The BMW 7 Series will lose its Level 3 conditional autonomous driving when the model is updated next month.
Accordingly, the expensive “eye-off” driving system will be replaced with a simpler – and more feature-rich – level 2 semi-autonomous driving technology when the sedan is updated in April 2026 Automotive News Europe.
However, Australian buyers will not be affected as Personal Pilot Level 3 is not available on the 7 Series as the current Australian regulatory framework does not yet allow this type of technology on local roads.
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According to the report, BMW cited “limited applicability in practice” and high financial investments as reasons for the decision.
Compared to the Level 2 system, which costs about 1,450 euros (A$2,400) per car, the Level 3 system costs about 6,000 euros (A$10,000) as it requires high-performance computers, LiDAR sensors, ongoing fleet monitoring, validation and safety certifications.
Like Tesla’s “Full Self-Driving” system, BMW’s Level 2 Personal Pilot is intended to enable autonomous driving on highways, with the ability to address-to-address meetings in the city also expected to be introduced in the future.
Full Self-Driving, offered by Tesla in Australia, is considered a Level 2+ system and requires you to look ahead. In contrast, Level 3 technology is designed to take your eyes off the road.
BMW is the latest automaker to focus its efforts on less advanced autonomous driving technology.
Both Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis – the parent company of 14 car brands including Alfa Romeo, Jeep and Ram – have also backed away from Level 3 system development due to technical challenges, low customer demand and high costs.
Honda has also discontinued its Traffic Jam Pilot Level 3 technology, which was briefly offered in the Japanese market.
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