While we still await the arrival of the road-going Mini Countryman Crossover, which has now been delayed to March 2010, Prodrive is reportedly prepping the vehicle for a possible WRC entry for Mini. According to a report by Autosport, a World Rally Car version of the Countryman is likely to be launched at the 2010 Paris Motor Show.

The publication says that Prodrive has been working on a new generation Mini WRC for much of 2009, developing the parts required without actually working on a base model.

“Right now there is nothing to say and I don’t think there will be anything to say until the spring, said Technical director David Lapworth. “This is not an official statement from me, it’s just the way things look. That said, it’s going to be very difficult to keep this thing under wraps.”

- By: Kap Shah

Source: Autosport (via MotoringFile)

At the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, BMW Group’s Mini brand revealed the Mini Coupe and Mini Roadster concepts. Both models are expected to enter production and hit the roads by early 2011. We also know that the much-anticipated Mini Countryman Crossover will debut in the first part of 2010 with European and U.S. sales to begin later that spring.

But there is a lot more coming out of the Mini pipeline and Mini enthusiast site MotoringFile has all the details.

During sometime in 2010, Mini will unveil the Moke Concept, a model that will feature a stripped down interior and exterior. Think of a smaller four door Jeep Wrangler and you’ll have an idea of what it’s about. Following that we’ll see a Mini MPV Concept, which MotoringFile says is an “R60 derived four door GTI type of vehicle.”

Mini is also planning something called the Vision Concept. Details are a bit hazy at the moment but sources say that it will involve BMW’s Project i technology (EVs and plug-in hybrids).

Also, in four years, Mini will to roll out a new replacement for the R56. As of right now, keep an eye our for the Countryman and the Mini Coupe and Roadster.

- By: Kap Shah

Source: MotoringFile

Last we heard anything about the Mini Countryman it was reported that the crossover would debut at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. It was originally supposed to debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. Well, according to MotoringFile, the Countryman launch has once again been delayed to the 2010 Geneva Motor Show in March.

Sources say that we’ll get to see the official specs and photos in a couple of months before the final reveal.

So what’s the reason for the delay? Well the folks at BMW are more concerned with the already established X3 crossover. Instead of putting too much effort on the Mini Countryman, the BMW team is tying up loose ends from moving X3 production from Austria to the United States.

Nonetheless, Magna Steyr is still hiring new employees to help with production of the Countryman.

MotoringFile says that the Mini will badge its all-wheel-drive Countryman models with “All4″ – as compared to BMW’s xDrive and Audi’s Quattro badging.

- By: Kap Shah

Source: MotoringFile

- Key Competitors: Mazda MX-5 Roadster, Honda S2000, Nissan 370Z.
- Engine: Mini Coupe Concept is designed to fit a 1.6L twin-scroll turbocharged 4-cylinder with 208-hp/192 lb-ft of torque. Mini Roadster Concept is designed to fit a 1.6L twin-scroll turbocharged 4-cylinder with 175-hp/177 lb-ft of torque.
- Performance: Figures not available.
- Will it enter production? Yes, with the same feet; same legs; same belly; same breasts… but…

Making their world debut today at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, the Mini Coupe Concept and the Mini Roadster Concept are known as the Oxford Twins. Why? Because both models will enter production on the same platform at Mini’s Oxford Plant. Both models are expected to hit the roads in early 2011.

The production Mini Coupe will be powered by a 1.6L 4-cylinder twin-scroll turbocharged engine, carried over from the MINI John Cooper Works, making 208-hp and a peak torque of 192 lb-ft – increasing briefly under Overboost to 207 lb-ft.

As for the production Mini Roadster, Mini says that the model “might possibly” be powered by the 1.6L 4-cylinder twin-scroll turbocharged engine already featured in the MINI Cooper S. The engine makes a total of 175-hp and a maximum torque of 177 lb-ft – increasing briefly with the Overboost to 192 lb-ft.

Check out the press release and high-res image galleries after the jump.

2009 Frankfurt: Mini Coupe Concept and Mini Roadster Concept:

Mini Coupe Concept:

Mini Roadster Concept:

Press Release:

Two unique characters, one common presentation: the Oxford Twins at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.
Celebrating their world debuts at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, the MINI Coupé Concept and the MINI Roadster Concept are making a clear statement together as the Oxford Twins. This special characterization of the two new models obviously refers to the production plant of the current MINI in Great Britain where, at MINI Plant Oxford so full of tradition, more than 1.5 million units of the only premium model in the small car segment have been built since production started in 2001.

The MINI Coupé Concept and the MINI Roadster Concept are based on a platform specially conceived for integrated production at MINI Plant Oxford. Indeed, this again underlines the particular identity of the two concept models, each of which stands out through its innovative character and, at the same time, offers one asset in particular: the uniqueness of a genuine MINI.

MINI Coupé Concept: a vision of concentrated driving pleasure.
The MINI Coupé Concept brings together a wide range of features for a truly sporting and ambitious style of motoring. Intentionally limiting the passenger compartment to two seats and focusing on consistent lightweight construction, the very concept of this unique car specifically addresses the demands made of a particularly dynamic and active coupé. At the same time the low roofline, a precisely defined spoiler at the rear, and further aerodynamically optimized features all serve to improve both the performance and the efficiency of the car. Both in its design and in the opportunities to use a truly powerful engine, the MINI Coupé Concept sets the ideal foundation for a compact sports car in the premium segment.

This two-seater study is conceived from the start also for the most powerful engine currently available in a MINI: Featuring the 1.6-liter twin-scroll turbocharged engine carried over from the MINI ¬John Cooper Works, the concept car is able to offer supreme performance in every respect. This four-cylinder delivers maximum output of 208 hp and peak torque of 192 lb-ft increasing briefly under Overboost to an even more significant 207 lb-ft.

Exterior design: typical MINI look with individual character.
In its body design, the MINI Coupé Concept spans the entire range from the beginnings of the MINI’s history far into the future of the brand, highlighting both the unique looks of the concept and its membership in the MINI family. Through its individual and emotional design language alone, the MINI Coupé Concept also promises a particularly impressive driving experience.

This unique two-seater measures 3,714 millimeters/146.2″ in length and 1,683 millimeters/66.3″ in width. The height of the car is 1,356 millimeters/53.4″. Through these dimensions and its athletic proportions alone, the MINI Coupé Concept at very first sight stands out as a truly compact and powerful performer for all occasions.

The unmistakable look of the front end comes straight from the four-seater MINI, well-balanced contours with large radii on the engine compartment lid, the large headlights, the homogeneous sweep of the radiator grille and the extra-wide air scoop at the bottom offering the mimicry typical of every model in the range, full of openness and sporting appeal.

The radiator grille and engine compartment lid on the MINI Coupé Concept are the same as on the MINI ¬Cooper S. The inner section of the grille -nevertheless comes with trim bars in body color clearly distinguishing the car from all other models in the MINI family. The bonnet stripes also continue into the radiator grille, providing an additional sporting touch.

