1965 BMW New Class Coupe Dimensions, Size & Specs

The curb weight of the BMW New Class Coupe is approximately 1180 kg (2601 lbs), which refers to the weight of the vehicle without passengers or cargo but with all necessary fluids such as fuel and oil. Its maximum permissible weight is about 1580 kg (3483 lbs), indicating the total weight the car can safely carry including passengers and luggage.

The BMW New Class Coupe provides a luggage capacity of 450 liters (approximately 15.9 cubic feet), which is generous for a coupe of its size and era. This capacity accommodates moderate amounts of luggage, making it practical for weekend trips or daily use despite its sporty coupe design.

Yes, the BMW New Class Coupe's dimensions allow it to comfortably fit within the confines of a standard single-car garage. With a length of 4529 mm (178.3 inches), width of 1675 mm (65.9 inches), and height of 1360 mm (53.5 inches), it is compact enough for typical residential garages, which often have about 2,440 mm (96 inches) of width and at least 4,900 mm (193 inches) of length.

The BMW New Class Coupe features a ground clearance of 140 mm (5.5 inches). This moderate ride height balances sporty handling characteristics with practical usability, allowing the coupe to maintain a low center of gravity for better cornering while providing some clearance over typical road obstacles.

The standard rims for the BMW New Class Coupe are sized 5.5J x 14 inches. These 14-inch steel wheels with a width of 5.5 inches complement the car’s design by offering a good balance between road grip, ride comfort, and classic styling appropriate for the 1965 to 1972 production period.

The BMW New Class Coupe represented a significant evolution from its predecessors, notably in its dimensions and weight. Earlier BMW coupes before the New Class were generally smaller and less weight-efficient. The New Class’s length of 4529 mm (178.3 inches) and curb weight of 1180 kg (2601 lbs) improved interior space and driving dynamics. It combined a relatively lightweight structure with a longer wheelbase and a wider stance, resulting in better handling and passenger comfort compared to pre-New Class models that were more compact and less dynamically focused.

Compared to other competitive coupes of the 1960s, like the Mercedes-Benz 230 SL or the Alfa Romeo Sprint, the BMW New Class Coupe is somewhat more compact and lighter. For instance, the Mercedes-Benz 230 SL was slightly longer and wider, while Alfa Romeo’s Sprint was comparable or smaller in some dimensions. The New Class’s length of 4529 mm (178.3 inches) and relatively low weight of 1180 kg (2601 lbs) made it notably agile and sporty among its peers, offering a distinct mix of German engineering focused on performance and driver experience.

The BMW New Class Coupe, produced between 1965 and 1972, marked a pivotal chapter in BMW’s history by re-establishing the brand as a producer of sporty, driver-focused vehicles. It was instrumental in defining BMW’s reputation for dynamics and style after a period of financial uncertainty. The New Class line introduced key innovations such as advanced suspension setup and efficient powertrains that balanced performance with everyday usability. The coupe variant emphasized sleek design and sporty aesthetics, contributing significantly to BMW’s brand revival and paving the way for future models such as the 2002 series.

With its relatively compact dimensions—4529 mm (178.3 inches) in length, 1675 mm (65.9 inches) in width—and a curb weight of about 1180 kg (2601 lbs), the BMW New Class Coupe delivers a nimble and responsive driving experience typical of classic sports coupes. The moderate weight allows for eager acceleration and sharp handling, complemented by a low center of gravity due to the 1360 mm (53.5 inches) height and 140 mm (5.5 inches) ground clearance. This combination made it particularly well-suited for spirited driving and helped cement BMW's reputation for producing driver-oriented vehicles during this era.