MINI Malaysia Archives

MINI Malaysia Welcomes The New MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid! [+Video]

MINI Malaysia has introduced the New MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid, the first Plug-In Hybrid variant of the successful premium Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) from MINI.

Mr. Kidd Yam, Head of MINI Malaysia (main image, right) said, “The second generation of the MINI Countryman was a tremendous success here when we introduced the vehicle in April last year. The versatile premium SAV was also very crucial in adding to the story of our record breaking performance of 1,011 vehicles delivered last year which was a positive 12% growth over 2016 where we delivered 902 vehicles. This achievement made us the second highest growing brand in the Malaysian premium segment and we are currently tracking very well as the third largest brand in the segment.”

Kidd Yam added that the New MINI Countryman also achieved a top 5-star rating in the Euro NCAP crash test. The stringent testing procedure established that the spacious MINI all-rounder, also designed for being taken off the beaten track, provides an outstanding level of protection on all seats in every situation.

Sashi Ambi, Head of Corporate Communications, BMW Group Malaysia, (main image, left) meanwhile said, “We are pleased to be able to introduce another premium vehicle to our Mobility of the Future portfolio here in the country. It is additionally special as it is the first for the MINI brand and will further demonstrate our expertise in working with the newest technologies for the premium automotive industry.”

Ambi added that MINI has been a pioneer of electro mobility for over a decade with the MINI E which was utilised as test beds for user and mobility behaviour. The New MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid shares the newest developments findings in electro mobility in the country. Have a look at the video of the new Mini Countryman PHEV below…

More on the new MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid: Agile, Versatile, Electrifying….

Discreet but equally unmistakable indications of the pioneering character of the car’s drive form is noticeable with the distinct model-specific “e” badge on the side scuttles and yellow “S” in the model inscription on the rear as well as on the radiator grille and door sill finishers. In addition to this, the New MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid’s all-new electrifying experience is equipped with ALL4 exterior body kit, 19” MINI Yours Masterpiece, as well as a charging port under a flap in the area of the left-hand side scuttle.

On the inside, the New MINI Countryman features MINI Yours Walknappa Leather Steering Wheel. Rich details complete the artisan feel with hand-finished aluminium-coloured contrast stitching. A high resolution 6.5” Touch Screen Display in the MINI Centre Instrument houses state-of-the-art technology and puts a wealth of navigation information at the driver’s fingertips. The touch screen technology supports multi-touch with pinch to zoom-in functionality for maps and typing.

The New MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid also features an eDrive button which allows the driver to choose between different electric drive modes: the standard AUTO eDrive mode, the purely electric MAX eDrive mode, and the SAVE BATTERY mode, in which charging status of the high-voltage battery is maintained at a constant level.

In the AUTO eDrive mode, the intelligent energy management system coordinates the interaction of all drive components with the electric motor to combine the best possible efficiency with great driving excitement, while increasing the electric range. For example, if the battery charging status is between 100% and 7%, drivers can drive up to 80km/h – free of local emissions without using any fuel. At higher speeds, the petrol engine comes on automatically. For maximum drive output, the electric motor supports the petrol engine as eBoost.

In the MAX eDRIVE mode, drivers can enjoy purely electric driving up to speeds of 120km/h. Short distances can be covered on purely electric power with a range of 40km. The SAVE BATTERY mode meanwhile comes into play when the battery charging status is low. This mode enables the battery to be charged by the petrol engine or allows the charging status to be maintained at 90%. In this mode, mainly the petrol engine is employed.

The MINI eALL4 System plays a role to emulate the hallmark MINI Go-Kart driving experience. The ALL4 all-wheel drive comes with Dynamic Stability Control which distributes the propulsive force of the engines to both axles. The petrol engine propels the front axle wheels while the electric motor propels the rear axle wheels. The ALL4 system helps to counteract oversteer as well as understeer and ensures an optimum propulsion. This means supreme traction on every road surface, maximum stability, and even more fun cornering. With the MINI eALL4 system, firm grip is guaranteed wherein the MAX eDrive mode activates rear wheel drive, the SAVE BATTERY mode activates front wheel drive, and the AUTO eDRIVE mode with eBoost will activate four wheel drive.