Through its lower and even more streamlined windscreen, the MINI Coupé Concept shows its striking character and unique look from the very beginning also from this perspective.

The front side panels on the concept car come straight from the MINI -Convertible. Similarly, the diagonal body joint between the engine compartment lid and the surrounds of the side direction indicators reflecting the style of the MINI Cooper S and characteristic of every MINI offers a unique sign of distinction.

The well-known look of these design features forms a stylish contrast to the far lower rake of the A-pillar leading into a completely different and very innovative roofline. The glazed section of the passenger cell referred to as the greenhouse is far lower and more slender on this new model than on the regular models in the range. The MINI Coupé Concept features a low and dynamic windscreen merging softly and gently into the roof, while at the rear the roofline initially moving back above the heads of the driver and passenger in a straight line tapers out into a sturdy and muscular C-pillar.

Throughout the entire car, the roof contours show an unmistakable bridge design feature to be admired for the first time on a MINI, made up of a stable cornerstone formed by the C-pillars and the more filigree structure above the passenger cell. At the same time the side view of the MINI Coupé Concept shows a clear-cut wedge shape as if the car were constantly pushing ahead with all its muscle and power.

The rear-end design of the MINI Coupé Concept seeks to optimize the flow of air essential in terms of both driving dynamics and the efficiency of this unique two-seater. The rear spoiler with its wing profile fitted at the same level as the C-pillars makes a particularly significant contribution to the smooth flow of air at the rear of the MINI Coupé Concept and, at the same time, stands out as a genuine optical highlight. The rear window of this two-seater elegantly tapering out to the bottom of the car merges in typical coupé style into a short and low rear end with just a hint of a notchback. Again, this particular design follows the overriding objective to ensure an optimum flow of air without any turbulence or swirl possibly harming the car’s aerodynamic qualities. The spoiler right at the back of the car comes with appropriately sharp and clear-cut contours.

Impressively functional: tailgate opening up wide, lots of luggage space.
A further highlight is the special construction of the tailgate on the MINI Coupé Concept. Intentionally doing without a rear seat bench, the body of this two-seater obviously offers additional space for all kinds of luggage. Luggage capacity, therefore, is no less than 250 liters or 8.8 cu ft.

To make optimum use of this potential, the MINI Coupé Concept comes at the rear with a large and wide-opening tailgate. Pivoting above the roof spoiler, the tailgate swings high up together with the rear window, offering convenient access to the extra-large luggage compartment behind the seats of the car. The bulkhead between the passenger and the luggage compartments, in turn, comes with a lockable opening.

The color scheme and the choice of materials within the MINI Coupé Concept clearly symbolize the classic sportiness and unique character of the car. Like the instrument panel, the roof lining of this unique two-seater comes in black providing a calm ambience and helping the driver to concentrate on the actual driving experience. Black trim bars in conjunction with a carbon interior trim help to additionally enhance the purist look of the car.

MINI Roadster Concept: fresh ideas for an intense driving experience.
Presenting the MINI Roadster Concept, the brand once again sets a new trend for individual mobility. This is where a purist character, elegant design and fascinating driving qualities come together in the vision of an open two-seater meeting the demands of a modern and self-confident target group. Individual style, premium quality and exactly the right balance of driving pleasure and efficiency in our modern day and age give the MINI Roadster Concept its very special character, the design of the car clearly reflecting this focus on maximum driving pleasure with nothing but the sky above.

Spontaneous pleasure – the domain of the MINI Roadster Concept.
The MINI Roadster Concept offers ideal conditions for an emotional experience also on short trips, at the same time urging the connoisseur and aficionado to escape the usual congestion of city traffic.

With its intentional restriction to two seats and lightweight construction, the car from the start expresses its focus on uncompromising agility. Its stylish looks and high-class interior ambience, in turn, give this very special two-seater truly exclusive character.

Exterior design: unique proportions, expression typical of MINI.

The body design of the MINI Roadster Concept visualizes the identity of the brand and its innovative power in a truly fascinating combination. The integrating factor throughout is the design language so typical of MINI, determining both the elements characteristic of the brand and the car’s innovative features. In its design the MINI Roadster Concept is refreshingly different, but nevertheless absolutely harmonious and perfectly balanced in its look so reminiscent of MINI. In a truly incomparable manner, therefore, the MINI design of this concept car offers an extroverted look in style and with genuine class.

This new two-seater measures 3,714 millimeters/146.2″ in length and 1,683 millimeters/66.3″ in width. The height of the car is 1,356 millimeters/53.4″.

Again in typical MINI style, the MINI Roadster Concept comes with extra-short body overhangs front and rear emphasizing the athletic stature of the car and alluding even at a standstill to the unique handling of the MINI Roadster Concept characterized by thrilling agility and that typical feeling of go-kart motoring. The front section including the large headlights and the hexagon radiator grille is the same as on the MINI Cooper S up to the A-pillars. The entire front air dam, in turn, has been adjusted to the sporting look of the car and appears to be even wider and more striking than before. The inner area within the chrome radiator grille comes with louvers in body color, while the bonnet stripes extending all the way into the radiator grille add a sporting touch and provide clear optical differentiation on the MINI Roadster Concept.

The low, short and dynamically raked A-pillars merge gently into the roofline of the car as long as the roof is closed. The glazed area in the passenger cell is significantly lower, slimmer and even more dynamic than on the regular production models, providing a strikingly sleek silhouette for an even more sporting and performance-oriented look.
The typical roadster character of the concept car comes out clearly when both open and closed, the waistline rising up slightly towards the rear in a linear perspective also maintained with the roof open.

The pure and open character of the car is of course most obvious and appealing with the roof down. Folding down in a compact configuration, the roof leads on to a short luggage compartment lid housing the luggage compartment separated from the passenger compartment.

The passenger compartment limited to two seats is covered – whenever required on account of wind and weather – by a high-quality soft top with the smallest possible dimensions.

With the roof closed, on the other hand, the MINI Roadster stands out clearly from the MINI Convertible through its notchback contour. The soft top opens and closes manually in a process performed very quickly and with utmost ease thanks to the compact dimensions of the roof.

Innovations in typical MINI style: rear-end design, luggage compartment and safety concept.
The rear view of the car is characterized by innovative design features clearly originating from the design language so typical of MINI. The side panels, the rear apron and the luggage compartment lid flow together to form a harmoniously configured sculpture not only boasting that cascading style so typical of the brand, but also taking up elements of the front-end design re-interpreted here in a new and unique manner.

Increasing in width step-by-step from top to bottom, the rear structure of the car gives the MINI Roadster Concept a particularly powerful stance on the road also from this perspective.
Beneath the short rear end of this compact car so typical of a roadster in its style, the MINI Roadster Concept offers a luggage compartment unusually large and generous for a vehicle in this segment. And since the soft top of the MINI Roadster Concept moves down directly behind the seats, luggage capacity remains exactly the same with the roof both open and closed.

