The marketing experts behind the MINI brand have stuck again with another commercial that you’ll want to watch. In fact, you’ll probably watch it a few times and search for the song on iTunes to download for your iPod. Yup, it’s cool.

The video doesn’t really tell you anything about the car, but it’s plenty of fun to watch, highlighting the car’s functionality (able to hold dozens of pineapples), to its passenger room (with space for baby seats). Plus, there’s plenty of active shots of off-roading from dirt to snow, to highlight the new ALL4 all-wheel drive system, as well as some more accurate video of urban settings – considering most MINIs (or any crossover for that matter), isn’t likely to see more than a puddle.

Audi has just unveiled the complete version of its 2010 SuperBowl ad featuring the A3 TDI. The gist of the commercial is that the Green Police are out arresting regular folks doing regular things that are bad for the environment, like throwing out compost, using plastic bags for groceries or using incandescent light bulbs.

At a traffic stop to look for environmental offenders, the Green Police see an A3 TDI and let the driver go, while everyone else is stuck in traffic.

While we did get a chuckle over the Green Police pulling over the actual police at the end (and the Cheap Trick “Green Police” song is pretty darn catchy), this certainly isn’t up to Audi’s usual standards and the company’s green diesel diatribe is getting a little old. Who knows, the whole thing might backfire, with its Orwellian-like universe run by Al Gore. Yawn…

See after the jump for some other 2010 SuperBowl ads from Kia and Hyundai:

MINI has just release two videos showing its upcoming Countryman crossover in action. The 2011 MINI Countryman (the car may take on other names in other markets) becomes the fourth model in the MINI family and the first with four doors. Despite the foray into the crossover segment, the Countryman retains signature MINI design elements, only on a larger vehicle. Key characteristics such as the roofline, grille and wheel arches remind us the Countryman is still very much a MINI.

The MINI Countryman will come standard with four seats arranged around a front-to-back center rail. An optional three-seat bench available at no additional cost. Depending on how the seats are adjusted, MINI says the Countryman has a storage capacity of 12.2 to 41.0 cubic feet.

MINI’s ALL4 all-wheel drive system will be available as an option on both the Cooper S and Cooper D Countryman. The ALL4 system provides half of the engine’s power to the rear wheels under normal driving conditions but when needed, can transfer 100% of the power to the rear for added traction.

MINI will offer three gasoline and two diesel engine options, though only the gasoline engines are likely to make it over to North America. The base MINI One D Countryman will have a 90 hp four-cylinder turbodiesel engine while the top-level MINI Cooper S Countryman option will have a 1.6L turbocharged engine with direct fuel injection and fully variable valve arrangement, claiming 184 hp. All models come standard with a six-speed manual transmission while the gasoline engine models will be available with a Steptronic six-speed automatic transmission.

GALLERY: MINI Countryman

See more video of the MINI Countryman after the jump:

> read full story

During last weeks blizzard that struck the U.S. Northeast, folks were advised to stay at home and driver’s were asked to only go out if absolutely necessary. But New York Times contributor Eza Dyer didn’t want to waste a minute trapped in doors. After all, he had an exotic R8 sports car on loan from Audi.

And not just any R8, but a top-of-the-line 5.2-liter V10.

Dyer decided to do a little Holiday shopping when only snow plows were out to fetch a few “necessities” like reindeer antlers for his dog and some new linens from Bed, Bath & Beyond.

It’s well worth the watch, if only to see such a high priced exotic performing admirably in such harsh weather. Dyer’s comments aren’t all that valid, as he mocks those who don’t have AWD. Although we are thankful he pointed out that the winter tires had a great deal to do with the car’s winter capability. Audi’s quattro system may be good, but it’s not going to do much in a blizzard if you’re rolling on high performance summer tires.

Honda’s race-only replacement for the NSX has now been spied undergoing testing at Japan’s famous Suzuka track. Called the HSV-010 (HSV standing for Honda Sports Velocity), the car is powered by a 3.4-liter V8 engine that makes roughly 500-hp. The car will race in the GT500 class, where all cars are limited to around 500-hp.

We have to say, even in purpose-built race car style the HSV is still a looker and we really wish Honda had plans to bring this car to the streets. Still, the official word from Honda continues to be that this is race-only version. Pity…

Four teams are expected to run the new HSV models in the 2010 Super GT season, with the numbers 8, 18, 32 and 100, with the first race being at Suzuka on May 20-21.

GALLERY: HONDA HSV-010 RACE CAR

Be sure to check after the jump for several videos of the HSV-010 on the track and in the pits at Suzuka.

[Source: MotorsBlog and Circuit Diary via TOV]

With just 500 cars being built and a price of $375,000, the LFA isn’t really the sort of thing that you make a commercial for – but Lexus went ahead and did it anyway. Besides, this isn’t about marketing the car, but the Lexus brand as a whole.

