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BMW is taking a unique approach to electrifying its larger SUVs by retaining the CLAR platform rather than adopting the Neue Klasse architecture. While the latter is designed for an all-electric future, BMW has determined that modifying it for larger combustion-based models would be too costly and inefficient. Instead, upcoming electric SUVs such as the iX5, iX6, and iX7 will be built on an evolved version of the CLAR platform, which has been used since 2015.
The first model to follow this strategy will be the BMW iX5, set to launch in 2026 alongside its combustion-powered X5 counterpart. This new X5 generation will offer a range of powertrains, including petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid, and even a hydrogen fuel cell variant expected by 2028. By sticking with the CLAR platform, BMW ensures compatibility with high-performance engines like the V8, maintaining the brand’s commitment to diverse powertrain options while advancing electrification.
Production for these models will remain at BMW’s Spartanburg plant in the US, a key facility responsible for assembling several BMW SUVs, including the X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, and XM. Despite ongoing upgrades at the plant, BMW’s decision to keep the CLAR-based architecture for the next-generation X5 and iX5 allows for smoother integration into existing production lines, avoiding the complexity of shifting to an entirely new platform.
Although these electric SUVs will not use the Neue Klasse platform entirely, they will incorporate several of its advanced technologies. The iX5, for example, will feature an 800-volt electrical system, BMW’s new cylindrical cell batteries, and the latest sixth-generation powertrain. This technology infusion will also enable the creation of a high-performance M version, potentially delivering over 600 PS, with the possibility of even more powerful variants in the future.