Another feature of modern function quite unique in a compact roadster is the through-loading from the luggage compartment to the passenger compartment, with the bulkhead featuring a lockable opening between the two sections.

The rollbar instantaneously moving up whenever required and featured for the first time on the MINI Convertible is an important highlight of the safety concept ensured from the start in developing this unique car. The single-piece aluminum bar covering the entire width of the interior and moving up whenever required under electromechanical power within 150 milliseconds interacts with the reinforced windscreen frame as an essential element of maximum occupant safety on the passenger cell.

The outstanding character of this two-seater comes out not only in the harmonious design of the exterior so typical of the brand, but also in the interior with its high quality of finish and outstanding elegance. Exclusive style and a supreme touch of quality are also borne out by the color scheme and the choice of materials, high-class wooden trim and selected color highlights on the door linings and seat upholstery providing a highly attractive contrast to the interior as a whole finished in discreet black.

As yet a further feature the cockpit of the MINI Roadster Concept comes with a multi-functional display able to provide a range of information according to the user’s individual choice. Positioned to the left of the rev counter, this display serves, for example, to show the driver exactly how much time he has spent on the road with the roof down, like with the Openometer Timer on the MINI Convertible, and is also able to provide further display functions typical of MINI.

- By: Kap Shah

Completing the three part teaser for the Mini Coupe and Roadster concepts, teaser no.3 of “Two Untamed” left us a little… well, frightened. Check it out and you’ll see what we’re talking about.

Teaser no.1 Two Untamed: Mirror
Teaser no.2 Two Untamed: Same

The Mini Coupe Concept and the Mini Roadster Concept will both make their world debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show next week.

UPDATE: We just realized the twin on the right flicks us off at 36 seconds! Check out the image above.

Follow the jump to see the third teaser.

Mini Coupe Concept:

Teaser no.3 Two Untamed: Shine:

Mini Coupe Concept:

- By: Stephen Calogera

About two days ago, we brought you a teaser for the Mini Coupe Concept and the upcoming Mini Roadster Concept, both of which will make their world debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show next week. If you though teaser no.1 was awkward and freakish, wait until you see teaser no.2 called ‘Same.’ The series will end with teaser no.3 – coming very soon.

So far Mini has taken the covers off the Mini Coupe Concept. We’ll see the Roadster Concept next week in Frankfurt. Stay tuned.

Click through for the video.

Mini Coupe Concept:

Mini Untamed Two – Same:

Mini Coupe Concept:

- By: Stephen Calogera

Since BMW had a lot planned for the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, it decided to unveil the Mini Coupe Concept ahead of the big show next week. Since then, Mini has been generating a lot of buzz around the model and the Roadster Concept it will show in Frankfurt.

Today, the folks at WorldCarFans received a new teaser called the “Two Untamed.” It is the first installment in a series of three to be released before the show and it is, well… awkward. Check it out after the jump.

Make sure you join us next week for the Frankfurt Motor Show as we bring you more images of the Mini Coupe Concept and the yet to be revealed Mini Roadster Concept.

Click through for the video.

Mini Coupe Concept:

Mini Coupe Concept:

- By: Kap Shah

Source: WCF

So far the Mini Coupe Concept has gathered a positive reaction from those who have seen the pictures prior to the actual unveiling scheduled for the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. We’ve also seen a fuzzy spy shot of the Mini Roadster Concept that will debut alongside the coupe.

We reported last week that BMW plans to put the Mini Coupe into production within two to three years. Well, according to sources that spoke with BBC, a production version of the Coupe along with the Mini Roadster is more than certain.

Sources told BBC that BMW will add 1,000 jobs at its Oxfordshire plant to build two new models for the Mini brand.

Separately, Jim McDowell, Mini USA president told Automotive News that the Mini Coupe concept has received positively so far.

“We think we have a good idea, and we want to get people’s reaction to it,” said McDowell. “If there is a great response, as I predict there will be, I think you will see it going into production.”

Mini Coupe Concept:

- By: Omar Rana

Source: BBC

From what we’ve been hearing, Mini had a lot planned for the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. We were finally going to see a production version of the much-anticipated Countryman crossover, a coupe and a speedster concept. So far, we’ve seen the Mini Coupe Concept and right now we’re getting our first look at the Mini Roadster Concept, courtesy of Inside Line.

According to Inside Line, there still no production version of the Mini Crossover Concept. The publication said that the Countryman crossover will have to make its debut at a later venue in early 2010 (we’re guessing Detroit or Germany).

The Mini Roadster Concept, which BMW has yet to release official details of, was shown to select media at Mini’s 50th anniversary celebration.

- By: Kap Shah

Source: Inside Line

By now most of you have probably seen the Mini Coupe Concept that will debut next month in Frankfurt. So what’s really going on with this concept and what is Mini thinking? In its press release Mini says that the Coupe Concept provides an “unusually attractive vision of how the model family may well develop in future.”

According to a report by Automotive News, the BMW owned brand plans to bring a production version of the Mini Coupe to market within two to three years as a rival to the Audi TT and Peugeot’s new RCZ.

Mini says that the Coupe Concept you see here has been designed to be the most dynamic and agile Mini ever. It can accommodate the 1.6L twin-scroll turbocharged unit from Mini John Cooper Works that produces 211-hp with a maximum torque of 192 lb-ft.

We’re expecting Mini executives to reveal more details at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show next month.

Mini Coupe Concept:

- By: Omar Rana

Earlier this morning we saw our first look at Mini’s new Coupe Concept, scheduled to make its debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show next month. At the time we were only able to show you some studio shots; however, Mini has now released a bunch of real-world shots of the Mini Coupe Concept in action along with some interior shots.

Refresher: Mini says that the Coupe Concept is designed to accommodate the 1.6L twin-scroll turbocharged unit from Mini John Cooper Works. The engine produces 211-hp with a maximum torque of 192 lb-ft. The Mini Coupe Concept also follows BMW’s EfficientDynamics strategy to offer improved fuel-economy. Mini says that the Coupe Concept shows an “unusually attractive vision of how the model family may well develop in future.”

Click through for the updated high-res image gallery.

Mini Coupe Concept:

- By: The Daily Auto Editor

Happy 50th Birthday Mini. The BMW Group brand is celebrated 50-years of history today by unveiling the new Mini Coupe Concept (check out more details on the Mini Coupe concept here). Later this week, Mini will take the wraps off the production version of the Mini Countryman crossover. While we wait for that to happen, we have some interesting videos of Mini’s history posted after the jump.

Click through for the videos.

