At the end of last year, BMW gave us a ride in a priceless prototype, then told us to keep our mouths shut about it for months. The embargo has finally lifted, and we can reveal all the juicy details. BMW calls this prototype the Vision Driving Experience, and stresses that the vehicle is “not destined for production.” While that statement might be technically correct, we can read between the lines, look past the Neue Klasse body, and surmise that technology from this car should find its way into a future M-branded electric vehicle – likely the first BMW M3 EV.
CarBuzz wasn’t given all the details about what powers the BMW Vision Driving Experience, but we were able to experience its performance first hand. This prototype previews a new piece of technology called “The Heart of Joy,” which will debut in every fully-electric production Neue Klasse model and control crucial drive units like the drivetrain, brakes, charging, recuperation, and steering.
“The Heart of Joy enables us to take driving pleasure not just to the next level, but another one beyond that. 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.”
– Frank Weber, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Development.
Is This The Electric M3?
Before going out in the Vision Driving Experience, BMW had us don a full racing suit. They then strapped us into one of four carbon fiber racing seats mounted in the mostly spartan interior. We headed out to BMW’s track in Spartanburg, South Carolina, to experience what this incredible prototype can do. What happened next left us in shock and awe. The Vision Driving Experience develops a whopping 13,269 lb-ft of torque, meaning it can shove your organs into those carbon seats. BMW says the prototype is this fast to prove how well ‘The Heart of Joy’ can handle immense power, and that it will easily handle the needs of an average driver.
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EVs have a reputation for sounding soulless, but BMW’s prototype emits a whine that rivals a jet engine. Is it quite the same as a thunderous V8? No, but it’s exciting nevertheless. We doubt it will make it to production, but the Vision Driving Experience includes fans that keep it stuck to the ground, much like the McMurtry Speirling that demolished the Goodwood Hill Climb record. These fans generate a mind-boggling 1,200 kilograms (2,645 pounds) of downforce without needing a giant wing or extreme aero bodywork. For reference, a Formula One car generates around 750 kg (1,653 lbs) at 100 mph. The Vision Driving Experience handles like a work of fiction, sticking to the ground in a manner that doesn’t feel real. BMW says the car can pull up to 3g in the corners, which is the same as a NASCAR Cup Series car.
Aside from the torque rating, BMW wouldn’t provide full specifications for the car, but it’s rumored to pack four electric motors generating a megawatt of power. That’s a little over 1,300 horsepower, though it’s unclear if the car was producing the full amount during our ride-along. Towards the end of the hot laps, the driver told us that the engineers also programmed a “drift mode,” which can deactivate the front motors to enable some epic slides. He then proceeded to turn black rubber into white smoke and our smile into a grin.
What Will Make Production?
BMW stresses that the prototype will not go into production, but the Heart of Joy will. The Heart of Joy is an electronic control unit (ECU) housed in a little black box, which controls the braking, steering, acceleration, energy recuperation, anti-lock brakes, and more in a single millisecond, 10 times faster than BMW’s current ECUs. Three other ECUs will control automated driving, climate and comfort functions, vehicle access, and lighting. For reference, a modern BMW uses anywhere from 30 to 50 ECUs, and the Neue Klasse vehicles will only need four. In practice, this will make upcoming EVs feel more responsive than existing models.
Fewer inputs will be needed from the driver to keep the vehicle stable, resulting in consistent cornering. BMW even says that drivers will not need to use their conventional brakes during most driving situations. The regeneration is so strong, the physical rotors and pads will not be necessary to stop the car, and will only engage in an “emergency situation.” This will make the braking system 25% more efficient.
Though we didn’t get any time behind the wheel of the Vision Driving Experience, it gives us hope for the future of BMW’s performance EVs. The Tesla Model 3 Performance is currently the best electric performance bargain on the market, and although we doubt BMW will beat it on price, it should beat it handily with regard to performance. If this is what the electric M3 will be like, count us as excited.