BMW->ke178 and MINI->ke57 owners who love capturing video of their ultimate driving machines in action now have reason to rejoice. BMW and GoPro have announced the integration of the GoPro’s live wireless video to feed into the car’s infotainment system. In other words, you can watch your GoPro’s live video from your dashboard -- in real time.

There are a few caveats though. The BMW or MINI must be a 2012 model or newer, the car also must have the BMW Apps or MINI Connected option, the owner must have an iPhone 4 or newer with the GoPro App installed and running, and the GoPro camera has to be a Wi-Fi-equipped model, such as the HERO3+ or newer. Meet those criteria and you’ll have a front-row seat to watch the rubber burn off your rear tires as you commence to drop the clutch.

The system works by relaying the GoPro’s video->ke278 signal to your connected iPhone. That signal is then transmitted to the car’s infotainment system through the iPhone USB cable or BMW Accessory snap-in adaptor. The system will also display the camera’s critical information like battery life, Wi-Fi signal strength, and elapsed time. Moreover, the camera’s record and sleep functions can be controlled from the infotainment screen as well.

Unfortunately, the lawyers have seemingly won the battle for safety in this case as the nearly-live video -- BMW says a slight lag will be present -- cuts out when the car begins to move.

Click past the jump to read more about BMW's new GoPro Application.

Why It Matters

GoPro cameras have revolutionized high-action videography with its compact design, wide-angle lens, and sharp picture. Their relatively inexpensive price starting around $200 means they’re accessible to nearly anyone looking to make a video. BMW’s collaboration and integration of this camera technology into their “Ultimate Driving Machines” helps further its image as an enthusiast’s car brand. Hopefully other automakers catch on to the interesting video trend. The endless supply of YouTube videos showcasing their cars’ abilities will surely play well for the marketing department.