- Acura
- Alfa Romeo
- Aston Martin
- Audi
- Bentley
- BMW
- Buick
- Cadillac
- Chevrolet
- Chrysler
- Dodge
- Ferrari
- Fiat
- Ford
- Genesis
- GMC
- Honda
- Hyundai
- Infiniti
- Jaguar
- Jeep
- Kia
- Lamborghini
- Land Rover
- Lexus
- Lincoln
- Lotus
- Lucid
- Maserati
- Maybach
- Mazda
- McLaren
- Mercedes-Benz
- MINI
- Mitsubishi
- Nissan
- Pagani
- Porsche
- Ram
- Rivian
- Rolls-Royce
- SMART
- Subaru
- Tesla
- Toyota
- Volkswagen
- Volvo
Report: MINI Planning Two Door Countryman
MINI is apparently starting work on a two-door variation of the Countryman SUV, with a vehicle that would be similar in concept to the just announced Range Rover Evoque.
MINI Considering Revival of Riley Brand With True Luxury Model
MINI has plenty of expansion plans for its range of fun-to-drive cars, with the latest rumor suggesting an up-market model. Inspired by the Riley Elf and Wolseley Hornet, luxury versions of the original Mini built from 1961 to 1969, this new car could run under the Riley name.
Report: Fiat Plans To Sell 50,000 Cars Through 165 Dealers
In advance of the Los Angeles Auto Show, where the U.S.-spec Fiat 500 will make its North American debut, the company held a dealer meeting for 400 of its franchise holders.
MINI Cooper S D Getting 2.0L BMW Diesel With 141-HP
Diesel and performance don’t really go hand-in-hand – at least not on this side of the Atlantic. But over in Europe there’s a strong believe that you can have fuel economy and plenty of torque. With two diesel offerings in MINI‘s lineup since 2007 (the One D and Cooper D), we’ve heard several rumors of a Cooper S D model, mixing high-performance with diesel technology the way VW does with the GTD.
BMW Planning 1 Series GT, Countryman Variant and MINI-Van
BMW will take full advantage of investments in its MINI sub-brand, developing additional models based on those products that will be branded and sold as BMWs. According to a report by Automobile Magazine, the list includes a BMW version of the MINI Clubman and Countryman, as well as both a BMW and a MINI van. (Yes, the MINIvan).
AAA Picks Top Vehicles For Dogs (and Their Owners)
Some rides are better suited for your dogs than others. From your dog’s point of view, all they need is an open window to stick their head out of, but the American Automobile Association (AAA) has put a bit more thought into compiling their list of the best canine-friendly vehicles.
“More than 45 million households in the U.S. have a dog, and many are taking Fido along for the ride on a regular basis,” said John Nielsen, AAA National Director of Auto Repair and Buying Services. “There several vehicles with features that can help keep pets safe, comfortable and easy to clean-up after while also addressing other driver desires such as sportiness, adventure or luxury.”
In order to put together the most through list, AAA Auto Buying’s team of experts test drove and reviewed hundreds of vehicles. The list was based on a wide variety of factors such as crash test ratings, safety features, fuel economy, ease of animal ingress and egress, cargo area size, availability of tie-down hooks and easy-to-clean interiors.
Broken down into six categories, see the winners after the jump:
Smaller MINI Model to Get John Cooper Works Treatment
For months we’ve heard rumors of a new MINI model that will slot in underneath the Cooper in the British automakers lineup, but that doesn’t mean the newest and miniest MINI will put fuel economy ahead of fun. Inside sources are reporting that this new city car will get a high-powered John Cooper Works (JCW) edition.
MINI Takes The States Tour, Day 5: Lapping The Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Day 5 of the MINI Takes The States Tour saw me back in the Clubman for one final jaunt, with a relatively uneventful drive from Columbus to Indianapolis. A back road detour had us on a road worthy of a car commercial, freshly paved in black asphalt, winding through various Ohio cornfields and small towns. But the best was yet to come, as I was about to get my chance to lap the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Although it was officially a slow speed “parade lap”, I found a way around that and was able to experience the joys of going flat out around an oval – or a reasonable facsimile of it.
