Tag Archives: bmw group

IMM 2012: world’s largest gathering of classic Mini enthusiasts is about to kick off

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It was in 1959 that the Mini broke out onto the scene as a classless car, quickly took the world by storm and soon became a motoring icon admired by one generation after the next. Nowhere is the close bond between the classic Mini and its followers more apparent than at the International Mini Meeting (IMM).

The 36th edition of this traditional event is about to get under way, and still the classic Mini continues to transcend boundaries: this year marks the first time that the IMM is being held in Hungary. From 24 – 28 May 2012, fans of this compact British classic will descend on the resort of Balatonfüred on the northern shore of Lake Balaton.

The event’s hosts from MINI Club Hungary have put together a wide-ranging programme packed with thoughtful details, all organised with help and support from various quarters, including the MINI Clubs International Office. Two floating pedal-powered MINIs will be launched out onto Lake Balaton, for instance, while MINI wicker beach chairs will invite visitors to soak up the sun, and professionally restored classic Minis from the BMW Group Classic collection will be on show on the lakeshore alongside the brand’s current models.

Fans and drivers of today’s MINI have been equally welcome at the IMM events for years now.

The inaugural IMM took place in 1978 and has since evolved into the world’s largest gathering of classic Mini owners and friends. Some 4,000 of the brand’s fans, including representatives from over 200 MINI Clubs in countless countries, have registered for the IMM 2012. Enthusiasts from Portugal, Finland and Ireland are planning to drive there in their own Mini, and registrations have even been received from as far afield as Seattle in the US. For the day when everyone arrives, MINI Club Hungary has prepared a highly entertaining rally where the objective is not to be the fastest but to master the final stage before the journey’s end along a particularly picturesque stretch of road.

Bungalows and caravans provide accommodation for anyone attending the IMM, while the extensive campsite in Balatonfüred offers enough room for visitors to park their classic Mini and pitch their tent right next to it. The campsite grounds, furthermore, are the venue for numerous spectacular activities revolving around the classic Mini where the name of the game is sporting competition and having fun together. Plans include setting up a parts and accessories market, staging slalom races in the classic Mini, as well as a competition for the most stunning specimens from all model series, the classic Mini that is truest to the original, the oldest driver and the oldest car. Wedding bells will also be ringing amid the ranks of MINI enthusiasts when two members of the host MINI Club take their vows at the event arena before starting their new life together in true style at the wheel of a classic Mini – followed by a celebratory convoy of some 200 further examples of this British classic, whose drivers have registered in advance for the occasion.

BMW Group Partners with Stitcher to Make Stitcher Radio iPhone App BMW Apps and MINI Connected Ready

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Stitcher Radio offers on-demand and personalized access to over 5,000 radio shows
Demonstration of the forthcoming in-car app integration to debut during SXSWi Conference in Austin, Texas on March 12, 2012

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – March 12, 2012…. The BMW Group and Stitcher are cooperating to make the Stitcher Smart Radio iPhone App compatible with vehicles equipped with the groundbreaking BMW Apps and MINI Connected technologies. Once completed, BMW and MINI customers will be able to easily and safely access unique features of Stitcher’s on-demand streaming service in vehicles equipped with the BMW Apps or MINI Connected options. BMW Group will demonstrate a prototype of the forthcoming Stitcher iPhone App for media during the South by Southwest Interactive (SXSWi) conference in Austin, Texas, on Monday, March 12.

Stitcher App integration with MINI Connected
“As promised, the BMW Group continues to deliver great, new services like Stitcher to our worldwide customers via the groundbreaking platforms of MINI Connected and BMW Apps,” said Uwe Higgen, head of the international BMW AppCenter network, based in Munich, Germany. Development of the Stitcher app will commence via the BMW AppCenter Mountain View, California, which continuously scouts for new services in the Silicon Valley and the greater North American market.

