And I bet you didn't even know BMW makes smart phones! They call this one the i3 and yes, I realise it LOOKS like a car but it's really just another device. Just as well, because I don't know anything about cars.
Like many new BMW's, the i3 comes complete with its own sim card, so the car itself is permanently connected to the Vodafone network. This doesn't necessarily mean you'll be browsing the net from your steering wheel... But only because BMW's browser software is terrible.
That's about the only thing wrong with the i3 though. This was one device I desperately didn't want to return and not just because I could drive it to work and back.
The main advantage of the 3G connectivity is you can stay in contact with the car wherever you're using the BMW iRemote app on your phone. This app will tell you the charge status of the i3's battery, whether the doors are locked and you can turn on the air conditioning while you're on your way back to the car so it's ready to go as soon as you hop in.
If you want to be really silly, you can surprise passersby by turning the headlights on and honking the horn from your phone too... Not that I'd ever do anything like that. (Well maybe one time, just to try it)
BMW's ConnectedDrive concept means the service department can keep an eye on your vehicle too, notifying you when it's time for any maintenance instead of the other way around. There's even a 24/7 concierge service to help you with all those essential motoring questions like, "Will I need my umbrella when I get to the game?" or, "Where's the nearest tapas bar?"
Admittedly I only called the concierge once. By mistake. I'm not flash enough to require service at that level. Pretty cool though.
Like I say, I'm no automotive guru, but there are a few other gadgets worth pointing out.
As you may have realised by now, the i3 is electric powered with a backup petrol motor BMW calls a "Range Extender." I can't tell you much about the range Extender because I never managed to run the battery down, even though I live more than 30kms from work. The electric drive was quiet, smooth and surprisingly peppy, although admittedly I have been told I drive like a Nana. Repeatedly. (No offense, Nanas)
With an electric range of about 125kms on a full charge, it's easy to worry you're going to run out of juice somewhere inconvenient. Apparently this paranoia is known as "range anxiety." But it turns out any range anxiety I was suffering from was completely unfounded; like other smart devices, I just got into the habit of plugging it in whenever I wasn't using it. After all, it's not like I was trying to get to Queenstown for a skiing weekend; my longest trip was driving Monster Number 2 to her soccer game in Ellerslie. I got there and back no worries, thanks also to a very user friendly GPS shown on one of the i3's two large flat screen displays.
When I say large flat screens, I don't mean 52 inch plasmas, but they're definitely big enough and clear enough in all conditions, and pretty customisable too.
The cruise control also really blew me away. You set your desired speed just like any other car, but utilising the front collision detector, the i3 automatically maintains a safe following distance. This means the car will slow you down if someone changes into your lane in front of you, then speed you up again when the way is clear. I actually drove from Silverdale to Ellerslie (approximately 40kms) without setting foot on either the accelerator or the brake. That's about half a step away from driverless driving - all I had to do was steer.
Of course, you don't even have to steer when it comes to parallel parking now; like a lot of new cars the i3 will do this for you. Not that I can't do my own parallel parks... I mean, I'm a grown man. What idiot can't park his own car after 25 years driving experience? Right? Right?...
Anyway, if the worst happens and you somehow manage to crash the i3, the car will call the emergency services for you, letting them know where you are and that you've done something stupid.
All in all, this car is a nerd-mobile of pocket protector proportions and it probably looks it. But hey, nerds are hip these days, right? It certainly turned heads wherever I went and I received nothing but compliments from the passengers queuing up to experience a quiet ride. The really cool thing about the i3 is it's good fun; if you're into gadgets like me, you may as well drive something that's jam packed with them.
Oh... And yes, there is a dock for your phone.
Click here for more on the BMW i3
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