MINI at Auto China Beijing 2018.

MINI at Auto China Beijing 2018.

MINI at Auto China Beijing 2018.

A unique combination of driving fun, premium quality and individual style, characterise the models with which MINI continues to increase its popularity on the Chinese automotive market. The model update for the MINI 3 door, MINI 5 door and the MINI Convertible set fresh impulses for the success of the brand. The Asian premiere of the new models will take place at the Auto China 2018 in Beijing. Furthermore, MINI will be presenting its range of models in the premium compact segment.

More than 1600 exhibitors from all over the world will be presenting current models, technological innovations and services at the Auto China 2018. The international automotive meeting, which began in 1990, takes place every two years and is spread over 220 000 square metres at the China International Exhibition Center. The 15th exhibition will take place between 25 April and 4 May 2018 with more than 800 000 visitors expected.

Fresh Update for the Original in the Premium Small Car Segment.

The three originals in the premium small car segment are now sportier, more advanced and more attractive than ever before, thanks to the model update. The new MINI 3 door, MINI 5 door and MINI Convertible boast specific design modifications, additional equipment features and individualisation possibilities as well as new digital services from MINI Connected.

The British brand’s new MINI 5 door will take centre stage at the Auto China 2018. The model, the first of the current MINI generation to be introduced, embodies the principle of creative use of space – used ever since the classic Mini – in a fascinating, modern form. Brand typical proportions are combined with the advantage of additional leg and head room in the rear as well as luggage space. Functionality, comfort and long distance suitability are improved thanks to the 161 millimeters extended body length, the two additional doors and the three seats in the rear. The mature character of the compact car model from MINI is, therefore, accompanied by an increase in product substance.

Distinct design accents and new equipment features.

The new MINI 5 door as well as the new MINI 3 door and the new MINI Convertible boast a distinct black trim as standard in its headlights as part of its precise design details. In combination with the LED headlights, the taillights also boast a new design. As a clear nod to the brand’s British heritage, the LED taillights feature a Union Jack motif. The MINI 5 door, on display at the Auto China 2018, will feature a new body colour, Emerald Grey metallic. There are three new colours available in total. The MINI 3 door, also at Beijing, is finished in Solaris Orange metallic and the MINI Convertible in Starlight Blue metallic.

New individualisation possibilities are offered through the option Piano Black Exterior, the additional alloy wheels and the Chester leather trim and Colour Line now also available in Malt Brown for the MINI 5 door and MINI 3 door. There is also the option MINI Yours Interior Style Piano Black illuminated which bears a Union Jack motif rear-lit strip on the passenger’s instrument panel. Furthermore, the enhanced compact car model boasts the new MINI logo. The control system now contains a Touch screen function for the display in the central instrument. There is also an expansion of the digital services as part of MINI Connected.

Three engine variants are available for the MINI 3 door (for the Chinese market combined fuel consumption: 6,2 – 5,4 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 148 – 129 g/km) as well as the MINI 5 door (for the Chinese market combined fuel consumption: 5,6 – 5,6 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 134 – 133 g/km) on the Chinese market. For the MINI Convertible (for the Chinese market combined fuel consumption: 6,2 – 5,8 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions : 147 – 137 g/km) two engine variants are available. Available here are the MINI One 5 door, the MINI Cooper 5 door and the MINI Cooper S 5 door as well as the MINI One 3 door, the MINI Cooper 3 door und the MINI Cooper S 3 door. For open-air driving fun the MINI Cooper Convertible and the MINI Cooper S Convertible are also available.

More space, more versatility: MINI Clubman and MINI Countryman.

Both models in the premium compact segment are characterised by MINI typical style, driving fun and extended possibilities thus enabling the brand to appeal to additional customer groups within the Chinese automotive market. The MINI Clubman owes its exceptional position to its unconventional body concept with four side doors und two split doors at the rear as well as its flexible interior. The MINI Countryman is more spacious and versatile than ever before. Its robust exterior and its all-wheel drive system MINI ALL4 ensure genuine driving fun and that it remains an absolute All-rounder within MINI’s model programme.

Ensuring a race track feeling during daily driving, the ultra-sporty John Cooper Works models are also enjoying a constantly growing fan base in China.