Hit the jump to read more
MINI Takes The States Tour, Day 4: Pittsburgh To Columbus In The MINI Countryman
Day 4 Of the MINI Takes The States Tour was an exciting one for me, as I was able to sample the all-new MINI Countryman before nearly anyone else. Saturday’s epic blast through two states left me exhausted, and I was expecting the Countryman to be a little more laid back than the Clubman S I drove yesterday. I was wrong. Don’t think of the Countryman as a MINI SUV, but as a MINI Cooper S for people with obligations.
Hit the jump to read more about the MINI Countryman
MINI Takes The States Tour, Day 3: Baltimore And Pittsburgh
Day 3 of the MINI Takes The States Tour placed a big emphasis on driving. Not the kind of stop and go commuter traffic that we experienced in New York, Philly and Baltimore, but on the kind of high performance spirited driving that MINIs are known for.
Don’t get me wrong – as much as auto writers posture about blasting across twisty blacktop or exiting a corner on a road course with the wheel cranked at full lock, they know somewhere deep down they understand that their audience wants to know how the car does in the daily grind of traffic, gas mileage and all the unglamorous stuff left to plebian drivers. These are the conditions where we drive our press cars 95% of the time; stuck in a barely moving single file row of other cars, belching greenhouse emissions, A/C cranked and the same Lady GaGa song playing across the same 5 radio stations owned by one media conglomerate.
If you’re test driving a mid-size sedan, then the review will be centered on these conditions. But if you’re in something a bit sportier, you’ll go to bed a little earlier on a Friday night and maybe not go to the bar with your buddies. The alarm will be set for an ungodly hour, but you won’t need that double batch of morning coffee, because the urgency will be there. It’s like Christmas morning even though the August humidity is just starting to creep into your day. Today was one of those days.
Hit the jump to see how it all went down:
MINI Takes The States Tour, Day 2: Philadelphia And Baltimore
The second day of the MINI Takes The States Tour was a busy one and I’m thrilled to report that I now have a proper camera and no longer have to subject you to pictures taken with my Blackberry. With a drive in an electric MINI and a visit to one of America’s best vintage sports car collections, it was an ideal day for any gearhead.
Hit the jump to see more of Day 2 of the Mini Takes The States Tour
MINI Takes The States Tour, Day 1: New York City
The 1st day of the MINI Takes The States Tour kicked off with a bit of a surprise – it turned out that a MINI press car was unable to take me from Newark Airport to our first destination, so I had to slum it in a BMW 550i. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited.
Unfortunately, the 550i’s nav system took me in the opposite direction from New York, nearly sending me to Camden, New Jersey, ranked America’s most dangerous city in 2009. Not exactly the kind of place you want to take a brand new Bimmer.
All was resolved thanks to a local friend who laughed at my inept sense of direction and set me on course for Manhattan’s Meat Packing District. I set forth for MILK Studios, a gallery space where MINI was hosting a launch event for the new 4-door Countryman SUV, as well as the launch point of the Eastern leg of the MINI Takes The States Tour.
Once I hit Manhattan, I began to wish for a Mini Cooper S to help weave through the atrocious traffic. Being an admitted small car guy (my Miata keys in my pocket), the 5 Series was not my ideal vehicle, though I was kept in air conditioned, HD Radio’d comfort for the few hours (yes, hours) it took me to get from Newark to Downtown Manhattan.
Keep reading more MINI Takes the States Tour, Day 1: New York after the jump:
MINI Takes The States Rally Begins Tomorrow, Autoguide Will Be There
MINI fans will be able to preview the new MINI Countryman as the brand kicks off the MINI Takes The States rally in different locations across the United States starting tomorrow.
