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MINI finds cheeky way to advertise inside London 2012 Olympic stadium

Mini MINI at the London 2012 Olympic Games

One of the edicts of the Olympic Games is that there shall be no advertising on view inside any Olympic venue. But MINI has found a cheeky way around that hurdle for the London 2012 Games thanks to its remote controlled Mini MINI.

You may have already seen the 1100mm machines, approximately one quarter scale, darting around the Olympic stadium where they are used to return javelins, discuses, hammers and shots to athletes from the field of play.

The cars were created at the request of LOCOG and MINI says they will help save valuable time. A small fleet of three electric powered 10hp Mini MINIs will be used during the Games and each is expected to cover around 6km per day.

We say bravo to MINI for managing to get a very visible and typically cute mobile advertisement inside the most high profile of all Olympic venues!

BMW Group adds one more model to its electric vehicle line up for London 2012

03.08.2012

BMW, Official Automotive Partner to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, is keeping the Games moving with a range of fully electric vehicles as part of the fleet. The 160 BMW ActiveE models and 40 MINI E’s are being used for many duties including shuttling athletes and officials within the Olympic Park and surrounding Games sites. They also helped support elements of the Olympic Torch Relay convoy on its journey around the UK and will do so similarly for the Paralympic Torch Relay.

Today, BMW is proud to introduce another critical electric vehicle to the Olympic and Paralympic fleet: the Mini MINI. This specially developed and designed radio controlled electric car will be used on the field of play in the Olympic Stadium to ferry javelins, discuses, hammers and shots back from the field to the throwing area, saving valuable time during competition.

Three Mini MINIs will be deployed for this crucial task and will be operated by Games Makers assigned and trained for this duty. The cars are roughly a quarter scale of the full-sized car and carry the athletic equipment situated inside, accessible through the adapted sunroof. The Mini MINIs are all blue and feature the same Games livery as the ‘full-size’ official fleet vehicles.

“The MINI team was thrilled to be given this challenge to develop a vehicle with such an important and high profile role during the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” commented Dr Juergen Hedrich, Managing Director of MINI Plant Oxford. “I know that everybody was inspired by the challenge and the knowledge that these models will be seen in action by millions of people around the world.”

The cars were designed and built to a specification agreed with LOCOG to ensure their role on the field of play is successful in saving time during competition. Each of the three Mini MINIs will cover around 6,000 metres per day in four-hour shifts across nine days of Olympic and nine days of Paralympic competition. The Mini MINIs will:

  • Carry a load of up to 8kg; a single hammer, discus or shot or two javelins.
  • Be operated with a simple control system requiring minimum technical support.
  • Be powered by batteries that can sustain 35 minutes of continuous usage with a radio control range of approximately 100 metres and be fully re-charged in 80 minutes.

After the closing ceremony of the Paralympic Games, the three Mini MINIs will return to base for well-earned rest and relaxation before their next athletic adventure.

Snap shot of Electric Vehicles in the London 2012 Games fleet:

BMW ActiveE

  • Number in fleet: 160
  • 170hp / Zero tailpipe emissions
  • Usage includes: Games time talent shuttle transporting athletes within the Olympic Park and also available for use by broadcasters. Venue pool cars for operational usage and supporting the Olympic Torch Relay.
  • Showcase for new charging infrastructure in London; 120 new ‘high speed’ charge points installed in five key locations in London with the first being installed at ExCeL London.

MINI E

  • Number in fleet: 40
  • 204hp / Zero tailpipe emissions
  • Usage includes: Venue pool cars for operational usage and supporting the Olympic Torch Relay.

Mini MINI

  • Number in fleet: 3
  • 10hp / Zero emissions
  • Usage: Field of play vehicle to retrieve javelins, discuses, hammers and shot from the field to the throwing area.
  • MINI Hatch design in 1/4 scale
  • Lightweight composite bodyshell (Vehicle weight 25kg)
  • True Blue paintwork with orange London 2012 Games livery and white roof
  • Detailed exterior design including door handles, mirrors, wheel arch finishers, number plates, windscreen wipers and functioning headlights
  • Removable sunroof panel for access to the equipment storage area
  • Waterproof equipment storage area
  • Electric engine, throttled
  • Duel vented disc brake
  • Heavy duty shock absorbers
  • Grass tyres front and rear

Mini MINI dimensions:

  • Length: 1100mm
  • Width: 500mm
  • Height: 400mm

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