The MINI John Cooper Works Clubman will also be exhibited at the Auto China 2018. The power of its turbo engine is brought to the streets thanks to its all-wheel drive system MINI ALL4 (for the Chinese market combined fuel consumption: 7,0 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions:167 g/km) as standard.

courtesy: www.press.bmwgroup.com

BMW Group remains world’s Number One premium automotive company

BMW Group remains world’s Number One premium automotive company

BMW Group remains world’s Number One premium automotive company

The BMW Group achieved its best-ever annual sales in 2017, the seventh consecutive year it has achieved a new annual record. This success was spread throughout the company with both BMW and MINI brands achieving new all-time high figures. BMW M and BMW i also achieved record sales, as did BMW Motorrad. With this sales result, the BMW Group reconfirms its position as the world’s leading premium automotive company.

Record sales for BMW
The company’s core BMW brand achieved a new all-time sales high, growing sales by 4.2% across the year, to total 2,088,283. BMW X vehicles continued to be significant growth drivers with sales of X vehicles up 9.6% compared to the previous year, despite limited availability of the BMW X3 due to the introduction of the new generation in November. The BMW 5 Series limousine, which underwent a model change during 2017, achieved growth of 55.2% (30,359) in December, with sales of the world’s leading premium business sedan up 6.3% (291,856) in the full year. Other models which contributed to the brand’s growth in 2017 include the BMW 1 Series (201,968 / +14.7%), and the BMW 7 Series (64,311 / +4.5%).

“We are delighted with these new record sales figures, which mean the BMW Group, with its three premium automotive brands BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce, remains the world’s leading premium automotive company,” commented Ian Robertson, until 31 December 2017 BMW AG board member responsible for Sales and Brand BMW. “We have continued to increase sales despite headwinds in some major markets and model-changeovers of several of our most significant vehicles. This demonstrates the high desirability of our brands and products, ranging from the i3 to the M5 and from the BMW 1 Series to the BMW 7 Series. We clearly achieved our target of selling over 100,000 electrified vehicles in a single calendar year and are delighted that, following its model changeover, the BMW 5 Series returned to its position as segment leader in the final months of 2017,” Robertson continued.

Pieter Nota, who on 1 January 2018 succeeded Robertson on the board of BMW AG, added “I am confident BMW sales will continue to grow during 2018, while we also maintain our focus on profitability. Increased availability of BMW X models and our ongoing model offensive, which includes the launches of brand new models this year such as the BMW X2 and the BMW 8 Series, will ensure we bring even more customers to the BMW brand in 2018.”

Target exceeded: over 100,000 electrified vehicles sold in 2017. BMW Group’s leading role in premium electro-mobility confirmed
In December, the BMW Group celebrated delivery of the 100,000th electrified vehicle sold in 2017. In total, 103,080 electrified vehicles were delivered to customers during the year; this increase of 65.6% underscores the company’s leading position in electro-mobility. The BMW Group sold more electrified vehicles in Europe than any other premium manufacturer in 2017 and the company’s position on the world market is also extremely strong. Four years after its launch, sales of the BMW i3 grew in 2017 by 23.3% to total 31,482 worldwide. The plug-in hybrid BMW iPerformance vehicles also continue to grow in popularity, with sales almost doubling to total 63,605. Launched in June 2017, the MINI Countryman plug-in hybrid also made a significant contribution to boosting the BMW Group’s electrified sales, with a total of 5,799 delivered to customers around the world. The BMW Group is expecting strong double-digit growth in electrified vehicle sales in 2018. By the end of 2019, the company aims to have at least half a million electrified BMW Group vehicles on the road.

Powerful growth at BMW M GmbH
BMW’s high-performance BMW M vehicles achieved record sales in 2017. Deliveries of BMW M and BMW M Performance vehicles increased by 19.1% compared to the previous year, with overall sales topping 80,000 for the first time ever. In its first full year on the market, the BMW M2 (fuel consumption combined: 8.5-7.9 l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 199-185 g/km. Fuel consumption and CO2 figures were calculated as per the EU test cycle and may vary depending on the tyre format.) was the strongest growth driver, with total sales of 12,293. The BMW M Performance variants of the new BMW 5 Series also contributed strongly to the increase in sales. With the launch of the new BMW M5 in in the spring, BMW M’s powerful success story looks set to continue in 2018.

