MotoringFile

First Video: MINI JCW GP Electric

Wed, 02 Dec 2020 02:13:59 GMT

The first JCW GP electric video is here. But let’s first back up. The idea of an all electric GP was a bit shocking for many of us. But then you see it o the track and hear it whir by and it’s almost mind-blowing. This video gives us our first real-world look at this prototype of the MINI JCW GP electric concept coming later in 2021.

Will it make production? We have no confirmation but we’d be surprised if MINI goes through this much trouble for an engineering exercise. Especially since the current generation will be on-sale (and in need of some exciting enhancements) for a few more years.

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World Premier: MINI JCW GP Electric Concept

Tue, 01 Dec 2020 23:01:12 GMT

The rumors EW true. MINI is working on a MINI JCW GP electric concept. But what that means for production and what’s under the likelihood of the GPE making it to production remains unclear (not too mention what’s under hood and floor). One thing that is clear is that this concept signals MINI’s intent to eventually transform the JCW sub-brand into an all electric model range.

Why is MINI spending time to develop a JCW GP electric concept if it won’t reach production? For one it proves the brand’s intent and helps prepare fans for the eventual pivot into electrification. In other words it proves that it’s not only possible but indeed pretty exciting.

What if the JCW GP electric concept does make production? It will surely be more limited the the standard GP given it will likely cost more and have a range that isn’t ideal for an entire day of track sessions. But as a halo car and something that will prove out just how fast an electric MINI can be, it would be more than interesting.

New vehicle architectures offer additional freedom when it comes to the planned expansion of the model range – hallmark performance with an emission-free drivetrain will sharpen the distinctive profile of the John Cooper Works brand.

OFFICIAL RELEASE

The evolution of the MINI model range is focused on the ongoing expansion of electric mobility and offering new opportunities to experience the brand’s hallmark driving enjoyment – which also opens up new possibilities for the John Cooper Works brand. Future MINI vehicle architectures mean that extreme performance and genuine driving enjoyment will also be available with electric drive as well as combustion engines.

MINI is already making great strides when it comes to electric mobility. The MINI Cooper SE Countryman ALL4 plug-in hybrid model led to five percent of the brand’s total sales being electrified. Following the highly successful launch of the all-electric MINI Cooper SE, this share doubled to around ten per cent within just a few months. Based on this experience, and looking ahead to future technology, MINI is now preparing the next step in the development of electric John Cooper Works models.

“With the MINI Electric, we’ve shown how well brand-typical driving enjoyment and electric mobility can be combined,” says Bernd Körber, Head of the MINI brand. “Now it’s time to translate the passion for performance of the John Cooper Works brand to electromobility. That’s why we’re working to develop concepts for electric John Cooper Works models.”

The current focus on the development of a MINI John Cooper Works Electric demonstrates just how important electric mobility is in terms of the brand’s future direction – the goal is a unique blend of sustainability, performance and passion. “John Cooper Works models with conventional combustion engines will still continue to have an important role to play, to make sure we’re addressing the wishes and needs of performance enthusiasts all around the world,” says Bernd Körber. “With this new focus on electric performance, we’re also creating the opportunity to sharpen the distinctive profile of the John Cooper Works brand more than ever before.”

JCW GP Electric – Photo Gallery

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JCW GP Video Review – Can it Live up to the Hype & GP History?

Mon, 30 Nov 2020 05:14:29 GMT

We we’re one of the first publications to go hands-on with the new GP. We even got some very early seat-time in a pre-production GP driven by one of the test drivers responsible for the final tuning the car. Yet COVID has kept us away from actually getting behind the wheel. Until now. Can it live up to the hype? And how does it compare with its now mythical predecessors?

What we found immediately is that this is an unabashedly front wheel drive car. The delicacy and subtly of the previous R53 and R56 GPs has been blown away by the 306 hp and (more importantly) 331 lb-ft exploding through the front wheels. And that interaction of the manual transmission and the purity of a chassis always in control is gone. In its place is a tire shredding 306 hp monster that dispatches onramps like no other MINI ever made. How does it stack up to the GPs that came before it and is it worthy of the GP name? There are no quick answers but in this ten minute (quick-take) video review we give you our raw thoughts on the car and its place in MINI history.

The 2020 MINI JCW GP is technically sold out in the US market but there are a few that remain available above the $45,750 MSRP and a couple lightly used examples that have recently emerged.

Look for our full review of the all new 2020 MINI JCW GP in the coming weeks. In the meantime let us know what you think of GP. Have you driven it? Has it lived up to the hype?

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BMW and EPIC Games Celebrate Long Standing Partnership

Tue, 24 Nov 2020 17:28:45 GMT

BMW and MINI have been partnering with EPIC Games since 2016. Some of the first fruits of that collaboration are just now seeing the light of day. The BMW iX all electric car and MINI Urbanaut were both designed with the help of EPIC’s game engine. Further BMW and MINI leverages EPIC powered virtual reality in helping to design and iterate on the cars inside and out.

This official release gives us details on all of that and some hints and what the future as in-store for the collab.

OFFICIAL RELEASE

The use of innovative technologies and strategic partnerships provides a crucial competitive edge, especially in the digital age. The BMW Group is well aware of this fact – indeed as early as 2016, the company became the first automotive manufacturer worldwide to join forces with the computer games industry. Epic Games’ Unreal Engine was coupled with virtual reality technology to create new and innovative development methods and tools that are now used in many design and work processes. This user experience development technology has already been presented to a wide general audience at CES 2019, where the BMW Vision iNEXT on display there at the time invited visitors to take a virtual test drive. Important elements of the new BMW iX’s design evolution were thus realized from the outset with the game engine, which also played a decisive role in the planning for the new BMW i4 plant. Many BMW dealerships and branches already offer virtual vehicle inspections and test drives. Unreal Engine was also used for the launch of the new BMW iX in the #NEXTGen digital broadcast (link). Using Unreal Engine’s virtual production tools, new technology that has primarily been used in Hollywood to date, the all-electric vehicle was presented in an innovative set-up called “The Cave”.

From virtual to real vehicle

The possible uses of game technology and virtual reality applications are manifold in the automotive sector. The BMW Group, the first automotive company together with Epic Games to define and structure an enterprise licence for the industrial use of Unreal Engine, designed a self-developed mixed reality system. This is consistently used and expanded in vehicle development. The BMW iX is the first car that has been developed using the game engine we modified for our purposes. BMW’s use of Unreal Engine is invaluable, especially in the strategic innovation fields. You can very quickly create 3D renderings, for example, that take account of light effects and light reflections on different materials, among other things. But most importantly, it allows the functional and user experience to be brought to life and implemented in real time at a very early development stage. These advantages led to the early development of the technology into a global platform.

With its new Driving Simulation Centre in the Research and Innovation Centre, the BMW Group is setting standards (Link). Equipped with 14 simulators and usability laboratories over 11,400 m², it is the most modern and versatile simulation centre in the automotive industry. The company is thus providing its vehicle development and research teams with every opportunity to realistically test and simulate the product requirements of the future. Besides high-tech motion systems that respond immediately to every driving input, a visualisation of the virtual world that is as true-to-life as possible is essential for a realistic driving experience. Here, too, the BMW Group is relying on Unreal Engine from Epic Games.

Innovative and complex production planning

Just how flexible and diverse the possible applications of a game engine like this can be is demonstrated by its use in production planning for the new plant where the BMW i4 will be manufactured in future. With the aid of real-time 3D renderings, production steps and space requirements for items such as tools or spare parts can be precisely planned and designed. This virtual reality technology was already used in 2018 to configure the individual workstations for the upcoming production of the new BMW 3 Series. This meant that for the first time, it was possible to recreate a complete production facility in virtual reality, test new work and manufacturing processes in a realistic 3D environment and adapt them to actual requirements.

Try before you buy: how new technologies benefit customers

Car buyers also benefit from the use of game technology and virtual reality. The Emotion Virtual Experience (EVE) created by BMW, which is now available via 6,400 stations at more than 2400 BMW dealerships and branches worldwide, allows vehicles to be experienced first-hand in virtual reality. EVE provides customers with a photorealistic 3D representation of any BMW or MINI in every variant available across global markets, which can then be viewed on any display or with VR glasses down to the last detail. They can move around the vehicle and select colours and extra fittings in real time – not to mention open doors or the boot, look under the bonnet, and slide back the convertible roof. It is also possible to sit in the virtual vehicle and take a test drive, of course. Even lighting conditions and panorama sets can be simulated so that customers can view their future vehicle in the city, in the mountains, or on a racetrack. EVE, which bases its visualization on Unreal Engine from Epic Games, can be used to display more than 50 vehicle variants in total, including every trim level.

