Learning New BMW Models and their rising popularity in South Africa

Residents of Cape Town and its surrounding suburbs who are looking to buy a new used car can choose from the great rage of BMWs that can be found for sale over the internet. The German car manufacturer have, over recent years, produced a stunning range of models from sports cars and saloons to modern, chunky, yet sophisticated 4 x 4s.

A BMW is universally accepted as being one of the best cars in the world, and as such they are much sought after. The build quality is superb, and if well looked after and kept in good condition, they also hold their value better than most other used cars. It?s one of the main reasons that a used BMW in Cape Town is one of the most popular choices for people on the lookout for a quality second hand car.

Despite popular opinion amongst BMW enthusiasts, the letters BMW do not stand for Best Motorcar in the World. They stand for something much more plain and boring, namely Bayerische Motoren Werke, or in plain English - Bavarian Motor Works.

The German car manufacturer have been churning out great cars for several decades now, and as the once new models appear on the used BMW in Cape Town car listings, they are soon snapped up, none more so than the BMW3 series.

The BMS 3 series is probably the most popular used BMW in Cape Town. The fact that this series is now in its 6th generation says it all. Its looks alone speak volumes. Not only is it one of the most aerodynamically handsome cars of its class, it has actually become the bench mark that most drivers looking for a new second-hand vehicle, measure other used cars by.

But as well as being a good looking car, the series 3 is also reasonably economical, particularly the 320i which has proven to be the most sought after model. The average fuel consumption is a pleasing 6.1 liters per 100km. Later model 320is are also fitted with Eco Pro, a system which helps to maximize fuel economy. In automatic models, Eco Pro actually adjusts the gear selection, thereby optimizing fuel efficiency; whilst in manual gear models, Eco Pro regulates the engine?s idling speed. Eco Pro also controls the car?s interior climate control system, effecting even more control over fuel usage. It?s small wonder that the 3201 is the most sought after model of used BMW in Cape Town today.

BMWs are renowned for their inclusion of high technology componentry at the cutting edge, and later model 320is keep the faith by utilizing BMW?s iDrive system. iDrive facilitates dash mounted control of the majority of the cars integral functions. This includes start/stop technology, use of Bluetooth electronics, and access to the World Wide Web. The BMW 320i is right there in the mix when it comes down to being the best used BMW in Cape Town.

Author Bio:
My name is Tal and I write Info on various cars, along with this article referenced for BMW In Cape Town There is also much more available at the official Pick A Car website, along with reviews, and news.

2012 BMW M6 Convertible

Base Price: $115,295

As-Tested Price: $125,595

Drivetrain: four.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8; RWD, seven-speed dual-clutch serial manual

Output: 560 horsepower @ vi,000 rpm, five hundred lb-ft @ one,500-5,750 rpm

Curb Weight: four,508 lb

Fuel Economy (EPA City/Highway/Combined): 14/20/16 mpg

AWObserved Fuel Economy: fifteen.5 mpg

Options: govt package together with heated handwheel, soft-close automatic doors, active front seats, full LED lights automatic high beams, head-up show, satellite radio with annual subscription, smartphone integration, BMW apps ($4,900); black merino sheep animal skin ($3,500); driver-assistance package together with lane-departure warning, active blind-spot detection, aspect and top-view cameras ($1,900)

From the skin, this generation of BMW's huge M6 is way prettier than the last one. And it is not simply because the last one might need been the ugliest automotive that BMW has ever sold-out. No, this is often a genuinely sensible trying automotive. It's bulging and aggressive during a means that its competitors don't seem to be, and that i adore it. it is not wild or something, simply exciting enough to create the worth purpose appear slightly less ridiculous. Like all convertibles with auto origins, the look suffers from the shortage of a roofline. In person, if not on-screen, the design of the M6 auto grows on you. i am afraid i am still not the right age to love convertibles.

Inside, BMW has the animal skin factor perfect. The animal skin is soft, supple and nearly rubbery. the things may well be created into an excellent try of hot pants.

This generation of iDrive is way from intuitive, however BMW can tell you that if all you drive ar BMWs, you may begin to seek out it intuitive. that is clearly not what "intuitive" is.

Still, once you learn it, it works for the foremost half, that among driver/technology interfaces puts iDrive close to the highest of the heap. it is also a large improvement over previous generations.