All-time-best sales figures for MINI
The MINI brand overall achieved a new sales record in 2017 with 371,881 vehicles delivered to customers around the world, an increase of 3.2% on the previous year. The new MINI Countryman saw a jump in sales of 30.0% (84,441). Another significant contributor to the brand’s sales success was the MINI Convertible, which grew sales 12.0% (33,317). “We are delighted that with our new brand strategy, we have achieved a new sales record. The focus of the MINI portfolio on fewer but more characterful models was completed with the launch of the new MINI Countryman last year,” stated Peter Schwarzenbauer, Member of the BMW AG Board of Management responsible for MINI, Rolls-Royce, BMW Motorrad. “The Countryman contributed significantly to MINI’s growth in 2017 and the first MINI plug-in hybrid also achieved excellent results. I am sure that this success will continue into 2018, with the launch from March of the new MINI 3 and 5 door, as well as the MINI Convertible, supporting the brand’s further growth,” he continued.

Rolls-Royce
The Goodwood-based luxury house delivered 3,362 units (-16.2%) to customers in almost 50 countries during 2017. This result was achieved despite the absence of Phantom from the market due to model-changeover and against a backdrop of unsettled market conditions in the important Middle East market. New Phantom was unveiled in July to unprecedented worldwide acclaim by media and prospective customers alike and has a strong order book. First customer Phantoms are due to be delivered in January 2018.

BMW Motorrad
BMW Motorrad achieved a seventh consecutive record year, with more motorcycles and maxi-scooters delivered to customers than ever before. Sales across the range increased by 13.2% with a total of 164,153 units delivered worldwide – the ever- popular GS models were particularly strong growth drivers. A total of 14 new and updated models in the range, including additions to the R nineT family and the attractively priced G 310 R and G 310 GS also helped drive BMW Motorrad to its most successful sales year ever.

BMW & MINI sales in the markets / regions at a glance
The BMW Group maintains its focus on balanced sales around the world.

  • Asia was the company’s main growth driver in 2017 with China the most significant contributor. BMW and MINI sales in Mainland China, the company’s largest market, increased by 15.1% (594,388) in 2017. This increase was achieved despite the model changeover of the BMW 5 Series.
  • Europe maintained sales of BMW and MINI vehicles at the same extremely high level as the previous year, with a total of 1,100,975 (+0.9%) vehicles delivered to customers in the region, despite significant headwinds in the important UK market.
  • The Americas recorded a slight decrease in deliveries across the whole year (450,020/-2.0%) with the limited availability of BMW X models impacting on sales.

courtesy: www.press.bmwgroup.com

Rallye OiLibya du Maroc 2017 – Round 10, FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup

Rallye OiLibya du Maroc 2017 – Round 10, FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup

Rallye OiLibya du Maroc 2017 – Round 10, FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup

Rallye OiLibya du Maroc is race 10 and the penultimate round of the 2017 FIA Cross Country World Cup calendar. This race is not just the last chance for competitors to shine at one of the most competitive cross-country rally events, but also to reacquaint with racing in desert conditions ahead of the 2018 Dakar Rally. For MINI Motorsport partner X-raid, it is also the signal to sign off a successful year of continued test and development of MINI racing cars, again in readiness for the “big one” – the Dakar Rally.

Seven MINI crews are ready to tackle the dust, sand and dunes of Morocco. The racing action starts on Thursday 5th October with a 12.16 km Super Special section close to the ancient city of Fez. This short but spectacular race is to not only establish a start order for the next day, but also to show the watching locals and world audience what exactly makes cross-country racing the most spectacular long-distance motorsport today and all within a controlled viewing arena.

The seven crews of the MINI family will contest to take the win but it is the pairing of Jakub Przygonski (POL) and co-driver Tom Colsoul (BEL) who will be racing with a defensive strategy. Currently second in the FIA Cross Country World Cup, Przygonski will want to safeguard that position, while at the same threaten for the top spot and extend his racing experience.

Rallye OiLibya du Maroc 2017 – Round 10, FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup

Building on their new “work” relationship will be Mikko Hirvonen (FIN) and co-driver Andreas Schulz (GER), who will be keen to improve on their last outing together at the Hungarian Baja 2017 (round eight), which saw the pairing shine brilliantly by completing the race in second place.