BMW #NEXTGen meets Hollywood

This autumn, Unreal Engine from Epic Games was also used for the launch of the new BMW iX and the MINI Vision Urbanout at the BMW #NEXTGen digital broadcast in spectacular surroundings – created with technologies that were originally developed for the production of a Sci-Fi TV series and since then has been used on several Hollywood feature films. “The Cave” is a virtual production film studio that allows you to place people and objects in various virtually created environment scenarios. As these are projected photorealistically and in real time on huge LED screens, not only is an incomparable three-dimensional effect created for the viewer, but the object itself is also appropriately illuminated through the use of the LEDs. Actors and objects really merge with their environment without any further post production. What is impressive about this innovative staging is that, thanks to camera and object tracking, the background always moves with the viewer. As a result, the background doesn’t remain static and the perspective always appears natural and real, which provides an extra layer of realism for the viewer.

BMW, Epic Games and agency partners Elastique. & NSYNK pushed the technology to the max in an unseen way by adapting it from a movie- to a TV-production workflow, being able to switch between several cameras as well as adding an additional augmented reality (AR) layer. The AR-layer made it possible to stage the fully digital MINI Vision Urbanout as well as several digital props within the scene – with a perfect and playful illusion as the result.

“Very early on, BMW saw the possibilities of what Unreal Engine could offer in the automotive industry and devised some truly ingenious customizations that enable collaborative design, visualization, digital prototyping and virtual simulation of behind-the-wheel experiences,” said Doug Wolff, Business Development Manager, Epic Games. “With the release of the BMW iX launch film, BMW went a step further to leverage the virtual production tools in Unreal Engine, deploying the same LED stage workflow in use by the most sophisticated Hollywood productions. This latest development is further evidence of how advanced BMW are in their multiple use-cases and platform design for game engine technology.”

Thanks to the extremely successful and productive collaboration between the BMW Group and Epic Games, this will be further developed. The potential created by using game engine technology is not only huge, with efficiencies in so many areas, it also offers comprehensive features that can be optimally and seamlessly integrated into various design and production processes. Unreal Engine is an important component of the VR/AR experience platform that, together with BMW game engine developers, makes the above-mentioned applications possible and opens up new ways of using the technology within the BMW Group.

Together with automated driving, the consistent expansion of networking as we move toward a digital and emission-free future is one of the core areas of activity used by the BMW Group to drive forward the transformation of the mobility industry as part of its strategy.

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Next Generation MINI Countryman Production and Powertrain Details Confirmed

Thu, 19 Nov 2020 16:48:05 GMT

Buried in BMW’s comments about it’s product plans for the next decade was a surprising revelation about the next generation MINI Countryman. First BMW has confirmed that the next MINI Countryman will be built at the BMW Group Plant Leipzig in Germany. That aligns nicely with the BMW announcement that would be pulling MINI production from NEDCAR in the Netherlands after 2022. But perhaps more interesting is what kind of Countryman will be built in Germany.

Along with production location BMW has also confirmed what the rumors had suggested: The next generation MINI Countryman will be available with both a combustion engine and as a fully electric model.

Rumors point to MINI ditching the PHEV and focusing on the all electric Countryman in its place.

Following BMW’s strategy “The Power of Choice” MINI will offer the next generation Countryman as both drivetrains as a way to appeal to a diverse global audience. It’s also expected that each drivetrain will have at least two to even four models ranging from something akin to a Countryman One all the way up to a Cooper S. What Countryman JCW will offer will be particularly interesting.

We expect the next generation Countryman to share its chassis and drivetrains with the next generation of small BMWs meaning that we’ll see broad use of the latest technology and potential power outputs on the petrol side well over 300 hp (if the JCW is indeed is offered with an ICE power train).

Sources tell us to expect a more rugged look with a cleaner overall aesthetic – especially on the inside. The next generation Countryman will also likely grown slightly in length and width over the current model.

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MINI and Paul Smith Announce Future Collaboration

Wed, 18 Nov 2020 01:46:25 GMT

One of the more interesting bits of news to come out of the Urbanaut media blitz is a new MINI and Paul Smith collaboration. Paul Smith and his brand have been associated with Mini for decades and this new collab hints at something interesting and perhaps even a bit more meaningful than just a special color or trim package.

OFFICIAL RELEASE

MINI and Paul Smith have announced their second collaboration since 1999. Not only are they both British institutions with a strong tradition, they also share a commitment to continuous development and to ensuring their products make the future a better place. The two brands have always been committed to using the available resources responsibly and to maximum effect. In this new phase of their successful collaboration, the two brands will enter into a creative dialogue, working together to develop design solutions with an even stronger focus on sustainability.

Sustainability as a mindset.

The central idea behind the first Mini was already based on a sustainable principle. Conceived in the midst of the oil crisis, it was a family car that offered maximum space and driving enjoyment, while minimising the use of materials and resources. The classic Mini showed how much more you can do with less – before anyone was even talking about sustainability. Reduction was a key aspect at the time and has therefore been an integral part of the MINI mindset since the brand’s earliest days.

“We are taking the sustainability-led concept of the first Mini further into the future with the MINI Vision Urbanaut – our vision for a spacious, multifunctional MINI model,” says Oliver Heilmer, Head of MINI Design. “It too offers maximum space within a small footprint. And it’s more versatile than ever. Moreover, the interior incorporates fully recycled materials, and we have avoided leather and chrome altogether.”

“Key to a lot of the most iconic examples of design is simplicity,” adds Sir Paul Smith. “In other words, it’s about what you leave out, not what you add. The thinking in fashion is similar. For Paul Smith, as for MINI, sustainability has always been a natural way of approaching things, even before the word was on everyone’s lips. We have always sought a responsible approach to materials and production conditions. Using recycled packaging, reducing fabric waste and powering our shops with renewable energy sources are just a few of the measures we have introduced and we’re constantly looking at ways that we can do more.” For Oliver Heilmer, collaboration is the next logical step: “We are drawn to each other by our similarities, and then we inspire and enrich each other through the differences between the fashion world and the automotive industry. Because there is no future without sustainability.”

MINI and Paul Smith.

Sir Paul Smith is one of Britain’s foremost designers. He is renowned for his creative aesthetic, which combines tradition and modernity. In the late 1990s, Paul collaborated with Mini on a limited-run special edition of the classic Mini. The car was painted in a shade of blue imagined by Sir Paul, and sported neatly coordinated anthracite alloy wheels. Equally popular was a one-off creation to mark the classic Mini’s 40th birthday. This one was painted in Smith’s signature multicolour stripes.

Further information on the planned collaboration will follow in due course.

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The MINI Urbanaut Video: Design Deep Dive

Tue, 17 Nov 2020 21:03:57 GMT

Here’s the MINI Urbanaut video you’ve been waiting for. We saw that because reactions to the Urbanaut have ranged from curiosity to outright bewilderment. This video (hosted by Head of MINI Design Oliver Heilmer) dives deep into the design of the MINI Urbanaut and the concepts behind the car.

That design language of the Urbanaut has its origins in the 1959 Mini. More specifically the simplicity and minimalism we see here was inspired by the brand’s past. To us it feels both more modern and inline with where the brand started over 60 years ago.

Yet many of you are likely struggling to get past the fact that this is basically a small van. Or in other terms of modern version of a VW Bus. That’s not by accident. MINI sees trends and data pointing to the potential resurgence of MVPs (as their called in Europe) having a comeback towards the end of the decade. And while the concept of a MINI MVP hasn’t been officially approved, it was an idea the design team wanted to explore as a way to test new ideas and stretch the MINI design DNA.

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MINI Urbanaut Photo Gallery – A Close Look at MINI Latest Concept

Tue, 17 Nov 2020 13:42:06 GMT

The MINI Urbanaut is a real life car. That’s hard to believe at first because all of the both the way it’s designed and how few official photos there are of the thing. But we are here to tell you that it is both real and rather interesting the more you see.

To underline this we’ve put together a full MINI Urbanaut photo gallery (most you won’t find anywhere else) that show off some of the more interesting aspects of the vehicle inside and out.

What you’ll find is a stark lack of detail and nuance that we’ve come to expect in modern MINIs. the subtle creases and curves you see on the Countryman for example are completely gone. In their place are simpler shapes that evoke the original Mini and point towards a more minimal design language the brand has hinted at for years.

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World Premier: MINI Urbanaut – The Radical Concept that Points to the Brand’s Future

Tue, 17 Nov 2020 13:00:59 GMT

Your eyes don’t deceive you. This is indeed MINI’s highly anticipated concept car intended to point towards the future of the brand. So why is there a plant in it? And why does it look like a van? We spoke to the Head of MINI Design Oliver Heilmer and the Head of MINI Bernd Koerber about the Urbanaut and what it tells us about the future of the brand (and if a MINI-van is coming).

