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Archive for January 2007

Oxygen Blue Arrives

MotoringFile Sections: R56 Jan 31st, 2007 21 Comments

At long last Oxygen Blue has finally arrived on MINI’s European online configurators. For those who may have missed it, Oxygen Blue is a non-metallic that will only be available on MINI One’s, Coopers and Cooper D’s for March production. It’s also worth noting that Oxygen Blue is somewhat similar to Candy Blue - a color officially announced in 2001 but never released.

Thanks to all those who sent this in.

The Clubman’s Boot Storage Module

MotoringFile Sections: R55 Jan 31st, 2007 9 Comments

Tokyo Clubman Concept Clubman Geneva Concept Tokyo Clubman Concept Clubman Frankfurt Concept Tokyo Clubman Concept

With the additional space that comes with the Clubman, MINI has been working on new storage solutions.  One that is likely to see production is a removable storage organizer hidden under a false floor.  The storage module will occupy the entire boot area and will be made deep enough so that when the rear seats are folded down, a flat storage area will be created.

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Knauz MINI

US Press Launch of the R56 This Weekend

MotoringFile Sections: Site News Jan 31st, 2007 61 Comments

MINI USA’s press launch of the US Spec 2007 Cooper and Cooper S is taking place in Arizona this weekend and I’ll be leaving the frozen tundra of Chicago to experience it. I’ll have hours of road and track time in the 2007 R56 MINI and should have a full review early next week. I also plan on having some small updates (including pictures on our MotoringFile Flickr Pool) throughout the weekend.

But before packing the bags I want to hear what you want to hear? Obviously I’ll be giving my take on the car’s the performance, design and how it relates to the R50 and R53 MINIs. But what do you want to know that hasn’t been covered in the European press? Performance related, spec related, now’s the chance to add your question to the list that I’ll be bringing this weekend.

MINI United 2007 Officially Confirmed

MotoringFile Sections: Events, MINI United Jan 31st, 2007 2 Comments

Update: The official MINI United 2007 site is now live: MINI United 2007

MINI of Germany has officially confirmed what MotoringFile readers have known for a month; MINI United is coming to the Netherlands in June of 2007. However MINI has yet to release an English version of the news. So we’ve turned to the always reliable (said with a healthy dose of sarcasm) Google Language Tools to translate the German release:

Very Poorly Translated MINI of Germany Press Release: It goes again loosely. After the overwhelming success of the premiere in the year 2005 in Misano, Italy now the preparations for the second MINI United festival begin. Meeting place for thousands of MINI fan from all world is this time the Circuit park in the Dutch Zandvoort, in close proximity to Amsterdam. Becomes three days long there of 22.

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MINI of Manhattan

MINI USA Releases Motorby Billboard Details

MotoringFile Sections: Marketing, Official News Jan 31st, 2007 10 Comments

The following is the official MINI USA press release detailing the Motorby Pilot program we reported on a few weeks back. For more articles on this topic please click the MINI Ads category link above or in the “Browse by Category” link on the top left of the site.

MINI USA Press Release: Imagine MINI owner Scott is driving down the highway. He’s checking out the billboards - phone companies (snore)… online casinos (no thanks)… “MOTOR LIKE YOU MEAN IT, SCOTT!” (Hold on! Say what?). Scott has just experienced personalized “talking” billboards - the latest innovation from MINI USA, which will be the first to use advanced technology to communicate directly with its consumers with the introduction of MINI Motorby. Commuters who are tired of seeing billboards with the same mind-numbing out-of-home copy will instead be greeted by MINI Motorboards. These boards feature an ever-changing array of unique, personal, playful and unexpected messages targeted to and triggered by MINI owners. Messages will be spelled out in lights on billboards in locations in New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Miami beginning January 2007.

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The Clubman’s Seating Capacity

MotoringFile Sections: R55 Jan 30th, 2007 56 Comments

Since we broke the news a few months back that the 2008 MINI Clubman was designed to seat five, we’ve had a raft of questions about the arrangement from readers. So recently we dug a little deeper to see if we could find a few more details.

