He explained the technology transfer between racing and series production, and reported on an extraordinary test drive in a car just as extraordinary. Sims tested the BMW Group trial vehicle “Power BEV”, a prototype built based on a current BMW 5 Series production vehicle, which sounds out what is technically feasible in the field of electric mobility. The vehicle is fitted with three fifth-generation electric drive units and has a maximum system output in excess of 530 kW/720 hp. This enables it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 2.8 seconds – just as quickly as the Formula E car that Sims is driving this season. The development team’s aim for the “Power BEV” was to build an experimental vehicle which impresses not only with its longitudinal dynamics but also in terms of lateral dynamics.

Indeed, as drivers would expect from a BMW, it has been designed not only to be fast in a straight line but also to put a smile on the driver’s face through keenly taken corners. To this end, the chassis and powertrain engineers worked together particularly closely to maximise the car’s performance. Which they achieved as Sims confirmed after his test drive: “It is by far the most powerful and dynamic electric road vehicle that I have ever driven. Congratulations to the BMW i engineers. They have created a real beast, which proves in an impressive manner that sheer driving pleasure is also perfectly possible with electric drive.”