BMW VDX Vision Driving Experience: Neue Klasse drivetrain & driving dynamics test rig

[Cmassey3]

The front grille design language definitely seems to have references to the M V8 Hybrid.



Which makes sense, because it's a foray into EV drivetrains for the street car.

[J-RO]

Cant say anything positive about the interior. Since there is no instrumental panel behind the steering wheel they went with the upward spoke, which looks odd, to fill in the blank space. Oh boy!!!

[brianeck]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

First of all, everyone who's anti EV can calm down. The ICE M Cars aren't going anywhere for a while. Maybe keep an open mind and, I don't know, TRY it?

Second of all, if you're not an EV fan (and possibly even if you are but aren't super nerdy) I don't think you understand what kind of shift change this represents for BMW and auto manufacturers as a whole.

See one of Tesla's biggest contributions to automotive, aside from proving that EV's could be cool and desirable, is vertical integration. Watching the first half of this Inevitable podcast with Ali Javidan, one of the first people at Tesla, explain it is a good way to digest the info quickly. Here's a video timecoded to the start of the discussion however I'd recommend watching the whole thing:

As he explains, vertical integration is such a huge game changer. Want to know why? Listen to Jim Farley explain the mess that having separate control modules made by separate suppliers creates:

https://youtube.com/shorts/HrNN6goQe...8Odm0LqGoRDKKE

Essentially:

1. The control module suppliers own the IP for the control software.
2. None of the modules are designed to talk to each other
3. Getting them to talk to each other is a process and slows down communications.
4. Trying to make updates, whether it be in person or heaven forbid OTA, is a nightmare. Why do you think only Tesla, Rivian and Lucid make any kind of significant OTA's?

Bottom line is that if you've ever driven a Tesla for any amount of time and stopped simply gawking at the instant acceleration and focused on just how well integrated every piece of software especially at a drivetrain and body control level, you'd realize how much Tesla does with so little. Because by in large the parts that the car is made from aside from the propulsion system, is pretty crap.

Imagine then what BMW, whose cars are decidedly NOT crap, could do if they had access to a fully vertically integrated powertrain including all the software? How well you could get the car to perform when all the software is talking to each other?

The car feels like a normal car. Only with absolutely INSTANT drivetrain response. I love all the comments here that say "oh, naturally aspirated is amazing and forced induction is laggy". Well compared to a naturally aspirated ICE engine, the response from an EV makes a GT3 RS seem like a diesel truck.

Excited to see how this manifests itself.

Tesla launches fine. You wanna change your seat heat? Adjust the mirrors by 1/3 inch? Change the heat? Look at your tire pressure?

Doing any of these things effectively requires pulling over to stop your car. I don't think anyone is complaining about the fact that there is a single controller, as having one doesn't exclude well planned menus and ergonomic controls. Additionally, the tesla interior is flat out spartan - as these interiors now appear to be, just with more white and silver. The driving position looks like you're sitting in the cockpit of a shuttle from the sci-fi show The Orville, which is tongue in cheek making fun of gaudy, simplistic sci fi controls on a continuous basis.

The infotainment system in the tesla was just about the least useful as a driver that I have experienced. I get it, its partially for self driving, but until that's 100% off the ground we all still have to drive ourselves around and the experience should be catered to that.

[AHall]

It will be very interesting to see how this plays out over time. I mean 13,000 lb-ft of torque!!! No way this would be available for use in the car. I mean an M5 has less than 800 lb-ft. We are talking more than 16 times. Can you see the Carwow comparison of ICE versus this thing. Acceleration would be sickening.

[vasillalov]

I am getting serious Alfa Roneo 164 vibe from the rear trunk spoiler area.

[Bimmerfun82]

Amazing

[E63M6_G42M240i]

Would easily beat every production car on a track in existence. ZRwhat?

[hb]

Originally Posted by Ibiza

Still doesn’t move the needle for me. The “super computer” aka Heart of Joy is taken with a grain of salt—is BMW now procuring NIVIDA chips?

Filming appears to have occurred late summer— probably around September 2024.

November

[spool twice]

Originally Posted by AHall

It will be very interesting to see how this plays out over time. I mean 13,000 lb-ft of torque!!! No way this would be available for use in the car. I mean an M5 has less than 800 lb-ft. We are talking more than 16 times. Can you see the Carwow comparison of ICE versus this thing. Acceleration would be sickening.

It's TQ at the wheels. EV's, even those with a 1:1 gear ratio, still has a TQ multiplying final drive ratio.

[TselaG80]

i LOVE it.

the ICE Motor M3 is going to be insane i feel.

[Luca Riffer]

So we know where BMW now spends 80% of their R&D budget . . . lighting. I like driving with decent driving lights, but I pine for the olden days when all headlights were round and designers/engineers focused on shape, chassis and powertrain.

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by brianeck

Tesla launches fine. You wanna change your seat heat? Adjust the mirrors by 1/3 inch? Change the heat? Look at your tire pressure?

