Over the last one to two years a handful of automotive publications (including MotoringFile & BimmerFile) have been reporting that BMW intends to share platforms and engines going forward. And while we’ve known for some time the generalities of the plans, we’re starting to get a much a much better view of the future.
For starters BMW intends on using a common platform to underpin up to a dozen cars for both the MINI and BMW brands. UKL as it’s known internally will handle all front and all wheel drive small car needs for BMW and MINI in the years ahead. In fact there are some that believe UKL will even be used for the next generation 1 Series after the F20 – yes that means a front wheel drive 1 Series. But that’s getting ahead of ourselves. Let’s talk about BMW’s first steps with the new platform. continued →
Official Release: Today BMW North America made three announcements in New York City to contribute to furthering sustainable mobility and recognizing the important role New York City plays as a proving ground in this area. These announcements include the significant renovation of two structures for BMW and MINI of Manhattan dealerships; the US introduction of the new BMW ActiveE full-electric vehicle; and the return of powerful, efficient and clean 4-cylinder BMW engines to the United States after a more than 10 year absence.
The dealership renovations deepen the company’s commitment to the future of mobility in one of the world’s most heavily populated urban centers. BMW of Manhattan will remain at 555 W. 57th Street and will continue to sell and service BMW automobiles and sport activity vehicles, BMW Motorcycles, and is intended to be a BMW i Center when the company begins to introduce the first two vehicles of this new brand in 2013, the i3 and i8. The creation of a standalone MINI of Manhattan dealership and a BMW Certified Pre-Owned sales center in the Chapman Building at 11th Avenue and 56th Street will begin at the same time. Construction of BMW of Manhattan is expected to be completed by the end of 2012 and MINI of Manhattan will be completed by the end of 2011. continued →
More video from the WRC team launch day, with more than 350 guests and 200+ journalists attending to celebrate the launch of the WRC Team at Plant Oxford. The highlight real looks like a great time.
Hot on the tail of our story about the 3rd generation MINI codename, the F56, Autocar is reporting this morning that ailing automaker Saab has made “an audacious bid to buy the rights to the outgoing BMW MINI platform.” The Swedish automaker wants to get into the premium small car game, but without all that pesky engineering. continued →
Now that we’ve confirmed it through multiple sources it’s time to let you know what we’ll all be calling the next generation MINI due out in late 2012. Drum-roll please. The next MINI hatch (the basis for an entire range of models) has been given the code-name F56. What does that mean for the the car and for MINI? Quite a bit really. Read-on…
From the rally team launch event at Oxford this week, here we have video of champion rally driver Kris Meeke showing off the Countryman WRC’s incredible capabilities. With a fog of tire smoke and an unholy amount of engine noise, Mr. Meeke puts the car through its demonstration paces. We can’t wait to see him and this car flying around WRC courses! More video after the break.
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Welt.de is reporting that MINI plans to price the Goodwood at €50,000 for the German market. It’s the first pricing we’ve seen on MINI’s most luxurious model and it gives us some indication as to pricing elsewhere. However (as always) don’t expect a simple conversion rate to give you the US price based on that figure. In fact we believe this gives the rumored $50,000 price point that we’ve heard for years quite a bit some credence. continued →
1st Gen MINI R50: One & MC Hatch R52: All 1st Gen MINI Convt. R53: MCS Hatch 2nd Gen MINI R55: Clubman R56: Hatch R57: Convertible R58: Coupe R59: Roadster R60: MINI Crossover R61: MINI Crossover Coupe 3rd Gen MINI F55: Clubman F56: Hatch F57: Convertible F60: MINI Crossover F62: Traveller
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Sections: F56 Hatch, Rumor Apr 18th, 2011 14 Comments 
