New on the shelves

Round-up of the latest kit, headed by clever car-sharing app

BMW’S Drivenow car sharing project has just been upgraded, thanks to the introduction of a new app. This allows customers to reserve, access and drive away vehicles more quickly and easily than before.

The app, which is now available on IOS and Android systems, means you can control within seconds hourly bookings, daily packages and can even unlock the car on arrival. What’s more, the app will be given new features that are set to be rolled out over the coming months.

BMWS and MINIS can now be reserved at the touch of a button, and drivers can unlock a car when they’re within 150 metres of the vehicle via the app. The Drivenow website has also been given a complete overhaul. Extra functionality now allows customers to plan their journeys and check the car for damage. By doing this remotely, there’s no longer any need to carry out the process on the in-car display.

All fuel, parking, insurance and tax are included, as is a mileage allowance, and short trips are available for as little as 33p per minute.

Drivenow has more than 300 vehicles available on its fleet, but the downside is that they have to be collected and dropped off in the north-east London area.