BMW Just Shook Up The Car World Showing How It Plans To Keep Its Edge, And It's Not Just About Another EV

BMW recently announced a high-performance test vehicle known as the Vision Driving Experience. It will be a rolling test rig for driving dynamics technology for its emerging Neue Klasse generation. However, this is not just any other EV hoping to take market share from Tesla and other high performers. BMW also explicitly stated it will not go into series production for now. That said, four motors will develop more than 13,269 pounds per foot of torque. That will probably yield 0 to 60 times slightly below 2 seconds, but the point of this discussion is not the hardware but the integrative technology that makes this possible. 

Nicknamed the ‘Heart of Joy,' this system will be found in all Neue Klasse models. According to Frank Weber, a Board of Management Board of BMW AG member, “The Heart of Joy enables us to take driving pleasure not just to the next level, but another one beyond that.” He indicated that the technology will increase efficiency, thereby boosting range. While these advancements are welcome, the question is if software can replace the visceral thrill of the combustion engines represented in most BMW models. Is BMW at risk of losing its soul in pursuit of efficiency?

BMW asserts that ‘Heart of Joy’ elevates driving pleasure beyond current levels, not just efficiency, with features like adaptive suspension and seamless regenerative braking promising a ride that’s both thrilling and smart. But not everyone’s sold on BMW’s tech game yet—take one driver who ditched his Tesla for a BMW i4, expecting that signature refined experience, only to find the tech clunky and frustrating, pushing him to hold out for a Rivian R3X instead. That’s why the Vision Experience and its ‘Heart of Joy’ system are such a big deal—BMW’s betting on this software leap to win back hearts and keep the joy dialed up.

The Promise of a More Intuitive BMW

"BMW management has categorically reassured its customer base that the new additions to the Neue Klasse are not just for efficiency but to improve driving dynamics. The new ‘Heart of Joy’ is the herald of a significant transformation, building on a legacy of forward-thinking ideas BMW has been exploring for years - think back to 2016 when Torque News spotlighted four game-changing innovations, like advanced AI and intuitive tech, that hinted at this very future. Rather than the traditional architecture where mechanical parts operate independently of each other, the ‘Heart of Joy’ integrates braking, drivetrain, steering, and energy production into an AI-managed computing system."

In theory, this would mean more precision in handling and energy efficiency. We could begin to see the charge hold for longer while the time to get it to full power also drops by a third or more. BMW is already known for optimal rides due to adaptive suspension technology. Imagine a BMW that instantly adapts the suspension according to terrain without the driver as the third-party command. 

The other thing we could look forward to is over-the-air updates. While Tesla originally pioneered the concept, BMW aims to advance it, so the cars with ‘Heart of Joy’ become faster and smarter years after purchase. While the thought of homogenization is scary, where BMW EVs may start to feel the same, it is valid. The advantage is that driving will be significantly personalized according to driving style. 

Similarly, BMW did not make the Vision Driving Experience as generic as mirroring plain EVs. The design is a branch off the Neue Klasse Tree and aggression aside from what you would expect from a typical M model. The concept model has a widebody, large front maw, huge diffuser, and tall rear spoiler, all indicating a road-going race car. So you see, BMW does not aim to diminish the brand's sportiness with the new concept and accompanying technology. 

It streamlines things to redefine the driving experience. BMW indicates that the in-house ‘Heart of Joy’ is capable of processing information 10 times quicker than the current control systems. Regenerative braking, for example, will provide more refined stops. Apparently, the Neue Klasse may recuperate 60% more energy from braking compared to the current EV lineup. BMW also states that physical brakes will only ever be utilized in emergency stops. 

As an additional piece of refinement, drivers will be able to stop without any chirping or squeaking. The Vision test vehicle even has lights on the wheels. They will illustrate acceleration in green or recuperation in blue. Friction braking will appear as orange. Color coding is an additional aesthetic we did not know we needed. It would be easier to tell if a car is braking or accelerating from the side. 

The future looks bright, and it's only a matter of time before the BMW translates the capabilities of the Vision Experience into a production model. Software infusions into road-going cars have inevitably grown within the market. Having over-the-air updates to make the vehicle better suited to your driving style and situation is what they were intended to do in the first place. So, an integrated system makes sense as the next step. As opposed to seeing BMW lose its way, it's more about the customers finding their way with this new technology. This will be one of the first models to evolve and be used with the driver. 

Nicholas Muhoro is an automotive journalist covering car news and has a decade of experience sharing working at HotCars and TopSpeed. You can follow Nicholas on X and on LinkedIn to stay in touch and follow his news coverage at Torque News.