The first thing you need to know about the MINI Urbanaut is that it’s a “Vision” car. That’s BMW speak for future-forward concept that doesn’t specifically point towards a production car. Rather it’s intended to show-off themes and design elements that are heading towards production. The Urbanaut gives us glimpses of the front of the next generation MINI (at a high-level mind you) and an early look at a much simplified design language we’ll be seeing.

That design language has its origins in the 1959 Mini. More specifically the simplicity and minimalism we see here was inspired by the brand’s past. To us it feels both more modern and inline with where the brand started over 60 years ago.

But Oliver Heilmer was quick to point out that the Urbanaut is dramatically different than the classic MVP. He wanted to create something that was entirely variable depending on the situation and environment. A concept that could seamlessly blend into the owners life far more than a car (which is parked the majority of the time) could ever integrate.

This is a room concept so it’s dramatically different from that. We’re talking about a multi-functional Swiss knife with the Urbanaut. You’re able to use it in different moments and transform it. So the approach is entirely different.
Oliver Heilmer
Head of MINI Design

But it’s hard to get past how uncool the MVP or classic minivan has become in most corners of the world. To that, MINI’s head Bernd Koerber had a very straightforward answer; “We won’t make a practical MVP if it’s not cool.” And he expects to see more concepts like this from other brands in the near future – which could in itself start to sway public towards the idea.

Design is all important to MINI. Sometimes it only takes second to review design. We ask ourselves; is it cool or not cool? So there will be that question. We won’t make a practical MVP if it’s not cool.
Bernd Koerber
Head of MINI

Is the MINI Urbanaut successful? As an object of lust perhaps not. But has a concept that tests new ideas and breaks ground for the brand, yes. And those ideas are particularly relevant in a post COVID world. As the idea of work and living space blend, the MINI has envisioned a new space that offers more than just mobility but also safety and community.

Perhaps Head of MINI Bernd Koerber said it best when he described COVID’s impact on the MINI team: The last ten months has changed our minds on mobility. For all of us there was this feeling of, where can we find space where we feel safe in an urban environment. The Urbanaut is a concept informed by both these recent global events and trends that have been in the making for years.

is it a MINI? Is the broad definition of how the original came to be, of course. It leverages it’s 4.46 meters in smart ways to create the maximum possible interior volume. It’s also an answer to a world in crisis not unlike the 1959 oil crisis. And it’s a radical departure from what came before it.

OFFICIAL RELEASE

The MINI brand is using #NEXTGen to present, in a world exclusive, the MINI Vision Urbanaut – an all-new interpretation of a vision of space. This digital vision vehicle offers more interior space and versatility than ever before, but still on a minimal footprint.

“The MINI brand has always stood for ‘Clever Use of Space’. In the MINI Vision Urbanaut, we extend private space far into the public realm, creating completely new and enriching experiences,” explains Adrian van Hooydonk, Head of BMW Group Design.

The MINI moments.

“MINI sees its future self primarily as an enabler of and companion for unforgettable times – what we might call ‘MINI moments’. The MINI Vision Urbanaut uses three curated MINI moments – “Chill”, “Wanderlust” and “Vibe” – to present a wide range of possible usage scenarios. The Chill moment invites you to catch a breath and pause in the here and now. The car becomes a kind of retreat, a haven where you can relax – or work with full concentration – during a journey. Wanderlust is the only MINI moment where the MINI Vision Urbanaut is being driven or driving with automated driving functions. The moment Vibe puts time with other people at centre stage – in every way”, adds Oliver Heilmer, Head of MINI Design.

The exterior and interior change to reflect the MINI moment at hand and give the experience the best possible stage. An all-encompassing user experience design, sustainable materials and a purely electric drive system are additional ingredients of the overall concept.

The interior design – More Creative Use of Space.

As an innovative space concept, the MINI Vision Urbanaut was designed from the inside out. The designers created the spacious interior experience before developing the exterior, using floor plans, pieces of furniture plus wooden scale models to provide an indication of size. Over the course of the project, augmented reality was employed to create a digital model, which was then systematically optimised. Unusually tall for a MINI, but only 4.46 m in length, the MINI Vision Urbanaut provides an interior space that can be used in many different ways and offers a whole new ease of movement inside the car.

Electric drive system and automated driving functions also create new ways to use the interior.

Having been conceived from the outset as an electrically powered vehicle with automated driving functions, the MINI Vision Urbanaut has afforded the designers a greater level of freedom when creating both the exterior and interior.

“In 1959, the very first Mini ushered in a small-scale revolution in vehicle construction with its transversely mounted engine,” recalls Oliver Heilmer, Head of MINI Design. “With the MINI Vision Urbanaut we have been able to rethink and increase the usable surface area inside the car even further in relation to its footprint.”

One space, a multitude of possibilities.

The interior of the MINI Vision Urbanaut provides the ideal environment in which to go on a journey, but is also the aim of the journey. Having arrived at the chosen destination, it can transform into a living room in just a few simple steps. Occupants enter the innovative cabin through a large sliding door in the side of the car. The cutting-edge slide and swivel mechanism is the ideal design for urban driving conditions where space is at a premium. There are no other doors on the driver’s side or front passenger side.

Driver’s area with “Daybed” and “Street Balcony”; “Cosy Corner” in the rear.

An extremely flexible four-seat layout provides the basis for the bright interior. The two front seats are designed to rotate, while the backrests for the generously sized seat surface in the rear can be folded manually (left rear seat) and turned around (right rear seat). When the car is stationary, the dashboard lowers and the driver’s area becomes a comfortable seating corner – the “daybed”. Added to which, the windscreen can be opened upwards when stationary to create a kind of Street Balcony. This enhances interaction with the car’s surroundings and creates an even more generous spatial experience.

The darker environs of the cabin’s rear section provide a quieter space – the Cosy Corner. This area invites passengers to enjoy some time to themselves. A textile- covered “Loop” extends over the seat bench and features the option of LED backlighting. Between Cosy Corner and the driver’s area is the open and airy central section of the car, which offers quick access to all seating areas. With the door open, it is even possible to sit on the floor. On the side of the car opposite the entry door, a small integrated table with a plant adds a finishing touch to the interior fittings. The

table signifies the car’s new centre point – the place where passengers meet, face and engage with one another.

User interface and interaction design – “Analogue love, digital connection” as a guiding principle.
Intuitive, discreet user interface solutions allow conventional controls such as switches or buttons to be omitted. This creates a minimalist, cosy spatial experience while maintaining full connectivity. The principle of making things as simple as possible to use (“natural interaction”) is highlighted by the “analogue”, tactile, haptic experience of initiating a feature, e.g. the direct touch operation option in the Loop over the rear seat bench. The circular instrument is now positioned in the middle of the car – the new centre of the action – and brings information to the place where people meet.

The “MINI Token” – the digital-analogue interface for MINI moments.

The MINI Token is the centrepiece of the MINI Vision Urbanaut’s experience worlds. It is roughly the same size as a worry stone and activates the three preconfigured MINI moments – Chill, Wanderlust and Vibe – when placed in purpose-designed slots in the table at the centre of the car. Other MINI moments are conceivable, such as “My MINI moment”. Here, the MINI Token can be programmed to provide another kind of personalised experience, in which the user can configure their own preferred scenario of fragrance, ambient lighting, music, etc. and call it up directly at a later time.

The exterior design – the spirit of the brand in a new form.

The purist mono-volume design of the MINI Vision Urbanaut gives new meaning to the “Creative Use of Space” approach. The flush, virtually seamless surface creates a modern baseline mood, with high-quality details adding carefully judged stylistic flourishes. In signature MINI fashion, the wheels are positioned at the outer corners of the body, with short overhangs rounding off a compact and agile appearance.

A new MINI face.

The front end of the MINI Vision Urbanaut represents a clear evolution of two time- honoured MINI design icons – the headlights and radiator grille. Positioned under a milled aluminium structure with slotted openings, the headlights are only visible when switched on. Thanks to their multicolour dynamic matrix design they can display different multi-coloured graphics, which creates a new form of communication between the car and the outside world to suit each moment. The

lights on the MINI Vision Urbanaut complement the front “grille” with the attractive look distinctive to every MINI. The enclosed grille itself is now octagonal in shape, representing an evolution of the traditional hexagonal form. Since the MINI Vision Urbanaut does not have a combustion engine requiring cooling air, the grille assumes a new function: it now serves as an intelligence panel for automated driving.

As with the headlights, mulitcolour dynamic matrix rear lights behind milled aluminium covers deliver a fresh aesthetic and present different looks in the various driving modes and MINI moments. On closer inspection, the distinctive, convex surfaces also pay homage to previous MINIs and the classic Mini. One small detail – the contour of the rear windows – references the form of the front grille and underscores the car’s stylistic consistency.

