MINI2

Before the big John Cooper Works MINI news due in about eight and a half hours time here on MINI2, we thought we should do a quick catch up on some recent good news for MINI owners and fans living in and around England’s capitol.

Apologies for the BMW centric reporting, this is verbatim of the official press release…

BMW and MINI’s market positions as the number one premium cars within their segments in London were strengthened today with the Mayor of London’s announcement of a new charging structure for entering the capital in a car.

New legislation that comes into effect in October means drivers of vehicles emitting less than 120g/km will be Congestion Charge exempt. Drivers of cars emitting between 120g/km and 225g/km will continue to pay the standard £8 a day fee, while those driving vehicles that record more than 225g/km will pay an increased daily charge of £25.

The change in charging structure means BMW and MINI owners will be financially better off than owners of other prestige cars. All MINIs and most BMWs will remain within the £8 threshold, but there was further good news for many BMW and MINI owners. The new BMW 118d, the MINI Cooper D and the MINI Clubman D all fall into the new sub 120g/km Congestion Charge free bracket. This means that from October 2008 an owner of one of these models will save £2,040 a year driving in the capital compared to owners of non-exempt rival products.

BMW 118d three- and five-door, MINI Cooper D
and MINI Clubman D exempt from Congestion Charge:
Four of BMW Group’s most fuel efficient production cars of modern times have set a new benchmark courtesy of advanced engineering. The three- and five-door BMW 118d now record an impressive 62.8mpg on the combined cycle with CO2 emissions of 119g/km - putting it into the Band B category for Vehicle Excise Duty. The BMW 118d now costs just £35 a year to tax.

The 110hp MINI Cooper D and MINI Cooper D Clubman both better these impressive figures. The MINI Cooper D is currently BMW Group’s most fuel-efficient car recording 72.4mpg on the combined cycle and CO2 emissions of just 104g/km. The MINI Cooper D Clubman nearly matches these statistics recording 68.9mpg and 109g/km. Both cars are Band B in relation to Vehicle Excise Duty tiers and cost just £35 a year to tax.

All four vehicles employ technologies such as Brake Energy Regeneration, Auto Start-Stop and Electric Power Steering under the EfficientDynamics banner to help cut fuel bills and emissions. An optimum gearshift change indicator is included to encourage economical motoring. These innovations are in addition to high-precision direct injection engines on some models that further aid engine performance.

Jim O’Donnell, Managing Director of BMW (UK) Ltd, said: “While other manufacturers might claim to be environmentally-friendly, it is BMW who has followed through on its promise to lower CO2 emissions. Instead of producing one-off models or the odd concept car BMW has introduced EfficientDynamics across almost all of its range in 2007.

“No other manufacturer comes close to BMW in terms of combining the benefits of good fuel economy and low emissions while at the same time offering improvements in output and performance. This position was backed up recently in Autocar, who stated that BMW and MINI combined cut CO2 emissions in 2007 by nearly as much as all other manufacturers combined. Quite an achievement.”

Diesel-powered BMW X5 and X6 owners celebrate
and save £4,335 a year:
The BMW X5 3.0d and 3.0sd are now the only conventionally-powered vehicles in the segment with automatic transmissions as standard with CO2 emission figures that fall below the 225g/km band for Congestion Charging. The X5 3.0d has a CO2 emission figure of 214g/km, while the sportier twin-turbo X5 3.0sd posts a 216g/km figure.

The introduction of new legislation means the owner of a new diesel-powered X5 will save £4,335 a year in Congestion Charge fees compared with rival, non-hybrid Sports Activity and Sports Utility Vehicles. The low emissions rating for the X5 3.0d and 3.0sd also qualify it for Band F instead of Band G Vehicle Excise Duty, saving owners a further £95 a year. This benefit is set to increase to £190 a year from 1 April 2008 when the VED charge for Band G cars increases. The cost savings for X5 owners are considerable as diesel-powered models account for 95 per cent of annual UK sales.

The BMW X6, the world’s first Sports Activity Coupé, is another model from the BMW line-up to slip under the 225g/km threshold for Emissions Related Congestion Charging in London. The BMW X6 xDrive30d and the X6 XDrive35d have CO2 emissions figures of 217g/km and 220g/km respectively. Despite boasting rakish looks and on-paper specification & handling akin to a sports car, BMW’s EfficientDynamics technology ensures that these exciting high-performance diesels remain in the £8-a-day charging tier.