Talking with a few more of our sources, we’ve learned that the Clubman’s rear seats are indeed meant to accommodate three across the rear seats. However in the US that will not be the case. Evidently concerns over NHTSA safety guidelines have persuaded MINI to fit the US Spec Clubmans with the same two seat configuration found in the current R56 hardtops.

So yes the Clubman will seat 5. It’ll just be outside the US market.

M7 Tuning

R56 vs. GTI vs. C30 T5

MotoringFile Sections: In the Press, R56 Jan 30th, 2007 13 Comments

In this months Winding Road, they have a very fun piece that is not really versus as much as it is a good comparison of the MCS, the Volkswagon GTI and the Volvo C30 T5

A Swede, a Brit, and a German wander up an Italian hill to search for a bucket of driving goose bumps.

Staying sort of true to the squared-off, tin can feel of the original 1360 pound 1960s Mini Cooper S, our nouveau Cooper S hit the nearby scales at just 2601 pounds.

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MINI USA’s Motorby Program Hits the Press

MotoringFile Sections: In the Press, Marketing Jan 30th, 2007 8 Comments

We expect this to be just the beginning. Look for much more on the web, in print and on TV in the coming days and weeks.

[ These Billboards Know you by Name ] Cnet

[ Drivers Invited to Sign up for Personalized Messages ] The Mecury News

MINI Magnetic Badges

White Roof Radio #129

MotoringFile Sections: Podcast Jan 29th, 2007 No Comments

miniA short one for you tonight. We do a bit of rumor squashing, some updates to MINI stuff around the web and some basic rambling on and on about whatever we can think of.

Looking for pictures or a way to show your pictures off? Check out Flickr, or if you are a member there already, be sure to check out the MF Flickr Group.

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Official 2007 MINI USA Specifications PDF

MotoringFile Sections: R56 Jan 29th, 2007 7 Comments

Here’s one that US MINI fans have been waiting for: the official MINI Specifications PDF with just about every number on the US spec R56 you can imagine. While we’ve seen most of these numbers before with the UK specifications PDF, it’s always interesting to see how they translate to the US market cars. You can download below:

[ 2007 MINI USA Technical Specifications ] Official MINI PDF

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The NY Times Covers MINI’s Motorby Program

MotoringFile Sections: In the Press, Marketing Jan 29th, 2007 11 Comments

The New York Times has a great piece in today’s edition on the MINI USA’s Motorby program we covered a few weeks ago. Here’s an excerpt:

The boards, which usually carry typical advertising, are programmed to identify approaching Mini drivers through a coded signal from a radio chip embedded in their key fob. The messages are personal, based on questionnaires that owners filled out: “Mary, moving at the speed of justice,” if Mary is a lawyer, or “Mike, the special of the day is speed,” if Mike is a chef.

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More Clubman Photos Hit the Web

MotoringFile Sections: R55 Jan 29th, 2007 8 Comments

Both Worldcarfans and the Car Connection are running the same photos of the Clubman doing more testing in the depths of the Nordic winter. While there’s nothing there that we didn’t see last week, they offer yet another great look at the car in almost final trim. It’s also worth noting that both these publications are, for the first time, not calling it the “Traveller”. Maybe they’re finally getting the message.

[ MINI’s Estate Undisguised ] Worldcarfans.com

[ 2008 MINI Clubman Spy Shots ] The Car Connection

The Clubman’s 3rd Door (Revisited)

MotoringFile Sections: R55 Jan 29th, 2007 25 Comments

Last summer MotoringFile reported that the new MINI Clubman would not have four doors as many publications hass speculated. Instead we said that the new car would in fact have only three doors up front and a barn door boot in the back where the coupe has a hatch. We also dropped the bombshell that the new “Coach door” (now officially trademarked by BMW) will only be available on the right side of the car.

