MINI will present one of the most thrilling manufacturer stands at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2026. The MINI Street will centre around four key elements – Paul Smith Shop, Countryman Farm Shop, Aceman Arms, and Deus x JCW Workshop. Each of these cornerstones align with current MINI models and collaborations from the last year.

Visitors to The MINI Street can start at the Paul Smith Shop, which is akin to Paul Smith’s store in Covent Garden, London. The interactive ‘colour wall’ will allow guests to experiment with hundreds of colour combinations to suit their own style, whilst they can also use the photobooth to save their mementos from the festival. Sitting proudly in the Paul Smith Shop will be a MINI Cooper Electric Paul Smith Edition next to the original classic Mini Paul Smith car in the iconic Paul Smith stripes.

Meanwhile, Countryman Farm Shop will showcase MINI's British roots with traditional furnishings, an array of ice cream flavours available to buy, with a Nanuq White MINI Countryman Electric on display. For those visitors looking for an adventure, the exterior will feature an active climbing wall for them to try.

Visitors will then be able to make their way to Aceman Arms, which will become a working pub for the duration of the festival. A selection of alcohol, alcohol-free and soft drinks will be available for purchase, while guests can also enjoy playing darts on the interactive dart board. A British Racing Green MINI Aceman Sport will be on display at the centre of Aceman Arms.

Within the Deus x JCW Workshop, festival-goers can get up close to the ‘Machina’ as one half of the MINI x Deus Ex Machina show cars which were unveiled last year. Inside, attendees will have the chance to purchase a range of online items from the MINI x Deus Ex Machina lifestyle collection with a Festival of Speed-exclusive 15 per cent off discount code. Next to the ‘Machina’ show car will sit a MINI John Cooper Works in Blazing Blue with Red roof and accents.

Once again there will be a MINI Owners Lounge, where MINI owners can gain exclusive access to a private lounge using their vehicle key fob or MINI phone app. Here they’ll be able to have elevated views of the festival and enjoy TV coverage of the hill-climbs.

Elsewhere on the MINI stand will be a MINI Aceman Monochrome, a MINI John Cooper Works Convertible, MINI Countryman featuring a rooftop tent, and a MINI Cooper Electric. Meanwhile sitting on the roof of the MINI Street, will be a MINI Cooper 5-door in Ocean Wave Green, a MINI Cooper Electric in Sunnyside Yellow, and a MINI John Cooper Works Electric in Legend Grey.

Guests will also be able to purchase a range of MINI lifestyle products at the BMW/MINI lifestyle shop, which is located between the MINI and BMW stands.

For those looking for action on the famous hill-climb, the entire MINI family will be taking centre-stage on Thursday, while both of the recently-announced MINI x Vagabund Countryman show cars will be making their dynamic debut on the hill-climb twice daily across the duration of the festival.

Additionally, there will a new MINI edition being unveiled on Thursday morning.

The 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed takes place 9^th – 12^th July.

Ends


The BMW Group

With its four brands, BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2025, the BMW Group sold 2.46 million passenger vehicles and more than 202,500 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2025 was € 10.2 billion on revenues amounting to € 133,5 billion. As of 31 December 2025, the BMW Group had a workforce of 154,540 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products – from the supply chain through production to the end of their useful life. 

www.bmwgroup.com 

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup

 

MINI Press Office Contacts:

Sam Buckingham
MINI Press Officer
Tel: 07815 362262
Email: Samuel.Buckingham@mini.co.uk

James Morrison
Head of Product Communications
Tel: 07815 372 646
Email: James.Morrison@bmw.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

Media website:
www.press.bmwgroup.co.uk
www.mini.co.uk
www.twitter.com/miniuk
www.facebook.com/miniuk
www.youtube.com/miniuk

As the country prepares for kick off, MINI is today unveiling a 2,500 square foot mural celebrating the UK’s long-standing passion for the game.

Spread across the corner of High Street and Thomas Street in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, the cities creative hub, the mural captures the energy, optimism and resonance of football culture in the UK.

The large-scale mural has been created by artist Jamie Eke, a Brighton-based illustrator and designer. Eke is no stranger to sports-based murals, previously creating a tribute to the women’s team at Twickenham’s iconic Cabbage Patch pub for England Rugby, and a bespoke illustration marking the Lionesses historic Euro 2025 victory over Spain.

The new artwork celebrates 25 years of the MINI brand, which brings together English spirit and German management. Created by five artists over four days, the artwork used 65 litres of red emulsion and 240 cans of spray paint.

David Beattie, Director, MINI UK, commented “Football has a brilliant way of bringing people together, and this mural celebrates the excitement, pride, and optimism the game inspires across the UK.

Working with Jamie felt like a very MINI way to mark the moment; bold, creative, and rooted in the communities we’re part of. It reflects what has made MINI special for the past 25 years, that unique blend of English spirit and German management."

Discussing the mural, Eke said “Since I was a kid, I’ve taken an interest in the intersection between art and football; two things that have played a big part in my life. I had posters and drawings of my favourite players all over my bedroom walls, so to now be so heavily involved in the creative side of the sport is a dream come true. 

This mural embodies what I love about the beautiful game - the power to bring people together and inspire; an art form in itself.”

The mural can be found at the intersection of High Street and Thomas Street in Manchester’s Northern Quarter from Monday 15 June until Sunday 5^th July.

Ends


The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2025, the BMW Group sold 2.46 million passenger vehicles and more than 202,500 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2025 was € 10.2 billion on revenues amounting to € 133,5 billion. As of 31 December 2025, the BMW Group had a workforce of 154,540 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.

www.bmwgroup.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup

For further information please contact: 

Helen Wilson
Corporate and Brand Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 372480
Email: Helen.Wilson@bmw.co.uk

Chris Overall
Head of Corporate, Brand and Internal Communications
Tel: 07815 370 990
Email: Chris.Overall@bmw.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371 206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

BMW Group UK is celebrating a strong start to the summer awards season, after receiving recognition from a range of leading automotive titles. Highlights include recent successes for BMW and MINI, at the 2026 Autocar Awards, Autotrader Drivers’ Choice Awards, What Car? Tow Car Awards, Auto Express Driver Power 2026 and the EcoCar Electrified Top 50 Awards.

Autocar name Neue Klasse architecture as ‘Mundy Award for Engineering’ winner,
with MINI JCW winning ‘Future Classic’ Award at 2026 Autocar Awards.
Earlier this week, BMW Group secured two coveted accolades at the annual Autocar Awards. All-new Neue Klasse architecture has received the prestigious Mundy Award for Engineering at the 2026 Autocar Awards. The Mundy Award is a highly regarding award that recognises standout engineering feats within the automotive industry for their exceptional technical contributions and innovation. The Neue Klasse architecture underlines the future BMW model portfolio, with BMW iX3, BMW 7 Series & BMW i3 already announced, and up to 40 new or updated models launching in the coming two years. Speaking on the origins, Mike Reichelt, the Head of Neue Klasse, stated that “we went all in and pushed every technology to the boundaries to lead BMW into the future. Ultimately it feels like a BMW, but a completely modern one and a new interpretation of what a BMW should be. And that’s the biggest compliment we can get”. The Neue Klasse architecture marks the first time a ‘product’ has been received this prize, rather than an individual person, since the Autocar’s inaugural awards ceremony in 2017. Speaking on the win, judges commented that the first of the Neue Klasse models – the BMW iX3 – “is amongst the finest electric cars yet”.

MINI was also victorious on the night, as Autocar named the MINI John Cooper Works (JCW) as the winner of their Future Classic Award for 2026. The MINI JCW was praised for its “compelling hot hatchback charm and trademark desirability”, as it was benchmarked on its driving dynamics and significance in the current automotive market.

BMW iX3 wins ‘Youtube Director Award’ at Autotrader Drivers’ Choice Awards 2026.
At the ninth annual Autotrader Drivers’ Choice Awards, the BMW iX3 was revealed as the winner of this year’s Youtube Director Award. This award is presented to a vehicle launched during the past 12 months that has stood out above the competition after being tested by Autotrader’s Youtube Director, Rory Reid.

Speaking on the accolade, Rory commented, “The BMW iX3 stands out as a genuinely complete electric car. It combines a strong real-world range with everyday practicality, a high-quality, intuitive interior, and a driving experience that still feels distinctively BMW.” To conclude, Rory states, “[the iX3 is] one of the most convincing all-round EVs on sale today”.

Triple success for BMW at 2026 What Car? Tow Car Awards.
The annual What Car? Tow Car Awards help drivers choose a car that performs well both when towing and during everyday driving. Since its introduction in 2007, these awards assist buyers when it comes to towing capabilities across a range of weight classes. This year, the BMW 530e Touring was selected as the overall winner, claiming the headline award, as well as class winner for ‘best car for caravans over 1,700kg’. Speaking on the triumph, judges praised the BMW 530e Touring for its “extreme stability”, “excellent fuel economy”, and “luxurious and roomy” interior. What Car? Editor, Steve Huntingford concluded by stating, “we tested many impressive cars this year, but none is better than the overall champion, the BMW 530e Touring. It makes an exceptional tow car”.

Meanwhile, the all-new BMW iX3 was awarded ‘best electric car for caravans over 1,400kg’. What Car? commented, “Electric tow cars are improving at an impressive rate. There’s no better example than the BMW iX3”. As reigning What Car? Car of the Year, the BMW iX3 impressed judges by being a “powerful and stable tow car”, and What Car? Editor, Steve Huntingford, emphasised that the BMW iX3 is the “new standard-setter for electric tow cars”.

BMW takes home four trophies at EcoCar Electrified Top 50 Awards 2026.
BMW was recently awarded four category wins at the EcoCar Electrified Top 50 Awards 2026. Now in its fifth year as a standalone awards event, the Top 50 celebrate the very best electric, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, mild hybrid and hydrogen vehicles on sale in the UK. The 2026 awards saw BMW triumph, with four models placing within the top 31.

The all-new BMW iX3 was crowned ‘Best Electric Executive SUV’, as judges praised its “class leading” electric range, “premium interior”, and “BMW’s characteristic driving dynamics”.

Meanwhile, for the fifth consecutive year, the BMW iX was selected as “Best Electric Luxury SUV”. Judges commented, “A recent facelift has only improved what was already one of the finest electric vehicles on sale”. Impressed by the model’s “lounge-like interior”, “state of the art” display screen, and usable performance, Diesel & Eco Car Editor, Ian Robertson, stated that the BMW iX is “one of his favourite cars on sale right now”.

The BMW 5 Series and BMW i5 were named as “Best Plug-in Hybrid Executive Car” & “Best Electric Executive Car” respectively. Judges described these cars as “exceptional all-rounders that combine refinement, driver engagement and practicality in a thoroughly convincing package. Touring estate versions only enhance its appeal”.

Best Coupe and Family Car wins for BMW at Auto Express’ 2026 Driver Power survey.
The annual Auto Express Driver Power survey asks thousands of new car buyers to share their thoughts on the current automotive market and their real-world experiences during vehicle ownership. The results provide a good insight into what new car owners actually think of the cars they purchased and drive every day, helping fellow motorists choose their next vehicles. This year, BMW performed across a number of classes. The BMW 2 Series was named as ‘Best Coupe’, with buyers highlighting interior quality, driving pleasure and engine sounds as reasons to recommend. Particular praise was given to the infotainment system, with extra points noted for the ‘user-friendly controls and smartphone connectivity.

Meanwhile the BMW 1 Series was triumphant in ‘Best Family Car’ category with highlights including infotainment technology, interior styling and reliability. Notable impressions being that the BMW 1 Series scored highest in the survey for front seat comfort with 93.2% of customers rating this highly. The two above BMW models both placed within the top 6 of the 50 surveyed models.

Ends


The BMW Group

With its four brands, BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2025, the BMW Group sold 2.46 million passenger vehicles and more than 202,500 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2025 was € 10.2 billion on revenues amounting to € 133,5 billion. As of 31 December 2025, the BMW Group had a workforce of 154,540 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products – from the supply chain through production to the end of their useful life. 

www.bmwgroup.com

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup


For further information please contact:

Sam Buckingham
Press Officer, MINI
Tel: 07815 362 262
Samuel.Buckingham@mini.co.uk

Tom Evans
Senior Press Officer, BMW
Tel: 07815 371 705
Email: Tom.Evans@bmw.co.uk

James Morrison
Head of Product Communications
Tel: 07815 372 646
Email: James.Morrison@bmw.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371 206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

MINI is introducing a number of additions to its UK line-up, led by new petrol-powered Paul Smith Editions, the return of the MINI One as an entry model to the brand, and further updates across the model range.

Paul Smith Edition is now available for petrol-powered MINI Cooper models.
Building on the success of the MINI Cooper Electric Paul Smith Edition, the portfolio now expands to include petrol powered models, marking the next step of the celebrated partnership. The petrol-powered models include the MINI Cooper 3-door, MINI Cooper 5-door & MINI Cooper Convertible. Mirroring the electric model offerings, the Paul Smith Edition will be available for both C and S models.

The petrol Paul Smith Edition is available in three exterior paint choices; Edition-exclusive colours of Statement Grey and Inspired White, or in Midnight Black which can already be found in the MINI family. The MINI Cooper 3-door & 5-door models are available with the contrast Nottingham Green roof colour, meanwhile the MINI Cooper Convertible receives the optionable Union Jack soft-top roof. Nottingham Green mirror caps and detailing continue to provide a subtle nod to Sir Paul Smith’s heritage.

The interior highlights include a Paul Smith striped knitted dashboard, door panels and seats. The iconic Paul Smith signature stripe is found on the steering wheel, and Paul Smith handwritten motto ‘Everyday is a new beginning’ on the door sills. A graphic of a hand-drawn rabbit by Paul Smith is found on the front floormat.

Inside and out, the MINI Paul Smith Edition continues to embody Sir Paul Smith’s ‘classic with a twist’ design philosophy. Unique colour combinations, thoughtful detailing and playful signature elements bring together MINI’s design language with Paul Smith’s unmistakable style, celebrating individuality and creativity across both electric and petrol variants of the MINI Cooper.

UK pricing for the petrol MINI Paul Smith Edition starts from £31,285 OTR for the C & from £32,335 OTR for S engine models. First customer deliveries are expected in Q3 2026.

Introducing the new MINI One.
MINI is introducing the MINI One to re-establish the entry point into the latest MINI family and is available on petrol MINI Cooper 3-door and MINI Cooper 5-door models. The One will purely be offered in Classic trim with up to three paint colours and two alloy options to choose from. Pricing starts from £24,735 OTR.

As standard, the car will receive Melting Silver paintwork, with a body-coloured roof, 16" 4-Square Spoke Silver alloys, and a Black/Blue cloth combination interior. Additional options include Icy Sunshine Blue & Midnight Black paint. Grey/Blue cloth combination interior materials, as well as the 17" Parallel 2-tone Spoke alloy wheels. Level 1 Pack is offered as an optional extra, which includes features such as head-up display, mobile wireless charging and high-beam assistant.

In terms of performance, the 1.5L powertrain will produce 121 hp, with a top speed of 127 mph, resulting in a 0-62 mph in 9.3 seconds, making the One perfect for first time drivers. The car will begin production in July 2026, with first customer deliveries expected in Q3 2026.

Introducing a range of MINI models updates from July 2026.
From July 2026 new paint options available on more of the MINI family. The familiar Indigo Sunset Blue paintwork will now be available for all trim levels of the MINI Cooper Electric, meanwhile Blazing Blue will be offered on all petrol-powered MINI models, as well as the MINI Aceman in Classic and Exclusive trim levels.  

To further increase the individuality of each MINI, different interior colours are newly available to a range of models. Beige Vescin seats in combination with black knit on the dashboard and door cards will be available on every model specified in either Exclusive, Sport or JCW trims. Meanwhile, Brown Vescin seats in combination with black knit on the dashboard and door cards will be offered to on both petrol and electric versions of the MINI Countryman when specified in Exclusive trim.

MINI Connected – which was previously only available via the online store – will become equipped for the first four years after initial purchase for all Level 2 & Level 3 specified cars. This additional functionality will give customers access to key aspects such as real-time traffic and congestion updates without active route guidance. Also included will be more detailed visualisations of complicated junctions as well as 3D buildings within navigation. Another key perk of MINI Connected is the access of AirConsole games and video streaming when stationary.

It will now be possible to specify Piano Black grille when opting for Exclusive trim on petrol MINI Cooper models and the MINI Countryman.

For more information on any of the above content, visit mini.co.uk.

Ends


The BMW Group

With its four brands, BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2025, the BMW Group sold 2.46 million passenger vehicles and more than 202,500 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2025 was € 10.2 billion on revenues amounting to € 133,5 billion. As of 31 December 2025, the BMW Group had a workforce of 154,540 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products – from the supply chain through production to the end of their useful life. 

www.bmwgroup.com 

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup

 

MINI Press Office Contacts:

Sam Buckingham
MINI Press Officer
Tel: 07815 362262
Email: Samuel.Buckingham@mini.co.uk

James Morrison
Head of Product Communications
Tel: 07815 372 646
Email: James.Morrison@bmw.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

Media website:
www.press.bmwgroup.co.uk
www.mini.co.uk
www.twitter.com/miniuk
www.facebook.com/miniuk
www.youtube.com/miniuk

The BMW Group UK & Ireland Training Academy is celebrating 20 years of developing people, underlining the BMW Group’s long‑term commitment to building skills in the UK and Ireland automotive sector.

Opened in 2006, the purpose-built training academy spans more than 5,400 square metres and combines technical workshops, classrooms and simulated showroom environments, reflecting the real-world settings in which retailer teams operate.

Since opening, the academy has supported training across the BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad brands, with over 150,000 courses delivering more than 370,000 face-to-face training days.

Tracy McGarva, General Manager, BMW Group Academy UK and Ireland commented, “For 20 years, the BMW Group Academy has been central to developing the skills and capability of our retailer network across the UK and Ireland. As the industry evolves at pace — from electrification to digital retail — our commitment to investing in people remains unchanged, ensuring our Retail Partner teams are ready to deliver the future of premium mobility”.

“Supporting apprentices and early‑career talent has been a cornerstone of the Academy from the very beginning, creating long‑term capability and sustainable careers across our Retail Network”.

Over the past two decades, the academy has evolved to reflect major industry shifts, delivering training across electric vehicles, high‑voltage systems, digital retail and connected technologies. In 2022, BMW Group Academy UK became the first IMI TechSafe™ Centre of Excellence, recognising its leadership in EV and safety‑critical vehicle training and its contribution to raising industry standards.

In January 2026, the Academy supported the launch of the new BMW iX3 and successfully delivered new product training to over 6,500 Retailer staff in just six weeks, ensuring consistent knowledge, confidence and readiness across the network.

From the very start, a core focus of the Academy has been supporting the training of apprentices. With dedicated on-site facilities supporting early-career development and long-term upskilling, the number of apprentices has grown from 160 in 2006 to 450 students now working across the network and benefitting from this focused investment in development.

This milestone was celebrated last week at the annual Awards ceremony, which recognised the commitment and achievements of apprentices and retailer colleagues from across the BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad network.

This year’s event marked the graduation of 144 apprentices beginning their careers with BMW Group Retailer Network, alongside recognition for newly qualified Master Technicians who have reached the next stage of their professional development. Awards were also presented for outstanding achievement, including Apprentice of the Year.

ENDS

The BMW Group

With its four brands, BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2025, the BMW Group sold 2.46 million passenger vehicles and more than 202,500 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2025 was € 10.2 billion on revenues amounting to € 133,5 billion. As of 31 December 2025, the BMW Group had a workforce of 154,540 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products – from the supply chain through production to the end of their useful life.

www.bmwgroup.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup


For further information please contact: 

Helen Wilson
Corporate and Brand Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 372480
Email: Helen.Wilson@bmw.co.uk

Chris Overall
Head of Corporate, Brand and Internal Communications
Tel: 07815 370 990
Email: Chris.Overall@bmw.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371 206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

MINI continues its tradition of community support with the 2026 ‘Mile of MINI’ annual charity road rally, now championing the important work of the STOP.BREATHE.THINK charity organisation. Taking place on 26th April, this year’s event saw a vibrant convoy of MINIs—spanning all eras, colours and models—travel from MINI Plant Oxford, the home of the brand, to MINI UK HQ in Farnborough.

STOP.BREATHE.THINK, the rally’s chosen charity for 2026, is dedicated to supporting children and young people facing mental health challenges. The organisation provides resources, direct support, and safe spaces for young people to pause, reflect, and seek help when navigating difficult emotional experiences. By partnering with STOP.BREATHE.THINK, MINI aims to help raise awareness and funds for vital mental health initiatives, making a tangible difference to young lives across the UK.

As is always the case, the team at MINI Plant Oxford showcased some of their special models from the award-winning on-site exhibition. This year’s event featured some highlights such as the MINI XXL, which is based on a 2004 MINI Cooper but stretched to a whopping 6.3 metres and includes six wheels and a hot-tub at the rear. The striking Dsquared² Red Mudder also made an appearance, which features rugged front bull bars and rally lights, located behind the front guard as well as on the roof. It also features black wheel arches, a roof rack and tinted side windows, as well as a spare tyre on the boot. These, together with its raised chassis and deep-tread all-terrain tyres ensure this MINI stands out from the crowd.

The 1 millionth BMW Group-era MINI was also on display for guests to enjoy. The car rolled off the production line at MINI Plant Oxford in April 2007, marking a remarkable milestone in the brand’s modern history. The colour of the landmark MINI Cooper S is Pepper White with a specially developed paint for the roof and wheels, Almond Green, accentuated by a graphic extending onto the bonnet which features over one million MINI Cooper outlines making up the bonnet stripe. The interior matches the roof with leather seats, steering wheel and gearknob all in Almond Green leather.

Upon arrival at MINI UK HQ, the convoy lined up for a spectacular display before the grand total of over £9,500 raised for STOP.BREATHE.THINK was announced. This equates to 300 counselling sessions for children and young people with poor mental health.

MINI Plant Oxford, renowned as one of the world’s oldest continuously operating automotive facilities, has been manufacturing vehicles since 1913. It stands at the forefront of technological innovation and sustainable practices in car production.

For more information on The Italian Job or STOP.BREATHE.THINK and their work, please visit italianjob.com or stopbreathethink.org.uk.

Ends


The BMW Group

With its four brands, BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2025, the BMW Group sold 2.46 million passenger vehicles and more than 202,500 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2025 was € 10.2 billion on revenues amounting to € 133,5 billion. As of 31 December 2025, the BMW Group had a workforce of 154,540 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products – from the supply chain through production to the end of their useful life. 

www.bmwgroup.com

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup

 

MINI Press Office Contacts:

Sam Buckingham
MINI Press Officer
Tel: 07815 362262
Email: Samuel.Buckingham@mini.co.uk

James Morrison
Head of Product Communications
Tel: 07815 372 646
Email: James.Morrison@bmw.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

Media website:
www.press.bmwgroup.co.uk
www.mini.co.uk
www.twitter.com/miniuk
www.facebook.com/miniuk
www.youtube.com/miniuk

BMW Group UK strengthens its industry-leading in-car entertainment experience this spring with the integration of popular streaming platform, ITVX, directly into operating system of BMW and MINI vehicles. Meanwhile, the critically acclaimed BMW iX3 was named Best SUV by Top Gear at the title’s 2026 Electric Awards, before securing a further title at the Great British Fleet Awards. Also celebrated by Fleet World, was the BMW 7 Series, which retains its status as Best Fleet Luxury Car for a second year. A further gong was received by MINI, as the MINI John Cooper Works was crowned Piston Hot Hatch of the Year by automotive YouTube channel, Buckle Up.

