BMW has long prided itself on delivering an engaging driving experience, and its latest high-performance prototype dubbed the BMW Vision Driving Experience (VDX), is aiming to continue that legacy with an electrified powertrain.
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Dubbed the BMW Vision Driving Experience (VDX), BMW made it clear that this prototype isn’t headed for production, it serves as a rolling laboratory for the brand’s next-generation drivetrain and chassis control system, fittingly named the “Heart of Joy.”
At its core, the Heart of Joy is BMW’s latest innovation in electric driving. It integrates multiple vehicle functions—including drivetrain, braking, energy recuperation, steering, and stability control—into a single high-performance computing unit. The result? A system that processes data ten times faster than before, allowing for sharper handling, more precise braking, and seamless acceleration. BMW claims this technology enhances efficiency by up to 25%, as regenerative braking recovers most of the energy needed for everyday driving.
The system recently underwent rigorous testing at BMW’s Performance Driving Centre in Spartanburg, USA, where it showcased its ability to handle extreme forces, with the test car delivering a staggering 18 000 N.m of torque. BMW argues that if its software can manage this level of power, it will have no trouble optimizing real-world driving conditions. Official power figures on the all-wheel drive model are still under wraps, but it will likely have over 1 000 hp or around 750 kW and all of this can be dispatched to the ground via a quad-motor setup (one on each wheel).
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A key highlight of the system is its ability to blend braking and acceleration into one fluid motion, making stop-start driving and high-speed cornering feel more natural and composed. Future Neue Klasse electric models will feature this technology, with the first production vehicle set to roll off the line in Debrecen, Hungary, later this year.
With four advanced computing units managing different aspects of vehicle performance, BMW’s approach signals a shift towards a more intelligent and engaging electric driving experience—one that stays true to its “Sheer Driving Pleasure” ethos.
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