Cleaner than a London black cab:
By comparison the latest diesel-powered BMW X5s emit less CO2 than the Mayor of London’s preferred means of transport, the black cab. While the X5 3.0d and X5 3.0sd emit 214g/km and 216g/km respectively, the very latest LTI Vehicles TX4 2.5 produces 233g/km. By contrast the biggest selling BMW X3, the 2.0d automatic, produces just 178g/km.

It’s a similar story with regard to fuel consumption. On the combined cycle the X5 3.0d achieves 34.9mpg compared to a black cab’s 32mpg. The X3 2.0d trumps this by recording 42.2mpg. The X5 covers 9% more miles per gallon and emits 8.2% less CO2 than the black cab while the X3 covers 32% more miles per gallon and emits 23.6% less CO2. The average owner of a BMW X5 will do less than 10,000 miles a year, while the average London black cab will cover considerably more.

BMW Group cuts car CO2 emissions more than any other manufacturer:
Independent research* has revealed that BMW is the manufacturer which cut its UK new car CO2 emissions the most between 2006 and 2007. Figures show that BMW and MINI together managed to slash CO2 emissions by 48,496 tonnes in a 12-month period following the widespread introduction of EfficientDynamics measures on its cars.

To calculate the figures researchers took the average CO2 of each manufacturers’ models offered between 2006 and 2007 then multiplied that number by the number of cars sold. The resulting figure was then multiplied by an average annual mileage of 10,000 miles per car to calculate the overall CO2 figures and the savings.

In stark contrast to the efforts of the BMW Group some rival manufacturers actually increased their CO2 output during the same period.
*Autocar, 6th February, 2008

Apologies for the lack of updates to the MINI2 news section in recent times.

The good news is we’re back, starting this weekend with the full rundown of two new exciting official factory MINI models, with full specifications, photographs and prices.

If you like your MINIs red hot…. Stay tuned!

Official MINI Press release (slightly belated, apologies!)….. 

The 2008 MINI Clubman, an all-new addition to the MINI model line, has recently made its North American debut at the Los Angeles International Auto Show, bowing to the audience most unconventionally, with its rear-end first! With a little more room in the back and an innovative door configuration, the eagerly anticipated MINI Clubman defies convention in its concept and style. This all new addition to the MINI family will go on sale in the US February 16th, 2008 as both a Cooper and a Cooper S model. The MINI Cooper Clubman will be offerd with a MSRP of $20,600, while the MINI Cooper S Clubman will come with a MSRP of $24,100. Both prices include a $650 Destination charge.

The MINI Clubman paves the way into a totally-new market segment, offering new opportunities for the MINI brand and showcasing, yet again, MINI’s leadership in the premium small car segment. With its hallmark design elements, the MINI Clubman is clearly a MINI from every angle. Yet it is the MINI Clubman’s unique rear-end design and new proportions that distinguish it from other members of the MINI family and make it unlike anything else on the road today.

Compelling Design and Five Doors in a Brand-New Configuration.
MINI is well known for its combination of successful attributes - a truly unique design; agile driving characteristics; premium quality; a high level of safety; a wide range of customization options, and outstanding efficiency. Now the all-new MINI Clubman offers another compelling attribute - an additional 9.45 inches in body length and wheelbase extended by 3.15 inches that helps create more space in the rear legroom area. What makes the MINI Clubman truly unique is its innovative five door configuration with the conventional driver’s and front passenger’s door supplemented by an additional rear-hinged door on the right-hand side of the car and the two split-rear doors in the back.

The MINI Clubman extends an open welcome to rear-seat passengers with the “Clubdoor”, a rather ingenious door configuration on the right side of the vehicle. The Clubdoor swings open in the opposing direction relative to the main passenger door to dramatically increase the access to the rear seating area. Behind the front seats, the new MINI Clubman offers remarkable rear seating comfort and flexible use of space. Rear seat passengers now enjoy 3.15 inches more legroom compared to the MINI hardtop. Without an exterior handle, the Clubdoor is integrated unobtrusively into the body design of the MINI Clubman and for safety, can only be opened with the adjoining front door open. The MINI Clubman comes to the US in a four passenger configuration.

The split-rear doors at the back of the MINI Clubman are another unique design element of the MINI Clubman and open up to offer easy and convenient access for larger parcels and equipment such as sports gear. In addition to increased functionality, the split-rear doors represent a modern interpretation of an authentic detail seen on MINI’s classic forerunners. The rear doors are further highlighted with the C-pillars painted in a contrasting silver or black finish. Inside, the generous luggage compartment may be further extended with a flexible rear seat configuration, offering very easy and convenient loading options thanks to the two rear doors.