The process by that a driver puts the automotive in park is therefore laborious to apprehend that I really had to seem it up within the manual the primary time I drove it. Doing it wrong can lead to the ringing of numberless bells and also the flashing of warning lights, with very little graphics that tell you you are doing it wrong however while not directions on the way to have a go at it right. And, as crazy because it is to mention this in 2012, you are going to possess to dedicate it slow to learning the way to operate this factor. therein sense, it is a very little archaic. however i might imagine that almost all of the folks that pip out can expect to possess to be told the way to use it.

And that's quite an issue with the M6. automatically and visually, it is a marvellous grand tourer, however the natural philosophy ar largely useless or obtrusive or each.

Over the course of the previous couple of years, the Germans are building more and more powerful and quick cars. which implies that, within the wrong hands, they will be dangerous. So, instead of let wealthy individuals kill themselves, they leave the necessary stuff up to the automotive. Get accustomed it. you would like 560 hp? Be able to place the robots to blame of exploitation it responsibly.

But the robots ar solely concerning ninety nine % good. as an example, with the traction management in its default setting, the M6 nearly killed Maine. i used to be actuation into traffic on a humid town street and, after I hit the gas, the automotive lurched into the intersection. As traffic bore down on Maine from either direction, the rear wheels slipped and power was cut mechanically, going Maine nearly stationary within the intersection. I hurriedly became a parking zone.

If you would like to like this automotive, you wish to create peace along with your mechanical overlords.

You'll even have to know that it is a GT and not a sports automotive. the primary factor the motive force notices is however serious it appears. The M6 weighs 900 pounds quite a 2004 motorcar Grand Cherokee. So, whereas BMW spent plenty of your time and cash creating it feel agile -- and it will -- it's serious. It's extremely serious. despite however agile or capable it's, it's still immense therefore it'll not want a sports automotive. The engine is splendid, however it's sterilized by its transmission.

But most of it's OK within the finish. it is not a track automotive. it is a crosser of continents, engineered to create long distances appear shorter. and that is precisely what it will.

In the tradition of different nice GTs, it makes sustaining huge speed easy. it's power to spare and an excellent huge gasoline tank. it's sensible and has area for 2 individuals and a few baggage. In my mind, it is the second- or third-best huge GT automotive on the market.

It's very sensible, great even, however it is not quite an hero.

The 2012 M6 convertible may be a good machine that exudes a muscular conduct with its look and drive character. It strikes the correct feelings deep within Maine as a result of this is often exactly the breed of automotive I like: massive, powerful, rear-wheel drive and assured. it's a presence on the road while not being chesty. the ability is robust, however civilized. The seven-speed may be a sleek, calming partner for the monster V8. The chassis feels jazzy, and also the steering includes a correct, athletic weight once the large automotive is pushed; still, the ride is sort of invariably comfy and infrequently discomposed by road imperfections.

The engine has lots of punch and emits a raw, intoxicating sound. The quad pipes in back ar stylish , associated most would say the M6 appearance and seems like an contestant. it is a thick one maybe, however in form still.

The cabin is appointed in dark, nearly sinister fashion. The materials look and feel cool and stylish to Maine. Everything is obtainable, and it seems like a cockpit. I worshipped this handwheel. massive and leather-clad, it felt slightly old-school, interactive and jazzy. Drop the highest, and on a commute with temperatures within the 60s, it is a cathartic cruiser.

For this value, there ar different choices which will provide sportier dynamics. Or additional luxury. however the M6 is one in every of the most effective mixtures of the 2.

Ford Kuga 2.0 TDCI

This is the all-new, second-generation Kuga, Ford's mid-size SUV. As before, it's supported Focus underpinnings, however the massive news is that it replaces each Europe's Kuga and also the utterly completely different and long-established Escape SUV within the United States of America thence it's the Escape within the United States of America. It's a troublesome equalization act: the Escape incorporates a name as a durable, direct, sensible SUV. The Kuga is a lot of of a classy crossover.

It's a great deal a logo of Ford's One Ford global-car policy: the platform is built in Cologne, the powertrain in Dagenham and also the higher body and interior in port. It'll be in-built urban center, America, and Valencia, Spain.

There square measure a selection of 2 one.6-litre turbocharged Ecoboost petrols with 148bhp or 177bhp, each putt out a similar 177lb linear unit and 2 a pair of.0-litre turbodiesels with 138bhp/236lb linear unit and 161bhp/251lb linear unit.

The base gasolene will solely be had in front-wheel drive type with a manual gear case, whereas the 177bhp model is had solely with all-wheel drive and also the Powershift machine. The 138bhp diesel, meanwhile, is had in front- or all-wheel, however solely with the manual transmission, whereas the range-topping TDI will have either gear case, however four-wheeled drive solely.

