Mini Archives

MINI Malaysia Reintroduces The Clubman “Sterling Edition” @ RM268,888

MINI Malaysia has announced the return of the MINI Clubman Sterling Edition, with only 40 units available exclusively online for booking at mini.my/clubman-sterling. The purposefully made, limited edition MINI with unprecedented aesthetics brimming with serene elegance, now features new premium technology to further maximize the driving experience for those who truly appreciate exclusivity.

Introducing the New MINI Clubman Sterling Edition, Mr. Han Sang Yun, Managing Director and CEO of BMW Group Malaysia said, “It was a first in the Malaysian automotive industry when we introduced the New MINI Clubman Sterling Edition exclusively online and we are pleased to see the successful delivery of all 20 units. Within less than two weeks of its introduction, the limited edition MINI was fully booked online thus proving that Malaysians appreciate the exclusivity of exceptionally well-made premium cars.

Because of the successful response, the New MINI Clubman Sterling Edition will make a comeback in celebration of the New Year, and with new technology for an even more unique experience. Indeed, the limited edition MINI has excited and made its mark in the premium compact segment and will continue to do so.”

The New MINI Clubman Sterling Edition will once again be exclusively available for booking online at mini.my/clubman-sterling beginning 11^th January 2018. Once the flash sale goes live, customers will have to keep their eyes peeled for the right time to book their limited New MINI Clubman Sterling Edition. This is done by filling up the booking form on the page and making the booking fee payment when the time is right.

More on the Clubman Sterling – Exclusives. The New MINI Clubman Sterling Edition exudes characteristics of a modern gentlemen who is chivalrous, sophisticated and confident. This is realized through the exclusive Melting Silver body colour with subtle Matte Black Jack mirror caps and roof décor. This is complemented by Black Union Jack symbols located at the side scuttles as well as bespoke 18” MINI Yours Masterpiece wheels in burnish black.

Inside, the New Precious Metal wears a combination of Indigo Blue and Pure Burgundy tones. While seated on supple seats in luxurious Chester Leather upholstery in Indigo Blue, drivers and passengers will also enjoy the MINI Yours Illuminated Interior in Pure Burgundy. This premium ambience is further enhanced with the ability to choose from 12 pre-set colours to the trims, fitting to whatever the mood and liking of the driver and passengers. Additionally, the driver will enjoy the MINI Yours Walknappa Leather steering wheel, a representation of the best in British craftsmanship. The bottom of the steering wheel is also adorned with the signature Union Jack insignia.

Further maximizing the exclusive experience of the New MINI Clubman Sterling Edition is the MINI Navigation System with a high resolution 6.5” screen in the MINI Centre Instrument. This houses state-of-the-art technology and puts a wealth of navigation information at the driver’s fingertips, easily operated via the MINI Controller. The Parking Assist function, which automatically steers the car into parallel parking spaces as well as the Rear View Camera, which eases reversing in and out of tight spots are some of the premium technology maximizing the experience of driving a MINI.

Owners of the New MINI Clubman Sterling Edition will also enjoy MINI Connected, a state-of-the-art infotainment system featuring over 30 million songs streamed live to the car. The 6.5” high resolution LCD also presents an intuitive Spotify Interface on top of the standard readings such as current fuel consumption, current fuel range and last known locations which can also be viewed on the MINI Connected phone app.

The latest generation of MINI Touch Screen Display is the new highlight of the New MINI Clubman Sterling Edition. It supports multi-touch with pinch to zoom in functionality for maps and typing. The clean and modern user interface also features brand new animations.

MINI Roadside Assistance. The New MINI Clubman Sterling Edition is covered by MINI Malaysia’s 5 Years Roadside Assistance program, available for all new MINI vehicles with a comprehensive list of services that include a 24-Hour, 365-days-a-year Accident and Help on the Phone and On the Spot Hotline, Free Towing Services and when needed (over 200KM from residential home), Replacement Vehicle, Accommodation, Mobility Services Solutions as well as Repatriation services.

The MINI Roadside Assistance program can be accessed by contacting 1800-88-8808.

The New MINI Clubman Sterling Edition arrives with the MINI 4-Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service. The estimated retail price (on the road for personal registration, without insurance) is RM 268,888.00.

MINI will 3D print your accessories

MINI is known for it’s plethora of customisation options for it’s range of cars, but this time, it has taken it to another level. Through the online store, customers will have the option to tweak and adjust certain design aspects of trim elements to create unique products. These innovative upgrades will be available for UK customers throughout the course of 2018.

Referred to as the MINI Yours Customised product range, custom work can be carried out on the side scuttles, trims for the interior passenger side, LED door sills and LED door projectors. Various colour combinations can be chosen to suit the items, text or signatures can also be added to these accessories. MINI will be able to accomplish all of these things through the use of it’s manufacturing processes.

These processes include 3D printing and laser etching systems. The automaker has teamed up with Hewlett-Packard (HP), to create these various trim pieces. As revolutionary as this maybe, MINI assures customers that the products that are sold through this programme adhere to it’s standards of quality and safety.

There are several different colour options to choose from, which include Aspen White matte, Chili Red matte, Starlight Blue matte, Moonwalk Grey matte and Jet Black matte. Based on the selected pattern and design, MINI will get to work creating these pieces that will undoubtedly make each and every car, different.

MINI introduce special edition 1499 GT

MINI is introducing a very special edition vehicle called the 1499 GT, all are bound for the UK market. It’s inception was inspired by the classic 1275 GT, which was based on the original Mini. The 1275 in the model name, was a direct reflection of the car’s engine capacity in cc, which was significantly larger than the standard Mini’s 998cc.

