In-car gaming is taking a big leap forward as the redesigned BMW 5-Series will come with AirConsole gaming.
Designed to keep you entertained while waiting for your kids to get out of school or waiting for your car to charge, the AirConsole app features an assortment of casual games that are designed to be easy and intuitive to play.
At launch, there will be approximately 15 titles including “racing, sports, quiz and music quiz games as well as simulation, strategy, jump-and-run and puzzle games.” Among them is Go Kart Go, which is essentially a Mario Kart knockoff. Users will also be able to play soccer game Golazo as well as cooking game Overcooked. Additional games will be added in the future, so owners will have plenty of options to choose from.
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Perhaps the most interesting thing about AirConsole gaming is how simple and well-thought-out it is. Since no one wants to store controllers in their car, it relies on your smartphone.
The idea deserves plenty of praise as users simply open the AirConsole app and a QR code appears, which will turn smartphones into a controller by scanning it. The entire process sounds fast and straightforward, and the app supports multiple players so family and friends can join in on the fun.
AirConsole gaming won’t be limited to the latest 5-Series as it will be “successively offered in other BMW vehicles.” These include the i4, iX, and 7-Series as well as X5 / X5 M, X6 / X6 M, X7, and XM. Additional models will “follow in stages.”
To help celebrate the launch of AirConsole gaming in the 5-Series, BMW created a one-off i5 with a “unique gaming look.” The model is being billed as the “ultimate gaming station not only technically, but also visually.”
Speaking of the latter, the car sports an eye-catching purple wrap with pixel accents that pay homage to the 8-bit era of gaming. BMW went on to say the livery is inspired by games found on the AirConsole platform, while the wrap also incorporates accents that pay tribute to its smartphone controllers.
BMW didn’t say much else about the car, but it appears to be based on the i5 eDrive40 which starts at $66,800 before a $995 destination charge. The model features an 84.3 kWh battery pack and a rear-mounted electric motor developing 335 hp (250 kW / 340 PS) and up to 317 lb-ft (429 Nm) of torque. This enables the car to accelerate from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 5.7 seconds, hit a top speed of 120 mph (193 km), and travel approximately 295 miles (475 km) on a single charge.