Another duo keen to shift Moroccan desert from under the wheels of a MINI is that of American duo Bryce Menzies and Peter Mortensen. After the last minute retirement from the start of the 2017 Dakar Rally, both Menzies and Mortensen are keen to make their up and coming debut Dakar a memorable one. Racing time in Morocco will be time well spent in every aspect of endurance rallying.

Fresh from victory in a MINI ALL4 Racing at Argentine’s Desafío Ruta 40 Norte, Orlando Terranova (ARG) and Bernardo Graue (ARG) are sure to be focused on challenging for the front but at the same time focussed on preparation for the extremes of Dakar. This will, like all crews, include navigation, which is notoriously difficult in the barren regions of South America.

Rallye OiLibya du Maroc 2017 – Round 10, FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup

Former Dakar winner (2014 – MINI ALL4 Racing) Nani Roma (ESP) takes to Moroccan ground for his first outing with MINI in 2017. Together with compatriot Alex Haro, it shouldn’t take this pair long to familiarise with the reliability and all-round performance of a MINI racing car.

Boris Garafulic (CHI) last made his appearance within the MINI Family at the 2017 Dakar Rally. With this in mind and the prospect of competing at the 2018 Dakar Rally, Garafulic is keen to experience X-raid’s long-standing development practice that has enabled MINI to amass four Dakar race-win titles in succession. Filipe Palmeiro (POR) is his co-driver for the Moroccan race.

Vladimir Vasilyev (RUS) with friend and co-driver Konstantin Zhiltsov (RUS) are the final duo to make up the seven MINI crews to contend Rallye OiLibya du Maroc. The combined experience of these two men is wide as it is long and means they should never be discounted from pushing the competition all the way.

courtesy: www.press.bmwgroup.com

Digital lifestyle at the BMW Group: Seamless in-car integration of Amazon Alexa in BMW and MINI.

Digital lifestyle at the BMW Group: Seamless in-car integration of Amazon Alexa in BMW and MINI.

Digital lifestyle at the BMW Group: Seamless in-car integration of Amazon Alexa in BMW and MINI.

The BMW Group is systematically expanding the intelligent connectivity capabilities of its vehicles by seamlessly integrating the highly versatile Alexa, Amazon’s voice-controlled personal assistant, into all BMW and MINI models from mid-2018. The innovative inclusion of a cloud-based voice service will enable BMW Group customers to access a variety of services, entertainment features and shopping facilities while on the move by simple voice interaction. Tens of thousands of Alexa skills that can be accessed from Echo devices will now be available for in-car use, too.

BMW Connected skill for Alexa has been available since September 2016. This has allowed BMW Connected users in the USA, Germany and the UK to ask Alexa to check vehicle information such as the state of charge or fuel level, or control their car via Remote Services from the comfort of their home. Alexa also makes it possible to consult appointments or scheduled routes and departure times with the help of the BMW Connected mobility agenda. The availability of Alexa in the car now makes it possible to use functions enjoyed at home while out on the road as well.

“By making this step of integrating Alexa into our models from mid-2018, BMW and MINI will form a more intrinsic part of our customers’ digital lifestyles,” remarked Dieter May, Senior Vice President Digital Services and Business Models at the BMW Group. “Voice control first featured in BMW Group cars many years ago, and we are now enhancing its functionality by adding a digital ecosystem, which will open up all sorts of new possibilities that customers can access quickly, easily and safely from their car.”

Digital lifestyle at the BMW Group: Seamless in-car integration of Amazon Alexa in BMW and MINI.

Today, 8.5 million BMW Group models worldwide are already connected. The vast number of services and infotainment features that can be controlled by voice commands in BMW models have paved the way for the forthcoming connectivity options and new digital services. A smartphone is not required to benefit from Alexa in the car, as all BMW models and selected MINI vehicles come equipped with a built-in SIM card. The resultant provision of online accessibility anywhere, anytime allows the seamless integration of Alexa.

For example, customers can find out which movies are currently showing at the local cinema, listen to their favourite playlist or find out the weather at their destination by voice command while on the move. And if the driver realises mid-way through a journey that they have forgotten something, they can ask Alexa to place an online order. Alexa can also show relevant content for certain skills (visual feedback) in the BMW Display Screen or MINI Centre Instrument.

