New spy shots from Autoblog reveal BMW’s upcoming Neue Klasse EV Coupe. The new model is expected to fit into the lineup in a similar way to the i8 EV coupe, which ended production in 2020. The spy photos also reveal the new model may be operating with hub-mounted electric motors.
While hub-mounted motor technology has been available for a few years, this would be the first production model to feature the new technology, according to the report. One of the biggest factors to overcome is unsprung weight considering a motor is essentially sitting within each wheel.
In the spy photos, the wheel seems to be missing brake calipers, which was what first pointed Autoblog toward the hub-mounted motor design. Bodywork and camouflage on the vehicle seem to indicate a production announcement is not far off.
Read the full report from Autoblog here.