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On Monday at SXSWi, MOG and MINI will debut the beta version of a new app for MINI Connected. The app will bring the MOG on-demand streaming music service into the dash of your MINI. A $9.99 per month MOG Primo subscription plan provides subscribers with access to MOG for unlimited, on-demand listening access. Subscribers can listen online at MOG.com, through compatible CE devices from major manufacturers such as Roku and soon Samsung, Vizio, LG and Sonos, and through the MOG app on iPhone and Android phones. Features include: On-demand streaming: Unlimited, ad-free listening to any artist, album, or song at any time from virtually anywhere. Seamless integration: Easy to browse and search, play, re-play, or skip to your favorite songs using the existing MINI joystick and steering wheel controls. Storage: MOG will allow users to store their MOG music on their phone, enabling access to their favorite titles even when a data connection is not available. MOG radio: Only MOG offers patent-pending “MOG Mobius” music discovery engine, which enables users to switch between true “artist only” radio or a full mix of similar artists. High quality audio: MOG downloads music at 320kbps </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

There’s a lot of data here, but the key numbers are pretty impressive. A 19.3% revenue jump to 60.4 million euros (approx $83.5M) in 2010. Profits in the automobile segment were up 8%, helped by great performance in the MINI brand. Get the full info after the break. [Official Release] The BMW Group has achieved new record highs for revenues and earnings in 2010, with revenues climbing by 19.3% to euro 60,477 million (2009: euro 50,681 million) and the profit before tax (EBT) jumping to euro 4,836 million (2009: euro 413 million). The Group reports a profit before financial result (EBIT) of euro 5,094 million (2009: euro 289 million) and a record net profit for the year of euro 3,234 million (2009: euro 210 million). In the light of this strong performance, the Board of Management and the Supervisory Board will propose to shareholders at the Annual General Meeting on 12 May 2011 that the dividend be increased to euro 1.30 (2009: euro 0.30) per share of common stock and euro 1.32 (2009: euro 0.32) per share of preferred stock, in both cases representing new all-time highs. “We are extremely pleased with developments over the past financial year. We have set new records for revenues and group earnings and have more than achieved our targets for the full year. We now want our shareholders to participate in this success by paying a record-level dividend. Our attractive model range and continued rigorous implementation of our Strategy Number ONE enabled us to improve profitability and efficiency significantly in 2010“, explained Norbert Reithofer, the Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG on Thursday in Munich. In terms of sales volumes, the BMW Group registered the second-best ever performance in its history with the total number of BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand vehicles delivered to customers rising by 13.6% to 1,461,166 units (2009: 1,286,310 units). The BMW Group therefore easily surpassed its target to increase sales for the full year 2010 to over 1.4 million units and thus remains the world’s leading provider of premium cars. EBIT margin of 8% in Automobiles segment Significantly higher sales volume figures, a high-value model-mix, better transaction prices and lower material costs resulted in a significant improvement in earnings in the Automobiles segment in 2010. Revenues grew by 23.8% to euro 54,137 million (2009: euro 43,737 million). The segment’s EBIT improved to euro 4,355 million (2009: loss of euro 265 million), while the profit before tax increased to euro 3,887 million (2009: loss before tax of euro 588 million). The segment EBIT margin was therefore 8.0%, compared to the full-year EBIT margin of over 7% previously forecast for the Automobiles segment. Sales of BMW brand cars rose by 14.6% to 1,224,280 units (2009; 1,068,770 units) in 2010 thanks to attractive new models. The new BMW 5 Series for instance recorded a sales volume increase of 35.5% with 238,454 units sold (2009: 175,983 units): this model has been market leader in its segment since the fourth quarter. The BMW X1 also performed extremely well, with approximately 100,000 units sold during its first full year on the markets.Demand for BMW’s flagship, the 7 Series, and for the remaining X-models also remained strong. BMW 7 Series sales rose by 24.9% over the year to 65,814 units (2009: 52,680 units), driven by strong demand in Asia and the gradual recovery of the North American market. Sales of the BMW X5, which remains the market leader in its segment, rose by 15.0% to 102,178 units (2009: 88,851 units). 