BMW & MINI’s Future: How Processing Power Is Replacing Horsepower w/Video

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The next electric BMWs and MINIs may be driven less by power figures and more by processing power. With the Neue Klasse generation of products, BMW is introducing an all-new electric architecture powered by high-performance computers—cheekily dubbed Superbrains—which consolidate everything from infotainment to driving dynamics into a single nerve center. With the next electric Countryman set to be based on this architecture, the question is: can MINI transform this massive increase in processing power into a new generation of driver’s cars, or will we just end up with rolling smartphones?

The End of Mechanical Purity or the Beginning of Something Exciting?

There are plenty left in both BMW and MINI’s core audience that still appreciate mechanical feedback The company has long walked a fine line between tech-forward innovation and driver engagement. With the “Heart of Joy” (BMW’s name, not mine) now in charge of driving dynamics, traction control, and energy recuperation, the promise is a hyper-responsive system that reacts ten times faster than anything before it.

But here’s the catch—does this mean the experience is becoming more synthetic? BMW claims its system eliminates inefficiencies and delivers precise, feeling-oriented driving characteristics. But when everything from braking to acceleration is controlled by software, will it still have the unique character of a MINI – especially given it’s switch to either rear wheel drive or rear-biased all wheel drive?

BMW is making a bold claim here: that this new high-performance control unit will fundamentally change the way an electric car drives, feels, and responds. To properly test this BMW threw everything at it; 13,269 lb-ft of torque and even fans pointed at the ground to literally suck the car to the pavement. 

I had a chance to ride shotgun in the test vehicle and came away feel much more optimistic about the electrified figure than I’ve ever been. It may not be MINI’s take on the Neue Klasse architecture, but it mighty impressive in how it translated feedback, nuance and at the limit control to the driver. You can read my full take on the experience here. But suffice to say, I’m beginning to be a believer.

Now, let’s get this out of the way—the Vision Vehicle itself isn’t headed for production. This is not the forthcoming electric M3 for instance. Instead, it’s a test bed for BMW’s next-generation drivetrain and driving dynamics technology, known as the Heart of Joy. And what I saw and felt was something unlike anything I’ve been in before.

Technology openness is the key to BMW’s success. Starting with the first model of the Neue Klasse, we will roll out the technologies of the Neue Klasse across the entire future model portfolio – across all segments and all drivetrains. This also applies to our completely newly developed electronic architecture made up of powerful ‘Superbrains’ and highly interconnected software platforms. This architecture allows us to decouple the development of the vehicle and software from each other. The advantage: More than ever before, all future BMW models will remain digitally up to date via over-the-air upgrades and will receive updates even from the next and subsequent vehicle generations.

Frank Weber, Board Member for Development at BMW AG

The BMW Heart of Joy “superbrains” in the forthcoming electric BMW iX3

BMW’s “Superbrains” – Setting the Stage for the Future

BMW’s Neue Klasse ditches the old mess of control units for four high-powered computers, each handling a major vehicle function. This allows for much faster processing speed, greater efficiency, and easier OTA updates.

1. “Heart of Joy” – The Digital Driving Brain

This Superbrain integrates motor and chassis control, reacting in milliseconds for sharper handling, better energy recuperation, and smoother low-speed driving. The goal? More precision, less lag. The risk? Losing the raw, mechanical feel BMWs are known for.

2. Automated Driving – 20x the Processing Power

BMW’s new driver-assist system merges four control units into one, making automation smoother and more efficient. Expect better hands-free capabilities, but full autonomy? Not yet.

3. The Infotainment Brain – BMW iDrive X Takes Over

Controls BMW Panoramic Vision, the 3D HUD, infotainment, navigation, and voice commands. AI and cloud integration promise a seamless experience.

4. The Backbone – Handling the Essentials

Manages climate, lighting, access, and 100+ functions while processing data from 50 sensors. This should improve efficiency and OTA updates, but also makes even basic features part of BMW’s growing digital ecosystem.

Smart eFuses and Lighter Wiring

One of the most underrated changes is the zonal architecture, which eliminates about 600 meters of wiring and slashes 30% of the weight in electrical components. That’s significant—especially for efficiency and repairability. The Smart eFuses also replace up to 150 traditional fuses, dynamically managing energy distribution to improve efficiency by 20%.

With the introduction of the Neue Klasse, we are entering a mode of software development where we achieve software continuity. This means we continuously develop software rather than starting from scratch each time. Based on our advanced software architecture and the fact that today our global development teams generate 130 times more software than ten years ago, we see ourselves in an excellent competitive position. More than ever, our software developers can focus on product innovations.

Christoph Grote, Senior Vice President BMW Group Electronics and Software

Now, the interesting part: this also means a fundamental change in how BMWs are built and serviced. We don’t know all the ramifications of this yet but we can’t help but wonder how it will impact independent shops and their ability to diagnose issues. The long-term implications of this shift remain to be seen.

The Future Is Coming, Later this Year

BMW’s Gen6 architecture is undoubtedly a technical leap forward. The 800V system and new battery design offer real-world benefits, and the streamlined electronics are a logical step in an increasingly software-defined industry.

But progress isn’t always linear—especially when it comes to what makes a MINI feel like a MINI. If all of this complexity leads to a disconnected, subscription-riddled experience, then it’s a step in the wrong direction. The Neue Klasse architecture and it’s “superbrains” have the potential to redefine electric BMWs and MINIs—but only if it enhances, rather than replaces, the qualities that made them great in the first place. Early results are positive but we’ll know more when the first fruits of this labor arrive in the form of the BMW iX3 late this year (early next year in North America). MINI fans will have to wait for the next electric Countryman to debut in the lates 2020s for answers.

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