BMW spec upgrades – Navigation, Real Time Traffic Information and ConnectedDrive Services now standard

BMW spec upgrades

BMW SA added additional standard specification on the majority of its model ranges – where not already standard, these items will be standard from July production:

•     Navigation System Business or Navigation System Professional
•     ConnectedDrive Services
•     Real Time Traffic Information (RTTI)
•     Metallic paintwork (excluding BMW Individual and special request paints)

Navigation System Business became standard-fit on all cars which did not have nav.  Navigation System Business is a 6.5-inch black-panel colour monitor with hi-res display, dynamic route giudance, 2D map or combined arrow and map display, and includes the BMW Radio Professional with CD drive, iDrive controller and functional bookmarks (menu shortcuts). 

BMWs which will now come standard with navigation are:  BMW 1 Series, 2 Series (Active Tourer, coupé and convertible), X1, 3 Series up to 330d, 3 Series GT (as part of the facelift), X3, 4 Series (up to 430i) and X4.

Navigation System Professional is navigation in 3D, displayed on a screen up to 10.2 inches (depending on model) and has options to show 3D road maps and photo-realistic images of sights on route.  Menus are displayed in virtual 3D space, and calculated in real-time thanks to a rapid 1.3GHz processor with its own 3D graphics chip, allowing smooth browsing and scrolling. 

BMWs which did not have navigation as standard previously bumped up to Navigation System Professional are:  BMW M2, X5 xDrive25d, xDrive30d and xDrive40d, and X6 xDrive35i and xDrive40d.

BMWs which already had (prior to July 2016) Navigation System Professional as standard: 440i, M3, M4, ActiveHybrid 5, 550i, 550i GT, M5, X5 (xDrive40e, 50i, M50d and X5 M), all 6 Series and M6, X6 (50i, M50d and X6 M) and 7 Series.

The BMW i3 and i8 retain their respective navigation systems.

ConnectedDrive Services gives the driver access to the world of BMW ConnectedDrive, allowing BMW owners to use many services and apps from a range of categories including travel, office and entertainment.

Features such as “My Info” / “Send to Car” or BMW Online applications make sure the driver always remains fully informed.  BMW Online Weather and ECO PRO Analyser gives the BMW driver a perfect service for travel and navigation.  This service also enables BMW owners to take their office into their BMWs with Bluetooth Office, BMW Online Office and other functions and apps such as Deezer, snippy, Stitcher and social networks.  It also enables the driver/occupant to book other optional services and apps from BMW ConnectedDrive on the basis of ConnectedDrive Services, such as Concierge Services and Internet.

Real-Time Traffic Information (RTTI) keeps the driver constantly informed with up-to-the-minute traffic information.  It transmits precise details on the location and duration of traffic hold-ups in real-time.  Data sources include movement profiles from the cellular network and GPS data from various sources.  The evaluation is so precise that traffic jams can be accurately localised to the nearest 100 metres.  RTTI is therefore able to a driver updated on the current traffic conditions on highways, major roads and country roads as well as numerous inner-city routes, and then recommend efficient detours.

Metallic paintwork, where previously an extra-cost option on certain models (a no-cost option on higher-end models), will now carry no additional charge.  This excludes BMW Individual paint and any special request paint, which will still require extra charge due to the complexity and cost of these specialised processes and paint substance.

Strengthened product offerings

The added equipment of navigation with RTTI and ConnectedDrive Services mean the BMW owner/driver/occupants can now benefit from in-car guidance and connectivity systems which make their lives easier.

Note: models nearing the end of their lifecycles do not get these upgrades, namely Z4 and 5 Series sedan and GT.

The cost for the extra systems/equipment were carried across into the selling prices, though on BMW’s top-selling 3 Series models, for example, the prices are still under those of similar-engined Audi A4, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Jaguar XE models, so BMW sales people can sell the cars to customers by highlighting the standard inclusion of this extra equipment, thereby strengthening BMW SA’s product offerings in the premium segment.

The BMW SA model range prices now start at R 399 742 for the BMW 118i 5-door manual, ending at R 2 167 138 for the BMW 750Li Individual.