San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago and New York City will play host to the start points, and Autoguide will be in New York to cover the events leading off from the East Coast leg of the rally. Autoguide will be on hand for stops in Philadelphia, Baltimore/Washington D.C., Pittsburgh, Columbus and Indianapolis, Autoguide staffer Derek Kreindler will cover events such as the Countryman launch party, a visit to the sports car collection at the Simeone Museum, participate in an autocross in Baltimore, lap the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and hang out with MINI owners along at various stops along the way.
Be sure to follow @ Autoguide on Twitter for line coverage, and check the blog for in-depth updates.
Hit the jump to see the official press release
MINI to Compete in 2011 WRC Series With Prodrive-Built Countryman
MINI has officially announced that it will enter the World Rally Championship (WRC) next year, teaming up with Prodrive and running a Countryman crossover. The MINI Countryman WRC is being developed by the legendary Prodrive race team (which helped Subaru win six championships) to run part of the 2011 season as it prepares for a full 2012 season of competition.
The modified Countryman model will meet new FIA Super2000 regulations, using a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder BMW Motorsport engine, mated to MINI’s new All4 all-wheel drive system.
In the future, MINI will offer the Countryman WRC model to customer teams, so expand the number of MINIs competing in rally racing internationally.
Rumors suggest several well-known drivers may compete for the official MINI team, including Mads Ostberg and Marcus Gronholm.
Official release after the jump:
MINI to Announce WRC Entry This Week
Rumors that MINI will enter the World Rally Championship have been swirling for almost a year now, but that could all end later this week. According to the most recent reports, MINI will confirm its intentions to join the WRC series later this week with renowned British racing firm Prodrive set to take over operations of the team.
MINI Minor Concept to Debut at Geneva Auto Show
MINI will unveil a new concept car at the Geneva Auto Show next March that will foreshadow a future model to slot in underneath the current Cooper range and compete with the likes of the Smart fortwo and Toyota iQ. Possibly called the MINI Minor, the concept car will be based on a shortened version of the current hatchback platform, although it’s not known if a production model would continue to use such a layout. The car wouldn’t be a four-seater, either (not that the current MINI really is anyway), but instead either offer just two seats, or a 3-seat layout like the iQ.
MINI Countryman Specs Released
MINI‘s Countryman SUV is likely going to have some tough competition from the Nissan Juke, but the announcement of some specifications for the newest MINI should take away from some of the buzz that Nissan’s strange-looking crossover has been enjoying.
MINI Canyon 3-Door Under Consideration, Based on Countryman
After the positive reception given to the Beachcomber concept, MINI is interested in bringing a similar model to market, but one that could take the form of a 3-door Countryman. According to BMW company insider Scott27, MINI just doesn’t see a market for the Beachcomber concept, due to its 4-doors and niche-market appeal – namely, guys with suftboards.
BMW And MINI Get New Special Editions For The Japanese Market
The original Mini was an immensely popular car in Japan, and the new one seems to be doing well in its position as a “premium” compact car. To help generate excitement after 4 years of the same body style, MINI is launching the Saville Row edition, which, ironically, is only available in Japan.
Refreshed 2011 MINI Lineup Officially Unveiled
MINI has just officially taken the wraps off its refreshed 2011 lineup of models and while we’re sure the MINI-faithful will debate the changes for months and years to come, were not sure most folks will notice the difference. It’s a good think the original design of the car is timeless.
Porsche Beats MINI at Its Own Game, MINI Still Comes Out On Top
With Porsche refusing to take part in MINI‘s challenge to race at Road Atlanta (which was neither a real race, nor actually on the track at Road Atlanta), MINI decided to go ahead and stage the comparo anyway. And the plucky British automaker… lost?
