BMW of North America will offer the Apple CarPlay as an optional $300 feature on most BMWs within the current lineup. Several cars from BMW’s 2 to 7 series can now be purchased with CarPlay installed, in addition to the X SUVs and M sportscars. Even buyers of the $138,000 ALPINA B7 will need to decide to spend $300 to get access to Apple’s alternative infotainment system.
Previous reports indicated that the X5 M and X6 M would be among the first vehicles to support CarPlay, and while the majority of BMW’s cars do now support CarPlay, a number still don’t offer the option, including the M5 Sedan, the 440i Coupe, and the electric i3 and i8 models. There is a chance those models will be updated at a later date as well.
Apple is due to make significant upgrades to CarPlay with next month’s launch of iOS 10, including the ability to hide and rearrange icons, and have an iPhone push a parking marker to Apple Maps when it disconnects.
BMW joins a long list of automakers that offer CarPlay, including Acura, Audi, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Citroën, DS Automobiles, Ferrari, Ford, GMC, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Lamborghini, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opel, Porsche, Peugeot, Seat, Skoda, Subaru, Suzuki, Volkswagen, Volvo, and others.
