BMW iX3 Receives Four Advanced Systems for Maximum Technological Excellence | Carscoops

      BMW is establishing a complete central nervous system for its Neue Klasse series of electric vehicles.

      March 14, 2025, at 19:57

      by Sam D. Smith

      The Neue Klasse models from BMW will feature four advanced control units, beginning with the new iX3 electric SUV.

      These advanced units will oversee driving performance, autonomous driving, infotainment, and additional functions.

      Smart e-fuses will replace conventional fuses to enhance power distribution and boost efficiency.

      Last month, BMW presented the Neue Klasse Vision vehicle, showcasing the technology expected in its forthcoming lineup of next-generation electric vehicles. One of the standout features of the Vision vehicle's technology was the "Heart of Joy" control unit, which influenced the driving experience of its future electric vehicles.

      Fast forward to now, and BMW has introduced three more control units for the upcoming iX3, which has been confirmed for a launch in September. All of these will be part of a comprehensive new "digital nervous system" designed to power every Neue Klasse model. In addition to the Heart of Joy, one control unit will be focused on autonomous driving, another will operate BMW’s Panoramic iDrive (infotainment), and a third will handle ancillary functions, such as lighting and climate control.

      To achieve this, BMW has incorporated an extraordinarily powerful central computing system into their next-generation vehicles, claiming it is 20 times more powerful than the systems found in their existing models. They have also carefully designed the wiring that connects these digital systems.

      This is where their “zonal wiring harness architecture” comes into play, essentially a sophisticated way of stating that they have streamlined the internal wiring by segmenting it into four areas: front, center, rear, and roof. The outcome? A reduction of 600 meters in wiring and a 30% decrease in weight. Less bulk translates to enhanced efficiency.

      Enhanced Power Management

      Along with stronger computing capabilities, BMW is replacing 150 traditional fuses with digital ‘smart e-fuses.’ These are not just advanced circuit breakers; they actively regulate power distribution, improving energy efficiency by 20%. This means your BMW will be smarter regarding power usage — whether it's driving, stationary, or charging. Welcome to intelligent energy management.

      Furthermore, BMW is fully committing to over-the-air software updates. With over 1,000 software modules, 20GB of software, and an impressive 500 million lines of code, future BMWs will be essentially software-defined vehicles. This eliminates the need to wait at a dealership for the latest updates; your car will self-upgrade.

      Looking to the future, BMW aims to continue developing in-house for critical areas—like driving dynamics and infotainment—while collaborating with top software companies for less critical technology. They have also built a robust in-house software development team with more than 10,000 engineers, ensuring they remain at the forefront of innovation.