ITVX now available to stream in over 250,000 BMW and MINI vehicles.
BMW Group today expands its comprehensive portfolio of third-party applications available via the built-in BMW and MINI app stores with the integration of the popular streaming platform, ITVX.

Launching first in BMW and MINI vehicles, the new ITVX in-car app will enable over 250,000 BMW and MINI owners to tune in to their favourite ITV dramas, entertainment series and blockbusters from the comfort of their car¹ via the built-in infotainment system². Compatible models include the trailblazing BMW iX3 and the newly announced BMW 7 Series, where passengers benefit from an unparallelled on-the-move entertainment experience via the first-ever BMW Passenger Display and the enhanced rear BMW Theatre Screen, now with DOLBY ATMOS for the ultimate cinematic spectacle.

BMW iX3 named Best SUV at Top Gear’s Electric Awards 2026. 
Since its unveiling last year, the trailblazing BMW iX3 has garnered widespread industry acclaim, including being selected as Top Gear’s 2026 Car of the Year. Continuing its winning streak, the first Neue Klasse model impressed Top Gear judges yet again, securing the top spot as Best SUV at the title’s Electric Awards.

The accolade comes following a stunt by the Top Gear team, who drove the BMW iX3 across the full width of England – from Lowestoft to Land’s End – on a single charge, arriving at the country’s most westerly point with miles in reserve. Commenting on the win, Top Gear said: “BMW’s big investment has paid off. The iX3 is a bona fide range champ. We ran out of England before it ran out of charge.”

Designed specifically for the Neue Klasse, the BMW iX3 was the first model to premiere BMW Group’s sixth-generation eDrive technology, which comprises highly efficient electric motors, new high-voltage batteries with cylindrical cells, and 800-volt technology to set new benchmarks in efficiency and long-distance capability. In the case of the BMW iX3 50 xDrive, the result is an impressive single-charge range of up to 500 miles (WLTP³).

Double success for BMW UK at the Fleet Awards.
Now in its seventh year, the Great British Fleet Awards celebrate innovation across the fleet industry, recognising cutting‑edge innovation as well as products and services that help operators run safer, greener and more cost‑effective fleets.

At this year’s ceremony, the BMW iX3 was named Best EV Large SUV, with judges praising its “latest battery cell technology, weight saving construction” and BMW’s “intense focus on improving energy efficiency.” With this latest recognition, the first Neue Klasse model adds a fifth accolade to its 2026 tally.

Also acknowledged on the night was the BMW 7 Series, which retains its title as Best Fleet Luxury Car for the second consecutive year. Reinforcing the 7 Series’ status as the ultimate luxury saloon, judges commended the model for “redefining the flagship experience” through its combination of “unparalleled rear-seat luxury” and a “sophisticated approach to electrification.” The 750e xDrive derivative received additional praise, as the jury named it “the standout choice,” thanks to its impressive all-electric range and “competitive benefit in-kind rating.” In summary, Fleet World describe the 7 Series as “a technological tour de force beyond the tax advantages.”

MINI John Cooper Works awarded Piston Hot Hatch of the Year by Buckle Up.
The MINI John Cooper Works (JCW) recently added another trophy to its cabinet, after it collected Buckle Up’s Piston Hot Hatch of the Year award.

Handing over the trophy, Buckle Up said: “In an era where hot hatches are disappearing, the MINI JCW continues to deliver genuine fun, sharp handling, and character in a compact package. It remains one of the last great internal combustion hot hatches.”

The MINI JCW is part of the MINI JCW model family, which successfully delivers high-performance thrills across a variety of body styles and with the choice of combustion or all-electric powertrains. Regardless of the chosen drive train, all MINI JCW models offer signature go-kart handling alongside exclusive, aerodynamically optimised design features.


Ends


1. Drivers can enjoy ITVX content via the central infotainment display when their vehicle is safely parked. Passengers can tune in on the move when the vehicle is specified with either the BMW Passenger Display or the rear BMW Theatre Screen.
2. Data required for streaming ITVX content is included as part of the connectivity provided by a BMW Digital Premium or MINI Connected Package subscription.
3. WLTP energy consumption combined: 17.9 - 15.1 kWh/100 km; WLTP CO₂ emissions combined: 0 g/km; CO2-class: A; WLTP electric range:  421 – 500 miles.


The BMW Group

With its four brands, BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2025, the BMW Group sold 2.46 million passenger vehicles and more than 202,500 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2025 was € 10.2 billion on revenues amounting to € 133,5 billion. As of 31 December 2025, the BMW Group had a workforce of 154,540 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products – from the supply chain through production to the end of their useful life. 

www.bmwgroup.com

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup


For further information please contact:

Sam Buckingham
Press Officer, MINI
Tel: 07815 362 262
Samuel.Buckingham@mini.co.uk

Tom Evans
Senior Press Officer, BMW
Tel: 07815 371 705
Email: Tom.Evans@bmw.co.uk

James Morrison
Head of Product Communications
Tel: 07815 372 646
Email: James.Morrison@bmw.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371 206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

2026 marks a major milestone for MINI as the iconic brand celebrates 25 years since production of the modern MINI began under BMW Group - a quarter century defined by innovation, design and unmistakable British spirit.

The first new generation MINI rolled off the line at Plant Oxford on 26th April 2001, marking the start of a new chapter for a car that was already firmly established as a cultural icon. With its unique place in British life, from city streets to cinema screens, MINI has spent the past 25 years building on that legacy, combining heritage with modern innovation and driving fun, winning the hearts of millions of drivers worldwide.

Over the past 25 years, modern MINI production has evolved across four model generations, spanning a range of body styles including the original 3-door, 5-door, Roadster, Coupe, Clubman, Clubvan and Convertible. In total, 4,671,664 MINIs have now been built in Britain since 2001.

MINI’s modern era has been powered by its UK production heartland. At the centre of that story are two UK manufacturing hubs: Plant Oxford, the home of MINI production, and BMW Group Plant Swindon, where thousands of precision-engineered body panels are crafted every day.

Together, these two sites form the foundation of every MINI made in Britain, distributed to more than 100 markets worldwide. They represent one of the UK’s most significant automotive manufacturing hubs, with a workforce of more than 3,000 highly skilled people producing around 800 MINIs a day. At Plant Oxford, a new MINI drives off the production line every 78 seconds.

Plants Oxford and Swindon have been at the heart of their communities for a very long time – 113 and 70 years respectively. In recent years, Plant Oxford has become a must-see tourist destination with over 17,500 MINI fans enjoying the award-winning Plant Tours in 2025 alone.

The wider production story took another important step in 2006 when BMW Group Plant Hams Hall in North Warwickshire began producing engines for MINI models built at Oxford.

Markus Grüneisl, CEO, BMW (UK) Manufacturing Ltd said “This 25-year milestone is a proud moment for MINI and for everyone involved in its production here in the UK. From the very beginning, our plants in Oxford and Swindon have been at the heart of MINI’s global success, combining exceptional craftsmanship with innovation. Above all, it is our people - their creativity, expertise and pride in what they do – that continue to make MINI so special.”

To mark this milestone, MINI is unveiling 25 facts for 25 years, celebrating the people, places and production moments that have defined a quarter century of modern MINI manufacturing.

25 facts for 25 years of MINI

People and workforce

1. At Plant Oxford, a MINI drives off the production line every 78 seconds
2. 111 apprentices across Plant Oxford and Plant Swindon
3. The workforce represents 64 nationalities
4. Over 3,000 employees across Plant Oxford and Plant Swindon
5. The average employee age is 44
6. The youngest employee is 16 and the oldest 68
7. 115 employees from both plants will celebrate 25 years in service in 2026
8. 26% of the workforce has been employed since 2001 or earlier
9. Multiple family dynasties work across the plants, with some spanning three, and even four, generations
10. Plant Tours have been running since 2008 and last year alone we welcomed over 17,500 guests to the Oxford plant.
    
    Since 2001*…
    
    
11. 4,671,664 MINIs have been produced in the UK – lined up bumper to bumper, that’s more than the distance from Oxford to Sydney
12. 14 model variations have been produced
13. To date, 26 special edition MINIs have rolled off the production line
14. The fastest factory produced MINI (by top speed) is MINI John Cooper Works GP (2020) at 164mph
15. MINIs built at Oxford have been exported to over 100 countries
16. 95 body colours have been offered, including British Racing Green, Chili Red and Sunny Side Yellow
17. 11,579 different customisation combinations of body colour, wheels and interiors have been ordered
18. The largest wheels fitted are 19”, with 15-19” fitted over the 25 years
19. Top three colours registered in the UK over 25 years are Pepper White, Chili Red and Midnight Black
20. These three colours make up 35% of total registrations in the UK since 2001
21. 18,219,752 doors have been attached
22. 19,892,276 seats have been installed – the equivalent of 221 Wembley Stadiums
23. 38,769,848 metres of tyre rubber have been used – equivalent of a return trip from London to Sydney, or 97% of the Earth’s circumference
24. 210,000 tonnes of glass fitted
25. 750,000,000 brake horsepower has rolled off the production line

Futher imagery from MINI's 25 year history can be found here.

Ends

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2025, the BMW Group sold 2.46 million passenger vehicles and more than 202,500 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2025 was € 10.2 billion on revenues amounting to € 133,5 billion. As of 31 December 2025, the BMW Group had a workforce of 154,540 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products – from the supply chain through production to the end of their useful life.

www.bmwgroup.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup
X: https://www.x.com/bmwgroup

For further information please contact:

Helen Wilson
Corporate and Brand Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 372480
Email: Helen.Wilson@bmw.co.uk

Chris Overall
Head of Corporate, Brand and Internal Communications
Tel: 07815 370 990
Email: Chris.Overall@bmw.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371 206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

Note: This press release is a 1:1 copy of the original issued by BMW Group headquarters in Germany. No adaptions have been made to cater to the UK market.

Munich/Graz. MINI and Austrian design studio Vagabund present a new creative collaboration: two unique one-off vehicles based on the MINI Countryman, both of which set a powerful statement for adventure spirit, community culture and festival lifestyle.

“A long-standing tradition and core value of the MINI brand is individual vehicle customization. Together with Vagabund, MINI continues this approach and demonstrates how a creative reinterpretation of the MINI Countryman – inspired by festival culture and music – can be brought to life through an engaged community,” says Jean‑Philippe Parain, Head of MINI.

MINI x Vagabund: The Duo
Vagabund successfully adds a distinctive design layer to the MINI Countryman that authentically expresses individuality, design philosophy and community spirit. MINI deliberately provides the platform – Vagabund contributes their creative signature. The result: two charismatic vehicles that reinterpret the versatility and openness of the MINI Countryman in an entirely new way.

“For us, design does not begin with the object, but with the idea behind it – and it only ends when that idea becomes tangible. The MINI x Vagabund one-offs translate a clear concept into an experiential statement. Two distinctive characters, united by MINI Countryman DNA, create a composition full of tension – making design visible as an emotional experience,” explains Paul Brauchart, Co-Founder and Head of Creative Vagabund.

Holger Hampf, Head of MINI Design: “MINI Design stands for vehicles with strong character that people enjoy driving and living with—true to the motto: lifestyle meets function and fun. Through our collaboration with Vagabund on these two vehicles, we were able to once again showcase our attention to detail and technical craftsmanship in a striking way.”

With a sophisticated sound system, graphic accents and a bold colour concept, the two vehicles themselves become moving sound stages. The vehicle finished in Melting Silver features sand-coloured & white body exterior details: playful, graphic and light. The Midnight Black example stands in deliberate contrast – monochrome black, precise and technical. It is this contrast that enhances their perception and creates an overall impression that only becomes fully apparent when both vehicles are experienced together.

Bodywork & proportions
Distinctively reworked wheel arches create a visually wider stance and give the vehicles a further striking appearance. A front bumper attachment ensures a harmonious connection between the wings and the original front apron. Front and rear bumpers are colour-coordinated with the additional body modifications, with the radiator grille being revised accordingly. Along the side sills, sits prominently integrated VAGABUND lettering as a three-dimensional element.
The raised ride height further emphasizes the off-road character of the two MINI Countryman S ALL4 models. In addition, 20‑inch wheels are fitted, showcasing intentionally closed-off 3D‑printed wheel cover designs, which gives the wheels a muscular appearance and creates a clear visual association with loudspeakers.

The roof rack consists of three laser-cut and folded aluminium plates, complemented by an integrated stainless-steel mesh as an open surface. This construction visually references the design language of speaker covers, creating a connection between roof, side profile and overall vehicle design – turning the roof rack into an integral design element.

The vehicle as a sound system
The rear side windows have been removed and replaced by a specially-developed sound system designed specifically for outdoor sound projection, with community events in mind. At its heart is a newly developed loudspeaker housing made from cast polymer granite – a material that offers ideal conditions for precise and unadulterated sound reproduction.

Tweeters and mid-range speakers are integrated directly into the bodywork, while additional subwoofers in the rear deliver a powerful punch when the tailgate is opened. Each vehicle functions as an independent sound system – however together, both MINI Countryman show cars form a mobile stage, creating an immersive audio experience.

On the opposite side of the vehicle, a special detail can be found: an iconic Walkman integrated into a 3D‑printed housing. With a characteristic MINI sense of humour; this creates a deliberate counterpoint to the open external sound system – a personal, decelerated feeling. The combination of analogue nostalgia and contemporary construction underlines the experimental character of the entire concept.

MINI Individualization by Vagabund
Through Vagabund, the MINI Countryman becomes a moving platform for encounters and cultural exchange. The vehicles create community moments where people come together and enable experiences that go beyond the thrill of driving.

Vagabund is renowned for its expertise in rethinking existing products via visual transformations. The two one-off vehicles demonstrate how creative power lies in form, function and attention to detail. MINI and Vagabund share this approach: individuality instead of convention, craftsmanship instead of overbearing aesthetics, community instead of distance.

The MINI x Vagabund collaboration shows how MINI carries its historic commitment to individualization into the future: bold design interpretations, culture-driven themes (such as music), cultural leaders and community, combined with a high level of craftsmanship. The result is inspiring one-off examples that showcase the MINI Countryman in new and elevated ways. MINI will present one of the two one-off vehicles to the public for the first time at Auto China 2026 in Beijing. Following its premiere at the motor show, the models will be brought closer to people live and in action across a wide range of platforms – staying true to the community-driven approach.

C02 emissions:
The described vehicles are show cars that are not available for sale.


Ends

The BMW Group

With its four brands, BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2025, the BMW Group sold 2.46 million passenger vehicles and more than 202,500 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2025 was € 10.2 billion on revenues amounting to € 133,5 billion. As of 31 December 2025, the BMW Group had a workforce of 154,540 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products – from the supply chain through production to the end of their useful life.

www.bmwgroup.com

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup


MINI Press Office Contacts:

Sam Buckingham
MINI Press Officer
Tel: 07815 362262
Email: Samuel.Buckingham@mini.co.uk

James Morrison
Head of Product Communications
Tel: 07815 372 646
Email: James.Morrison@bmw.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

Media website:
www.press.bmwgroup.co.uk
www.mini.co.uk
www.twitter.com/miniuk
www.facebook.com/miniuk
www.youtube.com/miniuk

MINI has custom-crafted a special one-off John Cooper Works Convertible example for a longtime MINI enthusiast. Dubbed the ‘MINI.01’, this road-legal one-off showcases a striking two-tone colour scheme and over 50 exclusive details throughout its interior and exterior design. Created especially for a devoted MINI enthusiast from the United States, the MINI.01 represents a special moment for MINI Plant Oxford — with a new depth of factory-led personalisation.

The exterior features a distinctive split, triple-layered two-tone paint finish in Midnight Black and a unique shade of metallic green personally chosen by the customer— a combination never seen before on a MINI. The exclusive model is equipped with factory-fitted JCW accessories, including JCW front and side winglets – which are colour-matched and embellished with unique details – and 18-inch JCW Rallye Spoke alloy wheels. The two-tone paint extends to the rear diffuser, while the wing mirrors are decorated in black and white stripes. Further additions such as ‘MINI SUPER SPECIAL 001’ wording above the front wheelarch, and a MINI.01 badge on the boot lid continue to set the vehicle apart. A Union Jack soft-top roof features as a tribute to MINI Plant Oxford and the brand’s British heritage.

Green colour-matched accents continue inside the cabin, with the unique colour decorating elements such as the seat inserts, toggle bar trim, decorative dashboard strap and Harman Kardon speaker housing. For a subtle yet effective contrast, the air vents, cupholder surrounds and door handles are finished in matte white. ‘MINI.01’ badging can be found throughout the interior, including on the six o’clock steering wheel element, the wireless charging unit and on the floor mats. Upon entering and exiting the vehicle, passengers are greeted with backlit doorsill plates with the ‘MINI SUPER SPECIAL .01’ inscription as another reminder that this is a truly special MINI.

Markus Grüneisl, CEO of Plants Oxford and Swindon commented, “This custom-crafted John Cooper Works Convertible represents a fantastic collaboration between the MINI product and design teams, the local market, and Plant Oxford production. We’re delighted with the result and craftmanship that showcases what our team in the UK can achieve."

With the creation of the MINI.01, the MINI brand further cements its commitment to vehicle personalisation, while showcasing manufacturing excellence at the home of MINI, Plant Oxford.

Ends


The BMW Group

With its four brands, BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2025, the BMW Group sold 2.46 million passenger vehicles and more than 202,500 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2025 was € 10.2 billion on revenues amounting to € 133,5 billion. As of 31 December 2025, the BMW Group had a workforce of 154,540 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products – from the supply chain through production to the end of their useful life. 

www.bmwgroup.com 

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup
 

MINI Press Office Contacts:

Sam Buckingham
MINI Press Officer
Tel: 07815 362262
Email: Samuel.Buckingham@mini.co.uk

James Morrison
Head of Product Communications
Tel: 07815 372 646
Email: James.Morrison@bmw.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

Media website:
www.press.bmwgroup.co.uk
www.mini.co.uk
www.twitter.com/miniuk
www.facebook.com/miniuk
www.youtube.com/miniuk

Introduced in 2023 as the first MINI Countryman available with an all-electric powertrain, the third-generation MINI Countryman receives a range of technological refinements to enable a single-charge range of over 300 miles.

The improved MINI Countryman E now boasts a range of up to 307 miles (WLTP*), offering customers more versatility than ever before, while the MINI Countryman SE ALL4 is capable of up to 287 miles (WLTP*). These improved figures are thanks to a number of innovative technical updates. Most importantly is a new silicon carbide (SiC) inverter, which guarantees highly efficient energy conversion while minimising power loss. This is complemented by an increased net high-voltage battery capacity of 65.2 kWh, providing more usable energy. Meanwhile the addition of friction-reduced wheel bearings on the front axle helps to reduce rolling resistance – each playing a part to optimise range.

Maximum Electric Car Grant Contribution.
The MINI Countryman Electric customers can now take advantage of the full £3,750 discount as part of the government’s ECG scheme. This discount, alongside the model’s range enhancements, result in an even more attractive MINI Countryman offering.

An already-compelling product offering.
The all-electric MINI Countryman blends the versatility of a compact crossover with MINI’s unmistakeable driving experience and iconic proportions: short overhangs, a short bonnet and a contrasting long wheelbase. Thanks to generous interior dimensions and a boot space of up to 1,450 litres, the MINI Countryman offers enough space for the entire family. Meanwhile, larger wheels, wider wheel arches and the removal of chrome details add to the vehicle’s road presence. Available in nine exterior paint colours and with nine alloy designs to choose from, there is endless possibility for customisation.

Moving inside, the interior of the vehicle echoes the minimalist design of the classic Mini, using just the round instrument cluster in the centre and the infamous toggle bar below. In the new MINI Countryman, it is precisely these two elements, in combination with the steering wheel, that are the focus of the interior cabin.

At the heart of the interior design is a central 24 cm circular OLED display, which enables intuitive operation the entire infotainment system. Advanced driver assistance systems enable up to Level 2 autonomous driving capabilities while ensuring comprehensive safety and maximum comfort.

The increased-range MINI Countryman Electric will be available from March 2026.

Ends


The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold over 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.


www.bmwgroup.com

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup

X: https://www.x.com/bmwgroup

 

MINI Press Office Contacts:

Sam Buckingham
MINI Press Officer
Tel: 07815 362262
Email: Samuel.Buckingham@mini.co.uk

James Morrison
Head of Product Communications
Tel: 07815 372 646
Email: James.Morrison@bmw.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

Media website:
www.press.bmwgroup.co.uk
www.mini.co.uk
www.twitter.com/miniuk
www.facebook.com/miniuk
www.youtube.com/miniuk

Note: This press release is a 1:1 copy of the original issued by BMW headquarters in Germany. No adaptions have been made to cater to the UK market. 

Munich. The fully electric MINI Cooper - which has already been awarded 5 stars in the Euro NCAP crash testing in March 2025 - has once again received outstanding recognition from the esteemed Euro NCAP institute: the "Best in Class for Safest City & Supermini of the Year 2025." This prestigious award emphasises MINI's leading position in safety within the premium small car segment. With its three variants - MINI Cooper E, MINI Cooper SE, and MINI John Cooper Works Electric - the model impresses not only with its electric drive technology and characteristic go-kart feeling, but also with its comprehensive standard safety equipment.

Jean-Philippe Parain, Head of the MINI brand, emphasises: “We are very pleased about yet another accolade for the MINI Cooper Electric, which has just won the Euro NCAP Best in Class. This award is another compelling confirmation that MINI models offer outstanding safety. The MINI Cooper, as well as the MINI Countryman and MINI Aceman, have been rated with the maximum number of stars. This underlines our commitment to ensuring both driving pleasure and maximum safety standards.”

Euro NCAP praises the consistent advancement in occupant protection, active and passive safety systems, as well as innovative driver assistance technologies that make urban driving safer. The fully electric MINI Cooper features an integrated safety concept with comprehensive occupant protection, standard pelvic seatbelt pretensioners, and a wide range of assistance systems to prevent accidents.

Protection of pedestrians and cyclists also achieves a very high score for this vehicle class, tallying 77 percent in the 2025 Euro NCAP crash test. Safety ratings are also outstanding with 89 percent in occupant protection, 87 percent in child safety, and 79 percent in safety assist systems.

The combination of top-level safety, driving enjoyment, and iconic design makes the second generation of the fully electric MINI Cooper the ideal vehicle for today’s demands of urban mobility.

Ends

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold over 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.

www.bmwgroup.com

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup

X: https://www.x.com/bmwgroup 


MINI Press Office Contacts:

Sam Buckingham
MINI Press Officer
Tel: 07815 362262
Email: Samuel.Buckingham@mini.co.uk

James Morrison
Head of Product Communications
Tel: 07815 372 646
Email: James.Morrison@bmw.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

Media website:
www.press.bmwgroup.co.uk
www.mini.co.uk
www.twitter.com/miniuk
www.facebook.com/miniuk
www.youtube.com/miniuk

BMW Group UK has partnered with Global, the Media & Entertainment Group, to bring a library of radio stations, award-winning podcasts and expertly curated playlists to the dashboard of over 180,000 BMW and MINI vehicles, as both brands are first to integrate the Global Player app directly into a vehicles’ built-in app store.