The clear form of the exterior supplies the car’s colours, materials and details with the perfect stage. The matt exterior shade Zero Gravity transitions from a metallic green with blue flip effect to a subtly toned grey. The windows show a pattern in body colour, fading in a gradient from bottom to top. This creates a harmonious transition from the vehicle body to the windows and roof. The pattern also provides a certain amount of privacy without having to darken the windows; the interior remains bright.

Illuminated skateboard wheels provide visual flourishes.

The visual highlight of the MINI Vision Urbanaut when viewed from the side are the wheels, finished in the colour Ocean Wave, a turquoise blue which sparks associations with the beach and the sound of the sea. The abstract Union Jack profile of the wheels is a nod to the car’s British heritage, while their shape recalls skateboards – thereby further highlighting the car’s nimbleness and non-conformist MINI twist. The wheels also represent another way in which the car communicates with its surroundings. Transparent and illuminated from the inside, their appearance changes according to the selected MINI moment.

MINI charms – tactile loveables.

Occupying an exposed position in the C-pillar on the driver’s side are the “charms”. They offer reminders of places travelled, festivals or other events in the form of pins or stickers, and are presented as graphic collector’s items behind glass, as if in adisplay cabinet. The MINI charms are also an expression of wanderlust and show what the owner has experienced with the MINI Vision Urbanaut – like the stickers on camper vans or badges on walking poles in days gone by. One charm is dedicated to

the #Next Gen platform on which the MINI Vision Urbanaut will celebrate its world premiere. Another has a QR code which, when scanned, takes you to MINI.com. In this way, the analogue and digital worlds come together in the car’s exterior as well.Expressing the MINI moments in the interior and exterior.

If one of the three MINI moments is activated by placing the MINI Token in the slots in the table, this is signalled on the outside of the car through the front and rear surfaces and wheel rims. In the interior, the whole geometry – including the seats, the form of the dashboard/daybed and the backrest positions – can be adjusted manually according to the MINI moment selected. The circular instrument display also changes. Fragrance, sound and ambient lighting continue to enrich the baseline mood initiated by the chosen MINI moment.

MINI moment Chill – an oasis amid the hustle and bustle of the city.

In the MINI moment Chill, the MINI Vision Urbanaut becomes a private retreat, an urban oasis. While the rear seat bench (Cosy Corner) invites various seating and lying positions, the backlit Loop above it takes on an appearance inspired by a green forest canopy and can also be dimmed. Ambient music and atmospheric sounds from nature are added to the mix. In the central area, the circular instrument folds down to become a table lamp, eliminating displays or switches that might remind the customer of their automotive surroundings. From the outside, the MINI moment Chill is revealed in the abstract representation of a forest canopy around the headlights, rear lights and wheels.

MINI moment Wanderlust – the joy of travelling together.

graphics in the LED matrix surfaces at the front and rear ends signal whether automated mode has been engaged or the customer is driving themselves.

MINI moment Vibe – celebrating community, sharing moments.

In the MINI moment Vibe, the MINI Vision Urbanaut opens up to people and its surroundings, and provides an experience of togetherness and interaction. Opening the side door and folding up the windscreen creates a welcoming scene that blurs the boundaries between the outside and inside. Amid a colour world of magenta and black with turquoise highlights, the MINI Vision Urbanaut provides a central meeting hub; one which can be either quiet or loud. The central circular instrument becomes a media control centre. An animation of graphic equalizers moving with the music is projected onto surfaces of the front, rear, wheels and Loop above the rear seat bench, creating a pleasant club atmosphere. If those on board so desire, the car could even begin to resemble a boombox.

Digital services connected with the MINI Vision Urbanaut

The concept behind the MINI Vision Urbanaut includes services designed to make using the car an enriching and seamless experience. For example, the MINI Vision Urbanaut can be opened using smart devices – so, in keeping with its status as a mobility option of the future, it can be accessed by anyone within a defined circle of family and friends. Playlists, audio books or podcasts to suit the route and the moment can be explored while travelling in the Wanderlust moment. A personal journey planner displays tips and points of interest (POI) tailored to the individual, as well as recommendations from the MINI Community. These can be proposed and selected as desired.

Sustainable materials and a responsible mindset.

The MINI Vision Urbanaut is characterised by the responsible use of resources. As well as maximum space within a small footprint and the all-electric drive system, the MINI Vision Urbanaut is committed to a responsible approach to materials. This is achieved not only by reducing the number of components in the exterior and interior design, but also by enabling dual functions such as the dashboard/daybed. In addition to the use of recyclates, this also means ensuring that the design is free of chrome and leather. Along with the use of recycled materials, this also means avoiding chrome and leather. The dominant material in the interior is knitted textile, which combines cosiness and quality with softness and comfort. The use of cork on the steering wheel and sections of the floor adds a special touch thanks to its natural feel, and ensures an authentically pleasant interior climate.

MINI Urbanaut Photo Gallery

The post World Premier: MINI Urbanaut – The Radical Concept that Points to the Brand’s Future appeared first on MotoringFile.

An Inside Look at MINI’s Urban-X

Sat, 14 Nov 2020 16:36:15 GMT

Unbeknownst to most MINI fans, MINI owns and runs a start-up accelerator located in Brooklyn New York called Urban-X. The incubator’s purpose is to educate, invest in and advocate for startups shaping the future of cities through technology and design. By creating disruptive and scalable solutions across sectors such as real estate and construction, infrastructure, mobility, food, water and energy, they ultimately help making cities more efficient, liveable, and loveable. Sounds simple right? You can see how Urban-X does it all below.

The post An Inside Look at MINI’s Urban-X appeared first on MotoringFile.

Creating the World’s Only JCW GP Coupe

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 12:58:48 GMT

For those who missed Gabe’s article, The Lost JCW GP: The R58 JCW GP Coupe, about the saga of the GP Coupe, it might help to start by checking it out before proceeding, as it served as inspiration to complete this project.

We’ve all had projects we wanted to complete and time just got away from us, right? This story is about one such project. As a JCW Coupe owner, creating a GP Coupe is a project I’ve been working on too slowly since 2013. As a field reporter for MotoringFile, I brought my story to MotoringFile and am grateful for the opportunity to share this journey with you.

GP Coupe Right side

ORIGIN

In 2013 I was hoping for my second MINI and wanted something special, so the GP2 looked perfect. I was first in line to order one at MINI of Peabody. As details trickled out about the GP2 it became clear it would not have an option to get MINI Connected. Integrated, advanced connectivity options were emerging and, for me, buying a new car without that was a dealbreaker. In retrospect, had I known the shortcomings of MINI Connected and lack of updates for it to keep pace with new phones, I might have stuck with the GP. I looked to other models and the JCW Coupe’s unique blend of quirky style and remarkable performance made it an easy choice. Rumors had been circulating that a GP Coupe was forthcoming but as you may have read here on Motoring File, the GP Coupe never got a green light for production.

The first GP (2006) was an instantly iconic MINI. At that time it was difficult, if not impossible, for non-GP owners to purchase GP parts from the dealership without proof of ownership. Six years later, MINI changed that policy for the GP2, and anyone could order GP2 parts to build their own, so after purchasing the JCW Coupe, I began a 7-year process to transform my JCW Coupe into a GP Coupe; this endeavor is not for the impatient, as you will soon see in the Challenges section below.

Ordering a new car can be fun, and ordering a MINI, with all of MINI’s customization options or personalizing a MINI you already own, is a staple of MINI ownership. The Thunder Grey Metallic exterior color was not available on anything but the GP in 2013, so I chose White Silver, which was used by MINI for launch promotions of the JCW Coupe. GP seats were not available upon order but Recaro seats were, so those were ordered with the car.

GP Coupe Carbon Fiber Hood Scoop.

DIFFERENCES

Along the journey two kinds of differences emerged: purposeful differences where I chose to do something different (usually for stylistic reasons), and unavoidable differences.

Purposeful differences included the choice of interior colors such as red in the doors and use of carbon fiber dash panels, door panels, brake handle, hood scoop and hatch handle, instead of gloss or matte black as used on the GP. Although more costly, I prefer the carbon fiber appearance to a matte or gloss plastic finish.

Since there are no rear seats in the Coupe, a rear seat area internal brace is not needed.

GP Coupe side scuttle

The White Silver exterior drove the decision to go with Satellite Grey leather dash, which I felt was more complimentary to the exterior color.

An Alcantara steering wheel was chosen for its comfort and grip. In this author’s opinion, the alcantara steering wheel should have been standard issue for the GP – it feels phenomenal.

Rennline door strap pulls patterned after the Porsche RS style pulls were installed as were Rennline door lock pins. The door pulls were a stylistic decision to add another red accent to the cabin.

The Coupe comes with a rear shelf behind the driver and passenger seats, which contains two plastic conical pieces which I had painted Chili Red which again adds red accent to the interior that, in this case, is also visible from the outside.

