Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function*.
Driving in heavy traffic becomes more relaxed: Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function not only maintains the desired distance from the vehicles in front but also regulates speed in heavy traffic.
Radar beams constantly scan the road in the direction of travel. If your new BMW 3 Series approaches a slower-moving vehicle, the engine control unit and braking system adjust your own speed and ensure that you automatically maintain your distance. If required, e.g. in congested traffic, the brake is applied to bring the vehicle to a standstill and, depending on the duration of the stop, your BMW is then automatically accelerated again. The driver only has to intervene if the vehicle ahead slows down very suddenly. In this case, the Collision Warning with Brake Activation issues optical and acoustic signals requesting the driver to actively apply the brake.
When the carriageway is free again or the vehicle in front speeds up, Active Cruise Control accelerates as well until you reach your desired speed. A brief touch of the brake at any time is enough to deactivate the system and allow you to reassume full control of the vehicle.
*Scheduled to be available from July 2012.