Being the first of its kind in MINI, the new MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid effectively offers a petrol engine driving the front wheels and an electric motor powering on the rear wheels. With 6-speed automatic transmission, the new MINI is capable of producing 224hp and 385Nm of torque, thus making the model the torquiest MINI model in its range. The New MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in 6.8 seconds, reaching a maximum speed of up to 198km/h while consuming only an average of 2.1 litres per 100km of fuel. It also offers an all-electric driving range of up to 42km with a maximum speed of up to 120km/h.

The New MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid can be charged at home by connecting it to a power socket via the Home Charging Cable for approximately 5 hours (230V), depending on the voltage of the household power grid, or at one of 270 public charging facilities across Malaysia for approximately 3:15 hours (230V), depending on the voltage of the power grid of the public charging station.

To reward owners of the New MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid, MINI Malaysia will also introduce the ChargeNow offering bundled with the MINI Public Charging Cables as well as a 1-Year free subscription of unlimited charging at all 270 ChargeEV stations. The body and roof colour combination offered for the New MINI Countryman are Chili Red, British Racing Green, Thunder Grey, Light White, and Melting Silver with Black Roof; and in Island Blue with White Roof.

MORE…

MINI Roadside Assistance…

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

Additionally, the new plug-in hybrid variant of the MINI Countryman is offered with a battery warranty that is valid for six years or up to 100,000km.

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

MINI Service Online…

Making a service appointment has never been easier. The new online service programme will now allow customers to schedule their service needs directly at their preferred MINI Authorised Dealerships via www.service.mini.my.

MINI Financing…

The new locally assembled MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid will be available with a range of financing options including:

MINI Balloon Financing
MINI Straight-Line Financing
MINI Full Circle Programme
MINI Step-Down Financing

The New MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid is available at all authorised MINI dealerships nationwide from Friday, 6th April 2018. More information on the MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid can be found at https://www.mini.my/.

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VIDEO REVIEW: MINI 5-Door – For The Kid In All Of Us…

Coming in just shy of RM200k, the MINI 5-door is quite a lot of fun to hoon around in! But with this kind of sporty handling, does one really need additional doors? We find out!

All MINI’s from MINI Malaysia come with MINI 4 Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service as well. The estimated retail prices (on the road for personal registration, without insurance) are:

MINI Cooper 3 Door – RM 188,888.00

MINI Cooper S 3 Door – RM 229,888.00

MINI John Cooper Works 3 Door – RM 293,888.00

MINI Cooper 5 Door – RM 193,888.00

MINI Cooper S 5 Door – RM 239,888.00

For the FULL Mini 5-Door Press Release, click this: Press Release – MINI Malaysia Introduces New 5-Door

Review: A week with the Mini Cooper 5-door by Vincent Vega…

Reviewing a Mini Cooper 5-door is like an adult reviewing a toy gun. You have grown out of it but yet you will still pick one up even for just a few seconds. Whether it is for the memories and the few seconds of child-like freedom that a toy gun offers, or for other reasons, but you never really grow away from a toy gun, you would still have fun with it but your everyday toys just become expensive.

The Mini Cooper works along similar lines too. When you’re young, the Cooper is probably up there among your must own cars, or perhaps you have even owned one, in which case you would probably love the car for its iconic one-of-a-kind design, superb handling, and all out fun it offers.

But just as you would grow away from the toy gun, there will come a time where the size and practicality that a Mini Cooper offers does not match your life and style any longer. Perhaps you need more room, more freedom to accommodate your everyday life, more doors even.

But unlike the toy gun which you may chuck into a dark corner never to see again, you can actually take your Mini Cooper to the dealer and trade it in for the Cooper you see in the photos here – the Mini Cooper 5-door.

Still stylish, still iconic and yet practical, the 5-door is an “adulting” Mini Cooper, and it is quite good at it too.

But it still flaunts the Mini in the Cooper, the back seats are better suited for the vertically challenged as anyone beyond 5’10” will have a tough time (as demonstrated by the kind soul above who measures in at 6’5″). Booth space is decent, much better than the standard two-door variant and with the foldable rear seats, you get even more practicality. But that is about it as far as practicality goes. The Clubman and Countryman would be better associated with practicality, while the Cooper 5-door is what you get when your wife tells you that you have outgrown 2-door cars.