However, with the 1499 GT which is based on the current MINI One, This isn’t the case. The car doesn’t have a 1499cc engine, instead its the same 3-pot as the One but with a bit of a power bump. The automaker has slightly increaed the power, bringing the total to 102bhp.

The peppy turbocharged three-cylinder engine allows the car to sprint from 0-100km/h in 10.1 seconds, which isn’t quick by any means. Mated to it, is a 6-speed manual gearbox with sports-car inspired rev matching technology. The car also comes with disc brakes on all four corners that will allow for better stopping power.

There are several differences between the special edition MINI and the standard car, which include the John Cooper Works Sport Pack, 17” Track Spoke alloy wheels in Black and white indicator lenses. The styling pack includes distinctive John Cooper Works front and rear bumpers, side skirts, a split level spoiler and John Cooper Works door entry plates.

Its a similar story for the inside because the car gets John Cooper Works Sports seats in Dinamica and leather, JCW badges, a JCW steering wheel in perforated leather with Chilli Red stitching and multi-function controls, Piano Black interior trim as well as a Carbon Black interior details and an Anthracite headlining.

This John Cooper Works treatment extends to the performance aspect of the car as well because it benefits from a sports suspension. It is tuned to offer an experience that matches the looks of the sporty bits.

MINI will only be making 1,499 cars and they will be available in two different body colours, which are Pepper White or Midnight Black. In Midnight Black, the car gets gold 1499 GT side stripes, while the one in Pepper White, gets the same style graphics, but in black.

BMW posts record sales for first quarter of 2017

BMW has posted its strongest sales this quarter compared to the same period last year. According to the company, its top premium brands, BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce, saw a combined increase in total sales by 5.3% which amounts to 587,237 vehicles that have been sold globally. Its the first time that the German automaker has cracked half a million sales at such an early period in the year.

“We’ve achieved a strong start to the year, with our X-family models and the BMW 7 Series being the main growth drivers,” commented Dr Ian Robertson, Member of the BMW AG Board of Management with responsibility for Sales and Brand BMW. “March was the first full sales month for the new BMW 5 Series Sedan and the customer feedback for this benchmark car is already very positive,” he continued.

Sales of BMW vehicles alone totaled 503,445 vehicles in the first quarter of 2017 which is a 5.2% increase compared to the same period last year. There were a number of models that contributed to the company’s sales growth. In March, deliveries of the BMW X1 increased 21.0% (26,759), sales of the BMW X5 were up 20.7% (17,678) while deliveries of the flagship BMW 7 Series grew 74.8% (7,134).

BMW’s electric line of vehicles helped bolster sales further as the company shifted 20,000 of these vehicles to customers world wide since early 2017. These sales figures are double of what were reported last year, which is proof of the growing popularity of electric vehicles. BMW i3 sales have been off to a positive start this year and the same can be said about the newly launched plug-in hybrid 530e iPerformance.

MINI branded vehicles also contributed to the overall sales growth by posting a 6.1% increase which is 83,059 vehicles sold since January. Sales of the MINI Clubman alone rose to 21% in the first quarter compared with the same period last year, which means that it is becoming a favorite among car buyers. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars had a good quarter too by posting a 33% increase in sales since January. Despite the economic situation and the volatility of the current vehicle market, there is still a strong demand for Rolls-Royce cars and the company is confident that this sales growth will be sustainable for the near future.

BMW Motorrad, the automaker’s two-wheeler arm, managed a total sales volume of 35,636 vehicles which is a 5.5% increase overall this quarter. Based on what we have seen, 2017 seems to be shaping up to be a good year for a number of automakers. Let’s hope that the surge in sales also brings with it better and improved vehicles in the not so distant future.

Mini Remastered to debut at London Motor Show

Have you ever contemplated buying an original Mini but was a little skeptical about relaibility? Well, David Brown Automotive may have something thing of interest to you. The UK based coach-builder has taken apart the original Mini, reworked the body panels and internals as well as the various wiring and electronics and resembled it to create a remastered vehicle that resembles the original but features modern technology.

The company even reconditioned the 1,275cc 78bhp engine and four-speed gearbox. The chassis and body panels are reworked and de-seamed to provide that new car fit and finish. The Mini has been fitted with modern niceties such as an in-built infortainment and navigation system that offers a host of connectivity features for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

It also has a four-speaker sound system, USB connectivity and charging ports for your phone. Unlike the antic it is based on, the new reworked car called the Mini Remastered, features keyless entry, push-button ignition system and remote central locking.

Every Mini Remastered produced comes with a bespoke leather-lined luggage space and a petrol tank painted in each car’s contrasting roof colour. Every Mini Remastered come with an exceptional paint finish, with a full four-week paint process applied to every car.

David Brown automotive uses a combination of engineering, state-of-the-art technology and old fashioned coach-building techniques to build the car. The Mini isn’t its first project though because a year ago, the company unveiled the Speedback GT. It’s a bespoke car powered by a 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine that puts out 510bhp.

The boutique British coach-builder takes pride in its modernized coach-building approach to manufacturing fully engineered, limited-edition vehicles that are made from hand-formed aluminium with entirely hand crafted interiors.

The Mini Remastered will be on display at the Confused.con London Motor Show from 4-7 May 2017 where it will make its public debut.

Michelle Gay, Brand & Business Manager at David Brown Automotive: “We are delighted to be exhibiting at The London Motor Show for a second year. We received a fantastic response to Speedback GT last year and are hugely excited to be making the first public debut in the UK of our second model, Mini Remastered, which is the ultimate modern classic for city driving.”

The company has done some excellent work with the Mini, we hope that these techniques catch on and allow other builders to restore former classic cars to their original glory.