Revolutionizing Driving Pleasure with Cutting-Edge Technology
Spartanburg / Munich – The BMW Group is redefining the future of driving dynamics with the unveiling of its high-performance test vehicle, the BMW Vision Driving Experience. Designed to push the limits of endurance and precision, this experimental vehicle showcases BMW’s groundbreaking “Heart of Joy”—a cutting-edge central computing unit that enhances efficiency, precision, and the sheer thrill of driving. While the Vision Vehicle itself will not enter production, the Heart of Joy technology is set to power the upcoming Neue Klasse electric models, marking a new era for the automotive industry.
Heart of Joy: The Brain Behind the Power
At the core of this innovation is BMW’s next-generation central control unit, delivering ten times faster processing speeds compared to its predecessors. By seamlessly integrating drivetrain, braking, steering, and energy recuperation systems, this technology ensures an unprecedented level of driving precision. The BMW Dynamic Performance Control software, developed in-house, processes real-time data with millisecond-level latency, making the vehicle exceptionally responsive and intuitive to control.
“The Heart of Joy enables us to take driving pleasure not just to the next level, but another one beyond that,” said Frank Weber, BMW AG Board Member for Development. “By integrating energy recuperation into everyday braking, we are also setting new efficiency benchmarks.”
Dynamic Performance at Its Peak
The BMW Vision Driving Experience demonstrated the potential of the Heart of Joy at the BMW Performance Driving Center in Spartanburg, USA. With an astonishing 18,000 Newton meters (13,269 lb-ft) of torque, the vehicle’s control system effortlessly managed extreme power levels, ensuring that future Neue Klasse models can handle real-world driving conditions with absolute ease.
BMW’s integrated braking and recuperation system also plays a crucial role in improving efficiency. 98% of daily braking maneuvers rely entirely on energy regeneration, reducing the need for conventional friction brakes. As a result, efficiency increases by up to 25%, allowing for greater range and sustainability without compromising performance.
Unparalleled Driving Experience
The new control system ensures a driving experience that is both seamless and exhilarating. The vehicle responds with unmatched precision in high-speed corners, offering greater stability and fewer corrective inputs from the driver. In urban settings, such as stop-and-go traffic or parking, the rapid signal transmission and processing ensure a buttery-smooth ride.
To visually demonstrate the Heart of Joy at work, BMW has implemented an innovative illuminated wheel rim system:
- Green – Acceleration
- Blue – Energy Recuperation
- Orange – Friction Braking
A Glimpse into the Future: The Super-Brains of BMW
The Heart of Joy is one of four next-generation super-computers that will redefine the driving experience in BMW’s Neue Klasse models. These advanced processors integrate previously separate systems, optimizing functions such as automated driving, infotainment, and climate control into a single, cohesive digital ecosystem.
Global Debut at Auto Shanghai 2025
BMW enthusiasts will get their first look at the BMW Vision Driving Experience at the Auto Shanghai 2025. As the automotive industry shifts towards electrification, digitalization, and sustainability, BMW is proving once again that driving pleasure remains at the heart of innovation.
With the Heart of Joy, the future of electric driving is not just efficient—it’s exhilarating.