The MINI Clubman is the modern successor to the legendary classics Morris Mini Traveller, Austin Mini Countryman, and Mini Clubman Estate. However, the MINI Clubman retains all the functionality, handling and performance characteristics that one expects in a thoroughly modern MINI.

Enhanced Function With MINI Performance and Driving Characteristics.
MINI has developed the new MINI Clubman specifically for the active and passionate individualist wishing to consciously stand out. The MINI Clubman retains its sporting character, while offering new and flexible options in interior use and practical value. Despite its slightly longer proportions the MINI Clubman retains MINI’s typical “wheels at the four corners” stance and the car’s driving characteristics still offer the legendary go-kart feeling unique to MINI.

The MINI Clubman will be available in the U.S. with two different engines:
* Powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder with twin-scroll turbocharger, direct gasoline injection and maximum output of 175 hp at an engine speed of 5,500 rpm, the MINI Cooper S Clubman offers the highest level of performance.
* The MINI Cooper Clubman, benefiting from its 1.6-liter four-cylinder developing 120 hp at 6,600 rpm and featuring fully variable valve management, offers impressive performance and economy.

More Than 40 Color Combinations for the Individualist
Motoring in a MINI is more than just getting from A to B - it is an expression of ones’ lifestyle - a genuine attitude towards life. In particular, it is the focus on the enjoyment and experience of driving combined with an appreciation of powerful, trendsetting design. The MINI Clubman offers the enthusiast even greater options in personalizing his or her style, with more than 40 combinations of the exterior paintwork alone. Add to that the full compliment of options and features and the possible combinations a MINI Clubman can be configured becomes almost limitless.

The website Clean Green Cars has published complete tables of sales-weighted CO2 performance for all manufacturers, models and segments in the UK up to September 2007.The tables reveal overall performance is improving, but slowly. The average CO2 output fell from just 0.8% from 116.1 g/km to 164 g/km in the first nine months of 2007 compared to the same period of 2006.

The best performance came from Mini which cut its average CO2 by 17.1% to 150.8g/km, partly due to the development of their highly efficient diesel engines. By 2008 Mini could have the lowest average CO2 output of any mainstream manufacturer.

Publisher Jay Nagley commented,

As CO2 performance is such and important topic it is vital to have accurate and timely information for the UK market. Clean Green Cars is the only independent body to publish this information, which is produced by correlating slaes of every single model in the UK with its official CO2 output to give a sales-weighted average.

The full tables can be found on the Clean Green Cars website.

The Ramblers’ Association (RA) has expressed its “severe disappointment” at the decision of a district judge, Witney, to allow BMW and Oxfordshire County Council to close a 2000 year-old-path that up to 400 people use every day. They have criticised BMW’s handling of the case, that turned a theoretically simple case into an ordeal lasting well over a week.

The verdict, delivered today, follows a seven-day hearing which finished in Witney magistrates’ court last week. The case was the culmination of an 18 month campaign by the Ramblers’ Association to prevent BMW closing this historic route that runs through its plant in Oxford and that provides a link for walkers, workers, horse-riders and cyclists between the plant and the green spaces in the north east of the city.

The district judge backed BMW and Oxfordshire County Council’s plans to close the bridleway on the grounds that it is “unnecessary”, and that BMW have agreed to fund an alternative path. The planned alternative, however, runs for one mile along the heavily congested Oxford ring road. The RA has argued that this endangers the health, safety and wellbeing of pedestrians.

Adrian Morris, head of the RA’s footpath team is quoted as sayin

We are bitterly disappointed that BMW will be allowed to close this community’s historic path, and deny hundreds of local residents per day a safe and quiet means of accessing work and the countryside beyond.

The judge’s decision to close this safe and pleasant path flies in the face of the fight against obesity and climate change by encouraging people off their local paths and back into their cars!

Adrian Morris goes on to criticise BMW’s handling of the case.

BMW flooded the court with irrelevant paperwork, turning a theoretically simple case into a five-day ordeal – eight days in total – which sent legal costs soaring sky high.

The RA is also frustrated that Oxfordshire County Council chose to pursue the closure through the magistrates’ court. This is an outmoded and costly procedure that intimidates ordinary members of the public from making their objections heard.