That’s right, the MINI Cooper S couldn’t best the German juggernaut Porsche 911 – which comes as no surprise to anyone as the Porsche costs almost twice the price and has roughly double the horsepower. The autocross track the MINI devised to give the Cooper S an advantage helped, but not enough to secure a victory, with the Porsche still completing the course 2 seconds ahead. MINI likes to point out that each one of those seconds costs an additional $38,000.
Regardless, the entire marketing gimmick was a stroke of genius by the folks at MINI, attracting a ton of attention to the brand and drawing a comparison between the Cooper and 911 which reflects positively on MINI. (It’s a propaganda technique, read the section titled “Trasfer” here. Who said a philosophy degree was useless?)
To see how the whole thing went down and for several more videos about the event, see after the jump:
[Source: Facebook]
See the videos:
Hyundai Calls Out MINI, Offers to Stand-In for Porsche at Road Atlanta Race
By now were sure you’ve heard about MINI‘s challenge to Porsche to come out and race at Road Atlanta. A genius piece of marketing no doubt, but it appears two can play at this game as Hyundai has just turned the tables on MINI in a new YouTube video, offering to step in for the timid German juggernaut.
Commenting that “We’d be happy to show you the line at Road Atlanta, where we laid down our Epic Lap” Super Bowl commercial, Hyundai has thrown down the gauntlet and, quite frankly, after the incessant taunting MINI has given to Porsche, we’re not sure the fun British brand can refuse.
Hyundai does admit that they won’t be able to make the planned June 21st even, stating that their hired-hitman racer Rhys Millen will be out attempting to set a Pikes Peak world record in a a Genesis-powered race car. Instead the Korean underdog has suggested July.
We’re sure MINI didn’t foresee this when they cooked up the MINI vs. Porsche challenge and right about now they’re probably regretting they did.
See the video after the jump:
MINI Countryman to Compete in WRC in 2012?
MINI is set to join the World Rally Championship in 2012, competing with the new Countryman crossover. Rumors to this extent swirled just ahead of the Geneva Auto Show earlier this year where the Countryman was unveiled, but nothing ever came of it. The MINI fans at MotoringFile say the project is still in the pipes and the race cars crossovers will debut some time this year (or next) for competition in 2012.
MINI Taunts Porsche in Rocky IV Training Montage
It’s possibly the best 80’s montage of them all; yes, we’re talking about the training scene from Rocky IV where the underdog Balboa trains in a wooden hut in the Russian countryside while Captain Ivan Drago (aka, Dolf Lungren) pumps up on steroids and makes use of the world’s most sophisticated machines to tone his body.
Well, in MINI’s continued bid to taunt Porsche into a showdown at Road Atlanta, the fun-loving (and internet marketing savvy) folks at MINI have teamed up with the comedy geniuses at FunnyorDie to produce a parody of the epic montage that is sure to pump you up. It’s no surprise that the part of Rocky is played by a MINI and that those overly serious Russians are played by overly serious folks from Porsche.
And we thought the Ford Fiesta campaign was smart online marketing.
[Source: FunnyorDie]
See the video after the jump:
MINI Exploring New Models Says Design Boss
In a recent interview MINI design boss Adrian van Hooydonk admitted that the BMW sub-brand is looking at expanding with new models in the future. “Because Mini is on the threshold of turning into a proper brand, we will be looking at a pallet of models for the future,” he told AutoCar.
MINI Re-Challenges Porsche to Road Atlanta Race: Puts Justin Bieber Tickets on the Line
Exploiting social media for all it’s worth, MINI isn’t about to let up on its David vs Golliath challenge. As we’re sure you recall, MINI recently challenged Porsche to a race at Road Atlanta. Porsche subsequently declined, trading MINI’s fun jabs for biting disdain of the fun British brand. (Funny, we always thought German’s were known for there sense of humor).
Now MINI USA boss Jim McDowell is back, using Facebook and YouTube to once again coax Porsche to a race, offering better prizes than before to the winner – including a pair of Justin Bieber tickets.