The hood scoop decal is missing its red outer ring because I chose not to install one. This is because the bonnet stripes have been painted into the bonnet and roof, and the outer circle would disrupt the lines of the stripes incongruously. The stripes were a must for me, as I think they provide a sportier look to the car than without.

The exact Kumho tires sold in 2013 are no longer in production, but most high-performance summer tires (not run-flat) are comparable. Tires are also often a personal choice.

Mini LED Daytime (halo) Running Lights weren’t available when the GP2 launched but they’re perfect upgrade to any R5x MINI and are installed on this one.

PROJECT CHECKLIST

GP Coupe interior badge measurement.

Thinking of doing this yourself? Here’s what you’ll need:

JCW Coupe
GP Front rotors, calipers and backplates
GP Master cylinder
GP Coil-over springs and mounts
GP R136 Wheels
GP Rear diffusor
JCW Coupe / Roadster Rear wing
Chili Red painting on rear shelf plastic pieces
GP Red lower grille intakes
GP Carbon Fiber belly pan
GP Black mesh Side Scuttles (may require new carriers – mine did)
GP Hood scoop decal (set)
GP Side stripe decals
GP Rear logo badge
GP Interior dash badge
GP Rocker panel inserts
GP Roof number (doesn’t fit the angled area behind the driver door, only the passenger side)
GP Red Shift knob
Cross strut brace (GP and JCW both functionally identical)
Red seat belts (not completed on this project)
Recaro seats (GP and JCW Recaro are functionally identical)
GP Floor mats – black with red lining
GP wheel alignment (dealership)
Red brake lines (optional – ECS Tuning has these and they’re a great add-on)
If you live in a place with snow check if your snow wheels fit over the front calipers before installing!

GP Coupe interior

CHALLENGES

Every once in a while you see a car someone made look like a more expensive car. You know the ones – when someone puts an ///M badge on a BMW you know isn’t an actual ///M or OEM package. A decision was made up front on this project not to brand the car as a GP until all OEM performance upgrades had been installed. In short, the car needed to walk the walk from a performance and parts perspective, and could not just be a JCW with GP decals on it. So this took tremendous patience as pieces were added over time.

The biggest barrier to building a GP from parts is cost. While the parts are still available, they come with a premium because the only manufacturer is MINI, supply is low and GP parts aren’t really discount much. ECS Tuning has a nice feature that helps find and order GP2 parts – Just type “GP2” in their search window and a long list of OEM GP2 parts are all in one place. If you’re handy with doing your own mechanical work you can save a lot on labor, but things like the front brake kit will set you back thousands of dollars unless you’re lucky enough to find them used. I was also able to recoup some of the investment by selling the old 4-piston Brembo JCW front brake calipers. Check your dealership for pricing as well, as they sometimes have parts specials.

GP Coupe Rear View

The GP has a custom wing, but the wing on the Coupe is motorized and only comes up at speed, so I when I ordered the car I knew I wanted an alternative and surprisingly found a dealer-installable OEM option. The fixed rear wing was something shown at the Geneva Auto Show in 2012 but appeared in just one dealership JCW accessory guide, so it wasn’t heavily marketed and turned out to be a rare addition that carries the roof color to the back of the car, and mirrors the design of the GP by having a rear wing. Finding this accessory today is likely difficult. It’s a hunch, but I think this would have been the wing MINI used, had the GP Coupe been produced. Note: when the fixed wing is installed, the wing switch is disabled, as the fixed wing does not have motors on it and is not designed to move.

Being a detail-oriented project manager, I asked my local MINI dealership about templates for aligning the GP hood scoop decal and interior dash panel badge, only to find out after exhaustive research that there are none. Note to GP2 owners: If a rock hits your hood scoop, or a kid yanks off your dash badge, your replacement install will likely be done by eye. I even asked GP owners on NorthAmericanMotoring.com for help by way of a tape measure to accurately align the logos, but got no takers. Determined to find a way, I found the best photos of these two areas online, then took photos of those areas on the Coupe and measured surrounding distances and the badges themselves for scale. Then I brought the GP images from the web into Photoshop, used a grid to get common measurement, and used a proportion calculator to figure the ratio of my measuring tape measurements to those on the grid. This process allowed me to align the interior badge and hood coop decal as accurately as possible without a template. Whew!

GP Coupe passenger seat & rocker panel insert.

Speaking of decals, the roof number decal is designed for a wider area than the angled area just behind the doors, which seems the most logical place for it because so much is curved on the Coupe’s roof that it’s the only spot with a flat line. The roof number fits on the passenger side because the top edges of the decal skew rightward and don’t run into any openings, but on the driver’s side the angled line where the hatch meets the car is opposite, so the decal would have to bend into the gap and would look awkward – so placement of a roof decal really only works on the passenger side. The vendor I got my decal from was also not very helpful with my request for creating a custom version of the decal that has the top edge skew left to fit the driver’s side. I decided to leave it off to figure out whether there’s a better way to doing it.

Scuttles were a problem. When I found out, my first thoughts was, “really? Scuttles are a problem?” The JCW Coupe scuttles are chrome, but the GP scuttles look more like the front grille of the car with a chrome outline. Finding the GP style scuttles was easy. Taking off the original (JCW) scuttles was easy. Then I looked at the fitment and the black plastic carriers that house the lights in the scuttles have different holes than the GP-style scuttles so they wouldn’t fit. So the carriers and the GP scuttle must both be ordered and installed.

Red seat belts are an important part of the GP and, as of this writing, are not installed on this GP Coupe but will be as soon as is feasible. The Coupe and Roadster have different mount points for seat belts so it’s not as easy as buying GP seat belts and installing them. Since seat belts are a safety feature tied into the car’s computer, they are also complex to replace, and finding a shop that replaces the seat belts with DOT-approved straps in a color as close as possible to Chili Red requires a mini side project all its own.

One detail that remains elusive is the GP Mode programming – dealerships won’t do it unless you own a GP and even then they say it would have to be done on an actual GP (you can’t just give them a VIN of a GP you own). MINI corporate also tells me it’s impossible. Unless someone can work some magic with ECUs, GP mode will likely remain elusive for anyone but GP owners. The GP Mode uses the front brakes to simulate what a limited-slip differential (LSD) does. If anyone knows of a way to enable GP Mode on a non-GP MINI, please let us know in the comments below! If it truly can’t be done, I may install an actual LSD.

GP Coupe hood scoop with headphones.

FINISHING TOUCHES

In my day job I work for Bose. One thing Bose is well known for is high quality noise cancelling headphones, but some may not know you can order their QuietComfort II headphones on the Bose website in custom colors of your MINI as I did for this project.

After seven years, the OEM stripe decals began to fade. When a piece of a tire from a car on the highway recently made a small dent in the bonnet, I made the decision to paint the stripes into the bonnet and roof rather than replace the decals. Surprisingly, the cost to paint the stripes was the same as buying and installing OEM decals but they’ll never have to be replaced again.

Since this is the first GP Coupe I’m aware of, it is one of one and thus has roof decal number 0001 (not installed as of photo shoot).

CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE

This conversion wouldn’t have been possible without the support, products, advice and labor of many people including:

Scott McLeod, MINI of Bedford in Bedford, NH
Brig Currie, MINI of Peabody in Peabody, MA
Dave Habeeb (night photos)
Greasy’s Garage in Worcester, MA
ECS Tuning in Wadsworth, OH
Gabriel Bridger of MotoringFile
Rennline, Milton, VT
OutMotoring, Knoxville TN

GP Coupe Hood Scoop.
GP Coupe Rear Wing.
GP Coupe Night Silhouette.
GP Coupe Center Console
GP Coupe Seats
GP Coupe Rear View
GP Coupe passenger seat
GP Coupe door sills
GP Coupe door locks
GP Coupe rear cowling shelf
GP Coupe brake handle
GP Coupe interior
GP Coupe Dash panel
GP Coupe Door trim
GP Coupe lower grille intake
GP Coupe side mirror
GP Coupe hood scoop with headphones.
GP Coupe side view

The post Creating the World’s Only JCW GP Coupe appeared first on MotoringFile.

BMW Accidentally Reveals the Electric JCW GP

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 12:09:31 GMT

The all electric JCW GP is coming. Two weeks ago we gave you the world’s first look at MINI’s electric halo. Now BMW has accidentally revealed a few glimpses of it in the recent Chasing iNext documentary.

As you can see in the screen captures the car is heavily based on the 2020 GP with a sprinkling of various MINI Cooper SE graphics thrown in. There are some new details seen in the sketches. In one we can clearly see a vent in the arches (like still carbon fiber) behind the rear tires. And speaking of those arches – they appear to be shaped different and not squared off as they are in the current GP.

Finally we can clearly see two different wheel designs; one based on the current GP and another five spoke with yellow graphics.

