Category: MINI

As you will most likely be aware MINI is celebrating its 50th birthday in 2009. As one of the many aspects to the birthday bash MINI have commissioned this excellent short film that has brief interviews with people from all walks of life and from all across the globe.

Yes, it’s nothing more than the MINI marketing machine pulling at our heart strings, but if you get what a MINI is you will love the clip.

There is also quite a strong Australian flavour, too, with some classic Mini owners featured—including a couple who have had their Mini for 45 years—and there is some MINI Challenge snippets filmed at Oran Park, as well.

The film runs for just under 16 minutes, so put the kettle on and make a brew, then take the jump below, and enjoy the show.

[Thanks to Paul for the tip]

One tank of diesel, 161 laps and a touch over 1000km. That was the challenge created by Tarmac magazine and put to MINI Australia and its Cooper D. What’s even more amazing is that this challenge was conquered! A pretty amazing stat, too, 1000kms around Mount Panorama—Australia’s most famous racetrack—on 40 litres of fuel.

Two drivers shared stints behind the wheel across a big day that began early in the morning and finished some 17 hours later. During that time the car only stopped for driver changes. The Dooper’s stop-start function ensured no fuel was wasted while the car was “idling” in pit lane.

A few parameters were put on the crew to ensure the challenge could be met. The first being the most obvious, the 60km/h speed limit—it won’t be long until the Mountain is closed and V8s are thundering around for the annual Supercar enduro, until then, though, the track is a public road and as such all speed limits apply. Keeping speed down is one way to save fuel, keeping revs down is another. For the duration of the challenge the goal was to keep revs below 2500rpm. Lucky, then, that the MINI has great road holding abilities which meant the 60km/h speed limit could be held as long as possible through some of the tighter corners around the 6.2km track.

Pretty cool, huh. You can read all about it in the next issue of Tarmac.

Of course, those of you with a good memory will know that Mini has a strong history at Mount Panorama with another amazing stat in its books. In the 1966 Gallaher 500 (that’s miles, remember) the first nine places were filled by the Mini Cooper S. Nine places! I told you it was another amazing stat!

Do you promise not to tell? I’ve heard from a couple of off-the-record sources now that Australia is in line to secure a very limited number of MINI John Cooper Works World Championship 50 models. If the speculation is valid we should see, at a minimum, 5 examples in Australia. Originally the worldwide production run for this car was expected to be as few as 250 models. However, don’t act all surprised if production gets bumped up to 500. If that is the case, then we could see as many as 10 JCW WC50s looking for homes down under. That’s the good news…

The bad news is these won’t be cheap. If you’re keen, I reckon you’ll need to start your bidding at $65,000. I’d also suggest you make sure you have a bit of cash in reserve, just in case. That’s a lot of money for not a lot more than a regular MINI JCW. But, as the WC50 will have such a limited worldwide production run that should keep desirability high.

It will be interesting to see what the local interest is like for the World Championship 50. If MINI Australia is bombarded with bona fide registrations of interest they might have a job on their hands satisfying those wanting to sign on the dotted line. What do yo reckon, would you be prepared to pay north of 65 grand for one of these MINI Challenge racers for the road?

For quick reference to the latest WC50 news, keep an eye on MotoringFile.

As expected, here is a full set of MINI Coupé Concept images. Also included with the images is MINI’s full press release which contains everything you need to know and more.

The most important thing to report is the Coupé Concept is fitted with the range-topping engine from the John Cooper Works. That’ll see 155kW being put to the road through front wheels and kept in control by MINI’s ever capable and direct chassis.

The distinctive profile of the Coupé Concept gives an overall height of 1356mm, some 51mm lower than the regular Cooper S hardtop. Length and width remain unchanged at 3714mm and 1683mm respectively.

Some details of the hot rod like roofline appear a bit fussy in photos, but one gets the feeling the car will look great for those lucky enough to be in Frankfurt when it makes its public debut. The chunky rear spoiler actually looks like it will have a meaningful purpose, with airflow being directed down the rear window increasing rear downforce.

Leading MINI website MotoringFile predicts the Coupé Concept will find a life in production form within 18 months. Perhaps more importantly, they reckon the car will remain largely unchanged from an aesthetic point of view.

So, you’d best check out the extensive image gallery and press release after the jump.

In case you’ve missed it, Mini turns 50 today. The feisty icon of British motoring became known worldwide and carved a niche that noone ever knew existed back in 1959. Cheap and cheerful made Mini big in the 1960s and beyond. Now, under the stewardship of BMW, the MINI brand enjoys new life and celebrates its 50th birthday with security and market stability.

BMW may have taken away the cheap, but they have kept, and strengthened the cheeky persona, while enhancing the brand’s driving credibility. Further developing its reputation for razor sharp handling and go kart immediacy.

Over 1.5 million MINIs have been sold since the brand was relaunched in 2001. BMW now sells MINI in 80 countries across the globe. The plans for the brand seem to know no bounds as BMW explores new possibilities for the MINI marque.

To celebrate this most magnificent of motoring birthdays AUSmotive has compiled a gallery of 50 images that relive the last 50 years from Mini through to MINI. It seems everyone knows someone who had a Mini, or even a MINI. And this gallery is no different. In fact, you might even see someone you know! All images can be accessed in larger sizing by clicking on individual pictures.

Happy birthday MINI!

(Fans of the classic Mini will enjoy this “incredible” AUSmotive feature posted in May.)

Today is the 50th birthday of the Mini. German publication Autobild has celebrated the milestone by breaking the embargo on images of the new MINI Speedster concept. Today we have photographs, but the car, officially called the MINI Coupé Concept, will be revealed in full at Frankfurt next month.

Looks pretty cool, hey. There’s a few more pics after the jump, or you can check out the detailed post at MotoringFile.

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

On Wednesday Mini turns 50, and to celebrate MINI Australia has just confirmed the availability of two special anniversary models. The MINI 50 Camden (on the left) and the MINI 50 Mayfair. The anniversary models will be available across the MINI coupé range, with Cooper, Cooper D and Cooper S engine options.

The special models are expected in Australia this November and manufacturer list pricing, excluding dealer and government fees, will start at $36,100 for the MINI Cooper 50 Camden, $38,750 for the Cooper D version and $43,900 for the Cooper S model. Pricing for the MINI 50 Mayfair models will be an additional $900 across the range.

As well as the unique features on offer with the Camden and Mayfair buyers can take full advantage of MINI’s extensive customisation options and are able to order cars to their preferred spec.

Justin Hocevar, National Manager MINI is pleased with the addition to the Australian model range, “The new 50th Anniversary models are a welcome addition to the MINI portfolio here in Australia. Not only do they celebrate a significant milestone for one of the world’s most iconic brands, they provide customers with unprecedented value.”

Pictured above the MINI 50 Camden is shown in a truly spectacular White Silver metallic, with the Mayfair in a less spectacular Hot Chocolate metallic. If those colours don’t take your fancy, the Camden can be ordered in Midnight Black metallic and Blue Horizon metallic, while the Mayfair can be yours in Midnight Black metallic or Pepper White.

Both will feature a new Harmon Kardon stereo system. The Camden will debut a new “Mission Control” on board computer/in car entertainment system, which, if I’ve read this right, will talk to the driver. The Mayfair makes do with extra driving lights.

Of course, both come with unique trim and interior options which are listed in the press release after the jump.