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January 31, 2007
BMW iDrive: The most sophisticated, elegant media interface in any automobile
The BMW iDrive's controller is anything but a fifth wheel
BMW is light years ahead of most other luxury automakers when it comes to incorporating technology into its automobiles -- and nowhere is this experienced moore convincingly than in its multi-function interface known as iDrive.
Using a joystick like wheel in-between the two front seats, BMW drivers can control four main systems of their automotive experience by navigating between functions -- and though it sounds complicated, we found iDrive so intuitive we never once had to resort to the owner's manual.
What BMW has done with iDrive is created a system, similar to the thumb wheel on an iPod, that can take you through dozens of options to enhance your motoring pleasure, without cluttering up the vehicle with buttons and geegaws that only need to be used once or twice a year, like the buttons that used to control clock settings.
To be specific, the BMW iDrive allows you to control the following systems, through a screen mounted in the middle of the dashboard:
1. Climate
2. Entertainment
3. Navigation
4. Communication
To give you an idea of how customizable the BMW iDrive is, we're going to take you through some of the option in each of the four systems:
Climate
The climate function allows users to create automatic settings for how much air they want blowing out of individual vents, for driver and passenger, and also has a neat option known as 'parked car ventilation' that can be set at a pre-determined time to blow air through the cabin in order to cool it on very hot day. Another very cool option is that you can change the distribution of heat in the seat heaters to be split evenly between the seat bottom and back, or more concentrated, let's say to your back for a massage-like experience. Tres cool.
Entertainment
Going through the options in entertainment, I was pleased to find not only Sirius satellite radio, but a separate channel dedicated to National Weather Service weather bands, as well as HD, or high-def radio reception. Personally, I am a satellite radio adherent, but for those who don't want to pay for radio, BMW's early adoption of HD-radio promises additional programming choices.
Navigation
Using the navigation system was intuitive, including setting up destinations for the system to program and deliver back directions, as well as the different map options. Even when you're not using the navi system to get you somewhere, you can set up the display screen to show a map with your locationa and direction of travel.
Communication
This set of screens is primarily for setting upo your Bluetooth-enable phone to be used through the BMW.
Posted by Frank at January 31, 2007 4:02 PM | Filed under 2007 Vehicles
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