MINI 50 years – Rebel without Pause. (long version pt.1):

MINI 50 years – Rebel without Pause. (long version pt.2):

MINI 50 Years. Birthday Commercial:

Press Release:

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – August 26, 2009… The MINI brand will turn 50 on 26 August 2009. Fifty years ago to the day, the British Motor Corporation (BMC) unveiled the result of its quest to design a new and revolutionary compact car. The very first sales brochures praised the Morris Mini-Minor’s “extraordinary future promise”. Fifty years later, we know that few vehicle concepts have survived as long or achieved such popularity. No other vehicle has ever spawned such a wide range of variants as the Mini. Last year’s MINI E premiere was definitely one of the highlights of MINI’s long history, fulfilling its future promise in a way that no one could have foreseen 50 years ago.

Reducing fuel consumption was already becoming an important issue for vehicle developers fifty years ago. Back in 1956 the Suez crisis and petrol rationing were major factors for the automobile industry. BMC management gave designer Alec Issigonis the following guidelines: the Mini must make creative use of the limited space available; accommodate four passengers; and guarantee perfect handling and low fuel consumption. By 1962 – within three years of its market launch – Mini production already exceeded 200,000 vehicles a year. Once the world’s rich and famous (Peter Sellers, the Beatles, Brigitte Bardot, Clint Eastwood, Lord Snowdon, Twiggy…) adopted the Mini as their preferred city car, it rapidly became the symbol of an entire generation. Over the next 40 years the Mini became an icon – a brand with a unique tradition and charm that appealed to all ages.

Brand re-launch
Following its acquisition of Rover in March 1994, the BMW Group decided to revive the MINI brand tradition and continue writing Mini’s history: The new MINI was to create a unique premium brand with unmistakeable charisma and excellent product qualities in the compact segment – respecting its history, but at the same time meeting the needs of its present customers. The brand was successfully re-launched thanks to consistent positioning as a premium global brand and a clear focus on its new target customers. The re-launch relied upon excellent product qualities and a modern design that paid tribute to its earlier iconic status. Communications also give the brand a consistent global profile, or to be more precise, a unique MINI feeling: MINI not just as an A-to-B car – but as an expression of an outgoing and spontaneous lifestyle, with “enthusiasm” at the very heart of the MINI brand.

MINI as a pillar of the BMW Group
Since the MINI brand’s acquisition by the BMW Group, it has become an important element in the BMW portfolio. MINI sales have increased every year since 2002, with more than 232,000 MINI brand vehicles sold in 2008. The United States was the single largest market for MINI cars last year. To date almost 1.5 million vehicles have been sold worldwide since the “New MINI” was launched in 2001. Its characteristic combination of driving fun, individualistic style and premium quality has led to rising sales on all continents in recent years. This unique premium compact car is now sold in 80 countries around the world, with Brazil becoming its newest market in 2009. The MINI brand has come of age and become an important pillar of the BMW Group in virtually all international markets.

Like the rest of the automobile industry, MINI has been unable to escape the effects of the global economic crisis this year. However, by July 2009, with deliveries up 0.3%, sales of MINI brand vehicles were already slightly higher than in July of the previous year at 19,281 vehicles. The new MINI Convertible in particular, which has been available since late March, has given sales a boost. Last month, the brand reported its best July sales ever in Germany (3,207/ +16.1%). On the international markets, 120,813 MINI cars were sold in the year to the end of July.

Production Triangle
The BMW Group has invested more than 380 million British pounds in the MINI plant in Oxford since 2001, as well as a further 100 million pounds in the Hams Hall and Swindon production facilities which also form part of the MINI Production Triangle. The MINI plant in Oxford is currently jointly manufacturing the MINI, MINI Clubman and MINI Convertible models. It is also producing the extremely sporty MINI John Cooper Works, MINI John Cooper Works Clubman and MINI John Cooper Works Convertible models. Around 1.24 million of the 1.5 million MINI vehicles so far built in Oxford were based on the traditional body design of the standard hard-roofed two-door version. The Oxford plant has also produced some 179,000 MINI Convertibles, as well as 79,000 MINI Clubman. If these figures are added to sales of the classic Mini, the brand can claim to have sold 6.8 million vehicles worldwide.

Outlook
The MINI 50 Camden and MINI 50 Mayfair birthday editions will make their world debut at the IAA 2009, where further product surprises await visitors. To mark its 50th birthday, the MINI presence will focus on the brand’s 50-year success story. Visitors will be greeted by an oversized “What a Birthday. It’s MINI.” banner. With its MINI, MINI Clubman and MINI Convertible versions, the brand’s potential is far from exhausted. Ventures into other vehicle segments are another appealing prospect for its designers. While the MINI Crossover Concept may appear to be a typical example of the MINI design philosophy – it is also a new model version without historical roots that can take the brand to a whole new dimension. The market launch of the MINI Crossover is scheduled for 2010.

MINI in the US
MINI is an independent brand of the BMW Group. In the United States, MINI USA operates as a business unit of BMW of North America, LLC which has been present in the United States since 1975. 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 Sports Activity Vehicles and X6 Sports Activity Coupes. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 338 BMW passenger car centers, 335 BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 142 BMW motorcycle retailers, 86 MINI passenger car dealers, and 30 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.

- By: Omar Rana

It’s been rumored for a while that Mini is working on a coupe model to expand its product offering; well, here it is. Scheduled to debut at next month’s 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, Mini today provided us with our first look at the Mini Coupe Concept.

The new two-seater concept measures 146.2″ in length 66.3″ in width. It stands 53.4″ tall and has a body design that gives it a muscular sports car stance. Lightweight construction and fuel-efficiency were important factors to Mini engineers when developing the Mini Coupe Concept. It features ride and suspension quality already featured in Mini’s current production models.

Mini says that the Coupe Concept is designed to accommodate even the most powerful engine available from Mini – the 1.6L twin-scroll turbocharged unit from Mini John Cooper Works. The engine produces 211-hp with a maximum torque of 192 lb-ft, which can be increase for a short while to 206 lb-ft. The Mini Coupe Concept also follows BMW’s EfficientDynamics strategy to offer better fuel-economy and stick to Mini’s philosophy of “MINIMALISM in a particularly attractive manner.”

When can we see a production version of the Coupe Concept? For now, Mini says that the Coupe Concept shows an “unusually attractive vision of how the model family may well develop in future.” Guess we’ll have to wait and find out.

Make the leap for the high-res image gallery and the press release.

Mini Coupe Concept:

Press Release:

Concentrated Driving Pleasure: The MINI Coupé Concept.

MINI is celebrating a great birthday: Exactly fifty years ago, on 26 August 1959, the classic Mini was presented to the public for the first time, a unique story of success starting out and today giving MINI the perfect opportunity to look ahead without losing sight of the brand’s great tradition.

The MINI Coupé Concept is an expression of MINI design and the great ability of the brand’s designers to fill the elementary values of the brand with new life, using the options of modern drivetrain and suspension technology, and developing fascinating perspectives for the future of the brand on this basis.

