Archive for September 2007
Sep 30th, 2007
Immediately after touring Plant Oxford last June, Todd and I where wisked into a very large room where we got to interview the Quality and Engineering Director for MINI. We got to ask some great questions, and he answered all of them! Everyone at Plant Oxford was very generous with their time while we were there and if you ever get the chance to get over there for a tour it is highly recommended.
A short week this week as I mentioned during #188. Don’t worry, we are going to make it up to you in the form of a live show this Thursday! Full details to follow soon.
continued →
Sep 30th, 2007
Last week we reported on MINI USA’s MotorTober events planned throughout the nation at MINI dealers. This week I’m happy to announce my own participation in one of the premier events on the east coast hosted by Westchester MINI on October 21st in Rye NY. There will be a number of different track events with actual instructors from the Skip Barber racing school. Along with that you’ll also get a chance to ride with a professional driver to see the true limits of the MINI on the track. Westchester County Police will also be on hand to provide a safe driving day including instructions on putting car seats in properly, perhaps a child identification program and if all goes well, their driving simulators. continued →
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Sep 29th, 2007
Official MINI USA Press Release: A MINI Cooper Convertible will kick-off the Fall movie season as the featured automobile in one of this season’s most anticipated comedies, “The Heartbreak Kid.” The new DreamWorks Pictures film from Bobby and Peter Farrelly opens nationwide October 5th with an all star cast that includes: Ben Stiller, Michelle Monaghan, Jerry Stiller, and Malin Akerman. Ben Stiller plays eternal bachelor Eddie, who falls head over heels in love with the beautiful Lila (Malin Akerman) and marries at top speed. The newlyweds quickly set off to sunny Mexico in their MINI Convertible. But even on the journey, the would-be dream woman turns out, in typical Farrelly manner, to be a real nightmare - brazen, embarrassing, singing along with every radio hit and absolutely hopeless at math. Eddie’s only shimmer of hope is the pretty Miranda (Michelle Monaghan), whom he unfortunately meets only after he has said “I do” to Lila. continued →
Sep 28th, 2007
Update: After updating my iPhone to the newly released 1.11 software released today, it suddenly works perfectly with MINI’s bluetooth. Despite having tested it previously with two different iPhone software versions and it not working, could it have been Apple’s fault all along? I’ll be checking a couple other iPhones this weekend.
Recently we’ve heard reports of iPhone integration becoming rather messy after MINI’s most recent software update. Unfortunately I now have some first-hand proof of just that. continued →
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Sep 28th, 2007
Official MINI USA Press Release: MINI USA has deemed the month of October “MOTOR-TOBER”, a cheeky way to invite people into their nearest MINI showroom during the month of October to test drive a new MINI. The program is designed to allow potential customers to become future enthusiasts by giving them a chance to get behind the wheel of a MINI and experience first-hand the excellent driving dynamic of MINI’s full line of vehicles. continued →
Sep 28th, 2007
Potentially big news for the BMW Group (and even MINI enthusiasts) was tucked away in today’s future strategies presentation given by BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer:
The BMW Group explored all of the options for future growth during the strategic review, including potential acquisitions or the creation of a fourth brand. However, this would require the new automotive brand to be a perfect fit for the company and its strengths. Moreover, rising unit figures would have to result in a decline in unit costs and thus lead to economies of scale. The new brand would have to at least make the same positive contribution to earnings as the existing automobile business. However, an in-depth analysis found that none of the evaluated automotive brands currently meets these requirements. continued →
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Sep 27th, 2007
Just because the MINI Clubman is a bit more practical doesn’t mean the marketing won’t be any less unconventional. Starting Friday September 28th 2007 at 4pm GMT MINI will release a weekly 15-second surrealist interpretation of an everyday event that will only be available on The Other View site for one minute. Be sure to check it out.
[ The Other View ] MINI UK
(via Cool Hunting)
Sep 27th, 2007
BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer today confirmed plans to build a MINI Sport Activity Vehicle (Along with the BMW X1) with this quick mention tucked away in his strategy presentation:
At MINI, we opted for a further model in the sports activity vehicle segment.
As we’ve reported previously, expect the new vehicle to be built outside the Oxford plant and most likely in the US (at BMW’s Spartanburg plant) or in Austria by Magna Steyr. We’ve also now confirmed through sources that this SAV (in BMW-speak) will be MINI’s next model after the convertible is released for the 2009 model year.
