BMW Group today announces its support for the new iPod Out feature released in iOS 4, the latest version of Apple's mobile operating system. The launch of a newly developed BMW Group interface technology will provide BMW and MINI drivers with an easy-to-operate, intuitive way of using their iPhone and iPod touch in future BMW Group vehicles.

iPod Out enables BMW and MINI entertainment systems to display and control the music playback feature of the iPhone and iPod touch directly within the vehicle’s main display. The LCD display in BMW and MINI provides users with the simplicity and familiarity they have come to trust in their iPhone and iPod touch. The intuitive and integrated iPod navigation menu can be safely operated through the vehicle’s controls. Additionally, state-of-the-art iPod features such as custom playlists and Genius, which creates a compatible playlist of songs from a user's own library, is made available to BMW and MINI drivers through the vehicle’s main display. iPod Out requires iOS 4 with iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 and iPod touch (second and third generation).

The new interface technology developed for this purpose by the BMW Group enables continued upgrades of iPod Out features for the iPhone and iPod touch in vehicles and represents a new milestone in consumer electronic device vehicle integration. Future vehicles equipped with this technology will be able to adapt more quickly to the software lifecycles of iPod touch and iPhone. The new interface technology was developed by an international cooperation of the BMW Research and Development Center in Munich, Germany and the BMW Group Technology Office Palo Alto in Silicon Valley in California.

Once again, the BMW Group has taken a leading role in the entertainment integration of iPhone and iPod touch with vehicles. In 2004, BMW was the first manufacturer to integrate the iPod into its audio system. The following year, a corresponding solution was presented for MINI. Simultaneously with the market launch of the iPhone in 2007, the BMW Group offered an exclusive solution for integrating iPhone in the entertainment and communications system of its vehicles via USB and Bluetooth technology.

The new iPod Out support by BMW Group mirrors the innovative strategy of BMW ConnectedDrive for the BMW brand and will be part of the new offer called MINI Connected for the MINI brand. Both brands aim at connecting the driver and passengers to their personal entertainment world in an intuitive and non-distracting way. The optimized use of consumer devices within the vehicle plays a central role in this connection.

June sales of BMW and MINI vehicles in the U.S. increased 11.9 percent to 23,331 units, delivering the best sales month for the company this year. During the first half of the year, the BMW Group reported a total sales volume of 121,585 vehicles, up 6.2 percent from the same period last year.

“We’ve been anticipating this month as it welcomed the all-new 5 Series into a market of waiting customers, and provides another vital link to our aggressive model introduction cycle,” said Jim O’Donnell, President of BMW of North America, LLC. “While economic improvement has been, and looks to continue to be slow this year, nevertheless new core products such as the 5 Series, major upgrades to the perennial best selling X5 and 3 Series, and the new six cylinder 740i and 535i Gran Turismo are now giving us the vehicles to once again play offense in the market.”

The BMW 5 Series – the traditional leader of the midsize sports-sedan segment in the U.S. – kicks off a model offensive replacing more than 60 percent of BMW’s current model line-up with all-new products until 2012. Today, the BMW brand has leadership in the compact segment with the 3 Series, the small coupe/roadster segment with the Z4 and the large luxury sedan segment with the 7 Series. On the MINI side, starting in 2011, the product range will double from three to six models creating additional growth perspectives for the premium small car brand.

BMW Brand Sales
BMW brand showed an overall performance increase of 14.6 percent to 19,182 vehicles in June. Key drivers of June’s sales results were high volume models – 5 Series, up 40.2 percent to 3,865 units; X5, up 44.4 percent to 3,273 units; and 7 Series, up 112.6 percent to 1,716 units. Year-to-date, overall BMW brand sales increased 7.6 percent to 100,632 units.

BMW Pre-Owned Vehicles
In June, sales of BMW’s used vehicles (including certified pre-owned vehicles) sold through the BMW dealership network increased 1.4 percent to 13,445 vehicles. Year-to-date, used vehicle sales were up 4.9 percent to 83,723 vehicles.

