BMW has introduced the Vision Driving Experience, a high-performance test vehicle designed to push the boundaries of electric driving. While not intended for series production, this prototype serves as a test platform for BMW’s new 'Heart of Joy' technology, a central computing system that significantly enhances vehicle dynamics, braking, energy recovery, and efficiency. The Heart of Joy will feature in the Neue Klasse, BMW’s next-generation electric vehicle lineup, which is set to enter production later this year at Plant Debrecen in Hungary.
The Heart of Joy system integrates drivetrain, braking, charging, recuperation, and steering controls into a single unit that operates ten times faster than previous vehicle control systems. This advanced processing power, combined with BMW’s Dynamic Performance Control software, enables a higher level of precision in acceleration, braking, and handling. The Vision Driving Experience was put through endurance tests at the BMW Performance Driving Centre in Spartanburg, USA, demonstrating the system’s ability to handle extreme conditions while delivering superior driving dynamics.
BMW’s emphasis on innovation is evident in the efficiency gains achieved through energy recuperation. The Heart of Joy system maximises regenerative braking, ensuring that 98% of drivers rarely need to use conventional brakes in normal driving conditions. By integrating drivetrain, braking, and recuperation functions, BMW has achieved a 25% increase in overall efficiency. The Vision Driving Experience visually represents these functions through colour-coded wheel rims, with green indicating acceleration, blue for energy recuperation, and orange for friction braking.
The system enables seamless and intuitive cornering, requiring fewer adjustments from the driver. The vehicle maintains a consistent and stable line through turns, delivering a driving experience that BMW describes as the smoothest in its history. At lower speeds, such as in stop-start traffic or while parking, the rapid information processing and direct signal transmissions create a more effortless and refined drive.
The Vision Driving Experience is also a showcase for BMW’s shift towards high-performance computing in vehicle control. The Heart of Joy is one of four super-brain computing units that will feature in future BMW models. These advanced systems will oversee automated driving, infotainment, and essential vehicle functions such as climate control, lighting, and driver assistance. The consolidation of multiple control units into a single high-speed computing system is expected to set a new benchmark for vehicle intelligence and responsiveness.
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