BMW stole the spotlight at the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show with the unveiling of their latest technological marvel: the Vision Driving Experience (VDX). While initial impressions may focus on its design, the true standout feature of the VDX lies beneath its surface – the groundbreaking Heart of Joy control unit. This isn’t just another ECU; it’s a significant leap forward, serving as the central “brain” of BMW’s future electric cars. The Heart of Joy manages drivetrain, braking, steering, and recuperation functions, processing data ten times faster than BMW’s previous architectures. This results in a new standard for BMW driving pleasure, power, and efficiency.
The Heart of Joy supercomputer has been closely associated with BMW’s upcoming Neue Klasse vehicles, which are linked to the brand’s new electric-centric architecture known as NCAR. However, BMW clarified that they don’t strictly differentiate between their flexible CLAR platform (used for combustion, hybrid, and electric vehicles) and the purely electric NCAR in terms of EVs. This approach ensures customers receive a cohesive experience across the entire range, blending the latest technology and design regardless of the architecture.
BMW revealed that the Heart of Joy will extend to future electric models based on the CLAR platform, including highly anticipated SUVs like the rumored iX5, iX6, and iX7. These vehicles will benefit from BMW’s GEN6 electric motors and battery packs, promising significant improvements in range, performance, and charging capabilities. The strategy behind this integrated approach is to eliminate product differentiation barriers, offering buyers a unified premium experience regardless of platform specifics.
While full details on CLAR-based electric models remain under wraps until at least 2027 with the debut of the iX5, enthusiasts won’t have to wait long for more insights. The upcoming Neue Klasse iX3 is expected to reveal more about BMW’s vision in the near future.
