Dec 22nd, 2004
MINIUSA has a great web documentary on the MINI Convertible commercial that debuted this past year. It really didn't get any air play in the US but the concept was all over MINIUSA's marketing for the convertible.
We had “acquired” a hi-res quicktime video of the “Jump” mini (no pun intended) documentary a few months back but had been reluctant to post it do to the size of the file. Now we don't have to! Check it out below:
[ Tough Landings ]
Dec 21st, 2004
You know the story is getting juicy when major US automotive publications start to cover it. Autoweek has a nice recap of what we know so far on the next generation MINI… the R56. While there's really nothing new here that hasn't already been seen on MotoringFile or MINI2, it's certainly worth the read. Here's an excerpt:
When BMW reintroduced the Mini to the United States in 2002, it got just about everything right-except, maybe, the engines.
The German producer of the quintessential Brit driving machine will fix that when the next-generation Mini debuts in early 2007 with a new range of all-aluminum, twin-cam engines that BMW will build in partnership with French carmaker Peugeot. The new powerplants include two turbocharged units that will replace the normally aspirated and supercharged four-cylinder 1.6-liter engines in the current Cooper and Cooper S.
continued →
Dec 21st, 2004
In what essentially is just a recap of a couple previous stories on MotoringFile and other publications, Auto123.com takes a look at the possibility of an all-wheel drive MINI in the years ahead (R56?). Here’s an excerpt:
Should we be expecting an all-wheels-driven MINI anytime soon? The answer is unclear, and will probably be undecided for quite some time.
On the one hand, the cutting-edge system would help give more powerful MINIs, such as the Cooper S and Cooper S Works, the upper hand over even more powerful competitors, turning them into practical, four-season vehicles. According to Getrag, BMW’s product development leader Burkhard Goschel rode in the prototype Cooper S 4×4 and was ‘impressed’.
continued →
Dec 20th, 2004
Just in time for the holidays, MINIUSA helps you to stay productive at work
with a new twist on its convertible jump game. The MINI Snowman Jump Game lets
you propel Frosty into the back of a Cabrio in wintry style, with holiday music
to go along with his cries of pain. Don't forget to hit keys 5-9 for some
mid-air tricks.
[ Snowman
Jump Game ]
Dec 20th, 2004
(Originally posted 12/18/03) Just in time for the holidays MINIUSA is highlighting some great ways to (A) get together with other MINI owners and (B) help out your local community.
And the coolest part… they're utilizing a photo that was taken by a Chicago MINI Motoring Club member this past spring and digitally enhanced by your's truly. You can check out a larger version here. In fact you can even download this image as a desktop wallpaper in the wallpaper section of this site in a variety of sizes. And if you still can't get enough you can see the entire set of photos from this even here (keep in mind this was suppose to a “spring” event!)
But before you do all that check out MINIUSA's make a different site and see how you or your MINI club can help in your area.
[ Owner Event Kits ]
Dec 19th, 2004
We mentioned last week that Autoweek had ridden it's long term MCS off into the sunset with one final glowing review. Well now all you without an Autoweek subscription can finally read along:
[ 2003 Mini Cooper S: Wrap-Up ]
And for those that just can't get enough of glowing long term reviews of MINIs, don't forget Automobile Magazine's one year wrap-up we pointed to a few weeks ago:
[ Four Seasons with the MINI Cooper S ]
Dec 18th, 2004
This comes from a MotoringFile reader:
I thought you would like to know the Auxillary Gauges kit is now available for the 2005 Mini Cooper S. The part number is 82-94-0-303-934. While there was some discrepency as to if this would work in the '05s, my service advisor tells me they will fit. I have an installation appointment scheduled for Tuesday, and will let you know how they look and work.