There's additionally the same old line-up of Zetec, metal and metal X trim levels. costs vary from £20,895 for a one48bhp 1.6 Ecoboost Zetec to £29,795 for a 161bhp a pair of.0 TDCI.

We're driving a 161bhp a pair of.0TDCI metal all-wheel drive manual, yours for £25,545.

It's good, if usually quotidian. the foremost powerful diesel is entirely flat below 1500rpm, however keep it higher than that level and also the force zings you on on a wave of boost that doesn't stop till 4000rpm. this can be usually all well and sensible, however it will feel perceptibly unpunctual on inclines.

The steering is Ford's acquainted electrically motor-assisted set-up, that is fast and meatily weighted and absolutely pleasant to use, however if something it's too springily desperate to self-centre.

You sit high and also the chassis is sort of soft that doesn't lend a very gaudy feel, however the Kuga is truly quite in a position handler: the compliance means that it soaks up bumps while not turning into upset over rougher tarmac, and the four-wheeled drive system is pretty wonderful it's Ford's own hardware and package, and it's as if the tall ride height and soft chassis is doing its best to disguise the brilliance of this method. It subtly snuffs out the onset of understeer with one thing a lot of neutral, which means cornering speeds is indecently high, and it quickly juggles force between the axles, which means its way quicker acting, a lot of reactive and a lot of participating to drive than, say, a Haldex system. It'd be fascinating to mix this with, say, a Focus RS.

Really, though, this can be a awfully comfort-oriented automobile, with spectacular levels of refinement.

It is. The seats square measure cozy part-leather with grippy material centres in our Titanium-spec model and there's lots of headroom all spherical, and there's rather more legroom within the back than you'll realize in a very Focus one thing that the rigorously crenated seatbacks solely exaggerate. The rear-seat passengers will recline their seats a trifle with a pull on a handle, whereas a similar handles permit the 40/60 split seats to fold flat in a rapid. There are lots of cupholders and cubbyholes, and also the door cards square measure sharply carved too, giving bigger room.

The new automobile is 81mm longer than the first-gen Kuga, however it's additionally 4mm narrower and 8mm lower. Those reclining seats mean there's a spread for the seats-up bags area instead of a collection range, however it currently stands at 438-481 litres versus the previous 410 litres.

However, there's no seven-seat possibility, as you'll realize in Ford's Grand C-Max or, indeed, Nissan's rival Qashqai +2, therefore you're primarily handling a a lot of spacious Focus, instead of one thing that genuinely offers up a lot of creative ways that to use a similar quite area.

The Kuga gets keyless access, and you'll be able to open and shut the tailgate by waving your foot below the bumper a bit like you'll be able to on the Merc FTO and BMW 3-series. It's simply a shame it takes see you later to really open which the load sill is fairly high.

The Kuga may be a sensible, refined automobile, however one that struggles to square out compared with the already excellent opposition. it's sensible, however obscurity close to pretty much as good as a (far a lot of expensive) vary Rover Evoque or maybe, whisper it, a (cheaper) Kia Sportage, and it doesn't have the desirability of either the Rangey or the VW Tiguan. It's sensible to drive, however terribly comfort-focussed: the Evoque is much a lot of dynamic.

The Kuga doesn't extremely place a foot wrong, however nor will it do something that creates you're feeling compelled to shop for it. It's a solid, practical, snug automobile that ought to work simply into family duties, however one which will do therefore while not ever dazzling you with its brilliance.

The Audi A1 Sportback 1.4 TFSI Sport

The Audi A1 Sportback 1.4 TFSI Sport is, as you’d hope with a badge that options the word ‘Sport’ not once however double, the sportiest version of the German brand’s smallest automotive. It’s additionally the foremost valuable, cost accounting from $42,500, tho' as a typical premium little automotive there square measure still various ways that to expand your final bill.

Following the trend set by the likes of the mini hatch and edict five hundred, the Audi A1 Sportback 1.4 TFSI Sport is filled with choices and style alterations covering each interior and exterior, giving people management over however their A1 can look provided they’re willing to get it.

From different roof colors and totally different wheels, to S line tweaks applied within and out, there’s no shortage of selections once buying this flagship of the four-metre-long Audi. Our Misano red check automotive wore a superb black roof ($720) and half polished 17-inch alloy wheels ($400), however passed over on paddle shifters a further $200. You’ll need to pay far more, though, for sat-nav ($3600 for the MMI navigation and package) associated $490 for an auto-dimming rear vision mirror which may even be expected to air the quality options list.

