{"id":83617,"date":"2025-09-12T10:28:16","date_gmt":"2025-09-12T14:28:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=83617"},"modified":"2025-09-12T10:28:16","modified_gmt":"2025-09-12T14:28:16","slug":"bmw-evs-ultimate-driving-machine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=83617","title":{"rendered":"BMW Says EVs Can Still Be the Ultimate Driving Machine"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"quick-links\">\n<div class=\"quicklink-container\"> <noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/themes\/wpdevel\/assets\/images\/quicklink.svg\" alt=\"\" class=\"quicklink-icon\"\/><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%22http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%20210%20140%22%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/themes\/wpdevel\/assets\/images\/quicklink.svg\" alt=\"\" class=\"lazyload quicklink-icon\"\/> Quick links for test:<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>BMW\u2019s tagline, The Ultimate Driving Machine, has been around for decades. But in the EV era, where sound, torque, and even steering feel are redefined by software, what does that mantra really mean? Mihiar Ayoubi, Senior Vice President Driving Experience, has been with BMW for three decades. He has lived through the company\u2019s transformation from purely mechanical chassis tuning to today\u2019s software-defined vehicles. With the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmwblog.com\/2025\/09\/05\/bmw-ix3-us-launch-2026\/\">first Neue Klasse model arriving later this year<\/a>, he believes BMW is entering a fourth era\u2014one that could be as important as the original 1500 in the 1960s.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"heartofjoy\">From Mechanical Chassis to the Heart of Joy<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/bmw-heart-of-joy-00.jpg\"><noscript><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-505441\" title=\"BMW HEART OF JOY 00\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/bmw-heart-of-joy-00-830x553.jpg\" alt=\"BMW HEART OF JOY with BMW VDX\" width=\"830\" height=\"553\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/bmw-heart-of-joy-00-830x553.jpg 830w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/bmw-heart-of-joy-00-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/bmw-heart-of-joy-00-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/bmw-heart-of-joy-00-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/bmw-heart-of-joy-00.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\"\/><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload alignnone size-medium wp-image-505441\" title=\"BMW HEART OF JOY 00\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%22http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%20830%20553%22%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/bmw-heart-of-joy-00-830x553.jpg\" alt=\"BMW HEART OF JOY with BMW VDX\" width=\"830\" height=\"553\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/bmw-heart-of-joy-00-830x553.jpg 830w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/bmw-heart-of-joy-00-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/bmw-heart-of-joy-00-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/bmw-heart-of-joy-00-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/bmw-heart-of-joy-00.jpg 1920w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve experienced three decades of driving dynamics at BMW,\u201d Ayoubi begins. \u201cThe first was mechanical\u2014you had to deliver driving pleasure just through chassis design. The second was the mechatronic era, when we added intelligence with active steering and brake systems. The third was about connected chassis, where all the subsystems started communicating in loops.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He pauses, then leans in: \u201cNow comes the fourth. The Neue Klasse is historic because, for the first time, we have an entirely new body, a fully electric backbone, and a software-defined vehicle. Instead of closed loops, we now use a hierarchical architecture. Think of it like an octopus: one central brain with many arms, instantly telling each subsystem what to do. That\u2019s the Heart of Joy.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"evera\">What Cannot Change in the EV Era<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-test-drive-14.jpg\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-501219\" title=\"2026 BMW IX3 NA5 TEST DRIVE 14\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-test-drive-14-830x553.jpg\" alt=\"2026 BMW IX3 NA5 testing on the race track\" width=\"830\" height=\"553\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-test-drive-14-830x553.jpg 830w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-test-drive-14-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-test-drive-14-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-test-drive-14-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-test-drive-14.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\"\/><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload alignnone size-medium wp-image-501219\" title=\"2026 BMW IX3 NA5 TEST DRIVE 14\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%22http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%20830%20553%22%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-test-drive-14-830x553.jpg\" alt=\"2026 BMW IX3 NA5 testing on the race track\" width=\"830\" height=\"553\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-test-drive-14-830x553.jpg 830w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-test-drive-14-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-test-drive-14-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-test-drive-14-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-test-drive-14.jpg 1920w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>So how does BMW make sure its cars still feel like BMWs without a combustion engine up front? \u201cThe most important thing is linear response,\u201d Ayoubi says firmly. \u201cWhen you see a corner, you must know exactly how your car will behave. Predictability is everything.\u201d Electric cars, he explains, introduce unique challenges. A stiff battery pack creates a very rigid center section, but leaves the front and rear relatively \u201cloose.\u201d Without careful tuning, that can create an unpredictable response.