When the new MINI Hardtop was launched in the US, the British marque decided to put together a virtual reality experience for its customers, to let them know how the car would feel like. Back then it was all done to present some of the new functions the vehicles would introduce. Today, they released two more.
The first video shows the main character, Max, traveling down memory lane. The descriptions suggests using Google Cardboard Virtual Reality Googles but if you don’t have any, any regular box with two holes cut in it will do.
The second clip shows us the unfolding of a heist. Dubbed backwater, it’s about a man, his girlfriend, diamonds and a MINI Hardtop. To be honest, we found the second one a lot more entertaining and yes, once again, the description suggests using the goggles again.
What makes these short films interesting though is the fact that you feel like you’re there. That’s if you do use the recommended settings. Watching the whole thing unfold from the comfort of your chair, in front of a screen, using Youtube, is not the perfect way to go about it.
Even using your smartphone adds a lot to the experience. That’s because moving it, allows you to change the point of view in the video. To do that from your desktop you have to select the direction adjuster in the top left corner and then use the arrow keys.
The whole stunt was done to showcase the integrated features of the new MINI Connected system but, truth be told, we barely got to see it, let alone witness it in action. However, this could be a winning move as these 360-degree videos do stick with you and might make you curious enough to go to Google and check out what the Brits are talking about.
PS: more than a decade ago, BMW was writing history with its series of short stories involving the E39 M5. They were considered ahead of their time back then and now it’s MINI’s turn to do the same.
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