Category: MINI

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MINI

MINI to reveal new design concept ahead of Paris

MINI concept

The Paris Motor Show is just three weeks away now. As usual, manufacturers will begin filtering through news, teasing us about all the the fancy shiny products they will have on show. MINI, however, will be going one better by revealing whatever it is underneath these covers in an exclusive preview to be held in London on 23 September.

Even better, if you are a UK resident you could be there. Check out the MINI Facebook page for more details on that.

As to the car that might be under wraps, well, it’s a bit hard to tell really. It’s clearly not a Coupé Concept based model. The biggest hint appears to be given at the front. Take a look at the headlights. A little bit Countryman? Could it be a JCW Countryman, perhaps?

UPDATE 11 September: Hmm, perhaps that first image has thrown us off the scent. The Facebook page has been updated with a sketch that indicates it could be MINI’s first attempt at making a scooter. Yes, seriously! See MotoringFile for more.

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MINI WRC

MINI WRC team sign Kris Meeke, Gronholm could be next

Kris Meeke signs with MINI WRC

It has been reported that young UK rally driver Kris Meeke is the first to put pen to paper with the new MINI/Prodrive WRC team. Meeke, currently racing in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, would not confirm the signing saying only, “My focus remains on this year and winning rallies with Peugeot.”

However a source with links to Prodrive has said, “The deal with Kris is done. David Richards has talked a great deal about having a British driver and he’s been as good as his word.”

Meanwhile dual WRC champion Marcus Gronholm will be testing a MINI Countryman WRC prototype in Portugal this week which could result in him being the next major signing for the newest team in world rally.

The MINI WRC team will contest a reduced number of events in 2011 before taking on the WRC full-time in 2012.

[Source: Autosport | Thanks to Chris for the tip]

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MINI

How many MINIs you know flow like this?

MINI Countryman

A couple of weeks ago MINI launched their first TVCs for the new four-door Countryman. The ads to date have been okay, but nothing too special. Remember, MINI sets the bar quite high with their usually creative campaigns. Well, the latest Countryman commercial, titled Flow, seems to put things right with its kaleidoscope of special effects.

Of course, an ad like this could never make it to Australian TV screens as it would be banned due to the glorification of speed or some equally lame conclusion. Oh noes, the carz are spinning teh wheelz—won’t someone think of the children!

Check it out after the jump, along with a behind the scenes look and all the previous ads too.

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MINI WRC

Want to buy a WRC car?

MINI/Prodrive WRC

As most readers will be aware MINI and Prodrive recently announced a new partnership which is set to produce lovely little WRC racecar offspring. So, if you reckon the MINI Countryman is not all bad, plus you have a spare £346K (AU$600K) burning a hole in your pocket and you know how to flick a Scandinavian, or something like that, then head on over to MotoringFile and download the official brochure.

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MINI WRC

Dave Richards talking MINI and the WRC

Dave Richards

Dave Richards, Prodrive chairman, has been talking recently about the return of MINI to the world rally stage. You can see a brief television piece after the break. A more in-depth interview is also available on the WRC website. Here’s a snippet:

“The traditional way of producing a rally car is that a manufacturer comes along and asks you to make a car out of this product. Instead, we took the new regulations and said, right, what would the ultimate car look like? We used reverse engineering. Three months in, we looked at what we’d got and analysed this against the cars of all the manufacturers in the world. By March 2009 we had come up with 11 target cars. Then we went to talk to the manufacturers.

“Ironically the MINI wasn’t on that list because the car as we knew it was too small. It just didn’t fit the rules. But during discussions we found out that a new, larger car was in development – the four-door Countryman – and it went straight to the top of our list. Firstly, as being just about perfect in dimensions and layout, and secondly being one of the most iconic names and rally brands ever.”

Follow the source link below for the full interview.

[Source: WRC | Thanks to Chris for the YouTube tip]

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MINI WRC

MINI confirms WRC entry from 2011

MINI Countryman WRC

It’s taken a few days longer than expected but MINI have just confirmed their plans to enter the World Rally Championship in 2011. The rally car will be based on the new Countryman platform. Proven rally outfit Prodrive have been charged with preparing the MINI Countryman WRC to new Super2000 regulations.

MINI will undertake a restricted program in 2011 before taking on the full WRC calendar from 2012 and beyond.

Prodrive Chairman, David Richards is excited at the prospect of bringing the MINI brand back to the world rally stage, “During the 1960s MINI captured the imagination of the world when the tiny car took on the might of V8 powered Fords and won what was then one of the toughest motorsport events, the 4000km Monte Carlo rally.

“I believe our new MINI will become a firm favourite of the latest generation of rally fans, just as it is adored by its millions of owners across the world. We already have a significant number of confirmed customer orders for the new MINI rally car with the first deliveries scheduled for the start of the 2011 season.”

Prodrive have been working on the MINI Countryman WRC since early last year and the first test drive is due in a couple of months from now. As well as the factory cars the MINI Countryman WRC will also be available for privateer teams.

All of a sudden the Countryman takes on a whole new cool factor! Full press release from MINI after the break.