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEveryone says the low center of gravity is the EV\u2019s advantage. But what really matters is the distance between the roll axis and the center of gravity. That determines how the car rotates. You need to design this into the body from day one.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>And then there\u2019s torque delivery. \u201cCombustion engines were never fast enough,\u201d he says. \u201cThey had a natural delay. But an electric motor reacts instantly. That can be impressive in a straight-line demo, but it\u2019s not a use case for everyday customers. We control forces at the wheel. That\u2019s how we make the response linear and faithful.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"drivers\">Making Ordinary Drivers Feel Extraordinary<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-test-drive-10.jpg\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-501218\" title=\"2026 BMW IX3 NA5 TEST DRIVE 10\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-test-drive-10-830x553.jpg\" alt=\"2026 BMW IX3 NA5 TEST DRIVE 10\" width=\"830\" height=\"553\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-test-drive-10-830x553.jpg 830w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-test-drive-10-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-test-drive-10-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-test-drive-10-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-test-drive-10.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\"\/><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload alignnone size-medium wp-image-501218\" title=\"2026 BMW IX3 NA5 TEST DRIVE 10\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%22http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%20830%20553%22%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-test-drive-10-830x553.jpg\" alt=\"2026 BMW IX3 NA5 TEST DRIVE 10\" width=\"830\" height=\"553\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-test-drive-10-830x553.jpg 830w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-test-drive-10-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-test-drive-10-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-test-drive-10-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-test-drive-10.jpg 1920w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>In testing, Ayoubi recalls, even senior executives were surprised. \u201cOne of our board members stepped out and said, \u2018I didn\u2019t know I was such a good driver.\u2019 He wasn\u2019t\u2014but the car made him feel that way.\u201d It\u2019s not just about enthusiasts. \u201cOur goal is that ordinary customers step out feeling seamless predictability, enjoyment with safety. They feel more comfortable than when they stepped into the car.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOf course, we have a small group of customers who really can drive, who can approach the limits and enjoy the high resolution of this system,\u201d he says. \u201cBut I\u2019m talking about the ordinary customer. I believe they will step out of the car feeling seamless predictability, enjoyment with safety. It\u2019s waftable. You feel like a better driver.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>One of BMW\u2019s own project leaders reportedly said the same after testing a prototype at Sokolov, where much of BMW\u2019s dynamics development takes place: \u201cI feel more comfortable now than the moment I stepped into the car.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>That confidence has been tested under extreme conditions. \u201cOur first KPI was driving on slippery roads and winter conditions,\u201d Ayoubi says. I explained that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmwblog.com\/2025\/06\/11\/2026-bmw-ix3-first-drive-review-neue-klasse\/\">during my own test of the BMW iX3<\/a>, at 130 km\/h on wet surfaces, the car stayed controllable. Ayoubi added: \u201cFor us, preventing over-braking and keeping steerability is still the most important KPI today.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"ota\">Scalability and OTA Potential<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/bmw-heart-of-joy-details-00-scaled.jpg\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-495244\" title=\"bmw-heart-of-joy-details-00\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/bmw-heart-of-joy-details-00-830x467.jpg\" alt=\"The BMW Heart of Joy supercomputer\" width=\"830\" height=\"467\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/bmw-heart-of-joy-details-00-830x467.jpg 830w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/bmw-heart-of-joy-details-00-1820x1024.jpg 1820w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/bmw-heart-of-joy-details-00-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/bmw-heart-of-joy-details-00-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/bmw-heart-of-joy-details-00-2048x1152.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\"\/><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload alignnone size-medium wp-image-495244\" title=\"bmw-heart-of-joy-details-00\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%22http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%20830%20467%22%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/bmw-heart-of-joy-details-00-830x467.jpg\" alt=\"The BMW Heart of Joy supercomputer\" width=\"830\" height=\"467\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/bmw-heart-of-joy-details-00-830x467.jpg 830w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/bmw-heart-of-joy-details-00-1820x1024.jpg 1820w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/bmw-heart-of-joy-details-00-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/bmw-heart-of-joy-details-00-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/bmw-heart-of-joy-details-00-2048x1152.jpg 2048w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The Heart of Joy isn\u2019t a static technology. \u201cWe have three dimensions of scalability,\u201d Ayoubi explains. \u201cFirst, across cars: one Neue Klasse can feel naughty, another reasonable, another safe. Second, within a car: different driving modes for different customers. And third, adding new subsystems in the future\u2014the central intelligence just integrates them like new arms of the octopus.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Because the system is software-defined, Ayoubi doesn\u2019t rule out over-the-air monetization. \u201cWhy not?