The all electric JCW GP (or GPE as we call it) will not debut next week with the MINI Urbanaut but at a later date.

The post BMW Accidentally Reveals the Electric JCW GP appeared first on MotoringFile.

We’re Getting a JCW GP for a week – What Do you want to Know?

Tue, 10 Nov 2020 16:02:31 GMT

In about an hour a nice man will drop off a grey MINI in our driveway. Thunder grey. The JCW GP represents the pinnacle of the brand in many ways. But what is it like to commute, road-trip and and just live with the thing? Over the course of a week we intend to find out.

14 years ago this week we had the original JCW GP for a week. The experience and the subsequent review is something that we still reference today. It was cold, snowy and the grip the runlet Dunlops produced was minimal. But we loved every mile. This week looks to be much better in terms of weather. But will the car thrill as much as that original GP did? Let’s find out.

In the meantime what do you want to know about this car? And answers can we give you? Let us know in the comments below.

The post We’re Getting a JCW GP for a week – What Do you want to Know? appeared first on MotoringFile.

The First Classic Mini Electric Conversion Kits Are Here

Mon, 09 Nov 2020 04:03:54 GMT

Last year a British company called Swind released it’s own full classic Mini electric. This year the same company is releasing a crate “motor” and kit that will transform any classic Mini into an electric one. At its heart is what Swind is calling the highest power-to-volume ratio of any automotive electric drivetrain, weighing just 110lbs while producing 107bhp.

The kit can be yours for £8850 or approximately $12,000 and can be bought direct.

What makes it special? Like all electric cars, the change moves the center of gravity further down while adding more immediate torque. And surprisingly it’s pretty much plug and play. The kit includes the motor, specialized brakes and new CV joint housings that connect to the original drivetrains.

Given MINI’s pivot into electrification it’ll be interesting to see the rise of classic and even early new Mini electric conversions in the coming years. And perhaps even from MINI themselves?

Classic Mini Electric by Swind – Full Specifications

Power (kW): 80 Continuous / 120 Peak
Motor Type: Brushless and permanent magnet
Max. Motor Torque (Nm): 136
Max. Motor Efficiency (%): 97
Peak Efficiency Motor Speed (rpm): 8000
Max. Motor Speed (rpm): 10500
Transmission: Single speed, helical gears
Oil Capacity (l): 0.75
Transmission Ratio: 6.332
Max. Nominal Output Torque (Nm): 861
Max. Nominal Output Speed (rpm): 1658
Apparent Overall Inertia At Output (kg.m²): 0.35
Powertrain Assembly Dimensions (mm): 441 x 384 x 228
Classic Mini Kit Mass (kg): 70.1 (Dry)

The post The First Classic Mini Electric Conversion Kits Are Here appeared first on MotoringFile.

BMW Sees Significantly Profit In The Third Quarter

Thu, 05 Nov 2020 22:49:13 GMT

BMW is seeing dramatically improved market conditions worldwide driven by increasing demand. The result is a € 2.5 billion BMW profit in the third quarter and free cash flow in excess of € 3 billion in its automotive business. Those are huge numbers given the year that 2020 has been and offers BMW good momentum to pivot into what should be a much more normal 2021.

OFFICIAL RELEASE

The BMW Group increased sales volume and net profit in the third quarter of 2020 and, at the nine-month stage, is on track to meet its targets for the full year. The BMW Group was able to benefit during the third quarter from regional upturns in demand as well as from the attractive model portfolio on offer to customers. At the same time, cost efficiency and cash management remain decisive factors in coping with the ongoing impact of the corona pandemic in its varying regional forms to the best possible extent.

“The third-quarter performance underlines the BMW Group’s operational strength and ability to perform well within a challenging environment. We improved Group earnings compared to one year earlier and are therefore firmly on track towards achieving our targets for the full year. We manage our day-to-day operations closely, taking regional fluctuations in demand into account, and can respond to changing market situations at any time,” said Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, in Munich on Wednesday. In this way, the Group generated profit before tax in the region of € 2.5 billion in the third quarter. Free cash flow in the Automotive segment was in excess of € 3 billion. “We are shaping the transformation of our industry from a position of strength and are very well positioned for the years to come. At the same time, we are already strategically and technologically aligning the Group for the period after 2025 – including key aspects such as vehicle architectures and planning for vehicle production by plant.”

Investments in the future remain key to innovation leadership

Despite the highly challenging market environment, the BMW Group continues to invest in future-oriented technologies and develop its expertise accordingly. As previously announced, the Group intends to invest more than € 30 billion in research and development by 2025 with the aim of extending its leading edge in terms of innovation.

In the period from January to September, the BMW Group’s research and development expenses totalled € 4,140 million and thus remained at a high level (2019: € 4,247 million; -2.5%).This includes expenses for future electrified models and modular kits for e-vehicles. Capital expenditure on property, plant and equipment as well as on other intangible assets continues to be undertaken on a clearly prioritised, highly focused basis. A total of € 2,375 million (2019: € 3,308 million; -28.2%) was invested during the nine-month period to September.

“Our financial management strategy focuses on high profitability and strict cost management. On this solid basis, we continue to invest in the future of our Group and are financing the transformation with our own resources,” said Nicolas Peter, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Finance. “Today, for example, we are benefiting from our strategic focus on the upper luxury segment, a decision we took back in 2016. With the attractive 8 Series models and the BMW X7, we have managed to grow the sales volume of highly profitable models by over 70% since 2018. On the cost side, numerous initiatives are boosting our efficiency with the aim of keeping the Group on course in this challenging environment, both short-term and long-term.”

Additional all-electric models in the pipeline

In addition to the BMW 7 Series, comprehensive electrification will continue to be rolled out across the Group’s model range. Further examples of the “Power of Choice” will be the highly popular BMW X1 and BMW 5 Series, which will also be available with all four drivetrain variants going forward – all-electric, plug-in hybrid, diesel and petrol.

The BMW Group continues to work on significantly reducing the CO2 emissions of its current fleet of new vehicles and is again this year set to meet the stipulated CO2 fleet target for new vehicles registered in Europe in 2020. The figure is around 20% below the requirement stipulated for 2019. The systematic electrification of the model range is making a decisive contribution towards achieving this target.

The post BMW Sees Significantly Profit In The Third Quarter appeared first on MotoringFile.

Opinion: Why an All Electric JCW GP Could Be the Ultimate MINI

Mon, 02 Nov 2020 11:46:00 GMT

When I first hit the go pedal in the all electric MINI Cooper SE I immediately got it. I got what all those MINI engineers had been quietly telling me for well over a year; electrification perfectly suits the brand. The immediacy of the torque, the low, centered weight distribution and the environmental credentials all align perfectly with what the MINI is about. Which is why an all electric JCW GP might just be the ultimate MINI.

I like many of you mourn the loss of manual transmissions and have longed for the return of R53-like reactions in future MINIs. But time marches on and while we’ve lost some ground in visceral feedback, we’ve gained so much in other areas. More performance, better economy and cars that tend to be much better screwed together are attributes that I personally love about the current MINI range. But we’re on the cusp of something much more transformational than better quality and slightly more efficient engines.

Going electric will not only transform how a MINI performs but change the perception of the brand. And in creating a electric halo like the JCW GPE MINI is signaling its intentions to move decisively in that direction.

From a performance perspective we have plenty of questions still. For instance how will those front tires be able to cope with so much immediate torque we’d assume out of an electric GP? BMW’s ARB system is great but it’s never had to deal with anything more than what the Cooper SE puts out. And track driving kills range – will MINI pack more cells into the GPE than the Cooper SE?

Finally what about the buying public? Are you ready for an electric halo car from MINI? These questions and many others will be answered soon enough.

As always, let us know your thoughts below in the comment section.

The post Opinion: Why an All Electric JCW GP Could Be the Ultimate MINI appeared first on MotoringFile.

Exclusive: MINI Prepping all Electric JCW GP for Release

Sat, 31 Oct 2020 20:59:47 GMT

What you’re looking at are the first photos of the electric JCW GP as it begins testing for possible production. The shocking photos show a GP based prototype with several tell-tale signs that this is indeed a fully electric model.

First and foremost there is no exhaust anywhere to be found. Second MINI is using it’s iconic yellow trim color on the brakes and in the camouflage pattern – clearly intended to mark the car as electric. Finally we’ve reached out to sources that are typically spot-on around MINI’s future products and they’ve confirmed what we suspected; this is indeed an all electric prototype model based on the just released JCW GP. While they could’t confirm production plans this prototype has all the hallmarks of a fairly serious development cycle.

Electric JCW GP – Performance

As anyone who’s driven the all electric MINI Cooper SE can tell you, electrification adds a new level of performance that suits the brand well. What this new all electric JCW GP seems to be doing is taking that to an extreme.

