[AmRov]

MINI Press Release


_____

MINI INTRODUCES 8 SPEED GEARBOX

MINI's Forward Thinking Adds More Fun With 2 Speeds in Reverse

Woodcliff Lake, NJ - April 1, 2004 Hot on the heels of the announcement of
the new MINI convertible, MINI has announced the world's first 8-speed
gearbox, complete with 2 reverse gears.

Research has shown that MINI owners have the highest "FGF" score (Fun Going
Forward) on the road and so MINI engineers have developed a 2-speed reverse
gear to increase the "FGB" (Fun Going Backward) score to a similar level.

Called Double Back Shifting (or Double B.S.), the new system adds a second
reverse gear and thereby allows MINI owners to reverse faster than the
competition to speeds of up to 40 mph.

As well as increasing the FGB score, The new system, along with MINI's
unique size, gives owners an almost unfair advantage when finding those
elusive on-street parking spaces: If the driver overshoots the space, they
can simply reverse in double quick time using B.S. to zip neatly into the
space.

MINI gearbox engineer, Geary Duckshann said: "We worked hard to add this
extra gear into the transmission. We are delighted with the results, the
only disadvantage being the new larger box now takes up much of the
passenger foot well, but it's a price worth paying."

The system has further advantages. Competitive minded drivers are clearly
excited by his news and the SCCA is now looking at a reverse autocross
challenge where MINI owners can enjoy B.S. to the max.

Pricing has yet to be announced.

BMW Group In America
BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975.
ROLLSROYCE Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003. The BMW
Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and
financial service organizations or the BMW brand, the MINI brand, and the
ROLLS-ROYCE brand of Motor Cars; DesignworksUSA, an industrial design firm
in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other
operations throughout the country. BMW Manufacturing Corp. in South Carolina
is part of BMW Group's global manufacturing network and is the exclusive
manufacturing plant for all Z4 roadster and X5 Sports Activity Vehicles. The
BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of
340 BMW passenger car centers, 327 BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 148
BMW motorcycle retailers, 76 MINI passenger car dealers, and 25 ROLLS-ROYCE
Motor Car dealers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group's sales
headquarters for North, Central and South America, is located in Woodcliff
Lake, New Jersey.

Information about BMW Group products is available to consumers via the
Internet at:
www.bmwusa.com <http://www.bmwusa.com/>
www.bmwmotorradusa.com <http://www.bmwmotorradusa.com/>
www.miniusa.com <http://www.miniusa.com/>
www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com <http://www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com/>
# # #
Journalist note: Information about the BMW Group and its products is
available to
journalists on-line at the BMW Group PressClub at the following address:
www.press.bmwgroup.com <http://www.press.bmwgroup.com>

[Babaza]

I'm thinking April Fool. Didn't realise they 'celebrated' it in the US

[GAM]

Haha, definatly April Fools.
I never heard any today though - quite disappointing. The local radio station announced that a fairly major road was closed in the Centre of Aberdeen during rush hour last year and they caused havok.

Anyway - 8 speed gear box, that would be fun especially if they all pulled.

[Johnny225]

Oh, right! I forgot today was April 1st! But it would be funny if they did do that!

[Jeep-2-mini]

Old technology - my mid 70's Landrover, not owned from new , had this feature
In fact it had 8 forward speeds & 2 reverse - mind you only three of these were of any use on the road.

Mark

The wonders of a 2 speed transfer box behind the main box

[squishy]

Quote: Originally Posted by Jeep-2-mini

Old technology - my mid 70's Landrover, not owned from new , had this feature
In fact it had 8 forward speeds & 2 reverse - mind you only three of these were of any use on the road.

Mark

The wonders of a 2 speed transfer box behind the main box

throw in the overdrive and you get 16 forward and 4 reverse! of course using the overdrive in low range is at best silly and probably not recommended.

--squishy

[shanemcr]

Quote: Originally Posted by Babaza

I'm thinking April Fool. Didn't realise they 'celebrated' it in the US

Oh, we're actually quite foolish when you get to know us.

[EBMCS03]

Hahah didnt fool me I got the e-mail for that... but i was fooled when i read it at the press site.

[AmRov]

Yep, all an April Fool's joke... but pretty clever at that. I was amused and had to share ...