BMW will ditch its iDrive controller in its upcoming Neue Klasse electric cars.
BMW Blog reports word from the brand’s head of research and development, Frank Weber, that vehicles built on the Neue Klasse platform will continue to feature an infotainment touchscreen but go without the iDrive controller altogether.
According to the news outlet, BMW will install haptic buttons on the steering wheel to assist drivers in accessing key certain features.
The BMW Vision Neue Klasse concept didn’t feature the iDrive controller so it’s not surprising Neue Klasse production vehicles won’t continue with the item.
While BMW rolled out the controller across its range after its debut in 2001 on the E65 7 Series, inspiring similar setups from rival brands, it has been moving away from it with certain vehicles.
Recently BMW debuted iDrive 9 in vehicles such as the X1, X2 and the 2 Series Active Tourer, all of which don’t have an iDrive controller.
A replacement for the current iX3 will be the first vehicle on BMW’s Neue Klasse platform and will debut in 2025.
BMW will have at least six Neue Klasse models on sale by 2028, including a 3 Series-sized sedan.
BMW Blog reports an i3 Touring and iX4 could also be on the list. M variants of the four models are also expected and could debut in 2027.
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