As we said when we drove the Cooper SE earlier this year, it takes approximately 50 feet to figure out that this is the quickest MINI ever 0-30 mph. That type of performance is a game-changing attribute and turned up to 11 (as you’d expect in the GP) would be incredibly compelling.

But it’s not just torque that makes us excited for the all electric JCW GP. Assuming it follows the blueprint from the Cooper SE, lithium-ion battery pack will likely be wedged low and in the center of the car creating the lowest center of gravity ever on a modern MINI.

What that means is that the Cooper SE, despite a ride height that is likely a bit higher than normal, is immediate in its direction changes and is extremely progressive at the limit. In fact it was the most balanced MINI I have ever driven, and with a 50/50 weight distribution it makes sense.

Weight will likely be up but likely not as much as you’d expect. A standard Mini Cooper S weighs in between 2,700 and 2,800 depending on options. The all electric Cooper SE is over 300 lbs heavier at 3,153 lbs. Yet due to the location of that extra weight, performance hardly feels stunted in normal scenarios. And even up to triple digits speeds the Cooper SE constantly surprises in the way it builds speed. That bodes well for the electric JCW GP.

While the current JCW GP puts it’s power down via an 8-speed automatic and a mechanical limited differential, we’d expect the electric JCW GP (potentially called the GPE) to make use of BMW’s excellent ARB system. ARB is BMW’s highly advanced traction control system designed for electric cars that features a slip control system positioned directly in the engine control unit making it dramatically faster to react. Combined with with DSC, actuator contiguous wheel slip limitation (say that three times) significantly reduces the power understeer usually experienced with front-wheel drive vehicles, but without control intervention to stabilize lateral dynamics.

Electric JCW GP – Production Plans and Timing

With the longer life-cycle of the F56, a second halo car does make some sense. And making it electric ticks all the boxes for the brand as it looks to change course and lean into electrified drivetrains. And you won’t find better proof that MINI is serious about transitioning the JCW brand into an electric only performance brand.

Given that this is the first time we’ve seen the car on public roads we’d expect a full year of testing before we see the finished product. And that could mean the final production electric JCW GP wouldn’t seem showrooms until early 2022.

The post Exclusive: MINI Prepping all Electric JCW GP for Release appeared first on MotoringFile.

MINI to Make JCW an All Electric Performance Brand

Thu, 29 Oct 2020 20:33:54 GMT

Fresh off of the announcement of MINI’s new direction, we’re getting more information about plans for the JCW sub-brand. According to MINI’s CEO Bernd Körber, the plan is to make JCW an all electric performance brand with a few surprises along the way including a standalone model.

According to an interview in Auto Express, Körber believes there’s an opportunity to develop JCW into a more focused sub-brand similar to BMW M. For years JCW has offered specific models but the differentiation between them and the standard MINI models has been often focus on engine tunes, brakes and styling. MINI wants to take that further and they believe a move to electrification could do that.

According to MINI, JCW models currently account for just over 5% of overall MINI sales. But those cars aren’t just the fastest, they’re also the most profitable for the brand. Körber sees an opportunity to re-think the JCW brand has IMNI expands its electric offerings.

As Körber explained to Auto Express, “The next phase of our portfolio is also about the next generation of John Cooper Works. The perception, I would say, when you look at John Cooper Works, it’s not the perception of a full-blown sub-brand. People very often perceive it as our top model or performance model. What we would like to do is make John Cooper Works a real electric performance brand.”

The Electric JCW Timeline

Rest assured the petrol powered JCW aren’t going away immediately. MINI recognizes that the transition is dependent on a number of factors. Be that as it may we’d expect the first all electric JCW product to be a year after the first all electric 4th generation MINIs debut in 2023 making the ’24 model year a safe bet. In all we’d expect MINI to introduce an all electric JCW hatch, small crossover and a new all electric Countryman.

Körber added; “there will still be a market and customer demand for ICE [internal combustion engine] John Cooper Works, but ultimately the performance [brand] will be electrified, and for MINI it fits.”

A Standalone JCW Model?

Asked if it was possible that JCW could release a standalone product that’s not based on any other MINI, Körber responded, “Not at this stage, but yes.” That small admission is huge news for the brand as shows just how serious BMW looks at JCW in relation to the overall strategy for MINI. What could that model be? A wild variation of the iconic hatch or something much more bespoke similar to the original MINI Coupe? What about a rally inspired performance crossover? Or better yet, what would you like to see? Let us know in the comments below.

The post MINI to Make JCW an All Electric Performance Brand appeared first on MotoringFile.

MINI Announces New Electric MINIs and More Crossovers Are Coming

Tue, 27 Oct 2020 22:52:35 GMT

The rumors are true and today MINI is ready talk about them. MINI has officially announced several new products and a key new strategy that will see increase diversification of products and more electrification across the range. In short the brand is going both smaller, larger and more electric.

MINI is planning to offer several new electric MINIs including the MINI 3-Door Hatch, a new crossover around the size of the current four door F55 and an all electric crossover (likely a variant of the next generation Countryman).

Crucially MINI intends to still offer conventional internal combustion engines in both it’s small car range and in at least one crossover – likely the next generation Countryman. This move is in response to the differing customer needs seen in North America and elsewhere.

More Crossovers Are Coming

MINI is going to add another crossover to the line-up in the form of a small electric offering. The move is intended to likely appeal to the European and Chinese and offer MINI an entry into what will likely be a high growth area. Rumors point to the size being similar to the current generation F55 four door hatch.

Additionally MINI will be redesigning the Countryman from the grown-up to offer internal combustion, hybrid and full electric options. Also worth noting that there have been several sources that have pointed to MINI increasing the size of the Countryman to better appeal to the North American market – the product’s largest.

Next Generation MINI Hatch & Convertible

The big news that is finally confirmed here is that BMW is indeed moving forward with a petrol powered 4th generation MINI. Rumors point to the follow-up to the F56 being more compact while losing none of the interior volume of the current car. Even better MINI is going on record in saying the interior experience will be totally different than anything we’ve ever see from the brand.

The G56 (likely code-name) will reach UK showrooms towards the end of 2022, nine years after the F56 was introduced. Under the hood will be a variety of powertrains including a new 48v mild-hybrid petrol engine with a particulate filter and functions such as automatic engine shutdown, coasting and brake energy recuperation. It will form the basis of the One, Cooper and Cooper S drivetrains.

According to rumors the new hatch will be more evolutionary than revolutionary on the outside but will include several key changes. First and foremost the wheelbase will grow and the front overhang will shrink to the delight of MINI fans worldwide. There will be an evolution of MINI’s traditional design elements including the hexagonal grille, round headlights and ‘floating’ roof.

But it’s the shortened overhang that will be the biggest change giving the car a more traditional MINI-like appearance.

The interior will move away from the retro look of all recent models and instead will offer a much more modern approach.

According to Oliver Heilmer, head of Mini design, “A central issue here is interaction and this is something we have to shape. One approach for Mini would be to push the technology required into the background. There is a big opportunity but also a major challenge.”

Previously MINI had confirmed there will be a 4th generation convertible and five door, mirroring the current line-up.

Look for the next generation MINI Cooper to debut sometime in the second half of 2022 with an on sale date of Q4 2022 for Europe and Q1 2023 in North America.

Emphasis on China

MINI is still on track to shift some production to China via a collaboration with Great Wall Motors. So important is this market that MINI has co-developed a new vehicle architecture with GWM designed from the ground-up to be electric only. The expectation is that these vehicles will be designed for China and built in China only.

OFFICIAL RELEASE

The British premium automobile manufacturer MINI is driving forward with the realignment of its model range, with a clear focus on drivetrain technologies, vehicle segments and services of the future.

At the centre of this realignment is the expansion of electromobility, enhanced commitment in the crossover and premium compact segments and strengthening of the market position in China. “MINI was always the answer to very special challenges relating to individual mobility. And the willingness to reinvent the status quo continues to shape the brand to this day,” commented Bernd Körber, Head of MINI. “Alongside electromobility, harnessing new target groups and sales markets will be crucially important for the future of MINI.”

20 years have now passed since the premiere of the second MINI generation after the relaunch of the traditional British heritage brand. Since then around four million vehicles of the brand have been produced at the MINI plant in Oxford and delivered to more than 100 countries all over the world. Customer needs and wishes have defined the development of the MINI model range over the past two decades. In 2015, the new MINI Clubman spearheaded the successful move into the premium compact segment and two years later this was continued with the new MINI Countryman. Around 40 percent of all the brand’s vehicles sold across the world are in this vehicle class. In addition, the MINI range is now broader than ever before. Currently, the extreme sport John Cooper Works models make up around five percent of total sales for the MINI brand, whilst the electrified models are steadily gaining in popularity.