Open the driver’s door and nestle into the substantiative, and well bucketed, sports seat, tho' and you’ll notice an enclosed that will ‘premium’ higher than any of its rivals, together with the BMW-owned mini. The high-end Audi look and feel the German complete has become therefore synonymous for is true there.

Top-notch materials used throughout the four-seater cabin mix with logical controls and a high-quality show to form occupants feel over a trifle special. The Audi A1 Sportback is equally associate Audi, on par with several of its way more valuable relatives and closely connected in quality and style to the company’s A8 flagship.

The animal skin multi-function sports handwheel is one amongst the simplest within the business associate absolute delight to carry and use and is joined within the cabin by ever-so-slightly-transparent gloss black air vent surrounds that meld cleanly into the imposingly soft-touch dash contrasted by brushed atomic number 13 rings encasing the black air vents.

The rating of the Audi A1 Sport 1.4 TFSI will take it into the realm of larger hatches, and people of the recent selection together with the Volkswagen Golf GTI (from $40,490 in five-door form) and Renault Megane RS265 (from $42,640). however the sportiest Audi A1 Sportback additionally weighs solely 1215kg 2 blokes but a Golf GTI permitting its terrific twin-charged engine to deliver just-as-strong performance and higher fuel economy.

Audi’s A1 1.4 TSI options a similar twin-charged 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine found within the $27,790 Volkswagen Polo GTI. With 136kW at 6200rpm and 250Nm from as low as 2000rpm, the punchy and versatile engine is simply as happy taking part in cart or tearing through the mountains.

One of the key party tricks of using each a compressor for low-down surge associated a turbocharger for mid-range boost square measure stats of 0-100km/h in seven seconds (a bit slower than a GTI however slightly faster than an motorcar Cooper S) and a combined fuel consumption figure of five.9 litres per 100km (more economical than each a GTI and Cooper S). we tend to averaged seven.9L/100km, in keeping with the car’s trip laptop, however saw as low as five.4L/100km.

The Audi A1 Sportback 1.4 TFSI Sport’s ride is firm however manages the difficult balance between stiffness and compliance well, ne'er obtaining unsettled over bumps and creating for a confidence-inspiring drive. whereas road joins will jar, the A1 is obscurity close to as rigid as a mini Cooper.

Sharp, direct associated communicative steering is one amongst the simplest on an Audi with a purity and consistency oft missing from costlier Audis, together with even some RS models. The brakes, too, square measure terrific, providing consistent feel and a solid, dependable pedal even when perennial serious stops.

The dual-clutch shell are often a supply of frustration, frequently dynamical from fourth or fifth gear down into third mid-corner, even once in manual mode, associated an odd awkward shift will occur sometimes. Cogs square measure swapped quickly, though, and in additional relaxed driving with cheap runniness. like the dual Polo GTI, there’s no manual various.

With a gap value that sees it square up against a number of the present era’s best hot-hatches with extra space and additional power, the Audi A1 Sportback 1.4 TFSI isn't getting to attractiveness to patrons sorting out a cut price. except for those craving for a automotive that includes the four-ring badge at a additional come-at-able value, the Audi A1 Sportback 1.4 TFSI Sport could be a little, mighty, luxurious very little package that’s correct fun.

Source CarAdvice

2012 BMW 550i Sedan: Sport package including dynamic damper control

Base Price: $62,895

As-Tested Price: $73,095

Drivetrain: 4.4-liter turbocharged V8; RWD, eight-speed automatic

Output: 400 hp @ 5,500-6,400 rpm, 450 lb-ft @ 1,750-4,500 rpm

Curb Weight: 4,365 lb

Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 18/16.2 mpg

Options: M sport package including dynamic damper control, 19-inch alloy double-spoke wheels, multi-contour seats, M steering wheel, aerodynamic kit, shadowline exterior trim, anthracite headliner ($3,800); driver assistance package including automatic high beams, lane departure warning, active blind spot detection, side and top view cameras, head-up display ($3,500); convenience package including power tailgate, comfort access keyless entry, soft-close automatic doors ($1,700); premium sound package including satellite radio and one-year subscription, premium hi-fi system ($950); BMW apps ($250)

New BMW 5-series at shopautoweek.com

I would describe the 2012 BMW 550i sedan, despite its size and 4,365-pound curb weight, as fleet of foot. The throttle tip in is sufficiently sensitive and before long you've run through five gears and are nearing triple-digit speeds without any drama. The 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 pushes all the way to redline before a butter-soft shift from the ZF eight-speed automatic transmission.

