This is my first post, I don't have a mini yet but I am in the market. I am thinking I'll wait for the JCW version. I have a question about the active cruise control, is this on the US models?


Active Cruise

544 CRUISE CONTROL WITH BRAKING FUNCTION
Radar sensors at the front of the vehicle permanently scan the road ahead. As your MINI approaches a slower vehicle, Active Cruise Control automatically reduces power output from the engine and gently applies the brakes, holding your MINI at a pre-defined distance to the vehicle ahead.

This distance is set as a number of seconds, not of metres, so that a safe reaction time is always available, relative to the current speed. When the lane ahead becomes clear, Active Cruise Control automatically increases your vehicle’s speed to your preferred cruising speed. Up to four different cruising speeds can be pre-programmed. A touch on the accelerator or brake pedal deactivates the system.

On curves, Active Cruise Control uses data from the Dynamic Stability Control and navigation systems to calculate whether the cruise speed needs to be adjusted, and to determine whether vehicles in the radar’s field are in the same or a neighbouring lane.

The high-performance radar sensor is heated in cold weather, ensuring year-round operation. Active Cruise Control is functional at speeds above 30 km/h and below 180 km/h. Depending on the model, this function is controlled by a paddle on the steering wheel or a button on the multifunction steering wheel.

 

Hi and welcome!

No, the active cruise isn't available on US cars unfortunately.

 

Are we sure that it is not available in the US? I know some of the "safety" functions are EU only but I was told this one is active in the US model. I also ask because when I run my VIN on the BMW VIN look up site I do have a listing for "S544A - Cruise control with brake function".

All of the components are there so it would be silly for it not to function (and quite disappointing). I have not had a chance to try it as of yet in my car but will do so to see if it works.

 

I was also told by my MA that active cruise was not yet available in the US. Is the front facing camera even included? I didn't see it in the options anywhere, its required for the active cruise and for the road sign reading, which is also not included in US models as far as I know.

 

Someone needs to go in their garage and see if the camera is on the rear view mirror!!

 

I see I also have an S544a -- maybe a software update w/ awaken this feature.

 

(Deleted)

 

When I was at the dealer I checked for the camera by the mirror and it appears to be there. My wife has it on her new highlander and it's great.

 

There's dynamic cruise control and active cruise control. Two different things for BMW/MINI.

MINI in the US has dynamic cruise control. It will hit the brakes if it starts going over speed going downhill to maintain cruise speed.

MINI in the US does not have active cruise control. It will not hit the brakes if the car in front of you slows down.