2016 BMW 7-series

The all-new BMW 7 Series was launched locally at the start of this year and has been well accepted, with a total of 292 units sold since then. One function that was excluded at the time, however, was the 007-style remote parking feature which we witnessed during the international launch. This feature has now passed all legislative requirements and is rolled out in many countries, including South Africa.

Remote Parking

The idea of the feature is to allow owners to park their 7 Series into a narrow garage while controlling the movement remotely on the vehicle’s smartphone-like key fob. Forward and reverse buttons on the key are provided for while the steering is taken care of by the vehicle’s control systems. The width of the garage is measured by the parking sensors and cameras surrounding the vehicle and it will position itself in the centre of the available space. Safety is a priority and if any obstacle is detected the system will immediately stop the vehicle.

This feature is aimed at European buyers, who typically have to deal with narrow garages. It will probably not be needed by the affluent owner in South Africa, but there is no denying that it is the ultimate party trick to entertain esteemed guests!

ConnectedDrive

BMW has also announced some updates regarding the ConnectedDrive services of the BMW range with the main change being the availability of the full ConnectedDrive store (September 2016), where BMW customers can buy applications or sign up for additional services. All functionality is linked to the SIM cards installed in all new BMWs and may include the following:

Intelligent emergency call with automatic vehicle location in case of an accident;
Real Time traffic Information (RTTI), which warns of traffic jams as they happen (now standard on all new BMWs);
Automatic BMW teleservice call, where the vehicle will contact the service centre when a service is due;
Internet service for the vehicle;
Concierge service, where a call centre will answer any query and even send GPS locations straight to the vehicle’s satellite navigation system;
Pricing for the BMW 7 Series (standard vehicle):

BMW 730d: R1 406 500
BMW 740i: R1 379 000
BMW 740e: R1 431 500
BMW 750i: R1 807 500
BMW 750Li: R1 950 500

http://www.carmag.co.za/news_post/remote-parking-now-active-for-bmw-7-series-in-south-africa/
 
BMW's flagship sedan, the 7 Series, is now available with optional remote control parking in South Africa.

Although most red-blooded drivers wouldn't admit to any deficiencies in their parking ability, the new feature comes in handy in tight parking spaces that are too narrow for passengers to enter and exit the vehicle without risk of bashing the doors.

It's the world’s first series-produced car that enables owners to manoeuvre in or out of forward-parking spaces or garages without anyone at the wheel. It allows the driver to stand outside the car and guide it into a parking space using only the high-tech BMW Display Key. Proximity sensors ensure the 7 Series drives itself safely into the bay without colliding with anything.

The self-parking option is priced at R7900 and adds to the plethora of high-tech gadgets already available in the latest 7 Series, which was launched in South Africa in January. The luxury German sedan was introduced with a number of innovations, including gesture control which allows certain functions - for instance the radio volume - to be controlled by hand movements instead of touching a button.

With the aid of a ceiling-mounted sensor that tracks hand movements, twirling your finger clockwise in the air raises the audio volume and counter-clockwise reduces it; and swiping your hand left or right answers or rejects an incoming phone call.

Wireless charging and other smart new features

Along with a central screen which is now touch-operated, the new Seven has an enhanced user interface which offers several ways to access the various infotainment functions including voice activation and the traditional iDrive knob. Also as a new feature, a smartphone holder in the centre console allows a mobile phone to be charged wirelessly for the first time in a BMW.

The rear seats, where many chauffeur-driven execs will spend most of their time, also lay on the luxury and high-tech. In the long-wheelbase 7 Series with the Executive Lounge option pack fitted, rear passengers can fully stretch their legs and perch them on a footrest built into the front passenger seat, getting the full lazyboy experience.

With the Executive Lounge pack the ventilated rear seats have adjustable backrests and offer several massage programmes, and it's all controlled by a tablet mounted in a smart-looking brushed-metal console between the two rear seats. The tablet, which is detachable, also controls the window shades, sunroof, and entertainment system.

A touch of glamour in long-wheelbase versions is a Sky Lounge Panorama glass roof which at night projects a starry sky onto the glass surface. The light show continues with a 'Welcome Light Carpet' that illuminates a path to the car doors.

Laser lights, which made their world premiere in the BMW i8 and with a range of 600 metres are double that of LED headlamps, are available as an option.

Expanded range coming, with new flagship

The 7 Series range will be expanded in October with the launch of the 740e iPerformance plug-in hybrid derivative, and in January 2017 with the range-topping M760Li xDrive. Yes, an M badge for a 7 series, but it's justified by its 6.6-litre twin-turbo V12 engine which musters a monstrous 448kW of power and 800Nm of torque. Combined with all-wheel drive traction, the big barge is claimed to be capable of a 0-100km/h sprint in just 3.7 seconds.

ConnectedDrive Store

BMW South Africa will launch a newly revised BMW ConnectedDrive Store from September 2016. The BMW ConnectedDrive Store will allow customers to view existing services and apps they currently have in their vehicles and also add or buy new BMW ConnectedDrive Service & Apps features. The store will be an extension to the current BMW ConnectedDrive Portal (www.bmwconnecteddrive.co.za) to allow further personalisation.

ConnectedDrive Services is a standard feature in every BMW sold in SA. Using a factory-fitted simcard installed in the vehicle, it allows owners to use numerous services and apps from a range of categories including travel, office and entertainment.

http://www.iol.co.za/motoring/latest-launches/bmws-remote-control-parking-now-in-sa-2057588
 
9100d4f1bfb7e83a497e6bd04dc0d26a.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X