Following its introduction in Europe, BMW GB has launched the first-right hand drive head-up display system for UK drivers.

It allows the 5-series driver to keep his or her eyes on the road while checking road speed, check control messages, cruise control settings or navigation instructions.

The information is projected on to the windscreen, but is said not to distract the driver's vision. Head-up Display uses a thin film transistor screen and a four-mirror projector to beam an 18 x 9 centimetre square image on to the windscreen.

Up to 300 different warning messages can be displayed in addition to navigation directions. A button next to the light switch on the dashboard enables the driver to alter the light intensity or turn the system off.

Head-up display, which costs £880, needs to be ordered in conjunction with a navigation system and is available on 5-series cars built from this month.