Integrated directly into the car’s infotainment system, the Global Player in-car app removes the need to connect a smartphone. Once downloaded from the BMW or MINI app store, drivers can simply sign in once and gain instant access to their personalised content, with the ability to switch effortlessly between listening in their vehicle, at home, or in the office, all without interruption.

Via the Global Player app, drivers can rewind and pause their favourite radio shows, catch up on programmes, and browse thousands of podcasts and playlists all using their vehicle’s built-in infotainment system and controls. Alongside a variety of other third-party apps, Global Player is integrated seamlessly into the vehicle’s user interface. In addition, the data required for streaming Global Player content is included as part of the connectivity provided by a BMW Digital Premium or MINI Connected Package subscription.

Today, over 180,000 BMW and MINI vehicles on the road in the UK support the new Global Player in-car app, with this figure projected to exceed 300,000 by the end of 2026. This growth will include the all-new BMW iX3, powered by the latest BMW Operating System X, as well as all future Neue Klasse models.

Chris Hollis, BMW Group Customer Digital Applications Manager said: “We’re excited to offer BMW and MINI customers enhanced connectivity through the new Global Player in-car app, allowing them to enjoy their most-loved music, news and podcasts with ease. This latest addition complements the wide variety of apps already available for customers and further strengthens our seamless in-car entertainment experience.”

Stephen Toombs, Head of In-Car Distribution for Global Player at Global said: “This partnership with BMW Group UK is part of our ambition to make Global Player available everywhere our audiences are. We know that in-car listening plays an important role in people’s daily routines and we want to make finding the audio they love as easy as possible.”


Ends

*Compatible BMW and MINI models featuring Operating System 9 or newer, which includes the BMW 1 Series (2024 onwards), BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé (2025 onwards), BMW 2 Series Active Tourer (2024 onwards), BMW X1/iX1 (2023 onwards), BMW X2/iX2 (2024 onwards), BMW X3 (2024 onwards), BMW iX3 (2026 onwards) and all MINI models (2024 onwards).


The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold over 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.

www.bmwgroup.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup
X: https://www.x.com/bmwgroup


About Global

Global is one of the world’s leading Media & Entertainment groups. With a huge weekly reach, it is the UK and Europe’s largest Radio & Outdoor company.

Global is home to respected, national, market-leading media brands including Capital, Heart, Classic FM, LBC, Global’s Newsroom, Smooth, Radio X, Capital XTRA and Gold Radio.

Global Player, the official app for all our brands, is at the core of Global’s content, allowing listeners to enjoy all of Global’s brand content, both audio and video, as well as award-winning podcasts, and expertly-curated playlists, in one place in app, web and smart speakers.

With an extensive and diverse portfolio, Global is also the leading Outdoor company in the UK & one of the largest in Europe with over 235,000 sites reaching 95% of the UK population.

Global Studios, which includes Fellas Studios and The Overlap, is the the ultimate one-stop-shop for podcast creators, with best-in-class video and audio facilities, seamless distribution across all major platforms, and the marketing power of Global’s radio, digital and outdoor network.

On-air, on Global Player and with our outdoor platforms combined, Global reaches 51 million individuals across the UK every week, including 29 million on the radio alone.

Global created and operates DAX, the market leader in digital audio advertising. Through its proprietary technology, DAX connects advertisers with an audience of more than 130 million people worldwide, inserting targeted advertising into music streaming services, connected radio listening and podcasts, and operates a pioneering platform in programmatic outdoor advertising.

The company headquarters is in London’s iconic Leicester Square. Ashley Tabor-King CBE is Founder & Executive President, Simon Pitts is Group CEO, Stephen Miron is Chair and James Rea is Chief Broadcasting and Content Officer. Ashley Tabor-King created Global in 2007.

www.global.com
@global


For further information please contact:

Tom Evans
Senior Press Officer, BMW
Tel: 07815 371 705
Email: Tom.Evans@bmw.co.uk

James Morrison
Head of Product Communications
Tel: 07815 372 646
Email: James.Morrison@bmw.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371 206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk


Ali Laurie
Head of Corporate Communications, Global
Tel: 07929 209 644
Email: Ali.Laurie@global.com

Note: This press release is a 1:1 copy of the original issued by BMW headquarters in Germany. No adaptions have been made to cater to the UK market.

Munich. The MINI brand looks back on an extremely successful 2025. With a total volume of 288,290 vehicles, MINI achieved a significant sales increase of 17,7% compared to 2024 figures. Particularly impressive is the high demand for battery electric vehicles (BEVs): with 105,535 fully electric MINIs delivered in 2025 (+87,9%), the brand achieved a new record in electromobility, resulting in more than every third MINI sold worldwide being electric. In many markets, the share is significantly above 50%, such as Netherlands, Turkey, Sweden and China.

Jean-Philippe Parain, Head of the MINI brand, emphasizes: “MINI continuously increases the share of fully electric vehicles, thereby demonstrating its innovative strength and future orientation. Our strong volume growth across all regions in 2025 clearly reflects the exceptional appeal of the MINI model family. The updated iconic design, the sportiness, individuality and expanded electric offerings of the MINI brand have met customer expectations all around the globe.

A growth driver was the largest MINI model in the product portfolio, the MINI Countryman: with a 32,4 % share of the total MINI volume, it underlines the brand’s SUV expertise. The Countryman combines typical MINI driving pleasure with innovative design and high versatility – ideal for any outdoor challenge. In 2025, 93,305 units were sold worldwide (+15.2%); the fully electric Countryman achieved a sales growth of 81.8% compared to 2024.

Sub-brand John Cooper Works reaches record numbers
The sporty John Cooper Works (JCW) sub-brand also set new standards in 2025: with 25,630 units sold, MINI JCW increased the sales volume by 59.5% and achieved a new sales record. The share of JCW vehicles reached 8.9% of the total MINI volume. In some markets, such as UK, Italy, Japan and Australia, the performance-enhanced MINI models reached their highest sales figures to date.

The MINI Cooper family
The traditional MINI Cooper family, consisting of the MINI Cooper 3-Door, the MINI Cooper 5-Door and the MINI Convertible, recorded with 162,789 a sales increase of 10.3% compared to the previous year. The new generation of the MINI Cooper Convertible, only introduced in 2025, rounded off the model family with unique features. With 22,491 units sold, a sales growth of 18.4% was achieved. The MINI Cooper 5-Door impresses with typical brand-specific driving fun, increased space, and high functionality and recorded with 47,850 units a significant growth of 26.5% compared to 2024.

2026 starts with the new MINI Paul Smith Edition
Starting in 2026, the MINI Cooper 3-Door, MINI Cooper 5-Door, and MINI Cooper Convertible – both electric and combustion engine versions – will be available in the new MINI Paul Smith Edition. This edition combines the unmistakable style of the British designer Paul Smith with the playful, optimistic and independent spirit of the MINI brand. Following the successful collaborations “MINI STRIP” (2021) and “MINI Recharged by Paul Smith” (2022), Paul Smith now brings his world-famous design language “Classic with a twist” into the MINI family once again.

ENDS

The BMW Group
With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold over 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.

www.bmwgroup.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup
X: https://www.x.com/bmwgroup

• BMW Group UK delivers a strong 2025 sales performance in challenging market conditions, with 170,051 vehicle registrations.

• BMW recorded 122,723 registrations, maintaining its position as the UK’s leading premium automotive brand.
• Continued momentum in electric sales with 47,845 all-electric BMW and MINI vehicles registered in 2025, representing 28.1 per cent of total volume.
• Leadership in the luxury class, driven by strong growth for BMW
  7 Series and BMW i7, alongside sustained demand for BMW XM. 
• MINI registrations increased to 47,328 units (2024: 46,975), with almost one third fully electric.
  
  

Farnborough. BMW Group UK has delivered a strong performance in 2025, reporting 170,051 registrations, with 28.1 per cent of these vehicles being battery electric (BEV). The BMW brand recorded 122,723 registrations (2024: 125,265), maintaining its position as the UK’s leading premium automotive brand. MINI registered a total of 47,328 units with almost one third fully electric (31.7 per cent).

The BMW brand registered 33,945 battery electric models in 2025 (2024: 33,785), with year-on-year growth across key electric models including the BMW iX1 and BMW iX2.

“In a challenging market environment, BMW Group has delivered a strong year, with BMW maintaining its position as the UK’s leading premium automotive brand and MINI continuing its momentum with a revitalised model range,” said David George, Chief Executive Officer at BMW Group UK and Ireland.

“With more than one quarter of our registrations fully electric, our focus remains on giving customers the right choice at the right time. The first Neue Klasse model, the BMW iX3, will begin customer deliveries in March, marking the start of a new generation of BMW vehicles that deliver a clear leap forward in technology, design and driving dynamics."

The BMW i4 led the brand’s all-electric registrations for the second year in a row with 12,158 registrations, and BMW iX1 recorded a 10 per cent increase in volume (6,376 registrations). Demand for plug-in hybrid models continued to grow, with total PHEV registrations increasing 27.4 per cent in 2025, with models such as the BMW XM outperforming expectations (949 registrations).

In the luxury segment, the BMW 7 Series and BMW i7 continue to perform strongly and remain the leading choice for chauffeurs and professional drivers thanks to advanced interior technology and a broad choice of powertrains. BMW 7 Series registrations increased to 794 units in 2025, while BMW i7 registrations increased 54.4 per cent to 959 vehicles, following significant growth already seen in the previous year.

In addition to its all-electric success, BMW’s wider model portfolio continued to perform strongly. The BMW 1 Series was the brand’s UK best-seller, with 20,538 registrations, while the BMW X1 and X2 also recorded significant increases. Following its first full year on sale in the UK, the fourth generation BMW X3 recorded a 37.3 per cent increase in registrations, reflecting continued customer appeal driven by its refreshed design and advanced in-car technology.

BMW M recorded another market-leading year in the UK in 2025, with 15,746 registrations, reflecting strong demand across both M Performance and M High Performance models and underlining the brand’s appealing blend of everyday usability and motorsport-inspired performance.

Following its successful transition to The New Retail in 2025, MINI saw continued momentum throughout the year. Registering a total of 47,328 units, MINI achieved 31.7 per cent BEV sales (13,900 units), a significant increase from 22 per cent in 2024, driven by the brand’s completely revitalised product portfolio.

The MINI Aceman enjoyed its first full year of sales and was a key contributor to this electric growth with 5,882 registrations, while the MINI Cooper remains the brand’s best-selling model with 24,486 registrations.

Reinforcing its increased practicality and choice of powertrains, the MINI Countryman also continued to perform strongly, with 13,580 registrations, while the MINI Convertible saw an uplift of 23.2 per cent to 3,380 units, highlighting continued demand for open-top motoring in the UK.

“2025 has been a standout year for MINI in the UK, driven by the growing demand for our fully electric models alongside the continued success of our most iconic vehicles,” said David Beattie, Director of MINI UK and Ireland.

“The successful transition to an agency model under The New Retail has been underpinned by the commitment of our retailer partners, who have played a vital role in delivering this performance. With nearly a third of our sales now fully electric, MINI continues to make progress in its electrification journey while staying true to the brand’s iconic character.”

BMW Group UK registrations - January to December 2025:

Ends

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold over 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.

www.bmwgroup.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup
X: https://www.x.com/bmwgroup

For further information please contact: 

Helen Wilson
Corporate and Brand Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 372480
Email: Helen.Wilson@bmw.co.uk

Chris Overall
Head of Corporate, Brand and Internal Communications
Tel: 07815 370 990
Email: Chris.Overall@bmw.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371 206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

BMW Group UK maintains its momentum heading into the final quarter of the year having collected a variety of industry accolades. Celebrated for its class-leading product lineup, benchmark fleet management and gold-standard UK manufacturing operations, the company continues to set the standard across various sectors.

All-new BMW iX3 honoured as Carwow’s Tech Trailblazer .
Premiering a broad spectrum of innovations and new technologies, the all-new BMW iX3 was honoured as Carwow’s Tech Trailblazer at the publication’s annual Car of the Year Awards. Judges were impressed with the SAV’s advancements, with Mat Watson, Chief Content Officer at Carwow, commenting, “Most new cars barely nudge at the needle of progress, but the new BMW iX3 pushes it so far along that it’s basically tied itself into a knot. Its sophisticated underpinnings offer hyper-fast charging, a massive battery allowing over 500 miles of range and a minimalist but rich digital experience.”

Arriving as the first series-produced Neue Klasse model, the BMW iX3 marks a significant milestone for BMW Group in the company’s journey towards enhanced electrification, digitalisation and circularity. “The new BMW iX3 is a car to get excited about, not just for what it is, but for what it represents - the march of progress.” Watson continued.

BMW 7 Series named Best Luxury Car for the third consecutive year at the Parkers New Car Awards 2026.
Now in its ninth year, the Parkers New Car Awards reflect the ever-changing needs of Britain’s car-buying public, where winners are selected based on a combination of expert reviews and consumer purchasing trends. Following this year’s ceremony, the BMW 7 Series continues its reign as Parkers’ Best Luxury Car, leading the category for the third consecutive year.

Introduced in 2022, the latest-generation BMW 7 Series continues to demonstrate why it is regarded as the ultimate luxury saloon, combining “comfort, innovation and sophistication” to portray the “ultimate expression of modern luxury.” Parkers judges paid tribute to the model’s “class, comfort and poise” alongside its versatility – offering “masses of appeal for businesses, drivers and, most importantly, the VIP in the back.”

Triple victory for BMW Group UK at the Auto Express Used Car Awards.
Auto Express recently announced its favourite used cars for 2025, where the BMW 3 Series was crowned overall Used Car of the Year. Utilising the industry-leading Driver Power survey, the annual awards help customers identify the best used cars across a range of categories.

In addition to claiming the headline accolade, the BMW 3 Series also topped the Best Compact Executive Car category, “proving it’s a car that has everything”, said Paul Barker, Editor of Auto Express. “It drives well, is practical and well-equipped and best answers the question where Auto Express team would spend their own money.” With its diverse lineup of powertrains and body styles, “From efficient diesels to hybrids or high-power petrol models, and saloon or Touring estate, there’s a 3 Series for everyone,” he added.

The MINI Convertible was also firm favourite, retaining its position as Best Used Convertible. Auto Express’ “champion drop-top” impressed with its “cheeky looks and great handling.” It’s a car “that easily puts a smile on your face,” Barker concluded.

BMW 3 Series awarded Premium Used Car of the Year at Motor Trader Industry Awards.
Adding a further award to its cabinet, the BMW 3 Series was unveiled as Premium Used Car of the Year at the annual Motor Trader Industry Awards. The judging panel described the BMW 3 Series as “the ‘gold standard’ for affordable, driver-focused transport in the premium segment”, praising its “brilliantly connected driving experience” and versatile selection of powertrains.

Success for BMW Group at the Autovista Residual Value Awards.
BMW Group collected three accolades at the 2025 Autovista Residual Value Awards. Evaluated across seventeen European countries and based on insightful data, these awards recognise vehicles that demonstrate excellent value retention across a number of categories.

The BMW 1 Series topped the Compact Car category, “attracting buyers with its promise of premium quality, sporty driving dynamics, and advanced technology”, said Autovista. Meanwhile, MINI secured two titles, as the MINI Aceman emerged as best Small BEV, and the MINI Cooper retained its position as leader of the Small Car category. The MINI Aceman was described as “a fresh and fashionable entry into the premium small BEV market”, while the MINI Cooper was commended for its reputation as “fun to drive”, combined with a “high-quality interior and extensive customisation options.”

BMW Group secures two headline accolades at the Fleet News FN50 Awards.
Widely recognised as setting the standard for industry excellence, the annual Fleet News FN50 Awards acknowledge success and innovation across the UK’s automotive sector. This year, BMW Group triumphed securing both headline awards: Most Reliable Carmaker and Most Reliable Car - awarded to the BMW 3 Series.

Reflecting on BMW Group’s success, Andrew Jago, General Manager, Corporate Sales BMW Group UK commented, “Once again, data from the UK’s 50 largest leasing companies has confirmed BMW Group as the most reliable carmaker based on breakdown and warranty claims. This is the tenth occasion that BMW and MINI have shared this accolade, underlining our commitment to quality and consistency.

We are equally proud that the BMW 3-Series retains its title as the most reliable car for the sixth consecutive year. After 50 years and seven generations, the world’s bestselling premium car is the industry benchmark for sheer driving pleasure and reliability.”

MINI Plant Oxford awarded a VisitEngland Gold Visitor Attraction Accolade for 2024-25.
In recognition of its comprehensive plant tour experience, MINI Plant Oxford recently received a VisitEngland Gold Visitor Attraction Accolade for 2024–2025. Based on scores achieved during its annual Visitor Attraction Quality Scheme assessment, a Gold accolade was awarded for demonstrating excellence, quality and an “amazing visitor experience”, whilst acknowledging “the people who give the warmest welcomes”.

Open to the public, plant tours at the home of MINI offer a unique opportunity to witness all stages of production, showcasing the assembly of up to 800 MINIs daily from Body in White to the final quality checks. To learn more, visit MINI Plant Oxford Tour.

MINI Plants Oxford and Swindon recognised for Operational Excellence.
MINI Plant Oxford and MINI Plant Swindon have received a Manufacturer MX Award for demonstrating Operational Excellence. Delivered by The Manufacturer in partnership with the Instiutution of Mechanical Engineers, the annual awards encourage, benchmark and celebrate manufacuring excellence across every stage. This year, both plants were recognised for their lean methodologies and techniques to enhance, “quality, cost, productivity, physical waste, reduction, customer service and safety”. Addititional commendation was given for fostering an engaged workforce and a culture of continuous improvement.


Ends

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold over 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.

www.bmwgroup.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup
X: https://www.x.com/bmwgroup

For further information please contact:

Sam Buckingham
Press Officer, MINI
Tel: 07815 362 262
Samuel.Buckingham@mini.co.uk

Tom Evans
Senior Press Officer, BMW
Tel: 07815 371 705
Email: Tom.Evans@bmw.co.uk

James Morrison
Head of Product Communications
Tel: 07815 372 646
Email: James.Morrison@bmw.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371 206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

Combining MINI's distinctive appearance with Paul Smith's remarkable design language, the new MINI Paul Smith Edition marks the next step in the successful collaboration between two British icons.

A partnership grounded in shared values of craftsmanship, creativity and innovation, the new MINI Paul Smith Edition follows in the footsteps of the original Paul Smith Classic Mini from 1998, the MINI STRIP in 2021 and the MINI Recharged by Paul Smith from 2022.

Launching first with the MINI Cooper Electric and closely followed by the MINI Cooper 3-Door, 5-Door and Cooper Convertible, the British designer onboards his design language mantra ‘classic with a twist’ to the latest MINI Paul Smith Edition. The MINI Paul Smith Edition will celebrate its world premiere at the Japan Mobility Show on 29 October 2025.

Speaking on the introduction of the new MINI Paul Smith Edition, Sir Paul Smith comments “It’s not often that you see two icons of British design work together in this way and it’s wonderful that our partnership has carried on over so many years. The MINI Paul Smith Edition has been a real privilege and a wonderful opportunity… new colours and new unexpected details will be a welcomed surprise.”

The new MINI Paul Smith Edition showcases the familiar MINI design language with an influx of Paul Smith styling details throughout both the exterior and interior, bringing together the shared history of MINI and Paul Smith into the present day.

Holger Hampf, Head of MINI Design, comments “MINI and Paul Smith embody a shared mindset of positivity, embracing the motto of this edition: ‘Every day is a new beginning.’ Our collaboration celebrates a mutual love for design and meticulous attention to detail. Unexpected elements such as the ‘hello’ projection on the ground and Paul Smith’s handwritten inscription bring a smile to your face right upon entering the car.”

Familiar MINI exterior design with a further British twist:
The new MINI Paul Smith Edition is offered with three exterior paint choices – two of which are introduced exclusively for this edition. Statement Grey is a modern interpretation of the classic Mini Austin Seven colour from 1959 – a clear, bluish-tinted grey shade – while Inspired White is a contemporary homage to the popular Classic Mini Beige shade. The final paint colour, Midnight Black, can already be specified accross the MINI Family.

Two roof variants - a specially created Nottingham Green (a homage to Sir Paul’s birthplace) or Jet Black – characterise the edition, alongside Nottingham Green wing mirror caps and bordering to the octagonal front grille. To further compliment the roof, a Paul Smith ‘Signature Stripe’ can be found for those who chose the Nottingham Green option, and for Jet Black customers, elegant gloss and matt black stripes.

Other exterior details include a handwritten Sir Paul Smith ‘hello’ puddle light projected from the door mirrors and signature on the rear of the model, while the MINI logo has been given a newly designed Black/Blue colour combination for this Edition. 18-inch Night Spoke alloy wheels in Dark Steel complete with Nottingham Green centre caps displaying Paul Smith lettering complete the exterior design of this Edition.

Thoughtful signature styling: Inside the MINI Paul Smith Edition.
Moving inside, there are numerous Paul Smith details throughout. Upon entering the car, the driver and front passenger will be greeted with Smith’s handwritten motto ‘Everyday is a new beginning’ on the door sills, while a graphic of a hand-drawn rabbit by Paul Smith can be found on the front floormat.

The familiar knitted dashboard and door panels of the MINI Cooper have been tweaked to include Paul Smith tone-on-tone striped patterns to add a subtle, yet striking addition to the interior.

The steering wheel showcases the same Black/Blue coloured MINI logo, while the bottom of the steering wheel sits the iconic Paul Smith ‘Signature Stripe’ alongside the Paul Smith wordmark.

Vescin sports seats - finished in Nightshade Blue - showcase the familiar Paul Smith stripes spread across the top of the seats with a stitched Paul Smith logo and blue stitching which can be found across the seats and steering wheel.

Further key touchpoints inside the Edition such as door handles, speaker grilles, steering wheel surrounds and cup holders, are all finished in Dark Steel, bringing together the hero colour palette of the new MINI Paul Smith Edition.

A history of MINI and Paul Smith.
As familiar collaborators, this partnership has always been a tribute to creative expression and individuality, perfectly embodying the essence and character of both brands. The joint creative success story began in 1998, when the designer created a limited edition of the classic Mini: a specially created “Paul Smith Blue” colour and matching anthracite-coloured alloy wheels lent the iconic model the signature of Paul Smith.

In 1999, as a celebration of the 40^th birthday for the classic Mini, a one-off example was dipped in Sir Paul's characteristic stripe design, showcasing 86 stripes in 26 colours and remains a key visual cue for the Paul Smith brand.

In 2021, MINI celebrated the world premiere of the MINI STRIP, a custom-made, one-off model co-created by Paul Smith and MINI, shining the spotlight on sustainability in automotive design and manufacturing. The joint design process applied the principles of maximum reduction, to produce a minimalist, high-class design with a fresh and unconventional appeal.

