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Mini has become the Rover that BMW always wanted

BMW has been working for 20 years to build a successful line of British cars, and on the evidence of the second-generation Mini Clubman, it may have finally done it. That means it's time for all of us to get used to the fact that Minis aren't going to be that small anymore. Case in point is this new Mini Clubman, introduced last month and conspicuous by its size. Many of us who've pointed to BMW's stewardship of Mini as an example of retro done right bemoaned the Countryman subcompact SUV – a concept actually ahead of its time. The Coupe and Roadster, perhaps rightfully, deserved (and received) an eye roll. But now there's a so-called four-door hardtop that went on sale this year and this forthcoming, six-door Clubman that approaches the compact hatchback class in size. These vehicles actually look like practical moves at keeping buyers from defecting to larger cars made by someone else, rather than vain attempts at maximizing investment in a set of parts. And in an interesting twist, Mini is turning into one of its ancestors – minus the feeling of inevitable doom. Many of us were led to believe somewhere since Mini's relaunch about 15 years ago that the brand would be a stepping stone into the greater BMW fold. But in reality, it's done exactly the opposite, creating a parallel brand for those not willing to embrace the BMW image, but leaning heavily on British nostalgia. That was sort of the reasoning used when BMW pulled the Rover Group of England away from a fruitful partnership with Honda in 1994 and absorbed it all. In the consolidate-or-die '90s, it made sense. BMW had a small, but successful, line of sedans. Rover had no success outside of Western Europe (its last US attempt at selling cars, the Sterling, ended three years earlier). Yet its Land Rover line of SUVs was just right for the time and the 35-year-old Mini still had image-conscious clout. With every passing day, the brilliance of BMW's move to abandon Rover in 2000 seems brighter. Even ditching Land Rover made sense in the long run (and probably saved Jaguar in the process). With every passing day, the brilliance of BMW's move to abandon Rover in 2000 seems brighter. During a chat with Mini USA VP David Duncan this summer, it became clear the Mini of the past is probably gone. A small, city-sized Mini is not necessarily off the table, but larger and more profitable models are coming first.

Recharge Wrap-up: BMW invests in Zirx, EV charging on National Mall

BMW i Ventures has invested in valet company Zirx. Zirx offers on-demand valet services in urban centers and other areas where parking can pose a challenge to drivers. Drivers use the Zirx app to mark their location, where an agent will pick up the car and park it and, if desired, refuel/recharge, wash or have other maintenance performed on the vehicle in the meantime. "BMW i Ventures provides equity financing to service providers it identifies as having high potential to make urban mobility smarter, more efficient and more flexible," says BMW i Ventures Managing Director Ulrich Quay. "With its combination of service and technology that makes it easier for drivers to park and take care of their cars, ZIRX has the potential to be a central component of on-demand services." Read more in the press release below. Tesla gets more Google searches in China and Norway than any other automaker. While Toyota searches dominate much of the rest of the world, Tesla is enjoying solid favor in Norway. While electric vehicles make up about a quarter of new car sales in the Scandinavian country, Tesla has had trouble getting a foothold in China. Perhaps the Google searches mean Chinese drivers could be warming up to the automaker. Read more from Gas2. Two EV charging stations have been installed at the National Mall in Washington, DC. Installed by the National Park Service, the stations – which cost $2 per hour to use – are located across from the National Museum of American History and from the National Air and Space Museum. "As the National Park Service prepares for its second century of service to the American people, we are committed to providing clean and green energy to promote a healthy environment," says the National Park Service Acting Superintendent Karen Cucurullo. Read more from NBC Washington. BMW i Ventures Makes Strategic Investment in ZIRX New investment helps fuel ZIRX's expansion into new markets and service offerings; company introduces ZIRX Enterprise SAN FRANCISCO and NEW YORK, Sept. 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- BMW Group today announced a strategic investment in ZIRX under the company's venture capital entity, BMW i Ventures. An innovative on-demand parking and car services company built for drivers, ZIRX eliminates the frustration that drivers face in owning a car and parking in major urban markets like New York, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington D.C.

The BMW 507 Elvis drove in the Army has been restored

Two years ago, BMW Classic Group started work on a 507 roadster once owned by Elvis Presley, the King of Rock 'n' Roll. The car's restoration is now complete, and it is scheduled to make its debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance on August 21. BMW Classic gives a look into what it took too get the car back in shape. Elvis's 507 was found by Jackie Jouret from Bimmer magazine in the barn of Jack Castor. Castor purchased the car in 1968 and held onto it since. The pair was able to confirm the car was owned by Elvis, who acquired it when stationed in Germany with the US Army. As you can see from the photo above, the car was not in good shape. Aside from the tired looking paint and body, there was a lot that needed to be repaired, replaced, or reconstructed. At some point, someone saw fit to drop in a Chevy V8, which meant the restorers had to not only build a new BMW V8 for it, but also had to repair the subframe where it had been modified. The interior was in bad shape as well, with seats that needed their own ground-up restoration, and a dashboard that was just completely missing. The restoration group also had to remove eight paint jobs the car received over its lifetime. One of those resprays was commissioned by Elvis himself. The car was originally white when it was raced by Hans Stuck, but after Elvis purchased it he reportedly painted it red to help hide lipstick and messages left by fans. BMW Classic Group restored this car back to its original condition, which also means it's back to its original white paint. The car will be on display at this year's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance alongside a number of other vintage BMWs celebrating the company's centennial. If you want more information and photos of the restoration, be sure to check out BMW Classic Group's website. Related Video: Related Gallery Elvis Presley's 1957 BMW 507 View 59 Photos News Source: Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, BMW Classic GroupImage Credit: BMW Classic Group Auto News Celebrities BMW Convertible Classics bmw 507