Persbericht: Navigatiesysteem met een splitscreen: BMW optimaliseert de optische voorstelling van de wegengids (Engelse versie).

Presse information
16. Oktober 2001
*** Hieronder vindt u het persbericht in Engelse versie:

Munich. BMW is impressively proving its leadership in the area of navigation
systems recently confirmed once again by the first prize in the Products of the
Year 2001 Award presented to BMW by connect, the German specialist journal for
electronic and communication systems. Now introducing new - retrofittable -
software, BMW is also offering navigation systems for the first time in the
world featuring splitscreen, simultaneous presentation of data for route
guidance and other on-board monitor functions. This gives the driver multiple
information input in one process, splitscreen presenting not only map and arrow
guidance in parallel, but also, in addition to destination guidance, on-board
computer data or the radio and entertainment menu.

Apart from offering extra comfort, this new splitscreen presentation also
ensures extra safety. Parallel presentation of data means that the driver is no
longer required, as in the past, to individually select the menus used most
often. The enhanced comfort and safety provided in this way is further improved
by simplified operation, faster planning of alternative routes, and a
scrollable map with the car symbol always remaining in the middle of the screen
on a map pointing north.

Starting immediately, this splitscreen technology is featured in the on-board
monitor navigation systems of the BMW 3 and 5 Series as well as the X5.
Splitscreen software may also be retrofitted at a price of Euro 102 plus VAT in
all BMW 3 Series as of June 2000, 5 and 7 Series as of September 2000, and X5
models with a production date as of October 2000.

Offering retrofittable navigation software, BMW is entering the market for the
first time as a software provider. The strategic objective BMW is pursuing in
this process is to keep up with the rapid development cycles of the electronic
industry and to instal the latest software quickly and inexpensively in BMW
cars - which also means retroactively in cars already delivered to the customer.

More information at a glance: new navigation software for extra comfort and
safety on the road
Splitscreen presentation on the navigation monitor offers a significant
advantage by giving the driver parallel data input as required in a
simultaneous information process. Clear subdivision of the screen into two
areas allows very clear and easy-to-read presentation of the data required.

Apart from providing extra comfort, this also ensures extra safety, since
information is provided in parallel and does not have to be called up in an
elaborate process involving several menus.

The navigation arrows or the geometric vehicle data are always presented on the
right-hand side of the screen, the left-hand side presenting either the road
map or the navigation system menu, the radio and entertainment menu, or the
on-board computer data. Altitude above sea level and the car's current
coordinates (longitude and latitude) are also presented for the first time on
the destination input level.

Simpler presentation on a reduced number of menu levels
A further important advantage is easier control and operation ensured by the
reduction of menu levels allowing the driver to operate important functions
more quickly. Changing the map scale as well as calling up the address
directory or the last line, for example, now require far fewer steps than
before. While, say, changing the map scale used to require five steps, this can
now be done conveniently in one single step just by turning the turn/press
button on the right-hand side. A further advantage is that the car symbol is
always presented in the middle of the screen on the map in north/south
direction - an improvement made possible by the screen scrolling with the map
always pointing north. This, again, is an important contribution to extra
safety and motoring comfort, allowing the driver to pinpoint his current
position on the map very quickly and without the slightest hassle.

Faster planning of alternative routes in the event of deviations
A new calculation algorithm also ensures much faster planning of alternative
routes in the event of deviations. Drivers losing their way or deliberately
taking another route, for example, benefit from the re- calculation and
determination of their current route promptly and efficiently without the
slightest delay.

"Electronic refuelling": retrofittable splitscreen navigation paving the way in
the automotive industry
Offering the latest navigation software for subsequent installation, BMW is
opening up a new area of business, for the first time selling software to the
customer. This reflects BMW's clear-cut development strategy, with intelligent
software increasingly taking the place of hardware components.

Taking this approach, BMW seeks to keep up with the rapid process of
development in the computer and electronics industry, BMW cars now being
updated on request quickly and inexpensively throughout their entire lifecycle
to the latest production standard through the use of new software releases.
This gives the BMW customer the significant advantage of driving a car always
able to access the most up-to-date and advanced functions or services. A
further advantage is the lasting value of pre-owned BMW cars ensured by
"electronically refuelling" new software applications.

Voor meer informatie neem contact op met:
Christophe Weerts
Corporate Communications Manager
tel. 03/890.97.08