46,404 units (2009: 41,667 units) of the BMW X6 were sold, 11.4% more than in the previous year. The MINI brand continues to perform well, registering a new sales record in 2010 of 234,175 units (2009: 216,538 units; +8.1%). This performance was helped by the MINI Countryman (14,337 units) launched in September, by the MINI Hatch with 155,841 units sold (2009: 150,043; +3.9%) and by the MINI Convertible which achieved a sales volume of 32,680 units (2009: 28,303; +15.5%). The Rolls-Royce brand also set a new sales record, with the number of vehicles sold in 2010 rising to 2,711 units (2009: 1,002 units; +170.6%). The BMW Group was able to increase sales volumes in almost all markets in 2010. Germany remained the largest single market with 267,160 BMW and MINI brand cars sold. In fact, BMW was the only premium brand to have recorded an increase in new car registration figures in Germany in 2010. In the company’s second largest single market, the USA, the BMW Group was able to increase sales by 10.1% to 266,580 units, thus making BMW once again the best-selling European premium brand in the USA in 2010. Strong growth rates were also achieved in China, the company’s third largest market. The number of cars sold in this region (including Hong Kong and Taiwan) jumped by 85.3% to 183,328 units. Impetus for growth also came from other regions of the world. The number of cars sold in important emerging markets such as Russia, South Korea, Brazil, India and Turkey all increased at double digit rates. EBIT of euro 71 million for Motorcycles segment in 2010 Despite continuing unfavourable market conditions, the Motorcycles segment recorded sales volume, revenues and earnings growth in 2010. Revenues increased by 22.0% to euro 1,304 million (2009: euro 1,069 million), EBIT improved to euro 71 million (2009: euro 19 million) and the profit before tax rose to euro 65 million (2009: euro 11 million). In total, 110,113 BMW and Husqvarna brand motorcycles were sold in 2010 (2009: 100,358 units; +9.7%). Sharp rise in earnings of Financial Services segment The Financial Services segment benefitted in 2010 from its attractive range of products, favourable refinancing conditions and an improved risk profile. Segment revenues increased by 5.2% to euro 16,617 million (2009: euro 15,798 million) while the profit before tax improved to euro 1,214 million (2009: euro 365 million). The number of new financing and lease contracts signed (1,083,154) was 6.6% up on the previous year. Compared to the previous year, the lease business grew by 3.2% and credit financing by 8.1%. Leasing accounted for 28.8% of new business, credit financing for 71.2%. The proportion of new BMW and MINI brand cars financed by the Financial Services segment was 48.2%, down by 0.8 percentage points compared to the previous year. Workforce of approximately 95,500 employees at end 2010 The BMW Group’s workforce decreased slightly over the past year as a result of a combination of natural attrition, pre-retirement part-time working arrangements and voluntary employment contract termination agreements. The BMW Group workforce comprised 95,453 employees at the end of the year (2009: 96,230 employees; -0.8%) worldwide. At the beginning of the new training year, a total of 1,124 young people were given apprenticeships with the BMW Group. Reithofer: BMW Group is targeting a new record in sales in 2011 The BMW Group forecasts that sales will continue to develop positively in the current year thanks to its attractive model range. A balanced relationship in sales activities between Europe, Asia and America remains the goal. “We are targeting record sales of more than 1.5 million vehicles in 2011 and expect to achieve new highs for all three of our brands”, stated Reithofer. In the financial year 2012, the BMW Group aims to achieve an unchanged EBIT margin of eight to ten percent in the Automobiles segment and a return on equity of at least 18% in the Financial Services segment. Further information on the Group Financial Statements 2010 and the outlook for the current year will be available at the Annual Accounts Press Conference to be held on 15 March 2011 in Munich. The BMW Group – an Overview 2010 2009 Change in % Deliveries to customers Automobiles1,461,166 1,286,310 13.6 Thereof: BMW (units) 1,224,280 1,068,770 14.6 MINI (units) 234,175 216,538 8.1 Rolls-Royce (units) 2,711 1,002 - Motorcycles (units) 110,113 100,358 9.7 Thereof: BMW (units) 98,047 87,306 12.3 Husqvarna (units) 12,066 13,052 -7.6 Workforce at the end of the year1 95,453 96,230 -0.8 Revenues (euro million) 60,477 50,681 19.3 Thereof: Automobiles (euro million) 54,137 43,737 23.8 Motorcycles (euro million) 1,304 1,069 22.0 Financial Services (euro million) 16,617 15,798 5.2 Profit before financial result (euro million) 5,094 289 - Thereof: Automobiles (euro million) 4,355 -265 - Motorcycles (euro million) 71 19 - Financial Services (euro million) 1,201 355 Profit before (euro million) 4,836 413 - Thereof: Automobiles (euro million) 3,877 -588 - Motorcycles (euro million) 65 11 - Financial Services (euro million) 1,214 365 - - Income taxes (euro million)-1,602 -203 - Net profit (euro million) 3,234 210 - Earnings per share2 euro 4.91/4.93 0.31/0.33 - Dividend per share of common/preferred (euro) 1.30/1.32 0.30/0.32 - 1 figures exclude dormant employment contracts, employees in the work and non-work phases of pre-retirement part-time arrangements and low wage earners 2 earnings per share in accordance with IAS 33 for common and preferred stock shares The BMW Group With its three brands – BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce – the BMW Group is one of the world’s most successful premium manufacturers of cars and motorcycles. It operates internationally with 24 production sites in 13 countries and a global sales network with representation in more than 140 countries. During the financial year 2010, the BMW Group sold 1.46 million cars and more than 110,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax for 2010 was euro 4.8 billion on revenues amounting to euro 60.5 billion. At 31 December 2010, the BMW Group had a workforce of approximately 95,500 employees. The success of the BMW Group has always been built on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy. As a result of its efforts, the BMW Group has been ranked industry leader in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes for the last six years. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

