“Overall, the intelligent use of new technologies in the e-drive and systematic further development of existing systems produce remarkable results,” says Martin Kaufmann, senior vice president of global power train development at BMW. “[Compared to its predecessor], energy loss is reduced by 40 percent, costs by 20 percent and weight by 10 percent. All this makes a significant contribution to the approximately 20-percent increase in overall vehicle efficiency.”

E-drive components will be assembled on two new lines at the Steyr plant, which will also continue to mass-produce traditional internal combustion engines.

“The overall production concept for the Gen6 e-drive follows the principle of a modular system, making it possible to produce different highly flexible electric drivetrain derivatives for the entire range of Neue Klasse models,” explains Klaus von Moltke, plant manager and senior vice president of engine production at BMW. “The modular concept generates positive economies of scale and cost savings in both development and production. It also improves the scalability of production volumes and keeps production, supply networks and procurement highly flexible.”