The BMW Imaginative and prescient Driving Expertise makes noise in additional methods than one. It’s a splashy idea with self-illuminating paint and a controversial rear finish. The inside is a stark departure from present fashions by that includes a big central touchscreen. However essentially the most fascinating half in regards to the automobile will not be instantly noticeable.
The odd sound you’re listening to doesn’t come from a combustion engine as a result of the VDX is only electrical. It’s additionally not the synthetic noise EVs are mandated to make in sure components of the world to make bystanders conscious of their presence. And no, the brakes aren’t squealing. The high-pitched noise really comes from the 5 followers BMW added beneath. Their function is to spice up the automobile’s downforce even when it’s standing nonetheless.
The impellers actually suck the VDX to the highway, with out the necessity to add an enormous rear wing that might considerably alter the design. We’ll admit the impellers sound a bit unnerving after some time, however that is only a idea automobile. We extremely doubt BMW has plans to launch a automobile with 5 built-in followers. That mentioned, the track-only McMurtry Speirling Pure with its uncommon underbody fan serving the identical aerodynamic function is that can be purchased.
BMW instructed us the impellers generate 1,000 kg (2,204 lbs) of static downforce. The 5 followers don’t create any drag, however want 50 kW to work. When the automobile is shifting, the carbon fiber physique’s lively aero bits add one other 200 kg (441 lbs). It’s only a disgrace there aren’t any pictures displaying the VDX’s underbody to see how all of the magic occurs.
The idea’s downforce and aero trickery are overkill for a sedan within the 3 Sequence class. I imply, we are able to’t realistically anticipate BMW to launch an electrical M3 with as a lot as 1,700 horsepower and 18,000 Nm (13,276 lb-ft). However even when the rumored “ZA0” will probably be much more subdued, the VDX tells us the M division’s first EV may simply be the final word (electrical) driving machine.
