BMW steers its ‘Neue Klasse’ EVs with ‘Heart of Joy’

The BMW Vision Driving Experience (VDX) serves as a rolling test rig for the drivetrain and driving dynamics management technology developed especially for the Neue Klasse, the next generation of BMW vehicles. BMW refers to it as the ‘Heart of Joy.’

The prototype car put the Heart of Joy’s capabilities to the ultimate endurance test at the BMW Performance Driving Center in Spartanburg, US. The Heart of Joy will benefit every fully electric Neue Klasse model. The first taller Neue Klasse electric model will go into series production later this year at Plant Debrecen in Hungary.

Fourth dimension

BMW claims that the new Heart of Joy adds a fourth dimension, BMW’s hallmark ‘Sheer Driving Pleasure’, to the existing trio of Neue Klasse characteristics: electrical, digital, and circular.

CEO Oliver Zipse took the stage at the IAA 2023 show, holding the small black box. It is important to note that the control unit will go into series production, but the Vision Vehicle will not.

“The Heart of Joy enables us to take driving pleasure not just to the next level, but another one beyond that,” says Frank Weber, BMW AG board member responsible for Development. “In addition, we are further increasing efficiency and therefore boosting range, as the driver will brake almost exclusively using energy regeneration in the future. This is Efficient Dynamics squared.”

Ten times faster

BMW says the Heart of Joy control unit for the drivetrain, brakes, charging, recuperation, and steering subfunctions processes information ten times faster than previous systems. Working in tandem with the BMW Dynamic Performance Control software, the Heart of Joy computes all the driving dynamics functions with a whole new level of speed and precision.

The software has been developed in-house, based on BMW engineers’ more than a century of experience in driving dynamics. The Vision Vehicle develops 18,000 Newton meters of torque. The reasoning is that if the control system can handle an explosion of power of this magnitude, it will easily handle everyday driving demands. We already told you that internally, the car is referred to as ‘the Beast‘, developed in collaboration with the M department.

Energy recovery under braking (energy recuperation) sees electric vehicles’ drivetrain and braking functions forming a symbiosis. In the innovative electronics architecture of the Neue Klasse, the Heart of Joy is one of four central control units. It combines drivetrain and driving dynamics functions for the first time.

Several patent applications protect these innovative control functions. The high-performance unit controls acceleration and braking, vehicle stabilization, dynamic steering functions, and charging management.

The central processing unit and the BMW Dynamic Performance Control software developed in-house enable all connected actuators to respond directly and with minimal delay: latencies are in the millisecond range.

Conventional systems have separate control algorithms for the drive system and brakes. This means the full handling potential of vehicles with robust electric drive systems cannot be fully exploited.

Precise cornering and smooth stopping

BMW promises that the driver and passengers experience a harmonious and noiseless driving feeling regardless of the situation and speed at which they travel. The new Heart of Joy/BMW Dynamic Performance Control combination serves up cornering poise and assurance beyond compare in dynamic driving scenarios.

“The car generates impressive traction and can be threaded through corners with exceptional precision,” says the press release. “Fewer control inputs are required, and the car’s line can be maintained with greater precision and stability. This helps the car to develop consistent, reproducible cornering behavior and allows it to be steered more intuitively and smoothly.”

“At low speeds, such as in stop-start driving or when parking, direct signal transmissions, and rapid information processing ensure an even more compelling driving experience,” BMW continues. “In driving modes D or B, or when using Active Cruise Control, the parking brake or parking lock, stopping and restarting merge seamlessly.”

25% efficiency boost

Furthermore, integrated drivetrain, braking, and energy recuperation control allow energy to be used sustainably. 98% of drivers do not need to make any inputs using conventional brakes. The braking power generated using energy recuperation is sufficient for everyday driving.

Only under heavy braking, e.g., in an emergency situation, is intervention required from the friction brakes. All in all, this system increases efficiency by up to 25%.

The BMW Vision Driving Experience test vehicle demonstrates how the Heart of Joy works using illuminating color codes on the wheel rims: acceleration is indicated in green, energy recuperation in blue, and braking using the friction brakes in orange.

Four brains

Four new super-brains will work in the BMW of the future. These high-performance computers cleverly combine various elements that previously ran separately. The Heart of Joy was developed 100 percent within the company. It brings four critical control units together within a single high-performance computer.

Another three super-brains are responsible for features including automated and highly automated driving, infotainment, and essential functions such as climate control and comfort-enhancing systems, vehicle access, and interior and exterior lighting.

The BMW Vision Driving Experience will celebrate its official world premiere at Auto Shanghai 2025.

Trying to catch up

On a global level, BMW faces fierce competition from Chinese brands in Europe and China, with the latter being its largest market by sales volume. However, its EV business has been bright, especially in North America.

It set a new EV sales record in the US in 2024 despite most of its current EVs riding on aging, reconfigured ICE platforms. Its Neue Klasse vehicles are built on dedicated BEV platforms with a high focus on software.

If BMW translates some of VDX’s techno-wizardry into its production lineup, it could have a winning formula. And perhaps the diehards won’t have to worry about one of the world’s most enthusiast-driven brands embracing electrification at the expense of performance.