“We are excited to work with BMW to bring the Alexa experience to their drivers,” said Ned Curic, Vice President, Alexa Automotive. “Using your voice to enjoy content and interact with Alexa makes a great driving experience even better. We can’t wait for BMW customers to try this out.” Intelligent connectivity between the vehicle and the user’s digital touchpoints is therefore moving into a new dimension at both BMW and MINI. Since the launch of the MINI Countryman – and the new MINI Connected alongside it – the connectivity capabilities of the British premium brand have been constantly enhanced.

From mid-2018 Amazon Alexa will be available in all BMW and MINI vehicles in USA, UK and Germany.

courtesy: www.press.bmwgroup.com

The MINI John Cooper Works GP Concept: Racing without compromise. MINI presents design study at the IAA Cars 2017.

The MINI John Cooper Works GP Concept: Racing without compromise. MINI presents design study at the IAA Cars 2017.

The BMW Group has chosen the IAA Cars 2017 show in Frankfurt a. M. to present the modern racing essence of a MINI – in the shape of the MINI John Cooper Works GP Concept. Inspired by the carmaker’s legendary triumphs in the Monte Carlo Rally exactly 50 years ago, this design study embodies undiluted dynamic flair and the ultimate in driving fun – on both the race track and the road. The concept car picks up the baton from the 2012 MINI John Cooper Works GP and 2006 MINI Cooper S with John Cooper Works GP Kit. Produced in strictly limited numbers (2,000 examples each), these two models explored the outer limits of their performance capability at the time.

“The MINI John Cooper Works GP Concept is all about the unfettered feeling of driving and levels of performance found in motor sport competition,” says Peter Schwarzenbauer, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad. “This is driving fun in its purest form.”

The design – compact proportions and sporting agility.

The design of the MINI John Cooper Works GP Concept majors on purity and emotional richness. Significantly wider than the current MINI, the design study exudes dynamism and power. Large front and rear aprons, side skirts and a prominent roof spoiler create a confident appearance. The use of lightweight materials such as carbon fibre optimises the car’s power-to-weight ratio. And evenly balanced weight distribution is a ticket to MINI’s signature go-kart feeling.

“If you know about MINI, you’ll be aware of the brand’s long and successful history in motor sport,” says Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design. “The MINI John Cooper Works GP Concept brings together the full suite of defining MINI design features and showcases them at their sportiest and most exciting. What we’re looking at here is maximum performance, maximum MINI.”

The front end.

The MINI John Cooper Works GP Concept: Racing without compromise. MINI presents design study at the IAA Cars 2017.

Large air intakes and precisely moulded air deflectors dominate the front end, which cuts a low-to-the-road figure. Crisply cut add-on elements frame the smooth MINI silhouette and highlight the track focus of the MINI John Cooper Works GP Concept when viewed head-on. The space between the main body of the front end and the air deflectors further strengthens the car’s presence. The familiar colour contrasts of John Cooper Works models come in the form of the Black Jack Anthracite exterior paint finish – which shimmers between grey and black – and the accent colour Curbside Red metallic (a matt red shade). Curbside Red metallic provides a fresh take on the classical John Cooper Works red and visually accentuates the optimised geometry of the performance and add-on parts.

At the centre of the front end, iconic MINI design cues such as the elliptical headlights and hexagonal radiator grille sharpen the car’s identity and recognisability factor. At the same time, elements such as the powerdome with prominent air scoop in the bonnet and the hexagonal honeycomb radiator grille and air intakes in the front apron heighten the car’s sporting appearance. Further colour accents in Highspeed Orange enhance the visual impact of the headlights and air intake.

The lower edge of the large front apron reaches down close to the road, appearing to suck the front end towards the asphalt, while the car’s wide track and prominently flared wheel arches promise top-level handling and high cornering speeds. Another technical highlight is the front apron’s all-carbon-fibre construction, which reduces the car’s weight. The carbon matting is now directly visible and presented with a high-gloss paint finish with red hexagon graphic.

The sides.

The MINI John Cooper Works GP Concept: Racing without compromise. MINI presents design study at the IAA Cars 2017.

In time-honoured MINI fashion, the interplay of narrowing windows and a rising shoulderline creates a wedge shape from the side and gives the car the appearance of powering forward even before it turns a wheel. Lower down, voluminous surfaces fuse into a muscular body and endow the flanks with agility and dynamism. The car number 0059 refers to the year the classic Mini was born: 1959.