MINI Brand Sales
MINI USA reported sales of 4,149 cars in June, an increase of 1.1 percent compared to last year. MINI Convertible performed best and sales were up 35 percent compared to last year. After the first six months, MINI continued to show a stable volume development with sales slightly up 0.3 percent to 20,953 cars while at the same time increasing its share of the small car premium segment that has lagged the general market trend.

The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported April sales of 21,111 vehicles, an increase of 9 percent from the 19,362 vehicles sold in the same month of 2009. Year to date, the BMW Group also reported a total sales volume of 76,162 vehicles, up 7.9 percent compared to 70,606 vehicles sold in the first four months of last year.

BMW Brand Sales

The BMW brand continued its positive results in April with good sales in the key volume segments of the premium market. In total, sales increased 10 percent to reach 17,268 vehicles. Year to date, sales increased 8.8 percent to 63,591 vehicles.

In the important midsize sports sedan segment, BMW maintained its leading position with sales of the 3 Series sedan up 63.7 percent to 5,464 units. After just one year in the market, the BMW 7 Series also kept its lead in the large luxury vehicle segment with sales up 96.3 percent to 1,555 units in April. With the 1 Series and Z4, BMW also continued its lead in two smaller volume segments of the premium market.

“April’s positive results are an achievement keeping in mind we have two high volume models in short supply due to the end of their lifecycles,” said Jim O’Donnell, President of BMW of North America, LLC. “Both the X3 and 5 Series are in transition and we anxiously await the new 5 on sale in June as it has received superb early reviews in comparisons with the competition. The all-new X3 arrives at the end of this year and we anticipate strong demand for this new entry in the hot premium smaller crossover segment.”

To prepare for the production of the X3, BMW’s plant in Spartanburg, SC undergoes a $750 million expansion to be completed in late summer of this year. The local manufacturing of the X3 will provide the company a range of opportunities when the vehicle is introduced to the market.

BMW Pre-Owned Vehicles

In April, sales of BMW’s used vehicles (including certified pre-owned vehicles) sold through BMW’s dealership network increased 23 percent to 15,472 vehicles. Year-to-date, used vehicle sales were up 6 percent to 55,320 vehicles.

MINI Brand Sales

While the premium small car segment is lagging other segments, MINI continued to show a strong performance and increased its segment share. In April, 3,843 MINI’s were sold, up 5.1 percent versus the 3,657 units reported in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date, MINI USA also reported sales of 12,571 automobiles, an increase of 3.3 percent.

MINI’s long term growth prospects continue to be strong due to macro economic developments in the U.S. To prepare for this future growth, MINI’s product range will double from three to six models starting in 2011 and the dealer network is being expanded to 100 exclusive stores by summer of this year with dealers investing a combined $200 million this year and last.

MINI Connected, a new technology unique to MINI, opens up a new dimension of in-car entertainment. The new system will make its debut at the 2010 Geneva International Motor Show next week.

MINI Connected.

MINI Connected offers new options to further enhance the driving fun associated with the brand by intelligently connecting the driver, his MINI and the outside world. The new MINI Connected system will be launched simultaneously with the MINI Countryman, as an option on the newest member of the MINI brand lineup.

With MINI Connected, MINI is the first carmaker to offer a newly developed USB interface with functionality that enables such a high level of integration of the iPhone into the in-car audio and infotainment system. This MINI-exclusive technology provides the basis for unprecedented integration of Smartphone functions, and takes the in-car integration of modern Smartphone telecommunications, entertainment and online functions to a whole new level.

The innovative iPhone interface provides robust data exchange capabilities, allowing a range of infotainment, navigation and communication functions to be used on board the vehicle. MINI Connected also allows functions to be enhanced or personalized to the driver’s individual preferences.

MINI Connected offers diversity and flexibility across a host of different functions, something new to the auto industry. The technology is future-adaptable, and will guarantee customers instant access to future innovations in the fields of entertainment, communication, navigation and information.