Most recently in 2022, the British designer converted his classic Mini from the 1998 collaboration and reinvented the model by installing an electric motor to replace the combustion powered engine. The customised car was a part of the MINI Recharged project, which celebrated the fusion of tradition with pioneering technology,

Paul Smith MINI Collection:
Creativity flows in both directions - Paul Smith finds inspiration in MINI, just as MINI looks to the designer for cues in exclusive pieces in his collections. To celebrate the launch of the latest edition, Paul Smith will debut a collection of capsule bags, inspired by key details from the latest MINI collaboration.

The Paul Smith Edition will be priced from £32,705 OTR, with first customer deliveries expected in Spring 2026. The edition will make its world premiere at the Japan Mobility Show on 29 October 2025.

For more information on the new MINI Paul Smith Edition, please visit our website.

Ends

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold over 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.

www.bmwgroup.com

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup

X: https://www.x.com/bmwgroup
 

MINI Press Office Contacts:

Sam Buckingham
MINI Press Officer
Tel: 07815 362262
Email: Samuel.Buckingham@mini.co.uk

James Morrison
Head of Product Communications
Tel: 07815 372 646
Email: James.Morrison@bmw.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

Media website:
www.press.bmwgroup.co.uk
www.mini.co.uk
www.twitter.com/miniuk
www.facebook.com/miniuk
www.youtube.com/miniuk

Note: This press release is a 1:1 copy of the original issued by BMW headquarters in Germany. No adaptions have been made to cater to the UK market.  

Munich / Tokyo. The Japan Mobility Show 2025 becomes the stage for the latest milestone in the long-standing collaboration between MINI and British designer Paul Smith. It will be unveiled as part of the BMW Group Keynote on 29 October 2025 at 09:55 (JST) at the BMW Group stand, based in the West Exhibition Hall of the show.

MINI and Paul Smith: A creative success story.
The MINI Paul Smith Edition is a new chapter in the success story of the two British brands. The long-lasting relationship began in 1998, when the designer wrapped a Classic Mini Cooper in his trademark visual design. To mark the 40th anniversary of the Classic Mini in 1999, the designer lent his characteristic Paul Smith "Signature Stripe" to a one-off model. After two further one-offs - the MINI Strip in 2021 and the MINI Recharged by Paul Smith in 2022 - Paul Smith's design language returns to MINI.

MINI model portfolio.
As part of the BMW Group stand at the Japan Mobility Show, MINI is presenting the diverse range of its current product portfolio. The MINI Cooper family is represented by showcasing the MINI Cooper SE, which combines heritage, technology and driving pleasure. Whilst providing a fully electric go-kart feeling via the 218 hp electric powertrain. Also present will be the MINI Cooper 5-door S, which combines compact dimensions and agility whilst showcasing increased practicality when compared to its 3-door siblings. A MINI Cooper Convertible will also be on show, which presents open-air driving in the spirit of its ‘Always Open’ philosophy: agile, spontaneous and full of driving pleasure.Launched earlier this year, the MINI John Cooper Works Aceman outlines its sporty all-electric useable performance from the John Cooper Works sub-brand. The latest model in the MINI family presents itself as a versatile companion and not only demonstrates MINIs typical "Clever Use of Space" - but also brings a powerful driving experience to the road as a performance-enhanced version thanks to 258 hp produced from the 54.2 kWh electric battery. Finally, the MINI Countryman S ALL 4 will also be present on the BMW Group stand at the Japan Mobility Show: as the largest of the MINI family, the car offers generous space and fits in perfectly for those looking for longer adventures and spontaneous exploring.

Japan Mobility Show.
The Japan Mobility Show is regarded as one of the most important international platforms for pioneering mobility concepts. From October 29 to November 9, over 130 exhibitors will be presenting their innovations to visitors and press at the Tokyo Big Sight exhibition centre - making the Japanese capital the centre for visions of tomorrow's mobility.

MINI Press Office Contacts:

Sam Buckingham
MINI Press Officer
Tel: 07815 362262
Email: Samuel.Buckingham@mini.co.uk

James Morrison
Head of Product Communications
Tel: 07815 372 646
Email: James.Morrison@bmw.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

Media website:
www.press.bmwgroup.co.uk
www.mini.co.uk
www.twitter.com/miniuk
www.facebook.com/miniuk
www.youtube.com/miniuk 

BMW Group UK enters autumn in a strong position, having collected a variety of industry accolades at recent awards. Four of which were collected at the What Car? Electric Car Awards 2025, where the BMW i7 retained its Best Electric Luxury Car title for the third consecutive year. Similar success followed at the annual Towcar of the Year Awards with three category wins, including a double for the recently updated BMW iX. Meanwhile, MINI further strengthens its model lineup with the introduction of the new MINI Countryman E Monochrome, offering a sleek design and an enhanced standard specification.

BMW Group collects four awards at the What Car? Electric Car Awards 2025.
BMW Group recently secured four category wins at the What Car? Electric Awards, which each year celebrate the best electric vehicles (EVs) currently available for the UK market. Considering innovation, performance and sustainability, the awards help consumers identify the best EVs across a range of categories.

The BMW i7 was named Best Electric Luxury Car for the third consecutive year, as BMW continues to “set the standard” for electric luxury cars, said What Car? Editor, Steve Huntingford. “The i7 and iX are both so good that they’ve earned our maximum five-star rating.” Continuing its status as class-leader, the flagship saloon was praised by judges for its “incredible comfort”, “beautiful” finish, unique technology – such as the “fabulous 8K cinema screen” – and its “uncanny ability to shut out unwanted noise.”

Also celebrated by the publication was the BMW 330e, which claimed the title for Best Used Hybrid Executive Car. Commenting on the win, Huntingford praised its “low running costs”, “driver appeal”, and “plush interior”. Meanwhile, the BMW 530e secured the Best Used Hybrid Estate award, offering “space, quality and efficiency that’s unmatched”. The final trophy of the night was presented to the MINI Cooper SE Countryman ALL4, which topped the Best Used Hybrid Small SUV category, thanks to its impressive reliability – scoring 99.7 per cent in the recent What Car? Reliability Survey – and class-leading refinement.

BMW iX and BMW X3 commended at the annual Towcar of the Year Awards.
Continuing its winning streak, BMW celebrated success at the Caravan and Motorhome Club Towcar of the Year Awards – an annual celebration of the best cars currently available for consumers with towing needs. To qualify, all manufacturers must take part in a rigorous testing process across four days at Millbrook Proving Ground. Participating models are scored on practicality, innovation and overall driving experience, in addition to their all-important towing capacity.

The recently revised BMW iX secured two awards, leading both the Caravan Weight over 2,000kg and Electric Towcar categories. On presenting the accolades, judges named the iX “one of its star performers”, and paid tribute to the adaptive air suspension’s ability to “keep everything stable, composed and level when hitched, while regenerative braking helped control descents.”

An additional title was presented to the BMW X3 M50 xDrive, after topping the Caravan Weight 1700-1800kg category. Judges commended the M Performance model’s towing capabilities, stating, “The [BMW] X3 undeniably has a quality feel, especially when towing: it’s stable, secure and delivers immense confidence when braking.” The panel were equally impressed by its driving dynamics; “it’s a really fun car to drive that offers class-leading acceleration performance,” they continued.

Introducing the new MINI Countryman E Monochrome.
MINI is pleased to introduce the new MINI Countryman E Monochrome. The largest member of the MINI family is the third model to receive the Monochrome treatment, following the launch of the MINI Cooper Electric Monochrome and the MINI Aceman Monochrome in July.

Like its siblings, the special edition is offered in a fixed specification, where customers can select from Midnight Black or Nanuq White exterior paint finishes and benefit from an increased level of standard equipment, including MINI Navigation with Head-Up Display, wireless charging and LED headlights. Black 18-inch Asteroid Spoke alloy wheels are also standard, alongside a body-coloured roof for a seamless finish.

Inside, an Anthracite headliner is accompanied by a model-exclusive interior pattern, where the new multitone fabric spreads across the front and rear seats, finished with white and yellow stitching.

The MINI Countryman E Monochrome is equipped with a 64.6 kWh battery, enabling 10–80-per-cent charging in 29 minutes when using a 130 kW DC charger. The model is priced at £32,595 OTR, with initial customer deliveries commencing in January 2026.

For more information about the MINI Monochrome lineup, visit mini.co.uk.

Ends


The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold over 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.

www.bmwgroup.com

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup

X: https://www.x.com/bmwgroup


For further information please contact:

Sam Buckingham
Press Officer, MINI
Tel: 07815 362 262
Samuel.Buckingham@mini.co.uk

Tom Evans
Senior Press Officer, BMW
Tel: 07815 371 705
Email: Tom.Evans@bmw.co.uk

James Morrison
Head of Product Communications
Tel: 07815 372 646
Email: James.Morrison@bmw.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371 206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

NOT FOR PUBLICATION

The Corporate Communications team at BMW Group UK has updated its structure and responsibilities, with revised media contacts now in place. These changes follow Christina Burnham-Hepe’s appointment as Communications Director for the UK and Ireland at the start of 2025 and are part of a broader departmental restructure.

BMW and MINI Product Communications have been combined, with James Morrison taking on this newly formed role from September 1^st. Having previously worked across Sales, Marketing Communications, Events, and Product and Brand Management at BMW Group, James brings a wealth of experience and strategic insight to his position as Head of Product Communications.

James succeeds Chris Overall, who has successfully led the Product & Brand Communications team at BMW over the past six years. Chris continues his 12-year career with BMW Group UK, stepping into a broader leadership role as Head of Corporate, Brand & Internal Communications.

Supporting Chris is Helen Wilson, who has managed MINI Product & Brand Communications over the past three years. Helen now takes on a new role as Corporate & Brand Media Relations Manager, with responsibility for media relations across both corporate topics and brand campaigns.

Tom Evans, Senior Press Officer, BMW, and Sam Buckingham, Press Officer, MINI, remain the first points of contact for automotive media enquiries for their respective brands. Martin Harrison continues as Media Relations and Press Fleet Manager, leading on press fleet and with an expanded remit that includes BMW Group Classic and BMW M GmbH topics.

Gina Finn continues as Media Events Manager, overseeing all UK and international events, while Internal Communications for staff at BMW UK headquarters continues to be managed by James Long. 

Ends

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold over 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.

www.bmwgroup.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup
X: https://www.x.com/bmwgroup

For further information please contact:

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director, UK & Ireland
Tel: 07815 371 206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk 

Product Communications.

James Morrison
Head of Product Communications
Tel: 07815 372 646
Email: James.Morrison@bmw.co.uk

Martin Harrison
Press Fleet and Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 377 083
Email: Martin.Harrison@bmw.co.uk

Tom Evans
Senior Press Officer, BMW
Tel: 07815 371 705
Email: Tom.Evans@bmw.co.uk

Sam Buckingham
Press Officer, MINI
Tel: 07815 362 262
Email: Samuel.Buckingham@mini.co.uk

Corporate and Brand Communications. 

Chris Overall
Head of Corporate, Brand and Internal Communications
Tel: 07815 370 990
Email: Chris.Overall@bmw.co.uk

Helen Wilson
Corporate and Brand, Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 372 480
Email: Helen.Wilson@bmw.co.uk

Note: This press release is a 1:1 copy of the original issued by BMW headquarters in Germany. No adaptions have been made to cater to the UK market. 

Munich. With deep respect for craftsmanship, culture, and the communities that shape them, the partnership between MINI John Cooper Works and Deus Ex Machina comes to life through two customised one-off cars - rolling expressions of a lifestyle where a love of speed meets creativity and considered design. Built not just for performance, but for the people who live and breathe it.

“MINI models have always been characterized by a blend of creative design and motorsport dynamics,’ explains Stefan Richmann, Head of MINI. “Thanks to our collaboration with Deus Ex Machina, we are taking this philosophy to a new level and setting exciting new trends for fans and motorsport enthusiasts. The partners are united by their “passion for machines, innovation and creativity” and an authentic relationship with their own community,” says Stefan Richmann.

Purist, functional and graphic design approach.
Both vehicle concepts are based on a MINI John Cooper Works model: the first, a MINI JCW Electric with up to 190 kW/258 hp, the second, a combustion engine-powered MINI JCW with 170 kW/231 hp. Each vehicles roof features a large white ‘X’, a connecting element, which signals a significant design and co-creation: the co-creation process between two iconic brands in their own right: MINI JCW x DEUS.

"In this extraordinary collaboration, we showcase two vehicles that remind us of motorsport history and successes of MINI. Every single detail has been crafted with artisanal precision and expertise. This has resulted in unique characters that are clearly perceived as belonging together through their distinctive design language and use of graphics," says Holger Hampf, Head of MINI Design.

Visible seams, striking switches and traditional levers emphasise the mechanical character of the cockpits. The materials and colours utilised throughout the vehicles create bold contrasts: a deliberate break with high gloss. Instead of perfection, authenticity is at the forefront: designers speak of a ‘raw, handcrafted approach’ that celebrates the ‘beauty of imperfection’. On the exterior, expressive graphics consisting of numbers, geometric elements and bright colours pay homage to MINIs racing history.

The MINI JCW X DEUS one-off cars.
Built as a pair - kindred in spirit, opposite in energy. One born of the coast: shaped by surfboards, sea spray, and the stripped-back rhythm of beach life. The other is forged on the track: lean, fast, and fuelled by a love of speed and precision.

The Skeg – sleek, electric, coast-bound.
The electric powered show car ‘The Skeg’ is a clean, minimal and quiet rebellion, drawing on materials, technologies and philosophies from the world of surfing: Fiberglass, acceleration and minimalism.

The vehicles bodywork lands a bold first impression in a vivid yellow and silver finish - a nod to MINI’s progressive take on electric mobility. Wide fenders, an illuminated front grille, and a roof spoiler sharpen the silhouette, while semi-transparent fiberglass panels strip 15% of the car’s weight and refine its aerodynamic performance.
At the rear, the Flex Tip Surf Spoiler responds to airflow much like a surfboard rides the contours of a wave. Its form draws from the concave underside of a board, redirecting movement, generating lift, and turning design into function.

Tension straps across the roof reference the familiar ritual of tying down a surfboard after a session, while remaining a characteristic design detail of the new MINI family, featured as an accent on the dashboard and in the 6 o'clock spoke of the steering wheel.

Custom-made fiberglass elements on the roof, front, rear, and interior create a shifting play of light: translucent, strong, and responsive to time of day and environment, while the dashboard itself borrows directly from surfboard construction: lightweight, resilient, and visually distinctive.

The Interior.
Inside, the analogue controls are stripped back - simple, tactile, and true to purpose, reflecting a surf culture that prioritises purpose over polish.

The car resembles a mobile surf shop. An example of the thoughtful functionality is the fiberglass trays for wetsuits. The specially shaped shelves provide a practical storage solution and bring the surf culture into the interior. The neoprene upholstery in the lightweight racing bucket seats – flexible, water-repellent, and comfortable – also creates a tactile connection to surfing.

The fiberglass dashboard transfers the technology of surfboard construction into the automotive sector.

The oversized ‘X’ returns as a visual anchor, while Deus Collection badges and 3D-printed details in the console serve as subtle signifiers of a shared culture - one grounded in craft, connection, and the pursuit of the ride.

The Machina - loud, low, combustion-fed.
The Machina, a John Cooper Works that packs a compact punch of raw mechanics and motorsport bloodline. Inspired by the aesthetics of motorsport, it stands for pure racing enthusiasm and authentic functionality.

The exterior: signature elements with links to the racing scene.
The exterior design pays homage to the motorsport heritage of the MINI brand. Every characteristic feature has been carefully selected with a focus on functionality and emotional appeal.

The red, white and black paintwork, complete with bold accents and Deus lettering on the rear, makes an immediate impression. Classic widened fenders nod to racing heritage, blending form and function, while four additional headlights mounted on the bonnet pay tribute to rally sport roots. Each custom-built light pod features subtle Deus branding, offering both performance and a distinctive visual signature.

At the rear, the diffuser draws inspiration from the MINI JCW race car that tore through the legendary Nordschleife. Beyond its aggressive stance, it’s designed to optimise airflow and stability, with the centrally integrated exhaust serving as both a functional and aesthetic focal point, amplifying the engine’s sound and presence.

Up front, a bespoke grille and perforated headlight surrounds enhance cooling performance, while the iconic MINI John Cooper Works light signature, complete with air intakes, anchors the car firmly in MINI’s high-performance lineage. Topping it off is a Can-Am-style rear spoiler: a bold piece of motorsport nostalgia that nods to an era when innovation in racing pushed both design and engineering to the edge.

The Interior.
Inside the JCW show car, the red, white and black palette holds strong - pared-back, purposeful, and unmistakably John Cooper Works. The 5-point racing harnesses secure the driver, and ultimately become part of the driving experience, wrapping the body in precision.

Raw aluminium floor plates offer more than grip, rather they echo the utilitarian aesthetic found in Deus’ custom motorcycle workshops from Sydney to Venice Beach to Canggu, grounding the car in a shared language of performance and craft.

Weight-saving is built into every surface, from the stripped-back door panels marked with bold white ‘X’ motifs, to the waxed fabric dash - lightweight, durable, and finished with a lived-in patina that speaks to hands-on workmanship. Overhead, the exposed roll cage adds structure and statement in equal measure - a safety feature that nods to the car’s unfiltered racing DNA.

The show car's controls speak a clear language of functionality and directness. Every switch and every button is designed to function intuitively and reliably, even under extreme conditions.

Toggle switches are classic elements – no complex menus, just direct, mechanical connections between thought and action. Each button has a clear function. A classic example, the hydraulic handbrake with its large lever, acting as a direct connection between driver and vehicle - a commitment to precision and control. The JCW show car is a driving manifesto and a tribute to the motorsport DNA of the MINI brand.

Concentrated creativity for two extraordinary designer pieces.
Alongside the MINI creative team, Deus’ Creative Director, Carby Tuckwell and his wider creative cohort oversaw the striking exterior graphics of the two show cars - led by Matt Willey - complimented the work of Designworks - an outcome that truly reflects extraordinary design dynamics and remarkable solutions across the two vehicles.

“Deus has had a longstanding creative partnership with Matt - one powered by a true respect for the power of design and art. Having him involved in this project, for us, was a no-brainer - he worked closely with myself and the Deus team on our first creative project that was splashed across a MINI car in 2024.” - Carby Tuckwell, Deus Co-Founder & Creative Director

Deus x Matt Willey: The fascination of historic racing.
Deus’ Carby Tuckwell and Matt Willey have been working together since 2015. United by their fascination with classic motorsport liveries, they created a historic Mini Cooper S racing car in 2022 with a special paint finish designed by Willey. The design references the glorious and victorious history of the classic Mini at the Monte Carlo Rally, including the number 37, with which Paddy Hopkirk started in 1964 and achieved the British small car's first overall victory in the most famous of all rallies.

Matt Willey, a native of England who lives in Brooklyn, became a partner at the renowned design firm Pentagram after five years as art director of the New York Times Magazine.

A Shared Vision Becomes Fabric.
Woven into the partnership is a capsule MINI x Deus Ex Machina apparel collection, set to launch on September 8, 2025, at IAA in Munich, before becoming available globally via Deus Ex Machina’s e-commerce and retail network. Designed exclusively for the collaboration, the range draws on the shared DNA of both brands - precision engineering, timeless styling, and obsessive attention to detail. High-grade materials and thoughtful tailoring provide the benchmark for the range, with every garment reflecting Deus’ commitment to craftsmanship and its reputation for creating apparel that moves between lifestyle and legacy. With a deep understanding of storytelling through design, Deus brings authenticity and cultural relevance to the capsule, bridging the worlds of motorsport and modern apparel in a way that feels both current and enduring.

You can be first after me.
The highlight of the MINI JCW x DEUS project's communication campaign will be the world premiere at IAA Mobility 2025 with the exclusive MINI JCW x DEUS Night on 6 September at the MINI Pavilion. The MINI JCW x DEUS collaboration will be on display at the MINI Pavilion until 14 September.

The exclusive MINI x DEUS lifestyle collection will be on sale in the same premises as well as online on all DEUS channels and in their sales rooms.

‘You can be first after me’ – the motto that unites the worlds of MINI and Deus Ex Machina. Their shared history has begun and promises further exciting chapters in the name of automotive passion.

Ends


The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold over 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.


www.bmwgroup.com

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup

X: https://www.x.com/bmwgroup


MINI Press Office Contacts:

Sam Buckingham
MINI Press Officer
Tel: 07815 362262
Email: Samuel.Buckingham@mini.co.uk

Helen Wilson
MINI Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 372480                   
Email: Helen.Wilson@mini.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

Media website:
www.press.bmwgroup.co.uk
www.mini.co.uk
www.twitter.com/miniuk
www.facebook.com/miniuk
www.youtube.com/miniuk 

MINI is delighted to announce its return to the Goodwood Revival 2025, with a nostalgic stand dubbed ‘JCW Electrical’. Located within the Earls Court Motor Show, the 1960s inspired electronics store will celebrate MINIs rich racing heritage and bold innovation.

The latest John Cooper Works models – the MINI John Cooper Works and MINI John Cooper Works Aceman will be on display, while the iconic 1964 Monte Carlo rally winning Mini Cooper S - raced by Paddy Hopkirk and co-driver Henry Liddon – will take centre stage.

In keeping with the period-perfect feel of the event, the stand will feature an eclectic collection of vintage television sets, showcasing race-winning footage and iconic MINI adverts from past and present. In addition, visitors can answer a wall-mounted telephone to be greeted with audio from MINI racing triumphs.

Guests will also be able to play ‘Time for a Tune up’ where they will be challenged to tune a retro radio in the hope to win exclusive MINI merchandise, While younger attendees can try their chances on the famous Monte Carlo Scalextric track.

The 2025 Goodwood Revival takes place between Friday 12^th – Sunday 14^th September. More information on the Revival can be found here.

Ends


The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold over 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.

www.bmwgroup.com

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup

X: https://www.x.com/bmwgroup


MINI Press Office Contacts:

Sam Buckingham
MINI Press Officer
Tel: 07815 362262
Email: Samuel.Buckingham@mini.co.uk

Helen Wilson
MINI Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 372480                   
Email: Helen.Wilson@mini.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

Media website:
www.press.bmwgroup.co.uk
www.mini.co.uk
www.twitter.com/miniuk
www.facebook.com/miniuk
www.youtube.com/miniuk

Note: This press release is a 1:1 copy of the original issued by BMW headquarters in Germany. No adaptions have been made to cater to the UK market. 

Munich. On 26 August 1959, the British Motor Corporation unveiled the first Mini: no one could have guessed at the time what an impact the innovative concept of brilliant British engineer Alec Issigonis would have on the automotive world. Sixty-six years after the launch of the now legendary Classic Mini, the MINI brand looks back on decades of racing success, visionary innovation, groundbreaking design – and unmistakable driving pleasure.

The MINI family combines tradition and modernity.
With the relaunch of the MINI family over the past two years, the brand has once again aligned its pioneering design and historical heritage with the future: with a new, charismatic generation of the MINI Cooper and MINI Countryman, the world premiere of the MINI Aceman, the first crossover model for the premium segment, and the launch of the new MINI Convertible, MINI combines tradition and innovation in the present.

The New John Cooper Works models illustrate MINI's racing expertise and with a spectacular second place in its class at the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring, MINI recently demonstrated how much motorsport is in the brand's DNA.

