Another Auto Express Scoop?

Sections: In the Press Oct 7th, 2005 39 Comments

mini

Many of us are pretty tired of seeing the same old re-hashed stories in popular auto magazines. With sites like MotoringFile and MINI2 actually delivering the scoop that magazines seem to pick up on, the words “Auto Express Exclusive” have taken on a whole new meaning.

Like the rest of us, Tony Thomas was also sick of seeing the bogus stories. He could see that their MINI exclusives in particular seemed to all consist of suspiciously gathered facts and poorly doctored photos. However, instead of just sitting back and reading these ‘exclusive’ articles in Autocar or Auto Express, he did something about it. Tony decided to send in his best Photoshop work and some made up figures to Auto Express (apparently his least favorite British car mag) and see if they bit. Naturally, they did.

Here’s his article, his car, and his made up figures as seen in this week’s Auto Express. (And you wondered why never seemed to trust them!)

[ Hot MINI Goes Power Crazy ] Auto Express (jpg)

You can also check out the original photo of Tony’s Cooper S (before the photoshop job) here.

A big thanks to Tony for sending this in!

Written By: Gabe

karatay

is this power will come without jcw or what?? i think its a joke:)
danielg

“You can also check out the original photo of Tony’s Cooper S (before the photoshop job) here.”

The “here” link doesn’t currently work, “File not found.”

(ED. – fixed)
modboi

“Here’s his article, his car, and his MADE UP figures as seen in this week’s Auto Express. (And you wondered why never seemed to trust them!”

It’s a joke!
Bob

that’s great.
Avitor

…see if they bit. Guess what, they did.

That’s classic, maybe they’ll check their sources next time.
David S

I sure hope someone over at Auto Express is reading this right now!! LOL
Z4MINI

Nice rims. They look kinda BMW-ish? Anyone know who makes ‘em?
SB

Too funny. Carbon fiber hood and big honkin’ thick glass roof w/motor … seems an odd pairing. Did they not even look at the picture? Auto Express: “The National Enquirer” of the automotive press. LOL!
Ken

I can’t believe this .. hhahaha … THou the Rims on the MCS does look quite awsome !
Mark

This is good, sophomoric fun to be sure. But I would’ve liked Tony to really crank up the outrageoussness factor.

i.e. “Lotus was tapped for design and engineering on the CSL” or “the CSL was clocked at 8 minutes on the NÃƒÂ¼rburgring” or “the CSL will be only offered in avacado green” or “A wankel rotary engined will be sourced from Mazda”
Paul C.

Those are the rims I have been wanting for years, too bad they are only sold overseas :( unless of course somebody can find them for me here?? HELP!!!!!!!!!
Ron

I gotta have those rims!! Anyone know who makes ‘em?
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

I believe the wheel is called the Dare X4
Z4MINI

Dare X4 ya say? I was thinking they look a little “BMW X5″!!!!
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

Yeah it iis very close in design to the old X5 4.4 sport package wheel.
Tony T

Glad you all like my rims…. :-)
Nathaniel Salzman

My first thoughts were also “damn, I love those rims!” Good on ya, Tony – nothing like having the online publications they’re always stealing from having a good laugh at they’re expense. I do hope this made it over to MINI2 as well. Hopefully they’ll at least give good credit from now on for their sources – at least for real news – ha!
BelowRadar

Hahahahahahahahahahahaha. Brilliant. I don’t know what’s funnier, that stuff about the CSL branding or the picture of that stock intake box next to talk of 232hp. Hilarious.
Frankie

Definietly they don’t check the source at all … there in the article mentioned this “CSL” has no rear seats, but clearly shown in the pic (thru the tinted window) rear seat head rest is there. :)
fj0

I’m pretty sure the rims manufacturer is “Kahn”.
Iain

I just checked Auto Express’ website and this story is still up! Should we tell them it is a hoax???? Nah….
phaedrus

Fell in love with those rims when I first saw them last year on Tony’s first MCS (RIP). (Tony: I still use its picture as my desktop wallpaper!)