We’re all but certain Porsche will once again decline, but it doesn’t really matter. Either way, MINI is coming out of this on top, with tons of publicity and lots of laughs. And even if Porsche accepted and MINI lost, it would still be a positive for MINI, just that Porsche would even acknowledge that MINI is a competitor.
It’s for that exact reason that we can’t ever seen Porsche accepting. In fact, we can already predict the response will have something to do with Porsche’s recent class win at Le Mans.
See the video after the jump:
Porsche Shoots Down Proposed MINI Race At Road Atlanta
MINI’s challenge to race their Cooper S against a Porsche at Road Atlanta didn’t go over so well. The publicity stunt initiated by MINI USA’s Jim McDowell was met with a terse and dismissive response by Porsche Cars North America CEO Detlev Von Platen today, as he issued a statement where he declined McDowell’s challenge, and invited them to come play with the big boys at places like Sebring and LeMans.
McDowell has previously challenged Porsche to attend a race at Road Atlanta on June 21st, pitting the Mini Cooper S against a Porsche 911 Carrera S. The terms of the race were unspecified, and no further information was given beyond McDowell’s vague challenge.
To view Porsche’s response, hit the jump
[Source: The Truth About Cars]
BMW's Active Sound Design Gives MINI Cooper V8 Sound [video]
Last week we brought you a story about an innovate technology BMW is working on called Active Sound Design. The primary use of the technology is in sound deadening using an electro-acoustic system (aka, your car’s stereo) to minimize or change the sound you here. This is particularly important for BMW when it comes to diesel cars, as the sound of a diesel is considered rather unattractive to luxury shoppers – particularly in North America.
But there’s another use of Active Sound Design too, namely, making your car sound cooler. BMW says its new electronic noise canceling technology can not only be used to just limit sound, but to let the right kind of sound through, matching the engine’s noise to how the car is being driven. In fact, BMW recently performed a little research project using cars equipped with its electro-acoustic system and cars without. The results are impressive. “Subsequent test drives showed that test persons, despite measurably identical longitudinal dynamics, judged the driving performance of the vehicle with integrated Active Sound Design to be better. The subjective in-vehicle impression was comparable to the sensation of an accelerating car with a stronger engine.”
To prove this point further, BMW recently build a MINI with the new Active Sound Design technology, giving the little 4-cylinder the sound of a big V8. Don’t believe it? See the demonstration video courtesy AutoCar.
See the video after the jump:
Next-Gen BMW 3 Series to Get Turbo 3-Cylinder
News that BMW is developing a new direct-injection turbocharged 3-cylinder for the next generation of MINI models has been circulating for a few weeks now, but now it appears as though the same pint-sized powerplant will be used in the BMW lineup as well. According to a recent report by the well-informed MINI faithful at MotoringFile, the first BMW to get the turbo 3-banger will be the front-drive BMW 1 Series hatch – hardly a surprise considering it’s based on the same platform as the next MINI. After that, however, it is slated to arrive in the next-generation BMW 3 Series, X3 and X1 as a low cost alternative. It’s unlikely that BMW is planning to offer a 3-cylinder 3 Series in the U.S., but there’s a real possibility for the X1 and 1 Series Coupe.
Mini VP: Coupe, Roadster, To Arrive Within Two Years
Two stripped down models will join the MINI range within two years of the debut of the MINI Countryman crossover, one a Coupe, the other a 2-seat Roadster.
MINI Coupe On Sale Next Summer, Roadster to Follow Six Months Later
The production MINI Coupe is set to hit dealerships across North America next Summer. According to Mini Vice President Jim McDowell, MINI will use a six-month buffer between models an with the Countryman crossover set to arrive in February of next year, the Coupe should then be available in August of 2011. That would then mean that the Roadster model (essentially a drop-top version of the Coupe), would hit dealers in February of 2012 – just in time for spring.
