|
Page 2 of 3
What's Inside
Inside the 2006 BMW 3-Series, the theme is in keeping with today's BMW interior design vocabulary. The driving environment is clean and business-like with large, metallic-trimmed gauges that are easy to read, but it's no longer driver-centric. Dual front cupholders slide out of the dashboard to the right of the center stack of controls, similar to the BMW 5- and 7-Series sedans, and the center console storage box is climate controlled for 2006. Passengers riding in the rear seat of the 2006 BMW 3-Series will be more comfortable thanks to added room, rear air vents, power points, and a fold-down center armrest. Both front seatbacks are equipped with storage nets, and there's a headrest for the middle seat position. A power rear sunshade is available to cut solar glare and heating. Leatherette (vinyl) upholstery is standard, with Dakota leather a stand-alone option or included in the Premium package. Burl walnut wood trim decorates every 2006 3-Series interior, with poplar natural wood or aluminum available as options. On models equipped with the Sport package, the front seat backrests are width adjustable for 2006. A new Logic 7 audio system with digital sound processing and surround sound is available, as well as Sirius satellite radio.
In the redesigned 2006 3-Series, BMW actually gives buyers a choice regarding iDrive, the multi-function control knob and colorful dashboard display that replaces proper controls for the stereo system. Dreaded by many, iDrive is installed in the new Three only when the optional navigation system is ordered. No nav, no iDrive. Hallelujah! We'll buy a map! In the 2006 BMW 3-Series, the optional iDrive controls most stereo functions, secondary climate settings, the optional navigation system, and on-board communications features. Primary functions for the dual-zone automatic climate control are located on the dashboard, and BMW provides a CD slot with a knob for power and volume. We wish that we could get radio tuning and station pre-set controls in conjunction with iDrive, but it appears that this will remain a dream. Voice-control is included with iDrive, accessed via a button grouped with satellite controls for the stereo on the steering wheel, and the 2006 BMW 3-Series is also compatible with Bluetooth-enabled cell phones (Paris Hilton would not think this is hot). The ability to issue voice commands, and perform stereo adjustments using the redundant controls, should help to reduce the amount of fumbling with the silver metal iDrive controller between the seats. Cars without iDrive have conventional stereo and air conditioning controls mounted in the center of the dashboard between the shifter console and the vents, allowing the driver to concentrate on the point of owning a BMW: Driving.
Passive occupant protection includes standard seat-mounted side-impact for front seat passengers, an improvement over last year's door-mounted restraints. BMW also includes a new side-curtain airbag system that protects both front and rear occupants, and all outboard seatbelts are equipped with pretensioners and force-limiters. Side airbags for rear seat occupants are no longer available on the 3-Series - the company says protection has improved to the point that these would be redundant. Active safety is managed through BMW's Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with traction control. DSC operates through a bigger four-wheel, vented-disc, antilock braking system equipped with electronic brake proportioning. For 2006, several new braking features have been added to 3-Series including brake standby, fading compensation, brake drying, soft stop, and start-off assistant features. Brake standby prepares for a panic stop when the driver's foot is abruptly released from the accelerator, under the assumption that rapid braking is going to be required. Fading compensation reacts to rising brake temperatures, and accordingly adjusts hydraulic pressure relative to pedal force. Brake drying removes wetness from the brake rotors in the rain, based on sensor readings from the standard rain-sensing wiper system. Soft-stop automatically helps generate smoother "limo stops," and start-off assistant holds a 3-Series with a manual transmission in place on a hill until the clutch is released and the accelerator is depressed. Additionally, the braking system works with the standard dynamic cruise control to help maintain pre-set speeds. Active cruise control is optional, ensuring proper following distances with traffic ahead. Standard adaptive brake lights illuminate more brightly the harder the brake pedal is depressed, and adaptive xenon headlights are available to illuminate the road ahead. BMW offers an optional Park Distance Control (PDC) system to keep children out of harm's way and the bumpers in good shape during parking maneuvers by warning the driver when objects are close to the 2006 BMW 3-Series, and the optional BMW Assist telematics service includes automatic collision notification, SOS emergency calling, and instant access to both roadside assistance and a concierge service.
|
