and Autocar writer—honors outstanding contributions to the industry. Previous winners include Renault's Philippe Krief, Nissan's David Moss, and GMA founder Gordon Murray, underscoring the award's prestige. This year BMW's Neue Klasse is honored for its meaningful progress in electric vehicle development and its ability to retain BMW's characteristic driving experience. The article frames Neue Klasse as a blank-sheet reinvention that rethinks powertrain integration and packaging while maintaining BMW's hallmark dynamics, signaling potential influence on future platforms as electrification accelerates.