BMW has now begun series production of its sixth-generation (Gen6) eDrive powertrain at its largest powertrain production facility in Steyr, Austria, bringing us one step closer to the debut of all-new BMW models built on the Neue Klasse fully electric (EV) platform.
The start of EV powertrain production at the Steyr plant comes after a one billion euro investment by BMW to expand the facility’s development and production expertise for its electric drive systems.
This investment results in a new electric motor assembly line that currently employs 1,000 people, with room for future expansion. Looking ahead, BMW has stated that if global demand requires it, as much as half of the entire workforce at the Steyr plant could be employed in e-mobility by 2030.
The new assembly line will produce the core components of the eDrive powertrain, including the rotor, stator, transmission, and inverter. The inverter will be produced in a new in-house clean-room environment, marking the Austrian engine plant’s entry into the field of electrical engineering.
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According to BMW, the Gen6 eDrive powertrain is a modular system which enables the production of different and highly flexible electric drivetrain derivatives for the entire range of upcoming Neue Klasse models.
Underpinning the Gen6 powertrain is a new 800V architecture and silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductor technology used to boost efficiency. These are paired to a new battery pack design with 20% denser cells, which are directly integrated into the pack for structural integrity, rather than being arranged in separate modules. This technology enables a WLTP-rated range of up to 800 km on the upcoming BMW iX3 50 xDrive, which will be the first Neue Klasse model.
With the 800V architecture, the upcoming BMW iX3 can support a blistering 400 kW DC fast charging, which allows the car to regain up to 350 km of range in just 10 minutes.
The new BMW iX3 is set to debut at the upcoming Munich Autoshow in September. Ahead of its reveal, it is currently undergoing final testing at BMW’s facility in Miramas, southern France.
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