\u201d he says candidly. \u201cThe technology can do it. Our sales colleagues might think about selling digital features. Imagine releasing a more dynamic setup for slalom driving. Once the customer pays, we can deliver it.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"track\">The Challenge of Heat and Track Use<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/bmw-vision-driving-experience-vdx-04.jpg\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-499075\" title=\"BMW VISION DRIVING EXPERIENCE VDX 04\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/bmw-vision-driving-experience-vdx-04-830x553.jpg\" alt=\"BMW VISION DRIVING EXPERIENCE VDX 04\" width=\"830\" height=\"553\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/bmw-vision-driving-experience-vdx-04-830x553.jpg 830w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/bmw-vision-driving-experience-vdx-04-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/bmw-vision-driving-experience-vdx-04-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/bmw-vision-driving-experience-vdx-04-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/bmw-vision-driving-experience-vdx-04.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\"\/><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload alignnone size-medium wp-image-499075\" title=\"BMW VISION DRIVING EXPERIENCE VDX 04\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%22http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%20830%20553%22%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/bmw-vision-driving-experience-vdx-04-830x553.jpg\" alt=\"BMW VISION DRIVING EXPERIENCE VDX 04\" width=\"830\" height=\"553\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/bmw-vision-driving-experience-vdx-04-830x553.jpg 830w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/bmw-vision-driving-experience-vdx-04-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/bmw-vision-driving-experience-vdx-04-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/bmw-vision-driving-experience-vdx-04-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/bmw-vision-driving-experience-vdx-04.jpg 1920w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>When asked about EVs overheating on track, Ayoubi points to lessons from the experimental VDX prototype. \u201cVDX was a kind of wild horse,\u201d he admits. \u201cIt was also vehicle where we learned to enhance the control loops coming into the subsystems and physical parts of that. But you can\u2019t adopt everything from it into production cars. Thermal headroom is still a challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"level3\">Why BMW Didn\u2019t Rush to Level 3<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/bmw-level-3-autonomous-driving-25.jpg\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-456081\" title=\"bmw-level-3-autonomous-driving-25\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/bmw-level-3-autonomous-driving-25-830x552.jpg\" alt=\"Level 3 testing in a BMW 7 Series\" width=\"830\" height=\"552\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/bmw-level-3-autonomous-driving-25-830x553.jpg 830w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/bmw-level-3-autonomous-driving-25-1540x1024.jpg 1540w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/bmw-level-3-autonomous-driving-25-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/bmw-level-3-autonomous-driving-25-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/bmw-level-3-autonomous-driving-25-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/bmw-level-3-autonomous-driving-25.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\"\/><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload alignnone size-medium wp-image-456081\" title=\"bmw-level-3-autonomous-driving-25\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%22http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%20830%20552%22%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/bmw-level-3-autonomous-driving-25-830x552.jpg\" alt=\"Level 3 testing in a BMW 7 Series\" width=\"830\" height=\"552\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/bmw-level-3-autonomous-driving-25-830x553.jpg 830w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/bmw-level-3-autonomous-driving-25-1540x1024.jpg 1540w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/bmw-level-3-autonomous-driving-25-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/bmw-level-3-autonomous-driving-25-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/bmw-level-3-autonomous-driving-25-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/bmw-level-3-autonomous-driving-25.jpg 1920w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The Neue Klasse will debut with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmwblog.com\/2024\/09\/30\/bmw-neue-klasse-level-2-driving-assistant-technology\/\">Level 2+<\/a> driver assistance, not <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmwblog.com\/2023\/07\/26\/bmw-level-3-self-driving\/\">Level 3<\/a>. For Ayoubi, the decision was clear. \u201cWe tested Level 3, but customers aren\u2019t ready. They don\u2019t want to lose control, especially in cities. It\u2019s like when we introduced the first active anti-roll bars. We gave cars zero roll angle, but customers didn\u2019t like it. It took time for them to get used to it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Safety is the other factor. \u201cA lot of OEMs treated ADAS like a Wild West. But it\u2019s just statistics\u2014cars, kilometers, likelihood of failure. Unless you have the highest safety standards, you deliver accidents every day. We can\u2019t accept that.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"level2\">Level 2++ Explained<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/bmw-level-3-autonomous-driving-24.jpg\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-456080\" title=\"bmw-level-3-autonomous-driving-24\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/bmw-level-3-autonomous-driving-24-830x552.jpg\" alt=\"Level 2+ testing \" width=\"830\" height=\"552\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/bmw-level-3-autonomous-driving-24-830x553.jpg 830w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/bmw-level-3-autonomous-driving-24-1540x1024.jpg 1540w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/bmw-level-3-autonomous-driving-24-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/bmw-level-3-autonomous-driving-24-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/bmw-level-3-autonomous-driving-24-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/bmw-level-3-autonomous-driving-24.