We’re getting more and more reports from various sources that the rear bench seat option for the R60 is go for the 2012 model year here in the US of A. We’ve also heard that the bench could be available as soon as July of this year from the factory and, we’re guessing, for retrofit purchase if there are units available. While the rear buckets will likely remain the standard, those looking to seat that fifth passenger will soon be able to do so from the factory. We’ll keep you updated as we learn more. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

While the i8 is undoubtedly the sexier of the two, the i3 that is the big news here. And that’s why what you see above is so big. Our friends at Kilometer have the very first photos of the i3 in the wild testing and showing off the basic shape of the car. 100% electric, the three door hatch is tall and wide with a very high front end and beltline. You can see the entire series of photos over at Kilometer. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

Autocar.co.uk is reporting that MINI’s Ian Robertson “has given clear indications that the MINI Rocketman could make production and gives hints towards other future MINIs.” Now it almost goes without saying that a production version of this smaller MINI wouldn’t have the Rocketman name or most of the Rocketman concept details. What would be very likely to remain are it’s shape, its dimensions, its likely 3-cylinder powerplant and and its 3+1 seating. Robertson went on to infer something that we’ve suspected here at MotoringFile — that aspects of the Rocketman concept are clues toward the design future of MINI, including the next generation hatch. “The themes in the car are not just about a smaller MINI. Lightweight construction, and new types of components will go on to MINIs. The BMW i-concept will be available to all members of the group.” We’ll keep you posted with more concrete information when we have it. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

A little news, a little Ask Chad and a little gas talk. Put that altogether and you have a fresh batch of Woofcast! Todd and I kick things off with a bit of news from Motorngfile.com like we like to do. Then, Todd and Chad bring us home with a few Ask Chad. As a special bonus for you, we talk a little about the price of gas and the weather. We weren’t able to get Gabe on this week, but if you want to hear about his Munich trip, check out the latest Bimmercast to hear all about it. Download | WRR @ iTunes | 24.8MB | 54:07 </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

Are you excited about the MINI WRC yet? We are. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

MINI has been out in the front with MINI Connected yet it’s not easy thing to encapsulate in an article or even a commercial. So MINI has released a two minute long video (a la Apple) explaining the technology and how easy it is to use. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

