(ELT) BMW 3 SERIES NK1

The first electric car of the “New Class” announced by BMW for the middle of the decade is to be an all-electric version of the next 3 Series generation, according to a British media report. The abbreviation “NK1” is given as the internal working title.

This is according to a report by Autocar. The 3 Series is to be powered by BMW’s sixth-generation powertrain with new electric motors, and 800-volt battery technology is to enable charging power of 350 kW, as the British magazine writes without naming any specific sources. 

The sixth-generation e-drives, however, will be current-excited synchronous motors, as was the case with the just-introduced fifth generation.

Speaking on the sidelines of the BMX iX and i4 drive launch, BMW board member for development Frank Weber had described the “Neue Klasse” (New Class) announced by BMW CEO Oliver Zipse as BMW’s new universal construction kit. “The Neue Klasse represents the beginning of a new phase of operations for BMW. It’s scaled to allow us to build electric cars from a 2 Series-sized saloon up to an X7-sized SUV,” Weber explained.

The Autocar report is based on a conversation with Weber, even if concrete figures such as the 350 kW charging capacity are not attributed to the development executive. In principle, the ‘Neue Klasse’ is intended to enable front-wheel-drive, rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive EV models, accommodating modular battery packs of varying capacity. 

Weber did not give any details on the batteries, but made it clear that the “NK1″ would still get batteries with liquid electrolyte – Weber does not see solid-state batteries in series production before the end of the decade - electrive.com - link - Chris Randall - link - more like this - link