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\"\/><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload alignnone size-medium wp-image-456080\" title=\"bmw-level-3-autonomous-driving-24\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%22http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%20830%20552%22%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/bmw-level-3-autonomous-driving-24-830x552.jpg\" alt=\"Level 2+ testing \" width=\"830\" height=\"552\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/bmw-level-3-autonomous-driving-24-830x553.jpg 830w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/bmw-level-3-autonomous-driving-24-1540x1024.jpg 1540w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/bmw-level-3-autonomous-driving-24-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/bmw-level-3-autonomous-driving-24-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/bmw-level-3-autonomous-driving-24-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/bmw-level-3-autonomous-driving-24.jpg 1920w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The term \u201cLevel 2++\u201d has become marketing shorthand, but Ayoubi offers two interpretations. \u201cThe positive view is that it means we can provide assistance in city driving. With AI and neural networks, you can adapt to more complex environments. But we always use a hybrid approach\u2014AI plus physics\u2014to ensure transparency.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Then he adds a warning. \u201cThe sad interpretation is Level 3 minus. Some call it self-driving, but liability is still with the driver. The more comfort you give, the more distraction you create. That is the killing point. We decided to keep the driver in the loop with minor commands\u2014steering, braking, accelerating\u2014while the system does the rest. That balance is essential.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"redundancy\">Redundancy and Fail-Safes<\/h3>\n<p>Ayoubi also offers a glimpse into BMW\u2019s obsession with redundancy. \u201cTake Level 3 handover. If the system asks you to take control, it uses an acoustic warning. But what if your speakers or microphone don\u2019t work? Every time you start the car, we send inaudible frequencies through the speakers to test the system. Only then do we allow deployment.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s a small detail, but one that illustrates BMW\u2019s safety-first approach.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"level4\">Level 4, But Not 5<\/h3>\n<p>So what\u2019s next? \u201cTechnically, we can deliver Level 4,\u201d Ayoubi says. \u201cThe question is: is there any pull from the market? Customers need time to trust. Level 5? Not this decade.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"joy\">The Future of Joy<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Dr.-Mihiar-Ayoubi-Director-of-Engineering-Rolls-Royce-Motor00.jpg\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-454620\" title=\"Dr. Mihiar Ayoubi, Director of Engineering, Rolls-Royce Motor00\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Dr.-Mihiar-Ayoubi-Director-of-Engineering-Rolls-Royce-Motor00-830x553.jpg\" alt=\"Dr.-Mihiar-Ayoubi with a Rolls-Royce\" width=\"830\" height=\"553\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Dr.-Mihiar-Ayoubi-Director-of-Engineering-Rolls-Royce-Motor00-830x553.jpg 830w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Dr.-Mihiar-Ayoubi-Director-of-Engineering-Rolls-Royce-Motor00-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Dr.-Mihiar-Ayoubi-Director-of-Engineering-Rolls-Royce-Motor00-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Dr.-Mihiar-Ayoubi-Director-of-Engineering-Rolls-Royce-Motor00-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Dr.-Mihiar-Ayoubi-Director-of-Engineering-Rolls-Royce-Motor00.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\"\/><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload alignnone size-medium wp-image-454620\" title=\"Dr. Mihiar Ayoubi, Director of Engineering, Rolls-Royce Motor00\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%22http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%20830%20553%22%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Dr.-Mihiar-Ayoubi-Director-of-Engineering-Rolls-Royce-Motor00-830x553.jpg\" alt=\"Dr.-Mihiar-Ayoubi with a Rolls-Royce\" width=\"830\" height=\"553\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Dr.-Mihiar-Ayoubi-Director-of-Engineering-Rolls-Royce-Motor00-830x553.jpg 830w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Dr.-Mihiar-Ayoubi-Director-of-Engineering-Rolls-Royce-Motor00-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Dr.-Mihiar-Ayoubi-Director-of-Engineering-Rolls-Royce-Motor00-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Dr.-Mihiar-Ayoubi-Director-of-Engineering-Rolls-Royce-Motor00-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Dr.-Mihiar-Ayoubi-Director-of-Engineering-Rolls-Royce-Motor00.jpg 1920w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>In the end, Ayoubi insists the Neue Klasse doesn\u2019t mark the end of BMW\u2019s DNA\u2014it\u2019s a reinvention. \u201cElectric driving is challenging,\u201d he admits. \u201cBut if you understand the drawbacks, you can turn them into advantages. That is what the Heart of Joy does. The technology changes, but the DNA does not.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Quick links for test: BMW\u2019s tagline, The Ultimate Driving Machine, has been around for decades. But in the EV era, where sound, torque, and even steering feel are redefined by software, what does that mantra really mean? Mihiar Ayoubi, Senior Vice President Driving Experience, has been with BMW for three decades. He has lived through [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":83618,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-83617","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-industry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/83617","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=83617"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/83617\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/83618"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=83617"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=83617"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=83617"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}