Showing posts with label MINI. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MINI. Show all posts

Friday, June 24, 2011

U-Spy: New MINI Coupe and BMW 1-Series Hatchback Spotted on the Road


Eagle-eyed Carscoop reader Michael from Germany is always on the lookout for any new cars and prototypes on the road. His latest catch is the freshly revealed MINI Coupe in a blue suit with silver stripes, while he also seized a couple of shots of the new BMW 1-Series hatchback, both of which were spotted in Munich.

The new MINI Coupe was only just unveiled online a couple of days ago, so we assume the car pictured is most likely an early production version used for testing.

Read more »

Thursday, June 23, 2011

New MINI JCW Coupe Racer to Debut at 24h of Nurburgring


Well, that was quick. Just three days after unveiling the MINI Coupe, the firm’s first-ever two-seater coupe model, and even though its flagship version won’t be available to the public before autumn, the company presented the MINI John Cooper Works Coupe Endurance (yes, that’s quite a mouthful, so we’ll just call it JCW) racer.

And, what’s more, its public debut will be in one of the most demanding endurance races of the world, the Nürburgring 24 hours at the legendary Nordschleife, the place which Jackie Stewart has famously christened “the Green Hell”.

The MINI JCW Endurance is powered by a tuned version of the standard 4-cylinder, 1.6-litre engine that features a twin-scroll turbocharger as well as direct injection.

Read more »

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

MINI Takes New Coupé for a Trip Around the World in its First Promo Film


The new two-seat Coupé from MINI has just landed on the internet, but the British firm is already pushing out its new marketing campaign with the release of the first promo clip.

The campaign builds around a new slogan titled “Another Day. Another Adventure.” with the film shot in the style of a movie trailer showcasing the Coupé in exotic locations, such as Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, Iceland and Hong Kong.

Read more »

Monday, June 20, 2011

New MINI Coupe Debuts in Production Trim: 65 High Res Photos and Pricing


No more hiding under conceptual suits and swirly camouflage for MINI’s all-new 2012 Coupé as the firm’s parent company, the BMW Group, officially lifted the veil off the production model on Monday. The sportiest-looking MINI to date is a coupe-flavored version of the hatchback with seating strictly for two.

The Coupé’s appearance was previewed by the 2009 concept car of the same name and is distinguished by the backwards “helmet roof” design and the more sharply raked A-pillars.

The first “three-box” MINI also sits 52mm or 2.05-inches lower than its three-door hatchback counterpart. Notably, it also features an active rear spoiler that extends automatically at 80 km/h (50 mph) to optimize airflow at highway speeds.

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Friday, June 17, 2011

Wetterauer Reinterprets MINI Countryman Cooper S


From the depths of Germany’s tuning industry comes our next custom build, based on the MINI Countryman Cooper S. Wetterauer Engineering GmbH, one of the lesser-known design shops, has come up with a new package for MINI’s first all-wheel drove model.

The aesthetic treatment starts with a new foil wrap in a matte brown color for the body and in carbon fiber for the roof, side skirts, front and rear aprons, exterior mirrors, spoilers and air vents. The package also gives the Countryman a matching set of 18-inch wheels from ATS shod in 225/45 R18 rubber and matte exhaust tips.

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Goodwood Festival of Speed: Win a Ride in the MINI WRC


One very lucky person will have the opportunity to enjoy a ride in the MINI John Cooper Works WRC at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, which takes place at the estate of Lord March on the 1st - 3rd July this year. Read more »

Thursday, June 16, 2011

AC Schnitzer Claims to have Built the Fastest MINI with its New Eagle Concept


Is an impressive run around the Hockenheim Circuit enough to crown a car the fastest of its kind? Well, according to BMW Group tuning specialist AC Schnitzer, the answer to the above question is yes. The German company raced its John Cooper Works MINI-based Eagle Concept car at the Hockenheim Circuit recording a lap time of 1:13,341 minutes.

AC Schnitzer says the Eagle beat several thoroughbred sports cars such as the Ferrari California (1:13,5 minutes) and the Porsche 911 Turbo (1:14,6 minutes), and was left behind only by specially tuned or hardcore models like the KTM X-Bow and the BMW M3 Kompressor.

