BMW has always depicted themselves as producing The Ultimate Driving Machine. This time around, it is a little bit different. BMW claimed that they have built the “ultimate drifting machine.” More specifically an M235i that can drift by itself without the aid of a driver. To which we say, “where’s the fun in that?”

This technology can aid drivers to avoid accidents by swerving abruptly, which translates to the car having to break traction and anticipating the change in direction of the car and its angle. This sort of technology is still relatively new since most of the traction control and assist system used in today’s cars are meant to keep traction and keep the car pointed straight ahead. Is this drifting?

When BMW first announced that they are building a car that will hold a drift three months ago, we thought it was going to be a joke. Like we said what fun is it to ride in a car that will drift itself?  The whole point of drifting for skidding is to experience the first-hand rush and the adrenaline of driving at the very edge of car control.

At the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show, under BMW’s connected drive banner, they announced their ActiveAssist technology system, which are technology packages that when combined together it can control the car fully without the physical input of the driver. The demonstration car that was employed to carry the sophisticated electronics was a M235i. The car seems to be loaded with all sorts of computers and sensors to measure the speed and angles of the car and to maintain a drift.

Since BMW is known to stir up a little healthy competition, they decided to challenge the computer-controlled car versus Dai Yoshihara, a Formula Drift Champion. They would both have to be able to drift in a circle and hold it. As you can see in the video, the M235i car was given wet pavement where as Yoshihara was on dry pavement, making it a little bit more difficult to hold a drift. Either way whether computer-controlled or self-controlled, it looks very exciting to be in the car. The best part of watching the video is seeing the BMW engineer folds his arms while the car is drifting. Technology is definitely moving in the right direction with BMW.