Stitcher App integration with BMW Apps
When integration is complete, a simple update to the Stitcher iPhone app through the iTunes App Store will enable a host of Stitcher’s unique entertainment features to be integrated seamlessly into the car, where they can be easily operated using the already familiar BMW iDrive and MINI Connected systems. The prototype Stitcher app for the BMW Apps and the MINI Connected platforms will showcase the following unique capabilities:

Seamless integration and control of Stitcher’s services through the vehicle’s infotainment system, which enables easy searches for content, the ability to provide feedback (“More Like This” and “Listeners Also Like”), and fast forward and rewind control
The ability to create or remove custom stations on demand
High-resolution visual display featuring album art and convenient show/episode information, such as latest episodes, duration and whether the listener has already listened to the episode
Stitcher offers the following features:

Personalized playlists of listeners’ favorite shows
Stitcher recommendation of other programs based on listening preferences towards the discovery of new shows and content
The broadest selection of podcasts and live radio on-demand
Stitcher SmartRadio enjoys a 5 star consumer rating and #1 ranking in the iTunes App Store’s News category
Media attending SXSWi will be able to view demonstrations throughout the day. To schedule a demonstration during SXSWi, please contact Robert Passaro at +1.650.934.3404 or Robert.passaro@bmw.de.

BMW Group In America
BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003. The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and the Rolls-Royce brand of Motor Cars; DesignworksUSA, a strategic design consultancy in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country. BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is part of BMW Group’s global manufacturing network and is the exclusive manufacturing plant for all X5 and X3 Sports Activity Vehicles and X6 Sports Activity Coupes. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 339 BMW passenger car and BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 139 BMW motorcycle retailers, 111 MINI passenger car dealers, and 32 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group’s sales headquarters for North America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

Information about BMW Group products is available to consumers via the Internet at: www.bmwgroupna.com.

# # #

Journalist note: Information about BMW Group and its products in the USA is available to journalists on-line at www.bmwgroupusanews.com and www.press.bmwna.com.

About Stitcher
Stitcher is a leader in Internet radio, delivering on-demand access to the latest news, politics, sports, business, and entertainment to listeners on their mobile phones. Stitcher is available for iPhone, iPad, Android, Blackberry, Kindle Fire, Nook and Palm Pre and is integrated with a variety of vehicles. Stitcher has been downloaded over 5 million times and offers over 5,000 shows and podcasts for personalized on-demand listening.

CARMINA CAMPUS for MINI.

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Limited-edition designer bags from Ilaria Venturini Fendi made of up-cycled materials from the MINI Roadster car production.

Munich. MINI presents a specially designed limited edition of CARMINA CAMPUS bags that will be presented at an exclusive preview event at 10 Corso Como, during Milan Fashion Week. In the true spirit of CARMINA CAMPUS’ philosophy, which is based on employing only re-used or reclaimed materials to make fashion accessories, the bags are made of colour samples and material offcuts left over from the production of the new MINI Roadster.
Anders Warming and Illaria Venturini Fendi.

First a MINI, then a bag.
Under the style-assured guidance of Ilaria Venturini Fendi, elements from prototypes of the new MINI Roadster were combined with discarded colour samples and other materials to create fashion designer bags made by Italian craftsmen. This capsule collections comprises week-end and city bags for women and men. The wide-ranging materials from the MINI Roadster provided an extensive source of inspiration. In some styles, the soft yet robust seat leather formed the outer shell of the bag, while the canvas from the soft-top was often decorated by a mosaic of small metal plates coming from the colour samples of the car body painting. Sunvisors hide make up mirrors while from the car interiors, handles become a special detail in a tiny proportioned bag. Reclaiming unused materials, defective or no longer fit for their intended purpose, or searching for stocks of end-of-lines and vintage materials that may change their function in the design of a new object, has been Ilaria Venturini Fendi’s creative approach from CARMINA CAMPUS’ start. This perspective on materials is being increasingly shared beyond the fashion world, and MINI is embracing the practice that now goes by the name of “up-cycling”.