All of the functions integrated through MINI Connected, courtesy of the Apple iPhone, are activated and controlled using the vehicle’s existing operating system. When the system is fitted with the optional MINI Visual Boost radio, the full range of MINI Connected functions can be used. The radio’s high-resolution color display is integrated in the Center Speedo, and the center console-mounted MINI joystick provides convenient, simple and intuitive operation.

The existing MINI operating structure allows drivers to select and activate any function with minimal distraction from the road, so the MINI Connected information and instructions follow the MINI’s familiar display logic. The system can easily be customized; applications can be selected or deselected quickly and conveniently using the vehicle controls.

World-first: the MINI Connected web radio function.

As an example of the new possibilities opened up by MINI Connected, the new web radio function will be demonstrated during the Geneva Auto Show. Once a MINI is linked to the outside world via MINI Connected, the driver has a choice of radio stations streamed to the vehicle from anywhere in the world, provided the station is available in the extensive station database. MINI is the world’s first carmaker to offer this type of function as a manufacturer-installed option on a production vehicle.

Exclusive to MINI: Mission Control.

MINI Connected also incorporates the Mission Control module, which made its debut in the MINI 50 Camden anniversary model. Mission Control evaluates a vast range of vehicle information, driving situations and vehicle environment-related signals to supply the driver with relevant commentary and instructions in customary MINI style. Mission Control gives the driver an even stronger sense of interacting directly with the vehicle, reinforcing the whole concept of the MINI as a car with character and personality.

The vehicle-related signals are used to generate constantly changing, situation-dependent messages. The dialogue may take the form of safety and comfort-related advice, such as prompts to fasten a seatbelt or guidance on the air conditioning system; or it may provide information relating to the current driving situation and operating status (for example, outside temperatures or fuel tank level). The wide repertoire of messages, which marks a significant advance over previous systems, makes for a continually varied dialogue between the MINI and its driver, even in familiar and frequently recurring everyday driving situations. And thanks to MINI Connected, Mission Control now offers extensive functional enhancement and personalization options, such as a choice of language versions and driving modes.

German luxury carmaker BMW has said it is preparing to launch an electric Mini test series, following similar ventures by its main competitors.

The Munich-based group said in a statement released late on Wednesday that it would produce "several hundred cars in the Mini series in coming months" in Oxford, England, and convert them in Germany to run on electricity.

The test models will be introduced within 12 to 18 months, said the company.

The specialist magazine Automotive News Europe had reported on Monday that BMW plans to make 500 models and rent them to clients in California.

The US state has voted a law under which automobile companies will be permitted to sell their models there only if they also offer one that emits no greenhouse gases.

Most of BMW's competitors, including Daimler and Volkswagen, have already announced that they plan to make electric cars.

The new MINI One and MINI Cooper D

Brand new MINI range boosted by introduction of the frugal, but fun MINI One and first ever MINI Cooper D



The new MINI hatch line-up will soon be complete, when the new MINI One and MINI Cooper D models are unveiled to the public at the International Geneva Motor Show on 8 March 2007. The entry-level One features a perky 95hp 1.4-litre petrol engine, while the Cooper D boasts performance and fuel efficiency from an all-new 1.6-litre 110hp turbodiesel powerplant.



A Cooper-badged MINI diesel hints at the sporty nature of the new model. MINI fans will be equally excited at the prospect of the Cooper D promising to be the most fuel-efficient and cleanest MINI ever built. In comparison to the outgoing MINI One D's combined fuel consumption of 58.9mpg, the Cooper D is capable of 64.2mpg. A CO2 figure of just 118 g/km puts the car in tax band B.



MINI One also benefits from a significant improvement in both fuel consumption and emissions over the outgoing model. 49.6mpg is achievable from the One's new 1.4-litre unit, compared to 41.5mpg from its predecessor. CO2 emissions are now 138g/km, against 164g/km produced by the previous model.



