BMW M3 Convertible

BMW Night Vision.

With BMW Night Vision, driving at night becomes much safer and more comfortable. With the help of this cutting-edge technology, you can identify potential obstacles or roadside pedestrians quickly, keeping you securely in control.

BMW Night Vision uses an infrared camera with a 36° wide-angle lens - up to three times wider than other systems. It creates an image of the surroundings based on heat: warm objects such as animals or pedestrians appear as bright shapes.
This image is displayed in black and white on the display monitor. The camera can detect forms up to 300 metres away, giving the driver plenty of warning about forthcoming obstacles. Driving at 100 km/h, for example, this equals seven seconds: more than enough time to take evasive action if required. A digital zoom feature can zoom in on objects far away if driving with higher speeds. The panning function turns the camera image automatically when the vehicle is cornering, enabling the driver to detect obstacles in and beyond the approaching bend. A pedestrian crossing the road, for example, is safely revealed. Entering dark courtyards or garages, or driving on winding roads at night, is easier and safer with BMW Night Vision.
With BMW Night Vision, BMW becomes the first premium European automobile manufacturer to use Far Infrared (FIR) technology, which has the benefit of a greater area of coverage than Near Infrared (NIR). FIR also offers superior recognition of persons and animals, making it easier to distinguish potential dangers earlier. It does not require active infrared illumination or any additional infrared lights.

Control Display.

Using the glare-free Control Display, you can quickly and easily access all important information while driving.

The Control Display presents a clear, easy-to-read overview of all functions that can be controlled using the iDrive Controller. This includes information from the on-board computer, the settings for the sound system and radio, directions given by the navigation system, current traffic information from BMW Assist, and the vehicle's current service status.
The transflexive LCD display offers excellent contrast and presents a clear, glare-free image from all angles and in all light conditions. A light sensor measure the brightness in the cabin and adjusts the Control Display automatically to ensure that it remains easily readable, even in direct sunlight, and that it is not excessively bright when the cabin is dark. The main menu is divided clearly into four categories: Communication, Navigation, Entertainment and Climate. Together with the iDrive Controller, its logical structure enables easy, intuitive access to all functions.
The Control Display is available in two sizes: 6.5" or, in connection with the navigation system or television options, 8.8". Its intelligent design ensures you need never be distracted from the pleasure of driving.

iDrive.

More functions, fewer buttons: the iDrive system puts everything at your fingertips.

The main task of a vehicle control system is to support the driver. With iDrive, BMW has opened up a new development in driver orientation and vehicle control, enabling you to control all kinds of different functions through just a few instrument in new, logical arrangement.
The small number of control elements really crucial to driving, plus the most frequently-used functions, are positioned around and on the steering wheel. These include indicators, windscreen wipers, headlight controls and basic sound system and communication controls. As the driver, you never need to take your hands from the wheel. Key driving data such as speed and navigation directions are presented in your line of sight, on the Info Display or the Head-Up Display.
Most other functions - from the air conditioner and navigation settings to BMW Assist and suspension settings - are activated through the Controller: a single turn-and-push dial in the centre console. It enables intuitive operation in a precise dialogue with the Control Display in the upper middle section of the instrument panel. The Controller can be used with just one hand, and offers haptic feedback so you can use it without even looking at it.
A second Controller in the rear of the cabin enables rear passengers to use the entertainment, comfort, multimedia and navigation systems if desired.

Controller.

The Controller lets you quickly and intuitively use or change any of the iDrive functions with one hand - without taking your eyes off the road.

As the central control tool for the iDrive system, the Controller is comfortably positioned on the central console, in easy reach of both driver and front passenger. Its rotate-and-press mechanism enables intuitive, one-handed operation.
This practical control system lets you access and change many of your vehicle's functions. Even long lists can be scrolled through quickly and smoothly. The Control Display offers clear visual information about the current menu options and relevant data. Furthermore, thanks to the Controller's intelligent haptic feedback, it is possible to operate it by the sense of touch alone, allowing the driver to remain primarily focussed on the road ahead.

Info Display.

Everything you need to know about your vehicle and your trip is clearly presented on the Info Display.

The Info Display meets all regulatory requirements, presents information in a way that is clear and easy to understand, and actively supports the driver by dynamically providing relevant, timely information.
Every detail of its design is oriented to the needs of the driver.
The brightness of the display adjusts itself automatically to suit the ambient light conditions. The speedometer and tachometer are both presented as an analogue needle on a dial - because this can be read faster and more intuitively than a numeric display.
For other elements, the Info Display uses a high-quality light emitting diode (LED) and warning lights. Your cruising speed and distance settings for Active Cruise Control (ACC) are displayed within the speedometer. The fuel gauge also provides information about the range remaining from the current fuel level, and the navigation system's directions and traffic reports appear within the tachometer.
Warning and control lights provide the driver with an overview of the functioning of the on-board systems and the selected gear.

Active Cruise Control.

Driving on busy highways and freeways is more relaxing with Active Cruise Control. It maintains the desired speed when possible, while also keeping a pre-defined distance to any vehicles in the lane ahead.