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Last week we found a mostly positive review of the Countryman All4 from the NYT. Here we have a very different perspective from Dan Neil across town at The Wall Street Journal. The purity squads have their tiny knives out for the BMW Mini Countryman, and who can blame them? A 3,200-pound, four-door, all-wheel-drive Mini as big as a Nissan Juke and as potentially as spendy as a BMW 3-series, pushing $40,000? Why, it’s ridiculous, it’s absurd. You might as well suggest a Ferrari four-wheel-drive station wagon. Oh dear Lord. When did that happen? Mr. Neil goes on to both praise MINI for making this bigger vehicle capable, stylish and remarkable in its segment — and then aim some very valid philosophical criticism at the very existence of the R60 in the MINI brand. Regardless of where you come down on the Countryman fanboy/hater spectrum, it’s a thoughtful review that’s worth reading. Read the full article (and view its video content) here. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

Today, “all the news that’s fit to print” includes a thoughtful review of the MINI Countryman. Ezra Dyer kicks off with an observation we at MotoringFile know all to well. It’s an immutable law of the car business: the more focused a company’s lineup, the greater the outrage when that company decides to expand its product range. When Porsche introduced the Cayenne S.U.V. as a 2004 model, purist fans reacted as if the company had announced it was branching into unicycles and Justin Bieber merchandise. “That’s not a Porsche!” cried many people who have never bought, nor will ever buy, a Porsche. …Just as the aforementioned companies have long histories of building sports cars, the name Mini evokes sprightly front-wheel-drive two-door hatchbacks. So the new Mini Cooper S Countryman All4 — an all-wheel-drive four-door — is a pretty significant departure. And yet I’m not sensing much righteous frothy indignation among the faithful. While mostly an overview, and not anything readers of this site haven’t heard before, I have to give Dyer credit for being neither an unwavering fanboy, nor a curmudgeonly contrarian when it comes to MINI’s biggest sibling. He neither winks nor scoffs at those quirky things that make a MINI a MINI. That’s refreshing. In this car, as with other Minis, you’re paying for design. The Countryman interior, in particular, looks like something that other companies may cook up for a concept car but then abandon on the way to the showroom. So while it’s certainly no new information or startling insights, the article is worth a read nonetheless. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

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This video has been on MotoringFile before, but it’s worth reposting in the context of MINI’s epic return to the World Rally Championship. We’ve seen the official S2000 version of the rally car this week and MINI has confirmed the race venues for this season. Now let’s take a look back at the two chaps who helped build that rich racing heritage as they take a modern MINI ’round the snowy curves of the classic rally route. Fun fact: During the filming of this segment, Rauno pitched the car around one of the corners so hard, he dislodged the nose camera rig right off the front of the car — something the film crew assured him he couldn’t do. The moral of the story: Never underestimate a MINI. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

The MINI Countryman just knocked it out of the park with a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Here’s a direct quote from the IIHS’ site: The Mini Cooper Countryman, a 4-door small car, earns the Institute’s top safety accolade after achieving good ratings for front, side, rollover, and rear impact protection. It is the first Mini to win, and the second model from BMW to achieve top results since the Institute tightened the criteria to include good performance for roof strength in rollover crashes [the other is the 2011 BMW 5 series]. The roof of the Countryman withstood a force equal to nearly 5 times the car’s weight. By comparison, the current federal standard is 1.5 times weight. <a href="http://www.motoringfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/image.jpg">

From MINI Connected to MINI Financial Services, MINI seems to be one of those companies that “gets it” when it comes to mobile. The latest offering is actually for the dealers: mobile-optimized versions of their websites. Customers on their Blackberry, iPhone or Android phone can now search dealer inventories, find hours and even call in for sales or service help. It’s a simple thing in the grand scheme, but keep this in mind. One UX report I read recently said that only as few as 15% of the fortune 500 have mobile-optimized websites. Of those, only about 5 are any good. Mobile web use is on the exponential rise. So well done MINI. Welcome to the future. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

(Updated video) As promised here’s some video of MINI publicly debuting the MINI Rocketman in Geneva. We also have some footage of the new MINI Hampton as well as the MINI Display and Geneva as a whole. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

