Mini Cooper News

The Mini Micro Crossover!

Chrissie — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 20:49:13 +0000

The usually rather unreliable Auto Express has the latest on BMW’s Project and how it relates to MINI’s future products. According to the weekly UK mag MINI will be debuting an ultra efficient car that will feature several different propulsion systems including a full electric system. The engines will be placed in the center or rear of the car for maximum space efficiency.
Much like the mid 90’s Mini Spiritual concepts, (created by Rover and designed by Oliver Le Grice before BMW went in the direction of the current MINI concept), the new micro MINI will feature the same spirit that led the original Mini to be such a ground breaker.

More Standard Features on the JCW

Chrissie — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 20:00:26 +0000

Potentially owing to less than stellar sales, MINI UK has decided to improve the specification of the JCW MINIs it sells.
All MINI John Cooper Works cars will now be fitted with an updated John Cooper Works Aerodynamic Kit. This new kit is similar in design to the current version but has been enhanced to include brake air intake channels (for optimum ventilation of the brakes) as well as an extended splitter on the front apron.

The 3-Spoke Sport Leather/Alcantara steering wheel from the Aftersales accessory range will now be supplied as standard. Customers retain the option of specifying Multi-function steering wheel, at an additional cost of £175.

And don’t forget the floor mats.

Clubman Will Get Matching C Pillar Option

Chrissie — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 19:00:38 +0000

After a year of hearing customers ask for it, MINI is finally allowing for matching C-pillars on the Clubman. However it’s with one big caveat – you can only get matching C-pillars if you order Pure Silver or Midnight Black.
On the Midnight Black R55 the black C-pillars are just that, black. That means that they won’t technically match the metallic Midnight Black of the body and will be based on the old Jet Black non-metallic last offered in 2005. However on the Pure Silver Clubman you will get the same Pure Silver on the C-pillars making it the only truly mono-chromatic Clubman offered.

Mini Cooper Makes The List!

Chrissie — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 22:32:09 +0000

If you like reading ‘Winding Road’ then you have already heard the good news about the MINI. What I love about Winding Road is that they are chock full of clever Top 12 or Top 5 lists, including their favourite cars from 2008, and of course, the MINI made the list.
The Mini Cooper line has been a favorite with the automotive media since its introduction in 2002. The latest iteration sallies forth as a wonderful mix of performance and fuel efficiency, particularly the S variant with its 172 horsepower four-banger that achieves 26 miles per gallon in the city and 34 on the highway. The MINI is also featured in their Top 10 most fuel efficient cars, coming in at number 9.

Winterizing Your Mini Cooper

Chrissie — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 17:52:51 +0000

So you have a MINI. You got the Sport pack and thought performance tires were a good idea. Then it snowed and you thought your life was in jeapordy. What should you do?
Blizzak, Nokian, Dunlop and Michelin all make solid snows for the MINI. There some versions that do better in deep snow and some that are more performance oriented. It would seem you need something that gears towards rather than performance due to where you’re located and the amount of snow I remember getting growing up not far from there. Because of that I’d start with taking a look at the

MINI Scores Well in Crash Testing

Chrissie — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 15:06:51 +0000

The IIHS has been crashing cars again. We all know the MINI scores well front and rear, but so not hot for side impact.
The results from the Mini Cooper? This minicar was redesigned for the 2007 model year, and it earned a good rating for frontal crash protection in a previous test. New side and rear tests were conducted to assess further design changes made for the most recent models. This minicar earns a good rating for rear protection and an acceptable rating for side protection. Measures recorded on the driver dummy indicate that a fractured pelvis would be possible in a side crash of the same severity, but there’s low risk that other significant injuries would occur to the driver. For the rear passenger, rib fractures and/or internal organ injuries would be possible. ESC is newly standard for the 2009 model year.

Fiat and BMW To Produce Next MINI?

Chrissie — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 01:05:17 +0000

The BMW Group and Fiat Group Automobiles (FGA) are considering the possibility of co-operation in the areas of architectures and components for their MINI and Alfa Romeo vehicles. A Memorandum of Understanding to this effect was signed by Friedrich Eichiner, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Corporate and Brand Development, and Alfredo Altavilla, Senior Vice President, Business Development, Fiat Group Automobiles and CEO of Fiat Powertrain Technologies.

“We are currently examining with the Fiat Group possibilities for the joint use of components and systems in MINI and Alfa Romeo vehicles in order to achieve economies of scale and thus cost reductions within the framework of our Strategy Number ONE”, Eichiner said in Munich.

The two partners have agreed not to divulge details of the possible collaboration. The results of the cooperation discussions will probably be achieved by the end of the year.

MINI’s Future Models Revealed

Chrissie — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 22:03:26 +0000

It may be old news to most of the world but for the record let’s look at the this first version of the new MINI platform to be released. The 2nd generation MINI coupe debuted on November 18th for much of the world with a US introduction scheduled for February of 2007. Needless to say, it was a design evolution with an entirely new (and much more hi-tech) drive-train.
The coupe will eventually be available in five models;
• 95 bhp One
• 110bhp/180lb ft of torque Cooper Diesel
• 120 bhp Cooper
• 175 bhp Cooper S
• 210+ bhp JCW MCS (released 06/08)

Sneak Peek of the R57 Mini Convertible

Chrissie — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 17:31:08 +0000

If you have been looking for photos of the R57 MINI Convertible, look no further. Whereas many others will have to wait until the January Detroit Autoshow, you can snag a peek here. The good folks at GlobalMotors.net have leaked some sneak peeks.

A few weeks ago, many sites were scooping the official photos of the R57 MINI Convertible, but the folks in Munich weren’t too pleased, so finding these pics is rare, and difficult. Globalmotors.net have found the best pictures that have yet to be removed from publication, and you will love the new R57 17” wheels and the gorgeous brown canvas top.

The Secrete Behind the 2009 Mini Cooper Electric

Chrissie — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:55:21 +0000

One thing the Mini Cooper is good for is versatility, as you have seen with their two different body styles, their third on the way, and the variety of trips in the Cooper S and John Cooper works. Already there are many Minis to select from, and now, with the fully electric model, even more.
The biggest clue to the secret behind this one is its lack of a tailpipe. Most hybrids use conventional engines to uphold their powertrain, and this requires an exhaust, but not this Mini. Instead you find a finished looking filler that is no one-off. What does this mean? Pure Hybrid. No exhaust, no emissions. It’s a beautiful thing.