Mini Vs. Porsche Race Is A Great Publicity Stunt That Might Just Work
A video and a series of print advertisements from MINI has the BMW subsidiary throwing down the gauntlet against German sports car maker Porsche, challenging them to a “race” at Road Atlanta, daring them to let their 911 Carrera go up against the diminutive MINI Cooper S.
MINI Planning 7-Seat 'Countryman Plus' Model
The MINI brand looks to expand in a big way – and not just in numbers either. While several new models are set to debut over the next few years, the biggest news might just be an even bigger model. According to a report by the notoriously speculative AutoExpress, MINI plans to introduce a larger 7-seat version of its new crossover. The Countryman already caused quite a stir, being the first four-door MINI and the first MINI to offer all-wheel drive.
Report: Diesel Powered Mini Cooper S To Debut In 2011
With the success of oil-burning hot hatches like the Seat Leon Cupra FR and Volkswagen Golf GTD, as well as a general trend towards “green” products (whatever that means), Mini is preparing to launch a diesel version of their Mini Cooper S hot hatch.
MINI Minor City Car to Rival Smart Fortwo, Toyota IQ?
After introducing a new crossover at the top-end of its lineup, MINI now appears to be readying a new entry-level model – reportedly referred to as the MINI Minor by BMW officials. Designed as a true city car, the new minier MINI would be built to compete against the Smart Fortwo and Toyota iQ models and would be comparible in size. In fact, this would give the car roughly the same footprint as the original MINI Cooper.
MINI Beachcomber Concept Likely to See Production
MINI appears ready to expand its product lineup some more with the addition of the Beachcomber. First shown at the Detroit Auto Show this year, the Beachcomber Concept rides on the Countryman’s new crossover platform and takes inspiration from the tiny Moke model, which the brand offered from 1964 to 1993.
Half of MINI E Lessees Sign on for a Second Year
Roughly half of those who took part in the MINI E’s lease program in North American have opted to sign on for a second year. As the first electric MINI, the MINI E was built as a test platform for future electric car models from MINI and parent company BMW. MINI’s pilot project included leases of the MINI E in Europe as well as in Los Angeles and New York.
Mini Countryman Getaway Package Lets You Purchase Spontaneity
Since the launch of the brand, MINI has always had a host of quirky accessories, from flag motifs for the roof, rally inspired fog lights for the front of the car, colored mirror caps and racing stripes in all manner of hues. To commemorate the launch of the new four-door Mini Countryman, the Getaway package allows you to have any sort of spontaneous roadside or rest stop social gathering, provided you shell out the €306 for the equipment offered. For your money, you can get a tabletop that allows the rear seats to fold into a functioning table, branded boots, t-shirt and parka as well as a special cover that can be “a poncho, sleeping bag, awning, picnic blanket and bed cover in one, and makes the ideal accessory for those more extended stops during a journey.”
Hit the jump to get the full story on this…unique… accessory package. Perhaps a road test of the Countryman Getaway is in order, involving living out of the car for a week subsisting only on trail mix and using the Mini as a makeshift shelter. MINI PR, are you listening?
[Source: Autoblog]
Press Release After The Jump
Report: Next-Gen MINI Cooper to Get Turbo 3-Cylinder With Direct-Injection
The next-generation of new MINI Cooper models will be powered by turbocharged direct-injection 3-cylinder engines. According to a report by MotoringFile, the new turbo DI 3-bangers will deliver MINI D-like diesel efficiency – somewhere in the range of 50-mpg on the highway!
Nowack Motors Tunes MINI Cooper S and JCW to 260-HP
In the past, Nowack Motors has tuned several BMWs and recently has released three kits for the MINI Cooper S and JCW models. What are already a fun and nimble cars have just become that much more powerful through Nowack Motors’ tuning kits. The three kits are conveniently labeled with their horsepower ratings: N210, N230 and N260.