Our friends down under at AUSmotive.com sent us this review of the MINI Countryman, which has just launched in Australia. It’s great to get diverse reactions to the car and this one is definitely worth a look. Now that the Countryman has arrived in Australia we can really begin to form a solid opinion. So, after seeing the car for the first time today, and enjoying a brief test drive, we’re leaning towards loving the love-or-hate four-door MINI. It’s not a full on love affair yet, but we’ve seen enough to warrant a second date. So go give it a read. Big thanks to Liam for sending it in. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

The following review comes to us from WhiteRoofRadio co-host and Detroit Tuned super wrench, Chad Miller. We have all seen the new aggressive styling of the new MINI Countryman, but how is it day to day? Well I had the opportunity to test just that. The plans where set in to motion for a three day weekend to Northern Michigan (or as we call the U.P.) to the littlest big town up there, Marquette. So the first call I made to my local dealer Motor City MINI to ask for the use of a Countryman ALL4. Marquette is bound to get snow in February. It’s not even considered snow up there until it’s more than a foot. I really wanted to test out how the car did in snow of all kinds. So plans where set in motion and I picked up a white Countryman ALL 4, Harmond Kardon, automatic, leather, auto air, sun roof, & full center rail. We loaded up and hit the road. As we drove north from Detroit, I thought about all the things I wanted to test and feel out on the way. So I divided it into 5 sections: Ride, Exterior, Interior, Power, & Traction. Ride I could feel that the car had run flats on, but over the entire trip the ride was very good. The suspension was soft and could take up the bumps in the road with ease. It still had MINI-like handling but the ride was a lot softer than the standard hatch. It’s so much softer, in fact, that you can feel a bit of body lean in the corners. Exterior After years with some many MINI hatches, the four doors were a lot different. You really notice the size of the door — very easy to close because they are lighter, and having a full window frame would take a bit getting used too. But overall I liked the looks of the front end and the sides. The rear end is going to take a bit of getting used to. Interior Since we had a seven hour trip one way, this is where we got to spend most of the time thinking about what we liked and didn’t like. Looks are one thing, but the Interior is where people actually spend their time in any car. I think car companies should spend more time getting the design right. I found several good and bad things with the interior of the Countryman. The seats, while they look good, just weren’t the most comfortable seat after a few hours. They where very flat and didn’t hug me at all. The second flaw I noticed was the lack of real storage. We had three people in the car, each with a small amount of luggage, two sleeping bags, a few misc. bags, as well as some with gear like boots and gloves. We simply ran out of room in the boot. In the end, we had to use the floor and seat area behind the driver. This was only a three-day trip, yet we ran out of room. Next, the center rail looks cool but overall was kind of useless and didn’t really allow the rear passenger to stretch out. Then there’s the hand brake, or parking brake. It works really well and had a great feel. It just wasn’t in the right spot. It made access to the center rail hard, and this car had the I-Pod hook with the USB port — which was right under the hand brake. It made the ports very difficult to access, especially with the very short cord that comes with it. Last but not least, was accessory power outlets. There didn’t seam to be enough. We were traveling with three people, all with cell phones, and everyone needed a charger at one point. When you think about having a GPS or other devices (think kids) that might be plugged in the whole time, you run out of plugs in a hurry. Duel ports front and back would be really nice, but the layout and function of the available plugs was great. It was easy as the driver to reach anything that I needed. MINI also did a very nice job with the interior lighting. The soft glow made everything look so much better and just put a smile on your face. However, the light in the door handle pull was at just the right angle to reflect in the chrome of the handle and catch my eye from time to time. Power This was the Cooper S Countryman so power was no problem and I always felt like I had extra power on demand. We had to pass several cars on a two-lane highway and after a quick signal, the car powered by the slower car with ease. My only complaint on the power side of things was the MPG. We filed up, entered the freeway and set the cruse control till almost empty. While we did have three regular size people in the car with luggage, the best we could get was 24 MPG under real-world conditions. I was thinking that we could get at least 30 MPG. There are several things that could affect this like alignment, tires, and gas quality, but overall I think the weight of the car loaded down, the ALL4, and the very flat front end of the car didn’t help MPG at all. Traction We could really feel the “all wheel drive” part kick in. Normally the Countryman is front wheel drive, but when you get it with the ALL4 option, you can get up to 50% of the power to the rear wheels when the car needs it. In the corners, you can feel a bit more pull thru the exit. We did get to feel almost every bad road condition possible on this trip. The funny thing was Michigan had a warm spell and most of the snow melted before we got up north, so that part of the trip was very uneventful. As we where on the way home, the lower peninsula (the mitten) was getting pounded with a small blizzard. While one of my passengers was a bit nervous, I was driving as fast as I safely could. Just after we crossed the bridge we started to see a few flakes. Within the mile it was complete white out. The weather reports on the radio were calling for 8-12 inches! Traffic slowed to 25 mph, but we where able to keep it at a steady 55 mph in complete control. I attribute this to several things. The xenon lights, the ALL4, and the way the car was balanced. As good as it was, I think with a better tire selection (snow) would help even more, but the traction as-was kept us straight. But where the Countryman really shined was in the snow — any snow. Light snow, blowing snow, deep snow, really deep snow — it didn’t matter. We got home, after driving the whole way in many levels of snow, to a good 8 inches of snow on the ground. From light to light, the car would take off from a dead stop quickly and in a calm manner, even in 8+ inches of snow. This was the most impressive thing about the Countryman. After dropping everyone off, I found a parking lot full of fresh snow to see just what it could do. We tested the Countryman All4 with the traction control on, partly off and fully off, and the car did everything we asked it too. It took off from a dead stop in deep snow with ease. It could take a corner in the snow no problem. You just point it in the direction you wanted it to go and give it some gas. I was very impressed. The car is balanced very well for snowy, low-grip conditions. I think this is why so many are excited to see the Countryman in the WRC. I’m excited for the day when I can get a Countryman ALL4 for on a great set of snow tires and tear through 12 inches of powder! Conclusions Overall I give the Countryman All4 a 7.5 out for 10. I feel it needs to improve the seats and the useable space for luggage. I also wish it had was an ALL4 light to tell you when the rear wheels where being activated. You get a light to tell you when the DSC kicks in, why not a light to tell you when the rear wheels are being activated? Also, the biggest thing I haven’t yet mentioned is the rear seating. For a family vehicle the four bucket seats work well, but with friends we needed that fifth seat. Once we arrived in Marquette and met up with some extra people, we couldn’t really use the Countryman because we always had five people. MINI needs to get the rear bench seat to market in the US as fast as possible. Special thanks to Motor City MINI for the use of their Countryman All4! </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

