BMW’s Future Flagship Sports Car: A Futuristic Two-Seat Coupé in the Works
BMW is gearing up to release a futuristic two-seat coupé as part of its upcoming Neue Klasse electric car lineup. Recently, a prototype of the car was spotted testing near the company’s R&D base in Bavaria. While heavily camouflaged, the vehicle showcases several design cues from the Neue Klasse and Neue Klasse X concepts, such as the reinterpreted kidney grille. One notable feature of the prototype is the absence of visible brake calipers, indicating that it may be powered by four in-wheel motors.
This marks a departure from BMW’s current electric vehicles like the i4, which have motors mounted inboard of their axles. To support this new direction, BMW invested $16.1 million into Deepdrive, a motor specialist located near its R&D base. Deepdrive claims that its drive units, including both in-wheel and conventional ‘central drives,’ are more cost- and energy-efficient than existing options. They also offer greater torque density. The range-topping RM2400 in-wheel motor from Deepdrive can produce up to 250kW (335bhp) and 2400Nm (1770lb ft) of torque.
BMW’s new Heart of Joy drive controller, which is said to be crucial to the character of its upcoming EVs, can support outputs of up to 1000kW (1341bhp). This aligns perfectly with the combined outputs of four RM2400 motors. Deepdrive plans to start small-scale production of its dual-rotor motors in 2026, with large-scale output following in 2028. It expects in-wheel motors to account for 5-10% of the total motor market by 2030. However, it is likely that Deepdrive will prioritize production of the more conventional central drive units, suggesting that the BMW coupé may be a limited edition model.
While BMW has not officially confirmed these plans, there seems to be a desire within the company to produce a high-performance flagship sports car. The automaker had previously designed a hybrid mid-engined supercar called the i16, but work on the project was halted due to the Covid pandemic in 2020. With the release of the new iX3 and electric 3 Series next year as part of the Neue Klasse lineup, it is possible that the BMW coupé could serve as the flagship model for this new wave of vehicles.
In conclusion, BMW’s development of a futuristic two-seat coupé with in-wheel motors demonstrates its commitment to innovation in the electric vehicle space. By investing in Deepdrive’s advanced drive units, BMW aims to create more efficient and high-performance electric cars. While details about the coupé are still limited, it is expected to be a limited edition model that showcases BMW’s technological prowess. Car enthusiasts can look forward to the release of this flagship sports car in the coming years, as BMW continues to push the boundaries of electric vehicle design and performance.
