I was in London for a few days last week and had a close up look, got the brochure etc.

Idrive is easier to navigate through, although I'm not sure of the point of it all. The interior seems to scream 'button overload' particularly around the centre console.

One feature I really liked was the front 'corner camera' on each side. You have the same as the rear parking camera but it has a close up for those tight parking issues (which in London is always huge).

In the flesh, the grill looks proportionate and the car looks quite good from all angles..... although I really don't like the very verticle aspect of the front of the car. From the side the nose has no shape, and it looks a bit like the bonnet has been 'bulged' forward to do it. I suspect that this was done to give the car a bigger presence than it might otherwise have with rounded lines. Overall though it looks far better than the pics suggest.

The dash is pretty cool, in that everything except the speedometer needle and the rings are graphic display. Has a nice look and will probably find its way into all the newer models.

The car also communicates with the service network and the idea is that when something happens ie the oil is due for a change, you get an email from your service advisor telling you what is needed and they can then arrange your appointment with you

I didn't get to drive one whilst there but did find out that the rear wheel steering operates by turning opposite for low speeds and same for higher speeds.

Overall I quite liked it except the front...... I asked about an Msport kit like my 540 and was told that it would be out late next year.....

Cheers


John

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