BMW 1 and 5 Series Can Now go From A to B With Smartnav

CRANFIELD, England, November 16 -- The recently launched 1 Series Sports Hatch and the world's best executive car (1), the BMW 5 Series, can now benefit from Smartnav, Auto Express' Best Satellite Navigation system 2004. BMW Great Britain has granted Smartnav as its approved satellite navigation accessory on both models, following the approval on the 3 Series and MINI earlier this year.

Customers can also take advantage of Smartnav's additional options that include Safe Speed, a safety camera alert that warns drivers of zones monitored by speed cameras through a series of beeps; and it's stolen vehicle location service. Smartnav is available through BMW's 156 dealerships across the country.

Kevin Davidson, Aftersales Development Manager at BMW comments: "BMW is proud to provide cars that offer new levels of sophistication. Smartnav enhances this sophistication by providing optimum stress-free routing and ultimately more control for the driver. Smartnav is easy to use, uses the most up to date mapping and can guide you around traffic problems, all of which add to both the vehicle's performance and our customers overall driving experience."

Smartnav is operated through one simple button on the dashboard. It connects the driver to a real operator, who puts the destination into a central computer. The computer calculates the best route using Trafficmaster's traffic data, which is taken from 7,500 roadside sensors across the country. The route is downloaded to the car and is constantly monitored for further traffic problems, providing a better alternative route where possible.

Adrian Joseph, Sales and Marketing Manager at Trafficmaster, says: "The approval of Smartnav on the 1 and 5 Series models has further strengthened our relationship with BMW. Smartnav is an ideal fit with BMW, offering a quality product for drivers who appreciate services that make their lives easier and less stressful. We look forward to the continuing success of our partnership with BMW."

Smartnav can be purchased from a BMW dealership for GBP579 including VAT, connection and a 36-month warranty. Annual subscription to the service costs GBP120. Safe Speed can be added for just GBP6 a month, whilst the stolen vehicle location service is GBP8 a month. Installation will be charged to individual dealer labour rates.

(1) What Car? November 2003