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It’s Rocketman night here under the White Roof gang. To start, Nathaniel, Chad and I talk about it. Then I bring in Gabe and Todd to talk about it. Then, we talk about it just a little bit more before moving into Chad’s review of the Countryman. Make sure you are comfortable kids, there is a whole lotta show comin’ at ya tonight! Download | WRR @ iTunes | 50.5MB | 1:22:14 </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

Part of MINI’s Geneva announcements this morning included official confirmation that the team car will compete at the World Rally Championship Rally d’Italia in May. It’s been spoken of for months, but now it’s official. MINI has also detailed its racing plans for the rest of the season where drivers Dani Sordo and Kris Meeke will compete in five additional rallies in Finland, Germany, France, Catalunya and Great Britain. Also on the presentation stand this morning was the John Cooper Works S2000 spec rally car, which will see its racing debut in private hands in Portugal later this month. Dr. Wolfgang Armbrecht, Senior Vice President of Brand Management for MINI, had this to say: “We are delighted to present the MINI John Cooper Works S2000 here in Geneva. MINI has joined forces with a highly experienced partner in Prodrive, and our colleagues in England continue to oversee the development of the MINI John Cooper Works WRC. When you add the turbocharged MINI engine and the BMW Group’s expertise in the world of motorsport to the mix, you can see we have an exceptional blend of attributes which will take us quickly to the next stage. The car’s technical make-up and driving characteristics make it the perfect fit for rallying. Entering the WRC takes MINI back to its rally roots and brings this heritage right up to date.” [source: AutoSport] </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

