Sat-Navigation comes standard across all BMW models

BMW has announced that satellite navigation system will come as a standard feature on all its new cars by September this year. What that implies is that standard equipment on BMWs will include a 6.5in touch-screen with i-Drive and Traffic Message Channel, BMW Emergency Call, DAB radio and Bluetooth with audio streaming service.

Professional Navigation, an upgrade on the standard sat-nav, will add an 8.8in touch screen with i-Drive and real-time traffic updates as well as various Smartphone integration features. This upgraded sat-nav will cost £900 in the 1 Series and 2 Series, and £1395 in the 2 Series Active Tourer and Gran Tourer; these last two models will also come with a head-up display.

The 2-Series Convertible and 2-Series Active Tourer will get sat-nav as standard from July while the 1 Series and 2 Series Coupe will be the final cars to receive the upgrade in September this year. BMW predicts that sat-nav coming as standard will improve resale values between £300 and £600 depending on the model.

In the United Kingdom, BMW is aiming for a market first with the announcement that its entire model range will come with sat-nav regardless of spec. The brand claims the offer is a first in the volume premium market sector in the UK, beating rivals Audi and Mercedes. It means buyers will have one less options box to tick when they make their purchase, even on the cheapest new 1 Series, starting from £20,245.

Entry-level BMW models will be fitted with the standard BMW Navigation set-up, offering a 6.5-inch colour display with the iDrive operating system, traffic rerouting and a DAB radio. This also features 3D mapping and Eco Pro green route guidance.

Buyers still have the option to upgrade to the BMW Professional system, which brings a larger 8.8-inch touchscreen display, ConnectedDrive app services, real-time traffic data and BMW Online access. The cost of this system will be reduced across the range, starting from £900.

The 2 Series Active Tourer and Gran Tourer models will get this kit fitted first, in July, at the same time as models such as the Z4 roadster are upgraded to the Professional system.

All new BMW cars from the manufacturers are imported and distributed in Nigeria under the franchise-ship of Coscharis Motors Nigeria Limited. The company’s dealership business is supported by wide network spread across the country with fully equipped after sales and spares outlets.

MIKE OCHONMA