Good news for MINI owners and prospective owners. The British brand announced today that starting with March 2018, all models will be available with an optional 4G built-in SIM card, which would allow you to connect to the internet without the need of a standalone smartphone. The new digital services this new option enables will be available in 43 markets worldwide following the launch of the new-generation MINI Connected.
The first models to be made available with this new and extensive connectivity capability are the new MINI 3 Door, new MINI 5 Door and the new MINI Convertible. This means the existing features in the portfolio, such as Intelligent Emergency Call and Teleservices, will be joined by new services including the Concierge Service, Real Time Traffic Information with navigation map updates and MINI Online.
The optional 4G SIM card and an update for the MINI Connected app will allow customers to access a variety of new digital services from March 2018. These include Time-to-Leave Notifications (push messages to assist punctual departure), Send to Car (for importing destinations from a smartphone to the car), Remote Services (e.g. for locking the car’s doors from a smartphone) and – in electrified MINI models – a charging timer, charging station search facility and personal efficiency status display.
The newly available MINI Concierge Service provides an excellent source of assistance while on the move. The Concierge can be contacted by telephone around the clock to source information and address data for the driver, research connections and offer practical tips during the journey. The spread of connectivity facilities in the MINI is rounded off by Apple CarPlay (already available). The new MINI Connected services will be offered in a choice of three packages: Connected Media, Connected Navigation and Connected Navigation Plus.
