BMW Group Press Release: The BMW Group and Fiat Group Automobiles (FGA) are considering the possibility of co-operation in the areas of architectures and components for their MINI and Alfa Romeo vehicles. A Memorandum of Understanding to this effect was signed by Friedrich Eichiner, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Corporate and Brand Development, and Alfredo Altavilla, Senior Vice President, Business Development, Fiat Group Automobiles and CEO of Fiat Powertrain Technologies.
“We are currently examining with the Fiat Group possibilities for the joint use of components and systems in MINI and Alfa Romeo vehicles in order to achieve economies of scale and thus cost reductions within the framework of our Strategy Number ONE”, Eichiner said in Munich.
This review was original published on our sister site, MotoringFile. For all the dedicated BMW fans, consider it a glimpse into a different yet strangely similar world.
The idea of bigger MINI can seem like an anomaly. For those not familiar with the car, the entire concept seems at odds with the brand. Why would anyone want a slightly larger MINI. At what point does a larger MINI become just another car? And if a larger MINI doesn’t reflect the character of the brand, how does BMW expect this car to be successful?
Luckily BMW had all this in mind (along with some good instincts) when designing and engineering the car. In my week with the Clubman I found that it does the unthinkable by offering more space but retaining 90% of what auto enthusiasts love about the MINI. The handling and feel that have always made the MINI feel so special is almost all there. And to anyone but the enthusiast, the difference is probably barely noticeable.
If you haven’t noticed we tend to review new MINIs and BMWs in two phases. The first is at the press launch where we’re invited to drive the cars on predetermined roads and in some cases tracks. While this opportunity is a great way to allow a first drive in the cars before their release, it’s often not enough time to thoroughly review it. Hence the second phase where we get a car for a week for a full test. That means we commute in it, head for the twisties in it and about anything else you can imagine to give us the best information possible for a review.
Last year’s test of the then new r56 on the Dragon was an ideal way to get to know the car and to form some long lasting opinions on it. This year we’ll be testing the Clubman MCS in slightly different circumstances. It’ll be a road trip around the midwest with two to three people with luggage and open road.
Want to see how a BMW 135i stacks up next to the new MINI Clubman? We’ve got the first photos in the world of the two side by side. Look for both reviews next Monday. One here on BF and the other on MotoringFile.
After a week of driving the new M3, 1 Series and MINI Clubman I’m finally back ready to start sharing my opinions on the cars. Look for the 1 Series review this Monday (if not just a little earlier) and the M3 review Tuesday. In the meantime, here’s the full collection of photos from the event.
MotoringFile has landed at the BMW/MINI press launch. After some fog related flight problems getting into Monterey, we’ve been briefed on the shcedule and first up tomorrow is the US Spec MINI Clubman. We’ll be putting the R55 through it’s paces both on the track and on the road. We’ll also have a R55 vs R56 auto-cross to compare and contrast the two cars.
Over the next several days we’ll also have photos of Clubman, and the other scheduled introductions; the BMW M3 and 1 Series. For your convenience we’ll be breaking all the photos down into those three categories as well. The first addition to the collection will be the official photos from BMW and MINI. These are new press photos not seen before and, in some cases, are the first official US spec images of each of these automobiles. Be sure to check back as we add our own photos to the sets each day.
Over the next few weeks we will be not only participating in the official North American 1 Series and M3 press launches but also the US launch of the Clubman and (gasp) Rolls Royce Drophead Coupe. And while we certainly have our own agenda planned (including potentially some video), we want to know what you hear and see. And in turn we want you to feel like you’re really there with us as we put these cars through their paces both on the road and track.
Starting with the Clubman, let’s hear what you’d like to know about the car. Obviously we’ll be giving our take on the car’s the performance, design and how it relates to the other MINIs available. We’ll have a chance to drive the Clubman on some amazing roads north of San Francisco and meet with the very people who designed and engineered the car.
Based on my previous review of the R56, I knew there was a lot to like about this car. It’s certainly true I came away very impressed (and somewhat surprised) by both the road and track
performance of the car at the official BMW press launch earlier this
year. But how does this result change in the real world? And when driven
back to back to back with a modded R53 (one which happens to live in my
garage) how would the R56 feel? Would I discover a soul in that turbo?
Or would I find some fatal flaws that would convince me to put my R53 in
storage for the eventual Barrett-Jackson windfall sure to come for all
R53 owners?
These are questions not easily answered in just a week’s worth of
motoring. So instead of a week, I thought I’d try for two month’s
worth…in seven days. After some potential logistical nightmares and a
hastily arranged overnight truck from Detroit, I had my 2007 Cooper S
press car (courtesy of MINI USA) just in time for the most important
week of motoring I’d do all year: MINIs on the Dragon.
MINI had a tough task following up the R50 and R53. To gain a larger audience, there’s little question
the car had to become easier to live with. That meant, less rattles, less of a jarring ride, and a more
refined engine. But the challenge (at least with the latter two) was to do all of this and retain the
car’s charm and performance feel. Based on some early European reviews of the new car, indications were mixed. Could BMW possibly create a vehicle worthy enough to follow-up the incredibly successful R50 and R53? Apparently they could and they did. Not only is the new MINI has fun to drive on the road and track, it’s refined and effortless in many ways the previous car was not. It achieves a balance that the 2002-2006 MINIs simply never had.
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We believe in the old school BMW ownership experience. We believe in garage nights with a six pack and some friends. We believe in 2002s, in E30 M3s and E34 540s with the 6 speed. We believe in progress in both design and engineering but we haven't lost sight of what made the brand and its products great all those years ago. And yes, we believe in the manual transmission.
We long for the days of the wave and for the days of roll-up windows. Yet we love the gadgets on the inside and the xenons on the outside.
In short, we can't get enough of BMWs. This is BimmerFile.
Sections: MINI, Official News Jul 8th, 2008 4 Comments 
