BMW dials up the web

BMW has announced details of a claimed world first in-car communications centre featuring on-line access, which it says acts like a newspaper, on-line directory, personal assistant and virtual co-driver all rolled into one.

Called BMW Online, it became available from the end of April 2003 to coincide with the UK launch of the new 730d and 760iLi models.

Initially available as an option across the 7 Series range, the system allows drivers and passengers to access news and business information, and to send and receive e-mail without leaving their vehicle.

It uses a dedicated BMW portal which links to selected on-line partners Michelin, The Press Association and D&B (Dun & Bradstreet).

As well as access to key data and market information, these partners provide leisure information, including local places of interest, theatres, restaurants, cinemas and weather forecasts.

The package is interactive too, with links from BMW Online to the in-car telephone and GPS satellite navigation.

Subscribers can, for example, find a local restaurant and transfer contact details to the in-car phone. After making a reservation, the driver is guided to the front door courtesy of GPS Navigation.

This technology does exist in the BMW 7 Series range brought to Australia. But the infrastructure is still being developed to make it a reality.

BMW Group Australia is working with a number of suppliers locally to conduct feasibility studies in to providing this service to BMW owners.