Autoblog

BMW goes downhill, gets into the bobsled business

Zach Bowman — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 08:00:00 EST

BMW is designing a new two-man bobsled for Team USA for use in the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. The automaker is partnering with the USA Bobsled and Skeleton Federation to redesign the sled that's been in use for the past 20 years by leveraging BMW expertise in lightweight materials, aerodynamics and chassis dynamics. While the US has repeatedly taken the top spot on the podium in the four-man event, that honor hasn't fallen to the two-man team since 1936.

It took BMW a full year of development to craft a prototype. Team USA is currently evaluating the sled, and the design will likely be refined further over the next year in preparation for the upcoming games.

As you may recall, open-wheel racer Bobby Rahal took the helm at the US Bobsled and Skeleton Foundation back in September with the goal or furthering the sport's development, though the BMW involvement predates Rahal's position with the group. Check the full press release below for more information on the new BMW-designed sled.

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BMW goes downhill, gets into the bobsled business originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Nov 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Here's Mini's R/C Cooper in action at the Olympics

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Mini

There were requests from all around to see video of the electric "Mini MINI" radio-controlled cars that are being used to retrieve javelins, hammers, shots and discus' (disci?) at the London Olympics, and here it is.

The Olympic-liveried electric Cooper hatchbacks in roughly 1/4-scale ply the infield grass. The couriers are loaded up by judges in the field, who slot the particular sporting implements into holders built into the roofs, then the cars are driven back to the judges near the throwing area for retrieval.

Based on how many comments on the Mini R/C cars we've seen that are some variation of "Do want," we wouldn't be surprised to see these again somewhere else. You can watch them work in the videos below.

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Here's Mini's R/C Cooper in action at the Olympics originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Aug 2012 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Olympics to use Mini Cooper R/C cars for javelin, discus retrieval

Chris Paukert — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 14:16:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Hatchback, Mini, UK, Humor, Specialty

We can't help but cringe at the notion of 'product integration' efforts most of the time, particularly when it comes to movies and sports. That's because as often as not, the placement efforts seem contrived. And while the notion of using a Mini Cooper to retrieve thrown javelins, hammers, shot and discuses at the London Olympics might not seem like the world's most natural pairing, we can't ignore the inherent cheek and charm in using radio-controlled cars for an otherwise unremarkable chore.

Dubbed "Mini MINI," these three electric R/C Cooper hatchbacks are rendered in about 1/4-scale - necessary to ensure adequate payload capacity for up to eight kilos (nearly 18 pounds). That's enough carrying capacity to lug around a hammer, a discus, a shot or a pair of javelins. The cars' large scale also helps them pack the larger battery arrays that Mini says are necessary to run them for 35 minutes (before being down for 80 minutes of charge time). The models are painted blue with orange Olympic livery and white roofs, and they even have working headlights.

The Mini MINI R/C cars will be used at both the Olympic and Paralympic games, and they join a fleet of 160 full-size BMW 1 Series Active E models and 40 Mini E hatchbacks as part of BMW's own all-electric Olympic team. While we're a little surprised Mini didn't choose to go with a Clubman or the load-lugging Countryman like we did in our recent giveaway, we think the marketing stunt fits in well with the brand's fun and funky spirit, and we're hoping that Mini publishes some video footage of their little helpers in action soon.

Olympics to use Mini Cooper R/C cars for javelin, discus retrieval originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Aug 2012 14:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mini reanimates Rocketman concept for London Olympics, is it reconsidering production?

Noah Joseph — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hatchback, Mini, UK, Design/Style

Has the Mini Rocketman concept really burned up like a fuse up there alone? Don't count it as grounded just yet, because while the last we heard BMW had canned the idea of producing the miniest of neo-Minis, it has given the original concept car a new lease on life.

As part of its partnership with the 2012 London Olympics, Mini has retrofitted the smaller-than-a-Cooper concept with a theme that celebratres both the games and the country hosting them. The red, white and blue of the Union Jack replaces the cold gray tones of the original, with the flag motif recreated out of the illuminated braces that support the glass roof. Carbon fiber still abounds, with white panels inside bearing the sites and years of previous Olympic games.

All in all, it's a rather stunning reimagination of the 2011 Geneva Motor Show concept, but only raises more questions in our minds as to whether the decision to axe the Rocketman's production possibilities isn't due for a rethink.

Continue reading Mini reanimates Rocketman concept for London Olympics, is it reconsidering production?

Mini reanimates Rocketman concept for London Olympics, is it reconsidering production? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Jun 2012 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW unveils armada of vehicles for London Olympics

Noah Joseph — Tue, 01 May 2012 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, BMW, UK

Sponsoring most events is pretty straightforward for any company: fork over the right sum of cash and you're the new official automaker/timekeeper/jelly donut of whatever the event is. But for BMW, its status as Official Automotive Partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games is a bit more complicated.

Even pledging to fork over a massive fleet with 4,000 vehicles to the organizing committee wasn't enough for the German automaker to secure its status. BMW also had to meet the committee's stringent emissions requirements: while the average emissions of vehicles in the UK comes in at 138 grams of CO2 per kilometer, the automaker supplying these Olympic games had to come in below 120 g/km - which BMW did at 116 g/km.

To get there, a portion of the cars BMW is supplying are electric vehicles: 160 units of the 1 Series ActiveE and 40 of the Mini E, with another 40 of the 5 Series Active Hybrid. The rest of the fleet is comprised of the 320d EfficientDynamics (1,550 vehicles), 520d Efficient Dynamics (700), X3 xDrive 20d (17), X5 xDrive 30d (10) and Mini Countryman Cooper D (200 vehicles), plus another 25 R1200 RT motorcycles and 400 BMW Streetcruiser bicycles.