Presenting the concept of an uncompromisingly sporting two-seater to be seen for the first time at the Frankfurt Motor Show (17-27 September 2009), MINI is unveiling an unusually attractive vision of how the model family may well develop in future. The source of inspiration is once again the fundamental motive so characteristic of every MINI: driving pleasure. The MINI Coupé Concept therefore represents the ideal of a car destined in every respect to offer a thrilling experience and make every journey a truly unique thrill.

The MINI Coupé Concept brings together a wide range of features for a truly sporting and ambitious style of motoring. Limited to two seats and following a philosophy of consistent lightweight construction, the car clearly meets all the requirements made of a particularly active and dynamic coupé. Compact dimensions, perfect axle load distribution and a low centre of gravity offer ideal conditions for enhancing the agility typical of MINI to a level never seen before.

Through its design alone, the MINI Coupé Concept brings out all the thrill of individual mobility and the focus on pure driving pleasure. Powerful proportions and dynamic design language evoke a sense of desire and strong appeal, the MINI Coupé Concept offering a particularly undiluted expression of the brand through its sporting and unconventional stance on the road.

The MINI Coupé Concept: an invitation to enjoy spontaneous mobility.

With the growing model portfolio, the popularity of the MINI brand has also grown consistently in recent years. The MINI has moved beyond the restraints of urban mobility, opening up additional options and winning over new target groups. And MINI allows you to enjoy spontaneous mobility, sporting and agile handling and unmistakable style on virtually every occasion.

The current models in the range already meet the most varied demands. As individual characters in their own right, the MINI, MINI Clubman and MINI Convertible all offer a unique rendition of the driving experience so typical of the brand. And now the MINI Coupé Concept brings out driving pleasure in its most concentrated form, extreme lightweight technology making this two-seater particularly agile and unusually efficient. At the same time the low roofline, the precisely defined spoiler edge at the rear and other aerodynamic features enhance the car’s performance to an even higher standard. So that in its design and in the use of high-performance drivetrain technology, the MINI Coupé Concept offers ideal conditions as a compact sports car in the premium segment.

This two-seater is designed to accommodate even the most powerful engine currently available in the MINI – and with the 1.6-litre twin-scroll turbocharged power unit carried over from the MINI John Cooper Works, the MINI Coupé Concept offers truly outstanding performance. Maximum output is 155 kW/211 hp, peak torque 260 Newton-metres/192 lb-ft increasing through the Overboost function for a short while to an even more substantial 280 Newton-metres/206 lb-ft. And now the MINI Coupé Concept offers everything it takes to exceed even the supreme performance of the MINI John Cooper Works with this unique power unit.

At the same time this concept car clearly follows the BMW Group’s EfficientDynamics development strategy. More driving pleasure, lower emissions – the MINI Coupé Concept lives out this philosophy expressed by MINI as MINIMALISM in a particularly attractive manner.

Fifty years of MINI: a vision of tomorrow marking an anniversary of today.

Fifty years after the launch of the classic Mini, the appeal of the brand is greater than ever before, with the model range exuding sheer fascination wherever you go. And now, in the anniversary year of the brand, MINI is bringing together this unique tradition and the successful model range offered today with even greater creativity and technical innovation for a truly promising future.

The MINI Coupé Concept is a further milestone in this ongoing development of the brand. The car takes up elementary strengths of the MINI and, through its modern technology and an innovative body concept, offers new standards and characteristics never seen before. So that the MINI Coupé Concept offers many new highlights in adding yet a further character to the existing model range.

Exterior design: the look typical of MINI but with individual character.

The body design of the MINI Coupé Concept also bridges the gap from the earliest days of the Mini’s history all the way to the more distant future of the brand, emphasising the unique nature of the concept as well as its full membership in the MINI family. At the same time the individual and emotional design language arouses the expectation of a particularly thrilling experience on the road.

Especially at the front end of the car a number of icons typical of the brand, as well as the design style so characteristic of MINI, all come together to create a strong family resemblance. In addition, the individual look of the MINI Coupé Concept comes out also in the side view of the car as well as in the design of the rear end.

This unique new two-seater measures 3,714 millimetres (146.2″) in length and 1,683 millimetres (66.3″) in width. Height is 1,356 millimetres (53.4″). Through these dimensions and its athletic proportions alone, the MINI Coupé Concept stands out from the beginning as a compact and muscular sports machine.

The typical MINI look in particularly sporting style.

The new concept car carries over the unmistakable front end look from the four-seater MINI. Smoothly balanced contours on the engine lid characterised by wide and sweeping radii, the large headlights, the homogenous shape of the radiator grille and the wide lower air intake give each model that unique look, openness and charm so typical of the brand. Through the greater rake of the windscreen on the MINI Coupé Concept, the car looks even more striking and dynamic, the low and streamlined body proving clearly that the MINI Coupé Concept is a particularly outstanding performer.

The hexagon radiator grille and the large round headlights are unmistakable design features re-interpreting the front view of the classic Mini in particularly modern style. The direction indicators are integrated in the headlights, just above the innovative three-dimensional surrounds for the positioning lights and the foglamps. The entire front air dam has been adjusted to the sporting look of the car, standing out even wider and more striking than before.

The chrome radiator grille on the MINI Coupé Concept is the same as on the MINI Cooper S. The inner section in the grille is however finished with bars in body colour creating a clear sign of distinction at very first sight from the other members of the MINI family. The bonnet stripes also extend into the radiator grille to provide an even more sporting and dynamic touch.

With its very dynamic curvature and the stylised opening, bearing testimony to the power of the engine lurking within, the front lid likewise comes in the same look as on the particularly powerful versions of the MINI.

Individual roofline as a sign of sporting presence.

The side view of the MINI Coupé Concept also brings together features typical of the MINI family and new highlights in design to form a fascinating whole. The front side panels, for example, come straight from the MINI Convertible. The body joint forming the diagonal line characteristic of every MINI along the front lid and the surrounds on the front side indicators bearing out the style of the MINI Cooper S again provide an unmistakable sign of distinction with historic roots – here the classic Mini had a visible welding seam along the body.

The familiarity in design resulting from these features forms an attractive contrast to the far greater rake of the A-pillars leading into the brand-new, sweeping line of the roof.

Large wheels and a high waistline already give the MINI, the MINI Clubman and the MINI Convertible a particularly powerful and sporting look, with the black strip around the lower section of the body underlining this compact appearance and short body overhangs front and rear emphasising the athletic stature of the car and bearing testimony to that typical go-kart feeling at very first sight.

All this now comes out even more convincingly in the MINI Coupé Concept, also through the unique flow of the roofline. The glazed section of the passenger cell referred to as the greenhouse, for example, is much lower and even more dynamic than on the brand’s “regular” models.

Another feature of the MINI Coupé Concept is the strongly inclined windscreen merging gently into the roof. At the rear the roofline initially moving straight back above the heads of the driver and front passenger flows on into the sturdy C-pillar. The entire roof with all its contours thus comes in a bridge shape quite unmistakable and featured for the first time on the MINI, made up of a strong rear cornerstone formed by the C-pillar and the almost filigree structure above the passenger cell.

