BMW’s Heart of Joy control unit
- BMW has developed the Heart of Joy control unit for its upcoming Neue Klasse EVs
- Heart of Joy consolidates multiple separate control units—such as those managing the drivetrain and chassis—into a single, integrated unit
- Promised benefits include quicker and more precise vehicle control, plus efficiency gains
BMW’s upcoming Neue Klasse family of electric vehicles, set to start arriving later this year, will benefit from a new drivetrain and chassis management system that consolidates multiple control units into a single, advanced unit. This replaces the separate control units that current vehicles rely on.
BMW calls this system the Heart of Joy, and on Sunday, the automaker unveiled the Vision Driving Experience prototype—a rolling laboratory designed to test and refine the technology.
While the prototype itself doesn’t preview any specific production model, its design hints at elements that will appear on some Neue Klasse EVs, particularly a compact electric sedan that will be part of the next-generation 3 Series family. This sedan is expected to carry the i3 badge and arrive around 2026 as the second Neue Klasse model. The first Neue Klasse EV will be a compact crossover in the X3 family, set to debut later this year. It will replace the iX3 electric crossover sold overseas, likely retaining the same name.
BMW’s Heart of Joy control unit
The Heart of Joy control unit will shape the driving dynamics of these vehicles by managing the drivetrain, brakes, charging, energy recovery, and steering. By integrating control of these functions into a single unit, BMW claims information can be processed up to ten times faster than in current vehicles, leading to greater precision and responsiveness.
Working in tandem with BMW’s Dynamic Performance Control software, the Heart of Joy system will enhance stability and smoothness even at the vehicle’s limits—improving safety and requiring fewer driver inputs. For the Vision Driving Experience prototype, whose drivetrain specifications haven’t been disclosed, a staggering 13,269 lb-ft of torque is delivered at the wheels, allowing engineers to push the system far beyond what most drivers will ever experience.
Even in stop-and-go traffic, BMW promises noticeable improvements. Features like Auto Hold and Active Cruise Control will operate more seamlessly, the automaker said.
BMW’s Heart of Joy control unit
Efficiency will also see a boost of up to 25%, as BMW aims to maximize energy recovery. In Neue Klasse EVs, braking will be handled almost entirely through regenerative braking, with conventional friction brakes needed only in emergency situations. On the Vision Driving Experience prototype, the wheels feature color-coded lighting: green during acceleration, blue during energy recovery, and orange when friction brakes are engaged.
Every Neue Klasse EV will feature the Heart of Joy control unit, including dedicated M models. Additionally, the vehicles will have three supplementary control units dedicated to automated driving, infotainment, and basic vehicle functions (e.g., climate control, lighting, and door locks).
The Heart of Joy control unit may eventually filter across to some of BMW’s gas and hybrid cars as BMW has said the Neue Klasse’s technology will be made available across its lineup, where possible. However, timing hasn’t been mentioned.