BMW has taken the stage in Shanghai, presenting the electrifying BMW Vision Driving Experience, a high-performance test vehicle built upon the foundation of the BMW Vision Neue Klasse. This groundbreaking machine made its public debut at Auto Shanghai 2025, demonstrating the future of BMW’s driving dynamics. Developed to push the boundaries of physics, the Vision Driving Experience serves as a rigorous proving ground for the company’s next-generation electric powertrain and driving control technologies. The unveiling event showcased the vehicle’s exceptional capabilities through spectacular driving maneuvers performed by test drivers Jens Klingmann and Elias Houndtonji, all under the captivating glow of a special luminescent paint finish.
Powertrain and Performance Details: The BMW Vision Driving Experience is engineered to test the limits of performance, boasting an astounding torque figure of up to 18,000 Newton meters. This immense power allows the vehicle to execute extraordinary driving maneuvers, showcasing what BMW describes as “Joy of Driving in its ultimate form.” At the heart of this performance lies the “Heart of Joy” central computer, a lightning-fast system that works in conjunction with the BMW Dynamic Performance Control software. This advanced system centrally calculates all driving dynamics functions, enabling a new level of agility and stability. Furthermore, thanks to active aerodynamics, the test vehicle generates a downforce of up to 1.2 tonnes and can achieve lateral forces of up to 3g, placing its capabilities in the realm of Formula 1 cars and far exceeding the demands of typical road vehicles. This extreme testing ensures that the hardware and software developed for the Vision Driving Experience can effortlessly handle the rigors of everyday driving in future Neue Klasse models.
Inside the BMW Vision Driving Experience, the central role of the “Heart of Joy” computer is evident, positioned in the center console for this test vehicle, a placement that will differ in series production models. This powerful computer is the core of the Neue Klasse’s new functional architecture, responsible for crucial functions including driving, braking (with a significant emphasis on recuperation), recharging, and certain steering operations. Its rapid information processing and direct control over the electric motors result in enhanced agility and driving stability with fewer interventions from the system. Notably, the “Heart of Joy” facilitates that 98 percent of braking operations are achieved through brake energy regeneration, marking a 25% increase in efficiency compared to current architectures and allowing for smoother deceleration.
While the BMW Vision Driving Experience is strictly a development vehicle and not slated for production, its exterior design provides a glimpse into the aesthetic of the upcoming BMW Vision Neue Klasse. The test vehicle features a monolithic body structure, prominent wheel arches, a recessed greenhouse, and the distinctive “shark nose” front end, all contributing to a purist design language that will characterize the Neue Klasse models. A fresh interpretation of BMW’s iconic kidney grille and twin headlights creates a striking and three-dimensional light signature at the front.
Adding to its visual impact at the Shanghai debut, the BMW Vision Driving Experience was presented with an innovative, self-illuminating paint finish. This special paint utilizes light-sensitive pigments that recharge even in minimal ambient light. In darkness, the color dynamically shifts from a whitish yellow to a vibrant neon yellow, depending on the paint’s charge level. Furthermore, the rear of the vehicle features a “magic film” that, when exposed to UV light, creates an expressive color gradient transitioning from yellow to orange and then to pink towards the front of the car. These unique visual elements underscore the vehicle’s innovative nature and the forward-thinking approach of BMW. The first all-electric Neue Klasse vehicles, incorporating the “Heart of Joy” central computer as a standard feature, are scheduled to begin production at the Debrecen plant in Hungary by the end of the year.
Summary:
- BMW unveils the Vision Driving Experience in Shanghai.
- High-performance test vehicle based on the Neue Klasse.
- Features a “Heart of Joy” central computer for driving dynamics.
- Boasts up to 18,000 Nm of torque and extreme downforce.
- Showcases innovative self-illuminating paint.
- Previews the design language of future Neue Klasse models.
- “Heart of Joy” enables increased braking energy regeneration.
- Production of Neue Klasse vehicles starts in Hungary by year-end.
Disclaimer: The BMW Vision Driving Experience is a prototype vehicle designed for development purposes and is not intended for series production. Specifications and features of future production models may differ.
Source: BMW
AI Assistance: Gemini
