Now, the important thing to get your head around here is that this digital leap should supposedly give the Neue Klasse cars a more old-school analog feel in terms of handling smarts, adding back in a bunch of ICE traits many feel EVs lack right now.
As well as acting practically instantaneously, that single processor can also integrate signals from multiple sensors and shunt instructions out to steering systems and the motors, which, being electric, can react far faster than any ICE powertrain.
Yes, yes—but what does all that really mean? Well, on, say, executing a corner, if the iX3 senses it is losing grip, it can set just the right torque from the front and rear motors, adapt the steering weight, and even brake a specific wheel if necessary. Not only can the car, or rather the “heart of joy” (or HoJ), do this instantly, it can do it predictively.
As the driver, of course, you have no idea this is all taking place. What you feel is the car behaving in a stable, intuitive and responsive way. And, thanks to this HoJ sorcery, most impressively the car feels remarkably like it weighs more than a half ton less than the iX3's 2,300 kg.
Magic Ride
Which brings us to how the Neue Klasse-powered iX3 drives. Very cleverly, is the answer—which is not surprising considering the tech at play here. The HoJ really works, tricking you into genuinely thinking you're not in a lumpen EV crossover at all. It's smooth and responsive, a pleasure to be behind the wheel.
Relaxed driving is where this car lives, but push things and you won't feel the least bit concerned as the iX3 seemingly takes everything in its stride. Despite its weight it doesn't really understeer, and if you concentrate you can feel the power shifting around the car and the steering adjusting on the fly. And remember it is doing this all without active anti-roll or adaptive damping (which can be added thanks to the modular nature of the new platform).