Eight out of ten path diversions go uncontested by the RA or any other organisations. We fight, as in this case, where there is a real threat to heritage or the public’s right to safe travel. We will continue to do so.

Troth Wells, of Tree Lane, Iffley, a member of the British Horse Society, and the Oxford Area Bridleways Association had this to say on the court’s decision

We are very disappointed with this decision which means riders will no longer be able to use this route to Shotover Park. I was riding my horse Copper there this morning.”

The judge ordered the British Horse Society and Ramblers’ Association to pay £27,700 legal costs and £19,800 costs respectively, to the county council.

Rebecca Baxter, a spokesman for BMW, said the decision would mean the company could “better utilise” its existing site, adding

We are grateful that we can now proceed with planning for the future.  We have made a commitment to providing an alternative route and will be starting work on that within the next 16 weeks.

The project will take six months from start to finish. In the meantime, cyclists and pedestrians will still be able to use the existing route until the new path and cycleway is completed and signed off by Oxfordshire County Council.

Sources: The Ramblers Association and Oxford Mail

The BBC are reporting that BMW are being pursued through the courts by ramblers aggrieved that planned expansion of BMW Group Plant Oxford, in Cowley, will result in the closure of a 2,000 year old footpath.

The ramblers association have been battling against the proposals since they were initially put forward to planning in May 2006, and apparently the case is close to reaching its conclusion at Witney Magistrates Court soon.

Read the full article on the BBC. Thanks to minisoopercooper for the heads up.

This weekend (6th October) a number of lucky MINI2 members had the chance to visit BMW Plant Oxford in Cowley to get their mitts on the new MINI Clubman, talk to members of the team behind the Clubman and grab some free food and drink, all thanks to MINI.

While we were unable to attend, many MINI2 regulars took the chance to get up close and personal with “The Other MINI”, and enjoyed a presentation on the design process of the Clubman, including an apparent revelation regarding the controversial Club Door and US safety regulations.

Anyway, there’s a tonne of feedback and photos on the MINI forums.  Mostly in this excellent thread from MINI2 member minicabrio (who also took the photographs featured here) and the main thread about the event in our MINI Clubman forum.

Credit goes to MINI2 forum member hein, who Yesterday posted up  these photographs of the MINI Challenge 2008 safety car, which just happens to be an exclusive MINI Clubman.  Is that the coolest safety car ever seen?  Beats a mundane Merc for sure!

MINI UK has achieved a record sales month; the highest since MINI went on sale in July 2001. 150 UK dealers sold 8,764 models in September 2007, beating the previous record set in March this year. Year-to-date figures are running higher than the previous record year of 2005, at 36,969 models, making the outlook for a new record sales year certainly look more likely than snow on Christmas day. As announced at Frankfurt Motor Show last month, global sales figures are heading for the 220,000 mark in 2007.

The record sales show the continuing success of the MINI brand and the public appreciation of the second-generation MINI hatch and MINI Convertible models. Soon to join the line-up is the new MINI Clubman: on sale from 10 November.

One of the strengths of the MINI hatch (and Clubman) models is the brand new engines which are even more fuel efficient and boast lower CO2 emissions. From August of this year, those figures became even more impressive with the addition of a number of engine revisions including Brake Energy Regeneration, Auto Start-Stop Function and Switch Point Display.

This technology has contributed to MINI being the ‘Most Improved Manufacturer’ in the table comparing sales and CO2 performance, according to data from cleangreencars.co.uk. Since 2006, MINI has reduced CO2 output per car by approximately 14 per cent. The next nearest manufacturer has improved by 8.9 per cent.

MINI’s leading emission and fuel consumption improvements are featured in the forthcoming SMMT report ‘The Evolution of the Car’, due to be published next week on 9 October. For example, from the first generation MINI Cooper in 2001 to the current model today, MINI has cut CO2 emissions by over a fifth.

In case anyone wasn’t 100% sure if reports MINI were to build their new new model, the MINI SAV codenamed “Colorado”, away from Plant Oxford were accurate, BMW have confirmed that to be the case.

BMW spokesperson Rebecca Baxter told the Oxford Mail

The SAV is not going to be built in Plant Oxford but it will remain the lead plant for Mini production.

With the SAV we are looking at co-operating with an external partner but we don’t know who that is going to be - it is an ongoing investigation for us.

By teaming up with and using the facilities of another manufacturer, Ms Baxter claimed it would lead to a cut in the time needed to develop the new model.

You can read the full report on the Oxford Mail website.