Full press release after the jump. continued →
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Sep 27th, 2007
Our friends at Jalopnik are reporting that BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer will present a new corporate strategy that outlines plans for the launch of a new brand within the BMW Group. As Jalopnik theorizes, this could mean a great number of possibities. And is this brought on by the EU’s new proposed CO2 regulations (and thus a new small car brand) or the need to move further up-market to compete with Aston and Porsche?
As we reported last week, there have been rumors swirling lately about a smaller, more fuel efficient MINI. Could these rumors actually relate to this new brand, something even smaller and more efficient than even the Cooper D?
We’re actually not so sure BMW will create a new brand from the ground up. In fact we’re thinking some wires got crossed in the translation and “new brand” was meant to be “new division” (two new internal divisions were indeed named today by BMW). But we can’t help but find the question incredibly interesting. So let’s hear your take. If BMW were to introduce a fourth brand, what should it be?
Updated: Many of you may remember our reports two years ago about BMW potentially bringing back the Triumph brand. With today’s news, it may be worth checking those articles out again. You can find them below:
Related:
[ First MINI Now Triumph? ] MotoringFile
[ More Rumors on the MINI/Triumph Concept ] MotoringFile
[ US Connection for MINI’s New Rumored Roadster? ] MotoringFile
Sep 27th, 2007
Of course, another great review of the R56.
Anybody who enjoys driving will love the quick and responsive Mini, but the little car works equally well as a political and fashion statement: I’m saving fuel and easing congestion on the road, and I still look better than you do. continued →
Sep 27th, 2007
From the Fireball Tim Blog. Talk about being in the right place at the right time!
THWACK! IT’S A CLUBMAN!!! Yes, Fireballers Andy Limon and Jennifer Tang were in Camarill, heading to pick up… well, actually I have no idea what they were getting,… ANYWHO, they walk SMACK DAB into a new MINI CLUBMAN. Hey, that car’s not supposed to be here, yo!
Yep, three pictures taken with a disposable camera. Check them all out below.
[ California Clubman Sighting ] Fireballtim.com
Sep 26th, 2007
Part 3: One Month Review
With a month behind the wheel of my 2007 MCS and the JCW Suspension, I wanted to go beyond initial impressions or track day feedback and touch on day to day livability. One of my early criticisms with the kit was the surprisingly harsh ride - even worse than what I remembered on the R53 kit. In fact it was the ride and cost that lowered the overall score of the first review to a 3.5 out of 5. Perhaps somewhat telling, the track review (which took comfort out of the equation) garnered a 4.5 out of 5.
However since that time,my experience with the car and specifically the suspension has made me rethink the that initial 3.5. For starters, a few days after the review I realized that my dealer had mistakenly set the tire pressures at 40 psi. This was hugely detrimental when it came to the ride of the car and the unsettled feeling over broken pavement. Lowering that figure to something more reasonable (36 psi in this case) immediately made the suspension much more livable day to day with no performance downsides. Even better, the car felt controlled and in command over the same broken pavement that was previously so unsettling. continued →
Sep 26th, 2007
Official MINI USA Press Release: In the spirit of engaging owners in fun and unconventional ways, MINI USA has made enhancements to MINIUSA.com designed to invite owners and enthusiasts to explore and discover new content on the site.
Over 300 enthusiasts and users who have registered as MINI Insiders at www.MINIUSA.com will receive an e-mail with four secret codes that will reveal fun and playful features on the site, some of which change the look and feel of the site in very interesting ways. In addition to the four codes sent in the e-mail, there are three more codes hidden in the site that unlock other fun and engaging features on the site. One such code “under the hood” entered into the search field will reveal a viewing lenses that offers a rather cheeky behind-the-scene look at inner workings of MINI USA’s high-tech website. continued →
Sep 26th, 2007
We posted about the 200,000 MINI a few weeks ago but didn’t have any photos at the time. Now we do…
MINI USA Press Release: MINI USA delivered the 200,000th MINI sold in the U.S. to proud owner, Scott L. Kleeman, marking a major sales milestone for the iconic auto brand since its arrival in the U.S. five years ago. Impressively, MINI USA has achieved this sales goal a full two years earlier than initially projected.
Scott Kleeman purchased his Chili Red 2007 MINI Cooper Convertible at the end of July from Prestige MINI in Mahwah, NJ and in a ceremony to recognize this milestone, Scott was invited to the dealer to celebrate his status as the lucky owner of the 200,000th MINI. continued →
Sep 25th, 2007
I hate to be the one to break it to you if you haven’t already heard, but the previous record of 273 MINIs in a line was smashed at this years MINI Phenomenon 2007.
You can check out the MINI of Thailand event below:
[ MINI Fans in Thailand Smash World Record ] MINI of Thailand
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