BMW has released more images of its M3-esque VDX Concept, also known as the BMW Vision Driving Experience (VDX), confirming that testing is still ongoing. The VDX is a test rig and not available for purchase, but it’s likely that the concept will heavily influence the design of the first all-electric M3, which is expected to break cover in late 2027.
The VDX features a dynamic design, with a polarizing rear spoiler and an incredibly wide rear axle. The concept also boasts a quad-motor electric setup, which could develop an astonishing 13,269 pound-feet of wheel torque and around 1,300 horsepower. While the production all-electric M3 is likely to feature “only” around half that total, the concept’s software, known as the “Heart of Joy,” can manage acceleration, braking, and vehicle stabilization simultaneously, making it an exciting prospect.
The Heart of Joy is a single, in-house-built software system that can process information 10 times faster than current third-party suppliers. It’s designed to provide BMW’s characteristic driving pleasure and reduce complexity, introducing fail-safes and making the entire system more efficient.
The VDX is essentially a proving ground for the Heart of Joy, and its success could lead to the implementation of this technology in future electric BMWs built on the Neue Klasse architecture. With the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este event taking place in June, it’s possible that the VDX could make its world premiere alongside two other BMW world premieres, further fueling speculation about the concept’s significance.