BMW BLOG

The BMW Group today announced at the Washington Auto Show the first results from a comprehensive study conducted in cooperation with the University of California (UC Davis) and consumers leasing MINI E electic vehicles as part of a year-long program to acquire real world use patterns. The MINI E program is the first large population field test of current generation electric vehicles and therefore sheds a realistic light on both the opportunities and challenges from this innovative new form of mobility.

The UC Davis study results of 57 drivers, combined with updates continually provided from the log books of all 450 users show the following:

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MINI Countryman was unveiled last week and the usual videos following a launch are available online.

The new MINI Countryman will be officially unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March with sales commencing later in the year. The MINI Countryman is entering the market with a choice of three petrol and two diesel engines; the power range extends from 90 hp in the MINI One D Countryman all the way to 184 hp in the MINI Cooper S Countryman.

At the high-end of the line-up, the 1.6-liter four-cylinder petrol engine comes for the first time not only with a twin-scroll turbocharger and direct fuel injection, but also with fully variable valve management.

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A year ahead of its launch in the US, MINI Countryman is confirmed to expand the MINI lineup to four variants.

Note: U.S. product specifications are different from those announced in markets outside North America. All specifications presented in this press kit are provisional. The launch date for markets outside North America is fall 2010, and early 2011 for the U.S.

Meet The MINI Countryman
MINI is adding a fourth model to the family, opening up a new dimension of motoring with that unmistakable MINI exhilaration. The new MINI Countryman is a genuine crossover vehicle, and bridges the gap between the classic concept of the MINI and a modern Crossover. Boasting enhanced opportunities in urban mobility and beyond, the MINI Countryman offers that unique go-kart handling so typical of MINI, yet allows the brand to appeal to new target groups requiring extra space and flexibility.

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MINI is adding a fourth model to the family, opening up a new dimension of that unmistakable MINI feeling. As a genuine Crossover, the MINI Countryman bridges the gap between the classic concept of the MINI and a modern Sports Activity Vehicle. Boasting enhanced opportunities in urban mobility and beyond, the MINI Countryman offers that unique driving pleasure so typical of MINI to new target groups requiring extra space and flexibility. As the first model in the MINI range with four doors and a wide-opening rear lid, the MINI Countryman provides even greater freedom of space for truly versatile use, a slightly elevated seating position, and optimized driving comfort. Full integration of the passengers within the vehicle creates that driving experience so typical of MINI. And at the same time the MINI Countryman maintains that go-kart feeling likewise so characteristic of MINI, optional MINI ALL4 all-wheel drive offering an additional highlight for the genuine connoisseur. In a nutshell, therefore, the MINI Countryman offers all the characteristic features of the brand in terms of design, premium quality, handling, efficiency and customisation in new, fascinating style.

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Out of nowhere, here comes the first official photos of the MINI Countryman. Last week, MINI debuted the Beachcomber Concept at the Detroit Auto Show, followed yesterday by the teaser video with the psychedelic camouflage.

And now, three lower quality photos leaked on the internet. As expected, the MINI Countryman features many design elements from the Beachcomber, starting with the front-end and large headlamps. The Countryman gets the missing-doors from the concept and a black painted roof top.

Judging by the photos, the Countryman seems to be getting the full MINI naming convention, in this case, MINI Cooper S Countryman.

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MINI’s ingenious and uber creative marketing department is at its best again. Today, the official MINI Youtube channel released an ….let’s just say, interesting video with an even more intriguing description: “Four is the buzzword for the new MINI. Four doors, an optional four-wheel drive, four single seats, the first MINI to exceed four meters in length − these are just some of the attributes of this remarkable new fourth variant of the MINI brand.”

Sounds familiar? Yes, Her Gert Hildebrand described in a similar way the upcoming MINI Crossover.

According to the latest information, we will see the small SUV from MINI for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2010, but expect the official photos to hit the marketing channels before that sometimes in the first week of February.

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One of the exciting vehicles debuting at the Detroit Auto Show next week is MINI’s preview of their upcoming crossover. Dubbed Beachcomber, the new MINI Concept introduces us to some of their future models.

The four-seater concept car was unveiled back in December and many believe it is a preview of the production MINI Crossover that will be unveiled this year at the Geneva Motor Show.

Built on an all new platform, MINI Beachcomber Concept has its roots back in the 1960’s Mini Moke, but with the new concept, MINI is finally moving away from the current round headlamp design.

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