BMW will expand its Level 2 city assistant starting in 2027. Launch in Germany
BMW has announced that starting in 2027, its partially automated driving assistant (SAE Level 2) will also be available in urban areas. With navigation activated, the system will automatically turn, navigate roundabouts, and determine traffic priority at intersections, though the driver will still need to monitor the road. Implementation will begin in Germany. The manufacturer has not yet disclosed prices for these new features.
Currently, BMW’s City Assistant stops the car at traffic lights and restarts it, but that’s the extent of its role in urban driving. The new functions leverage route planning in BMW Maps, allowing the car to automatically adjust to the correct lane on multi-lane roads, turn, and navigate roundabouts based on the entered destination. Sensors are also designed to detect and handle situations involving traffic priority at intersections. According to BMW, this package will cover all types of roads, from highways and rural roads to city centers.
The legal basis is UN Regulation No. 171 (DCAS series 02), which are pan-European rules for driver assistance systems. Starting in 2027, they will allow the assistant to propose and initiate maneuvers in urban traffic for the first time. An independent technical unit has already completed the required road tests, with BMW’s approval expected in early 2027.
A camera in the cabin checks whether a vigilant driver is seated at the wheel, and none of the functions will operate without this.
The driver and the assistant can operate simultaneously
BMW adds the Symbiotic Drive feature, which prevents automatic driving from shutting off abruptly when the driver turns, accelerates, or brakes on their own. The system is designed to adapt to the driver’s driving style. During emergency interventions, such as those from the lane-keeping assistant, sensors analyze steering movements and gaze direction. The car adjusts its driving path only when it unintentionally drifts out of the lane or a collision is imminent.
Information about what the car is doing is displayed via Panoramic iDrive, the display strip under the windshield that shows the most important messages. The multimedia screen also features a new 3D view showing the route, the surroundings as detected by sensors, and a list of active assistants.
Equipped in five models, price unknown
The required equipment will be included in all new iX3, iX4, X5, Series 3, and Series 7 models. Among them is the iX4, whose European sales are set to begin in March 2027, roughly around the time BMW expects approval for its urban features. No decision needs to be made at purchase, as these features can be unlocked later via an over-the-air update.
BMW has not revealed the cost of the urban expansion package. Current Level 2 packages in Germany range from about 1000 to 5000 euros, depending on the car’s class and purchase method. They can also be purchased as a subscription for a set period, for example, for 1500 euros over four years.
BMW has not specified when these features will arrive in Poland. The statement only mentions gradual expansion to other countries after launch in Germany.
Source: Electrive
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