The new MINI Roadster.
“For many years now, the BMW Group has been working with creative people from all manner of fields,” says Anders Warming, Head of MINI Design. “We are delighted to have found in Ilaria Venturini Fendi a designer who devotes her artistic powers above all to considerations of sustainability and up-cycling. For us these are key issues of the future which we are now addressing through this collaboration in customary MINI fashion”.
The CARMINA CAMPUS label.
The youngest daughter of Anna Fendi, and once herself Creative Accessories Director of the Fendissime young line as well as shoe designer for the legendary fashion house, Ilaria Venturini Fendi retired from the company some years ago to run an organic farm in Northern Rome. In 2006 she launched CARMINA CAMPUS, a label that specialises in making furniture, jewellery and bags from re- used and up-cycled materials – to the highest standards of design. “I’m very
?happy about this collaboration,” says Venturini Fendi. “It shows just how aware MINI is of the motor industry’s impact on the environment and that it is working towards change. For big brands like MINI in particular, up-cycling is an important issue. After all, this is where you will always get scrap material that is generally described as waste, but in fact can become part of a high-quality object.”
The exclusive CARMINA CAMPUS for MINI collection will be available at 10 Corso Como in Milan.

MINI UK releases info and pics for special edition MINI Highgate!

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Yeah, you know we mentioned back when we posted the other two special models that there was a third one, but BMW Group kinda dropped the ball on the official release until today, when it finally came through with said info .. was the wait worth it? Oh yes.. yes indeedy, and here it is:

MINI HIGHGATE: THE EXCLUSIVE NEW SPECIAL EDITION CONVERTIBLE

Hot on the heels of the MINI Baker Street and MINI Bayswater comes the third in a trio of special editions for spring 2012 – the all-new MINI Highgate.

Continuing the brand’s established policy of taking the names of fashionable areas of London, the Highgate is a sophisticated new version of the drop-top Convertible.

As with all special edition MINIs, this four-seater offers a raft of unique exterior and interior features. Providing a fresh interpretation of MINI’s premium appeal and style, the Highgate is designed to take the fun and excitement of ‘wind-in-the-hair’ motoring to the next level.

The car is finished in an all-new metallic ‘Iced Chocolate’ body colour, which works perfectly with the tailored ‘Silvertouched Truffle’ fabric roof. The distinctive look is enhanced by truffle bonnet stripes with blue edging. Midnight Black metallic or White Silver metallic paintwork can be specified as an option. The door mirror caps are always finished in the same shade as the exterior.

Also unique to the MINI Highgate are 17-inch ‘Double Cross Turned’ light-alloy wheels in a subtle aluminium colour. The design team took its inspiration for the spokes from the Union Jack flag.

Inside, the ‘Dark Truffle’ Lounge Leather seats feature blue piping and contrasting stitching. MINI’s popular Chili Pack; filled with added extras like automatic air conditioning, Bluetooth and USB connectivity, multi-function steering wheel, multi-coloured interior lights, is standard on the Highgate special edition. Sun-touched Brushed Alloy detailing on the dashboard and the Chrome Line Interior and Exterior packages are also included. Exclusive ‘Highgate’ lettering on the side indicator surrounds, door sills and seat tags marks the car out from the crowd.

As with every MINI, customers can enhance the appeal of their car further using the extensive options list of comfort, convenience, design and technology features.

The MINI Highgate is available with four engine options; the MINI Cooper (90 kW/122 hp), MINI Cooper S (135 kW/184 hp), MINI Cooper D (82 kW/112 hp) and MINI Cooper SD (105 kW/143 hp). All are linked to a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, with a six-speed automatic available as an option.

