Harman Kardon audio and next-generation NBT infotainment system

HARMAN, the premium global audio and infotainment group, has announced that the new BMW i3 and BMW i8 will come equipped with its latest Harman Kardon audio and NBT infotainment system.

The BMW i3 will ship with 12 high-performance loudspeakers: five 26mm metal-matrix dome tweeters, five 100mm ALumaprene midrange speakers and two 6x9” woofers that are guaranteed to deliver roaring sound. The BMW i8, on the other hand, features a system that includes 11 high-performance loudspeakers: five 26mm metal-matrix dome tweeters, five 100mm ALumaprene midrange speakers and one 6x9” woofer.

Environmentally conscious customers who purchase either of the new electric vehicles can already look forward to enjoying an exceptional sound experience.

In fact, the Harman Kardon audio system has been redesigned to ensure that every detail is precisely tuned to the cars’ interiors to boast a generous 360 watts of total output and high-quality sound. Drivers and passengers alike will appreciate the outstanding acoustic quality of the new sound system. Musical instruments and singers’ voices are reproduced with an impressive richness and precision that comes close to a live performance.

In addition to the great sound performance also the HARMAN NBT infotainment system has been redesigned for both the BMW i3 and i8 to take into account the specificities of an electric vehicle. The system includes the battery status and a charging station database with real-time updated availability. During each route calculation, the system lets the driver know whether he will be able to arrive at his destination and return back home or should stop at a charging station. The HARMAN system even takes the various driving modes, traffic conditions and routes into consideration in assessing the range.

“Offering the highest possible acoustic precision and authenticity has always been extremely important to us at HARMAN and the systems that will be shipping in the BMW i3 and BMW i8 are certainly no exception,” says Dinesh Paliwal, HARMAN’s Chairman, President and CEO. “In addition our next-generation NBT system will help to make the driving experience in an electric vehicle more convenient and shows our outstanding innovation capabilities.”

For more information, visit harman.com.