Radar sensors at the front of the vehicle permanently scan the road ahead. As your BMW approaches a slower vehicle, Active Cruise Control automatically reduces power output from the engine and gently applies the brakes, holding your BMW at a pre-defined distance to the vehicle ahead.
This distance is set as a number of seconds, not of metres, so that a safe reaction time is always available, relative to the current speed. When the lane ahead becomes clear, Active Cruise Control automatically increases your vehicle's speed to your preferred cruising speed. Up to four different cruising speeds can be pre-programmed. A touch on the accelerator or brake pedal deactivates the system.
On curves, Active Cruise Control uses data from the DSC and navigation systems to calculate whether the cruise speed needs to be adjusted, and to determine whether vehicles in the radar's field are in the same or a neighbouring lane.
The high-performance radar sensor is heated in cold weather, ensuring year-round operation. Active Cruise Control is functional at speeds above 30 km/h and below 180 km/h. The system is not intended to serve as an autopilot: outside these speeds, and if sudden deceleration is required, the driver is alerted by a warning sound and visual message.

BMW Assist.

Help when you need it most - supporting you in an emergency, guiding you in unfamiliar territory and enabling you to avoid traffic jams: BMW Assist provides reliable help in every situation, bringing you safely and quickly to your destination.

Since it was first launched in 1999, the ground-breaking telematic service BMW Assist has provided convenient information and helpful services for BMW drivers when they need it most. In connection with the BMW Navigation system plus the BMW preparation for Bluetooth mobile phone with integrated SIM card, BMW Assist brings you a range of useful features.
The emergency call feature, for example, automatically transmits your vehicle's status and position data directly to the BMW Service headquarters and makes a telephone connection. The system sends an automatic signal to BMW Service immediately if the crash sensors in the airbags are activated.
In the event of a breakdown, BMW Assist activates the BMW breakdown service, connecting to Mobile Service and transmitting the relevant vehicle data. Your BMW Service partner will be by your side as quickly as possible, helping you get back onto the road.
Should you be driving on the German Autobahn network, BMW Assist also provides reliable and up-to-the-minute traffic information, thanks to a system of more than 4,000 sensors positioned along the motorways, that measure traffic congestion and transmit the results in real time.
A further feature of BMW Assist is the BMW information service, which provides up-to-date information directly in your vehicle: addresses and telephone numbers, recommendations for hotels, restaurants and places of interest. Opening times and entrance fees for museums plus current cinema and theatre programmes can also be called up quickly and conveniently on the on-board monitor with TV.

Head-Up Display.

Intelligent ergonomics for a superior driving experience - Head-Up Display projects important information directly in your line of sight. The virtual image is beamed onto the windscreen as a clear, easy-to-read image. Key driving information such as speed and navigation instructions can be seen more easily, without you needing to take your eyes from the road ahead.

BMW vehicles with Head-Up Display can be recognised by a small square depression on the dashboard. This contains a projector and a system of mirrors that beams an easy-to-read, high-contrast image onto a translucent film on the windscreen, directly in your line of sight. The image, measuring around 18 x 10 cm, is projected in such a way that it appears to be about two metres away, above the tip of the bonnet, making it particularly comfortable to read.
The sophisticated projector - which uses an individually managed transistor for each pixel - enables you to see the vehicle speed, navigation directions, values from Check Control and the Active Cruise Control systems without needing to take your eyes from the road.
This makes it easier to maintain vehicle speed below the legal speed limit, as you always know exactly how fast you are travelling. Using the navigation system, too, becomes significantly easier, as the arrows indicating the recommended direction are immediately visible in your natural line of sight.
Head-Up Display halves the time it takes for eyes to shift focus from road to the instruments and back, dramatically reducing the risk of not seeing the sudden illumination of brake lights of the car ahead, or an unexpected obstacle. Driving at night, too, becomes significantly less fatiguing for the eyes.

Navigation system.

The BMW Professional Navigation System is extremely easy to operate and guides you quickly and directly to your destination. It also offers information about places of interest and can help you find a nearby hotel.

Your current location is established automatically by the navigator with the help of the Global Positioning System (GPS), down to an accuracy of 10 metres. Using this information, the system calculates the best route to your destination, and guides you step by step to your goal. Instructions are given visually as easy-to-follow arrows, and/or as clear verbal instructions over the sound system.
A digital map of the area can also be viewed, offering a high-resolution zoom function for even better orientation (from 1000 km down to 100 m). The anti-dazzle 16:9 monitor also offers a split-screen function that allows two functions to be displayed concurrently - for example information from the navigation system and from the on-board computer.
The navigation system is controlled using a menu button and a turn-and-push dial, or depending on the model of your BMW, via the iDrive Controller. Often-used addresses can be saved directly on a favourites button for instant retrieval. When the Voice Control system is installed, you can control the navigation functions by spoken commands, e.g. destination address. When calculating the best route, the navigation system refers to current traffic information and avoids potential hindrances. In addition, BMW Assist can provide specific information on sights worth seeing, theatres or museums plus available hotels nearby.

Feel good factor.

The interior of the BMW M3 Convertible.