Starting as of July 2012 production, the next generation Navigation Professional system (609) will be available on the 5 Series Sedan, 5 Series Gran Turismo, 7 Series Sedan and ActiveHybrid 3. Although the link above doesn’t mention the F30, it will also be available on the F31 touring and should be available on the F30 3 series as of July.

This new system offers faster processing and an enhanced design over the current system and incorporates several great new features:

• Streamlined radio/media menu structure
• Improved navigation submenu structure
• Advanced Real-Time Traffic Information
• Weather information in navigation map
• POI enrichment*
• GoogleTM autocomplete*
* requires BMW Assist Convenience Plan.

More details and images inside.

BMW may have produced the MiniE and ActiveE (electric versions of the Mini Cooper and the 1 Series Coupe), but EV West, a California conversion shop decided to electrify a more performance based nameplate - the M3… the E36 M3 to be exact.

EV West took a 1995 BMW M3 and replaced its 6 cylinder 240hp S52 engine with a NetGain DC electric motor and Evnetics Soliton Shiva motor controller, packing 420 totally green horsepowers!

For its first real test, this M3 will compete in “electric” heat of this year’s Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in Colorado (also known as the “90th Race to the Clouds”). It will be competing against 6 other electric cars in its race heat, but none are based off a conventional car like … CONTINUED

New optional feature for all BMW 5 Series: individualised cockpit thanks to multifunction instrument display.

An optional feature [from July] that will enhance operation of the automobile in all BMW 5 Series models (except BMW 520d EfficientDynamics Edition and BMW ActiveHybrid 5): the multifunction instrument display. This is a freely programmable cockpit display that introduces a new dimension to driver information. Enhanced Black Panel technology opens completely new possibilities for the display of information. Via the high-grade, homogeneous black surface of the 10.25-inch display, the freely combinable instrument integrates significantly more functions than the conventional instrument panel that it is replacing. However, the familiar arrangement comprising four round instruments still remains. Two chrome rings, which open up towards each other, are visible on the black surface. Together … CONTINUED

As an official sponsor of London 2012, BMW has been inspired to develop a new technology helping customers to boost their fitness in the run up to the Games.

The new driverless Running Coach feature uses a combination of ConnectedDrive technologies and surround view cameras to enable the car to follow the runner, at a safe distance, while pounding the pavement. To help with motivation, integrated exterior speakers play encouraging words while the Lock Out Logistics feature makes sure that any distance set is completed without cheating.

Alvin Alaff, Head of Futile Innovations at BMW’s renowned Forschungs und Innovationszentrum, said “It’s a car gym but not as we know it.”

The introduction of the driverless Running Coach follows the critically acclaimed success of the BMW M3 Royal Edition, built … CONTINUED

The Ultimate Drive App for the iPhone and Android devices (http://www.ultimatedriveapp.com or www.facebook.com/BMWUSA?sk=app_199134910131531 ) can now lead BMW Financial Services customers to not only some great roads across the U.S., but today through June 30, 2012 it can lead to a BMW dealer, a test drive and a $300 credit towards the first payment on a new 2012 BMW 3 Series.

“This is a simple thank you to our loyal BMW Financial Services customers while at the same time demonstrating the inclusive nature of the Financial Services community as shown by our Ultimate Driving App,” explained Ed Robinson, CEO and president of BMW Financial Services. “The iPhone and Android-device application, which can be linked to a BMW Financial Services customer’s account, has been providing a forum to … CONTINUED

BMW already has plans to install touchscreen fabric in future models, according to New Scientist.

Researchers at the Polytechnic School in Montreal have developed a flexible polymer-based fiber with electrical properties that can be woven into existing fabrics. Imagine all the creative ways this would allow BMW to elegantly replace physical buttons or controls for a more minimalist look to the interior.

“In essence we are trying to reproduce the smartphone experience in textile form,” says researcher Maksim Skorobogatiy of the Polytechnic School in Montreal, Canada.

“We are looking for applications where we can weave in sleek, non-invasive control, avoiding blocks of push buttons.

The electrical properties change depending on where the fabric is touched, and finger touches or slides on different areas can be programmed to control air-conditioning or … CONTINUED

The new BMW 6 Series Coupe is equipped with a special Bang & Olufsen high-end Surround Sound system. Watch the developement, production, and implementation of this sound system in the 6 series.

More details on the 6 series Bang & Olufsen sound system:

Bang & Olufsen High-End Surround Sound System delivers an unparalleled audio experience.

When it comes to delivering audio pleasure of the highest order, the Bang & Olufsen High-End Surround Sound System designed especially for the new BMW 650i Coupe hits all the right notes. Jointly developed by the Danish audio specialists and BMW, this system produces an exceptionally natural sound from 16 speakers distributed around the cabin. It is a fully active system featuring digital signal processing, which means the two bass speakers, seven mid-range speakers … CONTINUED

BMW teases its future BMW i3 smartphone app on its facebook page ahead of the i3’s market launch in 2013.

Looking like something out of tron, the slick looking app will allow monitoring of the i3’s battery charge status, lock/unlock doors from the smartphone, schedule a trip time so that the i3 can thermal precondition ahead of time, and a smart charging mode which presumably sets the i3 to charge when household electricity usage is lowest or most affordable.

There is also a navigation feature with charging station and public transport info.

BMW today announced that users of BMW Online in the US can now access Yelp in their vehicles. With Yelp on-board, customers can search for everything from the best local restaurants and boutiques to parking garages and banks. They are able to see ratings for those businesses while hearing reviews read out to them via the vehicle’s text-to-speech feature. With the recent update to BMW Online’s layout, BMW can seamlessly add new features (known as “applications”) as they become available. Yelp is the first such application and there will be more to follow.

Customers who subscribe to the optional BMW Assist Convenience Plan and have a navigation-equipped vehicle capable of receiving the BMW Online service will be able to add the service today, without having to make … CONTINUED