As BMW opens a new chapter in 2025 with its all-electric Neue Klasse lineup, it is redefining not only the way its vehicles drive but also how they sound and feel. At the heart of this sensory transformation is HypersonX—a groundbreaking soundscape developed by the BMW Group Sound Design Studio, which introduces an emotional layer of interaction between driver and vehicle.
HypersonX isn’t just a collection of futuristic tones—it’s a multi-dimensional, immersive audio experience designed specifically for the Neue Klasse models. It comprises 43 curated sound signals, along with specially developed drive sounds tailored to both Personal Mode and Sport Mode. These modes shift the emotional tone inside the cabin, delivering everything from soothing naturalistic sound cues to adrenaline-pumping acceleration notes that evoke speed and power.
This dynamic sound adaptation is enabled by major technological leaps made possible by the Neue Klasse platform. At the core lies BMW Operating System X and an all-new audio control unit, creating the conditions for richer sound reproduction, expanded dynamic range, and spatial modulation that lets the driver “travel” through layers of sound during different phases of acceleration.
According to Renzo Vitale, BMW Group’s Creative Director of Sound Design, HypersonX was designed to form a deep emotional connection between human and machine. By drawing inspiration from nature, as well as artistic and scientific structures, the sounds feel both futuristic and organic. The system emphasises precision, warmth, and lightness, with fewer basic notes than before, but far greater emotional depth and tonal complexity.
For example, when accelerating, the sound unfolds in evolving three-dimensional layers that reinforce the sensation of movement and the brand’s signature driving dynamics. This isn’t just about feedback—it’s about storytelling through sound.
The human touch plays a central role, especially in the welcome sequence. BMW involved employees from its design studio to record vocal samples in their native languages, infusing the HypersonX startup chime with empathy and warmth. These fragments were layered carefully to produce a calming, yet emotionally resonant sound, enhancing the atmosphere from the moment you step inside the car.
Low and mid-frequency tones were emphasized to create a balanced, comforting sonic environment, further complemented by smart lighting and cozy interior textures. It’s all part of a greater vision of digital wellbeing, where driving isn’t just functional—it’s joyful.
To achieve this, BMW generated over nine million sound instances using a proprietary algorithm rooted in the brand’s established sound DNA. These were meticulously distilled into a signature audio identity—recognizable, refined, and deeply connected to the “Sheer Driving Pleasure” ethos that defines BMW.
BMW HypersonX isn’t just a new sound system—it’s an acoustic philosophy, a seamless fusion of technology, art, and human emotion. It gives the Neue Klasse vehicles a voice that is both bold and sensitive, energetic yet calming, setting a new benchmark for in-car sound design and redefining what it means to feel a BMW.
