Oct 26th, 2007
Leftlanenews.com has the first photos of the MINI SUV test mule. The test vehicle looks to be built using a raised Clubman indicating some form of all-wheel drive present. Expect the finished product (looking quite a bit different from the Clubman with an identity crisis seen here) to show up around the 2011 model year.
The car’s exhaust also indicates that this isn’t a standard issue Clumbman S. A typical Clubman S has dual exhaust, something this mule lacks. Instead, the mule has a single exhaust outlet protruding from the left slide. This details also rules out a standard Clubman as its exhaust exits from the right side. The change is exhaust seems to indicate some kind of undercarriage work, possibly to accommodate for all-wheel drive.
You can check out the full range of photos below:
[ MINI Future SUV Spied ] Left Lane News
Oct 26th, 2007
One of our favorite motoring magazines has a comparison between to of the hostest hatches out there; the new JCW MCS and the Renault Clio 197. While the MCS tested didn’t have the new JCW Suspension (or sport suspension as it sounds) it did have the newly released JCW engine package. Here’s an excerpt:
In the MINI you can go into a corner at something other than the perfect speed and yet come out the other side without feeling it’s a wasted opportunity. It moves around, engages and involved more than the Clio. The fact that it feels significantly faster in a straight line is an added bonus that makes nipping in and out of the everyday traffic just that bit more fun. continued →
Oct 25th, 2007
Look for MINI to introduce three new sets of light-weight wheels designed specifically to work with the new (and larger) 2008 JCW Brake Kit we reported on yesterday.
The 17″ wheel will be MINI branded and engineered with low weight in mind. They will also be one of the few OEM 17″ wheels that will fit the new R56 JCW Brake Kit.
The other two wheels will both be 18″s and as you might guess, JCW branded. Like the 17″ MINI branded wheel, they will both be designed to work with the R56 JCW Brake Kit coming later in 2008. As with the 17″ wheels, we’re told the 18″s will be relatively light-weight in design. What that means in terms of lbs remains to be seen.
Worldwide release should happen in the first half of 2008.
Oct 25th, 2007
The Cars.com blog Kicking Tires updates their experience with the R56 Cooper S trying it out as a 4 passenger car for a 2 hour drive.
On the minus side, I took three kids with me on a trip to Milwaukee, and many times, the car itself – not just having to take a road trip with dad – sparked whining and complaining. At first, the two kids in the backseat were comfortable, but over time (the trip took about two hours each way), they began to complain more and more about their lack of legroom. Both are around 5 feet tall, and eventually, I had to move the driver’s seat up a notch to help accommodate them. That made my knees weary before too long, especially once I was off the expressway and onto city streets, where the heavy shifting began.
continued →
Oct 24th, 2007
One of the more subtle but appreciated upgrades MINI made to the 2007 MCS R56 was the addition of the JCW brake kit as standard. Sure the calipers aren’t red and don’t feature the JCW logo, but they are indeed the same caliper size, pads and rotors. The addition allows for more stopping power and increased fade resistance at the track.
But what of all the R56 Cooper S owners who want an OEM upgrade? MINI currently only has a slotted and “drilled” rotor that fits into the OEM front brake set-up. All things considered it’s just a bit of window dressing if you ask us. So in an answer to this, MINI will be releasing a redesigned (and much improved) JCW brake kit. The kit will consist of larger calipers, more aggressive front and rear pads, and (wait for it…..) larger front rotors. continued →
Oct 24th, 2007
Based on the reaction of yesterday’s BMW 135i story, we thought today’s BMW press release concerning a high performance 1 Series concept of the car might be of interest to some readers…
Official BMW Press Release: Based on the new BMW 1 Series Coupé being presented to the world public for the first time at the Tokyo Motor Show 2007, this fascinating design study is the consistent evolution of BMW’s compact two-door with a clear focus on uncompromising sportiness. With its aerodynamically optimised body, a wide range of lightweight features serving to minimise the weight of the car and its axle load distribution, as well as an interior tailored specifically to the ambitious driver, this concept study clearly offers a high level of driving dynamics right from the start. continued →
Oct 24th, 2007
Official MINI USA Press Release: For the sixth consecutive year, MINI has earned top honors in Strategic Vision’s 2007 Total Value Index TM (TVI). For 2007, the MINI brand achieved the highest ranking of all brands surveyed with an overall TVI score of 817. The MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper Convertible also achieved the highest TVI score in their respective segments – an honor both models have received every year since they were launched.
Not only did the MINI brand achieve the highest TVI score overall, but Strategic Vision also recognized MINI as a class leader in the $24,500 – $30,000 range. In their respective segments the MINI Cooper, with a TVI score of 824, was awarded top honors in the “Small Specialty Car Under $28,000″ six years running, while the MINI Cooper Convertible, with a TVI score of 802, topped its category of “Convertible under $30,000″ three years running. These scores compare to an industry average TVI score of 737. continued →
