AUTONEWS

BMW M Drift + M Mixed Reality driving experience drops players into virtual reality race circuits while driving a real BMW M4

BMW enthusiasts can register for the BMW M Drift + M Mixed Reality driving experience. Drivers race and drift inside virtual reality race circuits while driving BMW M4 Competition Coupés in the real-world.

Announced earlier this year, the BMW M Drift + M Mixed Reality driving experience is now taking reservations. This MR experience drops BMW enthusiasts into a M4 Competition Coupé at their Maisach Driving Academy to experience racing and drifting in virtual reality that is more real than any driving simulator video game (such as this at Amazon).

The Maisach grounds is first used to train customers in maintaining control of the M4 under extreme circumstances and drifting. When confident in their drifting skills, participants don Varjo VR headsets. They race and drift across virtual reality race circuits while simultaneously driving and drifting the Coupés across Maisach in real life.

The M4 is used as the game controller, and this combination of real-life dynamics with virtual visuals is possible due to the numerous sensors built into all BMW vehicles, including GPS location, acceleration, tire rotation, brake, and acceleration sensors. The vehicle data is fed into the simulation, combined with the virtual car and race tracks, and projected into the headset. Naturally, this simulation is more real than any video game, so actual crashes will hurt.

The BMW M4 Competition Coupé is powered by a 503 horsepower engine capable of 0 to 60 MPH in 3.4 seconds, and the mixed reality experience is powered by a high-resolution Varjo VR headset. The BMW Driving Academy at the former Maisach Airport is located about 14 miles outside Munich, Germany.

The BMW M Mixed Reality driving experience is available for a limited time for €660.

by David Chien