For many years, BMW has been considered one of the best manufacturers of luxury automobiles. This company continues to outshine competitors with incredible features. If you are accustomed to standard vehicles, the first time you sit in a BMW will probably blow your mind. The innovations that this manufacturer has created address every component of your driving experience. Although those luxuries come at a higher price than a typical car, they are well worth the money. Some of the features on these automobiles are intended to enhance your comfort, while others enhance driving performance and safety. Here are some of the newest features you can enjoy from this carmaker:

Active Cruise Control

While most vehicles have a standard cruise control function, this system is a bit more advanced. Rather than simply maintaining your set speed, the active cruise control allows you to maintain a pre-set distance from the car in front of you. You choose both the distance and speed that you would like to maintain. If your car gets too close to the vehicle ahead, the system slows your speed to restore the set distance. Then, the system will accelerate to restore your set speed.

Climate Zone Ventilation

This feature not only allows you to select different temperatures for your upper and lower body regions, but also detects airborne pollutants inside the vehicle. Sensors can detect carbon monoxide and other harmful gases and automatically circulate air to remove these pollutants. The system's filters help reduce the dust and bacteria in the air inside the vehicle.

Run-Flat Tires

These tires have reinforcements that allow them to maintain their full shape and use when there is a loss of air pressure. This feature can be especially handy if the tire loses air pressure in a bad neighborhood or on the highway. You can continue driving on the flat tire at a slower speed for as much as 150 miles. This enables you to get to a safer area, out of traffic, and possibly even to a service station.

Enhanced Braking System

This safety feature improves brake performance in many potentially dangerous conditions. In rainy weather, the windshield wipers activate the brake-drying feature automatically. The enhanced braking system also keeps the car from rolling when you are stopped on a hill. If you remove your foot from the accelerator suddenly, this system also triggers brake standby, which prepares the brakes for emergency stopping.

iPod/iPhone USB System

BMW engineers worked together with Apple developers to create an integrated iPod system within the vehicle. The device connects to an adaptor, which allows you to control your playlists and volume through buttons on your steering wheel. This system allows you to play the music through the vehicle's audio system without having to purchase a separate adaptor.

Rear Entertainment System

Backseat passengers can watch DVDs on a color monitor, or listen to their own choice of CDs through headphones. Some vehicles are even equipped with two separate monitors for each rear passenger. The system includes a six-disc multimedia player, which plays DVDs and CDs.

The features mentioned above are only a small example of the numerous luxuries included in BMW vehicles. Some features, like the enhanced braking system, are included to improve your driving safety. Many other features are intended to improve your driving comfort or the comfort of your passengers.