On its 66th birthday, MINI can look back on a growing range of electrified variants within the MINI family. MINI has shown, that go-kart feeling is also possible with fully electric vehicles.

66 years of vibrant automotive history – a look back at the milestones of MINI:

Ends

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold over 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.


www.bmwgroup.com

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup

X: https://www.x.com/bmwgroup


MINI Press Office Contacts:

Sam Buckingham
MINI Press Officer
Tel: 07815 362262
Email: Samuel.Buckingham@mini.co.uk

Helen Wilson
MINI Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 372480                   
Email: Helen.Wilson@mini.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

Media website:
www.press.bmwgroup.co.uk
www.mini.co.uk
www.twitter.com/miniuk
www.facebook.com/miniuk
www.youtube.com/miniuk   

Note: This press release is a 1:1 copy of the original issued by BMW headquarters in Germany. No adaptions have been made to cater to the UK market.  

Munich. “RELAX. WE CARE.” – this is the new service promise now also at MINI, which applies in all participating markets* and qualified vehicles thanks to the innovative offering “Proactive Care.” The vehicle acts like a digital concierge, recognising existing and predictable service needs and proactively reaching out to the customer with proposed solutions.

“With the introduction of Proactive Care at MINI, we are now implementing our service promise ‘RELAX. WE CARE.’ in the premium segment of small and compact cars. Our offering acts as a digital concierge, proactively analysing all service needs and providing timely support to our customers. This ensures that our customers are always well-informed and that potential needs are identified early,” says Ralf Hattler, Senior Vice President Customer Support and Aftersales.

Tyre diagnostics, error messages and much more: if sensors in the car detect a service need, the customer is proactively informed about potential faults and upcoming maintenance before it becomes urgent. The customer receives tailored solution proposals: depending on their preference, via the MINI app, through in-car messages, by email, SMS, or phone, through their preferred dealer, or even by a call from roadside assistance. If a workshop visit is necessary, a contact option to the preferred MINI service partner is provided, who can conduct a remote diagnosis based on the service need report. Completed work, costs, and handover appointments are transparently viewable and manageable at any time and from anywhere.

MINI Service with Proactive Care: Customer Satisfaction at the Forefront.
Whereas previously customers approached their MINI service partner, this principle is reversed with MINI Service with Proactive Care – creating a completely new service experience that places customer satisfaction even more firmly at the centre. For MINI drivers, this means one thing above all: they can fully concentrate on the joy of driving. To do this, it is necessary to download the MINI app and activate the MINI Connected contract.

In the next step, the vehicle must be registered, and the preferred MINI service partner and contact details entered. To fully experience MINI Service with Proactive Care, consent to the data protection regulations, activation of push notifications in the MINI app, and agreement to communication from BMW AG or the service partner are required.

Greatest Focus on Data Protection.
The BMW Group places the utmost importance on data protection and data security, particularly regarding personal data. Therefore, information is collected specifically and precisely for the relevant services. This is done in accordance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation and in compliance with national laws such as the Federal Data Protection Act.

Following the launch in Italy and the United Kingdom at the beginning of 2025, Germany, Korea, Spain, and the Benelux countries followed in the second quarter. The introduction will also take place in France, China and the USA in the second half of the year.

Campaign Showcases MINI in Scotland – Thanks to Artificial Intelligence.
The current advertising campaign for MINI's new service promise is set in the Scottish Highlands, in true British style and will be presented at the IAA. For the production, neither a MINI nor a photo and film crew was needed: the images are generated by artificial intelligence. The campaign will be rolled out globally starting in October.

*The availability of features varies depending on the market.

Ends


The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold over 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.


www.bmwgroup.com

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup

X: https://www.x.com/bmwgroup


MINI Press Office Contacts:

Sam Buckingham
MINI Press Officer
Tel: 07815 362262
Email: Samuel.Buckingham@mini.co.uk

Helen Wilson
MINI Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 372480                   
Email: Helen.Wilson@mini.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

Media website:
www.press.bmwgroup.co.uk
www.mini.co.uk
www.twitter.com/miniuk
www.facebook.com/miniuk
www.youtube.com/miniuk  

Note: This press release is a 1:1 copy of the original issued by BMW headquarters in Germany. No adaptions have been made to cater to the UK market.

Munich. At the IAA Mobility in Munich from 9 to 14 September, MINI will transform the city into its own stage at two well-known locations: an impressive Open Space at Max-Joseph-Platz, and a central brand appearance in the MINI Pavillion at Lenbachplatz, presenting MINI’s brand DNA at the world's largest mobility event. The highlight is the world premiere of two exclusive JCW showcars, created as part of an exciting collaboration.

MINI Pavillion: MINI unveils exclusive JCW showcars.
MINI's racing background is not only evident from its recent success at the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring: motorsport has been part of the brand's essence from the very beginning. As part of the IAA, two unique MINI John Cooper Works showcars are celebrating their world premiere, the result of an inspiring collaboration.

For the duration of the IAA, the MINI Pavillion puts the models centre stage in a spectacular display. The showcars, which combine the brand's unmistakable racing enthusiasm with the spirit of a world-famous lifestyle brand, can be admired at Lenbachplatz. For this, the MINI Pavillion will be extensively remodeled, and dedicated entirely to the John Cooper Works brand.

• MINI Pavillon: Lenbachplatz 7a, 80333 München

MINI at Open Space: Heritage and humour at Max-Joseph-Platz.
A metropolis within a metropolis: With its appearance at the Open Space, MINI brings the vibrant city centre of London to the noble Max-Joseph-Platz in Munich's old town. An elaborately staged backdrop recreates the heart of the city and presents the brand’s British identity, including its humour in many details.

With the Bayerische Staatsoper and the Residenztheater in the background, the focus of Open Space is the all-electric models of the new MINI family, the high-performance MINI John Cooper Works Electric, MINI Service and MINI Experience Modes. 

With the MINI John Cooper Works Electric, MINI Aceman SE and MINI Countryman SE ALL 4, visitors will be able to experience three all-electric MINI models up close. Max-Joseph-Platz is also the starting point for test drives in cooperation with SIXT: true to the motto "Only MINI Can Do", visitors can take all-electric MINIs from the new MINI family out onto the city's streets from here.

• MINI Open Space: Max-Joseph-Platz 2, 80539 München

MINI at the IAA: Community Day unites fans of the brand.
Fans of MINI can also become part of the IAA Mobility this year: at the "Community Day" on 13 September, MINI clubs will come together for a drive with their personal MINIs. Starting at Gut Kaltenbrunn on Lake Tegernsee, the route leads through Munich and ends with an inspiring get-together with music, BBQ and dialogue with the community in the MINI Pavillion.

The IAA: a platform for experts and enthusiasts.
As one of the largest and most important international automotive trade fairs, the International Motor Show (IAA) offers manufacturers, journalists and other enthusiasts a platform for dialogue on the topics of mobility, innovation and technology every two years. The IAA Mobility 2025 is organised under the slogan "It's All About Mobility". As part of the event, innovations and concepts will be presented in four formats - at the IAA Summit, the IAA Conference, the IAA Open Space and the IAA Experience - as well as at MINI in the MINI Pavillion at Lenbachplatz. Over half a million visitors were counted at the last IAA 2023 in Munich.

ENDS

<sup>The BMW Group
With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold over 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.

www.bmwgroup.com 
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup
X: https://www.x.com/bmwgroup</sup> 

MINI is excited to announce the new MINI Cooper Electric Monochrome & MINI Aceman Monochrome, available on E derivatives of both models. Offered in a fixed specification, customers can choose between Midnight Black or Nanuq White exterior paintwork, alongside an increased level of standard features across the models including MINI Navigation with Head-Up Display, Wireless Charging and LED Headlights.

Alongside the choice of two colours, both models come with larger wheels as standard; 17” U Spoke Grey alloys on the MINI Cooper Electric Monochrome and 18” Night Flash Spoke Grey alloys on the MINI Aceman Monochrome. Both models also feature a body-coloured roof, creating a seamless look that enhances the overall style of the vehicle.

Moving inside the cabin, a new Anthracite headliner accompanies a brand-new interior pattern debuting on MINI Monochrome models. The new multitone fabric spreads across the front and rear seats, which also feature white and yellow stitching to match the design. The dashboard is draped in a black cloth textile, with the new multitone fabric featuring on the dashboard strap to continue the design throughout the cabin.

Customers benefit from MINI Navigation with Head-Up Display as standard, controlled using the 24cm circular screen, alongside Cruise Control (DCC), Driving Assistant, Parking Assistant and Rear-View Camera. Wireless Charging is also offered, alongside Heated Front Seats and MINI Experience Modes, allowing customers to change the characteristics of the car or cabin based on their mood.

The MINI Cooper Electric Monochrome features a 40.7 kWh battery, providing a range of up to 189 miles*, while the MINI Aceman Monochrome has a larger 42.5 kWh battery which offers an improved range of 192 miles*. Both models support fast DC 75 kW charging for added convenience.

The MINI Cooper Electric Monochrome and MINI Aceman Monochrome are available to order from retailers nationwide now from £26,905 OTR and £28,905 OTR respectively.

For more information on the new MINI Monochrome visit mini.co.uk.

Ends

*All figures have already been calculated based on the WLTP test cycle.


The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold over 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.


www.bmwgroup.com

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup

X: https://www.x.com/bmwgroup


MINI Press Office Contacts:

Sam Buckingham
MINI Press Officer
Tel: 07815 362262
Email: Samuel.Buckingham@mini.co.uk

Helen Wilson
MINI Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 372480                   
Email: Helen.Wilson@mini.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

Media website:
www.press.bmwgroup.co.uk
www.mini.co.uk
www.twitter.com/miniuk
www.facebook.com/miniuk
www.youtube.com/miniuk

MINI is celebrating the importance of small spaces in driving change by collaborating with James Stewart, one of the UK’s most prominent broadcasters in science and sustainability to showcase the benefits of Tiny Forests.

Nominated by Harvard University as a 'climate creator to watch', James shared his experience exploring three Tiny Forests, using just a single charge of a MINI Countryman Electric – capable of travelling up to 287 miles* (*WLTP combined) – to travel between sites.

All three mini spaces James visited were planted as part of MINI UK’s partnership with Earthwatch Europe, with each made up of over 600 densely planted trees in the space the size of a tennis court. With the first planting in 2021, James went to see one site in Newbury and two forests near key manufacturing locations: MINI Plant Oxford and BMW Group Plant Swindon.

With up to 1,390 litres of boot capacity to utilise in the MINI Countryman Electric for gardening equipment, James highlights the importance of nature, sustainability, and wildlife preservation through his journey, while measuring how much the saplings at each location have grown since their plantings.  

Following his trip, James said, “I loved exploring these tiny forests - nature should be for everyone and they're fact they're so accessible for their communities is brilliant! We've never needed nature more than we do today, and understanding these brilliant ecosystems through citizen science is the perfect gateway into that connection with our planet.”

Together, the 14 Tiny Forest sites planted by MINI equate to a combined area of 2,844 square metres – creating just over five professional basketball courts of new greenery.  Each tennis-court sized forest is estimated to attract 500 new animal and plant species, with each site helping to bring the benefits of woodland right into the heart of our cities and urban spaces.

Planted between 2021 and 2023, over 1,600 volunteers - including school children, university students, councillors, hospital staff and members of the local communities - helped bring each forest to life by donating their time. As the tiny spaces continue to grow, each sites progress and impact will be continually monitored by MINI and Earthwatch Europe, helping to understand their social, environmental, and wellbeing implications.

To watch James' adventure, please click here.

For more information about MINI, visit mini.co.uk, and for more information on Tiny Forests, click here.

Ends


The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premi-um manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales net-work in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold over 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.

www.bmwgroup.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup
X: https://www.x.com/bmwgroup


MINI Press Office Contacts:

Sam Buckingham
MINI Press Officer
Tel: 07815 362262
Email: Samuel.Buckingham@mini.co.uk

Helen Wilson
MINI Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 372480                   
Email: Helen.Wilson@mini.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

Media website:
www.press.bmwgroup.co.uk
www.mini.co.uk
www.twitter.com/miniuk
www.facebook.com/miniuk
www.youtube.com/miniuk

MINI is thrilled to announce an exciting new range of accessory parts for the latest generation of petrol-powered MINI Cooper models. Designed for enthusiasts who crave a more aggressive and sporty aesthetic, these accessories allow drivers to elevate their MINI into a true race car for the road. 

Already known for its fierce exterior stance, owners can take their vehicle's road presence to the next level, while the newest interior options will elevate the cabin experience even further.

Among the standout new additions are the JCW mirror caps, which subtly blend from Chili Red to Gloss Black, and feature the iconic John Cooper Works shaping prominently placed in the centre. These mirror caps not only enhance the sporty aesthetic of the MINI John Cooper Works (JCW) but also serve as a testament to the brand's racing heritage.

Aero Accessories: Aggression meets function
The newly available John Cooper Works front, rear, and side Winglets are designed to sit proudly along the side profile of the car, giving a more dynamic appearance and improving aerodynamics. Additionally, the JCW C-pillar trim accentuates the sculpted side profile, adding a touch of sophistication to the aggressive design.

At the rear, the optional JCW Diffuser and JCW roof spoiler attachment replicates the aggressive styling that helped the MINI John Cooper Works secure victory in its class at the prestigious 2024 Nürburgring 24 Hours race. These enhancements not only create formidable presence but contribute to improved downforce and stability at higher speeds.

Wheels: Heritage and Style Combined
For those looking to set their vehicle apart, four striking alloy wheel options are newly available. The 18” JCW Rallye Spoke wheel - available in both Frozen Midnight Grey and Vibrant Silver - pays homage to rally heritage from the 1960s, while 17” JCW Sprint Spoke and 17” JCW Star Spoke alloys (available in Gloss Black), are well equipped to tackle of the challenges of day-to-day driving.

Completing the look, optional floating JCW hub caps ensure the iconic John Cooper Works logo remains level at all times, while red JCW valve caps provide an additional performance detail and offer protection for your tyres.

Decals: Stand above the rest
A range of new decal options are available for the bonnet, sides, and rear of the MINI Cooper. A new JCW bonnet decal, available in either Chili Red or Gloss Black, features a driver-side only dual-stripe, offering a fresh take on the iconic MINI bonnet stripes. This seamlessly marries with the optional JCW rear decal which flows down the boot lid and across the length of the boot. Finished in Satin Black, the JCW side decals provide the perfect contrast, enhancing the subtle trimmings and imposing stance of the model.

Further enhancing your MINI: Additional stylish and functional Accessories
For those looking to add a touch of edge to the front of their vehicle, the Chili Red JCW branded Tow Strap is an excellent choice, making a bold statement while also providing practical use. In addition, the carbon fibre Fuel Filler Cap, adorned with the iconic JCW text, fits seamlessly under the fuel flap. For those that want carbon fibre visible on the exterior of the car, the JCW Carbon Tailpipe Trim further enhances aggression of the rear, especially when alongside the JCW diffuser.

Moving inside the vehicle, JCW Door Pins are a subtle yet impactful addition, embodying the spirit of the JCW brand. John Cooper Works Floor Mats are also available, finished with a striking Chili Red border and iconic lettering.

For more information, please visit your local MINI retailer nationwide or visit mini.co.uk.

Ends

Notes to Editor:
*Accessories listed above are available on specific models within the MINI Cooper family. More information can be found at www.mini.co.uk.


The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premi-um manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold over 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.

www.bmwgroup.com

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup

X: https://www.x.com/bmwgroup


MINI Press Office Contacts:

Sam Buckingham
MINI Press Officer
Tel: 07815 362262
Email: Samuel.Buckingham@mini.co.uk

Helen Wilson
MINI Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 372480                   
Email: Helen.Wilson@mini.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

Media website:
www.press.bmwgroup.co.uk
www.mini.co.uk
www.twitter.com/miniuk
www.facebook.com/miniuk
www.youtube.com/miniuk

MINI is set to launch Agents of Fun – a cinematic new campaign fronted by actor, producer, and Golden Globe–nominated Jack Lowden, reimagining the car advert as something entirely different: a sharp, espionage-inspired short film with subversive wit and cultural edge. It marks a return to narrative-led advertising – where story drives impact, rules are playfully bent, and the MINI John Cooper Works shares the spotlight as a protagonist in its own right.

Lowden’s involvement underscores the campaign’s cultural credibility and sense of timing. In both tone and execution, it reflects the resurgence of the espionage thriller – a genre increasingly set in the UK, particularly London. At the heart of these stories lies intrigue, misdirection, and a dose of underdog mischief – themes that resonate in culture right now. Agents of Fun channels that energy, offering MINI’s own playful take on the genre.

Directed by Ilya Naishuller, best known for the cult action hit Nobody and the first-person thriller Hardcore Henry; and shot on 16mm film by Golden Globe–nominated cinematographer Christopher Ross (Shōgun, The Day of the Jackal), the film draws on the visual language of classic spy thrillers, refracted through a self-aware, modern British lens.

Acclaimed for his layered, quietly defiant performances in Slow Horses, Benediction, and The Gold, Lowden brings grounded charisma to the campaign’s lead role: a wry, agile figure navigating a stylish world of espionage. The MINI John Cooper Works (JCW) plays not just a supporting role, but a true on-screen accomplice - compact, fast, and deliberately hard to pin down.

“I’ve always been interested in stories that invite the audience to read between the lines,” says Lowden. “This stood out, not just because it looked great or moved well, but because it felt authored. It played with form in a way that still had pace and wit. That’s the kind of work I’m drawn to, whether it’s on stage, on screen, or here; something that trusts the audience and doesn’t shout. It’s smart, but it doesn’t take itself too seriously. That’s a rare balance.”

Agents of Fun plays like a spy film with a satirical edge – combining high-stakes energy with fourth wall-breaking wit. Jack Lowden acts as our conduit between the film’s world and the audience, delivering a performance that balances cool charm and dry humour with real pathos. He guides viewers through the chaos with a knowing wink and a sense of emotional depth that anchors the film’s stylish mischief.

The stunts are sharply choreographed but deliberately redacted; the MINI John Cooper Works pulls off thrilling manoeuvres, only to be obscured by playful censorship graphics that echo the look of classified documents. This redaction sits at the heart of the idea: the action is hidden, just out of reach, enticing viewers to seek it out on the channels where we’re actually allowed to show it. Ironically, by following the rules to the letter, the campaign creates a cinematic sleight of hand; where the chase is felt more than seen, and tension gives way to wit without ever losing its pace.

Set against a backdrop of visual tension and coded intrigue, the film explores themes of escape and identity – with the MINI JCW itself cleverly redacted throughout, hinting at its performance without revealing it outright. It’s positioned as the ultimate underdog getaway car, moving with ease through a world that’s just slightly off-kilter.

Shot entirely on location at MINI Plant Oxford, the film grounds its surreal edge in a place where every MINI is born, lending an added layer of authenticity to the story. The MINI has always carried that underdog energy - compact but uncompromising, underestimated but impossible to ignore. Its legendary go-kart feel isn’t just a quirk; it’s a design philosophy.

“The brief was simple: break the rules,” says director Ilya Naishuller. “Most car ads tiptoe around convention - this one was about yanking the thread and watching the whole thing unravel. We wanted something cinematic, subversive, and unapologetically bold. Jack Lowden? The perfect partner-in-crime.”

While the campaign heroes the MINI John Cooper Works, Agents of Fun reflects how brands and talent are increasingly navigating the space between culture and commerce. Rather than leaning into traditional automotive tropes – or the industry’s pivot toward selling lifestyle in response to strict advertising limitations – it reframes performance through emotion, agility, and creative freedom. It’s a deliberate shift that echoes MINI’s broader ambition to show up in culture in ways that feel both resonant and relevant.

David Beattie, Director, MINI UK says: “There’s no other brand that could deliver something like Agents of Fun, it’s bold, unexpected, and driven by joy. This campaign is about reminding people what MINI has always stood for - performance with personality. We didn’t want to make just another car ad, we wanted something that felt smart, cinematic, and uniquely MINI.”

Agents of Fun launches across digital, social, and cinema on 27 June 2025.

Ends

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premi-um manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales net-work in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold over 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.

www.bmwgroup.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup
X: https://www.x.com/bmwgroup


MINI Press Office Contacts:

Sam Buckingham
MINI Press Officer
Tel: 07815 362262
Email: Samuel.Buckingham@mini.co.uk

Helen Wilson
MINI Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 372480                   
Email: Helen.Wilson@mini.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

Media website:
www.press.bmwgroup.co.uk
www.mini.co.uk
www.twitter.com/miniuk
www.facebook.com/miniuk
www.youtube.com/miniuk

At this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, MINI will present the four cornerstones of the MINI family - Cooper’s Corner Shop, Aceman Barbers, Countryman Farm Shop, and JCW Workshop – reimaged into businesses, neatly housed on ‘MINI Street’. Visitors can expect immersive experiences, with each part of the street offering unique activities, photo opportunities and a selection of models on display.

Visitors to MINI Street will firstly find Cooper’s Corner Shop, encompassing both the MINI Lifestyle shop and John Cooper Works (JCW) development space. Offering attendees the chance to purchase a range of items from the MINI Lifestyle collection, visitors will also find a MINI Cooper Electric and MINI John Cooper Works on display.

The Aceman Barbers shop welcomes the newest family member, while offering visitors the opportunity for complimentary haircuts and beard trims from award-winning barbers Ruffians, who will be welcoming walk-ins throughout the festival.

The JCW Workshop highlights our rich rally heritage, alongside our newest performance models. Celebrating the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally win, visitors can find the winning Mini on display alongside the new MINI John Cooper Works Aceman. Younger visitors can simulate experiencing the performance of John Cooper Works with an immersive photo opportunity designed to replicate the thrill of driving, without ever leaving the stand. 

Fans of the MINI Countryman can enjoy the Countryman Farm Shop, with an active climbing wall for those looking for an adventure while on site, with two MINI Countryman models on display.

MINI Owners can once again gain exclusive access to a private lounge using their vehicle key fob or MINI phone app, while Charlie Cooper - grandson of John Cooper whose name heroes our performance models - will be doing daily talks on the stand.

For those looking for action on the famous hill-climb, the entire MINI family will be taking centre-stage on Thursday, while the MINI John Cooper Works Electric and MINI John Cooper Works Aceman will be taking on the climb twice daily across the rest of the festival.

The 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed takes place 10^th – 13^th July.

Ends

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premi-um manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales net-work in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold over 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.

www.bmwgroup.com

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup

X: https://www.x.com/bmwgroup


MINI Press Office Contacts:

Sam Buckingham
MINI Press Officer
Tel: 07815 362262
Email: Samuel.Buckingham@mini.co.uk

Helen Wilson
MINI Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 372480                   
Email: Helen.Wilson@mini.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

Media website:
www.press.bmwgroup.co.uk
www.mini.co.uk
www.twitter.com/miniuk
www.facebook.com/miniuk
www.youtube.com/miniuk

Note: This press release is a 1:1 copy of the original issued by BMW headquarters in Germany. No adaptions have been made to cater to the UK market.

Nürburg. Sensational result for MINI John Cooper Works and Bulldog Racing at the 24 hours of  Nürburgring: at the end of an exciting race weekend, the team achieved second place in the SP3T class - behind the BMW M2 Racing.

