Abdelrahman
In November of last year, I settled into the back seat of a sleek, all-electric four-door sedan, driven by BMW’s test driver and 24-hour racing expert, Jens Klingmann. The chilly atmosphere at BMW’s Performance Driving Center in Greer, SC, set the stage for an exhilarating experience. Beneath the snug five-point harness, roll bar, and the car’s cleverly disguised exterior, the driver had a surprising companion: a compact device known as the “Heart of Joy.”
This intriguing name belonged to a sophisticated technology suite designed to enhance my brief three-lap experience on the 1.7-mile performance track. The Heart of Joy symbolizes an exciting evolution for BMW, as it strives to maintain its reputation as the “Ultimate Driving Machine” while embracing an electrified future.
The vehicle I was in, dubbed the Vision Driving Experience (VDX), was uniquely created to test this remarkable black box and prepare for upcoming innovations on BMW’s Neue Klasse platform. The VDX integrates fans that help pull the car down to the track for improved traction at high speeds. Inside, however, the fans generated considerable noise, drowning out all but the roar of the car as we sped around the track at nearly 90 mph, despite the vehicle itself being predominantly quiet.
Under Klingmann’s expert handling, we felt the tires straining at their limits. The familiar brake squeal associated with BMW vehicles was noticeably absent, as the Heart of Joy managed most of the performance dynamics while we navigated the track.
The Heart of Joy functions as an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) that consolidates driving dynamics and powertrain management into a single unit. Approximately eight inches squared, this innovative box is set to act as the control hub for BMW’s future electrified vehicles, set to debut later this year.
Uniquely developed in-house by BMW engineers, this approach stands out in an industry often reliant on a patchwork of off-the-shelf components and software from varying suppliers. This prevalent reliance can lead to a lack of distinct driving experiences across different automotive brands. Instead, BMW tasked its engineers with redefining how its electric vehicles could stand apart from competitors by creating an all-in-one computing system capable of delivering diverse driving experiences across BMW’s lineup, from SUVs to high-performance cars.
According to Christian Thalmeer, BMW’s senior driving dynamics engineer, the central question was: “What does driving pleasure mean in the age of electrification?” He explained that it encompasses the raw power and torque of electric motors along with their capacity to decelerate the vehicle rationally and the flexibility to utilize multiple power sources.
On the track, the VDX felt like a rocket, with Klingmann barely needing to brake as we approached high speeds. Just lifting off the accelerator effectively brought the vehicle to a safer pace when navigating sharp turns.
While BMW withheld many specifications about the VDX beyond its staggering 13,269 lb-ft of torque and a 25% boost in efficiency thanks to integrated braking and energy recovery, they did mention that the Heart of Joy operates ten times faster than conventional ECUs available in today’s market.
Particularly noteworthy is the focus placed on braking systems and stability control during development. The Heart of Joy can employ regenerative braking to bring the vehicle to a complete stop without any driver input required. This feature is poised to enhance stability during high-speed maneuvers by precisely controlling the braking power to individual wheels, thereby increasing grip and ensuring a more efficient energy recuperation process.
By streamlining control through a singular ECU, the vehicle is able to respond more rapidly, resulting in less wear on brakes and tires. Thalmeer emphasized how their innovative ECU system can optimally redistribute power and braking force among the wheels, optimizing both recuperation and stability during drives—an experience he calls the “joy of stopping.”
Developed over just three years and subjected to more than 7,500 hours of rigorous testing by both top engineers like Thalmeer and skilled racers such as Klingmann, the Heart of Joy aims to ensure that upcoming BMW models deliver a quintessential driving experience reflective of the brand, rather than following the generic feel found in other automakers that typically use a supplier-based approach for their EVs. The centralized computational model also simplifies the process for introducing over-the-air updates.
Shifting components in-house is not entirely novel for BMW but stands out in an industry that frequently outsources various technologies from voice recognition systems to infotainment software. Many companies, for example, rely on suppliers like Magna Steyr for ECU development.
Reflecting on past challenges, BMW CTO Frank Weber cited the automaker’s near-failure to launch the 7-series 25 years ago as a catalyst for their initiative to create the Heart of Joy. He shared, “It was a nightmare… we almost missed the launch… Looking back, it may have been the best thing that happened to BMW.” This adversity spurred their development of robust processes for advanced digital technologies far earlier than competitors.
Weber elaborated that their prior experience working with suppliers on driving dynamics paved the way for successfully cultivating this capability in-house. “We needed to take ownership of this because the possibilities with this new controller are incredible,” he asserted.
Amid the increasing pressure to regionalize everything, from emissions regulations to supplier resources, the automotive industry’s deeply integrated global supply chains present significant challenges. Weber cautioned against the potential ramifications of geopolitical tensions, which could threaten the industry as a whole. By internalizing aspects of what defines a BMW, the company can better navigate these risks.
My electrifying journey in the VDX served as a clear demonstration of the Heart of Joy’s potential, underscoring BMW’s commitment to its legacy as the “Ultimate Driving Machine” while revealing a thrilling all-electric future that promises to redefine the driving experience.
