Next generation BMW iDrive upgrades revealed!
Some details has surfaced on the internet about the next generation BMW iDrive. First is something that has been already implemented on new 2009 European BMW models. These models will be getting hard drive based iDrive navigation systems, which should result in much faster navigation performance compared to the current DVD-based systems.
The downside is you will have to bring your BMW back to the service center to update the maps rather than just getting a DVD and replacing it in the DVD slot of your iDrive system, but I think this is far outweighed by the performance benefits of a hard-drive based navigation system, which is what Mercedes-Benz is using.
The other thing is something coming in the future: the possibility of customizing iDrive via a computer connected to iDrive via a USB-interface. According to Channel4, drivers will be able to configure customised screen-savers, menu themes, the sound clip used for seatbelt warnings and other sound alerts. Other new features include pre-heating of the seats or remote activation of air conditioning.
A more “functional” higher level of personalisation rather than just aesthetics will include being able to automatically tune to preferred radio stations are different times of a day, such as listening to the hitz.fm morning crew in the morning but another radio station on the way home in the evening. Different horn tones can be set for different situations - a friendlier tone for notifications and a more aggressive louder tone when you want to do the equivalent of flipping the bird when someone cuts into your lane in a dangerous manner.
Higher end models will have various variable settings via iDrive such as engine, suspension, transmission and level of power steering assistance. The new Volvo S80 has this feature where you can set how heavy the power steering is via the on-board computer.
June 23, 2008 @ 1:17 pm
speaking of BMW…i just saw the new X6 at the Cyberjaya BMW centre last friday..maroon red…quite a looker and sweet ride!
forgot to snap a photo of it though..see if I can still find it in the basement…
anyway..keep up the great posting!
June 23, 2008 @ 4:23 pm
Wah. An updated software for i-Drive. Thumdrive cannot use ma?
June 23, 2008 @ 10:43 pm
Will it be able to do all that. Change stuff depending on what time of the day? Sounds a lot like Win XP scheduler
June 24, 2008 @ 12:31 am
imagine if can personalise the horn with our recorded voices or intercom.
OI! JANGAN POTONG LANE!
&(ASD*(^DS(^D)*A*ASD)*A)(SS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOL.
June 24, 2008 @ 4:37 am
Why don they put in the whole operation system in it so we would beed to download from internet/ web side more faster.
June 24, 2008 @ 10:13 am
In the Malaysian context, BMW will face huge problems,as they do not have any new models to fight off Merc. The 3 series is being whacked by the Merc C class. The entry level 320i will find it hard to match the C class 200 kompressor, as the latter comes with a torque of 250nm, and handling has improved tremendously and is more than a match for the legendary 3 series. All that BMW Malaysia has done is to do some cosmetic changes and flog their 3 series in the wake of a 6 month waiting list for the Merc. Moreover, the Merc is less than 1 years old and the BM is about 3 years older.
The BM 7 series is also older than the Merc S class, so we can expect the big BM to also suffer.
Now, we all wonder what will turn up between these two. Whatever it is, it will surely benefit us consumers.
June 24, 2008 @ 4:54 pm
is this bmw navigation business or professional