The C-pillar is a strong visual expression of the particularly solid and torsionally rigid body structure providing not only superior occupant safety, but also the agility typical of MINI in fast manoeuvres. The C-pillar very powerful in design serves at the same time to guide your perspective towards the rear end of the car, while the side view of the MINI Coupè Concept forms a very strong and convincing wedge shape created by the roofline tapering out to the rear and the waistline rising up slightly in typical MINI style.

All this gives the MINI Coupé Concept a forward-moving impression right from the start, the car clearly expressing its power and muscle even at a standstill. Through its design alone, therefore, the MINI Coupé Concept authentically visualises sporting qualities of the highest standard.

Striking contours and smooth flow of air ensured by the roof spoiler and the rear spoiler edge.

The rear-end design of the MINI Coupé Concept consistently follows the need to optimise the flow of air in the interest of both driving dynamics and efficiency. The principle of “form follows function” so essential to MINI, the look and design of various body elements, fully reflects the characteristic features and qualities of the car. Through its design alone, therefore, the MINI Coupé Concept clearly confirms its sporting potential in a particularly credible and convincing manner.

The rear spoiler with its wing profile at the same level as the C-pillar also makes a particularly effective contribution in guiding the air along the rear end of the MINI Coupé Concept. This large air guidance element spans the entire width of the roof, increasing aerodynamic downforce on the rear axle.

Tapering down elegantly, the rear window on this unique two-seater merges into a short and low rear end with staged contours in typical coupé design. Again, this follows the overriding objective to ensure an optimum flow of air without any turbulence harming the car’s aerodynamics – which is also why the air spoiler on the rear panel is appropriately sharp and clear in its profile.

Beneath the air spoiler at the rear the overall look and design of the MINI Coupé Concept follows the typical philosophy of the brand. Horizontal lines running parallel to one another emphasise the wide track of the car, the body growing wider from top to bottom in cascading style highlighting the muscular stance of the car resting on its wheels in that characteristic style.

The rear light clusters in upright arrangement and surrounded by a wide chrome frame are also typical of the brand. The rear air dam on the MINI Coupé Concept, in turn, comes with a diffuser split up into two sections and ensuring a smooth, swirl-free flow of air beneath the car.

Impressively functional: wide-opening tailgate, generous luggage space.

The tailgate on the MINI Coupé Concept is yet another highlight of the car. Deliberately foregoing the rear seat bench, this unique two-seater offers lots of additional space for taking along all kinds of luggage.

Luggage capacity is 250 litres or 8.8 cu ft. To use this space most conveniently, the rear end of the MINI Coupé Concept comes with a large and wide-opening tailgate. Hinged above the roof spoiler, the entire tailgate including the rear window swings up gracefully, offering convenient access to the generous luggage space behind the rear seats of the car. And thanks to the low loading sill, accessing the luggage compartment with even heavy and bulky objects is significantly easier.

The complete design of the rear end with its large tailgate is yet another example of the functional design so typical of MINI. All options offered through the concept of the car are optimised to the highest standard through carefully thought-out solutions and a good overall balance. Indeed, this principle already to be admired on the brand’s existing models, for example through the easy-load function on the MINI Convertible, makes a significant contribution to the overall substance of the car. The result is a wide range of innovative solutions quite unique in the market, emphasising the premium character of the MINI brand.

On the MINI Coupé Concept this philosophy is borne out by yet another distinctive feature providing extra space and practical value: The bulkhead between the passenger and the luggage compartments comes with a lockable opening. The through-loading provided in this way, quite unusual on a two-seater coupe, gives the driver and passenger direct access even while driving to travel items they are taking along in the luggage compartment. So that bags with, say, beverages, a music CD or maps are stowed away safely but always within easy reach.

Interior: sports car ambience with an exclusive range of colours and materials.

The MINI Coupé Concept combines the vision of a compact sports car with thrilling agility, on the one hand, and the individual flair and style of the MINI, on the other. Through its entire concept, the car is perfectly designed to offer concentrated driving pleasure of the highest standard. This is borne out not only through the extroverted exterior in its fascinating, sporting look, but also through the interior conceived from the start for active motoring.

Wide-opening doors give the driver and passenger convenient access to the interior, where they enjoy sports seats with strongly contoured side supports for a secure seating position even in particularly fast bends. A three-spoke leather sports steering wheel with multifunction buttons enables the driver to steer precisely into bends and control the audio or communication functions with maximum ease. All other control units, in turn, are arranged ergonomically on the dashboard, taking their frequency of use into account.

The breakdown of the cockpit, the dashboard and centre console again follows that special interior design so typical of MINI. Horizontal lines and air vents placed far to the outside emphasise the sheer width of the instrument panel and, at the same time, the generous style of the interior, the slender centre console giving the driver and passenger maximum legroom. The structure of the door linings so typical of the brand, finally, has also been re-interpreted, with the elliptic main element now completely closed in.

The MINI Coupé Concept also comes with a large rev counter directly behind the steering wheel, while the speedometer is part of the central instrument in the upper section of the dashboard. This circular instrument well known as the Center Speedo also houses the audio system as well as the optional entertainment and navigation functions.

Two Chronoswiss clocks to the right and left of the rev counter provide a close link to earlier concept cars by MINI, bridging the gap between the analogue age of the classic Mini and the digital age of the MINI. One clock is a purpose-built stopwatch for taking lap times, the second clock shows the time in classic style.

The colours and materials featured inside the MINI Coupé Concept symbolise the classic sportiness of the car. Like the dashboard, the roof lining of this unprecedented two-seater comes in black providing a calm atmosphere just right for concentrating on driving conditions and essential requirements. Black trim bars combined with a carbon interior trim strip, finally, further enhance this purist look.

Lightweight construction and modern suspension technology providing a new feeling of go-kart driving.

The MINI Coupé Concept is definitely a MINI and definitely a sports car. The particular charm of this combination results from both the drivetrain and the suspension technology already featured in the current production models, as well as the special highlights of this two-seater concept car.

Over and above their body design, the MINI, MINI Clubman and MINI Convertible already set the standard today for agility and driving pleasure in their respective segments. Powerful engines and suspension technology quite superior in the small car segment then ensure a truly unique driving experience. Front-wheel drive, powerful disc brakes on all four wheels, the front axle with McPherson spring struts and a centrally guided rear axle with aluminium longitudinal arms and anti-roll bars set the foundation for uniquely safe and agile handling.

EPS Electronic Power Steering with speed-related power assistance, finally, ensures precise manoeuvring round bends and gives the driver exact feedback at all times on road and driving conditions. At the same time on-demand management of steering assistance serves to maximise the car’s efficiency.

