BMW will introduce the world to a further customizable automobile. As we recently hinted at, BMW has all intentions of making their future cars feature 2-way communication and a completely customizable experience. Much in the same way a personal computer can be customized the vehicle will be able to be, screen savers, colors of the menus etc. These customizations will not need to be made within the car, they can be made remotely on a personal home computer and transferred to the vehicle via a remote server from the internet (GSM Telematics unit) or from a portable device (car key fob, USB fob drive, CD/DVD, etc.)
What is of greater interest is what else we have learned: Functions for the engine and boost levels will also have user preferences that can be customizable for performance or economy, diagnostics can also be accomplished via two way communication with the server. Time shifting radio (Tivo for the radio is now possible with a hard disk based system) the ability to log on to the net and start the HVAC system, to schedule when the seat heaters turn on etc.
All of this will be done via the web (or as above) eliminating much of the fuss associated with making changes within the car, this builds on the current use of Connected Drive. Each user can customize the car to his/her preferences and the car will automatically adjust the setting once the key fob is detected just as many features today do.
Here is a video that describes the current abilities and developments of the BMW Efficient Dynamics program. There are shots of an iDrive screen with guages/meters showing the efficiency and current usage levels of Efficient Dynamics technologies.
It is also worth noting that the direct injection with lean burn technology is mentioned. If and when BMW is able to find a way to introduce this to the US it would be a boost in efficiency and power!
Jalopnik has a photo of a car badged 555i that a reader sent in from California. Is this a test mule for the 555 we had mentioned earlier or just someone changing a badge? Our sources are on it and we will continue to update as we get more information. You can read-up on the 555i if you haven’t already here in one of our past articles.
Last month we broke the news to the world that there was a new iDrive on the horizon for most of vehicles in the BMW lineup. This was met with some skepticism. As sources have continued to verify it there is very little doubt that it will indeed happen sooner than later.
What we did not know was the total package. One of our sources indicated that the car would have a hard disk and a system from Harmon Becker but we were unable to confirm this information at that time. Time has rolled on and our good friend, Jonathan Spira, has confirmed some of the same information. He has acquired information that essentially has spilled the beans on much of the up coming iDrive.
We still are a bit puzzled by the hard drive allotment; 10GB for a phone book? All in all this sounds to be a much improved system when you also consider the fact it will also feature the new controller. As we know all too well sources sometimes give you bits and pieces of information and you have to sift through them, we commend this effort and can at least agree that the system will feature a hard disk; we know this from the interior of the F01 7 series as there is only one slot! The details may still not be finalized and changes are happening regularly so the system we will eventually see may be a bit different. Information we have obtained indicates that there will be a multimedia showing of the new iDrive around the launch of the F01/02 on 07.07.08.
05-25-2008
Weather: Rain at the start, drying out later. Air: 19-21, Track: 19-22
Monte Carlo (MC). Lewis Hamilton recovered from an early contact with the barriers to win a frantic Monaco Grand Prix and take the lead in the drivers’ championship. Robert Kubica drove a clean race to take second ahead of Felipe Massa.
Finishing second in the most prestigious Grand Prix of the year, Robert Kubica made sure he took part in the podium celebrations held in the principality’s famous winners’ lounge. It was the team’s fourth podium this season and their eighth overall. Kubica’s team mate, Nick Heidfeld, who has four podiums to his credit, had a black Sunday. Having started from 12th he had improved to fifth when Fernando Alonso (Renault) hit the side of his car on lap 14. In the end Heidfeld brought his damaged F1.08 to the chequered flag in 14th and last place.
Kubica continues to be in control while Heidfeld is dealt another blow to his confidence.
Monaco Grand Prix – Qualifying, Saturday – 24.05.08
Weather: light rain during practice, dry during Qualifying. 19-21°C Air, 19-29°C Track
Monte Carlo (MC). Robert Kubica qualified fifth for the Monaco Grand Prix. His teammate, Nick Heidfeld, ended his streak of qualifying in the top 10 for 28 consecutive races when he came in 13th. A red flag after an accident (David Coulthard) robbed him of his last opportunity to get a top ten position.
Light rain in the morning gave a preview of what a wet race would be like in Monaco. For Kubica and Heidfeld the third practice session was trouble free. Kubica especially dealt well with these tricky conditions.
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We believe in the old school BMW ownership experience. We believe in garage nights with a six pack and some friends. We believe in 2002s, in E30 M3s and E34 540s with the 6 speed. We believe in progress in both design and engineering but we haven't lost sight of what made the brand and its products great all those years ago. And yes, we believe in the manual transmission.
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Sections: Concept, Design May 31st, 2008 52 Comments 
