BMW AG appears to be faring far better than many of its competitors. CEO Oliver Zipse noting on 6 November that after certain “extraordinary challenges” during the third quarter, the current one is looking good in terms of earnings.
All three brands are performing well, with Mini and BMW especially strong for new models. Meanwhile, Rolls-Royce, having revealed the Spectre in 2022, has this year launched Series II versions of the Cullinan and Ghost. A successor for the big electric coupe is likely eight years away, with new editions of the marque’s smaller sedan and its sole SUV expected between 2028 and 2030, followed by a fresh Phantom.
This report examines certain Mini and BMW brand models due to debut between 2025 and the early-to-mid 2030s.
Mini
Never has Mini had as large a model fleet as it does now. There may even be room for at least one more, that being something around the 4.2-4.3 metre long mark, likely an SUV.
The potential extra model would slot in below the 4,433 mm long Countryman and just above the Aceman (4,075 mm). Would it be electric? Yes, but IC-powered variants might also feature. And as for when it could arrive, the smart money suggests sometime between 2026 and 2028. This might even be the launch model for NEx, the first Mini version of Neue Klasse (see BMW section below).
F65, F66 and F67 are the codes for the three-door, five-door ands convertible liquid-fuel Cooper series cars. Each has debuted this year as a major restyle of the previous generation and should endure for some years yet. They may even stick around for relevant markets (ones where EVs could take quite a while to become mainstream) until the late 2020s.
Looking a lot like F65 but based on a Great Wall Motor architecture rather than a BMW platform, J01, the electric Cooper, is another fresh launch from earlier in 2024. Unlike FAAR platform cars, there is just a three-door body and build is in China, part of the BMW-GWM Spotlight Automotive JV.
When do F65, F66 and F67 disappear?
J01 should be replaced in 2030 by a direct successor and this time, there will be two other bodies, those being a convertible and five-door hatchback. Production would be in both England and China. At the same time, F65, F66 and F67 would be discontinued as the Cooper series goes electric-only.
As the Aceman is still new, no major developments are due over the coming few years. A facelift should arrive in 2028 and a second generation in 2031 or 2032.
Positioned at the top of the Mini tree, the U25 Countryman should be up for renewal in 2030/2031 with the JCW to follow in 2032. The platform is said to be Neue Klasse NBx but it is presently too early to confirm the manufacturing plant. While IC power is certainly possible, BMW will more than likely make this model solely an EV.
BMW
Many wonder what exactly BMW means by Neue Klasse (NCAR for short). Is it a platform, a series of models, a new look for the brand or something else entirely? Neue Klasse is in fact four platforms, with a unified theme for all models developed from these linked sets of modules.
The IC- and EV-compatible architectures are:
NAx (RWD & AWD), iX3-sized models
NBx (FWD & AWD), smaller models (i1, i2, next Countryman, next iX1)
NDx (RWD & AWD), full-size models (next 5 Series and above plus SUVs)
ZAx (RWD & AWD), specialist models, e.g. M and sports cars
We see in the image above what should be the launch model for NCAR, or at least a concept preview which serves as a general guide. While BMW has not confirmed that iX3 will be the model name, a new generation of this electric SUV (codename: NA5) is due to premiere in 2025 and reach production (at Debrecen in Hungary) in 2026.
Next 3 Series
Also set to premiere next year is G50 (sedan) /G51 (Touring), the eighth generation 3 Series. This should again also be available in electric form, but for the new model, no longer only in China. That would mean a standard wheelbase body this time as well as a Touring. Platforms are CLAR for IC-powered cars and NCAR for EVs. The big news on the manufacturing side of things is build being rumoured for Dingolfing rather than Munich. Some reports do however state that both plants will make the model.
In 2026, we should see the arrival of an iX4, the code of which is said to be NA7. This will be another Neue Klasse model and insiders claim BMW has taken the decision not to replace the X4. Debrecen (Hungary) seems the most likely manufacturing location.
Another EV - the i7 - is due for a facelift in 2026. Liquid fuel variants will receive a corresponding Life Cycle Impulse (LCI) as BMW terms such mid-life updates. Around the same time, the Z4 should be phased out as should the 8 Series Coupe, Convertible and Gran Coupe.
An electric X5
The company will be having a busy time of it during the latter half of 2026 with X65, a new X5, plus an iX5. The second of the pair will be a Neue Klasse model and more than likely built in China. Spartanburg should produce the CLAR-based gasoline variants as well as send kits to Brazil for assembly at Araquari. The X6 and and iX6 should join these models around one year later.
M division has of course not been overlooked in all of this, with both IC (G84) and EV (ZA0) power to be available for a new M3 in 2027. Interestingly, the internal combustion engine cars will not be built in Munich: that plant is due to go electric-only within 30-36 months’ time.
The front- and all-wheel drive NBx architecture is expected in 2027 too. BMW is said to be planning both a five-door hatchback and a sedan for relevant markets. We can consider this programme the follow-up to today’s 1 Series albeit in a radically different form. Joining the ‘i1’ in 2028 will be two other Neue Klasse NBx vehicles, those being the ‘i2’ crossover and ‘iX2’ SUV.
Hydrogen
It’s easy to overlook BMW AG’s continued enthusiasm for fuel cell vehicles but the company continues to be quietly moving forward in this sphere. An iX5 Hydrogen is reportedly on track for launch in 2028, part of a joint venture with Toyota Motor Corporation.
Will the 4 Series Coupe and Convertible go EV-only for their next generation? BMW is said to be weighing up what to do with this development programme. As the architecture is flexible, successors for today’s four- and six-cylinder cars are possible but perhaps not so likely. Build is due to commence in July 2028.
5er and 7er successors
Aside from various LCIs, the big news for 2029 will be the arrival of the eighth generation 7 Series. The company has no need just yet to make a decision on whether or not petrol engines will feature but an i7 is guaranteed, as well as an extended wheelbase model. Generation nine is due in 2036.
In 2030 comes the next 5 Series and i5, these being NDx-based models. Germany and China should be the twin production locations. A replacement for the G90 M5 follows in 2031. Facelifts would arrive in 2034.
"BMW & Mini future models 2025-2035" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand.
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