Porsche Declines MINI's Challenge
MINI USA is taking on... Porsche. No kidding! At least that's the assumption based on a video titled "A Special Message for Porsche" which started airing this week on the company's Facebook page as well as on YouTube.
James L. McDowell, Vice President of MINI USA, challenges Detlev von Platen, President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America, to a duel at Road Atlanta on June 21st. The invitation also made a full page in the New York Times.
A marketing gag?
The whole thing transpires with irony and sarcasm. The video shows a confident McDowell saying: "And without a doubt, Porsche builds a sporty car, Porsche builds a fast car, Porsche will help you attract women when your hair falls out. Yep, I know it all. There's one thing, though, that I don't know about Porsche: can a MINI beat a Porsche in a race?"
McDowell is known for his original and eccentric marketing stunts. As the Marketing Director of BMW North America, he's the one who came up with the idea to produce a series of short films about the Bavarian automaker. "The Hire" successfully hit the web back in 2001 and 2002. He has been leading MINI USA since April 2005.
A former Porsche guy
In the video, McDowell talks about his eight years at Porsche and his transfer to BMW in 1993. He even claims to have owned 12 different Porsches, although we're not sure if any of those were company cars.
For the challenge, the two head honchos will pick their respective driver. Should Porsche win, McDowell promised to publicly wear a T-shirt that reads: "We Did Not Beat Porsche." Should the other scenario play out, his T-shirt will read: "We Beat Porsche."
It's still hard to believe that a MINI Cooper S could outmatch a Porsche 911 Carrera S (as selected by McDowell) in a race held on the ultra-fast Road Atlanta circuit. The specifications below seem to point to an easy victory for the Porsche:
What's the catch? We might find out on June 21st... provided that Porsche does take up the challenge! One thing's for sure: the event will make big waves across the Internet, a marketing tool that McDowell cherishes.
MINI USA is taking on... Porsche. No kidding! At least that's the assumption based on a video titled "A Special Message for Porsche" which started airing this week on the company's Facebook page as well as on YouTube.
James L. McDowell, Vice President of MINI USA, challenges Detlev von Platen, President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America, to a duel at Road Atlanta on June 21st. The invitation also made a full page in the New York Times.
A marketing gag?
The whole thing transpires with irony and sarcasm. The video shows a confident McDowell saying: "And without a doubt, Porsche builds a sporty car, Porsche builds a fast car, Porsche will help you attract women when your hair falls out. Yep, I know it all. There's one thing, though, that I don't know about Porsche: can a MINI beat a Porsche in a race?"
McDowell is known for his original and eccentric marketing stunts. As the Marketing Director of BMW North America, he's the one who came up with the idea to produce a series of short films about the Bavarian automaker. "The Hire" successfully hit the web back in 2001 and 2002. He has been leading MINI USA since April 2005.
A former Porsche guy
In the video, McDowell talks about his eight years at Porsche and his transfer to BMW in 1993. He even claims to have owned 12 different Porsches, although we're not sure if any of those were company cars.
For the challenge, the two head honchos will pick their respective driver. Should Porsche win, McDowell promised to publicly wear a T-shirt that reads: "We Did Not Beat Porsche." Should the other scenario play out, his T-shirt will read: "We Beat Porsche."
It's still hard to believe that a MINI Cooper S could outmatch a Porsche 911 Carrera S (as selected by McDowell) in a race held on the ultra-fast Road Atlanta circuit. The specifications below seem to point to an easy victory for the Porsche:
| 2010 MINI Cooper S | 2010 Porsche 911 Carrera S | |
| Weight (kg) | 1,215 | 1,425 |
| Engine | 1.6L, 4-cyl. turbo | 3.8L flat-6 |
| Power (hp @ rpm) | 172 @5,500 | 385 @ 6,500 |
| Torque (lb-ft @ rpm) | 177 @1,600 | 310 @4,400 |
| 0-100 km/h (sec.) | 7.1 | 4.7 |
| Top speed (km/h) | 223 | 302 |
| Base MSRP | $29,900 | $109,900 |
What's the catch? We might find out on June 21st... provided that Porsche does take up the challenge! One thing's for sure: the event will make big waves across the Internet, a marketing tool that McDowell cherishes.