BMW Reveals The All-New 8th Gen iDrive Infotainment System

BMW has unveiled its latest in-car infotainment system called the iDrive 8 which was first teased at CES earlier this year. The iDrive 8 aims to offer a better user experience than the iDrive 7.Central to iDrive 8’s functionality is the focus on voice- and dialogue-based interactions, keeping only a handful of tactile controls for frequently used functions.There is a massive touchscreen and a myriad of new features. And, yes, it still has a rotary controller.BMW’s Intelligent Personal Assistant facilitates the conversation between the driver and the vehicle, which gains new functionality along with a new visual form that will help it non-verbally communicate information to the driver.While iDrive 8 will eventually proliferate throughout the rest of BMW's portfolio, it will initially debut later this year on the new electric iX SUV and i4 sedan. In these applications, the interface will be sourced through a massive curved display on the dashboard.[gallery size="full" ids="25212,25213"]There, a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument panel seamlessly converge with an enormous 14.9-inch central touchscreen. The combination of hardware and software is designed to underpin a new user experience for future BMW customers.BMW will also be able to customize the driving experience thanks to BMW ID, the new iteration of BMW ConnectedDrive. The automaker says that iDrive 8 will learn and adjust to the driver’s routines and preferences, with customers capable of crafting unique profiles that can include pre-set vehicle configurations, such as temperature, fan speed, and preferred music playlist. BMW ID will also see the company update its smartphone app from BMW Connected App to My BMW App, which will launch soon in the US.My Modes is a similarly new feature of iDrive 8 that's set to replace Driving Experience Control on future BMW models. The initial version that's available on the iX and i4 allows up to 10 customizable and preset settings that not only apply to the color of the interior ambient lighting and the design of the dashboard displays, among other things but also drive-mode characteristics such as steering feel and throttle response.