Infineon to Power BMW's 'Neue Klasse' EVs
Infineon will be a core supplier for BMW's upcoming 'Neue Klasse' electric vehicle platform, signaling a major shift toward centralized, software-defined vehicle architectures. The partnership underscores the growing convergence of semiconductor and software innovation in the automotive sector. This move focuses on hardware abstraction, secure connectivity, and real-time AI capabilities for future vehicles.
- The 'Neue Klasse' electronic/electrical architecture relies on four central high-performance computers, dubbed "Superbrains," to manage key vehicle domains. One of these, the "Heart of Joy," controls the entire powertrain and driving dynamics and is powered exclusively by Infineon's latest AURIX TC4D microcontrollers. - In addition to the central computers, three Zone Control Units, also based on Infineon microcontrollers, manage data and power flow throughout the vehicle. This zonal approach helps reduce the wiring harness length by approximately 600 meters, making it about 30% lighter than in previous vehicle generations. - The first vehicle to launch on the 'Neue Klasse' platform will be the iX3 Sports Activity Vehicle, with series production starting in late 2025, followed by an i3 sedan in 2026. BMW plans to release at least eight 'Neue Klasse' models by 2028. - Infineon will supply a wide range of its portfolio for the platform, including AURIX and TRAVEO microcontrollers, BRIGHTLANE Ethernet for high-speed data transfer, OPTIREG power management ICs, and PROFET smart power switches. - The partnership is a key example of the industry-wide shift to software-defined vehicles (SDVs), where functionality is increasingly decoupled from hardware, allowing for over-the-air updates and new feature rollouts. Over 90% of automotive original equipment manufacturers are now committed to a zonal architecture, a foundational element of SDVs. - For years, Infineon has been a key supplier to BMW, providing 32-bit flash microcontrollers from its TriCore-based AUDO family for engine control units in the BMW M series since at least 2008. - The 'Neue Klasse' platform will feature BMW's sixth-generation eDrive technology, which includes new cylindrical battery cells that are 20% more energy-dense and support 30% faster charging speeds on an 800V architecture. - In the competitive automotive semiconductor market, Infineon is the global leader, holding a 13.4% market share in 2024, ahead of rivals like NXP Semiconductors, STMicroelectronics, Renesas, and Texas Instruments.