Here’s retail pricing in UK pounds, add about another 500 for OTR:

MINI Cooper Highgate Convertible £20,665

MINI Cooper Highgate Convertible Auto £21,750

MINI Cooper D Highgate Convertible £21,855

MINI Cooper D Highgate Convertible Auto £22,940

MINI Cooper S Highgate Convertible £23,445

MINI Cooper S Highgate Convertible Auto £24,590

MINI Cooper SD Highgate Convertible £24,255

MINI Cooper SD Highgate Convertible Auto £25,400

And the pictures, 18 glorious web pictures for you to drool over before yours arrives at the dealership:

[Source: BMW Press Group UK, Feb 03 2012]

 

A DECADE OF STRAIGHT WINS FOR MINI AT THE BUSINESSCAR AWARDS 2012

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For a decade, MINI’s irresistible combination of premium styling, frugal fuel performance and that unmistakable go-kart handling has been recognised by BusinessCar Magazine as they name the MINI Hatch ‘2012 Supermini of the Year’ in their annual awards.

MINI’s low running costs and CO2 emissions, coupled with high residual values and performance are just some of the reasons why it has proven to be such a success with business car users.

“The MINI has established itself as a favourite of the business car industry, with its combination of rock-solid residual values, excellent efficiency and cheeky charm proving itself once more to the readers of BusinessCar, which have again voted it as their most impressive supermini,” said BusinessCar Editor Paul Barker. “A good business car has to offer appeal to the heart and to the head, and the Mini offers both in abundance.”

MINI One D and MINI Cooper D Hatch models feature the brand’s MINIMALISM technology. Both models can enter the London Congestion Charge Zone free of charge thanks to a host of fuel-saving and emission lowering equipment; they emit just 99g/km CO2.

The BusinessCar Awards are voted for entirely by the readers of BusinessCar magazine and www.businesscar.co.uk rather than a panel of judges and are therefore highly regarded within the industry.

BusinessCar is a magazine, website and series of email newsletters designed for the business car market (in the UK). BusinessCar gives the reader a wider choice of information. Information that is not only essential to the fleet manager, but is also vital to finance bosses, HR directors and procurement chiefs as well as managing directors who want to understand the important issues central to running car and van fleets.

[Source: BMW Group UK, Jan 23 2012]

MINI USA Announces RFP For Advertising in the USA

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MINI USA today announced it will hold an agency review for the majority of the MINI brand creative work in America due to BMW Group policy requirements. The announcement comes as MINI USA achieved its best sales year ever, and is in the midst of growing the brand’s vehicle lineup and dealer network.

There are several areas of focus for agency support in the RFP – national brand creative, regional and dealer creative, media planning and buying for both national and co-op advertising.

Interactive is currently supported by Beam Interactive in Boston, MA and is not included in the RFP. Sanders Wingo in Austin, Texas was appointed in September 2011 to support all the diversity marketing activities for MINI USA, and that area of the marketing business is not included in the RFP.

The national, regional and dealer creative and media advertising efforts have been handled by Butler, Shine, Stern and Partners (BSSP) from Sausalito, California since late 2005.

“MINI USA has been very satisfied with BSSP’s services. They have helped support MINI’s growth over the years with ground-breaking, never-been-done before creative. We are simply adhering to BMW Group corporate purchasing procedures by going to RFP,” said Tom Salkowsky, Manager MINI USA Marketing. “BSSP has made valuable contributions to our business and will participate in this review.”

“We understand that this is a procurement-driven requirement,” said John Butler, Executive Creative Director at BSSP. “Generally, we believe incumbents shouldn’t participate in an agency review. However, with our strong dealer and client relationships, an Effie for MINI each year that we’ve had the business, and the strength of the work, we are confident that we will prevail.”

The search will be conducted by Hasan Ramusevic with Hasan + Co. in Raleigh, North Carolina. Hasan + Co. conducted the agency search for MINI USA in 2005 as well. Interested agencies should contact Hasan at: 919-713-0700, www.hasanandco.com.

[Source: BMW Group North America, Woodcliff Lake, NJ – January 13, 2012]

2012 MINI Roadster JCW Technical Specs

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Yeah, you’ve seen pics and heard about it for months now.

BMW released a bunch of stuff for NAIAS and other websites, blogs, or casts certainly yack about what their wild arse guesses may assume, and you know we usually don’t tease you like that, but heck here’s the specs to get you drooling about your next MINI roadster ;)

Yeah, it’s just a guide, but I’d almost bet the spec for USA is going to be similar. Stuff may or may not change, but this will give ya a basic idea what’s coming..