Wondering what they'll be doing with all those cars? They'll be used for everything from shuttling around the athletes, officials, medics and journalists to hauling boats out of the water. Scroll down below for the full details.

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BMW unveils armada of vehicles for London Olympics originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 May 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW lends its wind tunnel to test the Olympic torch [w/video]

Noah Joseph — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:27:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, BMW

In between bouts of Olympic games, the official torch that traditionally kicks off the opening ceremonies makes the long journey by a relay of runners to the host site. And you can bet that over the course of years, it has passed through some tricky environmental conditions. But is it ready to endure the unpredictability of British weather?

To find out, BMW - a main sponsor of the fast-approaching London Olympics - lent its wind tunnel facility to test the torch in a variety of conditions. Over the course of the grueling test, the torch was made to withstand temperatures ranging from 23 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, winds generated at upwards of 50 mph, with snow packed into the front and under driving rain. But all the while the flame stayed lit.

The tests were carried out at the BMW Energy and Environmental Test Centre in Munich, a facility which boasts three wind tunnels and two climatic test rooms capable of simulating weather from -4F to 131F, replicating the Arctic Tundra and the Sahara Desert, generating wind speeds at up to 174 mph, and simulating altitudes approaching 14,000 feet above sea level.

Watch a video of the testing procedure shown on the UK's ITV1 news by scrolling down.

Continue reading BMW lends its wind tunnel to test the Olympic torch [w/video]

BMW lends its wind tunnel to test the Olympic torch [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mini celebrates London Olympics with new Bayswater and Baker Street special editions

Noah Joseph — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Hatchback, Mini, UK, Design/Style

With the Olympic Games coming up this spring, BMW is keen to leverage its sponsorship. And since they're taking place in London, England, the German automaker wouldn't miss the opportunity to include its more youthful, retro British subsidiary. And so it has released today not one, but two new special editions of the classic Mini hardtop hatchback, both named after London neighborhoods.

First up is the Mini Baker Street (pictured at right). Available on the Mini One (the entry-level model overseas), One D (the diesel version), Cooper and Cooper D, the Baker Street edition lays black V-shaped bonnet stripes over a light gray (or available white or black) base color, complemented by glossy black 16-inch alloys and mirror caps. Inside, the cloth and leather seats are finished in a diamond-pattern with gray trim and chrome accents. A whole mess of optional extras are bundled as standard, and include of course, there are the requisite special badges.

The Bayswater edition (shown above) - available on Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper D and Cooper SD models - takes a more sporting approach, with an exclusive shade of metallic blue (or optional black or gray) with a black roof, centered blue and gray stripes up the hood, with 17-inch alloys in glossy black with polished rims, and door mirrors that, well..."mirror" the racing stripe: blue on the right, gray on the left. Leather seats come in an exclusive shade of anthracite with blue and gray bolsters and top-stitching, complemented by piano lacquer trim, stainless steel pedals, bundled optional equipment and special badges.

No word just yet on whether these models will be available internationally (read: in America) or whether they'll be exclusively British editions, but you can check them out in the pair of high-resolution image galleries and the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Mini celebrates London Olympics with new Bayswater and Baker Street special editions

Mini celebrates London Olympics with new Bayswater and Baker Street special editions originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM Olympic fleet vehicles will all find their way to Canadian dealers

Michael Harley — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Canada

They won't make you ski, skate or snowboard with any additional talent or zest, but the "official" Olympic-branded vehicles used during the 2010 Winter Games are going up for sale in Canada later this month. Each of the General Motors supplied cars and trucks spent time in Vancouver and Whistler shuttling athletes, officials, VIPs and dignitaries to and from the competitions and related events. Now, with the Winter Olympics written in the history books and the Paralympic Winter Games closing at the end of the month, more than 4,600 lightly-used vehicles will find their way to dealerships across the vast country. The fleet includes:

Chevrolet Equinox, Malibu (Hybrid), Impala, Traverse, Suburban & Tahoe
Buick Lucerne & Enclave
Cadillac DTS, CTS Sport Sedan & Sport Wagon, Escalade (Hybrid) & SRX
GMC Acadia, Terrain, Yukon (Hybrid models available) & Yukon XL

Differentiating the "Olympic" vehicles from the standard GM offerings are the commemorative (and "permanent") Vancouver 2010 medallions adorned with the iconic Inukshuk symbol and Olympic rings on each model. That, and fact that the vehicles are all "specially-priced," says GM. If you are interested, contact your local GM retailer ASAP as the first cars and trucks will be available for purchase in just a couple weeks. The official press release is available after the jump.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading GM Olympic fleet vehicles will all find their way to Canadian dealers

GM Olympic fleet vehicles will all find their way to Canadian dealers originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No car repairs or painting in Beijing until after Olympics

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:35:00 EST

Filed under: China, Etc., Government/Legal, Green, Safety

The city of Beijing has drawn widely-publicized controversy due to its poor air-quality leading up to the 2008 Summer Olympic games. In fact, the air pollution is at least two to three times higher than levels deemed safe by the World Health Organization at this very moment. To ease the minds of the competing athletes, the city of Beijing is taking steps to improve the situation and has promised clean air for the games. Officials in Beijing have already cut the number of vehicles driving in the city in half by alternating what vehicles are allowed to drive each day and have asked more people to ride bikes. Now, they've banned car repairs and spray painting until after the games are over. We are all for the athletes rights to breathe clean air, but we also have to wonder about the economic cost associated with cutting out all automotive repairs and painting.

[Source: Motor Authority]

No car repairs or painting in Beijing until after Olympics originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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