THE BMW NEUE KLASSE VISION VEHICLE ISN'T THE NEW M3. OR IS IT?
BMW doesn’t just test new tech - it throws it into the deep end to see if it can swim. Meet the BMW Vision Driving Experience, a high-performance prototype that isn’t headed for production but serves as a rolling lab for the Neue Klasse - the brand’s next-gen lineup of fully electric machines. At the heart of it all? A game-changing piece of tech BMW calls the “Heart of Joy”, an all-in-one control unit designed to push driving dynamics to new heights. To prove its worth, BMW unleashed this prototype at the BMW Performance Driving Center in Spartanburg, USA, putting the Heart of Joy through a full-throttle torture test. Every upcoming Neue Klasse EV will feature this tech, including the first SUV-bodied model, which enters production in Hungary later this year. BMW has already committed to making its next-gen cars electric, digital, and circular, but the Heart of Joy adds a crucial fourth element: Sheer Driving Pleasure. Unlike the flashy concept car, the tiny black control unit will make it into production models, ensuring BMW’s signature driving feel remains intact in the EV era. Think of it as the ultimate brain for performance. The Heart of Joy processes data 10 times faster than previous systems, integrating the drivetrain, brakes, energy recuperation, steering, and charging management into one ultra-responsive control hub.
Paired with BMW’s in-house-developed Dynamic Performance Control software, this system delivers next-level precision and speed. To prove just how powerful it is, the test vehicle was engineered to handle a mind-boggling 18,000 Nm of torque - far more than any production EV needs. If the software can tame that, normal road driving is a walk in the park.
In motion, the Heart of Joy makes sure every input feels immediate, fluid, and intuitive:
Cornering mastery – With near-instantaneous control over power and braking, the car digs into corners with precision and poise, requiring fewer corrections from the driver.
One-pedal driving perfected – In everyday use, the energy recuperation system is so effective that 98% of drivers won’t need to touch the brake pedal. The friction brakes only kick in for emergency stops or extreme braking situations.
25% more efficiency – The ultra-smart integration of power, braking, and recuperation boosts overall efficiency by up to a quarter, maximizing range without sacrificing performance.
The prototype even provides a visual show, with illuminated wheel rims displaying acceleration in green, energy recuperation in blue, and friction braking in orange.
This isn’t one clever control unit - it’s part of BMW’s next-gen vehicle architecture, which replaces separate control modules with four super-brains that work together seamlessly:
Heart of Joy – The powerhouse behind drivetrain, brakes, steering, and energy management.
Autonomous driving & driver assistance – Handles both automated and highly automated driving features.
Infotainment & connectivity – Powers all in-car entertainment, navigation, and digital services.
Core vehicle functions – Manages climate control, lighting, comfort systems, and vehicle access.
“The Heart of Joy enables us to take driving pleasure not just to the next level, but another one beyond that,” says Frank Weber, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Development. “In addition, we are further increasing efficiency and therefore boosting range, as in future the driver will brake almost exclusively using energy regeneration. This is Efficient Dynamics squared.”
Take a look at the YouTube video from the Carwow main man, Mat Watson as he takes a closer look into this interesting development car and the future of BMW M things and some other stuff that you might find interesting: New 1,300hp BMW M3 revealed! | carwow
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