MINI Countryman Diesel Spied With 2.0-Liter BMW Engine
MINI has already made it clear that it will offer two diesel engines in the Countryman crossover, but has been remarkably quiet on just what those engines will be and how much power they will make. At launch, it was revealed that the entry-level One D Countryman would get 90-hp. Now, however, thanks to the folks at BigBlogg, we have confirmation of the larger and more powerful Countryman diesel model.
Report: BMW Developing Hybrid Hydrogen Technology for MINI, Future Front-Drive BMWs
BMW is developing a complex powertrain that blends fuel cell and hybrid technology, allowing a car be carbon neutral in urban traffic.
Report: 2011 MINI JCW to Get Added Power, Updated Aero
We absolutely love the MINI John Cooper Works (JCW) edition ( reviewed here and here) and for 2011 it’s going to get more hard-core. According to the MINI experts at MotoringFile and thanks to some new spy photos from LeftLaneNews we have better insight to what the mid-cycle updates will include.
Russian Designer Denis Simachev and Tuner TopCar to Build 25 Limited Edition MINIs
We love customized MINIs like we love air, so seeing a street art-inspired one from Russia made our hearts go all aflutter. Prepared in a strict limited run of 25 unique cars, the Russian artist Denis Simachëv and Russian tuner TopCar will create each car as a wholly unique vehicle.
The white one, called “Bully,” was a desire to “break the stereotype that MINI is mostly a girl’s car.” Simachëv says:
“This car is created for a real ‘bully’ that is fond of easy money. He likes socializing and is desperate to attend fashionable gatherings and parties. A real ‘party animal’, he is just fooling around and looking for an adventure.”
We love the car, and don’t get what they mean. Maybe Ed Hardy shirts haven’t made it to Russia.
To check out more photos of the “Bully,” plus #2 in the series, “Moscow” (adorned with traditional Russian ‘Khokhloma’ paintings) hop past the jump.
MINI E Laps the Nrburgring – Slowly
Whether to promote the cars “performance” or more likely just for the fun of it, the team at MINI took the new MINI E electric vehicle out to Germany’s famed Nürburgring to see what sort of a time they could get. As you might expect, it wasn’t close to the GT-Rs 7:26.70 time, but then what do you expect from a 204-hp machine with a heavy battery on-board, bringing the curb weight up to 3,300 lbs. Still, MINI didn’t mess around, with former German Touring Car driver Thomas Jaeger acting as the pilot.
So what the time? Well, we’re excited indifferent to report a 9:51.45. For the record, Sport Auto once tested a John Cooper Works model for a time of 8:35.
Still, Jager, as expected, had nice things to say about the car. “”The power of the electric motor has an incredible effect, as you can access its full reserves of torque at all times. Another element of this fascinating experience is the lack of noise from the drivetrain. All in all, that was certainly the cleanest and quietest race lap I’ve ever driven.”
Currently MINI leases its electric car to customers in both the U.S. and Europe. We wonder if any of them have ever been to a race track.
[Source: Autoweek]
Report: MINI JCW WC50 Model Headed to U.S. Dealers As Most Expensive MINI Ever
Last year MINI unveiled a very special and very cool John Cooper Works Championship 50 Special Edition model in the U.K. to celebrate the company’s 50th birthday. And now according to the folks at MotoringFile, the JCW WC50 will also be offered in the U.S. – but it doesn’t come cheap.
MINI Coupe and Roadster Revealed in Patent Drawings
Several patent drawings obtained by Autoblog show what the news outlet claims are the production designs for the upcoming MINI Coupe and Roadster. Both vehicles look remarkably similar to their concept counterparts, even down to the helmet roof for the Coupe.
MINI Countryman Set to Get U.S. Debut in New York
After its world premiere at the Geneva Auto Show just a few weeks back, MINI will show its Countryman crossover for the first time on U.S. soil at the New York Auto Show on April 1st. The very first crossover from the brand, MINI expects this four-seater to be the most fuel efficient crossover in the U.S.