The fun of driving combined with efficiency are deeply rooted within the tradition of the British brand and define the core of MINI. The classic Mini, introduced 61 years ago, was not only characterized by revolutionary space economy, but also by an economic drive with sporting potential. The second generation of MINI, introduced in 2000, optimised the relationship between fun driving and fuel consumption, including the introduction of diesel engines. In 2008, MINI was a trailblazer for electromobility in the BMW Group. The MINI E was produced in a small series and used in a field trial to gather important insights into the use of an all-electric car in everyday traffic.

Now, emission-free mobility has been firmly established in the model range and in the MINI community. With the MINI Countryman Plug-in Hybrid alone, (combined fuel consumption: 2.0 – 1.7 l/100 km; combined electricity consumption: 14.0 – 13.1 kWh/100 km; combined CO₂ emissions: 45 – 40 g/km), vehicles with electrified drive accounted for five percent of the brand’s total sales in 2019. Following the launch of the MINI Electric (combined fuel consumption: 0.0 l/100 km; combined electricity consumption: 16.8 – 14.8 kWh/ 100 km; combined CO₂ emissions: 0 g/km), this rate has doubled to ten percent of all new registrations for the brand.

Highly efficient combustion engines and additional electric vehicles from MINI facilitate the “Power of Choice”.

In future, MINI will enable customers all over the world to have emission-free driving with a completely electrified model family. At the same time, MINI will still offer highly efficient petrol and diesel engines, which continue be an ideal solution for target groups and regions whose mobility needs are not yet me by all-electric vehicles.

“We are pursuing the Power of Choice approach followed by the BMW Group through our broad range of advanced petrol and diesel engines, the plug-in hybrid system and all-electric drive, in order to meet the needs and aspirations of our customers throughout the world,” highlighted Bernd Körber. “This enables us to create the conditions for further growth in global automobile markets.”

The future core portfolio of all-electric vehicles will include the MINI 3-Door Hatch, a new crossover model in the small-car segment and a compact crossover model. The brand’s small-car models and a crossover model in the compact segment will be available to choose from with conventional internal combustion engines.

New MINI models in the crossover and premium compact segment.

To further benefit from the worldwide growth in the crossover market, MINI is focusing on an expansion of the product range in this vehicle segment which is specifically geared towards customer requirements.

The successful MINI Countryman will be joined by another crossover model for the small-car segment, which will be supplied exclusively with an all-electric drive. In addition, the next generation of MINI Countryman will be available with both combustion engines and an electrified drivetrain, meeting the different requirements of customers all over the world.

The ongoing development of the MINI product range provides the opportunity to meet the increased demands of many customers in terms of space and versatility, with an additional model for the premium compact segment. The principle of creative use of space that is implemented in every MINI will be preserved. Irrespective of its concept, its vehicle class or drive type, every new model of the brand will continue to be a typical MINI, with a maximum of interior space, exciting drive and individuality, achieved on the smallest footprint amongst its competitors.

“It is part of our responsibility to the brand and the community to preserve the unique character of MINI,” says Bernd Körber. “That is why every new model from our brand in future will be unmistakably a MINI.”

Increased commitment to the automotive market in China.
The world’s largest automotive market in China continues to grow dynamically and will become even more important for MINI in future. Currently, around ten percent of all new vehicles produced for the brand are delivered to customers in China. To share in the positive development of the market and sell a significantly higher number of vehicles in China, MINI will soon change its status as an import brand, to a locally producing automotive supplier.

Based on a new vehicle architecture, developed from the ground up for pure e-mobility, battery-electric vehicles will be produced in China from 2023, in cooperation with the local manufacturer Great Wall Motor. This venture will enable MINI to meet the rising demand for emission-free driving both in China and in the other global markets. Cooperation with the Chinese partner will be based on a clearly defined principle: Production follows the market. With locally manufactured vehicles MINI will serve the growing Chinese automotive market whilst maintaining stable production at other locations.

The post MINI Announces New Electric MINIs and More Crossovers Are Coming appeared first on MotoringFile.

The Ultimate Off-Road MINI Is Here: The X-Raid Countryman

Tue, 27 Oct 2020 00:27:29 GMT

The Dakar rally team X-raid knows MINIs. They’ve won the five times with them over the past eight years and have a history of off-road innovation. Now they’re applying a bit of X-raid magic to the F60 MINI Countryman.

X-raid started with increasing ground clearance of up to four centimeters via a combination of a body lift kit and larger rims and tires. X-raid uses the more robust rims, together with tires with a higher sidewall for more durability. An additional rim ring is used making it not necessary to replace the complete rim in case of damage. The side benefit is that this ring also conceals some of the sidewall height.

Up top additional LED headlights allow better vision and a lightweight aluminium roof rack allows for more space for extras. Additionally X-raid offers a design package, consisting of MINI Piano Black elements and orange X-raid design accents. The whole package, or individual elements, can be inquired about via email

The Background

X-raid Countryman was created out of necessity and with a wealth of experience gained during the iconic Dakar rally. X-raid not only gained this experience when preparing the rally cars themselves but also the the service fleet. This fleet support the crew and transports team members from one bivouac to the next. In total they cover thousands of miles often over treacherous conditions.

The first modified X-raid MINI Countryman traveled with the team to the 2010 Dakar rally. In the years since, X-raid has iterated on that initial design improving components and adding new design touches.

The MINI Countryman was again part of the X-raid team earlier this year for the 2020 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia.

OFFICIAL RELEASE

An upgrade with the renowned offroad specialist transforms the all-round talent of the British premium brand into a force ready to rise to all the challenges away from conventional roads – The exclusive package for demanding terrain comprises special wheel rims and tyres, and an increase in the vehicle’s height above the ground – Tailormade concept based on many years of experience crowned by five victories in the world’s most demanding endurance rally.

The MINI Countryman arouses the desire for adventure. The biggest model of the British premium brand has been designed with five doors and an interior compartment that can be used in a variety of different ways. This automobile is a true all-round talent and not simply in everyday traffic. Its robust vehicle concept, powerful engines and the optional ALL4 all-wheel drive ensure limitless driving fun even away from paved carriageways. And that’s not all. As a support vehicle in the entourage of the X-raid Team – currently the incumbent overall winner of the Dakar Rally – the MINI Countryman has already put in an impressive performance under extreme conditions a number of times, displaying dynamic performance and versatility. MINI fans are now also able to benefit from the experience of the successful offroad specialists. Chassis modifications derived directly from rally sport transform the five-door series vehicle into a MINI Countryman Powered by X-raid.

A significant increase in ground clearance, particularly resilient wheel rims and tyres with higher flanks are prominent features of the upgrade for driving on challenging terrain that is now offered by the X-raid Team in Trebur, Hesse. These features were specially developed for the MINI Countryman and for outings on offroad terrain.

MINI, the X-raid Team and the Dakar Rally – for a decade, this triad has represented exceptional success in motor sport. From 2012 to 2015, the X-raid Team achieved overall victory for MINI four times in succession in the editions of the classic rally held in South America. An additional overall success followed in 2020. This time the marathon rally covered thousands of kilometres through the sands of Saudi Arabia. The MINI Countryman Powered by X-raid is a truly authentic vehicle, epitomising not simply the flair of five victories in the Dakar Rally but also the technology that contributed to these triumphs.

The X-raid Team is familiar both with the features of the MINI Countryman that are specific to the model and with the tough conditions besetting competitors and materials alike in endurance rallies played out on desert sand, rough terrain, mud and stony ground. The team’s know-how flows not only into the development and creation of winners in the Dakar Rally like the MINI ALL4 Racing and the MINI John Cooper Works Buggy but also into continuously optimised preparation of the service vehicles. This involved extensive modifications to the chassis and bodywork to make the MINI Countryman a particularly reliable support vehicle over race stages often extending along hundreds of kilometres.

Increased ground clearance and measures to avoid flat tyres enabled the service vehicles of the X-raid Team to travel without mishap along tracks mined with potholes and strewn with sharp-edged rocks that are typical of the Andean highlands between Argentina and Chile, and on the rough terrain of the Saudi Arabian desert. Naturally, this means that the MINI Countryman Powered by X-raid is now well equipped for individual challenges on offroad terrain. Increasing the ride height of the vehicle and the large format for wheel rims and tyres raise the ground clearance for the MINI Countryman overall by up to 40 millimetres. As a result, the fording depth and the ramp angle are significantly optimised.

The wheels developed specially for rallying provide effective protection against tyre damage. A robust rim ring ensures that it is not necessary to change the entire wheel if damage is sustained on rocky ground. It also creates a powerful visual impact and masks the high tyre flanks.

The full scope of the upgrade, prices and availabilities can be found at offroad@x-raid.

The post The Ultimate Off-Road MINI Is Here: The X-Raid Countryman appeared first on MotoringFile.