The MINI One will cost £11,595 on the road, and the MINI Cooper D will be £14,190. Both models will be on sale from April 2007.



Both models feature the new body shape already seen on the recently launched MINI Cooper and Cooper S models. Interior quality enhancements and unique design features remain key characteristics of the One and Cooper D. However, several individual highlights set the cars apart.



MINI One: Technology highlights

The 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine in the MINI One is derived from the 1.6-litre unit that features in the current Cooper model. Smooth power delivery and maximum efficiency are achieved using fully variable valve control, through a system based on BMW Group's unique VALVETRONIC technology.



Maximum output of 95hp at 6,000rpm is produced by the compact engine, which is constructed from lightweight aluminium. The 5hp power increase on its predecessor leads to a peak torque figure of 140Nm at 4,000rpm.



The innovative powertrain is key to the MINI One's ability to ensure a grin-inducing driving experience, yet offers the driver outstanding fuel economy and low emissions. A 0-62mph time of 10.9 seconds and top speed of 115mph are complemented by an average fuel consumption figure of 49.6mpg – an efficiency increase of 15 per cent compared to the outgoing model.



MINI Cooper D: Technology highlights

The MINI Cooper D's brand new turbocharged diesel engine develops 110hp at 4,000rpm. Under normal conditions peak torque of 240Nm is achieved between 1,750 and 2,000rpm. Deploying the engine's Overboost function gives the Cooper D an additional 20Nm of torque, meaning the driver will experience 260Nm at 2,000rpm. MINI enthusiasts will recognise this torque figure is identical to that produced by the new MINI Cooper S.



The turbocharger system features variable turbine geometry, ensuring optimum smoothness, efficiency and response even at low engine speeds.



Second-generation common rail diesel technology operating at a maximum pressure of 1,600 bar is key to the new diesel engine's combustion process. Additionally, refinement is achieved using a precise multiple-injection process for each operating cycle. The combustion chambers have been optimised in their shape and dimensions to prevent unwanted turbulence and maintain a smooth and consistent combustion process at all times.



A diesel particulate filter almost eliminates diesel exhaust emissions and helps to make the MINI diesel engine one of the most environmentally friendly engines in its class.



Six-speed gearbox as standard

The new MINI One and new MINI Cooper D both come as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox. Dynamic acceleration is a result of the precise shift control provided by carbon friction plates and helical gears operating within an optimised syncromesh. With its long transmission ratio, the sixth gear allows optimum fuel economy, even at high speeds.



The MINI One will be available to customers with the option of a six-speed automatic transmission. A key feature is the Steptronic function, which allows the driver to shift gears in sequence using the gear lever or the standard-fit paddles on the steering wheel. For keener drivers, a Sports Button is available as an option for even shorter gearshift times and faster throttle response.



Design highlights

Features including a black finish to the car's radiator grille bars, door mirrors and tailgate handle are exclusive to the MINI One. The new MINI Cooper D's sporting prowess is underlined by the addition of a pronounced power dome on the car's bonnet. A discernibly larger air intake than on other MINI models features on the Cooper D, as does a crossbar in body colour on the lower intake.



Chassis and suspension

The go-kart driving experience is enhanced in the new MINI One and Cooper D through a new suspension set-up, as introduced on the MINI Cooper and Cooper S. MINI is the only car in its segment to be fitted with a central-arm rear axle featuring elaborate kinematics for optimum tyre-to-road contact.



Electrical Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) incorporating modern mechanical control gives the driver increased precision feedback. Variable power assistance dependent on speed ensures MINI drivers are guaranteed an involving drive every time they step into the car.



The new MINI Cooper and Cooper S went on sale in the UK on 18 November 2006. By the end of the year, close to 7,000 orders were taken for the new models. With sales looking strong into the New Year and the launch of the new MINI Convertible Sidewalk taking place in the spring, MINI is set for another great year at home on British roads.