Carbon-fibre side skirts provide the body with its lowest edge. 19-inch Racetrack lightweight wheels in classical multi-spoke design underline the design study’s performance aspirations. Contrasts in Curbside Red metallic – together with the Highspeed Orange on the inside of the rims – and the GP logo bring extra verve to the wheel design. Elsewhere, Curbside Red metallic and Highspeed Orange bring neatly judged highlights to the exterior mirror bases and door handles respectively.

The rear end.

The MINI John Cooper Works GP Concept: Racing without compromise. MINI presents design study at the IAA Cars 2017.

The rear of the MINI John Cooper Works GP Concept picks up the striking use of forms in the front end and flanks. Here again, large surfaces are bordered by precisely formed air-channelling elements, and the positioning of the LED rear lights well to the outside of the rear underscores the car’s dynamic focus. Sophisticated touches, such as the half-Union Jack on each side, represent a nod to the concept car’s British origins, while also providing a sporty, technical flourish. The prominent roof spoiler is a visual statement of intent and slots cleanly into the geometry of the side elements.

Like the front end and flanks, the lower section of the car has a very precise and dynamic design. Carbon-fibre air vents and air deflectors are in optimum positions, and the two rain lights at the outer edges at the rear improve visibility in wet races. The classical central twin tailpipes low down at the rear embody the John Cooper Works DNA to eye-catching effect.

The interior – stripped down and with track-inspired looks.

The MINI John Cooper Works GP Concept: Racing without compromise. MINI presents design study at the IAA Cars 2017.

The interior of the MINI John Cooper Works GP Concept is pared back to its core elements, its roll cage joined on board by little more than a pair of low-mounted bucket seats with five-point belts and a cleanly-designed instrument panel. Gearshift is by paddles on the steering wheel.

All the elements of the interior are trained squarely on the driver. The display and control concept with digital instrument cluster and Head-Up Display places the relevant information for the situation at hand directly in the driver’s eye-line, allowing absolute focus on the road to be maintained. Interaction between driver and car is otherwise digital, notably touch-control adjustment of suspension settings in MINI’s familiar central instrument. As digitalisation dictates, the display here is now in large-screen format. It is left to the large emergency cut-off button and the traditional MINI toggle switches with start/stop button to provide a bridge between the digital and analogue worlds.

A rear seat bench, headliner and conventional door trim panels are conspicuous by their absence, sacrificed in the interests of weight minimisation. Instead, the surfaces between the elements of the roll cage and the rear compartment are trimmed in lightweight panels with textured details and a hexagonal pattern. This creates a transition between the unadorned rear and more design-rich front cabin. The doors are opened using recessed grips with fabric straps, leaving the driver and passenger to clamber out through the roll cage in the usual racing car style.

The interior combines its pared-back sporting forms with eye-catching elements and bold colour accents. The result is a face-off between the less familiar aesthetic of a racing-car bodyshell and the exclusivity of high-quality production-car appointments. Against the backdrop of the white basic space, black, patinated smooth leather on the head restraints and bolsters provides a neat contrast with the back-and-white knitted textile in the central section of the seats. A new 3D knitting technique gives a classy and modern feel, while red accents send out a visual statement. The bright, aluminium roll cage also stands apart clearly from the black 3D-printed parts in the doors and instrument panel, and a lightly-structured trim element with hexagonal graphic reinforces the sporty, modern look. Curbside Red metallic adds a colour accent to selected functional components, while the Highspeed Orange shade in details like the belt straps, inscriptions and the stitching of the steering wheel and seats acts as a second accent colour to complement the red. With 3D printing and 3D knitting techniques, MINI is bringing technologies to the interior of the concept car which will enable both tool-free production and simple personalisation in the future.

MINI + high performance + race-track feeling = John Cooper Works.

The character of the MINI John Cooper Works GP Concept is defined by a motor sport heritage which stretches back over more than five decades. Indeed, the classic Mini was transformed by legendary sports car designer John Cooper into a byword for driving fun on the road and an extraordinarily successful competitor in the race and rally scene. A motor sport career which began exactly 50 years ago reached its zenith with three overall victories in the Monte Carlo Rally. Today, the John Cooper Works name is synonymous with products and models whose quality is rooted in established motor sport know-how and an association with the British premium small car which dates back all those years. The result: the motor sport experience comes roaring into everyday life.

courtesy: www.press.bmwgroup.com