The commercial is in Japanese, but that’s irrelevant because even in English you would have ignored all the words and just stared at the Japanese supercar and listened to its glorious V10 rev.

In case you have been living under a very large rock, the LFA is powered by a 4.8-liter V10 engine with 552-hp and 354 ft-lbs of torque. Weighing just 3,263 lbs thanks to a chassis and body that is mostly constructed of carbon fiber, the LFA can hit 62 mph in 3.7 seconds and tops out a 202 mph!

Currently the LFA is on a tour of the U.S., having just appeared at the LA Auto Show and with another scheduled date slated for the Detroit Auto Show, which starts January 11th.

GALLERY: Lexus LFA at the LA Auto Show

GALLERY: Lexus LFA

Other Lexus LFA Videos after the jump:

Going by the name of Mattzel (or FONESupports), his videos have become a YouTube phenomenon. That being said, we couldn’t resist the urge to post up his latest motorsports-related work – a compilation of slowed down clips from some of the world’s premiere racing series including: Formula One, NASCAR, ALMS, WRC and there’s even some touring car and bike racing tossed in. Oh, and there are several amazing crashes included in the clips.

Combined with some subtle music it has a serious TopGear look and feel that we could just put on repeat and watch all day.

Be sure to check out FONESupports YouTube channel here and subscribe for his next masterpiece.

[Source: AxisofOversteer]

See after the jump for the original Racing in Slow Motion video:

If you’re at all interested in cars, you’re certain to be interested in McLaren’s new exotic, the MP4-12C. And if you’ve read anything about the new Ferrari-fighter, you’re likely impressed by its technological sophistication and want to know more about it. Well today must be your lucky day as McLaren Automotive has just release a short video highlighting the company’s extensive development process.

Not only is the MP4-12C stunning, but it has been built to rival the world’s best, with a twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 engine that makes 600hp and 433 ft-lbs of torque. No performance specs have yet been released but we expect a 0-60 mph time of around 3.5 seconds with a top speed in the 200 mph range.

The V8 engine is mated to a new 7-speed dual-clutch transmission that promises even faster gear changes than conventional systems thanks to the ability to let the driver pre-load a gear by half pressing the shift paddle, which will ready the transmission for the next gear.

What really separates the MP4 from cars like the 458 however is the use of a full-cabon monocoque chassis (like the new Lexus LFA), rather than a weaker and heavier structure made of welded aluminum, steel, magnesium or other materials. This main chassis component weights just 176 lbs so we should expect the vehicle’s curb weight to be impressively low.

The MP4 will go on sale in 2011 with roughly 1,000 units being made ensuring the new car is highly exclusive. The car is expected to cost  £160,000 ($265k).

GALLERY: McLaren MP4-12C

Promising a full unveiling on November 23rd, BMW has released a short video to tease us on the reveal of the all-new 2011 5 Series. The video doesn’t actually show any part of the car, but rather it uses a “kinetic sculpture” from the BMW Museum to form the silhouette of the vehicle.

Like all of BMW’s recent vehicles, we should expect to see a slow evolution away from the controversial Bangle designs. Also expect to see a larger grille and a more flat-fronted nose. It is likely that a new engine will debut in the vehicle as well as several familiar powerplants – like the twin-turbo 3.0-liter I6. An eight-speed automatic is also expected.

With the car’s November 23rd release date, it’s a strong possibility that BMW will use the LA Auto Show to debut its latest model.

Aston Martin has released a stunning piece of video that shows the company’s new sports sedan driving both the Nürburgring and the famous Stelvio Pass in the Alps.

Dubbed “the most elegant four-door sorts car in the world,” the Rapide is powered by a front-mounted 5.9-liter V12 engine. Power is rated at 470hp at 6000 rpm with 443 ft-lbs of torque coming on strong at 5000 rpm. And if we know Aston, it probably sounds like a wicked beast at about 4000 rpm.

The Rapide will be offered exclusively with a six-seed automatic transmission.

As for the design of the car, it’s all Aston up front and even the rear maintains Aston’s signature subtle duck-tail spoiler, which is integrated into the rear hatch. And of course, all four doors flip slightly upward, just like the rest of the Aston fleet. The cabin of the car seats four with 10.6 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats or 26.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

“Rapide is the culmination of the Aston Martin range of sports cars, a car that seals the revival of a truly admired marque,” said Aston CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez. “There is now an Aston Martin for every taste and for every use. With Rapide, the entire family can enjoy their Aston Martin together in unison, in an invigorating yet comfortable environment, sitting low, with plenty of visibility from every seat and with new levels of comfort, refinement and entertainment.”

GALLERY: Aston Martin Rapide

GALLERY: Aston Martin Rapide at the Frankfurt Auto Show