BMW owners have had a love/hate relationship with the iDrive since it first appeared in 2002. Some loved the extra features it added to the cars, and others couldn’t understand how the company who builds the ultimate driving machine could possibly install something so complicated that it distracts from the road. Now in an effort to appease both sides, BMW is introducing a simpler, but still technology-filled, iDrive.
With the launch of the first official images of the facelift M3, BMW also announced that the 2009 M3, M5 and M6 will feature the new generation iDrive control system which will facilitate even easier activation and control of the most important entertainment, communication and navigation features as well as a number of other functions.
The models BMW M5 and BMW M5 Touring, the BMW M6 Coupe and the BMW M6 Convertible are all equipped with the new iDrive control system as standard. It also comes with the BMW M3 in conjunction with an optionally available navigation system.
Press release after the jump.
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Audi revealed a new generation of the MMI, the supreme solution for multimedia, communication and operation. The MMI features a high-capacity hard disk, a DVD drive and fast processors and will first be used in the A8 luxury sedan.
For the new MMI, Audi has provided a large TFT display measuring seven inches from corner to corner. It is located in an ergonomically favorable position high up on the center console. With the very high resolution of 800 x 480 pixels and LED backlighting, this monitor supplies an exceptionally sharp image with plenty of contrast. Even in poor light conditions, the colors are intense against the black background.
As before, there are elegant crossfades between the individual screen displays, an effect that makes the overall impression created by the graphics even more fascinating. If the driver alters the automatic air conditioning settings, the new ones appear in a small screen panel for several seconds. This pop-up window doesn’t occupy very much space, so that the MMI user can still see the main screen content at any time.
Full details in the press release after the jump.
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Meridian, the world’s finest high-end audio and video manufacturer, in cooperation with Ferrari has developed the ultimate all-in-one digital sound system. The price for this beauty is $2,995.00.
The Meridian F80 incorporates a CD/DVD player, AM/FM and DAB radio, and is compatible with any type of MP3 player including the iPod. The high-performance device distills more than three decades of Meridian’s award-winning audio know-how and passion for music into a single, elegant package.
The body of the F80 features a high-tech lightweight mineral-filled composite as used on Formula One and road-going Ferraris. It provides astonishing rigidity and high-dimensional stability to maximize the performance of the built-in loudspeakers.
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Escort launched the PASSPORT 9500ix, the world’s first fully automatic detector. It provides the best long-range protection against every known radar and laser gun in use in North America, but also incorporates GPS accuracy to silence each and every false alert. It is by far the most intelligent, fully automatic radar and laser detector ever designed.
The PASSPORT 9500ix also comes pre-loaded with thousands of safety camera locations, including red light and speed-based cameras throughout North America. You can also download updates, back up your data, and stay on top of new threats directly from our website.
The Passport 9500ix is priced at $499.95
If until know you were speeding up with no worries thinking your parents will never find out about it, well no the good times are over. tiwi has developed a new device that tells your parents when you speed up!
tiwi is an on-board computer that has the power to instantly alert and instruct young drivers while, at the same time, enabling parents to receive real-time notifications by phone, text or email concerning their teen’s current location, actions and driving safety.
tiwi is based on the same inthinc technology that has led to unprecedented improvements in driving behaviors for commercial fleets for years, and is now even utilized in NASCAR race vehicles.
Parents, if you want to keep your children under control, you can buy tiwi for $549.
TomTom who? Watch out! Mio is about to give you a hard lesson! The unveiled the new Mio Knight Rider, a GPS with authentic KITT voice that features a clean, touch-screen interface, turn-by-turn directions, pre-loaded maps of the United States or Canada, and over four million different points of interest.
It’s the first time since the TV Movie Knight Rider 2000 - has William Daniels been involved in anything officially Knight Rider. In fact it had been rumored for quite some time that Daniels wanted nothing to do with the series. We are thrilled that this was not the case, and now we have this device here, complete with newly recorded dialog by Mr. Daniels (this isn’t reused TV clipings, it’s 100% original recordings!).
One of the great unique features with this concept, is that KITT will address the driver by their first name. Simply set your name from the pre-recorded list of hundreds, and off you go. You can be Michael if you want to be a purist, but if your name is Aaron, Joe or David, you can have that personalized experience.
They’ve also taken several design cues from the Knight 2000. The device has dual nose type designs on the left and right, complete with a red type of scanner insert. However, the actual use of this scanners LEDs is to be KITTs voice box.
MSRP is about $270, and we expect the final product to be released in the fall.
Product video after the jump.
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Mopar® announced today that it will launch uconnect web™, Chrysler LLC’s in-vehicle wireless Internet connectivity for Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge consumers in the U.S. uconnect web, powered by Autonet Mobile, delivers continuous Internet connectivity to all vehicle passengers for entertainment and real-time information access on the go.
uconnect web will be available in August as a dealer-installed Mopar Accessory. Mopar is Chrysler LLC’s original equipment parts manufacturer and distributor.
The industry-first technology provides high-speed data transfer, combining WiFi and 3G connectivity. uconnect web transforms the vehicle into a mobile “hot spot,” delivering unlimited, reliable and uninterrupted Internet connectivity for all passengers in and around the vehicle. The “hot spot” connection radius is approximately 100 feet—making it convenient to access the Internet at a soccer field or family picnic.
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2007 murcielago lp640
It is official now, Automobili Lamborghini and Sirius Satellite Radio signed an exclusive agreement for all the Murcielago models which are due for launch in 2009. The Automobili Lamborghini will offer Sirius as its exclusive satellite radio provider in Lamborghini vehicles. The Sirus will be included as standard equipment for Murcielago at first and all the U.S. models will have it in the offer starting with 2009.
“We are very pleased to have Automobili Lamborghini as a partner. We look forward to working closely with Automobili Lamborghini to offer its customers the best in audio entertainment available for its prestigious vehicles,”’ said Mel Karmazin, CEO SIRIUS.
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Whether it be a quick call to a business colleague for an important discussion, listening to favourite music tracks or checking home and office e-mails whilst on the move - the Apple iPhone® is a leading-edge business tool with multimedia capability, available in Germany and other markets.
Now Mercedes-Benz allows the iPhone® connection to be fully integrated into the vehicle architecture for the first time - once again pointing the way ahead for the automotive industry. The new Apple iPhone® cradle allows simple switching between the telephone and audio functions. What’s more, thanks to the location of the cradle in the centre console, the iPhone® is within easy reach of both the driver and the front passenger.
For ease of use, the iPhone is controlled via the multifunction steering wheel, while the vehicle display is used to indicate the phone status or music functions and information such as the track title and artist.
The fully integrated iPhone® is available now for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, E-Class, CLK-Class, CLS-Class, S-Class, CL-Class, SL-Class, M-Class and R-Class. The product will also be offered for the new GLK-Class when this model is launched in October. In Germany, the Apple iPhone cradle retails at € 249 (including VAT)..
The adapter leads for the Media Interface or iPod Interface are available for € 39 (including VAT) in Germany.
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After we showed you what you can do to customize your Lamborghini with the help of
Strut accessories, today we present the Elite Carbon rear diffuser for the
Ferrari F430. With a step ahead of the competition, Elite Carbon builds its accessories with 100% carbon fiber without using fiberglass or other materials. The manufacture process includes no hand cutting due to the fact that the part is digitized into a computer system which cuts the material perfect every time. With the new rear diffuser the car not only looks better but has also a greater stability.
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