The 550i is quieter than you'd expect. The heavy doors and sound-deadening material keep out the wind and road noise, and unfortunately the engine as well. It is truly about effortless speed in the 550i, especially when the suspension is set to comfort.

The four drive settings change the engine map, transmission and suspension settings. Full sport turns the traction control off and really buttons things down for "spirited" driving, while comfort moves the 550i into Mercedes territory for smoothness and isolation. I kept the car in sport plus most of the night, but I had to stay vigilant, any random pothole could be a tire killer. We learned that expensive lesson with our long-term BMW 550i xDrive tester. It ate six or seven Goodyear runflat tires in one year.

I did enjoy the thick M Sport steering wheel that comes with the M Sport package. It costs $3,800 but includes the adjustable suspension, 19-inch wheels, anthracite headliner and multi-contour seats. As far as other options go, I would ditch the $3,500 Driver Assistance package, though I did appreciate the heads-up display. The Convenience package can go but the premium sound system should stay.

The audio functions work through the iDrive setup, which seems to improve every year. My only complaint is with the iPod functionality that seems extra convoluted. Tapping your way through the menus won't play a song, you have to find a track list and scroll down to initiate. I think some other systems work better in this regard, Hyundai being one of them.

Those in winter climate may want to look at the all-wheel-drive version of the BMW 550i, especially since it only costs $2,300 more than the rear-wheel-drive model. It won't produce the kind of tail-wagging, rubber-burning fun that enthusiasts love, but on the slick stuff it's like an Arctic Cat for the street.

The person looking to buy this car would probably be cross shopping the Mercedes-Benz E550 4Matic, which costs $60,400, or the supercharged Audi A6, which stickers for $50,400. The only problem is that the Audi doesn't offer a V8 or rear-wheel drive, and the Mercedes gives you the V8, but you have to take all-wheel drive with it. As it stands, if you want a mid-sized luxury sports sedan with a V8 and rear drive, it's going to be a BMW.

By JAKE LINGEMAN

BMW M135i Sports Hatch Sport Auto

Price: £31,595
0-62mph: 4.9sec
Top speed: 155mph (limited)
Economy: 37.7mpg combined
CO2: 175g/km
Kerbweight: 1500kg
Engine: 6-cyls, in-line, 2979cc, petrol turbo
Installation: Longitudinal
Power: 316bhp at 5800rpm
Torque: 332lb ft at 1300-4500rpm (with overboost)
Gearbox: 8-spd automatic

A mix of dry and damp, tight bends and a narrow road should be challenge enough for a hot hatch with 316bhp to spill from its rear wheels. And if that sounds like a temptingly reckless number then you'd be right it's only 19bhp down on the output of the lately departed 1M Coupe, and the M135i's 320lb ft of torque is identical.

If it comes with the optional eight-speed paddle shifter of our test car, the 135i will zoom-flick, zoom-flick, zoom-flick through the gears to 62mph in just 4.9sec. Go for the six-speed manual and the time actually rises to 5.1sec because its wider spread of ratios are less speedily swapped.

Either way, this new three-door 1-series is eagerly, muscularly and excitingly quick with the potential, you may think, to become a flailing handful if you dare to meddle with the ESP button. But the first bold dive into a rain-sheened bend uncovers grip reserves far deeper than expected deep enough that when that DSC button is prodded for partial disengagement, it takes some lead-foot ambition to get the rear axle's wider 245/35 R18s to get a skate on, the slide part-managed by a brake-deploying virtual limited slip diff.

So it's pretty neat, controllable and reassuring, the more so because this rear-driver is quite a finely balanced tool, as proved by a too-fast arrival into a tight, low speed turn that fails to bring on any plough-on understeer. That said, you can expect to see plenty of the orange light that confirms an active ESP system, which is no surprise given all this energy and rear-wheel drive.

Perversely, it's best to experience all this in the Comfort setting of the £515 Adaptive M Sport suspension, an essential option. It softens off the electronic dampers and lightens the steering effort to produce a satisfyingly communicative, more absorbent chassis and best of all, usefully more feelsome steering. Of course, tripping the Comfort mode slows the shift times and the gearbox's willingness to hold a gear, but that's easily undone by sliding the gearlever to leftwards to Sport, which gets you a more eager gearbox.

