Latest news with #VDX
TimesLIVE
22-04-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
BMW unveils a smart concept car with an amazing 18,000Nm of torque
BMW has presented its brawniest and brainiest prototype to date at Auto Shanghai in China, the world's biggest car show. Boasting an astonishing torque output of 18,000Nm, the BMW Vision Driving Experience (VDX) is a concept car that has been undergoing testing on roads and racetracks in recent months. It showcases technology to be featured in the German brand's next-generation Neue Klasse electric vehicles, including the new iX3 and 3 Series. It boasts a lightning-fast 'Heart of Joy' control computer, which works in conjunction with the BMW Dynamic Performance Control software stack to centrally calculate all driving dynamics functions. With this new super brain, the VDX converts the ultimate electric power into controlled driving pleasure, says BMW customer, brands and sales manager Jochen Goller. 'The first all-electric Neue Klasse vehicles will roll off the production line at the Debrecen plant in Hungary from the end of the year. The Heart of Joy central computer, which ensures a new level of precision and driving dynamics, will be fitted as standard in every Neue Klasse vehicle.' With its combined torque of up to 18,000Nm from four electric motors — one for each wheel — the VDX is described as the fastest test rig in the world. It's a mobile laboratory that pushes the Heart of Joy and BMW Dynamic Performance Control — both developed in-house by BMW — to their limits. With active aerodynamics, the concept car develops a downforce up to of 1.2 tonnes and lateral forces of up to 3G — on a par with Formula 1 and far beyond the requirements of regular road cars. BMW says that if the hardware and software can tame the brute forces of the test rig, they will easily cope with the demands of everyday use. The Heart of Joy is the central computer responsible for driving, braking, recharging through recuperation and some steering functions. It enables 98% of braking operations to be carried out using brake energy regeneration — a 25% increase in efficiency compared to today's architectures. The vehicle can also be brought to a standstill more smoothly than before. Though the VDX is only a test rig, BMW says its exterior is based on the design language of the Vision Neue Klasse with a monolithic-looking body, powerful wheel arches, recessed greenhouse and 'shark nose' front end. It has a new interpretation of the characteristic BMW radiator grille and twin headlights with a striking, three-dimensional light signature. For Auto Shanghai, the concept car, which had previously been covered in camouflage, was given an innovative self-illuminating paint finish. The paint has light-sensitive pigments that recharge in daylight. In the dark, the colour varies from a whitish yellow to an expressive neon yellow, depending on the state of charge.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
BMW Says This EV Makes 13,269 LB-FT of Torque. Here's Why That's Misleading
If you followed along with the news about the BMW Vision Driving Experience vehicle (a.k.a. the VDX) that came out last week, you may have noticed an unusual claim: that this electric car makes 13,269 pound-feet of torque. To which anyone's initial reaction should probably be, wait — is that a typo? No, it's not. BMW writes it out in clear English in its press release for the vehicle: 'The Vision Vehicle develops 13,269 lb-ft of torque.' With that kind of power, it must be the quickest vehicle to ever grace a road, right? Well, it is quick — but that silly-high number is more a deception than a legitimate indicator for performance. BMW doesn't spell it out, and wouldn't confirm it either way when queried, but this 13,269 pound-feet of torque is referring to wheel torque, not motor torque. The latter is the number we're all accustomed to seeing when manufacturers provide specs for vehicles. It's a disappointing omission, considering the quad-motor EV concept is undoubtedly packing a ridiculously-high amount of motor torque that shouldn't require this sort of confusing claim. If this wheel torque conundrum sounds familiar, that's because this isn't the first time an OEM has pulled this stunt. GM revealed the GMC Hummer EV to great fanfare years ago with a stunning claim of 11,500 pound-feet of torque. In reality, the tri-motor Hummer EV Pickup makes 1200 pound-feet of motor torque. GM chose to instead report the obscure and relatively useless wheel torque spec initially, and there's no denying it made for dramatic headlines. Tesla did the same with its non-existent Roadster, which required similar explaining to dissuade the spread of misinformation. As a reminder, wheel torque is traditional motor torque, multiplied by the effect of any gear ratio that changes that output on its way to the wheels. Jason Fenske from Engineering Explained has a great video that explains the situation from years ago when the Tesla Roadster was revealed. Road & Track asked Fenske for his thoughts as OEMs continue to peddle this semi-meaningless spec. 'Car companies love to wow enthusiasts with big numbers, and this is often done with misleading marketing, such as providing wheel torque numbers to MAKE NUMBER BIG,' Fenske said. 'I feel the simplest way to combat this is to provide an equally factual, but equally misleading counterclaim. For example, the Ford Bronco, with a small 2.3-liter four-cylinder, is capable of producing over 29,000 lb-ft of torque at the wheels — more than double the BMW!" The question remains then, how much motor torque does the VDX actually make? Unfortunately, BMW didn't release any information that would help determine the final drive reduction ratio is for its electric motors, but somewhere in the 7:1 to 10:1 range is typical for EVs. If it were 10:1 all around, that would put motor torque at 1369 pound-feet. That number is still wildly impressive, and even if it's a somewhat lower in reality, nobody would be disappointed in BMW for it. Let's just hope BMW's choice to report electric motor performance like this for its concept isn't an indicator of what it plans to do for production vehicles to come. You Might Also Like You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners The Man Who Signs Every Car
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
BMW Vision Driving Experience Prototype Leaked
Read the full story on Modern Car Collector A leaked image of the BMW Vision Driving Experience (VDX) prototype has surfaced ahead of its official debut, offering an early glimpse at the automaker's next-generation Neue Klasse models, including the upcoming M3. BMW has labeled the VDX as a 'test rig' for its evolving sedan lineup, showcasing a significant departure from the brand's traditional design language. The prototype's exterior features a dramatic redesign inspired by the Neue Klasse Vision Concept, most notably replacing the vertical kidney grille with a sleek, full-width unit. The brand's signature angel-eye headlights are also gone, making way for twin LED light bars that lend the front end a futuristic look. At the rear, the VDX sports an unconventional design, with taillights mounted along the upper edge of the trunk and a bumper incorporating large air ducts. While these elements suggest a bold new approach, reactions to the aesthetic changes remain mixed. Inside, the cabin embraces a minimalist, tech-focused layout. A floating touchscreen dominates the center console, complemented by a slim, wraparound digital display spanning the dashboard. The steering wheel, notably redesigned, further signals BMW's shift toward a more futuristic cockpit experience. Mechanically, the next-generation BMW M3 will be among the first models built on the Neue Klasse architecture. It is expected to offer both traditional internal combustion and fully electric variants. The electric M3 could feature a quad-motor setup delivering an astonishing 1,300 horsepower—potentially redefining BMW's high-performance lineup. With BMW set to officially unveil the VDX soon, the leaked prototype suggests a transformative era for the brand's performance sedans, blending heritage with cutting-edge design and technology. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