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Monday, June 6, 2011

MINI Previews New Coupé, Publishes Information on Lineup and 131 Photos


We’re still more than three months away from the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show in September, but the BMW Group has already begun dropping information and photos of the models it plans to introduce at the show. Following the presentation of the all-new 2012 BMW 1-Series hatchback during the weekend, today the Bavarian group unleashed specifications and a large gallery of photos of the MINI Coupé.

While the model seen in the official pictures is partially covered in the firm’s characteristic swirly camouflage, it’s clear that the production version has barely changed from the 2009 concept car. Pictured here in John Cooper Works (JCW) form, the top-end Coupé hangs on to the concept’s sportier aero package that includes modified front and rear bumpers, side skirts and extended wheel arches that leave room for larger alloy wheels. The Coupé is also the first MINI to get an active rear spoiler that extends automatically at 80 km/h (50 mph).

Read more »

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

U Spy: 2012 Mini Roadster Testing in Britain


The new Mini Roadster isn’t expected to reach showrooms before late next year, but Carscoop reader Klaus M. has spotted a prototype model in a swirly camouflage at a roundabout near Oxford in South East England. Caught by surprise, Klaus managed to shoot a single photo of the 2012 Mini Roadster but promised to keep an eye open and send us more photos in the future.

Mini has already revealed plans to debut the Coupe version of the series at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show this September, with sales to follow towards the end of the year. The ragtop Roadster model will follow at a later date.

Read more »

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Take that Goodwood: Vilner’s Mini Cooper S Inspired by Bentley


The BMW Group’s decision to launch a new posh version of the Mini hatch called “Mini Inspired by Goodwood” motivated Bulgarian design studio Vilner to develop its own luxed-up variant of the British supermini. However, while the Goodwood model received the Rolls Royce touch, Vilner’s proposal tries to emulate a Bentley – at least in the interior.

Even though Vilner has baptized the car “The Italian Job” as homage to the famous movie, for obvious reasons, a more appropriate name would have been “Mini Inspired by Crewe”. The Bulgarian company has dressed the Mini hatchback’s interior with fine materials such as brown Nappa leather and Alcantara, with parts of the seats, door panels, dashboard and roof lining featuring a diamond shape theme. In addition, the doors have gained elements of black leather while the original plastic was re-sprayed in a sparkling gray finish.

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Friday, May 27, 2011

British Study Reveals the Most Popular Hairdresser’s Car in Real Life


And no, despite what you may have heard or read, the Audi TT ain’t the most popular car among hairdressers – or at least not in Britain. According to a new study made available today by UK women's car insurance specialist Diamond, that title goes to…*drums please*…the one and only, MINI One hatchback. In fact, the BMW Group’s MINI brand had two vehicles in the top five positions.

The UK insurance firm came to this conclusion after looking at data from over 18,000 hairdressers in Britain. The company said the MINI One is three and a half times more likely to be driven by someone working as a hairdresser than everyone else.

Read more »

Monday, May 23, 2011

Rough & Tough MINI DSQUARED² Glides Down the Catwalk in Vienna


The BMW Group’s Mini division continues to support the Life Ball gala, Europe’s largest annual charity event in the fight against HIV and AIDS, by commissioning designers to fashion up its cars and then offer them up for auction. For this year’s event in Vienna, Austria, brothers Dean and Dan Caten, who are better known as the Canadian designer duo DSQUARED², crafted the Red Mudder based on the three-door Mini Cooper S.

Read more »

Thursday, February 3, 2011

2011 The Mini-Clubman Hampton Edition

A model-specific sports silencer with polished tailpipes, which is said to optimize the exhaust gas discharge and gives the engine sound a particularly sporting note, and the newly designed 18-inch Cross Spoke Red Stripe light-alloy wheel, complete the package.

Finally, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the original 1961 Morris Mini Traveller, the British company has introduced a new special edition of the Clubman called Hampton. MINI has designed a new Reef Blue metallic color specially for this model, which also sports a silver color for the rooftop and door surrounds.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TUi-8a6uC7I/AAAAAAAD7ag/8UusaG3OJ6w/s1600/MINI-90072001.jpg
The exterior colors Pepper White, Midnight Black and Eclipse Grey can also be specified as an option, while Black and Reef Blue are available as contrast colors for the roof and C-pillars.

