Feb 8th, 2010
Yes the names keep getting longer. But the engines are also getting both more power and more efficient. Behold our first look a the Clubman version of the upcoming Cooper S Diesel. We first told you about the new hot diesel last year about a curious MINI prototype with went down the Oxford production line with BMW’s highly acclaimed 2.0L diesel. Now Autocar is showing us picture of an R55 Clubman with the engine and some new front air intake meant to cool the new mill. According to Autocar output will be around 150bhp and torque could be as high as 250 ft lbs based on the output with the same engine in the BMW 118d.
Also mentioned in the article is further rumor of a JCW version using the engine. As we’ve reported previously the same 2.0L BMW diesel is also at the heart of the 123d which has an output of over 200 bhp and close to 300 ft lbs of torque. However we can imagine BMW would consider retarding some of that torque either across the entire range or at lower RPMs to help alleviate what could be biblical torque steer.
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Feb 8th, 2010
A quick reminder for all those readers who might have missed our design contest launched in conjunction with the internet debut of the MINI Countryman. The idea is simple, design your own accessory that fits on the Countryman’s new interior rail system. We’ll send the best ideas over to Munich and the MINI Design team will pick their favorite. The winner gets an ultra-exclusive copy of the new MINI Design book autographed by MINI Design head Gert Hildebrand.
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Feb 5th, 2010
It’s the dead of winter in most of the world and for some of us that means driving our MINIs in snow. But that’s not all bad. With the right tires and the right techniques the MINI can conquer almost any snow. That brings us to this week’s Ask MF from Mary:
My 2005 mini is not doing well in 2-6 inches of snow. Is there something I can disable to get better control? I grew up in Maine so I know driving in snow, but my MINI is not handling well. Help.
There are several things that you can do to turn any MINI into a snow devouring beast. First off knowing when to turn off traction control will help in some situations. Secondly if you get a good amount of snow annually, the most important addition to a MINI are dedicated snow tires. These can be ordered by a place like the Tirerack and shipped to any tire installer in your area. It’s a bit of an investment but dedicated snow tires with their own wheels make a night and day difference.
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Feb 5th, 2010
After five months of motoring in his MINI Cooper Convertible with the top down as part of MINI USA’s Open One Challenge, David Loveall has proven that neither rain, snow nor blistering sunshine can deter his ‘open’ spirit. Loveall is the grand prize winner in MINI’s Open One Challenge, a contest to determine who could accumulate the most top-down motoring hours.
Enduring every type of weather Mother Nature could throw at him between August and December 2009, Loveall motored for 555.55 hours with his MINI Cooper Convertible’s top wide open. To reward Loveall’s dedication to sharing MINI’s open philosophy, MINI will present him with a trip for two people to travel to Oxford, England and a visit to the MINI plant where the MINI Cooper Convertible is built.
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Feb 4th, 2010
Todd, Gabe and DB are all here this week and we wrap up talk of the R60 and sagging hood scoops among the rest of the MF news.
Woofcast 323:
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Feb 3rd, 2010
With the release of MINI’s first crossover MINI enthusiasts and perspective owners have had lots to react to. But more than anything they’ve been asking questions about the car, the business case and what this all means for the “mini” in the MINI brand. While we’ve done some work trying to clear up some of those questions we thought, what could be better than going straight to the source for all answers? So we have enlisted the help of MINI USA Product Manager Vinnie (Tennessee) Kung to help in answering your questions about the new MINI Countryman. That’s right, the man responsible for all product in the US will be answering your questions about the Countryman.
Here’s how it works:
- Post your Countryman related question in the comment section below by Friday February 5th 11:59 pm.
- We’ll go through and pick the very best, combine them with a few of ours and interview Vinnie.
Finally we’ll post the full Q&A interview right here next week.
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Feb 3rd, 2010
Unlike previous months MINI USA didn’t talk much about sale other than to give a figure. And it’s curious because sales were actually up 7.9%. MINI USA is reporting that they sold 2,247 MINIs as compared to 2,082 cars reported last January.
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