The new generation concept car is coming to China for the first time, the new MINI family is making its world debut, 20 new BMW and MINI brand models will be launched in China this year, and an additional 20 billion yuan will be invested to upgrade the Shenyang production base...... The BMW Group's series of big moves during this year's Beijing Auto Show undoubtedly proves that the Chinese market is absolutely important to the BMW Group.
This year's Beijing Auto Show is the largest number of new models and new information brought by the BMW Group to the Chinese market. These include the new generation BMW concept car that came to China for the first time, the newly released all-electric BMW i4 and the new BMW M4, the world premiere of the all-new electric MINI Aceman, and the all-new electric MINI Cooper officially debuting in China. In addition to the huge lineup of new models and existing product lineups, the BMW Group subsequently announced an additional investment of 20 billion yuan to carry out a large-scale upgrade of the Shenyang production base to lay the foundation for the domestic production of BMW's next-generation models in 2026.
Speaking at the press conference, BMW Group Chairman Philip Zipzer said: "BMW is constantly innovating and optimizing its drive technologies, not only to protect the environment, but also to ensure that the diverse needs of our customers are met. With the new generation of models, we want to demonstrate the system implementation of the three core areas of the automotive industry in the future – electric, with a clear focus on sustainability and full digitalization. This also means that BMW will fully enter the future in three dimensions: design, technology and concept. ”
★The BMW Next-Generation Concept is the new generation of BMW's electrified future, which is being unveiled to the public for the first time in China. Unveiled at last year's Munich Motor Show, the concept car combines BMW's innovation capabilities in the core areas of electrification, digitalization and circular sustainability, and reinforces the BMW brand's sporty and luxury label in an extremely modern and innovative way, defining the future of smart luxury personal mobility.
BMW's new-generation concept car is a breakthrough innovation with its wide shape and clean lines, while retaining the classic BMW elements. The C-pillar design on the side of the concept car is a new interpretation of the classic "Hofmeister corner", which further emphasizes the car's sporty feel and improves the rear view. The front and rear of the car are full of visual impact, combined with three-dimensional body lines, to visually present BMW's "pure driving pleasure".
The first impression of the interior is that it is transparent, and the all-electric platform maximizes the interior space of the next-generation concept car and reinterprets the concept of "driver-oriented". Important information is displayed at the bottom of the windshield with brighter light and contrast, so that the road is in the driver's line of sight. For the first time, the central display features a more innovative irregular shape and is optimised for the driver's line of sight, ensuring that the screen presents the optimum viewing angle for the driver.
The sixth-generation BMW eDrive technology increases the energy density of battery cells by more than 20 percent, the vehicle efficiency by 25 percent, the driving range by 30 percent, and the charging voltage platform to 800 volts. ★ The new electric MINI Aceman is the first 5-seater crossover in the MINI family, featuring an inspired and innovative design, more interior space and versatility and a go-kart-like driving feel.
The all-new electric MINI Aceman combines the features of the MINI Cooper and MINI Countryman, filling the gap between the two models, with a body length of 4076x1754x1515 mm and a wheelbase of 2606 mm, which can normally accommodate 5 passengers.
The interior of the car is made of a large number of recycled materials and fabric materials, the two-tone fabric that wraps the cabin is made of recycled polyester fiber, including the curved instrument panel, doors, etc., and the seat surface is made of fabric surface or perforated Vescin vegan leather material, which is delicate and delicate, which is not only environmentally friendly, but also creates a warm and luxurious interior atmosphere. The use of leather is abandoned. What's more worth mentioning is that the production of the new model is 100% green electricity, and sustainable development is implemented from the source.
Of course, the most eye-catching part of the car is the industry's unique round OLED central control screen, which has a diameter of 240 mm, is slim and sturdy, and has bright and delicate colors. The round-screen operating system has its own MINI user interface and applications, which are operated in a similar way to smartphones, such as circular widgets for sliding and switching, and air touch in the shape of a rice flag. All interactive interfaces and apps are highly adapted to the circular screen, including navigation maps, circular air conditioning touch zones, etc., making the operation more realistic and intuitive.
The all-new electric MINI Aceman is equipped with a front-drive motor with a maximum output of 218 hp and a maximum torque of 330 Nm, and a 0-100 acceleration time of 7.3 seconds. The 54.2 kWh battery supports a range of 450 km in CLTC mode, and at a fast charging station, charging from 10% to 80% takes 31 minutes.
Go-kart driving pleasure has always been the essence of the MINI models, and so has the new electric MINI Aceman: the steering system has been significantly improved again, the support response is more pronounced, and the driving and riding comfort are further improved. The ARB anti-skid stability control makes traction more accurate in cornering and the vehicle more agile and stable in cornering. The neutral coasting function unique to electric driving further reduces the burden on the driver and makes energy application more efficient. ★On the second day of the 20 billion upgrade of the Shenyang Dadong plant auto show, BMW announced that it plans to increase its investment in the Shenyang production base by 20 billion yuan. The investment will focus on large-scale upgrades and technological innovations at the Dadong Plant, the birthplace of BMW's production in China, laying a solid foundation for the launch of local production of BMW's "Next Generation" models in 2026.
With further investment, the Shenyang production base will continue to set a new industry benchmark in terms of intelligent manufacturing and green production. In the field of intelligent manufacturing, AI technology is widely used in the Shenyang production base, and about 100 AI applications have been launched so far. For example, the industry's first self-developed AI intelligent quality inspection system in the stamping shop, as well as the AI visual inspection in the paint shop, use real-time process monitoring and real-time data analysis to improve production efficiency and optimize product quality. The "digital twin" technology combines the virtual and real worlds to shorten the construction period of a new vehicle plant by six months.
In the field of green production, sustainability and the circular economy are fully integrated into all operational aspects of the production site. Since 2019, 100% renewable electricity has been used at BMW's Shenyang production base, the "Smart Energy" system has raised production and operation efficiency and green carbon reduction to a new level, the Shenyang production base has also established a complete wastewater treatment system to achieve a closed cycle of water resource management, and the company has taken the lead in the industry to realize the closed-loop recycling of raw materials for domestic electric vehicle power batteries with local partners, effectively reducing 70% of carbon emissions in mineral resource extraction.
The "next-generation" model will be produced in China in 2026. The total investment of the sixth-generation power battery project for the "new generation" model is 10 billion yuan. The main building of the project was fully completed in Shenyang in November last year, and it is planned to complete the installation of equipment within this year, and officially open in 2026.
The author of this article is Jia Yuntao, a kicking car gang