In addition to its powerful brakes and electronic aids, active safety features
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| The 645Ci's list of passive safety items is very comprehensive. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
include adaptive Xenon headlights that swivel between 9 and 15 degrees in the direction of a turn, throwing a bit more light on the vehicle's anticipated path. In the event of a crash, passive safety equipment takes over occupant protection duties. The 645Ci's list of passive safety items is very comprehensive and includes front occupant airbags with passenger seat occupant detection, plus side airbags and an Active Knee Protection airbag system for those in the front. Both front and rear occupants receive the benefit of BMW's Rollover Protection System (RPS), which includes two aluminum roll bars that pop up from behind the rear seat headrests in the event of a capsizing. The second aspect of BMW's RPS is an ultra strong windshield frame, designed to resist collapsing under the vehicle's weight.
The 645Ci is a premium automobile, which arrives very well equipped without the need to tick numerous boxes on an order sheet. Standard equipment includes power
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| The 2004 BMW 645Ci is a tremendous automobile, full of cutting-edge technology, prestige and pizzazz. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
windows, power locks, power mirrors, power seats, climate control, cruise control, power roof, AM/FM/CD and navigation. Should there be a desire to do some additional box ticking, several option packages are available. In Canada a Sport Package adds Active Steering, sport seats, 19-inch alloy wheels and high-gloss shadow-line exterior trim. A Premium Package consists of a 6-disc CD changer and BMW's LOGIC7 sound system. The top shelf Executive Package combines the goodies found in both the Premium and Sport packages. In the US a Cold Weather Package is available, which adds a ski bag and heated front seats and steering wheel. Otherwise, look for the same Sport and Premium packages as offered in Canada, less the Executive Package which is not available south of the border.
