Overview
- BMW plans to remove the Personal Pilot L3 from the 7 Series and i7 with a late‑April 2026 model refresh, according to trade reports.
- The Level‑3 feature operated only on highways at up to about 60 km/h and under strict conditions, limiting everyday value and uptake.
- Mercedes signaled the same shift in January by pausing and removing Drive Pilot from the S‑Class in favor of enhanced Level‑2 systems.
- BMW is foregrounding Level‑2+ packages such as Autobahn & City Assistant with hands‑off, eyes‑on operation up to 130 km/h, priced around €1,450 and approved in roughly 60 countries.
- Legal exposure and costly hardware requirements for Level‑3 remain pivotal hurdles, as underscored by China’s newly published draft rules for L3/L4 that mandate driver‑readiness monitoring, automatic minimal‑risk maneuvers, and DSSAD data recorders from 2027.