Found the following on another site. Anyone have more concrete info?


BMW ADDS REAL TIME TRAFFIC INFORMATION TO ITS NAVIGATION SYSTEM

Navigation Systems In Select 2007 BMWs Enhanced With Traffic and Rerouting Information For Major Metropolitan Areas Across The U.S.

New Benefit Added At No Additional Monthly Cost To Customer

 

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BMW will offer real-time traffic information
BMW AG and radio broadcasting giant Clear Channel Communications Inc. today said buyers who opt for a navigation system in most 2007 model BMW vehicles will receive real-time traffic information. The technology -- which includes automatic guidance to alternative routes when a primary road is congested -- bypasses the prevailing model for such traffic services

 

That's a nice bonus. For many people, might be enough to convince them to go with NAV. More here:

http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/09/07/bmw...tion/#more-3947

 

ya i saw that... I got an e-mail notice about it today from BMW. Its for real. I would have gotten NAV for this feature... BLAH... oh wells too late.

BMW ADDS REAL TIME TRAFFIC INFORMATION TO ITS NAVIGATION SYSTEM
09/07/2006

Navigation Systems In Select 2007 BMWs Enhanced With Traffic and Rerouting Information For Major Metropolitan Areas Across The U.S.
New Benefit Added At No Additional Monthly Cost To Customer

Woodcliff Lake, NJ - September 7, 2006... Underscoring its commitment to delivering industry-leading service, technology, and innovation, BMW today announced the availability of Real Time Traffic Information (RTTI). This new premium service feature will offer timely traffic information and for the first time on any production vehicle sold in the United States, dynamic rerouting on navigation systems in select 2007 BMW models, ie. the X5, M5, M6, and the 3, 5, and 6 Series models. Set to launch this September, RTTI represents the company's latest addition to its list of premium consumer features and benefits.

"As an independent company deeply rooted in innovation, we are extremely excited to add RTTI to our robust suite of offerings," said Alan Harris, Vice President of Aftersales for BMW of North America. "At no recurring cost to the customer, RTTI transforms the navigation system from an option that is mainly used only when customers are lost or going to an unknown destination, to a daily benefit that helps them reach their destinations more efficiently and effortlessly than ever before. We will continue to seek groundbreaking ideas, technologies and features that give drivers peace of mind and improve the daily driving experience."

Unlike other automobile manufacturers that charge a recurring monthly fee for RTTI, or require customers to pay for an additional satellite radio service, BMW has included RTTI as part of the cost of the navigation system for select 2007 BMW models. There are no activation fees or recurring monthly charges to BMW customers for 4 years.

BMW's new RTTI service will be available in as many as 44 major metropolitan markets through Clear Channel's Total Traffic Network, Clear Channel Radio's award-winning programming and technology service that delivers Real Time Traffic Information directly to vehicles over its extensive network of FM radio stations.

With the help of Clear Channel's broadcast network, customers no longer have to search for traffic reports on radio stations to be in-the-know about traffic situations. Up-to-date traffic information is compiled from a variety of sources including FM radio stations, highway-embedded sensors, video monitors on bridges and roadways, and local traffic monitoring centers. Traffic data is then streamed to a dedicated tuner in the car's radio and transferred directly to the navigation system. So customers can receive traffic updates from a variety of stations, 24 hours a day, seven days a week-even when the radio is turned off or when the customer is listening to other entertainment sources such as a CD or iPod. The navigation system calculates the best route considering the traffic incidents and potential delays. In addition to alerting the driver to where the traffic is, if the delay is calculated to be more than 5 minutes then the navigation system will offer alternative routes around the congestion, either automatically or at the choice of the driver.

BMW-A Company of Ideas
BMW has a unique corporate culture which puts a premium on constant innovation and inspiration. This is reflected in projects like BMW CleanEnergy, BMW's commitment to a sustainable future for mobility using renewable hydrogen fuel, BMW Design, which sets trends in interior and exterior styling, and the award-winning BMW FILMS. BMW believes there is nothing more rewarding than helping great ideas live on.

 

Does this mean all MY 2007 cars are 'traffic-nav' enabled and can take advantage of the service when it comes out?

My car was built in July '06 - I haven't received any email on the topic...

 

Starting This september... so I'm guessing cars built as of sept 06 will have this.

Also it says "first time on any production vehicle sold in the US... I thought many japanese cars already had this traffic alert thing... or do they have somthing crappier?

This one from BMW sounds really good. I like it. Especially when you dont need to subscribe to anything.

 

I have a 2007 5 series with NAV....... If I can't get this, I will be quite pissed.
They have had this in Europe for years and its a great feature.

 

Will check with them today to find out if they will retrofit for an early-mid 2007 models.

Courtney

 

Let me know!!!

 

Japanese cars like Acura have had Traffic Nav for a while, and it's better than anything BMW will offer for some time.


Japanese ALWAYS have better electronics. Germans play catch-up.