BMW says this isn't the new 'iM3' hero, but let's hope it's close

BMW has been pushing its upcoming Neue Klasse electric platform to the limit, showing off a new "Heart of Joy" control unit at its Spartanburg Performance Driving Center.

Let's get the bad news out of the way first:

BMW says the camouflaged Vision Driving Experience shown here isn't any type of new M3 and it's not destined for showrooms.

We merely hope it is, but really, with those extra-massive guards and front air damn, there's more of a DTM look here than a roadgoing consumer model. A future CS? We wouldn't say no...

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On the bright side, the technology it showcases hints at a future where electric vehicles could deliver the kind of driving experience typically associated with high-performance internal combustion models.

Of course, if you ask Hyundai and its Wheels COTY-winning Ioniq 5 N, EVs are already there. Porsche probably has similar feelings.

Whatever the case, here are the basics on the evocatively named 'Heart of Joy' system, which acts as the key to everything from drivetrain response to braking and energy recuperation.

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BMW engineers have designed it to process data ten times faster than previous systems – and before you ask what that means: it all translates to quicker reactions and more precise control. Crucial for, let's say, an electric M3.

The Vision Driving Experience test vehicle, while a prototype, reportedly produced a staggering 18,000Nm of torque to stress-test the control system's capabilities.

When the electric M3 does eventually appear, let's say you can probably wipe at least 17,000Nm off that for the torque figure it'll sell with.

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A key piece of the Heart of Joy philosophy looks to be driving range, with BMW claiming its systems can use regenerative braking to handle around 98 per cent of anchor needs in normal driving – boosting overall energy efficiency by around 25 per cent.

As a package, the Heart of Joy unit is one of four central control units that will underpin the Neue Klasse – a project name for the all-electric version of the upcoming new-gen 3 Series, the BMW i3.

It's designed to minimise latency, with millisecond-level response times, ensuring the car reacts instantly to driver inputs. This focus on responsiveness is what has always separated a good car from a great one (albeit historically in a mostly mechanical sense rather than computerised), and it's what BMW appears to be targeting.

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The Vision Driving Experience prototype features colour-coded wheel rims to indicate system activity, a visual representation of the technology at work.

While the prototype itself won't reach production, the technology it houses will feature in all fully electric Neue Klasse models, with the first production vehicle rolling off the line in Hungary later this year.

That'll probably be the new iX3 electric SUV, however, with the i3 not due until 2026.

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We'll get our first proper look at the Vision Driving Experience at Auto Shanghai 2025.

While it's not the next M3, the "Heart of Joy" system suggests that BMW is serious about delivering electric vehicles that are just as engaging and rewarding to drive.