With 111 laps and over 2,700 kilometers completed over a 24-hour period, the crew impressively demonstrated the engineering skills of the MINI brand - and showed real team spirit in one of the toughest challenges in motor racing.

Following last year's class victory and second place in 2023, this is the third podium finish in a row for the MINI John Cooper Works and Bulldog Racing team in the highly competitive SP3T class.

The cockpit team of Samantha Tan (CAN), Toby Goodman (GBR), Sebastian Sauerbrei (GER) and Markus Fischer (AUT) in the MINI John Cooper Works not only proved their driving skills and stamina in the “Green Hell” - but also real nerves of steel: After a successful start, the 24-hour race had to be interrupted on Saturday afternoon due to a power failure: The restart only took place after around two hours at 7:45 pm. With full focus, the driver team continued the race through the shortest night of the year - and made up over 60 places in the overall standings over the course of the race.

As in the previous year, Markus Fischer drove the team's fastest lap. With a strong lap time of 10:02, he was even able to beat last year's fastest lap. It was the first 24 hours of Nürburgring for Samantha Tan and Toby Goodman - and a successful premiere with second place in the SP3T class.

It was not only with sensational lap times and impressive endurance that the MINI 24-hour race car earned the respect of competitors and spectators at the Nürburgring: thanks to its exterior skin designed exclusively with the fashion and lifestyle brand Deus Ex Machina, the MINI John Cooper Works was a highlight of the race weekend even before the start.

280,000 fans cheered on the teams at the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring - a new record. This makes the race one of the most popular motorsport events in the world again this year. There was also a lot of action off the track: some racing enthusiasts stayed up late into the night with the teams and celebrated the drivers at the 53rd edition of the legendary Eifel classic - around the clock.

We congratulate our colleagues from ROWE Racing with the BMW M4 GT3 Evo on their overall victory and first place in the SP3T class with the BMW M2 Racing.

Ends

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premi-um manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales net-work in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold over 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.

www.bmwgroup.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup
X: https://www.x.com/bmwgroup

MINI Press Office Contacts:

Sam Buckingham
MINI Press Officer
Tel: 07815 362262
Email: Samuel.Buckingham@mini.co.uk

Helen Wilson
MINI Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 372480               
Email: Helen.Wilson@mini.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

Media website:
www.press.bmwgroup.co.uk
www.mini.co.uk
www.twitter.com/miniuk
www.facebook.com/miniuk
www.youtube.com/miniuk 

Nürburg. 24 hours and over 130 racing cars on the 25.378-kilometre Nürburgring: the MINI John Cooper Works and Bulldog Racing cockpit for the 2025 24-hour race in the ‘Green Hell’ is manned by four excellent racing professionals. Among them: True Nürburgring connoisseurs and young talents:

• Samantha Tan (CAN) is a champion racing driver and team owner of ‘Samantha Tan Racing’ at just 27 years old. Her involvement as a driver for MINI John Cooper Works and Bulldog Racing is a spectacular premiere at the 24 Hours Race at the Nürburgring. Tan has celebrated international sporting successes in the 24H Series, the 12H Mugello, GT World Challenge America and GT World Challenge Europe. With hundreds of thousands of global fans and followers, she is an idol inspiring the next generation to chase their dreams fearlessly. Her expansive experience in challenging endurance races provides the perfect conditions for the Canadian to compete in this year's 24 Hours Race at the Nürburgring.
  
  
• Markus Fischer (AUT) could achieve his second consecutive class victory in the ‘Green Hell’ after 2024. Fischer set the fastest lap in his team in the #317 MINI John Cooper Works Pro in 2024. The 24 Hours Race is always a ‘highlight of the season’ for the Austrian.
  
  
• Sebastian Sauerbrei (GER) knows the Nürburgring and the 24 Hours Race like no other - even in challenging conditions. His experience, which he has gained on many test kilometres on the race track, should pay off again this year for the experienced racing driver and the MINI and Bulldog Racing team.
  
  
• Toby Goodman (GBR) can already look back on impressive successes at the age of 23 - including at the Nürburgring. He started his racing career at the age of ten. In his racing debut, Goodman drove to a sensational third place in the MINI Challenge Trophy in 2018. Since then, the Brit has regularly secured coveted podium finishes, including in the challenging endurance series.
  
  

Ends

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premi-um manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales net-work in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold over 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.

www.bmwgroup.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup
X: https://www.x.com/bmwgroup

MINI Press Office Contacts:

Sam Buckingham
MINI Press Officer
Tel: 07815 362262
Email: Samuel.Buckingham@mini.co.uk

Helen Wilson
MINI Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 372480               
Email: Helen.Wilson@mini.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

Media website:
www.press.bmwgroup.co.uk
www.mini.co.uk
www.twitter.com/miniuk
www.facebook.com/miniuk
www.youtube.com/miniuk

Note: This press release is a 1:1 copy of the original issued by BMW headquarters in Germany. No adaptions have been made to cater to the UK market.

Nürburg. It is one of the most spectacular events on the racing calendar: the 24 Hours Race at the Nürburgring enters its 53rd round in 2025. Around 130 racing cars compete in various classes on one of the longest racetracks in the world. 24 hours, around the clock. MINI John Cooper Works, together with the Bulldog Racing Team, is once again bringing a racing car to the starting line after last year's brilliant class victory - and after intensive preparations is ready for the ultimate endurance test on the 25.378 kilometre long circuit of the ‘Green Hell’.

MINI JCW x Deus: On the starting line with an exclusive livery.
For this year's 24-hour race, the high-performance focus of MINI John Cooper Works will be combined with the passion and craftsmanship of Deus Ex Machina: At the starting line, the MINI John Cooper Works race car will cause a stir and be the first highlight of the race with a specially designed livery by Deus Ex Machina.

The racing car is equipped with original MINI John Cooper Works accessories, such as the JCW roof edge spoiler attachment, sporty JCW front, side skirts and rear winglets as well as the MINI JCW trim for the C-pillar. The aerodynamic and exterior components, which are also available for the standard vehicle, create a maximum racing feeling and give the vehicle an individual and high-quality appearance. The exclusive components in high-gloss black and the MINI JCW tow strip complement the consistent look of the MINI JCW x Deus racing car.

The fact that MINI John Cooper Works and the Bulldog Racing team can celebrate success together was impressively demonstrated last year: In 2024, the #317 MINI John Cooper Works Pro triumphed in the SP-3T class at the Nürburgring in the 24-hour race. Last year's victory is just the latest chapter in MINI's rich racing history - and is set to continue successfully in 2025.

Hundreds of thousands expected at the race track.
As the enthusiasm, anticipation and excitement for the 24 Hours Race at the Nürburgring grows once again, John Cooper Works and Bulldog Racing are lining up to reignite the same excitement among fans and motorsport enthusiasts on the track. This year, well over 200,000 people will once again watch the classic race from the track.

Ends

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premi-um manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales net-work in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold over 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.

www.bmwgroup.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup
X: https://www.x.com/bmwgroup

MINI Press Office Contacts:

Sam Buckingham
MINI Press Officer
Tel: 07815 362262
Email: Samuel.Buckingham@mini.co.uk

Helen Wilson
MINI Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 372480               
Email: Helen.Wilson@mini.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

Media website:
www.press.bmwgroup.co.uk
www.mini.co.uk
www.twitter.com/miniuk
www.facebook.com/miniuk
www.youtube.com/miniuk 

BMW recently celebrated another successful May, having garnered a trio of accolades at industry events including the 2025 Which? Awards, Top Gear EV Awards and The Great British Fleet Awards. Meanwhile, MINI Aceman customers can benefit from an optional towbar supporting a load of up to 750 kg.

BMW named Electric Car Brand of the Year at the Which? Awards.
Inaugurated in 2007, the Which? Awards celebrate and reward the best businesses in the UK that consistently deliver for their customers. At this year’s ceremony, BMW was presented the coveted Electric Car Brand of the Year accolade – awarded for demonstrating dependable EV reliability across Which? surveys and for an innovative, safe and electrically-efficient product portfolio.

Paul Kester, Head of Product and Market Planning for BMW Group UK said, “This Electric Car Brand of the Year award is especially meaningful given how competitive the EV market is right now. It’s a big year ahead for BMW with the world premiere of our first next-generation electric vehicle this September. We hope to be back on stage again next year following its launch.”

Top Gear names the BMW i5 Touring Best EV Estate at annual awards.
Almost two years after its initial launch, the eighth-generation BMW 5 Series recently garnered its 25th accolade across its diverse model lineup at the prestigious Top Gear Electric Awards 2025.

Standing as the epitome of driving pleasure, sporty elegance and modern functionality in a one compelling package, it was the BMW i5 Touring that took the top spot in the EV Estate category. Reflecting on the win, Top Gear’s Editor in Chief, Jack Rix said, “The enormous breadth of smug ability served up by BMW’s vast i5 Touring means the rest frankly needn’t have bothered…”

BMW 7 Series wins Best Fleet Luxury Car at The Great British Fleet Awards 2025.
Judged by Fleet World’s expert panel of editors, the Great British Fleet Awards celebrate the best of corporate motoring in the UK, from fleet managers to suppliers and manufacturers. This year’s ceremony saw the BMW 7 Series secure the accolade for Best Fleet Luxury Car.

Commenting on the win, Fleet World’s Editor, John Challen said, “A stalwart of the BMW lineup for decades, the 7 Series grows in stature, performance and quality throughout. In the back, it feels like you are being transported in a private jet, while behind the wheel, there’s an engaging driver experience, large, clear screens and a level of quality that is on a par with other cars with a much higher price tag.”

Launched in 2022, the latest-generation BMW 7 Series has redefined the luxury saloon market with its unparalleled comfort and cutting-edge digital experience. Its compelling model portfolio – comprising both hybrid and fully electric powertrains – offers maximum flexibility for BMW’s most discerning customers.

MINI Aceman customers can now specify a towbar supporting a load of up to 750 kg.
Following the launch of the MINI Aceman last year, customers can now benefit from an expanded options portfolio with the addition of a new towbar. Offering a capacity of up to 750 kg – perfect for towing small trailers and bicycle carriers – this new option is available for the MINI Aceman SE and MINI John Cooper Works Aceman.


Ends

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold over 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.

www.bmwgroup.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup
X: https://www.x.com/bmwgroup

For further information please contact:

Sam Buckingham
Press Officer, MINI
Tel: 07815 362 262
Samuel.Buckingham@mini.co.uk

Tom Evans
Senior Press Officer, BMW
Tel: 07815 371 705
Email: Tom.Evans@bmw.co.uk

Helen Wilson
MINI Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 372 480
Email: Helen.Wilson@mini.co.uk

Chris Overall
BMW Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 370 990
Email: Chris.Overall@bmw.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371 206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

Thank you for attending the BMW Group UK Spring Multi-Model Launch event, featuring first drive opportunities for the MINI John Cooper Works Electric, MINI John Cooper Works Aceman and the new BMW iX.

Please see below for links to the press materials for each model. 

MINI John Cooper Works Electric & MINI John Cooper Works Aceman - UK Press Kit & Photography
MINI John Cooper Works Electric & MINI John Cooper Works Aceman - UK Press Release

MINI John Cooper Works & MINI John Cooper Works Convertible - UK Press Kit & Photography
MINI John Cooper Works & MINI John Cooper Works Convertible - UK Press Release

BMW iX - UK Press Kit & Photography 
BMW iX - UK Press Release

Spec sheets for all vehicles can be downloaded below.  

Following last year’s class win, MINI John Cooper Works will again compete at this year’s 53rd annual 24-hour race at the Nürburgring, in collaboration with Bulldog Racing. Achieving victory in the SP-3T class last year with the nearing-production #317 MINI John Cooper Works Pro, MINI is hoping to continue this success in 2025 at "Green Hell" - one of the toughest tests in motorsport with fast straights, demanding curves, and significant elevation changes.

MINI x DEUS.
At the starting line of this year's race, the MINI John Cooper Works will feature a specially designed black and white livery from DEUS Ex Machina - a glimpse into something the two brands MINI x DEUS are building toward.

"Our models have always been characterised by the combination of design and dynamics. Our MINI John Cooper Works, which will compete in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring, takes this combination to the next level: Thanks to this collaboration with Deus Ex Machina, we are setting new, exciting impulses for MINI fans and motorsport enthusiasts. Both brands are characterised by creativity and attention to detail, which allows the creation of exclusive designs with a distinctly individual style," explains Stefan Richmann, Head of MINI.

Combining passion, high performance and craftsmanship, the design team have created a black and white vehicle livery featuring a large “DEUS” logo as a graphic element. The unconventional, playful handling of the brand presence is typical of DEUS and gives the MINI 24-hour race car its visual identity this year.

The reduced black and white colour scheme ensures that additional elements such as starting numbers or team logos are harmoniously integrated into the overall image while hand-drawn logos on the windows and other surfaces underline the raw, conceptual character of the race car, making it appear like a "moving sketchbook". This is intended to suggest that the Nürburgring 24-hour race car is just a foretaste. It is the perfect first milestone in the MINI x DEUS collaboration.

For the design of the race car livery, MINI Design collaborated with Designworks. The BMW Group subsidiary has elaborated the creative idea of DEUS in detail. "Successful brand collaborations arise when partners inspire and drive each other forward. With DEUS, MINI and Designworks, we were able to unleash a remarkable design dynamic. The DEUS livery of the MINI John Cooper Works at the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring is just the first proof of this," says Holger Hampf, Head of MINI Design.

MINI Continues Its Racing Heritage.
With its appearance, MINI is continuing its long-standing racing heritage. The brand has been considered an underdog in motorsports from the very beginning - and yet has written motorsport history. The 1964 Monte Carlo Rally became a shining moment for the British Outsider; with its transversely mounted front engine and front-wheel drive, the classic Mini was the epitome of a practical small car - and proved to be a successful race car thanks to the ingenious racing engineer John Cooper.

The victory in the Monte Carlo Rally was not an accident, but the result of meticulous hardwork. This was followed by two more victories in the famous rally in 1965 and 1967. The tradition and passion for MINI's racing heritage is still palpable and tangible in the current line-up. The latest MINI John Cooper Works models are characterised by their aerodynamic precision and performance-oriented four-cylinder TwinPower Turbo petrol engine.

Ends


The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premi-um manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales net-work in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold over 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.

www.bmwgroup.com

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup

X: https://www.x.com/bmwgroup


MINI Press Office Contacts:

Sam Buckingham
MINI Press Officer
Tel: 07815 362262
Email: Samuel.Buckingham@mini.co.uk

Helen Wilson
MINI Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 372480                   
Email: Helen.Wilson@mini.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

Media website:
www.press.bmwgroup.co.uk
www.mini.co.uk
www.twitter.com/miniuk
www.facebook.com/miniuk
www.youtube.com/miniuk

To celebrate the launch of the new MINI John Cooper Works family, MINI proudly unveils its latest lifestyle collection - a celebration of the brands motorsport’s history in a range of new clothing items and accessories. With an expanded MINI Wordmark range, including new coats, and bags and pull-back replicas of the MINI Cooper Electric and MINI Aceman, the MINI lifestyle collection has something for everyone.  

The new MINI John Cooper Works Lifestyle Collection.
Designed to hero the distinctive blend of black, white, and Chilli Red, the latest John Cooper Works lifestyle collection embraces distinctive motoring history. Using the JCW logo as a central design element, a range of T-Shirts and hooded jumpers are available, including children’s T-shirts which additionally feature the iconic racing stripe.

A selection of new accessories are also available, including a range of bags, caps, umbrellas, travel mugs and keyrings – all inspired by the brand’s motorsport heritage. Created for those who are always on the go, the new lineup of bags include Organiser Pouch, Backpack or Traveller Bag, with each featuring the JCW logo and seat pattern woven into the lining.

A range of premium accessories have also been introduced, including the JCW Logo Keyring, Foldable Umbrella and a Foldable Walking Stick Umbrella, which has been tested to withstand wind speeds of up to 75mph. A JCW Logo Travel Mug is also available and offered in both 300ml and 500ml sizes for the perfect on-the-go companion.

Iconic MINI Design Reimagined: MINI Wordmark Lifestyle Add-ons 2025.
Featuring an iconic MINI print, the MINI Wordmark collection puts a modern spin on classic styling. Including a range of polo-shirts and coats, customers can also choose the MINI Wordmark Jacket which offers a reflective print on both the back and hood. A range of accessories are also available, including caps, keyrings and umbrellas.

MINI Kids' Collection for MINI Thrills.
Delivering the brands renowned go-kart feeling to children at an early age, parents can choose from three additions to the MINI Kids Collection. The MINI ALL4 Baby Bike allows children aged 18 months and up to experience the iconic go-kart feeling of a MINI. Offered in Chilli Red, an iconic colour from the brands heritage, the bike is designed with safety and comfort in mind, including a carry handle to ensure parents can happily take the bike with them on any adventure.  

For older children, the MINI Aluminium Balance Bike features an aluminium frame, Chilli Red paint and signature MINI design elements, and is crafted for those children who want to be the talk of the playground.

For our smallest fans, the MINI Baby Racer makes the perfect first set of wheels. Featuring our famous white bonnet stripes, a child-safe steering wheel and a length-adjustable handlebar for parents, the MINI Baby Racer has low noise rubber tyres and a soft, detachable seat cushion that can be washed whenever needed.

For young-ones or big-kids who want their car to sit on both their driveway and desk, miniature MINI Cooper Electric and MINI Aceman models are also newly available. The pull-back models are offered in a range of exterior body paints to match their life-sized counterparts, including Blazing Blue, Sunnyside Yellow, British Racing Green and Rebel Red.

The new 2025 MINI Lifestyle Collection is available to purchase online at shop.mini.co.uk or MINI retailers nationwide now.

Ends


The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold over 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.

www.bmwgroup.com

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup

X: https://www.x.com/bmwgroup


MINI Press Office Contacts:

Sam Buckingham
MINI Press Officer
Tel: 07815 362262
Email: Samuel.Buckingham@mini.co.uk

Helen Wilson
MINI Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 372480                   
Email: Helen.Wilson@mini.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

Media website:
www.press.bmwgroup.co.uk
www.mini.co.uk
www.twitter.com/miniuk
www.facebook.com/miniuk
www.youtube.com/miniuk

BMW Group UK has added three more industry accolades to its growing list of 2025 awards. Earlier this week, BMW was named Fleet Manufacturer of the Year for the seventh consecutive year at the Fleet News Awards 2025. Meanwhile, the BMW i5 was recognised as Best Premium Electric Car at the 2025 Driving Electric Awards. MINI also celebrated success, with the MINI Countryman named Medium Crossover of the Year at UK Car of the Year Awards 2025.

BMW named Fleet Manufacturer of the Year for the seventh consecutive year at the Fleet News Awards 2025.
BMW has sustained its impressive winning streak at the annual Fleet News Awards, attaining the coveted Fleet Manufacturer of the Year title for the seventh consecutive year. Voted for by Fleet News readers, who are certified fleet decision-makers, this accolade is especially noteworthy and reflects BMW’s strong reputation across the wider sector.

On presenting the award, Fleet News judges said, “BMW continues to lead the way when it comes to its support and relationships with fleet decision-makers. An always-strong line up of desirable models have been augmented by some of the best electric cars on the market to secure an unprecedented seventh consecutive win in this fleet-voted category.”

Rachel McDermott, Head of National Corporate Sales, BMW UK commented, “We are incredibly proud to have retained Fleet Manufacturer of the Year. This award is testament to the hard work and dedication of our teams and our diverse and ever-evolving product portfolio. Our fleet customers remain assured by product substance, bolstered by supporting services such as BMW Proactive Care and BMW Corporate Certified making BMW a dependable Fleet partner.”

BMW i5 named Best Premium Electric Car at the 2025 Driving Electric Awards.
The annual Driving Electric Awards celebrate the very best products in the electric vehicle world, and at this year’s awards the BMW i5 was named Best Premium Electric Car. Driving Electric Editor Paul Barker praised the model’s “outstanding tech” and “best-in-class driving experience” before concluding: “The BMW i5 ticks all the right boxes for a premium electric car – it’ll take something quite special to beat it next year.”

First introduced in 2023, the eighth-generation BMW 5 Series has continued to receive widespread acclaim and this latest award further bolsters its impressive trophy collection, which now stands at 25 accolades.

MINI Countryman secures Medium Crossover of the Year at UK Car of the Year Awards 2025.
The MINI Countryman has been crowned ‘Medium Crossover of the Year’ at the 2025 UK Car of the Year Awards. The awards are independently run by 31 professional journalists and designed to highlight and advise on the best new cars on the market, specifically for UK customers.

Judges praised the stylish exterior design, innovative interior technology and overall ‘fun to drive’ feeling of the MINI Countryman, commenting, “The Countryman injects some design flair into a class full of same-again SUVs. Its interior is refreshingly stylish and well-built too”.

Judges went on to say; “The new MINI Countryman perfectly embodies the evolution of the brand while staying true to its playful roots – making it an exciting choice for those who have grown up alongside it. As the MINI range has increased, so has the quality, desirability and ‘fun to drive’ element, with the Countryman standing out for its practicality”.

Ends

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold over 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.

www.bmwgroup.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup
X: https://www.x.com/bmwgroup 

For further information please contact:

Sam Buckingham
Press Officer, MINI
Tel: 07815 362 262
Samuel.Buckingham@mini.co.uk

Tom Evans
Senior Press Officer, BMW
Tel: 07815 371 705
Email: Tom.Evans@bmw.co.uk

Helen Wilson
MINI Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 372 480
Email: Helen.Wilson@mini.co.uk

Chris Overall
BMW Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 370 990
Email: Chris.Overall@bmw.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371 206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

Note: This press release is a 1:1 copy of the original issued by BMW headquarters in Germany. No adaptions have been made to cater to the UK market. 

Munich. The aim of the Euro NCAP tests is to continuously increase vehicle safety. Both vehicle occupants and other road users should be exposed to an ever-decreasing risk of injury. The long-term intention: "Vision Zero" - that is, zero road fatalities in Europe. Accordingly, the requirements in the tests become stricter year after year. The criteria for the protection of pedestrians and cyclists have been tightened, and the test scenarios for both passive and active safety have been expanded.

A top rating of 5 stars is not common in the segment of fully electric MINI Cooper models. Particularly new vehicles in this category often come up short due to price sensitivity - accordingly, the top rating is awarded rather rarely.

The Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Programme) ratings are a Europe-wide recognised standard for accident safety and are constantly being adapted. They provide a quickly comprehensible comparison of the safety features of a new vehicle. The award of the top rating of 5 stars is exclusively given to new vehicles that provide excellent impact protection and, in addition, a good range of comprehensive and practical technology for accident avoidance.

Excellent: Top rating from Euro NCAP for the electric MINI Cooper models.
The electrically powered MINI Cooper models impress with their performance, the comfortable spaciousness despite compact dimensions, and the new minimalist design. Thanks to the fully electric drivetrain, the legendary go-kart feeling, and the now certified high level of safety, the fifth generation of the charismatic three-door model is perfectly equipped for the demands of today's urban mobility. The combination of sheer driving fun and a high level of safety underscores the exceptional position of the MINI Cooper Electric models in their segment and at the same time the premium claim of the brand.

