BMW has unveiled the Vision Driving Experience, a concept that anticipates the future of the German brand and what the Neue Klasse line will be in terms of high-performance models, not only in design but also in technology.
It is clear that BMW has made it known that this prototype will not go into production, but everything suggests that it foreshadows the upcoming electric Series 3, which may adopt the i3 designation. However, for now, this concept serves merely to showcase what could be the next generation of electric models from BMW and their driving dynamics.
In this sense, the focus of the Vision Driving Experience is to be a high-performance model that can be used to drive the development of the “Heart of Joy,” the new black box computer system that will combine the transmission systems and driving dynamics of future 100% electric models in the Neue Klasse, which will be debuted in the next generation of the iX3, expected to be revealed later this year.
“The Heart of Joy allows for the driving pleasure to be taken not just to the next level, but to another beyond that”, said Frank Weber, a member of the Board of Directors of BMW AG, responsible for Development. “Furthermore, we are further increasing efficiency and, in this sense, enhancing range, as in the future the driver will almost exclusively use braking through energy regeneration. This is Efficient Dynamics squared.”
This Vision Vehicle is equipped with four electric motors and according to BMW, it is capable of generating 18,000 Nm of torque, although the brand has not revealed the total power of the four motors.
Additionally, the BMW Vision Driving Experience test vehicle also shows how the Heart of Joy works using illuminated color codes on the wheels: green for acceleration, orange for braking, and blue when recovering energy.
At the center of this mobile laboratory is the “Heart of Joy” control set, an advanced control unit that integrates the propulsion system, brakes, charging, energy recovery, and steering. The brand’s engineers want everything to function as perfectly as possible, and for that, the computing power is ten times faster than it was before. This means changes in vehicle parameters occur in milliseconds.
BMW has revealed that the Heart of Joy was fully developed in-house, and that a significant part of this new technology allows the traction and braking systems to be controlled under one roof. This increases sustainability due to a reduced reliance on conventional brakes, taking advantage of a large percentage of energy recovery and enhancing efficiency by about 25%.
All these parameters communicate and are controlled through a “super brain,” which enables the unlocking of new levels of behavior that were previously unattainable by separate systems.
BMW states that in the future, drivers and passengers will experience a harmonious and silent driving sensation—regardless of the situation and the speed at which they are traveling. In dynamic driving scenarios, the new Heart of Joy / BMW Dynamic Performance Control combination promises to provide balance and safety in curves, as the model generates impressive traction and can navigate curves with exceptional precision.
At low speeds, the Active Cruise Control, start-stop, parking brake, and Auto Hold work together to ensure an even more engaging driving experience.
In this way, BMW ensures that the Vision Driving Experience provides first-class dynamics, precision, efficiency, and driving pleasure.
