What Is The NBT System? BMW NBT Versions Explained
The BMW NBT is the head unit that controls a specific generation of the iDrive infotainment system. There are various versions of the NBT fitted to a number of BMW models. If you’re unfamiliar with the BMW NBT system, or have no idea what it is, you’re in the right place.
When the German automotive powerhouse first introduced the iDrive infotainment system in 2001, it provided revolutionary convenience to the E65 7 Series’ already-stylish cockpit. BMW introduced a central rotary dial too, making it effortless for drivers to navigate the slick user interface.
Although the first-generation of iDrive was relatively basic, it still required a sizeable head unit to support the intertwined functionality of both the infotainment system and selector dial. The iDrive head unit also became responsible for managing the Head-Up Display, which BMW introduced in 2003.
Following its introduction in 2001, BMW continued to develop their iDrive system to push the boundaries of driver comfort and convenience. As new features were introduced, each generation of iDrive required a more sophisticated head unit.
What is the BMW NBT system?
This is where we come on to what the BMW’s NBT system actually is. NBT stands for ‘Next Big Thing’ and it is the head unit that supports BMW’s fourth version of iDrive.
The NBT generation of iDrive succeeded the CIC system and began being rolled out in the F20 1 Series from 2012. What defines the NBT system as the next generation of BMW iDrive, is a revamped user interface and significantly faster processing. The BMW NBT included a 3D graphics chip for generating real-time 3D maps and an internal 20GB hard drive, twice the size of the previous iDrive version.
How many versions of BMW NBTs are there?
There is one version of the NBT (Next Big Thing) BMW iDrive system. However, it gets confusing as the version of iDrive that succeeded the NBT was named NBTEVO by BMW. The NBTEVO began being rolled out in BMW models from 2016, and it is a separate version of iDrive head unit.
You’ll find the NBT head unit in vehicles from 2012 to 2016 – find a comprehensive list of vehicles below. The NBT system has a larger selector dial than its predecessor, the CIC, and its interface features a distinct red border around menu items when selected.
The BMW NBT system is what replaced the CIC system in 2012. The BMW NBTEVO system is what then replaced the NBT system in 2016.
Vehicles fitted with the NBT system:
- 1 Series 2013-2015
- 2 Series 2013-2015
- 3 Series 2012-2015
- 4 Series 2013-2015
- 5 Series 2012-2016
- 6 Series 2013-2016
- 7 Series 2012-2015
- X3 2013-2017
- X4 2014-2017
- X5 2014-2016
- X6 2014-2016
Common part numbers:
- CI681995001
- CI682677201
- CI683226301
- CI929035701
- CI929036101
- CI931103601
- CI931103901
- CI932731801
- CI934782201
- CI935167901
- CI936765001
- CI938306901
- CI938756501
- CI938985602