Doing any of these things effectively requires pulling over to stop your car. I don't think anyone is complaining about the fact that there is a single controller, as having one doesn't exclude well planned menus and ergonomic controls. Additionally, the tesla interior is flat out spartan - as these interiors now appear to be, just with more white and silver. The driving position looks like you're sitting in the cockpit of a shuttle from the sci-fi show The Orville, which is tongue in cheek making fun of gaudy, simplistic sci fi controls on a continuous basis.

The infotainment system in the tesla was just about the least useful as a driver that I have experienced. I get it, its partially for self driving, but until that's 100% off the ground we all still have to drive ourselves around and the experience should be catered to that.

You're talking about a user interface, which is completely independent of what I was describing. That has nothing to do with vertically integrated control modules. A Tesla style interface is not necessary for that...it's just Tesla's choice and I wasn't commenting on that whatsoever (nor was Jim farley)

Keeping on topic....

[NorthBuddy]

They stated in a German Youtube channel, that this thing will never be available as a normal car. They call it "the Challenger" (or the Beast ) which is there to challenge the new "Heart of Joy" main central unit to push it to the Limit.... which >1.300hp and 18.000Nm of torque surely will do.

So No, no car to come, but yes, it shows, what BMW *could* do and a good portion of it will be part of the iM3

[RichardInCA]

The weird rear end is likely dominated by the air handling ducts associated with the fans used to generate downforce - if I’m hearing this correctly, the 1,200kg of downforce is generated the same way as it is by the McMurtry Speirling electric supercar - a massive fan that literally sucks the car to the ground. No idea if this is something BMW is planning to think about with any seriousness, but the feels like a big part the performance here. No way you could translate all that power into grip otherwise - I wonder how many laps they get out of one set of tires!

[cfm56d7b]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

https://youtu.be/4xlXdl8WgcA?si=VIBCDBcfV6610Fwz

First of all, everyone who's anti EV can calm down. The ICE M Cars aren't going anywhere for a while. Maybe keep an open mind and, I don't know, TRY it?

Second of all, if you're not an EV fan (and possibly even if you are but aren't super nerdy) I don't think you understand what kind of shift change this represents for BMW and auto manufacturers as a whole.

See one of Tesla's biggest contributions to automotive, aside from proving that EV's could be cool and desirable, is vertical integration. Watching the first half of this Inevitable podcast with Ali Javidan, one of the first people at Tesla, explain it is a good way to digest the info quickly. Here's a video timecoded to the start of the discussion however I'd recommend watching the whole thing:

https://youtu.be/Pkg1LThADMw?si=E1h-v5DXWoFicB-l&t=1651

As he explains, vertical integration is such a huge game changer. Want to know why? Listen to Jim Farley explain the mess that having separate control modules made by separate suppliers creates:

https://youtube.com/shorts/HrNN6goQe50?si=PV8Odm0LqGoRDKKE

Essentially:

1. The control module suppliers own the IP for the control software.
2. None of the modules are designed to talk to each other
3. Getting them to talk to each other is a process and slows down communications.
4. Trying to make updates, whether it be in person or heaven forbid OTA, is a nightmare. Why do you think only Tesla, Rivian and Lucid make any kind of significant OTA's?

Bottom line is that [...]

One could summarize this any better. Looking forward to the production ready model.

[DESMO748]

Owning a 2024 i4 M50, it’s seriously impressive—instant torque, crazy power delivery, and smooth acceleration make it a blast to drive. Sure, the gas-powered M3 and M4 have the exhaust sound and a more hardcore feel, but beyond that, the i4 M50 holds its own. The low center of gravity and xDrive give it solid handling too.

The next-gen electric M3? No doubt it’ll be on another level—lighter, sharper, and built for true M performance. If BMW nails the driving feel, it could be a game-changer.

BMW M cars have evolved like music players—starting with record players (pure and mechanical), moving to CDs and MP3s (more power and efficiency), and now streaming with CarPlay (instant access and seamless performance). Electric M cars, like the i4 M50, may feel different, but they deliver speed, precision, and next-level tech without losing the thrill.

[2srsman]

Can't wait!!!!

[Erebor]

For anyone confused here:

1. No, this car has not the final M3 design. Only the design elements are final-ish. Proportions will change for the 3 and M3.
2. Yes, the drivetrain is the one coming with the M3 Neue Klasse in 2027
3. No, the M3 will not have 1500hp and 13'000 lb-ft of torque, that's just what the drivetrain is capable of. Expect the M3 to have maybe half that power.
4. Yes, this car will be absolutely bonkers.

[HP Autosport]

How many here said they would never buy a BMW EV and have now changed their mind?

[///M TOWN]

Originally Posted by HP Autosport

How many here said they would never buy a BMW EV and have now changed their mind?

It’s only a matter of time…

[aaaaah]

Originally Posted by KoenG

More than 13k ft lb of torque!? Only 10% of this torque would destroy any slushbox and the rest of the entire driveline with it.

Clear showcase of the ease for which EVs can deliver hypercar performance. Just astonishing!

Let the future come!

Torque at the wheels. The ZF8 in the M3 currently has a 5.00:1 first gear and a 3.11:1 final drive. At 480lbft of engine torque your differential is sending nearly 7500lbft to the rear wheels.


The exterior design of this is mega at that front 3/4 angle.

[NickyC]

I think this looks extremely promising!