Navigation system Professional
The Navigation system Professional gives the driver a 3D design combined with an innovative display concept and numerous functions for navigation, office and multimedia – for maximum comfort and information en route to your destination.
There are many advantages to the fully-integrated Navigation system Professional: sensors monitor the wheels and the steering angle and can localise the vehicle at all times. This means the system can be relied on to navigate even when the GPS signal is weak (e.g. in a tunnel).
Integration of the Professional system makes navigation much easier and the different functions complement each other; for instance, the volume is automatically lowered before a navigation announcement is made.
The high-resolution display – in colour and up to 10.2 inches large with a split-screen function, depending on model – shows directions and map view, as well as maps in 3D and a photo-realistic depiction of places of interest, if desired.
All menus are presented in virtual, three-dimensional views and calculated in real time. A fast, 1.3 GHz processor with built-in 3D graphic chip permits fluid browsing and scrolling; animations and dynamic transitions make it fun to use. Sub-menus are faded in while the main menus move into the background, but still stay visible. This allows the driver to interact with the vehicle and keep track of his exact location in the menu structure.
The on-board computer’s functions are also shown on the Control Display, which also has a DVD drive (audio and video DVD, M3 decoder) and a 20 GB hard drive for multimedia data.
The Navigation system Professional allows practical interaction from the first step: for optimal orientation the driver is shown the selected location in a split screen with the map view. Depending on his needs, he can use the zoom function to change the section shown and thus check if the view shown is the one he meant.
The High Guiding Function makes navigating in the city easier and unclear road layouts more understandable. Depending on the equipment installed the navigation information is clearly displayed on the multifunctional instrument display, on the central Control Display or on the BMW Head-Up Display. High Guiding is automatically activated before the next navigation instruction: from 300 m in extra-urban environments and 150 m in cities, the arrows indicating the route change to a detailed perspective representation of the surroundings. Lane Guiding offers extra information so the driver can change lanes in time. With the 3D city model view, available for certain cities, the driver gets a realistic interpretation of streets and buildings and can better orientate himself.
With Real Time Traffic Information (RTTI), the driver receives traffic information in real time that he can use to calculate routes more precisely, plan detours according to recommendations and calculate arrival time. Using mobile data and the built-in SIM card, RTTI is supported by rapid and comprehensive data transmission. In addition to motorways and dual carriageways, the system also collects information on country roads and many urban connections.
The navigation system also forms the basis for BMW ConnectedDrive, the intelligent system that keeps driver and vehicle connected with the outside world. Add the optional mobile preparation with Bluetooth interface and the BMW becomes a mobile office enabling communication by email and SMS, appointment coordination and to-do lists. All content can be shown on the Control Display or read aloud over the loudspeakers.
A dictation function with speech recognition allows the driver to dictate short emails and text messages by Voice Control. Voice memos up to two minutes long can be recorded and sent by email, thus guaranteeing you never forget anything important.
Mobile Office permits two telephones to be connected to the vehicle. Contact details from both telephones are transferred to a joint contact list for phone calls and emails. The powerful hardware reads calendar and contact information quickly and allows comprehensive use of both telephones in the vehicle with no delays.
Via the expanded feature bar, the driver can customise the contents of maps without leaving the map view. Every change is shown immediately and can easily be altered as needed. The expanded feature bar is faded in as an extension of the original toolbar and opens further selections – with no extra menus.
In the interactive map view the driver can turn the knob on the iDrive Controller to change the size or tilt it to move the section of the map shown in different directions, even diagonally. When a point on the map is selected, the so-called PIE menu opens: depending on availability, one click here shows points of interest in the area and relevant details about them and the driver can then start navigation to his destination of choice.
Further BMW ConnectedDrive services include BMW TeleServices (e.g for more efficient maintenance and prompt help in emergencies) or ConnectedDrive Services (e.g. for perfect mobility wherever you are). The driver can plan his route at home with Google Maps and then use Send to Car by ConnectedDrive Services to send the results to the navigation system.
The navigation system can be operated via the iDrive Controller and the button comfortably manipulated with one hand: right means ‘forward’, left ‘back’, turn it to go through a list and press it to make a selection. Frequently used functions like multimedia, radio or navigation are easily accessible via the direct selection button. Voice Control allows the driver to perform certain navigation functions (e.g. enter destination) without taking his hands off the steering wheel. A destination can be entered as a so-called oneshot, with city, street and building number all in one line.