In addition to passive and active safety, the top rating in the current Euro NCAP test is also due to effective protection for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as effective systems for accident avoidance. New is the standard pelvic belt pretensioner in all fully electric MINI Cooper models, too.

In the four major safety areas, the MINI models achieve top values for their segment. In terms of occupant protection, the three-door model achieves a safety compliance rate of 89% - a value that is usually reserved for larger vehicle classes.

This also applies to the 87% in child safety and the 79% in safety assistants. With 77% in pedestrian protection a very high level of safety I also achieved for compact cars.

The extensive standard equipment with safety-relevant driver assistance systems also plays a decisive role in the top ratings. The passive safety has been further developed in the form of an integrated safety concept.

As early as December 2024, the new MINI Countryman achieved the top rating of 5 stars, underscoring the brand's claim not only to produce extremely attractive, but also particularly safe vehicles.

In case of queries, please contact:                                                     
Corporate Communications

Julian Kisch, Spokesperson Product Communications MINI             
Phone: +49-151-601-38072
E-Mail: julian.kisch@mini.com

Micaela Sandstede, Head of Communications MINI                           
Phone: +49-176-60161611                                                                    
E-mail: micaela.sandstede@bmw.de

Following the successful launch of the new MINI family, a range of additions and optional extras are set to further enhance the MINI offering from Spring 2025.

Increasing personalisation across the MINI Cooper, MINI Cooper Convertible and MINI Countryman, customers now have a wider choice of exterior colours and trim combinations, alongside new digital features and improved practicality.

Improved exterior colour range
Giving customers increased options to personalise their new MINI, an improved selection of optional exterior paint colours are now available on petrol powered MINI Cooper, MINI Cooper Convertible and MINI Countryman models, regardless of customer choice between Classic, Sport and Exclusive trim.

MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper Convertible customers now have a choice of nine exterior paint options when building their new model; Legend Grey, Sunnyside Yellow, Ocean Wave Green, Melting Silver, Icy Sunshine Blue, Midnight Black II, Nanuq White, British Racing Green IV & Chili Red. Cooper Convertible customers also benefit from one further optional colour thanks to model exclusive Copper Grey.

For customers building their MINI Countryman, a choice of nine exterior paints are now available: Melting Silver III, Midnight Black II, Nanuq White, British Racing Green, Blazing Blue, Chili Red, Legend Grey, Smokey Green & Slate Blue.

Increased Versatility
MINI Cooper models built from March 1^st onwards now offer increased practicality for those who wish to extend their vehicles storage through a roof box, with the addition of roof rails as an optional extra.

For those who want a breath of fresh air, MINI Cooper Convertible customers can now optionally choose a soft-top roof with our iconic Union Jack design, adding flair to the vehicle when the roof is closed.

Increased practicality for the MINI Countryman
Previously offered on the MINI Countryman S only, a towbar is now offered optionally across all MINI Countryman derivatives, including the MINI Countryman E and SE. Activated using a button within the boot, a towbar further enhances the usability of the vehicle which can tow the following weights:

Improved Digital Features
For vehicles built after March 1^st 2025, Digital Key will now be extended, giving those who share their MINI with friends and family the possibility to add up to 18 keys for each vehicle. Offered through iOS devices including smart watches, Digital Key allows owners to share vehicle access with others to safely unlock, lock and start your MINI when a vehicle key isn’t present.

Further improvements have also been made to the in-vehicle Intelligent Personal Assistant (IPA), offering more accurate recognition for voice command requests and improved responsiveness. A new MINI-specific male voice will also be included to the IPA catalogue.

Ends

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold over 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2023 was € 17.1 billion on revenues amounting to € 155.5 billion. As of 31 December 2023, the BMW Group had a workforce of 154,950 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.

www.bmwgroup.com

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup

X: https://www.x.com/bmwgroup


MINI Press Office Contacts:

Sam Buckingham
MINI Press Officer
Tel: 07815 362262
Email: Samuel.Buckingham@mini.co.uk

Helen Wilson
MINI Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 372480                   
Email: Helen.Wilson@mini.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

Media website:
www.press.bmwgroup.co.uk
www.mini.co.uk
www.twitter.com/miniuk
www.facebook.com/miniuk
www.youtube.com/miniuk

BMW has enhanced its product portfolio with the introduction of the new BMW iX1 and BMW iX2 Shadow Edition alongside an expanded range of exterior paint colours for the BMW X3 M50 xDrive and BMW Z4 M40i with Handschalter Pack. Meanwhile, BMW Group UK continues its winning streak, with both BMW and MINI receiving multiple accolades from T3, Professional Driver and Company Car & Van.

New Shadow Edition available for BMW iX1 and BMW iX2.
The most compact models within the all-electric BMW SAV lineup can now be further personalised with the introduction of the BMW iX1 and BMW iX2 Shadow Edition. This new trim option packages an expanded list of standard equipment and sporty styling features at a compelling price. Over and above the M Sport trim, customers opting for the Shadow Edition receive 19-inch alloy wheels (for BMW iX1/already standard for BMW iX2), red M Sport brake callipers, Shadow Line Adaptive LED headlights and M Sport Pro Package styling features.

Increased personalisation for the BMW X3 M50 xDrive and BMW Z4 M40i with Handschalter Pack.
First introduced last summer, the BMW X3 M50 xDrive is equipped with the most powerful six-cylinder in-line petrol engine ever fitted in an M Performance model, delivering dynamic performance capabilities which set a new benchmark for driving pleasure in its class. From launch, customers opting for the range topper could choose from eight exterior paint finishes, however from April production, the colour palette will be expanded with the addition of 490 BMW Individual paint colours, including Sao Paulo Yellow, Daytona Violet and Frozen Black.

Also benefiting from an expanded range of exterior paints is BMW Z4 M40i with Handschalter Pack. Previously finished exclusively in Frozen Deep Green with Cognac upholstery, the six-speed manual roadster can now be specified in seven exterior paint options including Skycraper Grey, Thundernight Purple and San Francisco Red. Increased personalisation continues inside the cockpit with a choice of four new interior upholsteries. 

T3 presents the Best Car Tech award to the BMW Panoramic Vision.
Following the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), T3 has compiled its list of standout technologies from the Las Vegas event, with BMW’s revolutionary Panoramic Vision emerging as the title’s top pick for in-car innovation.

The BMW Panoramic Vision is the focal point of the next-generation BMW iDrive system, which will include the latest BMW Operating System X. Rolling out on all-new BMW models launched from the end of 2025, this industry-leading head-up display concept projects content across the entire lower portion of the windscreen, with the most important driving information available directly in the driver’s line of sight.

On presenting the award T3’s Editor-in-Chief Mat Gallagher said, “In-car tech is one of the most forward-thinking platforms right now and none more so than the new BMW iDrive system. Ready to feature in the next generation of electric vehicles – known as the Neue Klasse – the iDrive OSX system combines four elements to deliver optimum driver communication.

“The highlight is the Panoramic Vision, a thin projected screen that sits under the windscreen, providing a wealth of information. The contents are customisable, allowing you to drag and drop different widgets from the specially angled centre screen. It's super futuristic and really useful for keeping all those features in your eyeline. We can't wait to see it in the upcoming iX3 later this year.”

Double success for BMW at the 2025 Professional Driver Car of the Year awards.
Two of BMW’s flagship all-electric models collected category awards at the 2025 Professional Driver Car of the Year awards. With six categories in total, the annual awards are judged by Professional Driver readers, who evaluate more than 60 cars as part of the selection process.

The BMW i5 Touring was named Estate Car of the Year with Editor Mark Bursa commenting, “The estate Car category was test, with several strong contenders for the prize. But our judges went with an electric car – and one of the newest on the market. The BMW i5 Touring is not just a refined car that’s ideal for executive chauffeuring – it’s a joy to drive too.”

Following the success of the BMW M760e xDrive at last year’s awards, the BMW 7 Series continues to lead Professional Driver’s Chauffeur Car category, with the all-electric BMW i7 taking the 2025 top spot. “The new 7-series has become a game-changer in the chauffeur market, giving drivers and operators a practical and supremely luxurious electric limousine,” said Bursa.

BMW Group triumphs at the 2025 Company Car & Van Awards.
Company Car & Van (CC&V) offers expert advice to individuals who directly influence the make-up of their company’s fleet. Each year at the CC&V Awards, the title shortlists the best vehicles for the fleet market and crowns their overall Fleet Manufacturer of the Year. For 2025, this headline award was presented to the BMW Group.

CC&V Editor Andrew Walker praised BMW Group’s comprehensive product portfolio: “With a vast choice of electric & plug-in hybrid's BMW & MINI really came of age in 2024, cementing their position as the most forward thinking premium brand across all car sizes. From the new electric Mini Cooper, Countryman & Aceman to the BMW iX2, i5, i7 updated i4, iX3 & plug-in 330e, every company car sector was covered leaving the competition trailing behind.”

Two further wins were garnered across both brands, with the BMW 5 Series and MINI Countryman each topping their respective category.

Named a “worthy” winner of the Executive Car of the Year 2025 award, the BMW 5 Series was commended for its “brilliant” drive and intuitive on-board technology. “The interior has the wow factor & in electric form, the i5 is probably the best all around electric saloon out there. If we had to choose one executive car, then the 5 Series would be it”, Walker added.

Meanwhile, the all-new MINI Countryman claimed the award for Medium Car of the Year, with judges applauding its nostalgia-infused yet technologically-advanced cabin. “It's the largest MINI yet, but don't let that worry you because both petrol & electric versions are best in class to drive, whilst offering decent interior space & a useful boot… A car we’d happily drive every day.”

Ends

About the BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold over 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2023 was € 17.1 billion on revenues amounting to € 155.5 billion. As of 31 December 2023, the BMW Group had a workforce of 154,950 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.

www.bmwgroup.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup
X: https://www.x.com/bmwgroup


For further information please contact:

Sam Buckingham
Press Officer, MINI
Tel: 07815 362 262
Samuel.Buckingham@mini.co.uk

Tom Evans
Senior Press Officer, BMW
Tel: 07815 371 705
Email: Tom.Evans@bmw.co.uk

Helen Wilson
MINI Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 372 480
Email: Helen.Wilson@mini.co.uk

Chris Overall
BMW Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 370 990
Email: Chris.Overall@bmw.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371 206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

BMW Group UK has kickstarted the year by acknowledging the incredible success and hard work of BMW and MINI retailers throughout the past year at the annual Retailer of the Year 2025 awards. Hosted by comedian Jimmy Carr, retailers were celebrated across a host of categories, recognising exceptional dedication to the BMW and MINI brands, and industry-leading customer service.

Winners were selected across a range of categories, from Sales, Customer, Used Cars and Electric. A new award for MINI this year, ‘Rookie of the Year’, served to spotlight those who, with just a minimum of six months under their belt, have already marked themselves as a star of the future.

Across BMW retailers, Partridge took home the crown for ‘Corporate’, Cotswold Cheltenham were successful in ‘Used Cars’ and Sytner Coventry lead the charge to take home the ‘Electric’ win. Sytner Sheffield took home the ultimate prize, winning overall ‘BMW Retailer of the Year’.

Speaking at the awards, David George, Chief Executive Officer, BMW Group UK & Ireland commented, “The efforts our retailers put into their work shows the tireless commitment to delivering excellence for the BMW brand. Our retailers go above and beyond to ensure each of their customers feel valued, and tonight’s winners are a shining example of the type of retail excellence we strive for across the BMW Group”.

Andy Crossan, Managing Director at Sytner Sheffield said “We are absolutely delighted to have been awarded ‘BMW Retailer of the Year’ for 2024 at Sytner Sheffield. This tremendous achievement coincides with celebrations for our 50th year as a Retailer with the BMW Group. We extend our warmest congratulations to our Head of Business, Carl Shaw, and we are incredibly proud of the entire team at Sytner Sheffield whose hard work and outstanding performance across every aspect of the business made this win possible”. 

Celebrating the very best of MINI retailers, this year JKC succeeded in taking home the ‘Aftersales’ award, Lloyd Group were crowned for ‘Marketing’, and Halliwell Jones recognised for their ‘MINI Big Love’ efforts. This year’s overall ‘MINI Retailer of the Year’ was awarded to Grassicks, who delivered exceptionally in each category.

David Beattie, Director, MINI UK and Ireland complimented the retailer’s continued passion for the MINI brand, noting “It is with great pride that we honour tonight’s winners; last year saw us launch an entirely new MINI model family, and the infectious enthusiasm and unwavering passion from our retailers was clearly felt. With all-electric sales increasing 55% year on year, it’s clear our retailers truly excelled in providing our customers with a gold-standard of service, and I’m delighted to share in their success this evening”.

Regarding winning MINI Retailer of the Year, Victoria Steel, Eastern Group Franchise Director said "We are delighted to see our Grassicks MINI team win Retailer Of The Year 2024. Since we, Eastern Western Motor Group, purchased Grassicks in 2017 the team have achieved this prestigious accolade 3 times. Since taking over the site they have been a tour de force for the brand and for our customers. Paul and his team have worked exceptionally hard at putting our customers first and excelling at all our standards across sales and service. I am also delighted for the team to have been in the top 3 nominees for MINI Used Retailer Of The Year and MINI Aftersales Retailer Of The Year, this highlights the exceptional personal care we give every customer throughout their journey with Grassicks MINI. I am very proud of the whole team for creating such a strong customer centric environment.”

BMW Winners:

MINI Winners:

Ends

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold over 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2023 was € 17.1 billion on revenues amounting to € 155.5 billion. As of 31 December 2023, the BMW Group had a workforce of 154,950 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.

www.bmwgroup.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup
X: https://www.x.com/bmwgroup

For further information please contact:

Sam Buckingham
Press Officer, MINI
Tel: 07815 362 262
Samuel.Buckingham@mini.co.uk

Tom Evans
Senior Press Officer, BMW
Tel: 07815 371 705
Email: Tom.Evans@bmw.co.uk

Helen Wilson
MINI Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 372 480
Email: Helen.Wilson@mini.co.uk

Chris Overall
BMW Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 370 990
Email: Chris.Overall@bmw.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371 206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

Note: This press release is a 1:1 copy of the original issued by BMW headquarters in Germany. No adaptions have been made to cater to the UK market.

Munich. Snow-capped peaks and glistening ice surfaces promise adrenaline-filled pleasure in winter sports. Conditions that also invite one to enjoy the winter in a particularly emotional way in the MINI John Cooper Works. The new equipment components for the powerful three-door MINI in high-gloss Black and Chili Red set particularly striking accents against a snow-white landscape. But even in any other season, aerodynamically optimised details and racing-inspired design draw attention to themselves.

Maximum driving dynamics and safety in any weather. 
The distinctly sporty MINI John Cooper Works impresses with a four-cylinder TwinPower Turbo petrol engine and 170 kW/231 hp, even on snow and ice, with impressive driving characteristics. The chassis technology developed with racing expertise conveys the legendary go-kart feeling in demanding road conditions and at the same time ensures safe driving fun. The maximum torque of 380 Nm accelerates the MINI John Cooper Works (combined fuel consumption: 6.8 – 6.5 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 154 – 147 g/km according to WLTP) from a standstill to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds. The top speed is reached at 250 km/h.

Original John Cooper Works accessories for performance-optimised aerodynamics.
The extremely sporty orientation can be further enhanced by John Cooper Works aerodynamic components. High-quality winglets for the front and rear bumpers as well as the side skirts strengthen the character of the vehicle. The shape and design of the air guidance elements were developed specifically for the MINI John Cooper Works. In high-gloss Black and Chili Red and together with the JCW roof spoiler and the JCW rear diffusor, they set contrasting motorsport accents. The newly designed JCW element for the C-pillar makes the vehicle appear more powerful.

The long motorsport history of MINI John Cooper Works dates back to the 1960s. As early as January 1964, the classic Mini demonstrated its feel for snow on the Col de Turini in the icy hairpin bends of the French Maritime Alps during the Monte Carlo Rally. With the overall victory that followed, Paddy Hopkirk made the Mini a motorsport legend. Timo Mäkinen and Rauno Aaltonen repeated the triumph in 1965 and 1967.

Puristic design with enhanced motorsport flair.
The racing-oriented design of the MINI John Cooper Works keeps the successful history present to this day. The new JCW-specific foiling underlines the unparalleled performance of the model. Asymmetrical stripes in Chili Red on the bonnet, the body side and the rear of the vehicle give the MINI John Cooper Works an individual character.

On the black front grille, the red MINI JCW tow strap with a black JCW logo can make a decorative statement. The design of the high-quality accessory comes from rally sport. Black and red JCW exterior mirror caps with a chequered flag design reference the motorsport history and round off the exclusive look of the MINI John Cooper Works.

The 17-inch complete winter wheels with the JCW Star Spoke design ensure the necessary grip on slippery roads. A fixed JCW hub cover keeps the JCW logo horizontal in the centre of the rim during driving, providing a visual highlight. In addition, red MINI valve caps with the JCW logo offer secure protection.

The diverse accessory programme for the MINI John Cooper Works offers exclusive equipment options with which motorsport enthusiasts can enjoy maximum sporty driving fun with individual accents.

In case of queries, please contact:

Corporate Communications

Julian Kisch, Spokesperson Product Communications MINI
Phone: +49-151-601-38072
E-Mail: julian.kisch@mini.com

Micaela Sandstede, Head of Communications MINI
Phone: +49-176-601-61611 
E-mail: micaela.sandstede@bmw.de

BMW Group UK is pleased to be celebrating another successful year end, after collecting a variety of awards over the winter months, including accolades from Auto Express, Carwow and Fleet News. Meanwhile, BMW M Motorsport pays homage to a racing-game legend.

The iconic BMW M3 GTR from Need for Speed™: Most Wanted is now a reality.
To commemorate 30 years of the Need for Speed™ racing game franchise, BMW M has brought a virtual icon to reality by recreating the E46 BMW M3 GTR which starred in 2005’s Need for Speed™: Most Wanted. Built by BMW M Motorsport in 2001 and now adorned with a striking silver-blue livery reminiscent of the game’s hero car, this very special M model will feature on display in the BMW Welt in Munich until 6 January 2025.

In addition, gamers can reprise their position behind the wheel of this nostalgia-infused legend as the M3 GTR makes its return in the latest title from EA Games: Need for Speed™ Unbound Vol. 9: Prepare for Lockdown. Players can also look forward to more BMW content in this edition, including the BMW S 1000 RR 2019 motorcycle - the first bike to appear in a Need for Speed™ game.

For further details, click here to read the full article in BMW M Magazine.

Triple success for BMW Group at the Auto Express Used Car Awards 2024.
BMW Group was victorious at the Auto Express Used Car Awards 2024, taking home three award wins across a variety of categories. The awards highlight the best used cars across 19 categories including value for money, reliability and driving experience.

MINI was successful in two categories, with the MINI Hatch winning ‘Best Used City Car’ and MINI Convertible taking home ‘Best Used Convertible’. The title praised the retro styling, slick interior, and engaging driving dynamics of the MINI Hatch, commenting “the level of refinement and stability on offer will have drivers convinced that they’re piloting a larger car”. Auto Express also complimented the interior and exterior design of the MINI Convertible, commenting on the generous high-quality materials and refinement of the soft top roof. 

‘Best Used Luxury Car’ went to the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupé, with Auto Express highlighting its superb design, glorious driving experience, fabulous cabin, and brilliant engines as reasons for the win.

BMW does the double at the 2024 Fleet News FN50 Awards.
BMW proudly received both headline awards at the Fleet News FN50 Dinner 2024. Based on data from the UK’s 50 largest leasing companies, BMW was yet again recognised as the overall most reliable car brand, marking the ninth time it has received this distinction. Meanwhile, the BMW 3 Series retained its title as ‘Most Reliable Car Model’ for the fourth consecutive year.

Speaking on the win, Stephen Briers, Editor of Fleet News, said: “It’s a great achievement for BMW to regain its title as the UK’s most reliable car maker this year. FN50 leasing companies operate more than 1.3 million cars, making this one of the largest vehicle reliability surveys of its kind. Earning a spot anywhere on this list is a significant accomplishment, but being named the most reliable is a true testament to a manufacturer’s dedication and hard work in creating vehicles that can be depended on.”

BMW X5 named the ‘Adventurer’s Choice’ at The Carwow Car of the Year Awards.
The Carwow Car of the Year Awards name the best new cars currently available while providing expert car-buying advice to those wanting to reduce their shortlist. This year, the BMW X5 topped the ‘Adventurer’s Choice’ category, as it was commended by Carwow for its “powerful yet efficient engines”, “high-quality interior” and for being “genuinely enjoyable to drive.”

Carwow Chief Content Officer, Mat Watson said, “The BMW X5 is a great choice if you have an outdoorsy lifestyle, because it has space for you, your family and friends as well as all their things. The spacious boot is accessed via a split tailgate, which makes for a great place to sit and remove your wellies, or drink a coffee and soak in the views. Four-wheel drive means it’s useful if you head off the beaten track, too.”

BMW 3 Series voted Premium Used Car of the Year at the 2024 Motor Trader Industry Awards.
Adding a seventh accolade to its 2024 tally, the BMW 3 Series was recently named ‘Premium Used Car of the Year’ at the 34^th annual Motor Trader Industry Awards – a celebration of excellence across motor retailing.

David Beattie, Used Cars Sales Director, BMW Group UK, said, "We at BMW UK are so proud of the 3 Series. To many it represents the heart of the BMW model range. Now in its seventh generation, there is a huge range of 3 Series models on the road in the UK, offering something for every buyer, making it an excellent choice in the used car market. We’re extremely grateful to the Motor Trader judging panel for choosing the BMW 3 Series and to our retail partners across the country for ensuring its continued success.”

Double win for BMW Group at the Autovista Residual Value Awards.
Informed by data from 17 European markets, the annual Autovista Group Residual Value Awards identify vehicles which represent best-in-class value retention across a range of segments, body types and powertrains. The BMW Group received two awards in 2024, with the BMW i5 and MINI Aceman each outperforming their respective rivals.

The BMW i5 took the top spot in the ‘Compact and Large Battery-Electric Vehicle’ category, just ahead of the BMW i4, which this year placed second after winning the same accolade in 2023. On accepting the award, Nicole Mattig, Head of Corporate Sales for Europe, BMW AG, said, “We are delighted to accept this AutoVista24 Residual Value Award for the BMW i5. Available with an all-electric powertrain for the first time, the eighth-generation BMW 5 Series marries benchmark driving dynamics with an array of innovative technology, including advanced driver assistance systems, the BMW Curved display and My Modes for a customisable driving experience. This, combined with a high level of standard specification, ensures a compelling product offering for our most discerning customers across Europe.”

Meanwhile, the MINI Aceman demonstrated the strongest residual value predictions in the ‘Small Battery-Electric Vehicle’ category, with Autovista Group commending the crossover’s infusion of “typical MINI DNA in terms of style, practicality and premium ambitions.” “Its futuristic look makes it stick out in the segment, while it conserves and upgrades MINI design cues,” judges added.

BMW i5 Touring is GREENFLEET’s Vehicle of the Year.
Rounding off a successful year, the BMW i5 Touring received its fifth 2024 accolade after being named GREENFLEET’s Vehicle of the Year. Presented on 5 December at Coventry Building Society Arena, the GREENFLEET Awards recognise the businesses, fleets and individuals committed to transport decarbonisation.

