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BMW won't build this classic Mini Electric, but we wish they would

We have good news, and we have bad news. First, the good: BMW is showing off this ridiculously fun classic Mini at the New York Auto Show, complete with the addition of a fully modernized electric powertrain. And now, the bad: It's a one-off with zero chance of even small-scale production. To clarify, Mini will indeed unveil a full electric model sometime in 2019, but it'll be based on the new Cooper, not the classic you see here. View 26 Photos There aren't any real specifications to go along with the announcement and images released just ahead of the NY Show. BMW just hints that the car's driving characteristics "remain true to the brand" with "spontaneous power" that contributes to its "unmistakable go-kart feeling." Oh, and BMW also says the little red hatchback is "a sympathetic ambassador for environmental awareness." Whatever that means. We're content to let all that posturing and press-release speak go unchecked, mostly because we're just so pleased that BMW took the trouble to build this thing in the first place. Classic cars are fun in general, and if the reimagining of such an icon with future-proofing technology like an electric powertrain conversion keeps the public focused on cool cars both past and present, well, that notion gets a hearty nod of approval from all of us here at Autoblog. Check out the images up above for now, and stay tuned for plenty more fun surprises as the festivities in New York carry on over the next couple of days. Related Video: Green New York Auto Show MINI Hatchback Electric Luxury Special and Limited Editions Performance Classics 2018 new york auto show electric conversion mini electric

2020 Mini Countryman gains discounted Oxford Edition, program opens up to everybody

Mini is extending the Oxford Edition program to the 2020 Countryman and making all Oxford Edition pricing available to the public at large. Previously, Mini only offered the Oxford Edition pricing to recent college grads, graduate students and active and recently retired military personnel. It was also limited to the two-door and four-door Hardtops. Similar to the excellent value added by the Hardtops, the Countryman also adds a fleet of standard equipment for a discounted price. The base price of a Countryman is $29,750, including the $850 destination charge. A Countryman Oxford Edition starts at $26,750, representing a $3,000 discount off the bat. However, Mini throws in a bunch of equipment from the mid-level Signature trim that makes this an even tastier dish. You get 18-inch wheels, heated front seats, automatic climate control, an anthracite headliner and additional paint color options. Mini says that those added options represent $5,500 worth of added value over a base Countryman. Those up north will also be glad to hear that Mini is offering the same deal for the Countryman ALL4 with all-wheel drive. Simply add $2,000 to the front-drive model, and you’re left with a price of $28,750 — all the same equipment as the front-drive car is onboard. The Countryman was a rather pricey proposition before, but this makes it much more appealing. WeÂ’ll note that this deal is being offered on 2020 Countrymans, so the dual-clutch automatic transmission is the only option. 2021 Minis are said to be regaining three-pedal options, but Mini hasnÂ’t confirmed manual transmission offerings for the Countryman or Clubman yet. 2020 Countryman Oxford Editions will begin arriving at dealerships in “limited numbers” starting in July. Pricing for the 2021 Cooper Hardtop is also available now. Thankfully, itÂ’s no more expensive than it was before, with the two-door slotting in at $20,600. A four-door is $1,000 more at $21,600. You can read our thoughts on the package in our Oxford Edition review here. 2019 Mini Oxford Edition View 6 Photos

BMW's Connected Drive feature vulnerable to hackers

BMW is working to fix a cyber-security flaw that has left 2.2 million vehicles worldwide vulnerable to hackers. Cars equipped with the automaker's Connected Drive remote-services system are affected, according to the German Automobile Association (ADAC), which first discovered the problem. Researchers found they could lock and unlock car doors by mimicking mobile communications and sending phony signals to a SIM card installed in affected vehicles. An attack could be launched "within minutes" of accessing the system without the perpetrators leaving a trace, according to their report, in part because once they had gained access to the network, the communications were not secure. In response to the security gap, BMW says it has been upgrading software via over-the-air updates over the past week, so no visits to dealerships are needed to remedy the security hole. In fact, owners of affected cars may not have even noticed the updates taking place. The problem affects BMW, Rolls-Royce and MINI vehicles equipped with Connected Drive since 2010. Flaws were first reported to BMW last year by ADAC, which is the country's equivalent of AAA. ADAC says it withheld a public announcement until the car company could address the problem. While BMW has pushed the software patch to most affected vehicles, the organization said it's possible some at cars in the United States had not yet been updated. BMW did not respond to a request for comment Monday. In a written statement, the automaker said it knows of no real-world breaches. 2015 Off To Dubious Start The hack could raise the eyebrows of industry leaders: Cars are now the equivalent of mobile computers and cyber-security experts have been warning that the auto industry has been slow to close its security holes. BMW's breach marks the second time in 2015 that researchers have found a popular automotive feature with little or no security precautions. Last month, experts said a popular device made by Progressive Insurance that allows motorists to track their driving habits contained no security whatsoever. Like the Connected Drive smart-phone app, many automotive components and infotainment features were conceived and produced at a time when industry executives never considered the possibility someone might want to hack into them. But increased connectivity brings increased risk. Going forward, BMW says its Connected Drive features will now operate by using encrypted communications via the HTTPS protocol.