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White Roof Radio #128

MotoringFile Sections: Podcast Jan 28th, 2007 No Comments

miniWatch out! We started with weather and a little Super Bowl talk. Imagine a little Gabe doing the Super Bowl shuffle. How cute.

db talks about his MINI week getting tires. Kumho Ecsta ASX instead of the SPTs. Watch for a review to follow. Did you read about the new scented tire from Kumho? Colored smoke, sure. But scented?

If you are one that is looking for an easy way to manage the older shows that aren’t included in the feed? Definitely listen in.

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MotoringFile Flickr Pool Photos

MotoringFile Sections: Best of the Web Jan 28th, 2007 13 Comments

Looking to kill some time this cold, dark January weekend with nothing good on TV? Look no further than the MotoringFile Flickr Pool. 1700 photos of MINI goodness:

[ MotoringFile Flickr Pool ] Flickr

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Previous Select MF Features

2007
MINI Officially Updates Line-up for 2008
New Models & Production Locations Confirmed
MotoringFile's MINI United Coverage
2007 JCW Kit Officially Announced
MINI's Top Secret Colorado Project
2009 Factory JCW MCS (Stage II)
More MINI Variants Officially Confirmed
MINI Clubman Official Photos and Specs
R56 Pedestrian Crash Analysis
Future JCW Vehicles Revealed
MINI USA's Motorby Pilot Program
MINI Clubman Update & Sketch
BMW To Re-Brand JCW
2007 MINI MotoringFile Q&A
MINI One and MINI Cooper D Now Official
2007 MINI Reader Reviews
2007 MINI USA Pricing and Options
MINI Unveils the Sidewalk

2006
MF Design Analysis: 2007 MINI
2007 JCW Accessories Revealed
MINI Names the R55: The Clubman 2007 MINI In Detail (Part 2 / Part 3)
2007 MINI Official Photos (Part 2 / Part 3)
2007 MINI Drops Weight
Official 2007 MINI UK PDFs
2007 Nav Includes iDrive-Like Controller
2007 US Market Options Packages
Hey Stracco: The Interview
Let's Plan: MINI Clubs & MTTS
MINI's Official R56 Preview Photos
MINI's Official R56 Preview
Next Generation MINI Revealed (#2)
'07 MC & MCS Spotted in Death Valley
2007 MINI Color List (US Market)
'07 MINI Gets More Power/Less Weight
MF Review: MINIs on the Dragon
MINI USA Releases JCW GP Pricing
JCW Cooper S Long Term Review
Seven New Colors for 2007
MINI Release Info on Next Gen Engines
Chicago Autoshow Gallery
JCW GP at Geneva (final release info)
2006 JCW Product Info
MINI Concept Detroit - In Detail
MINI Sourced Triump Still Years Away
US Connection for MINI's new Roadster
First MINI Now Triumph?
More News on the MINI Triumph Concept

2005
Behind the Wheel of the 2007 MINI
MINI Concept Tokyo - In Detail
MINI Concept Frankfurt - In Detail
Driven: The Nürburgring Nordschleife
MINI Wins at Targe Newfoundland
2006 JCW Accessories
US Market Color Changes for 2006
Getrag's All Wheel Drive MINI In Depth
BMW/MINI to Buy JCW?
Official 2006 MINIUSA Pricing
Special Editions/Package for 2006
Checkmate Options Package (USA)
JCW Direct From to the Factory in '06
Tips on How to Sell Your MINI
2006 Model Year Timeline
MINI's 2006 Color Changes
Next Generation MINI Revealed
Official MINI Armrest Revealed
MotoringFile Review: MCS Auto

2004
Details on the MCS Limited Slip Dif
MotoringFile 2004 Holiday Gift Guide
Getrag Tests All-Wheel Drive MINI
Q&A on the OutMotoring ARC Armrest
2005 Chicago Auto Show / Gallery
MINI USA's JCW GP Delivery Program
2005 MINI Changes
The Cabrio In Depth / Gallery
Special Edition MC40 / Gallery
MINI Plant Tour Review
Hood Rub Service Bulletin
2004 Chicago Auto Show / Gallery