The result is a an excitingly rapid drive that sits just the right side of hectic, the excitement of the six's keen blare built on by the 'box's light thumps in sport, the ra-ta-tat of the exhaust's over-run, the lightly clasping support of the seats and an excellent driving position. While some may desire the more uncompromising character of the 1M Coupe, the fact is that this M135i's ride is less maskingly firm, its steering more delicate and its character easier to live with. And it's also a whole lot cheaper, being almost £10k less.

Of course, you do without the some of the 1M's alloy suspension hardware and massive brake rotors although the 135i's enlarged blue-calipered discs are entirely effective but remember that the M135i rides on the latest 1-series platform besides benefiting from bespoke suspension geometry and its own springs, dampers, anti-roll bars and bushes.

More immediately noticeable M135i identifiers include a new front bumper unit with larger air intakes, a rear bumper with twin exhausts and 18in alloys, and tyres, that are wider at the rear. Inside you get leather sports seats (the UK won't be getting the appealing Alcantara/hexagon cloth mix of the test car, which seems a pity), a black headlining, an M footrest, blue accent stitching to the seats, patterned aluminium trim inserts and modified instrument faces. Not a huge amount of differentiation then, but enough to mark this 1 out as something sportier. The cabin is robustly constructed too, although it's not as finely, designed, finished or textured as the cabin of the latest Audi A3.

Much of the M135is's considerable entertainment repertoire is provided by the straight six. This Twinpower motor features a twin scroll variable geometry turbocharger, variable timing of both inlet and exhaust cams, variable valve lift and direct injection, these features managing to almost eliminate turbo lag. Indeed, you must actively search it out to find any, by shifting manually and having the revs build from 1000rpm to the 7500rom limit in second, say. Then you'll uncover a slower-moving tacho needle to 1300rpm. From this point the six has already reached its 320lb ft torque peak, this figure impressively maintained through to 4500rpm, although the revs don't rush at you until this peak has passed, the tacho needle performing a lightning flit to the limiter.

Throttle response is not as instant as you'll find in a normally aspirated M3, but it's sharp enough for most circumstances. Couple the six's breadth of urge to that eight-speeder, and you have a car that powers near seamlessly from a dawdle to its easily struck and restricted - 155mph maximum.

M division has tuned the 135i's exhaust to provide a smoothly busy soundtrack that makes paddling your way through eight ratios an absorbing business, even if the noise can turn slightly wearing. Happily it quietens off at a motorway cruise. And we suspect the same may be true of the ride, which showed signs of choppiness on Germany's mostly smooth roads.

by Richard Bremner

BMW launches Stitcher integration at SXSW

BMW announced today at SXSW that it's teaming up with Stitcher to integrate the popular iPhone app's on-demand streaming functionality into vehicles equipped with the BMW Apps and Mini Connected technologies.

We ran into BMW's Robert Passaro in the halls of Austin's Convention Center and he was kind enough to give us an exclusive demo of Stitcher inside a lovely BMW 650i convertible ahead of today's launch.

Most the iPhone app's features are available using the vehicle's infotainment system, including the ability to search, provide feedback ("More Like This" and "Listeners Also Like"), and create / remove custom stations -- album art is even displayed in high-resolution alongside show information.

The prototype Stitcher app for the BMW Apps and the MINI Connected platforms will showcase the following unique capabilities:

• Seamless integration and control of Stitcher's services through the vehicle's infotainment system, which enables easy searches for content, the ability to provide feedback ("More Like This" and "Listeners Also Like"), and fast forward and rewind control
• The ability to create or remove custom stations on demand
• High-resolution visual display featuring album art and convenient show/episode information, such as latest episodes, duration and whether the listener has already listened to the episode

Stitcher offers the following features:

• Personalized playlists of listeners' favorite shows
• Stitcher recommendation of other programs based on listening preferences towards the discovery of new shows and content
• The broadest selection of podcasts and live radio on-demand
• Stitcher SmartRadio enjoys a 4.5 star consumer rating and #1 ranking in the iTunes App Store's News category

"As promised, the BMW Group continues to deliver great, new services like Stitcher to our worldwide customers via the groundbreaking platforms of MINI Connected and BMW Apps," said Uwe Higgen, head of the international BMW AppCenter network, based in Munich, Germany. Development of the Stitcher app will commence via the BMW AppCenter Mountain View, California, which continuously scouts for new services in the Silicon Valley and the greater North American market.

When integration is complete, a simple update to the Stitcher iPhone app through the iTunes App Store will enable a host of Stitcher's unique entertainment features to be integrated seamlessly into the car, where they can be easily operated using the already familiar BMW iDrive and MINI Connected systems.