INTERVIEW: MICHAEL SALMANSBERGER, BMW Neue Skool W THE FAST-MATURING GLOBAL MARKET FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES IS SETTING TOUGH REQUIREMENTS FOR BMW GROUP’S SIXTH-GENERATION E-DRIVE UNITS, AS PROJECT LEAD MICHAEL SALMANSBERGER EXPLAINS Words: Alex Grant 40 www.automotivepowertraintechnologyinternational.com / March 2025 hen it comes to its future powertrain portfolio, BMW Group is taking a pragmatic approach. While several OEMs have set, and subsequently relaxed, targets to phase out combustion engines, Munich’s deadlines are unchanged. By 2030, more than half of its global sales will be battery electric and its sixth-generation (Gen6) e-drive technology is a catalyst for that transition. Debuting in the Neue Klasse line-up this year is a modular system designed to deliver cheaper, more efficient and sustainable electric vehicles. “Technology openness is not only a guiding principle within the BMW Group, it was also a guiding principle for our e-drive unit construction,” says Michael Salmansberger, head of electric drive units for the Gen6 project. “Gen6 is all about the intelligent combination of different technologies, and this concept will be so strong that we can power entry vehicles up to BMW M derivatives with quad motors.” Salmansberger joined the program in 2021, having previously been responsible for diesel
Automotive Powertrain Technology International Automotive Powertrain Technology International March 2025 Issue: Page 40