2003
MINI Accessory Additions for 2004
CVT Paddles Retrofit
2005 MINI Spotted
Rear Fogs Almost Here
New Prince Engine Caught Testing
MINI Releases Hood Rub Bulletin
MINI_Motion Launched
MINI Conquers Snow and Ice
MINI One D Announced
MINI Named North American Car of the Year
Black Wow
Helix Minisports

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MF Club Mappr mini
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MotoringFile Buyers Guides

R50 ('02-'06 MC) Buyers Guide
R53 ('02-'06 MCS) Buyers Guide

MotoringFile Reviews

Auto Reviews:
'08 MINI Clubman
Comparison: '08 BMW 135i
'06 R53 MCS vs '07 R56 MCS
'07 R56 JCW (Stage 1)
'07 MINI Cooper S Long Term
'07 BMW Z4 M Coupe
'07 MINI Cooper & Cooper S
Audio: '07 MC/MCS at the Track
'06 JCW GP Long term
Reader Review: JCW GP
'06 JCW Cooper S Long Term
Comparison: '06 Lotus Elise
Comparison: '06 Mazda MX5
Comparison: '06 UK Focus ST
Comparison: '06 Civic Si
Comparison: '04 TVR T350
Comparison: '06 Nissan 350z
Comparison: '06 VW GTI w/DSG
Podcast: Cooper S Auto
Podcast: BMW 325i
Podcast: JCW MC Soundkit
'04 JCW MINI Cooper Tuning Kit
'05 MCS: One Month Review
'05 MCS Auto
'05 JCW S 1st Drive
'05 MINI Cooper
'05 MCS Conv. Long Term
'05 MINI Cooper S
'05 MCS Cabrio 1st Drive
'04 JCW MCS First Drive
'04 MC w/JCW Tuning Kit
BMW M3 SMG Vs. MCS
'04 MINI Cooper CVT
'02 MCS 3 year Review
Autocrossing the MINI Range

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Performance Accessories:
R56 JCW Suspension (Track)
R56 JCW Suspension (Street)
R53 Craven Speed Short Shifter
R53 M7 Understrut System
Kumho Ecsta SPT Tires
R53 M7 Strut Tower Plates
R53 JCW Alcantara Wheel
R53 JCW Brake Kit
R53 Webb 15% Pulley
R53 Helix MCSa 15% Pulley
R53 H-Sport 19mm Sway Bar
R53 MCS Supersprint Exhaust
Podcast: R53 MCS SS Exhaust
R53 JCW Cold Air Intake
Reader Rev.: R53 JCW Brakes
R50 Supersprint Exhaust
R50 Remus Exhaust
R50 Promini Intake
R50 Remus Dual Exhaust
Schroth Harness System
R50 CVT Steering Wheel Paddles

Exterior Accessories:
Miniature's Receiver Hitch
OEM White Tail Lights

Lifestyle Accessories:
MINI_Motion Watch
MINI_Motion Driving Shoe

Audio:
MINI Digital SoundModul
ICE-Link Plus iPod Adapter
Official BMW/iPod adapter
ICE-Link iPod Adapter
Kenwood iPod Interface
Alpine iPod Interface
Harman Kardon Stereo

Interior Accessories:
JCW Alcantara Steering Wheel JCW Leather Dash
MCAW Auto Up Circuit
MINI Rear Camera
MINI Rear Saddle (official)
MINI Rear Cargo Storage Case
Official MINI Rear Saddle Bag
2004 MINI Armrest Reviewed
Mymini Knee Pad
MINI Bluetooth Kit
MINI Video Input
Aftermarket Bluetooth Integration
Ian Cull Auto-up Circuit
Universal Mobile Phone Holder

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MINI Model Number Cheat Sheet:

1st Gen MINI
R50: One & MC Coupe
R52: All 1st Gen MINI Convt.
R53: MCS Coupe
2nd Gen MINI
R55: Clubman
R56: One/MC/MCS Coupe
R57: One/MC/MCS Convt.
R60: MINI SUV