But even if practicality isn’t the name of the game for the 5-door, it is still holds true to its DNA of fun and style.

Everywhere we went during the week long review people who sneak a curious glance and the girls ~~would drop their pants~~, ~~wink~~, ~~blow kisses~~, had a curious twinkle in their eyes, basically everyone was curious. That is what a Mini does, it takes people back in time, to a place where they felt young, free and even stylish. It makes people curious about how the car will make them feel.

The fun factor in this Cooper 5-door is in the way it handles, and not in the way the car performs. Mini’s have always been known to have sweet, edgy handling, at the sacrifice of overall comfort, and modern Mini’s have mastered the art of something called “go-kart like handling.” Visit the website, attend a Mini event, or explore the driving modes the car offers and you will see messages about “go-kart handling”. And the handling is spot on perfect, twitch the steering just a little and the car responds almost immediately. And this isn’t the fire-breathing JCW model.

But being the base model, the car is powered by a slouch an unexciting engine. The 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder puts out 136hp and 220Nm of torque. This translates to an acceleration time of 8.1 seconds to 100km/h with a fuel consumption figure of just 5-litres per 100km, which is quite close to the City hybrid.

The engine is geared towards everyday practicality with a focus on fuel efficiency rather than all out performance. If it is the latter you seek then the Cooper S or the JCW model is the car you want, this one though is a partner for everyday life. But the car can still merrily cruise at 160-170km/h on the highway without sounding like it was about to have its internals explode out. The car has noble intentions, even though it isn’t very powerful, it has the intentions, and if you can find a stretch of road where it can hold its speed, then you can rely on that marvellous chassis to provide you with plenty of giggles.

Comfort isn’t the star of the show either. It is a nice car to be in around town or the city highways, but the fabric seats are hard and smallish, venture out of town and the chassis proves to be a little too stiff – it may give you the type of handling that would make a good hot hatch blush, but it will also bounce and jiggle parts of your body you never knew you had. I am also quite sure I need a b-cup bra now, or spend a good chunk of my life at the gym rather than at the bar.

Anyway, the Mini Cooper 5-door is all about style and convenience, but just don’t expect it to excel at the latter. For the price of RM193,888, there are many more cars out there that offer better practicality. You buy a Mini Cooper for the style and for its heritage, you can never go wrong in that aspect. Oh and it makes you feel young and fantabulous again.

by Vincent Vega

Celebrate CNY The MINI Way – Urbanite & Amplified Variants Introduced

“Prosperity is only a ride away with New and Exclusive editions of the MINI Cooper 5 Door and MINI Cooper S 3 Door for the festive trendsetters and edgy inspired”. How’s that for an intro? So, hear ye, hear ye, MINI Malaysia, has just introduced two of its newest limited MINI Hatch Editions – the MINI Urbanite and MINI Amplified.

Designed for edgy and trendsetting individuals as well as engineered for the sporty and energetic, the New MINI Urbanite Edition (above) is created in the MINI Cooper 5 Door platform while the MINI Amplified Edition is created in the form of the MINI Cooper S 3 Door (below)

Introducing both, Han Sang Yun, Managing Director and CEO of BMW Group Malaysia said, “This Chinese New Year, MINI is going bold and loud! We have curated two new cars for individuals with discerning preferences to ring in the festivities of the Year of the Dog. The MINI Urbanite Edition is the perfect embodiment of the youthful, fresh and innovative trendsetting style of the brand whereas the MINI Amplified Edition exemplifies the sporty verve and agile handling MINI is known for. All Red and Prosperous for the New Year!”

Both the New and Limited Editions of the MINI will be at all authorised MINI showrooms nationwide from today, 5th February 2018. More info on both including price after the photo gallery.

MINI Urbanite & Amplified Editions Photo Gallery…

More on the MINI Urbanite Edition…

Created in the profile of the MINI Cooper 5 Door, the MINI Urbanite Edition exudes an assertive street character having undergone a substantial restyling to accentuate its boldness. Onlookers will initially be greeted with a distinctive additional LED Headlight – a modern touch to the classic Minis in the Monte Carlo Rallye. The MINI Urbanite Edition further demonstrates confidence by featuring the black the 16” Victory Spoke Rims with Piano Black light trims and grille. The Racing Stripes on the bonnet and along the body further underscores its dynamic design – exuding boldness with every turn it makes.

