BMW has announced details of the world’s first in-car communications centre featuring on-line access.

Acting like a newspaper, on-line directory, personal assistant and virtual co-driver all rolled into one, this latest breakthrough from BMW means drivers and their passengers can stay in touch whenever and wherever they go in the UK.

BMW Online became available at the end of April to coincide with the UK launch of new 730d and 760i/Li models.

Initially available as an option across the 7 Series range, the system allows drivers and passengers to access news and business information and to send and receive email without leaving their vehicle.

It uses a dedicated BMW portal which links to selected on-line partners Michelin, The Press Association and D&B (Dun & Bradstreet). As well as access to key data and market information, these partners open up a rich seam of leisure information, including local places of interest, theatres, restaurants, cinemas and weather forecasts. The package is interactive, with links from BMW Online to the in-car telephone and GPS satellite navigation.