- BMW’s Steyr plant has begun series production of sixth-generation electric motors for the Neue Klasse range.
- Gen6 drive unit uses an 800V architecture with silicon carbide semiconductors to improve efficiency and performance.
- In the upcoming BMW iX3 50 xDrive, the Gen6 system enables up to 800km WLTP driving range.
The electrification of BMW’s Neue Klasse has officially shifted into gear, with series production of its Gen6 electric drive units now underway at the Steyr plant in Austria.
Steyr flexes its EV muscles
This marks the first time BMW’s Austrian engine plant, long a bastion of combustion engine production, is manufacturing fully electric motors.
The site will continue to produce diesel and petrol units for now, but roughly 1000 employees are already on the electric line, and BMW says up to half the workforce could be working on electric mobility by 2030.
“This is more than just a production ramp-up. It is a firm commitment to Europe, to technology and to the future,” said Klaus von Moltke, BMW’s Senior VP of Engine Production and head of the Steyr facility.
What makes Gen6 so special?
The Gen6 motor is built around a new 800V architecture with silicon carbide semiconductors in the inverter for increased efficiency.
The system’s rotor, stator, transmission and inverter are produced in-house at Steyr, while the aluminium housing is cast in Landshut and finished on site.
BMW’s Martin Kaufmann, SVP of Global Powertrain Development, says the technology brings “remarkable results” when benchmarked against the Gen5 setup.
The electric motor cuts energy loss by 40%, reduces cost by 20%, and trims weight by 10% - collectively contributing to a 20% bump in vehicle efficiency.
800km range? That’s the Neue way
The first model to benefit from this tech is the upcoming BMW iX3 50 xDrive. With the new Gen6 drive unit and a high-capacity battery pack, BMW claims a WLTP range of up to 800km.
While the brand hasn’t released performance figures just yet, expectations are high for a competitive mix of power and longevity.
BMW is investing over €1 billion (nearly NZ$ 2 billion) into the Steyr facility through 2030 to cement its role as the centre of drivetrain expertise, combustion and electric alike. If this modular approach pays off, it could give the Neue Klasse a flexible, scalable edge in the EV arms race.
After four decades of internal combustion know-how, Steyr’s electric future is officially humming.
