Category: MINI

Following the debut of the Clubvan Concept earlier this year, MINI has announced official details for the production version. The MINI Clubvan features fixed rear panels, with a practical flat cargo floor and is said to be the “world’s first premium compact delivery van”.

The Clubvan will be available in three specifications: MINI One Clubvan (72kW),  MINI Cooper Clubvan (90kW) and MINI Cooper D Clubvan (82kW).

We’re not sure if the lack of a Cooper S option is a deliberate oversight or is being held in reserve. We can certainly imagine aftermarket engine tuners having a lot of fun with a Cooper S Clubvan, so hope MINI’s omission is temporary.

The two-seat Clubvan is 3961mm long, 1683mm wide and 1426mm high. At its narrowest point, the useable cargo area is 1020mm wide and the available length is 1150mm. All up there’s a compact 860 litres of cargo space on offer. The maximum payload capacity is 500kg and a standard metal partition just behind the seats means you can load the Clubvan up to its potential.

There’s more from MINI after the break. We’ll make some enquiries as to Australian availability and report back when we know more.

UPDATE: As predicted in the comments section, BMW Australia has confirmed the Clubvan is not currently in line for local sale.

Here’s one of the first looks inside the new 2013 F56 MINI and the first thing you’ll notice is the lack of a dinner plate-sized speedometer. According to MotoringFile the reason for this rests with the fact the F56 will share many electronic components with the front-wheel drive version of the BMW 1 Series.

Of course, BMW/MINI could keep the well-known centre-mount speedo, but the fact it rates poorly in consumer surveys means it’s not really worth the time and cost to do so. Sadly, we think, that’s just another sign that BMW is slowly diluting the charm and character of the MINI brand.

It’s expected a circular speedo will be placed on the steering column, much the same as the rev counter is now on the current R56 MINI. The rev counter will move beside the speedo, but in a smaller sized dial.

[Source: MotoringFile | Pic: Auto Express]

The Nürburgring 24 hour race has quickly been cast aside and manufacturers have already returned to the Ring to thrash their latest test mules around the famous track. Here, Car magazine brings some great pics of the third-gen MINI Cooper S (F56).

They say the new Cooper S, and even the JCW model, will be powered by a hi-po three cylinder turbocharged engine. Apart from that the recipe probably won’t stray too far from what we’ve seen in the previous R53 and R56 models.

For the first time MINI will platform share with BMW, with the latter using the modular F-platform for its own front-wheel drive plans. Also for the first time we can expect to see a five-door variant of the regular MINI hardtop. That is, in addition to the upsized Countryman.

This is all well and good, but we reckon BMW is flogging its MINI horse a bit too much these days. What made the relaunch of the brand great a decade ago was that MINI offered something fun and unique. And it was a bloody good car. Now, with more models than you can poke a stick at, we fear they’re just diluting their own product.

[Source: Car]

This morning we asked BMW Australia if the MINI John Cooper Works GP would be sold locally. And if so, how many of the 2000 to be built could we expect.

We have since been advised that the model is very much in MINI Australia’s plans. The usual allocation for a market of Australia’s size would be 10 vehicles, but BMW Australia told AUSmotive they have requested 20.

At this stage, there’s no firm pricing or launch details. We’ll bring that news to you as it comes to hand.

MINI has given us an official preview of their fastest model yet: the John Cooper Works GP. The model will be limited to 2000 examples and is due for release later this year.

Wearing unique GP decals, an aggressive bodykit and model specific 17″ alloy wheels there’ll be no mistaking this for any other MINI. We can’t say we’re fans of the overall look, but we appreciate the statement made by the GP.

The ‘GP2’ is currently on show at the MINI United event in France. For now, some key details have been kept under wraps. Engine specifications and interior details being the two most notable.

However, we can see some signs of weight reduction, in line with its predecessor. The rear wiper has been removed and while running 17″ wheels may have as much to do with ride quality, the loss in unsprung mass compared to more visually appealing 18″ wheels shouldn’t be ignored. Kumho has worked with MINI to develop a version of their V700 semi-slicks for the GP.

Other than that the only other hints given by MINI include “adjustable race suspension” and “race-spec braking system”.

We expect there’ll be a couple of lightweight Recaro racing seats inside, and most probably the removal of the rear seat also aiding a lower kerb weight. We also expect peak power to be up around 220hp (165kW) and to see more torque than we’ve seen in any previous MINI.

MINI proudly boast the JCW GP can lap the Nürburgring in 8 minutes 23 seconds, some 19 seconds faster than the original 2006 GP. Although, still some way off the record set by the Renault Megane RS 265.

For now there’s 15 images for you to view, along with the not too specific press release. As more details come to hand we’ll let you know.

A third-generation MINI (F56) prototype has been spotted out and about recently. Still around a year from its official debut the car is heavily disguised so not a lot of detail can be seen.

Although, it’s worth noting the wheels have moved from a four-stud to five-stud pattern. Also the front overhang has grown quite a lot to accommodate new pedestrian crash standards. The saggy looking nose is probably a result of the same regulations.

Follow the links below for more pics. Motor Authority also has a good collection of shots that are worth checking out.

[Source: MotoringFile | Pic: AutoExpress]

For the first time we bring you pics of the MINI Countryman Coupé in testing. You’ll remember it’s based on the 2010 Paceman concept and is, as the name now suggests, a tw0-door version of the Countryman crossover.

It’s expected the Countryman Coupé will make an appearance at the Paris Motor Show in September. Despite our usual disdain for most things SUV, we do make a few rare exceptions, and we think this model might just make the list. Although, the regular four-door Countryman will certainly win out in the practicality stakes.

Of course, you can’t see too much with the crazy black and yellow camouflage, but make sure you concentrate on the rear lights on the image below. You’ll see they take an altogether new form for MINI, appearing to be wider than they are tall and also intrude through into the rear hatch.

[Source: Autocar]

So, you already know that MINI is making another JCW GP hatchback. But the latest word says there’s a total of four GP branded models on the way from MINI.

Part of the allure of the original GP was its exclusivity. It wasn’t offered for sale in Australia for starters, but there were only 444 of the R53 version made.

While MINI has shown a tendency to milk their generally good ideas for everything they’re worth, the good news here is the extended GP range will still consist of limited production run models.

We hope that’s genuine, too, and not limited to the number of GPs they can sell. Weight reduction measures, such as the removal of rear seats for the hatch, for example, should mean that the GP sub-brand is reasonably safe from exploitation.

Other GP-specific items expected for the R56 hatch include a more extroverted rear wing as well as an aggressive rear diffuser.

Expected to join the R56 GP are an R58 Coupé, to be followed by an R60 Countryman and R61 Countryman Coupé. The timeline for these rollouts is yet to be confirmed, but the R56 should be coming our way at next month’s at MINI United event.

Stay tuned!

[Source: MotoringFile]