New Front-Wheel Drive BMWs Coming Says CEO
So far we have heard several reports of a new front-drive model from BMW, but now comes confirmation from BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer. “There will be front-wheel-drive BMWs in the smaller vehicle classes in the future,” said Reithofer during a press conference about the German automaker’s finances.
MINI's Future 'Greener and More Efficient' With Engine Updates in 2011, Dual-Clutch Transmissions Likely
With the launch of the all-new MINI Countryman at the Geneva Auto Show last week we had an opportunity to sit down with the VP of MINI USA, Jim McDowell and find out more about the brand’s first crossover and what the future holds for the rest of the product range.
Geneva 2010: MINI Countryman First Live Photos
MINI was supposed to introduce its new Countryman at the Geneva Auto Show but leaked photos of the crossover forced the company to release pictures and details in January.
Kansas City Man Wins MINI Convertible Challenge for Most Hours Clocked Top-Down
Easily the biggest gimmick on the new MINI convertible models is the Openometer. The what? Well, the Openometer is a gauge just like all the other gauges you might find on a car’s dash, but on the MINI convertible models it measures how long the owner has driven with the top down.
To help promote the car and make the experience all the more enjoyable for owners, MINI launched the Open One Challenge where 400 drivers competed to record the most top-down miles. MINI has just announced the winner as David Loveall from Kansas City, Missouri. Over fifth months last year Loveall drove 555.55 hours top-down, visiting 48 states and driving such roads as Route 66.
As a reward for his adventures Loveall wins a trip to the MINI factory in Oxford, England.
“Owners like David are what make the MINI brand great,” said Jim McDowell, Vice President, MINI USA. “The fact that he won this contest with 128 hours more than the runner up is a testament to his enthusiasm for his MINI, and is a great representation of the community that surrounds the brand.”
And proving that it’s not the destination, but the journey, Loveall commented that, “I took on the challenge for the story I’d get to tell. My MINI Cooper Convertible is the first car I have ever bought, and the experiences I have had within the first year of owning it have been amazing.”
Photos of all the MINI Open One Challenge and rankings can be found at http://www.theopenone.com/home.
Official release after the jump:
BMW, Peugeot Citroen Extend Partnership to Build New 4-Cylinder Engines
BMW and French automaker Peugeot Citroen have signed a new agreement to work together to develop a new generation of improved 4-cylinder engines. The new powerplants will be used in BMW’s MINI lineup as well as in Peugeot’s 207 and Citroen’s C3 Picaso.
Report: MINI Countryman JCW "Definitely Under Consideration"
A high-performance version of the MINI Countryman crossover is “definitely under consideration” says MINI U.K.’s general manager Jochen Goller. Only recently did MINI officially confirm the Countryman model which is expected to make its word debut at the Geneva Auto Show in March. Currently the MINI Cooper S Countryman boasts the highest output with 184-hp. That would all change if a John Cooper Works model joined the lineup, putting out closer to 210-hp.
MINI John Cooper Works Challenge Edition Launches in Australia
We can’t say we’re surprised to learn that MINI has decided to introduce a John Cooper Works Challenge Edition model, but we are a little shocked to learn that it’s exclusive to Australia. The Challenge Edition essentially takes all that’s good about the JCW model, including the stiffer suspension, bigger wheels and more powerful 208-hp engine and tosses in all sorts of accessories to give the sportiest of MINIs a look similar to the MINI Challenge race cars.
2011 MINI Countryman Crossover Officially Revealed After Pictures Leaked
A day after pictures of its new crossover were leaked out to the web, MINI has officially released details and photographs of the 2011 MINI Countryman. Originally scheduled to be unveiled at next month’s Geneva Auto Show, the Countryman was originally supposed appear at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show but was unfortunately delayed. It is a little ironic then that MINI was forced to move ahead with its announcement after yesterday’s leak.