Below are the official BMW AG photos of the upcoming 1 series new iDrive system. In addition to the new controller, the current pop-up screen has exited the dash in favor of a new wider and higher resolution (1280X480 to be exact) fixed screen. The system will also feature a 80 GB hard disk and brand new menu system as previously discussed for the 3 and 7 models.
This new Professional navigation system will allow for a full-screen map display and additional features such as travel and route planners.
These changes have been confirmed for most markets outside the US. Click on the “link” tab to view at a higher resolution.
(I apologize for the slow load times as I did not resize them appropriately)
No sooner do we question why BMW is keeping us in the USA in the dark and they go release the requested information! We now know the reason for the delay; there is no mention of the DCT in this piece BUT there is very little mention of the coupe (E92) or convertible (E93) so there is still some hope. There is also no mention of the internet via Connected Drive or the newer Efficient Dynamics technologies.
The only change engine wise is the Advanced Diesel in the 335d. There will not be a 335 wagon or a direct injection 330.
The iDrive will be updated as we have known for sometime and the remainder of the changes in appearance and packaging (including a heated steering wheel) will occur.
All in all it is very similar to the UK just we are not worthy of the other engines, DCT (yet?) or Connected Drive.
Update
It appears that the “XI” badging may be history:
BMW’s acclaimed xDrive all-wheel drive is featured in the newly named 328i and 335i xDrive Sedans and 328i xDrive Sports Wagon
In a strange turn of events we realized that unless BMW USA made an error on their website the 2009 5er and 6er will also be receiving the new iDrive system. We had originally been told the 5 would get the update but the latest materials we obtained did not state this.
Jonathan Spira has informed us that there is indeed an error in the website so the 5/6 will NOT get the new iDrive.
The following from the BMWUSA website discussing Navigation for European delivery, BMW will now be loading all cars available for Euro pickup with the new maps (they will be on the hard disk prior to Welt pickup).
Navigation
If you have ordered Navigation on your new BMW, beginning with 2009 models, all Europe maps will be automatically loaded when you pick up your car in Munich. The only exception is X3 models, the process of ordering the DVD in advance of travel is still a requirement.
The X3 exclusion makes sense since the X3 system is the only model that will not have iDrive in the lineup for 2009, with iDrive being on its third rendition this really shows how antiquated the X3 is becoming and why it will not complete a full life cycle.
BMW UK PRESS RELEASE
The new BMW 3 Series
07/15/2008
Following its March 2005 launch, when it was hailed as offering a new level of achievement for the compact executive segment, BMW’s class-leading, and most popular, car has just raised the bar again. The BMW 3 Series has been revised for September and now features a new interior and exterior appearance to combine with its benchmark powertrains and continued unrivalled driving dynamics. The model also comes with all of BMW’s EfficientDynamics technologies for best-in-class economy and emissions.
Here are more of the official BMW photos for the new 3 series which will be formally introduced this fall in Paris. We welcome your opinions on the new styling and features. Enjoy!
BMW Group Press Release: The BMW Group and Fiat Group Automobiles (FGA) are considering the possibility of co-operation in the areas of architectures and components for their MINI and Alfa Romeo vehicles. A Memorandum of Understanding to this effect was signed by Friedrich Eichiner, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Corporate and Brand Development, and Alfredo Altavilla, Senior Vice President, Business Development, Fiat Group Automobiles and CEO of Fiat Powertrain Technologies.
“We are currently examining with the Fiat Group possibilities for the joint use of components and systems in MINI and Alfa Romeo vehicles in order to achieve economies of scale and thus cost reductions within the framework of our Strategy Number ONE”, Eichiner said in Munich.
BMW Group Press Release: The BMW Group increased sales of its BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brands by 4.7% in the period from January through June to reach a total of 764,874 automobiles (prev.yr.: 730,285). This made the first half-year of 2008 the most successful in the history of the BMW Group in terms of sales.
Nevertheless, the company was not entirely able to avoid the difficult economic trends in important individual markets such as the USA and Japan. As such, global sales slipped 2.8% in the month of June to 146,138 units (prev.yr. 150,308).
We have obtained the September 2008 product marketing guide for the UK. In this guide it states a good deal of information about the upcoming release of option 609; BMW Professional Multimedia Navigation system. This document also confirms that in addition to the newly designed 7 series the 1er and 3er will also feature the new system from September onwards.
Last week we mentioned many of these iDrive features from the experiences of those who had access to the system in testing, but now we can offer up the official information.
Over the past few days we have confirmed upcoming features from official BMW announcements originating outside of the US; first the DCT in the 3er coupe (BMW Australia) and now the new iDrive (BMW UK).
While this information does not definitely mean the US or other markets will be receiving these options we have been hearing from other sources to expect these options in the Fall. BMW would need a really good reason not to offer them to its largest market in the US especially with the upcoming mid cycle refresh/ LCI (Life Cycle Impulse/ “Facelift”).
We just obtained the ordering guides from a source and are needless to say a bit disappointed. There is no mention of the 335d, E92/93, the 1er or any of the SAVs. This may just be a preliminary guide to be further updated later on but something just does not seem “right” about this. We expect things to change but for now this is what we have. Note these are indeed dated last week.
While the models we mentioned here the other day will see those changes, there is little in these documents that mention any other changes excluding “615 Online Information Services”, which could translate to a variety of things, including Connected Drive.
Official Press Release: On 19 June 2008, Chairman of the Board of Management of the BMW Group, Dr. Norbert Reithofer, opened the BMW Museum in an official opening ceremony. He highlighted the importance of tradition for the company: “Awareness of our heritage, the experiences and developments that our company has been through give us direction, power and inspiration for our work”.
After a period of construction lasting two and a half years, visitors can look forward to more than 120 exhibits in museum space covering 5,000 square metres. They will be presented in a completely new exhibition concept. The circular museum building right next to the company head office tower will continue to be a landmark. The adjacent low-level building now complements the “Bowl” - as the circular museum building has been designated ever since it was opened in 1973. This has entailed increasing the available floorspace fivefold. The museum will open its doors to the public this coming Saturday, 21 June 2008 from 10.00.
BMW Group Press Release: 30 years, 300 000 vehicles and a BMW M3 Coupe - these are the most significant earmarks of a remarkable anniversary. Three decades after commencing with the assembly of their first series production model, the BMW M GmbH has now delivered its 300 000th vehicle. The alpine white BMW M3 Coupe was handed over to a customer in Regensburg. This East Bavarian town is also the location of the BMW plant in which the high-performance sports car is produced.
It looks like BMW has begun prepping all of us enthusiasts for a change. The following two press releases were dated Monday (the same day the MY2009 info was to be released) but they just appeared today.
Usually when a manufacturer starts talking about the past they are changing the future. These releases discuss the handling and suspension of the 3er up to this point in the cars history.
We had heard from our sources months ago that the track (width) of the car had been increased and handling was to be much improved but we did not receive any further specifics. Though we are not sure of what these press releases serve it is fairly certain that they would not go through all the trouble just to write a history piece if there was not a change eminent.
As always we will inform you as soon as we hear the news.
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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: E81/82/E87 1 Series, Official News, Technology Jul 20th, 2008 3 Comments 
