New Minis to incorporate mini-iDrive

According to auto site MotoringFile, 2007 model-year Minis will offer a joystick-operated version of iDrive for navigation, entertainment, and communication. From the images on MotoringFile's site, it looks like Mini, which is owned by BMW, will place its small joystick controller behind the shifter in its new cars, which will also offer a voice-command interface for controlling the navigation system.

It will be interesting to see whether this new iDrive-lite can manage to simplify an interface that is packed with features but which many drivers have found less than intuitive to use.

Source: MotoringFile via Autoblog