A limited production run of approx. 30 sets of the 4×100 bolt pattern version was made available exclusively through a group buy arranged last year on MINI2 (thanks to Mark Bloom a.k.a. Leccy_Blue for that). All were, of course, spoken for.

I don’t know if they made any more after that, but the ones I see selling online seem to be only of the 5-bolt variety.

Though they’re relative featherweights compared to the S-lites, they’re no Superleggeras; more show than go, they look sick (IMHO) on the MCS and I wouldn’t trade them for any other wheel.
phaedrus

“…tuned to deliver 232hp.”

Despite the article being hoax, this power figure is likely close to the truth for Tony’s car ;)
O(=^=)O Capn

Those wheels look better on the car.

I like these.

Anybody know who makes/which ones these are? I really like them. If only I could get them black with a silver rim.

Okay, now back on topic. We should have a MINI of the week spoof with autoweek. I know there is a talent pool here. Good job Tony.
Lee L

Am I crazy, or is the engine bay in the picture blue, while the car is Dark Silver? ;)
http://www.motoringphotography.com David Bunting

We should have a MINI of the week spoof

I thought this was the second installment.

If you missed it, here’s a good candidate for spoof #1 Note the special “lightweight” wheels.
Dustin Tarditi

From my perspective the under bonnet shot doesn’t even look like the same color as Tony’s car – it looks blue.

As mentioned, it also looks totally stock… I guess the 232hp fire breather uses the standard Cooper S airbox ;-)
Eric

I wonder what BMW thinks about these bogus stories going out? Good press, keep them thinking? Or bad press, too many rumours?
Tony T

The picture of the engine bay wasn’t supplied by me – its good old Autoexpress doing their finest journalism again.

Just for the record, My car is a 210bhp Works that has been further modified by GT Tuning. It had a +4% crankshaft pulley, race spec SS manifold and a very agressive remap.

Pulls arounf 230bhp, torque curve is fat and wide, goes like the clappers, and has been timed 0-62mph in 6.2 seconds using a Gtechpro. Top speed would be around 155 on the clock, seen 152 with revs to spare.
S2000&CooperS

Nice!! :-D
http://www.mth-usa.com tradiuz at mth-usa.com

[quote] Anybody know who makes/which ones these are? I really like them. If only I could get them black with a silver rim. [/quote]

Those are 5zigen Fn01r-c.
greg

Hi Tony T. I have a similar S. But the only engine mod in addition to the ’05 Works is a Unichip. What else did you do? If you wouldn’t mind getting back to me my address is gregzito@zitoinsurance.com. Sorry if this is “off topic” Gabe.
Bruce

So that’s how Auto Express is able to meet it’s weekly deadline! “All the news that fits” could be it’s motto. :)

Here in the US we really only have one weekly automotive news magazine: AutoWeek. But in the UK there are many weekly car magazines and competition is very intense. So intense, it’s clear they’ll skip checking facts as long as there is sometime to do with cars to fill the empty space!
apexer

Light weight Mini with a sunroof. Yeh, I’m sure that will work.
MadisonMini

I have those same rims…imported them from England. Am told I’m the only one here in the states with them.
Jace

IMO it doesn’t sound that unbelievable but it does reveal how unreliable the media can be. If anyone has ever watched a show “Media Watch” (in Australia)- it’s quite amusing to see how big media giants can get tricked by silly websites and photoshopped graphics.
Mitch Williams

I think this is a really stupid thing to post tbh, I’m sure these mags dont go out of the way to purposely mislead people, so why do people like this purposely mislead the magazines.
TT

“Mitch Williams / October 10, 2005 3:31 PM / Permalink I think this is a really stupid thing to post tbh, I’m sure these mags dont go out of the way to purposely mislead people, so why do people like this purposely mislead the magazines. “

Do you work for AutoExpress or something…?
Russell Williams

Well I have been in this car and vouch for the fact it is quick – Very, but it is no CSL.

Congratulations to Tony on a wonderful Scoop all of his very own!

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