Commenting on the win, Angela Pisanu, Editor of GREENFLEET said, "The BMW i5 Touring was crowned GREENFLEET's Vehicle of the Year for 2024 for its rewarding driving dynamic, build quality, technological innovation, and impressive range of up to 343 miles. Offering long-distance comfort with high levels of driver engagement, the i5 Touring was our worthy winner."

Ends

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2023, the BMW Group sold over 2.55 million passenger vehicles and more than 209,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2023 was € 17.1 billion on revenues amounting to € 155.5 billion. As of 31 December 2023, the BMW Group had a workforce of 154,950 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action, from the supply chain through production to the end of the use phase of all products.

www.bmwgroup.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup
X: https://www.x.com/bmwgroup

For further information please contact:

Sam Buckingham
Press Officer, MINI
Tel: 07815 362 262
Samuel.Buckingham@mini.co.uk

Tom Evans
Senior Press Officer, BMW
Tel: 07815 371 705
Email: Tom.Evans@bmw.co.uk

Helen Wilson
MINI Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 372 480
Email: Helen.Wilson@mini.co.uk

Chris Overall
BMW Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 370 990
Email: Chris.Overall@bmw.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
General Manager, Communications
Tel: 07815 371 206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk 

Today MINI Plant Oxford celebrates the start of production of the MINI Cooper Convertible for the first time since 2015. The model joins the MINI Cooper 3-Door and MINI Cooper 5-Door, making MINI Plant Oxford the home of the MINI Cooper family.

Announced last month, the fourth generation MINI Cooper Convertible includes a revised exterior design, sustainable interior materials, and innovative in-car technology.

“We are thrilled about the start of production of the MINI Convertible, which is now being produced again at the Oxford plant, the home of MINI. Unique in its class, the MINI Convertible offers unparalleled, brand-typical driving fun, combined with boundless freedom and great emotions: The iconic design combined with modern technology and connectivity makes this vehicle an unmatched open-air experience for our customers," says Stefan Richmann, Head of MINI.

A celebration of British production, all three UK BMW Group manufacturing sites contribute to the MINI Cooper Convertible. BMW Group Plant Swindon produces the body pressings and sub-assemblies while the latest four-cylinder petrol engines are built at BMW Group Plant Hams Hall in North Warwickshire. Finally, these parts come together at MINI Plant Oxford where body shell production, paint and final assembly take place.

Commenting on the start of production, Markus Grüneisl, Head of Plants Oxford and Swindon said “We are delighted with the launch of the new MINI Cooper Convertible at our Plants in Oxford and Swindon. It’s an amazing achievement for our team to launch three new models at our Oxford Plant this year, and I am proud of our exceptional workforce. We’re delighted to welcome the MINI Cooper Convertible back home to Oxford, the home of MINI”.

Following the relaunch of the MINI brand in 2001, the first MINI Convertible was unveiled in 2004 and has remained an icon of the MINI family ever since with more than 100,000 sold in the UK to date.

With 160,000 built at MINI Plant Oxford from 2004 to 2008, the first-generation MINI Convertible was known for its retro styling and iconic chrome roll-over arches behind the rear seats. The second generation, unveiled in 2009 with 165,000 built at MINI Plant Oxford until 2015, kept the iconic drop-down hinged boot but gained the evolved styling of the Cooper from that era.

Production of the model was briefly moved to VDL Nedcar for the third generation, making room for the MINI Clubman at MINI Plant Oxford. Over 150,000 Convertible models were produced at Nedcar until production stopped in 2023, before production returned to MINI Plant Oxford.

MINI Plant Oxford celebrated its 110^th anniversary in 2023, the same year the Plant produced over 20% of all UK manufactured cars. As one of the oldest automotive plants in the world, MINI Plant Oxford has been in continuous production since 1913 and is a leader of technology and sustainability in automotive production.

The new MINI Cooper Convertible is offered with a choice of two petrol engines, offering 163hp or 204hp respectively, and is priced from £27,170 OTR.

More information on the new MINI Cooper Convertible can be found here; mini.co.uk.

Ends


The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries. 

In 2023, the BMW Group sold over 2.55 million passenger vehicles and more than 209,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2023 was € 17.1 billion on revenues amounting to € 155.5 billion. As of 31 December 2023, the BMW Group had a workforce of 154,950 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company set the course for the future at an early stage and consistently makes sustainability and efficient resource management central to its strategic direction, from the supply chain through production to the end of the use phase of all products.

www.bmwgroup.com

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup

X: https://www.x.com/bmwgroup


MINI Press Office Contacts:

Sam Buckingham
MINI Press Officer
Tel: 07815 362262
Email: Samuel.Buckingham@mini.co.uk

Helen Wilson
MINI Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 372480                   
Email: Helen.Wilson@mini.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
General Manager, Communications
Tel: 07815 371206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

Media website:
www.press.bmwgroup.co.uk
www.mini.co.uk
www.twitter.com/miniuk
www.facebook.com/miniuk
www.youtube.com/miniuk

Note: This press release is a 1:1 copy of the original issued by BMW headquarters in Germany. No adaptions have been made to cater to the UK market.

Munich. The five current MINI John Cooper Works models symbolize pure driving fun in its most powerful form and a unique driving experience. With the MINI John Cooper Works Electric and the MINI John Cooper Works Aceman, two fully electric John Cooper Works models are now part of the MINI product portfolio for the first time. The powerful electric drives open a new chapter in the brand's long history and demonstrate its ongoing commitment to performance and innovation. The MINI John Cooper Works and the MINI John Cooper Works Convertible provide driving fun with a powerful TwinPower Turbo engine. In the MINI John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4, enthusiasts can also enjoy driving off-road thanks to the ALL4 all-wheel drive.

The MINI John Cooper Works Electric and the MINI John Cooper Works Aceman: Electric high performance in a new dimension.
The vehicle architecture of the fully electric MINI models is perfectly suited for the brand's consistently performance-oriented character. The MINI John Cooper Works Electric (combined power consumption: 15.6-15.3 kWh/100 km according to WLTP; combined CO2 emissions: 0 g/km; range in km according to WLTP: 371 - 363) and the MINI John Cooper Works Aceman (combined power consumption: 16.4-16.0 kWh/100 km according to WLTP; combined CO2 emissions: 0 g/km; range in km according to WLTP: 355 - 344) have up to 190 kW/258 hp and 350 Nm of instantly available system torque. Both models provide an additional 20 kW of motor power via an electric boost function, allowing for particularly dynamic acceleration. The JCW-specific suspension tuning maximizes the typical MINI go-kart feeling and guarantees agile handling. High-performance tires are part of the standard equipment of both models.

Exclusive equipment details emphasize the emotional connection to the brand's traditional motorsport heritage. These include the red-white-black John Cooper Works logo in the style of a checkered flag from motorsports, as well as a JCW-specific Multitone Roof with a red-black color gradient. Black side skirts, model-specific aeroblades at the C-pillar, and the accentuated rear spoiler optimize the aerodynamics for increased range. The three-door MINI John Cooper Works Electric achieves 371 kilometers, while the five-door MINI John Cooper Works Aceman can drive up to 355 kilometers on a single battery charge.

MINI John Cooper Works and MINI John Cooper Works Convertible: Legendary go-kart feeling with powerful acceleration.
A four-cylinder TwinPower Turbo engine with a displacement of two liters, 170 kW/231 hp, and 380 Nm of torque offers maximum driving fun and top performance in both the MINI John Cooper Works (combined fuel consumption: 6.8 - 6.5 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 154 - 147 g/km according to WLTP) and the MINI John Cooper Works Convertible (combined fuel consumption: 7.1 - 6.8 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 161 - 155 g/km according to WLTP). The sportily tuned dual-clutch automatic transmission translates the engine power into particularly dynamic gear changes. The MINI John Cooper Works takes 6.1 seconds and the MINI John Cooper Works Convertible 6.4 seconds to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h. The top speed of the MINI John Cooper Works is 250 km/h, the MINI John Cooper Works Convertible reaches 245 km/h. For boundless open-air driving pleasure, the softtop of the Convertible can be fully retracted in just 18 seconds at speeds of up to 30 km/h.

The large octagonal high-gloss black front grille with wide air vents for efficient engine cooling and the modern JCW logo dominates the front view of both models. Red-colored inserts in the side air inlets on the front apron underscore the motorsport-oriented design for maximum performance. In the center of the black rear diffuser, the centrally positioned tailpipe emphasizes the character of the two top athletes.

MINI John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4:
Extraordinary driving fun on any terrain.
As the largest model, the MINI John Cooper Works Countryman with ALL4 all-wheel drive (combined fuel consumption: 8.3 - 7.8 l/100 km according to WLTP; combined CO2 emissions: 187-177 g/km) stands for a unique combination of style, power, and adventurous spirit. The powerful engine delivers 221 kW/300 HP of power, 400 Nm of maximum torque, and a top speed of 250 km/h, making the appearance of MINI's spacious multi-talent particularly emotional.

This performance is also reflected in the powerful appearance of the MINI John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4. In the front view, aerodynamic elements with red reflectors emphasize the wide stance, while at the rear of the vehicle, vertical taillights with the John Cooper Works Signature Mode frame the upright body. Advanced assistance systems support the driver through progressive technologies. For the first time, the MINI Countryman offers partially automated Level 2 driving on highway-like routes, providing additional comfort.

Puristic Interior with motorsport accents.
The clear design of the interior in the new MINI John Cooper Works models is characterized by JCW-specific equipment details in red and black. The black JCW sports steering wheel with red decorative stitching and a six o'clock spoke made of black and red fabric provides excellent grip. The JCW sports seats offer secure support during dynamic driving. The combination of black leatherette with multi-colored knitted material in the shoulder area and red accent stitching picks up the color pattern of the knitted surface of the dashboard. In all MINI John Cooper Works models, the brilliant sound of the exclusive Harman Kardon sound system enhances the driving experience as standard.

Advanced technology for maximum and comfortable driving pleasure.
The JCW-specific go-kart mode expands the selection options of the MINI Experience Modes in the vehicles of the new MINI John Cooper Works family with additional motorsport flair. The steering is set to a more direct setting, the accelerator pedal responds faster to commands for increased driving fun. Accordingly, the high-resolution OLED display provides additional performance-related data such as torque, power output, and current g-force.

For all MINI John Cooper Works models, the Digital Key Plus provides a convenient digital vehicle key on the smartphone. This allows the vehicle to be comfortably unlocked or locked without having to pick up the smartphone. For the MINI John Cooper Works Electric as well as the MINI John Cooper Works Aceman, the Remote Parking function also offers a convenient option to park and unpark the vehicle via the smartphone.

Long racing tradition with legendary successes.
The history of MINI John Cooper Works dates back to the year 1961. The John Cooper recognized the competitive potential of the classic Mini long before anyone else. By installing a more powerful engine, new brakes, and a more direct steering, he turned the modest small car into a race car that made the giants of the rally scene tremble in the 1960s. The three overall victories at the legendary Rallye Monte Carlo in 1964, 1965, and 1967 are among the absolute highlights of the classic Mini's racing career. The current generation now carries the successful racing history into the future. Most recently with the impressive class victory of a prototype based on the new MINI John Cooper Works at the legendary 24-hour race at the Nürburgring. Regardless of the model, all high-performance vehicles in the new MINI John Cooper Works family exude one decisive characteristic: the enthusiasm for top performance.

In case of queries, please contact:
Corporate Communications

Julian Kisch, Press Spokesperson, Product Communications MINI
Phone: +49-151-601-38072
E-mail: julian.kisch@mini.com

Micaela Sandstede, Head of Communications MINI
Phone: +49-176-601-61611
E-mail: micaela.sandstede@bmw.de

BMW and MINI announce an exciting line-up of model updates launching in November, including new BMW 1 Series variants, additional powertrains for the 5 Series Touring, and faster AC charging for select plug-in hybrid models. Meanwhile, MINI will expand personalisation options across its portfolio. Alongside these model enhancements, BMW Group UK has recently received prestigious awards from Carbuyer, Marie Claire, Parkers, The Caravan and Motorhome Club, and What Car? recognising the company and its products across a range of categories.

Introducing a range of BMW model updates from November 2024.
Closely following the launch of the fourth-generation BMW 1 Series, an additional model variant, the 123 xDrive, will join the line-up to bridge the gap between the 120 and range-topping M135 xDrive. This additional all-wheel-drive option is powered by an electrified four-cylinder drive unit featuring 48V mild hybrid technology, resulting in a combined system output of 218 hp. In addition, the BMW M135 xDrive receives an exclusive new M Dynamic Package, bringing additional bracing elements and lightweight construction measures, plus specific chassis components to give the range-topper bespoke performance characteristics.

The line-up of drive systems for the new BMW 5 Series Touring will also be expanded from November, with the introduction of new 520i and 550e xDrive model variants. The introductory BMW 520i Touring mates the latest four-cylinder petrol engine with 48V mild hybrid technology to generate a maximum output of 190 hp and peak torque of 310 Nm. These figures can be raised up to 208 hp and 330 Nm courtesy of the mild hybrid system’s crankshaft-driven starter-generator.

Meanwhile the BMW 550e xDrive, a six-cylinder in-line petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology, joins forces with the latest version of BMW eDrive technology for plug-in-hybrid systems. The 3.0-litre engine produces a nominal output of 313 hp at 5,000 – 6,500 rpm and a nominal torque of 450 Nm at 1,750 – 4,700 rpm. The electric motor developed for the hybrid drive system is integrated – together with its power electronics – directly into the eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission and contributes up to 197 hp to the peak system output of 489 hp. The electric motor’s nominal torque of up to 280 Nm is boosted to as much as 450 Nm at the transmission input for the motor with the help of a pregearing stage patented by BMW. With assistance from the BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system, the new BMW 550e xDrive Touring completes the 0-62 mph sprint in just 4.4 seconds.

Finally, all plug-in hybrid versions of the BMW 5 Series, BMW X5 xDrive50e and the new BMW M5 Saloon will benefit from increased AC charging rates. The increase from 7.4 kW to 11 kW enables users to replenish the high-voltage battery of their vehicle in a significantly shorter time. It will now be possible to charge the battery in the BMW X5 xDrive50e from 0 to 100 per cent within three hours, while the 0 to 100 per cent charging times for the BMW M5 and plug-in-hybrid variants of the BMW 5 Series will be reduced by an hour to just 2 hours 15 minutes.

MINI model updates from the tail end of 2024.
From November 2024, MINI will be expanding personalisation options within the Classic, Sport and Exclusive trim structures across the new MINI family. British Racing Green exterior body colour is now available for all vehicles within the MINI family, while Sunnyside Yellow is now additionally offered across all MINI Cooper models.

For customers choosing Sport trim, Blazing Blue exterior body colour is now available on the MINI Countryman, Icy Sunshine Blue on MINI Cooper models, and brand new 17” Sprint Spoke Alloy wheels become standard on all Sport trim, petrol MINI Cooper models.

Classic and Exclusive trims have also been bolstered with additional wheel options. The 17” U-Spoke Dark Grey wheel is now available optionally on all Exclusive trim MINI Cooper vehicles, while the 19” Runway Spoke Black Alloy wheel currently offered on Sport trim for the MINI Countryman is now available in Classic and Exclusive trim also.

BMW 2 Series Coupe crowned ‘Best Sports Car’ at the Carbuyer New Car Awards. 
Remaining undefeated for a third consecutive year, the BMW 2 Series Coupe was crowned ‘Best Sports Car’ at the 2025 Carbuyer New Car Awards. “The BMW 2 Series Coupe is a sleek two-door that serves up BMW’s legendary driving precision in a relatively affordable package. Just as rewarding in entry-level 220i guise as it is in the hot M240i xDrive configuration, which brings searing acceleration and thrilling grip levels," said Carbuyer Editor, Paul Barker. "The 2 Series Coupe is also compact, making it easy to live with, while it boasts an upmarket interior.”

What Car? names the BMW 330e ‘Used Hybrid Car of the Year’.
The What Car? Used Car of the Year awards highlight the best buys on the used car market today, and this year the BMW 330e took the top spot as ‘Used Hybrid Car of the Year’. Commenting on the win, What Car? judges said, “The 330e is great to drive, has a plush interior, a smooth hybrid set-up, an intuitive infotainment system, a good reliability record and it's great value for money when bought at a few years old.”

Triple win at the Parkers New Car Awards.
BMW celebrates success at the recent Parkers New Car Awards, with the BMW i7/7 Series, BMW i4 and BMW 3 Series each topping their respective class.

Praised for its pricing, range and performance, the BMW i7/7 Series was named ‘Best Luxury Car’ for the second consecutive year. On presenting the award, Parkers Editor, Keith Adams said, “If you’re in the market for a luxury car, the all-electric BMW i7 and hybrid 7 Series have all your needs covered beautifully. As you’d expect, both are great to drive, but for those riding in the rear, nothing can touch them at this price point. The i7, in particular, is silently restful, offers a brilliant driving range, quick charging and effortless performance. No wonder it’s two years in a row for this flagship motor.”

Continuing the awards, the BMW i4 reprised its position as ‘Best Company Car’. “The BMW i4 set a new benchmark in the premium car segment when it launched in 2021 and it remains unsurpassed today,” said Adams. Parkers also paid tribute to the model’s desirability, well-equipped specification and noted its “competitive leasing rates, making it an affordable company car choice.”

The third and final BMW to take home a gong was the previous generation BMW 3 Series, celebrated by Parkers as ‘Best Used Car’. After praising its “sharp-suited looks”, driving dynamics and “broad selection of powertrains”, Adams summarised, “Other compact executives are more luxurious, while others are even faster, but none of them is as special as a BMW 3 Series - reason enough to make this a used car we can wholeheartedly recommend.”

Marie Claire honours BMW Group at annual Sustainability Awards.
The Marie Claire Sustainability Awards reward those who demonstrate a commitment to maximum sustainability across a diverse range of industries. At this year’s ceremony, the BMW Group prevailed, securing two awards in the Motors category, which acknowledges companies who are leading the charge in eco-friendly driving.

The first win came from the MINI Countryman, as it was named in the ‘Electric Cars’ sub-class. The model’s sustainable interior materials contributed to the win, with Marie Claire highlighting its dashboard and door panels made from 90 per cent recycled polyester. The vehicle’s manufacturing process played an equal part in this win, with BMW Group Plant Leipzig featuring four on-site wind turbines for energy production and a battery storage farm to ensure surplus energy can be stored and used at a later stage.

BMW Group “is to be commended for adding so much detail to the scrutiny of its various sustainability claims, rather than just adding links to websites, particularly the level of detail around its water management at its global plants – I was taken by the monsoon water being collected in India to provide 100% of plant water requirements,” notes Marie Claire judge, Erin Baker. “I like the fact it is sourcing its critical minerals directly, and that it tracks and traces Scope 3 emissions.”

BMW Group’s second Marie Claire award win was attributed to the introduction of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen pilot fleet – which visited the UK last year.  While a production vehicle won’t be available until 2028, this pilot is an important first step on the road to creating a sustainable alternative to not only traditional fossil fuels, but to battery electric cars too. Marie Claire was particularly impressed by the BMW Group’s “forward-thinking” research into hydrogen fuel cell technology, as well as the iX5 Hydrogen’s zero-local-emissions drive and 313-mile range.

BMW Group UK secures three wins at the What Car? Electric Car Awards.
The What Car? Electric Car Awards pay tribute to the best electrified vehicles currently on sale. At this year’s awards, BMW Group UK triumphed, securing three coveted category wins across its electrified model portfolio.

Combining excellent driving dynamics, sporty elegance and modern functionality, the BMW i5 Touring clinched the award for ‘Best Electric Estate Car’. What Car? judges endorsed the Touring as a “well rounded” estate, while commending the model’s impressive 570-litre boot capacity, “intuitive controls”, “rich mixture of high-quality materials” and the “healthy 335bhp” of the entry-level eDrive40 model variant.

Also praised at the awards was the BMW i7, which secured the accolade for ‘Best Luxury Car’ for the second year running. Commenting on the win, judges said, “As if the petrol-powered BMW 7 Series wasn’t already luxurious enough, the i7 adds the extra quietness that comes only with electric power, taking the sense of tranquillity and relaxation to a whole new level.”

MINI also received recognition from What Car?, with the MINI Cooper SE receiving the award for ‘Best Electric Small Car’. “The new electric Mini Cooper could convince you that the legendary (extremely) small car should have been electric from the beginning,” said What Car?. Judges continued by paying tribute to the hot hatch’s “precise, confidence-inspiring steering”, commendable 0-62mph sprint time (just 6.7 seconds) and its “huge leap” in single-charge range compared to its predecessor.

BMW i5 Touring triumphs at Towcar of the Year 2025.
The annual Caravan and Motorhome Club Towcar of the Year awards are the leisure vehicle industry’s original and longest-standing towcar testing awards and exist to help caravan owners select the car best suited to their individual towing needs.

At the 2025 awards, the BMW i5 eDrive40 M Sport Pro Touring conquered, taking home three awards: first winning the ‘1500kg–1600kg’ caravan weight class, before being named ‘Best Luxury Towcar’ and overall ‘Best Electric Towcar’. Commenting on the win, judges said, “The 5 Series Touring has traditionally been a great towcar and the brand-new electric version (the first-ever electric 5 Series) keeps up the tradition. It’s a luxurious estate car with a wonderful blend of desirable features that bowled over the judges. BMW’s latest interiors offer outstanding tech and fantastic build quality, while there’s loads of space in the back seats and boot. Engaging handling just sealed the deal. It also took the Electric Towcar and Luxury Towcar category wins for its fantastic drive, a claimed solo 324-mile range from its 81.2kWh battery, and plush feel.”

Ends


The BMW Group
With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2023, the BMW Group sold over 2.55 million passenger vehicles and more than 209,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2023 was € 17.1 billion on revenues amounting to € 155.5 billion. As of 31 December 2023, the BMW Group had a workforce of 154,950 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action, from the supply chain through production to the end of the use phase of all products.

www.bmwgroup.com

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup

X: https://www.x.com/bmwgroup

For further information please contact:

Sam Buckingham
Press Officer, MINI
Tel: 07815 362 262
Samuel.Buckingham@mini.co.uk

Tom Evans
Senior Press Officer, BMW
Tel: 07815 371 705
Email: Tom.Evans@bmw.co.uk

Helen Wilson
MINI Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 372 480
Email: Helen.Wilson@mini.co.uk

Chris Overall
BMW Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 370 990
Email: Chris.Overall@bmw.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
General Manager, Communications
Tel: 07815 371 206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

Graham Biggs
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 376 867
Email: Graham.Biggs@bmw.co.uk 

Thank you for attending the BMW Group UK November Multi-Model Launch event, featuring first drive opportunities for the BMW X3, BMW 1 Series and the new MINI Aceman.

Please see below for links to the press materials for each model. 


BMW X3 - UK Press Kit & Photography 
BMW X3 - Press Release

BMW 1 Series - UK Press Kit & Photography
BMW 1 Series - Press Release

MINI Aceman - UK Press Kit & Photography
MINI Aceman - Press Release

Spec sheets for all vehicles and the product presentations are available for download below.