 

2012 – MINI ROADSTER.
Technical Specifications.
(features JCW edition, because why would you want anything else?)

Dimensions (mm)
Length/Width/Height:3734/1683/1390
Wheelbase:2467
Turning circle (m):10.7
Track, front/rear:1453/1461
Shoulder width, front:1278
Legroom, front:1060
Headroom, front:1005
Luggage capacity (L):240
Fuel capacity (L):50

Weight (kg):
Curb weight, man/auto: 1255
Weight distribution, rear, man/auto (%): 38.2
Max. gross weight, man/auto: 1510
Max. payload: 230
Max. axle load, front/rear [auto trans]
860/675

Engine
Turbocharged
Type:DOHC I-4 16V
Engine management system:MED 1722
Displacement (cm3):1598
Bore and stroke (mm):77.0 x 85.8
Power (SAE hp @ rpm):208 @ 6,000
Torque (ft/lb @ rpm):184 @ 1,850 – 5600* (w/boost..)
Compression ratio:10.0
Fuel grade:Premium Unleaded
Drivetrain:Front Engine
Drive configuration:Front Drive
Transmission type:6-M
Gear ratios, man/auto (:1)
1st: 3.31, 2nd: 2.13, 3rd: 1.48,  4th: 1.14, 5th: 0.95, 6th: 0.82, Reverse: 3.23, Final drive ratio: 3.71

Body / Suspension
Steering Type / Ratio: Rack & Pinion / 14.1
Braking system: 4 channel ABS
Front brake type / diameter (mm): Ventilated disc / 316
Rear brake type / diameter (mm): Solid disc / 280
Suspension, front: McPherson strut type
Suspension, rear: Independent multilink
Drag coefficient: 0.35
Tire size, front: 205/45 R17
Wheel size, front: 7.0J x 17
Tire size, rear:  205/45 R17
Wheel size, rear: 7.0J x 17

Electrical
Battery capacity (amp-hrs.): 55
Alternator output (amps/watts): 120/1680

Performance
Top speed, electronically limited, man (km/h): 237
Acceleration 0-100 km/h, man (sec.): 6.6

Fuel Consumption
City, (L/100km): 8.2, Highway: 6, Combined: 7.2

Geeky notes from a non-math major:
There’s about 3.78L in 1 US gallon. 100 km is about 62.14 miles.
If a MINI uses 7.2 liters (about 2 gallons) to go 62 miles, we can say it gets roughly 31 MPG.

Cheers!

Attention Bollywood, MINI arrives in India!

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MINI unleashes style, inventiveness and excitement at Auto Expo 2012.

The BMW Group today introduced MINI as a premium small car brand in India. The MINI (MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S), MINI Cooper Convertible and MINI Cooper S Countryman are launched in India and can be ordered as CBU (completely built-up) units.

Dr. Kay Segler, Senior Vice President, MINI Brand Management and Business Coordination said, “By launching the new MINI ten years ago, we created the most exciting premium small car brand in the world. Our approach was: From the original to the original. Since then, we have been busy growing the MINI Family with bold models such as MINI Convertible and MINI Countryman. As one of the world’s top growth markets, India is a great place to continue accelerating MINI’s global momentum. We are sure MINI fans in India are as excited as we are.”

In 2012, MINI India will establish three exclusive outlets in the Indian market: Deutsche Motoren and Bird Automotive in Delhi (National Capital Region) and Infinity Cars in Mumbai.

Dr. Andreas Schaaf, President, BMW Group India said, “Around the world, MINI has become a byword in the premium small car segment for expressive design, premium quality and unmistakable driving fun. MINI’s innovative profile has enabled the brand to win over a trend-conscious and quality-oriented target group. With the launch of MINI, the BMW Group debuts in the premium small car segment in India. In the start-up phase, BMW Group’s main focus will be to concentrate on successfully establishing the MINI brand in India. At a later stage, the BMW Group will focus on further development of dealer network and higher sales volumes.”

