- BMW has revealed a camo-free version of the Vision Driving Experience concept.
- The performance-focused EV gains a luminescent paint and an UV-reactive film.
- The “Heart of Joy” super brain will power all future BMW Neue Klasse EVs.
BMW has unveiled a new iteration of its Vision Driving Experience concept for the Shanghai Auto Show, and while it’s not officially an electric M3, it’s about as close as we’re going to get for now. The study, which hints at the future of performance EVs, has shed its camouflage wrap and revealed more of the design language that will define BMW’s Neue Klasse lineup.
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The Vision Driving Experience was first introduced in February, but until now, it was hidden behind a rather uninspired camouflage livery. Now, BMW has taken the wraps off and gone for a “special luminescent paint.” The paint uses light-sensitive pigments that recharge in daylight and glow in the dark. To add to the visual drama, a special film on the rear bodywork creates a yellowish gradient under UV light.
A Glimpse of the Future (and Some Colorful Wheels)
Unsurprisingly, the electric M3—oops, I mean the Vision Driving Experience—shares a lot of design elements with the Vision Neue Klasse concept from 2023, albeit with beefed-up bumpers. Highlights include active aerodynamics, and yes, wheels that illuminate in different colors. These rims are practically a mood ring for your car: they turn green when you accelerate, blue when recovering energy, and orange when braking.
Test drivers Jens Klingmann and Elias Houndtonji took the wheel of the Vision Driving Experience during BMW’s Brand Night, showing off the car’s performance under the cover of darkness. They put the quad-motor powertrain and advanced torque-vectoring system to the test, showcasing the car’s handling on the move.
BMW
Torque Numbers That Raise Questions
Now, let’s talk torque. BMW claims the electric powertrain delivers a staggering 13,269 lb-ft (17,990 Nm) of torque. Yes, you read that correctly, but it’s almost certain that it measured at the wheels, not the crankshaft, because unless the laws of physics have been rewritten, that number is bonkers. Regardless, the “Heart of Joy” super brain controls pretty much everything, from driving dynamics to braking, energy recuperation, and steering.
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BMW has made it clear that the Vision Driving Experience concept “was designed for development purposes only and is not intended for series production.” However, the Neue Klasse design will gradually make its way across BMW’s entire lineup, both electric and internal combustion. Likewise, the “Heart of Joy” super brain will be integrated into future EVs, including those from the BMW M division, so you can expect some of that high-tech wizardry to trickle down to future performance models.
New Models and the iX3
BMW has said it plans to launch over 40 new and updated models by 2027. The first of these, the fully electric iX3, will begin production at the Debrecen plant in Hungary by the end of 2025. This SUV will be followed by a sedan in 2026, which is expected to carry the i3 name and serve as an electric alternative to the BMW 3 Series. So, if you’ve been hoping for an electrified 3 Series, it looks like your wish is about to come true.
The electric sedan will likely look most similar to the original Vision Neue Klasse concept, with the BMW M version drawing heavy inspiration from the Vision Driving Experience seen here.