Mirroring the bold exterior approach, owners can enjoy the John Cooper Works Colour Line in Glowing Red in their MINI Urbanite Edition with Anthracite Headliner accentuating the sporty interior. On top of the MINI Connected standard feature with Bluetooth and USB, it now spots a new Rear-View Camera system with parking guidance lines and obstacle marking that detects and marks stationary objects. Getting in the driver seat, you will be greeted with a chic sport leather steering wheel.

Boasting an inline 3-cylinder engine with 4 valves per cylinder, the MINI Urbanite Edition delivers 136 horsepower and 220Nm of torque to accelerate from 0 to 100 in just 8.1 seconds with a top speed of 207km/h while only consuming an average of 5 litres per 100km of fuel.

The New MINI Urbanite Edition offers colours in mysterious Midnight Black with Red Racing Stripes, Blazing Red or Pepper White with Black Racing Stripes.

More on the MINI Amplified Edition…

In spirit of amplification, the MINI Amplified Edition is engineered based on the MINI Cooper S 3 Door for the band of energetic, sporty elites. The exterior is anything but ordinary. Underlined by the John Cooper Works Aerodynamic Kit, the MINI Amplified Edition is fitted with a striking rear spoiler – the last thing bystanders will be able to rave over as this MINI Hatch Edition disappears into the distance. The MINI Amplified Edition is equipped with new Piano Black grille and matching headlight and taillight trim for a darker appearance. The Racing Stripes design on the MINI Amplified Edition pays homage to the MINI John Cooper Works Concept car giving it an extroverted personality, while the 17” John Cooper Works Track in Black Spoke adds a touch of flare to the MINI Amplified Edition – all of which equates to an impeccable identity.

The interior boasts a perfect balance between emotion and function. The distinctive John Cooper Works Racing Seats with integrated headrests designed in Alcantara Leather with contrasting Red Dinamica are built in to secure you in place while you enjoy the dynamism around you. Besides the Anthracite Headliner, the MINI Amplified Edition now features new exclusive accents in Glowing Red which was only available on the John Cooper Works Hatch previously. The bold colour makes for an exceptional match to the contrast stitching of the 6-Speed Sports Automatic Shifter as well as the John Cooper Works Perforated Leather Steering Wheel embroidery. To enable considerably easier and safer reverse parking and manoeuvring, the new Rear View Camera provides parking guidance lines and obstacle marking that detect and mark stationary objects. As a standard, the MINI Amplified Edition comes with comfort access and Black Chequered interior trims.

On the performance level, the MINI Amplified Edition is capable of 211 horsepower and 300Nm of torque thanks to the John Cooper Works Tuning Kit and the new John Cooper Works Valve Silence System. This accelerates the MINI Amplified Edition from 0 to 100 in merely 6.7 seconds with a top speed of 233 km/h. To amplify your presence with a sporty and aggressive tone that’s tastefully louder, the MINI Amplified Edition features a new Track mode which can be activated via the John Cooper Works Bluetooth Remote Control.

Spot the New MINI Amplified Edition in Midnight Black with Red Racing Stripes, Chilli Red or Pepper White with Black Racing Stripes.

Standard Features…

Unique in their own ways – aesthetically and in performance – both the MINI Urbanite and MINI Amplified Editions feature LED headlight with daytime driving lights, as well as LED taillights and fog lights on top of auto driving lights. On top of rain sensors, they also share the Park Distance Control to help curb stress – enabling easy access into and out of tight parking spaces.

Inside, owners can indulge in the automatic dual zone air conditioning surrounded by 12 colour ambient light. Both the limited MINI Hatch Editions boast the high-resolution 6.5” MINI Visual Boost with 5 key controller, interactive LED ring on central instrument display, and automatic start / stop with Keyless Go. Get the soundtrack of your drive with MINI Connected with Spotify integration as it works to provide you with over 30 million songs streamed live to the car. On top of MINI Driving Modes, MINI Urbanite Edition and MINI Amplified Edition also come with cruise control with braking function to provide a leisure driving experience.

