BMW continues to make waves in the automotive world, delivering nearly 2.451 million vehicles globally across its BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce brands. However, the company faced challenges in 2024, including recall issues and a slowdown in demand from China. BMW itself recorded 2,200,177 sales, a 2.3% drop from the previous year, while MINI and Rolls-Royce saw declines of over 17% and 5.3%, respectively. Despite these setbacks, BMW’s high-performance M division saw a 2.1% increase in sales compared to 2023.
In North America, BMW solidified its position as the leading premium brand, outperforming rivals such as Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and Volvo. Sales in the region rose by 2.5%, surpassing 371,000 units. As the company embraces its new “Neue Klasse” design philosophy—blending modern elements with classic BMW aesthetics—enthusiasts eagerly anticipate how this styling will influence both electric and internal combustion models in the coming years.
A Digital Vision of the Future
With BMW’s design evolution in full swing, digital artists and car enthusiasts have taken to reimagining what the brand’s future might look like. One such visionary is Chacko Abraham—also known as “chackonix” on social media—a designer with experience at major automotive brands like Ford, Lincoln, and Canoo. His latest independent project, showcased by Car Design World, envisions a futuristic electric BMW with deep roots in the brand’s history.
Dubbed the BMW EV9, this concept is a modern tribute to the iconic BMW 2002 Turbo from the 1970s. Abraham originally conceived the EV9 back in 2020, before the recent resurgence of vintage-inspired automotive design. Now, he has refined it with M performance elements, creating a bold, all-electric sports coupe that embodies the spirit of BMW’s high-performance division.
A High-Performance Electric M Coupe
This updated EV9 concept merges the classic 2002’s compact, aggressive styling with futuristic aerodynamics and BMW’s latest electric vehicle innovations. With a focus on high performance, the design integrates M GmbH racing expertise, making it a potential track-ready machine. The concept also includes an intriguing reference to the number 46, a nod to legendary motorcycle racer Valentino Rossi—perhaps symbolizing a blend of racing heritage and modern electric performance.
As BMW continues its transition into the electric era, designs like the EV9 highlight the potential for blending nostalgia with cutting-edge technology. While this concept remains purely digital, it reflects a growing enthusiasm for electric vehicles that capture the soul of BMW’s legendary driving experience.