The company recently revealed that it will begin mass production of its groundbreaking sixth-generation (Gen6) electric vehicle (EV) batteries in China by 2026. BMW is focusing on a new battery architecture that will utilize large cylindrical cells.

The Gen6 BMW Neue Klasse electric cars will promise 30 per cent faster charging and 30 per cent additional range compared to the current crop of EVs of the brand.

Up front, BMW will optionally use lower-cost, lower-power Asynchronous motors (ASM). Their design makes them better suited for regenerative braking, thus the front-axle placement. There will be two varieties of ASM motor, one making 161 hp, and another making 241 horsepower.

Taking inspiration from BMW's Vision Driving Experience, Sugar Design has imagined what a future i3 wagon could look like

BMW will implement a number of revisions to its latest battery technology, which will show up in the Neue Klasse–based EVs like the next-generation i3 sedan and iX3 crossover. The so-called BMW Gen6 battery – which as its name suggests is the company's sixth iteration of EV technology – will feature a 30 percent longer range than the existing unit found in cars like the BMW i5 and iX,

That range boost can’t come soon enough for some BMW EVs. The new iX2 xDrive30, for instance, has a WLTP rating of less than 285 miles (460 km). And the automaker says certain models will see range gains better than 30 percent. All Gen6 EVs will also be capable of bi-directional charging.