BMW today announced a new BMW interface for Apple iPod media players.

The interface will be available for owners of the new BMW 3 Series Sedans and Sports Wagons as well as the 5, 6, and 7 Series. It will also be available for the new M5 Sedan and M6 Coupe.

Drivers with iPods will be able to plug directly into the car's sound system and control the device from the multifunction steering wheel.

The system is compatible with SIRIUS satellite radio and the recently introduced HD Radio.

The original BMW iPod adapter will continue to be available for 2002 and later BMW models: X3, X5, Z4, and previous generation 3 Series.

The original BMW iPod Adapter was the world's first seamless integration between iPod and a vehicle audio system. The new Interface will also allow users to incorporate their iPods directly into their car's sound system, but with the newly available capability to sort their music according to their own playlists, as well as by artist, album, genre, podcast, and a random selection of 500 songs from the user library. Artist, album, and song title will appear in the Display Monitor.

The new Interface is compatible with all iPods with a dock connector, including the Nano and the fifth-generation iPod. The BMW iPod Interfaces integrate the iPod through a direct connection in the BMW glove box, providing outstanding sound quality and constant power to the iPod.

The new interface will become available in July at a yet-unannounced price.