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MINI WRC

MINI and Prodrive ready to announce WRC entry

MINI WRC

News has emerged that an announcement from MINI and Prodrive confirming a WRC entry is imminent. As the rendering above shows the rally car will be based on MINI’s new four-door Countryman model and will derive its engine from the 1.6 litre John Cooper Works range. It is expected the announcement will be made before the end of this week.

Norwegian driver Mads Ostberg is understood to undertaking a chief testing role with the MINI/Prodrive program and will likely sign on as one of the drivers for the 2011 season.

Despite these latest murmurings the car is still in its early stages of development. As a result the MINI is not expected to debut in the WRC until Round 5 of next year’s championship.

More news as it comes to hand.

[Source: Autosport | Pic: theSwitchback]

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MINI

Detailed MINI Countryman info

MINI Countryman

MINI are presenting their new four-door Countryman model to the press in Germany this week. The somewhat radical format for MINI goes on sale in overseas markets later this year, with the Australian launch expected in early 2011.

Despite the reservations of many readers, the Countryman gets a tentative thumbs up from AUSmotive. Okay, I admit, we did initially close our eyes and pretend the model wasn’t going to happen. A mid-size MINI soft-roader! But once reality hit, and our eyes were open, we soon discovered the sky wasn’t falling; the world wasn’t coming to an abrupt end.

BMW would never have held on to MINI after its Rover ownership debacle if it didn’t think there was some lost ground to be regained. The MINI brand gives BMW a fresh license to explore new market segments. The Countryman is a good example of this.

Here at AUSmotive we eagerly await the arrival of the Countryman to our southern shores so we can have an opportunity to establish, once and for all, that our current faith is not misplaced.

There will be five engines finding their way under the Countryman’s bonnet; three petrol and two diesel. Cooper S and Cooper D Countryman models can also be optioned with new ALL4 all-wheel drive system. Full specifications from the entire range, along with a introductory press release can be viewed below.

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New vehicle sales report – June 2010

FCAI banner

The end of financial year saw some big numbers in terms of new vehicle sales in Australia. In fact, the final sales tally of 108,722 vehicles is the highest selling month on record. It betters the previous monthly high by over 2000 sales, set back in June 2008.

“The record June result is a clear demonstration of renewed confidence in the marketplace,” FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar said.

“It is encouraging to see that private buyers have returned to the market in greater numbers and have taken over the momentum previously attributed to business sales.”Year-to-date sales now sit at 531,168 and the FCAI has upped is 2010 prediction by 40,000 vehicles. It now expects 980,000 sales to be registered in 2010.

Toyota, Holden and Ford continue as the three highest selling marques. But that hasn’t stopped many other brands from bragging about their sales results.

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MINI

MINI John Cooper Works image gallery

MINI John Cooper Works

As part of MINI’s mid-life refresh the John Cooper Works model has been adorned with a raft of cosmetic changes. The option of a Chili Red roof is the most obvious introduction.

The red theme continues inside, too, with contrast red stitching and red trim panels now available. Also included are anthracite dials for the dash and Lounge Leather seats with red piping. Back outside, the JCW’s Cross Spoke Challenge wheels can get a free coat of shiny black paint if you so desire.

Sadly, there’s nee no mechanical changes or increases to the 155kW from the current John Cooper Works model.

Here at AUSmotive we’re not so sure about the red roof. Take a look at the images after the jump and let us know what you think.

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MINI

MINI release details of latest model refresh

MINI Cooper S

MINI have just given their model range a bit of a spruce up. Part mid-cycle model refresh and part counter-attack to the Audi A1 and its ilk, the new MINIs probably don’t look terribly different to most punters. Lucky, then, that MINI gave us some really big pictures of the bits that have changed.

Notably the front and rear bumper assemblies have been tarted up. So too the lighting visuals, with de rigueur LED rear tail lights now available. Those chrome trimmed scoops on the lower front grille actually feed air to the brakes to aid cooling. That’s a nice touch.

For the more frugal minded folk out there in MINI land you’ll be pleased to know there’s some new diesel engines on the way too.

The market launch of the model updates is not scheduled until mid-September so we can deduce that a) this early release of information shows MINI is keen to remind buyers not to forget them while they’re busy checking our Audi, Alfa Romeo and Fiat dealerships and b) that we may not be seeing these changes in Australia until early 2011.

Full details in the form of MINI’s press release can be read after the jump. Also included is a brief video and a Cooper S image gallery.

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MINI Porsche

Porsche > MINI

MINI v Porsche

For those of you who have been following the MINI v Porsche challenge you’ll be pleased to know the results are in. The course was announced a couple of days ago and MINI USA provided a makeshift motorkhana style track for its Cooper S to take on the Porsche 911. Despite this attempt to tailor a course to in favour of the MINI’s excellent handling characteristics the result was predictable, as the grab above from the video shows.

You can watch the full race after the jump, including a pre-race interview with each of the drivers—Brad Davis (MINI) and Corey Friedman (Porsche). At this stage there’s been no official response from the man who started it all, MINI USA President, Jim McDowell. He has one last chance to save face, let’s see what he comes up with.

Over the years MINI’s marketing across the world has been first class; mostly cheeky, witty and engaging. This stunt, though, well, let’s hope it is only MINI USA that has jumped the shark.

[via Autoblog]

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