BMW has demonstrated the first completely unrestricted in-car internet access as part of their ConnectedDrive system at the Geneva Motor Show.

Unveiled this week in the new BMW X6, the system allows drivers to browse the internet while travelling, in a window built into the dashboard.

Drivers can access the net by manipulating a joystick located next to the driver’s seat, which controls a cursor on the dashboard display. Known as the iDrive controller, the stick operates similarly to a mouse. By pressing the controller, the user may select links or items in the menu. Turning the controller will scroll up and down the page. Where appropriate a list of letters will spring up on the screen for entering URLs or passwords for websites, but entering letters is painstaking work. Just typing in www.google.com took my demonstrator over a minute.

The iDrive control system also activates all telecommunication, entertainment, navigation and air conditioning functions in the car. The internet functionality presented at the Geneva Motor Show is a prototype only, but according to BMW is very close to final system.

The system was demonstrated in BMW’s glamorous new X6. The X6 remains mechanically similar to the X5 but introduces new styling to the X family. BMW places the car in a new segment which they define as the “sports utility coupe”. From the moment the Geneva Motor Show opened to the public yesterday morning the X6 was surrounded by enthusiastic onlookers.

The new look of the X6 betrays BMW’s interest in creating a car that is focussed more towards aesthetics than cargo capacity and cabin space. The X6 remains true to the concept shown at last year’s Frankfurt motor show with only superficial changes.

BMW says that the unrestricted internet system will be available as an optional extra in their production models this year.