MINI Connected sharpens its focus. The new MINI Connected app sharpens its focus even more on driving-related functions.

After five years on the road, the MINI Connected app is undergoing a major relaunch, with the new version available to download from mid-August. The rejuvenated MINI Connected will simplify the App’s menu interfaces and offer MINI drivers a console to display a wealth of information and driving related functions.

New and updated features include:

• MINI Streetwise
• The basic functions Status, Apps and Profile
• Online Search
• Sports Instruments and Force Meter
• Calendar

MINI Streetwise: the new central feature of the MINI Connected app.

MINI Streetwise, the MINI Connected app’s new application, lets users display the best route on their smartphone before the journey has even started. The app makes use of personal driving data together with the user’s own past journeys and shows information such as journey duration and fuel consumption. The app determines the current location and displays all destinations recorded to date and the best routes on the smartphone. If several drives to the same destination have already been recorded, MINI Streetwise will calculate the user’s personal best route as the recommended option. Clicking on the destination pin calls up the estimated time of arrival together with alternative routes, including data such as distance, journey duration and fuel consumption. Users can choose to have the places displayed on a map or as a list. This same information can also be displayed in the Centre Instrument once the smartphone has been connected to the MINI. Drivers therefore always have a clear recommendation for the best way to get from A to B.

Other MINI Connected menu items at a glance.

The vehicle’s location, fuel level, potential range and last journey recorded can be found under the menu item “Status”. Clicking on the location opens a map view showing the route to the parked car. All available and installed apps are listed under “Apps”, providing users with a quick summary of all the applications that can be used in the vehicle via MINI Connected. This includes the third-party apps that are available for their MINI in the App Store or that are already installed on the smartphone and linked to the vehicle. In addition to this is the “Profile” menu item, where users can enter a name for themselves or their MINI, upload a photo and call up their personal driving statistics, including total distance, total driving time and average consumption. Finally, users will find all app information and MINI Connected tutorials under “Information”.

MINI Connected comes with the performance-oriented vehicle apps Sports Instruments and Force Meter.

The Sports Instruments and Force Meter apps can be called up directly in the MINI Centre Instrument to display performance data. The Sports Instruments app shows engine data including rev speed, torque, engine temperature and current engine output. The Force Meter app, meanwhile, displays all accelerating forces on the screen while on the move, using graphics to indicate the current longitudinal and lateral acceleration in sectors surrounding a virtual MINI in the centre of the display.

Online Search and Calendar complete the range of MINI Connected features.

Online Search can be used to quickly find places and addresses while in the car and transfer them straight to the optional MINI navigation system for route planning. It is possible to place phone calls directly from the Online Search function as well. MINI Connected also allows the vehicle to connect to the smartphone’s calendar. All appointments and the to-do list are then shown in the vehicle display, together with details such as attendees, phone numbers and addresses, and can be imported into the navigation system as destinations, while calls can be placed directly via the vehicle’s hands-free system.

The new MINI Connected App is available to download from mid-August from Apple iTunes and Google Play on compatible devices.

The BMW Group

With its three brands BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. As a global company, the BMW Group operates 30 production and assembly facilities in 14 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2014, the BMW Group sold approximately 2,118 million cars and 123,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax for the financial year 2014 was approximately € 8.71 billion on revenues amounting to € 80.40 billion. As of 31 December 2014, the BMW Group had a workforce of 116,324 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.

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MINI Press Office Contacts:

Sarah Morris                          MINI Media Relations Executive
Tel: 07815 370 747             Email: Sarah.Morris@mini.co.uk

Chris Overall                         MINI Media Relations Manager
Tel:  07815 370 990            Email: Chris.Overall@mini.co.uk

Piers Scott                             General Manager, Product and Internal Communications

Tel: 07815 378 190             Email: Piers.Scott@bmw.co.uk

Graham Biggs                       Corporate Communications Director

Tel: 07815 376 867             Email:  Graham.Biggs@bmw.co.uk

Media website:                    www.press.bmwgroup.co.uk
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