The Hampton also gets unique 17-inch Twin Spoke alloy wheels that can be ordered in either silver or black with a dark red trim ring, black headlamp surrounds, plus “Hampton” lettering on the B-pillar, door entry sills, side scuttles and radiator grille.

2011 The Mini-Clubman Hampton Edition

A model-specific sports silencer with polished tailpipes, which is said to optimize the exhaust gas discharge and gives the engine sound a particularly sporting note, and the newly designed 18-inch Cross Spoke Red Stripe light-alloy wheel, complete the package.

Finally, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the original 1961 Morris Mini Traveller, the British company has introduced a new special edition of the Clubman called Hampton. MINI has designed a new Reef Blue metallic color specially for this model, which also sports a silver color for the rooftop and door surrounds.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TUi-8a6uC7I/AAAAAAAD7ag/8UusaG3OJ6w/s1600/MINI-90072001.jpg
The exterior colors Pepper White, Midnight Black and Eclipse Grey can also be specified as an option, while Black and Reef Blue are available as contrast colors for the roof and C-pillars.

The Hampton also gets unique 17-inch Twin Spoke alloy wheels that can be ordered in either silver or black with a dark red trim ring, black headlamp surrounds, plus “Hampton” lettering on the B-pillar, door entry sills, side scuttles and radiator grille.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

MINI Paceman Concept for Production

One of our family favourites was the Mini Countryman. This was the stretched estate version of the classic salon shape. It also had the later 1275 Clubman style front. A lot of changes from the original, but it still somehow looked like a Mini.

Did we love our old Countryman because it was a nice looking car? Well, no not really. We loved it because unlike the saloon version, we could get some luggage in it and go away for the weekend in relative comfort.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TSvFg4OcoMI/AAAAAAAD1Cw/FiFdkiyyzh0/s1600/MINI3.JPG
The Managing director of BMW UK has stated that the group have seen both BMW and MINI brands outperforming the market this year on the back of a strong new product and a successful market introduction of the BMW 5 series, Scotland has been involved heavily with promotion and sales of the saloon as well as Touring models, the X1 and the MINI Countryman.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TSuiYF1X6pI/AAAAAAAD07w/3U51095YLoE/s1600/MINI-Paceman-Concept-6.jpg
MINI Paceman Concept for Production

MINI Paceman Concept for Production

One of our family favourites was the Mini Countryman. This was the stretched estate version of the classic salon shape. It also had the later 1275 Clubman style front. A lot of changes from the original, but it still somehow looked like a Mini.

Did we love our old Countryman because it was a nice looking car? Well, no not really. We loved it because unlike the saloon version, we could get some luggage in it and go away for the weekend in relative comfort.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TSvFg4OcoMI/AAAAAAAD1Cw/FiFdkiyyzh0/s1600/MINI3.JPG
The Managing director of BMW UK has stated that the group have seen both BMW and MINI brands outperforming the market this year on the back of a strong new product and a successful market introduction of the BMW 5 series, Scotland has been involved heavily with promotion and sales of the saloon as well as Touring models, the X1 and the MINI Countryman.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TSuiYF1X6pI/AAAAAAAD07w/3U51095YLoE/s1600/MINI-Paceman-Concept-6.jpg
MINI Paceman Concept for Production

The upcoming Mini Countryman

I have always had a soft spot for the original design Mini. It played a part in my childhood and also my youth. Back in the 80's and 90's it seemed like almost everyone had one. Cheap, fun and good-looking little machines. I'd love to add reliable to that list, but they had various issues.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TSuicUw4XJI/AAAAAAAD084/yD6owmRV_5k/s1600/MINI-Paceman-Concept-15.jpg
BMW Groups position within UK sales figures looks strong with further models coming into the mix and the increasing popularity of mini car deals, Scotland is adding massively to the sales figures and the BMW Group will be fulfilling their market demand in the lead up to the UK VAT change in January.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TSuiaY3dNPI/AAAAAAAD08Q/P-lsL9xkUbw/s1600/MINI-Paceman-Concept-10.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TSvFhCjMZGI/AAAAAAAD1C4/0AoCadwuNts/s1600/MINI2.JPG