MINI Roadside Assistance…

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

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

MINI Service Online…

The limited MINI Hatch Editions will be making their debuts at all MINI showrooms nationwide from today and also offers new, edgy and trendsetting ownership programmes courtesy of the MINI Full Circle programme. With 70% margin of financing, ownership of the MINI Urbanite Edition starts from RM 1,758.00 per month, while ownership of the MINI Amplified Edition can begin from RM 2,158.00 per month. The MINI Full Circle programme is offered courtesy of BMW Credit Malaysia, a company of BMW Group Financial Services.

The limited-edition MINI Urbanite and MINI Amplified arrive with the MINI 4-Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service. The retail price (on the road for personal registration, without insurance) is:

MINI Urbanite Edition: RM 198,888.00

MINI Amplified Edition: RM 248,888.00

More information on the New Limited Edition MINI Hatches in conjunction with Chinese New Year can be found atwww.mini.my/urbn-ampd

New MINI Cooper Countryman Launched in Malaysia

BMW Group Malaysia has finally launched the new MINI Cooper Countryman here in Malaysia. The new car is bigger than its predecessor, measuring 4,299mm in length, 1,822mm in width and 1,557mm in height. The new Countryman has a higher ground clearance and a raised seating position which should complement the MINI ALL4 Bodykit very well.

Including the kit, the Countryman has unique rear and front fenders, Piano Black bumper element and a silver coloured sump guard. There are roof rails on the roof that allow for a fitment of a roof rack, roof box or a bicycle rack. It has satin-finished aluminum with silver-coloured side sill top. And now for the first time ever, the car comes with auto LED Headlamps with Cornering Lights which keep the path ahead illuminated based on the steering position.

Available as either the Cooper Countryman or Cooper S Countryman, the former is fitted with 18-inch Light Alloy Wheels while the latter comes with 19-inch ones. Both rim types are wrapped in run-flat tyres which should offer better convenience in case of a puncture. Thanks to the larger dimensions, the Countryman offers a larger storage volume (450 litres) and increased cabin space. The interior comes with Cloth Firework Cabon Black upholstrey with Hazy Grey interior surfacing which is complemented by the subtle use of chrome and a John Cooper works sports leather steering wheel with paddle shifters.

The front seats can be adjusted electronically, but both front rear door pockets offer small storage space as does the centre console that now extenteds to the instrument panel. Two cup holders are fitted in front of the gear selector. The rear tailgate can be operated electronically and for added convenience a sensor has been fitted below the tailgate that can be operated with your foot.

Unlike its predecessor, the new car has a picnic bench that folds out of the boot and offers seating for two. In the centre console sits a 6.5-inch high resolution infotainment system which has in-car smartphone integration. The apps that are download can accessed via the car’s controls and is view-able via the LCD panel that is also integrated with the rear view camera.

There are two engine options available. The Cooper Countryman comes with a 1.5-litre 3-cylinder turbo engine that is mated to a 6-speed automatic Steptronic transmission. It produces 136bhp and 220Nm of torque. MINI says that you should get about 6 litres per 100 km on a combined cycle. Opt for the Cooper S Countryman however, and you will get a 192bhp 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo engine which is also mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. It will return 6.5 litres per 100km when driven frugally.

For the suspension, the car comes with a single-joint spring strut axle at the front and a multi-link rear axle at the back. The car also has electro-mechanical steering with Servotronic function and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) which should come in handy during emergency maneuvers. A welcomed feature is the Hill Hold Control which keeps the vehicle in place when stationary on an inclination. For safety, the car comes with two front, sides and the ceiling airbags for aided protection.

There are a number of body colours that are available which include Chestnut, Island Blue, British Racing Green, Chili Red, Light White, Melting Silver, Midnight Black, and Moonwalk Grey. The Thunder Grey colour option is only available with the Cooper S Countryman, so if you want people to know that you didn’t buy the standard car, this is the colour to have.

As for prices, the Cooper Countryman is available for RM239,888 while the Cooper S Countryman can be yours for RM269,888. Both variants come with a 4-year unlimited mileage Warranty with a free scheduled service package.

If you are interested, head on over to your nearest MINI dealership or visit the company’s local website to learn more.