Infineon Technologies AG announced its role in the electrical/electronic (E/E) architecture of BMW Group’s Neue Klasse platform. The Neue Klasse combines electrification, digitalization, and sustainability. Infineon provides components for central computing, high-speed connectivity, and efficient power management and distribution.
The platform uses a centralized computing approach with four high-performance units called "Superbrains." One unit, the "Heart of Joy," controls driving dynamics including acceleration, braking, and steering in a single high-speed computer. This setup processes data faster with lower latency, resulting in smoother handling, extended vehicle range through optimized recuperation, and improved updateability.
The "Heart of Joy" relies on Infineon microcontrollers, featuring a latest-generation AURIX TC4D at its core. High-speed BRIGHTLANE Ethernet connects it to other systems for real-time responsiveness.
The other three "Superbrains" handle automated driving, infotainment, and base vehicle operations. Three Zone Control Units (ZCUs), also based on Infineon microcontrollers, manage data flow and power distribution. Endpoint ECUs cover functions such as traction inverters, battery management, and on-board charging.
The zonal design shortens the wiring harness in the BMW iX3—the first Neue Klasse model—by around 600 meters compared to previous generations, reducing weight by approximately 30 percent. Infineon’s PROFET smart power switches and eFuses replace up to 150 conventional fuses per vehicle. These eFuses enable software-controlled power management, dynamically adjusting energy distribution based on vehicle state (charging, driving, parking, or upgrading) to improve efficiency by about 20 percent.
The architecture decouples software from hardware using Infineon’s AURIX and TRAVEO microcontrollers, BRIGHTLANE Ethernet solutions, OPTIREG power management ICs, PROFET smart power switches, and eFuses. This supports over-the-air (SOTA) updates and features without hardware modifications for adaptability to consumer demands and regulations. Infineon will showcase a BMW iX3 at its Annual General Meeting on February 19, 2026, to demonstrate these contributions.
Jochen Hanebeck, CEO of Infineon Technologies AG, stated that the collaboration supports the introduction of software-defined vehicles, advancing decarbonization and digitalization in mobility.
Infineon has led the global automotive semiconductor market since 2020 and acquired Marvell Technology's automotive Ethernet business in August 2025 to support high-speed, low-latency communication for SDV features like autonomous driving and over-the-air updates.
