Infineon, BMW unveil software-defined Neue Klasse
perigon.io · 2026-02-17 · Source article
Infineon Technologies is partnering with BMW Group to develop the electrical and electronic architecture for BMW’s Neue Klasse, a software-defined vehicle platform that prioritizes electrification, digitalization and sustainability. The architecture centralizes processing around four high‑performance “Superbrains,” including the “Heart of Joy” that consolidates acceleration, braking and steering, with Infineon’s latest AURIX TC4D microcontroller at its core and BRIGHTLANE high‑speed Ethernet providing low‑latency connectivity. Supporting this are three Zone Control Units and numerous end-point ECUs, and Infineon supplies a portfolio of components—AURIX and TRAVEO microcontrollers, OPTIREG power ICs, PROFET smart switches and eFuses—that enable software‑defined power distribution and over‑the‑air updates decoupled from hardware. The zonal design and smart power management reduce wiring by roughly 600 meters on the BMW iX3, cutting weight and improving energy efficiency by about 20%, with eFuses replacing many conventional fuses. Infineon said it will showcase its contributions using the BMW iX3 at its Annual General Meeting, and CEO Jochen Hanebeck described the collaboration as a major step in bringing scalable, updateable software‑defined vehicles to market.