The MINI Coupé Concept offers ideal conditions for raising the go-kart feeling created by the car’s drivetrain and suspension technology to an even higher standard. Its entire construction is based on a lightweight concept reducing weight particularly where it really counts for even greater agility. As an example, this two-seater comes with an aluminium roof not only optimising the overall weight of the car, but also lowering the car’s centre of gravity for a significant reduction of body movement and optimised driving behaviour.

Since lower weight also means greater efficiency, the MINI Coupé Concept again offers the option to combine even greater driving pleasure with fuel consumption and CO2 emissions reduced to a minimum as an important sign of our times.

Traditional values, modern quality, progressive concept.

Sporting success and agile handling of the highest standard are significant highlights in the history of MINI now going back five decades – and both factors have made a fundamental contribution to the ongoing popularity of this small premium car.

Three overall wins in the Monte Carlo Rally and the concept of driving pleasure expressed so clearly by the car’s go-kart feeling definitely confirm the sporting potential of this small compact both back then and today. The anniversary year is therefore the ideal time to present the MINI Coupé Concept as the vision of an uncompromisingly active sports car.

Another concept car presented even before the re-launch of the MINI brand proves that this philosophy has always fuelled the creativity of the MINI’s designers: The MINI Concept Monte Carlo presented in 1997 was a two-seater with a 160-hp mid-mounted engine. Through its design alone, this concept car already came with a wide range of features destined to be taken up again by the first MINI, short body overhangs front and rear, round headlights and the re-interpretation of the hexagon radiator grille providing an outlook at important styling elements on the production model to follow later. With its extremely powerful body and direct references to motorsport, the MINI Concept Monte Carlo also made a clear pledge to the rally history of the brand.

Now the MINI Coupé Concept, through its unique look, takes up the almost aggressive and extroverted appearance of that former concept car, at the same time providing a new link between the history, the present and the future of the brand. It takes up traditional values of the MINI brand and combines them with the most advanced technologies to offer a fascinating vision of how the MINI model family may continue.

Once again, therefore, MINI is following the needs and wishes of new target groups fully appreciative of the individual style of the brand and associating this character with clearly defined product features. The MINI Coupé Concept addresses the motorist thrilled by that unique combination of driving pleasure, lifestyle, and premium quality so typical of MINI and, at the same time, looking for sporting driving qualities of an even higher standard.

- By: Omar Rana

BMW has a lot planned for the upcoming 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show next month. The automaker is set to reveal not one, but two hybrid vehicles including the ActiveHybrid 7 and the ActiveHybrid X6.

According to sources who spoke with Mini enthusiast website MotoringFile, BMW has decided to move up the launch of the Speedster/Coupe concept and the production Mini Countryman R60 crossover to as early as this week. Apparently they don’t want the two Mini debuts to be overlooked in Frankfurt.

Both models will be revealed online this week, way ahead of their launch in Frankfurt. If MotoringFile is right, we’ll have all the images and details for you whenever they pop up. Stay tuned.

MINI Crossover Concept:

- By: The Daily Auto Editor

Source: MotoringFile

Mini USA has introduced a new free app for Mini owners that will allow them to access roadside assistance with their BlackBerry or iPhone. The app connects Mini owners to roadside assistance with a touch of a button and provides the service provided with relevant information including the vehicle’s exact location.

The Mini Road Assist mobile application was developed by Allstate Roadside Services.

If you’re a Mini owner – you can download the app free at: http://www.allstateroadsideservices.com/mini/

Click through for the video of the app in action and the press release.

Press Release:

MINI IS THE FIRST MANUFACTURER TO LAUNCH A MOBILE APPLICATION FOR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
MINI owners can now access roadside assistance with the touch of an icon

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – August 20, 2008… MINI USA announced today the introduction of a free app to MINI owners that allows access to roadside assistance with the touch of an icon. The new MINI Road Assist mobile application was developed by Allstate Roadside Services and is available for iPhone and select BlackBerry users. The app connects users to roadside assistance while automatically supplying the service provider with all relevant information about the vehicle, most importantly, its exact location.

“MINI owners appreciate technological innovation and will welcome the additional peace of mind that comes from having fast, easy access to the free roadside services provided during their warranty period,” said Jim McDowell, Vice President MINI USA.

Whether it’s for a battery boost or to replace a flat tire, the new MINI Road Assist app for iPhone and BlackBerry users puts control in the driver’s hand – and handset. Perhaps the best part, it eliminates the need for lengthy conversations about vital vehicle information and location and jumps directly to sending help after a short call.

To begin using the app, MINI owners will need to download it to their iPhone or compatible BlackBerry device. Step-by-step instructions guide users to enter their Vehicle I.D. (VIN), name, address and other details – even uploading a photo of their MINI. When a MINI owner needs roadside help, they simply launch the app, select their service need and press the “call” button. Their user information, vehicle location and service need are all transmitted automatically to customer service representatives – saving valuable time to get them motoring again as quickly as possible.

This feature utilizes global positioning system (GPS) technology, pinpointing a caller’s location to help customer service representatives identify the nearest available service provider and communicating their exact location. Once service is confirmed, the mobile app delivers the driver with the service provider’s name, an estimated time of arrival and an automated service follows up to ensure the issue has been resolved.

“As the exclusive provider of roadside assistance for MINI USA and a number of other prestigious auto brands, Allstate Roadside Services is proud to launch this application designed to enhance the MINI owner’s experience,” said Patrick O’Brien, president of Allstate Roadside Services.

It’s free to MINI owners and can be downloaded here: HYPERLINK “http://www.allstateroadsideservices.com/mini/” http://www.allstateroadsideservices.com/mini/

To access a video of the app and how it works, click the link:
HYPERLINK “http://www.youtube.com/miniusanews” http://www.youtube.com/miniusanews

All MINI USA owners have access to roadside assistance free of charge as long as the vehicle remains under warranty. Customers whose warranty has expired may still download the free app and use the roadside assistance for a fee set by the service provider.

- By: Omar Rana

BMW announced today that after two months of field trials for the Mini E, the 450 drivers of the electric Mini Cooper have provided valuable, real-world data. The 450 units of the Mini E are in daily use in New York, New Jersey and Los Angeles where they are being driven by private customers, government officials, universities and commercial organizations.

BMW said that initial responses include a wide variety of input including:

- Optimization of the energy consumption through brake regeneration
- Managing the trip to the amount of range available
- Feedback on continued development regarding on-board efficiencies

Just last week BMW announced that it has chosen SB LiMotive as the supplier of lithium-ion battery cells for the future “Megacity Vehicle” project.

Make the jump for the press release.

Press Release:

ELECTRIC-POWERED MINI E TRIAL PROVIDES PRACTICAL, REAL-WORLD FEEDBACK FROM HUNDREDS OF DRIVERS

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – August 13, 2009. Two months into its pioneering field trials of electric-powered automobiles, MINI USA is gathering valuable, real-world data from 450 drivers of MINI E electric-powered vehicles.

