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PressClub USA · Article.

MINI CONVERTIBLE MAKES WORLD DEBUT AT NAIAS 2009

Woodcliff Lake, NJ - January 9, 2009... MINI will introduce the next generation of its celebrated four-seat convertible at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Joining the 2009 MINI Convertibles on the show floor is the MINI E, the first electric car deployed by a manufacturer of premium automobiles for private use in daily traffic.

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MINI Convertible

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Nathalie Bauters
BMW Group

Tel: +1-201-930-3166

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Electric MINI E shares center stage: Driving pleasure without emissions.

Woodcliff Lake, NJ - January 9, 2009... MINI will introduce the next generation
of its celebrated four-seat convertible at the North American International
Auto Show in Detroit. Joining the 2009 MINI Convertibles on the show floor is
the MINI E, the first electric car deployed by a manufacturer of premium
automobiles for private use in daily traffic.

The new 2009 MINI Convertible embodies the thrill of open-air motoring in
unmistakably MINI style. Raising the high standard set by its predecessor, the
new MINI Convertible features improvements in design, quality, handling,
performance, efficiency and functionality. The first MINI Convertibles will be
delivered March 28, 2009.

Design cues clearly link the new convertible to the MINI family, while the
evolutionary design maintains the appeal of the first generation.

A sliding roof allows the driver to automatically open and close the soft top
while the car travels up to 20 miles per hour. The "Openometer" records the
time spent travelling with the roof down.

Central safety electronics activate a new electromechanically operated rollover
bar in the event of a rollover. The innovative safety bar allows for optimum
visibility to the rear and sides while the MINI avoids rollovers via run-flat
tires, tire pressure monitoring and a sophisticated driving stability system.

An optional loading storage system between the luggage and passenger
compartments expands cargo space. The easy-load system includes: an expanded
luggage compartment opening, seat backrests that can be folded down and locked
into position, and a pivoting, two-position shelf for packages.

A new generation of four-cylinder gasoline engines feature 1.6-liter engines.
The MINI Cooper Convertible produces 118 horsepower from its naturally
aspirated version with variable valve management; the MINI Cooper S Convertible
delivers 172 hp with the help of a Twin-Scroll turbocharger and direct fuel
injection. Both engine variants are equipped with technical features that
maximize fuel economy and minimize emissions.

The suggested retail price for the MINI Cooper Convertible is $24,550, and for
the MINI Cooper S Convertible, $27,450 including $650 destination and handling
charge.

MINI E: Agility without emissions

The MINI E provides the agility and handling of a MINI Cooper yet is powered by
a 204 horsepower electric motor fed by a high-performance rechargeable
lithium-ion battery capable of more than 150 miles. Power transfers to the
front wheels via a single-stage helical gearbox nearly without a sound and
entirely free of emissions.

The MINI E's electric drivetrain produces seamless acceleration to 62 mph in
8.5 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 95 mph. With a suspension
designed particularly for the MINI E and an even weight distribution, the MINI
E offers the spirited driving pleasure of a true MINI.

During the first quarter of this year, the MINI E will become available to
select private and corporate customers as part of a pilot project in
California, New York and New Jersey. By introducing the MINI E, the BMW Group
is underscoring its resolve to reduce energy consumption and emissions. Putting
some 500 cars on the road under real daily traffic conditions will give BMW
Group valuable know-how, which will be factored into the engineering of
mass-produced vehicles. The BMW Group aims to start series production of
all-electric vehicles over the medium term.

Based on the current MINI, the car will initially be available as a two-seater.
The back-seat space is reserved for the lithium-ion battery. It can be plugged
into all standard power outlets. Its charge time is strongly dependent on the
voltage and amperage of the electricity flowing through the grid. In the USA,
users can recharge a battery that has been completely drained within a very
short period of time using a wall box that will be installed in the customer's
garage to enable higher amperage. Wall boxes fully recharge batteries after a
mere two-and-a-half hours.

MINI E customers will join forces with BMW Group experts to assist in the
project's scientific evaluation. The cars will change hands based on a one-year
lease with an extension option. Monthly lease installments will cover any
required technical service including all necessary maintenance and the
replacement of wear parts. At the end of the lease, all of the automobiles
belonging to the project will be returned to the BMW Group's engineering fleet
where they will be subjected to comparative tests.

MINI in the US

MINI is an independent brand of the BMW Group. In the United States, MINI USA
operates as a business unit of BMW of North America, LLC which has been present
in the United States since 1975. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began
distributing vehicles in 2003. The BMW Group in the United States has grown to
include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand
of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and the Rolls-Royce
brand of Motor Cars; DesignworksUSA, an industrial design firm in California; a
technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the
country. BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is part of BMW Group's
global manufacturing network and is the exclusive manufacturing plant for all
Z4 models, X5 Sports Activity Vehicles and X6 Sports Activity Coupes. The BMW
Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 338 BMW
passenger car centers, 335 BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 142 BMW
motorcycle retailers, 83 MINI passenger car dealers, and 30 Rolls-Royce Motor
Car dealers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group's sales headquarters for
North, Central and South America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

Information about BMW Group products is available to consumers via the Internet
at:

www.bmwgroupna.com
www.bmwusa.com
www.bmwmotorcycles.com
www.miniusa.com
www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com

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Journalist note: Information about the BMW Group and its products is available
to journalists on-line at the BMW Group PressClub at the following address:
www.press.bmwgroup.com. Broadcast quality video footage is available via The
NewsMarket at www.thenewsmarket.com.

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