BMW has invested heavily in its new iX3 electric vehicle, and it shows. The car boasts a range of impressive features, including a 500-mile maximum WLTP figure, a lightweight 800-volt electric architecture that boosts charging speeds by a third, and a fancy new central computer brain designed to make the driving experience smoother and more responsive.
At the heart of this is BMW's new "heart of joy" (HoJ) system, which governs all dynamic functions including braking and traction control. This single processor reduces the time lag between inputs and responses by a millisecond, giving the iX3 an uncanny sense of stability and agility. The HoJ also integrates signals from multiple sensors to optimize steering systems and motor response.
The car's driving dynamics are truly exceptional, making it feel like you're in a much lighter vehicle despite its 2,300 kg weight. The iX3 is capable of executing corners with ease, adapting the torque distribution between front and rear motors as needed to maintain stability. The ride quality is also superb, with relaxed cruising that belies the car's electric nature.
However, not everything about the iX3 is perfect. The interior design can feel somewhat "male-dominated," and the user interface has room for improvement, particularly when it comes to integrating third-party apps like CarPlay or Alexa. Additionally, the Alexa assistant falls over at more complex requests, and its integration with the Panoramic iDrive display could be improved.
Despite these minor quibbles, BMW's new platform is a major step forward for the brand. The iX3 represents a bold move into the world of electric vehicles, and its impressive range and charging capabilities make it a serious contender in this rapidly changing market.
The Neue Klasse platform also has far-reaching implications for BMW's future product lineup, with the company confident that its new EVs will drive like a traditional BMW. With the iX3 leading the way, it's clear that BMW is committed to delivering driving dynamics that rival – if not surpass – those of its ICE-based competitors.
But as the Western auto industry faces increasing competition from Chinese EV makers with lower prices and advanced autonomous tech, can BMW's focus on driving dynamics alone be enough to secure its position in the market? Only time will tell.
At the heart of this is BMW's new "heart of joy" (HoJ) system, which governs all dynamic functions including braking and traction control. This single processor reduces the time lag between inputs and responses by a millisecond, giving the iX3 an uncanny sense of stability and agility. The HoJ also integrates signals from multiple sensors to optimize steering systems and motor response.
The car's driving dynamics are truly exceptional, making it feel like you're in a much lighter vehicle despite its 2,300 kg weight. The iX3 is capable of executing corners with ease, adapting the torque distribution between front and rear motors as needed to maintain stability. The ride quality is also superb, with relaxed cruising that belies the car's electric nature.
However, not everything about the iX3 is perfect. The interior design can feel somewhat "male-dominated," and the user interface has room for improvement, particularly when it comes to integrating third-party apps like CarPlay or Alexa. Additionally, the Alexa assistant falls over at more complex requests, and its integration with the Panoramic iDrive display could be improved.
Despite these minor quibbles, BMW's new platform is a major step forward for the brand. The iX3 represents a bold move into the world of electric vehicles, and its impressive range and charging capabilities make it a serious contender in this rapidly changing market.
The Neue Klasse platform also has far-reaching implications for BMW's future product lineup, with the company confident that its new EVs will drive like a traditional BMW. With the iX3 leading the way, it's clear that BMW is committed to delivering driving dynamics that rival – if not surpass – those of its ICE-based competitors.
But as the Western auto industry faces increasing competition from Chinese EV makers with lower prices and advanced autonomous tech, can BMW's focus on driving dynamics alone be enough to secure its position in the market? Only time will tell.
The tech is insane, I mean who needs all that extra processing power for the "heart of joy" system?! 
It's like they're trying to make the car feel like a supercomputer on wheels! 
And the stability? Forget about it! This thing cornering like a dream, it's like it's glued to the road! 
But seriously, 500 miles on a single charge is crazy, I wish I had that kind of range for my daily commute! 
BMW is definitely playing it cool with this new platform, but can they keep up with the Chinese EV giants? That's like asking if a sports car can take down a rocket ship... 
. Is this like an AI that learns your driving habits and adjusts the car accordingly? Also, how does it affect other safety features, like automatic emergency braking? And what's the deal with the Alexa integration - is it just a fancy way to say it's still really buggy?
. I mean, 500 miles of range is insane, and the fact that it handles like a lightweight car despite being 2,300 kg is crazy impressive 
. But, I gotta agree with some of the other comments, the interior design could use some work and the Alexa integration is kinda wonky 
.
.
. I mean, if they can keep innovating like this and deliver on their promises, I think they'll be just fine 
. We'll have to wait and see how it all plays out though 
. All these fancy features and tech integrated into every aspect of driving experience, it's like the lines between man and machine are getting blurred. But is that really what we want? Are we just trading one kind of dependence for another? We invest so much in these vehicles, they're like an extension of ourselves... but do we ever stop to think about who's really pulling the strings here 
. The charging times are also super impressive - 30 minutes and you're good to go! 
. What's got me thinking is how they're going to balance innovation with cost. Chinese EVs are definitely getting cheaper and more feature-packed, so BMW needs to convince us that the iX3's premium feel is worth the extra cash 
. Still, I'm hyped about the future of electric driving - it's an exciting space to be in! 
But at the same time, I'm all about that smooth ride quality and exceptional driving dynamics – it feels so responsive and stable! 
Yeah, I'm still rooting for BMW on this one! 
. But, honestly, it's a little disappointing to hear that the interior design and UI could be improved 
. It's like they're still figuring out how to make everything work together seamlessly.
. But hey, I'm rooting for them! 
. But overall, BMW's done an amazing job with the HoJ system - it makes the driving experience so smooth and responsive 
️. Will it be enough to take down those Chinese EV makers? We'll see