BMW makes crystal clear that the vision driving experience has no connection to a production model. This is because the electric M3 that will come in a few years will not be nearly as extreme as the VDX. The concept shows what the engineers are able to do if you can go out. It shows what is possible if you don’t have to worry about the restrictions that are usually applied to a street model.
There are five underbody fans who suck the car to the ground for static downforce. Quad engines together produce 18,000 NM torque and 1,700 hp. One of the many party tricks of the concept is a superaggressive recreation mode for brake energy. During this week in Shanghai, BMWblog Learned that the VDX can insert into the battery when braking 100 km/h to zero enough juice to load 21 iPhones.
Although NEE class models do not have this hardcore version of the brake energy recovery system, this is proof of how the central computer “Heart of Joy” can quickly process information. With this new technology, BMW estimates that 98 percent of drivers do not even have to use the friction brakes. The brake performance generated during the energy recreation mode is sufficient for regular driving.
Pressing the brake pedal is only necessary with hard brakes. Avoiding the use of conventional brakes increases efficiency by up to 25%. The brutal delay is exaggerated for a production model, but the VDX is a test court to show what is technically possible. If the four superbrains from which the “heart of joy” consists of, you can handle whatever BMW prepares for production cars.
We will find out how BMW translated the VDX’s skills later this year into a street car. The first NEE class model is set for unveiling from the beginning of September. Then we see the second generation IX3 Break cover at the IAA mobility show in Munich. Come 2026, the i3 sedan and a Langrad-X3 will follow.