These vehicles are now in daily use in metropolitan New York, New Jersey and Los Angeles, where they are being driven by private customers, municipalities, universities, public utilities, non-profit and commercial organizations.

Since the field trials began in June, these experiences have been fed back to MINI USA, with users describing what it is like to live with, and to drive a vehicle that has a purely electric drivetrain. Initial responses include a wide variety of input including:
o Optimization of the energy consumption through brake regeneration
o Managing the trip to the amount of range available
o Feedback on continued development regarding on-board efficiencies

A research partnership between the BMW Group and the University of California at Davis (UC Davis) has been established to further focus on real-world experiences with the MINI E, and is expected to provide valuable insights into real-life usage and perceptions about electric vehicles during the trial period. The study is gathering information from 50 voluntary participants, a subset of the 450 MINI E customers in the US, through online travel diaries, written questionnaires and a series of interviews conducted throughout the one-year study.

Several MINI E pioneers have started blogging about their experiences on the web, reporting on detailed aspects of their day-to-day experiences of their plug-in MINI.

“The feedback and data provided by these early users is valuable because it comes from real-world, everyday use and not some laboratory experiment,” said Jim McDowell, Vice President, MINI USA. “Whether it’s coming from the UC Davis research, consumer blog sites or from direct feedback to our company, this trial is giving us an important insight into the practicalities of using an electric powered vehicle in this country.”

Residential charging stations have been installed in the garages of MINI E drivers. There are two high voltage charging systems – the 220 volt 32 amp system allows a full charge in three to five hours, while a 48 amp system allows a full charge in two to three hours. Every MINI E comes with a 110 volt cable that allows MINI E drivers to also charge the car at locations away from home charging points.

MINI customers have always had a unique sense of camaraderie and this project has taken it to the next level. One group of customers has created a web site to share their charging stations with other MINI E pioneers for “charging on the go”: http://www.waterway4.com/mini-e/.

The 100-mile range on a single charge that is being reported in the trials is an accurate reflection of the typical range of the MINI E on a full charge driven in the variable conditions of the real world. Although one contributor to a dedicated MINI E Facebook group has reported that he has achieved 141.2 miles on a single charge. The driving range of an electric vehicle depends on the driving style and environmental conditions, much more so than a conventional vehicle and is an important real-world consideration for future attention and product development.

In preparation for the field trials, the BMW Group was involved in discussions with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help determine an official range for the MINI E and obtain EPA certification as well as the appropriate Electric Vehicle Energy Consumption labels. The company also worked closely with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to obtain Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) certification.

This pioneering experiment has presented several challenges. As part of the installation process for MINI E residential charging systems, the project was complicated by the flexibility needed to meet a range of local community code compliance issues. There were some initial delays in supplying the 220 volt cables for the fast-charging wall boxes and in obtaining Underwriters Laboratory (UL) approval for the charging boxes from local building inspectors in some cities. These challenges are now resolved.

The MINI E is the first chapter of BMW Group’s Project i, the company’s long-term commitment to research and develop a new type of vehicle specifically to meet the needs of the world’s fastest growing mega-cities, where the majority of vehicle growth will come in the next 20 years.

Just last week BMW Group announced that it has opted for SB LiMotive as the supplier of battery cells for the first megacity vehicle.

- By: Kap Shah

BMW’s CEO Norbert Reithofer said earlier this year that the second phase of Project i will be a new vehicle by the name of “Megacity Vehicle.” At the time, Reithofer said that BMW is pursuing a radical approach to sustainable mobility with the Megacity Vehicle and hopes to move it through the development process as quickly as possible.

Well, BMW announced a “milestone for future electric today” and confirmed that it has chosen SB LiMotive as the supplier of lithium-ion battery cells for the future project Megacity Vehicle.

“The decision is a major milestone along the way to serial production of the Megacity Vehicle. The battery is a key component in any electric vehicle – it determines the range and performance of the car, said Reithofer.

As for the Megacity Vehicle, Reithofer has previously said that the electric-vehicle will be the first of a range of zero-emission models from BMW. He said that “customers will have the choice between a fully electric drive and a high-efficiency combustion engine. Large-scale production could start in the first half of the next decade.”

Make the jump for the press release for more details.

Press Release:

Milestone for future electric…

# 03.08.2009 – Munich. The BMW Group has opted for SB LiMotive as the supplier of battery cells for the future project Megacity Vehicle. This gives the company access to state-of-the-art lithium-ion storage technology. “The decision is a major milestone along the way to serial production of the Megacity Vehicle. The battery is a key component in any electric vehicle – it determines the range and performance of the car. With SB LiMotive we have selected a supplier who offers the best available technology, combining leading German automotive expertise with future-oriented Korean battery know-how,” explains Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG.

SB LiMotive is a 50:50 joint venture of Bosch and Samsung SDI. Here the two companies pool their expertise to develop and produce lithium-ion storage cells. Samsung SDI is a leader in the use of lithium-ion batteries in mobile phones and laptops. The technology has a proven track record in this area of application with millions of products to its name. However, integration in an automobile requires higher standards in terms of durability, operational stability and safety. Here, Bosch contributes its experience from a company history which goes back over 100 years.

“In this collaborative effort, three global technology leaders are coming together to shape the future of the electric vehicle. With our SB LiMotive joint venture as a supplier for the Megacity Vehicle’s battery cells, we are sure that we can play a major role here,” says Franz Fehrenbach, chairman of the board of management of Robert Bosch GmbH.

“Our foremost objective is to supply BMW with the best battery technology available in terms of performance, range, and safety. At the same time, we want to establish SB LiMotive lithium-ion battery cells as a sustainable product which, after being used in the car, can be reused in other areas or recycled,” says Soon Taek Kim, CEO of Samsung SDI.

By opting for a battery supplier, the BMW Group underscores its commitment to electric mobility. The company concentrates its activities relating to electric motoring and urban mobility solutions in project i, an initiative which forms part of Strategy Number ONE. The first outcome of project i is the MINI E: this purely electrically powered vehicle is currently the focus of a large-scale field test involving some 600 vehicles in the US, Great Britain and Germany. Insights gained during this field test will be just as essential to the serial development of both the Megacity Vehicle as the battery technology. The zero-emissions vehicle will go into serial production in the first half of the next decade.

- By: Omar Rana

It’s a rainy Friday here in NYC and it’s quite depressing to say the least. Nonetheless, the show must go on and we’re close to wrapping up the day here at egmCarTech.

Mini bumper sticker pokes fun at Cash for Clunkers: Mini gave its dealers creative bumper stickers to be handed out to customers trading in the Clunker for a Cooper. Pretty funny. – Jalopnik

How would you improve egmCarTech? Let us know how you would improve your experience here at egmCarTech. What would you do to encourage more conversations (aka comments) between visitors? What would you like to see more of? What would you like to see less of? Let us know. We’d love to hear some feedback. If you don’t comment much here – well, what are you waiting for? Make your voice heard.

- By: Omar Rana