The following is Ian Robertson’s speech introducing the MINI Rocketman and the entire MINI display at the Geneva Motor Show. We’ll have video and photos later in the day. Bienvenue, herzlich willkommen, welcome to MINI! It’s so great to see you all this morning. I have new MINIs to show you and exciting news to share with you, so let’s get to it! Last year, the MINI Countryman had its world premiere here in Geneva. It has already enjoyed phenomenal success right around the world, with over 23,000 happy customers since October last year. This helped to make 2010 our most successful year, with over 234,000 MINIs sold. Already this year, MINI has had a great start. In the first two months we sold more than 30,000 vehicles. And I am absolutely confident 2011 will be another record year for the MINI brand. But enough facts and figures, I know why you’re really here: to see the new MINIs! Let me start by telling you what gives this MINI so much muscle. The MINI Cooper SD comes with the most powerful diesel engine yet. It tops out at 215 kilometres per hour. And it clocks 0- 100 in just over 8 seconds.But don’t let all this performance fool you – the Cooper SD won’t be waiting in line at the petrol pump very often. It consumes only 4.3 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres, with CO2 emissions of just 114 grams. And, of course, a whole set of MINIMALISM technology comes as standard. All this without giving up any of the pure fun and go-cart feeling you get in every single MINI. The SD engine will be available in all Coopers across Europe in the coming months. While we’re talking about powerful engines, I have to mention MINI’s return to the World Rally Championship in 2011. We’ll kick off things with an official team and car launch on the 11th of April at Plant Oxford, in England.Another way we take things up a notch is MINI Yours! It offers a range of new colours, materials, and design options to make your MINI even more irresistible. You can see the first design model, the MINI Clubman Hampton, directly behind you. Taking its name from the area of southwest London, the Clubman Hampton captures the spirit of MINI Yours with its distinctive style, inside and out. This is the first MINI Yours special edition model and is only available until Speaking of 2012 and London, I hope you will be joining us at the London Olympic Games next summer. As the official automotive partner, the BMW Group will be providing vehicles to support the Games. And of course, the Countryman and the MINI E will be among the cars supplied. You can take a look at the MINI E right here at the “Pavillon Vert”. Now, ladies and gentlemen, I’m thrilled to show you rocket science by MINI. Here it is, our newest concept, the MINI Rocketman! Inspiration for the Rocketman came from its groundbreaking roots. When Sir Alec Issigonis put pencil to paper over fifty years ago and drafted the first MINI, he made history. He created a car with a minimal footprint and maximum interior space. Simply put: this car was revolutionary. The Rocketman captures this spirit of the original, whilst offering the visionary design and clever functionality. As we all know, cities are growing and this means: room to manoeuvre is shrinking and the environment needs protecting. At 3.4 metres, the Rocketman is just slightly bigger than the original MINI. But on the inside, it’s spacious and full of innovations. As we say at MINI, “It’s bigger inside than outside.” Its carbon spaceframe construction ensures minimum weight and maximum strength. A lighter car, of course, means less fuel consumption. But the Rocketman takes MINI’s hallmark “clever use of space” even further. You can see this in the agile double-hinged Clam Doors. As well as with the handy Boot Box, an expandable luggage compartment. What’s also unique: you can arrange the seats for a “full-blooded driving experience”. Or, when your friends are in the back, you just move the seats forward to make more room for them. And ambient lighting lets you customize the mood for each of the driving modes. What’s more, this car advances mobile connectivity with the removable central control unit, the Carry on Key. The Rocketman is firmly linked to MINI’s strong heritage whilst focusing on future innovations. This is exactly what MINI fans expect. We’re always looking ahead here at MINI. With this in mind, please welcome the new Head of MINI Design, Anders Warming. Anders started with DesignworksUSA in 1997 before joining us in Munich in 2005. You can see how committed he is to this job— giving up the weather in California for Munich. I know we’ll see some amazing things from Anders and his team. Now, ladies and gentlemen, come on and take a closer look at these fantastic new MINIs! Thank you. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

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