BMW: Large electric SUVs to be built on combustion platform

It starts in 2026 with the iX5 and then it will be the turn of the iX6 and iX7. But the company will also use components from the Neue Klasse. Here's why

By: Francesco Barontini

Jan 30, 2025 at 4:29am ET

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BMW is focusing on electrics and with the new BMW iX3 is preparing to launch the Neue Klasse platform, which will be a kind of flagship for zero-emission mobility for the Munich-based group.

However, according to the latest rumours, the larger electric SUVs, from the iX5 to the iX6 and iX7, will use a different platform. In fact, they will still be based on the CLAR platform, on which a large number of combustion models with varying degrees of electrification (including the battery-only iX and i4 models) have been built since 2015.

A multi-powered model

BMW plans to launch six new models over the next three years. The first in this new series will be the BMW iX5, expected in 2026. The car will be the zero-emission sister of the new-generation X5 and will be available with petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid engines.

The new generation X5 will also be offered in a hydrogen fuel cell version from 2028 and will also use the CLAR platform. But why this platform distinction?

The CLAR platform used on the 100% electric iX SUV

Photo by: BMW

It will still be produced in Spartanburg

According to the British magazine Autocar, it would have been too expensive to use certain traditional powertrains for models based on the Neue Klasse. This is because the New Class was born as an 'electric first', and although it can be used in cars with internal combustion engines, it may not always be the most efficient solution.

The X5, which will be able to continue using large engines such as the V8, will therefore retain the current generation CLAR platform, which will be updated for 2026.

Another reason why the next X5 (as well as the iX5) will use this platform is that the car will still be produced at the US plant in Spartanburg, where many of the German company's SUVs (X3, X4, X5, X6, X7 and XM) are already built. The plant is currently undergoing a major reorganisation, but could continue to use the current lines for the production of new models.

The BMW factory in Spartanburg, South Carolina

Will also have Neue Klasse 'parts

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Although based on the CLAR platform, the new iX5 will use many components from the 'Neue Klasse' electrics. It will feature an 800-volt architecture, cylindrical cell batteries and a sixth-generation powertrain.

This will also allow BMW to produce an M-Performance version, which is expected to deliver more than 600 PS. With the available mechanicals, even more powerful models are not out of the question.