The MINI (MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S), MINI Cooper Convertible and MINI Cooper S Countryman will be available in six-speed automatic transmission with powerful and efficient petrol engines.

The ex-showroom prices of the new MINI cars in India are as follows –

MINI Cooper:` 24,90,000
MINI Cooper S:` 27,90,000
MINI Cooper Convertible:` 29,99,000
MINI Cooper S Countryman:` 31,99,000

Note: Ex-showroom price excludes RTO registration charges, tax, insurance, handling charges; Octroi and entry tax (as applicable). The above ex-showroom prices are exclusive of sales tax / VAT applicable on sale to the customer. Prices and options are subject to change without prior notice.

Every MINI is unique and stands out from the crowd due to its distinctive design. All the MINI models put a smile on their owner’s face with outstanding performance and leading efficiency in their respective class.

MINI: A global success and ‘Car of the Decade’.
The modern MINI combines an agile ‘Go-kart’ handling as its most natural characteristic with cutting-edge efficiency and uncompromising premium quality. MINI has established itself around the world as a symbol of urban driving fun and an indispensable element in its driver’s mobile lifestyle.

MINI Convertible: Inspiringly Agile, Refreshingly Open.
The MINI Convertible blends the brand’s hallmark attributes with the refreshing feeling of open-air motoring with greater intensity than ever before. Again, the brand’s soft-top representative is unmistakably a MINI. Its proportions, short front and rear overhangs, large wheel cutouts, the height of the waistline and numerous design features typical of the brand clearly show that this is a full-fledged member of the MINI family.

MINI Countryman: Taking driving fun into new territory.
The MINI Countryman takes the hallmark MINI driving fun to a new dimension and marks the arrival on the scene of a MINI with four doors, a large tailgate and a variable-use interior capable of accommodating up to five people. The MINI Countryman is also the brand’s first model with a body over four metres in length. Its advanced chassis technology and the extremely precise and efficient Electric Power Steering ensure that the typical MINI ‘Go-kart’ driving experience is preserved.

[Source: BMW Group India, January 5, 2012, New Delhi]

MINI Brand Store Amsterdam opens with Queens guards

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Today, MINI became the first car brand in the Netherlands to open an official Brand store, which offers a large assortment of MINI accessories and lifestyle articles. Visitors can also compose their own MINI on a large screen.

Everything in the store revolves around the pure experience of our favorite British brand.

During a traditional ceremony, four Queens Guards handed the key of the lifestyle shop to the Director of BMW Group The Netherlands Jan-Christiaan Koenders and the Director MINI Netherlands Chris Collet, who allegedy are pictured in the photo to the left. I wonder if they celebrated afterwards by going to one of Amsterdam’s popular cafe shops?

This Saturday the store opens to the public, no words if the smokin’ hot guards will still be there or not, but rumor has it more stores are planned globally, the Dutch Brand Store is a pilot for the rest of the world.

We’ve never seen Queens guards that look like this, and don’t know if they’ll be participating in the change of guard ceremonies at the palace or what-not, but then again they are much more pleasant to look at than the usual stuffy old men in big black fluffy hats that we are used to seeing.

Three cheers for MINI, Amsterdam and old blighty!

[Source: BMW Group, December 19, 2011 in Amsterdam]

 

MINIs kick arse sales up 16% in a area where everyone else slumps 5%

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BMW Group in the UK (BMW and MINI combined) report 12.2 % sales up from this time last year, which is great news in a market which has seen an overall 5% slump in sales.

But guess what? MINI has performed even better, with the continued success of the Countryman range and we have already had a positive response to the new MINI Coupé which went on sale last weekend.

MINI reported sales of 38,147 vehicles in the first nine months of 2011, compared to 32,820 in the same period last year, an increase of 16.2%.  Year-to-date MINI has a UK market share of 2.4 per cent. In September 9,690 MINIs were delivered to customers, 28.1 per cent up on September 2010.