The upcoming Mini Countryman

I have always had a soft spot for the original design Mini. It played a part in my childhood and also my youth. Back in the 80's and 90's it seemed like almost everyone had one. Cheap, fun and good-looking little machines. I'd love to add reliable to that list, but they had various issues.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TSuicUw4XJI/AAAAAAAD084/yD6owmRV_5k/s1600/MINI-Paceman-Concept-15.jpg
BMW Groups position within UK sales figures looks strong with further models coming into the mix and the increasing popularity of mini car deals, Scotland is adding massively to the sales figures and the BMW Group will be fulfilling their market demand in the lead up to the UK VAT change in January.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TSuiaY3dNPI/AAAAAAAD08Q/P-lsL9xkUbw/s1600/MINI-Paceman-Concept-10.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TSvFhCjMZGI/AAAAAAAD1C4/0AoCadwuNts/s1600/MINI2.JPG

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Interior and Exterior: 2011 Mini Cooper Clubman is armored

The main difference between the 2010 and 2009 Clubman is how the engine gets oxygen. The 2009 model has variable valve timing, or VVT engine and not turbocharged. The engine is still an I4 with 1.6 liters and a fully electric throttle. The VVT engine, however means that the oxygen is less compressed before it reaches the combustion chamber. This cuts down on this small car's "vroom" factor and lowers the reported gas mileage for city driving. The 2009 is rated to get 25 miles per gallon in the city.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TRVLXvOMP3I/AAAAAAADxzo/dN0Z4DMwILU/s1600/MINI-Clubman-Cooper-S-2.jpg
Interior and Exterior:

One of the main advantages of Cooper Clubman over regular Mini is its rear seat legroom. Cooper Clubman's rear seat access doors are much easier to reach due to its position. Interior of this sedan is particularly larger for average adults. Luggage compartment of this car is quiet good and 50 percent larger than regular Mini car. However luggage space can be increased by folding rear seat. Like regular Mini car even Cooper Clubman is offered with retro inspired controls and oddly placed stereo control knobs have been rectified which presents attractive looks and easier operation. Some of the convenience features offered with this model are front console with storage compartment, rear and front cup holders. Manual rear seat easy entry, front seat back storage, electric speed proportion power steering and remote trunk release. Interior options available with 2011 Mini Cooper Clubman are cargo net, MINI connected navigation system, color rooster red interior trim, carbon black interior shade, Gravity leather, Punch leather, Lounge Leather and central arm rest.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TRVLXhDbOaI/AAAAAAADxzg/ZGuue-O8SNk/s1600/MINI-Clubman-Cooper-S-1.jpg

Interior and Exterior: 2011 Mini Cooper Clubman is armored

Interior and Exterior: 2011 Mini Cooper Clubman is armored

The main difference between the 2010 and 2009 Clubman is how the engine gets oxygen. The 2009 model has variable valve timing, or VVT engine and not turbocharged. The engine is still an I4 with 1.6 liters and a fully electric throttle. The VVT engine, however means that the oxygen is less compressed before it reaches the combustion chamber. This cuts down on this small car's "vroom" factor and lowers the reported gas mileage for city driving. The 2009 is rated to get 25 miles per gallon in the city.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TRVLXvOMP3I/AAAAAAADxzo/dN0Z4DMwILU/s1600/MINI-Clubman-Cooper-S-2.jpg
Interior and Exterior:

One of the main advantages of Cooper Clubman over regular Mini is its rear seat legroom. Cooper Clubman's rear seat access doors are much easier to reach due to its position. Interior of this sedan is particularly larger for average adults. Luggage compartment of this car is quiet good and 50 percent larger than regular Mini car. However luggage space can be increased by folding rear seat. Like regular Mini car even Cooper Clubman is offered with retro inspired controls and oddly placed stereo control knobs have been rectified which presents attractive looks and easier operation. Some of the convenience features offered with this model are front console with storage compartment, rear and front cup holders. Manual rear seat easy entry, front seat back storage, electric speed proportion power steering and remote trunk release. Interior options available with 2011 Mini Cooper Clubman are cargo net, MINI connected navigation system, color rooster red interior trim, carbon black interior shade, Gravity leather, Punch leather, Lounge Leather and central arm rest.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TRVLXhDbOaI/AAAAAAADxzg/ZGuue-O8SNk/s1600/MINI-Clubman-Cooper-S-1.jpg

Interior and Exterior: 2011 Mini Cooper Clubman is armored