Archive for April 2008
Apr 30th, 2008
One of things that MINI has trumpeted about the new factory JCW MINI is the DTC (Dynaimc Traction Control) and the EDLC (Electronic Differential Lock Control). Both are purely electronic, weigh essentially nothing and have been doing good work on BMWs for years. However the addition of both to the JCW MINI means that the optional mechanical limited slip differential (option code 2TA) available on all other Cooper S’ won’t be available as an option on the JCW.
So are these technologies truly good enough to take the place of a mechanical limited slip? While we’re not overly optimistic, we won’t know for sure until we get the new car out at the track. In the meantime let’s take a closer look at both DTC and EDLC. continued →
Apr 30th, 2008
Official Press Release: The MINI brand also recorded good growth with the first-quarter sales volume up by 23.6% to 58,054 units (first quarter 2007: 46,978 units). The launching of the new MINI Clubman was a great success: almost 16,000 units have been handed over to customers since its market introduction in November 2007. The MINI brand continues to generate a very high-value product mix. In total, 14.1% of customers opted for the MINI One, 59.6% purchased the MINI Cooper and 26.3% chose the MINI Cooper S.
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Apr 29th, 2008
If you are interested in a factory JCW MINI in the US market, today is your day. We’ve got pricing and option availability options galore not to mention news of a few price reductions.
We’ve known for a few months that MINI USA will be pricing the JCW Coupe and the Clubman at $29,200 and $31,450 respetively. However until today we didn’t have information on how MINI would break down (let alone price) each of the packages.
For starters MINI USA will officially launch the both new John Cooper Works models on July 14th. These cars will be the first ‘09 MINIs and thus will be debuting the new MINI USA packages for the ‘09 model year. Remember that sentence if you’re thinking about ordering a ‘09 MCS. continued →
Apr 29th, 2008
We’ve heard from a couple UK readers (and hopeful JCW Clubman owners) that MINI UK has delayed the release of the Clubman version of the new JCW factory car? The reason? Simple really. MINI UK has decided to equip all factory JCW cars with the JCW aero-kit including the Clubman. The problem? The Clubman version of the JCW aero-kit won’t be available until March of next year.
The solution? Unfortunately the solution is the problem in that MINI UK has pushed back the introduction of the JCW Clubman to March ‘09 to coincide with the aero-kit launch. While it may be a painful wait for some would be owners, at least they don’t have to deal with the factory aero-kit coming standard.
We hope to have this officially confirmed soon.
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Apr 28th, 2008
Fun and games during our most recent live show. We all picked two cars, one priced at $10K or less, and the other at $30K or less. I think you’ll enjoy our picks. And, another great reason why you don’t want to miss our live shows. I would have put the links back, but they were all already dead.
Then we spent some time answering questions from our live audience. Again, another reason why you don’t want to miss us live. So, we are going to give you another chance.
We will be recording this coming Saturday at 8am PST/ 10am CST / 11am EST / 4pm (I think) GMT. More details will follow later in the week. Keep an eye on the sites toward the end of the week for more details.
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Apr 28th, 2008
Thanks to one of our tipsters we’ve managed to get a hold of the internal planning document for the Canadian market JCW launch later this year. If you live in Canada and are interested in a new factory JCW car, this document is probably what you’ve been waiting for (with the exception of final pricing). Here’s an excerpt:
MINI Canada is pleased to provide preliminary ordering information for MINI John Cooper Works and MINI John Cooper Works Clubman. The John Cooper Works (JCW) brand represents the performance platform within the MINI group. It combines an iconic brand with a rich racing heritage, performance engineering, and an increased level of driving excitement. The JCW brand is for the driving enthusiast and represents extreme performance and driving fun, with an unconventional attitude. It is based on the combination of the John Cooper story, premium performance, engineering and the essence of MINI. continued →
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Apr 27th, 2008
Recorded before a live internet audience last Thursday, Gabe, Todd and myself get together to do news of the week from Motoringfile.com.
Big thanks to everyone for your emails and comments for last weeks shows! We do appreciate it.
There is a very good chance we will be live again this week. Different day/time to hopefully allow more of our international listeners to get in on the fun. We are going to try for 8AM PST/11EST/10CST Saturday, May 3rd. Watch the sites for more info as we get closer.
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Apr 26th, 2008
We’ll be moving MotoringFile to a new server late tonight and earlier tomorrow so don’t be surprised to see the site offline for an hour or so. Once the move is complete it’ll also take some time for the change to propagate across specific DNS servers so some readers may experience extended downtime through Sunday.
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Apr 26th, 2008
I’m noticing that the Clubman reviews very well. USA Today’s review of the Clubman Cooper is no exception, but I have seen more favorable reviews.
Looks terrific. Drives great. Can be decked out inside as scrumptious as luxury cars priced twice the well-equipped test car’s $28,700 sticker.
What’s more, Consumer Reports magazine gives the Mini Cooper hardtop – mechanically the same – the top scores in reliability, owner satisfaction and total ownership costs.
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Apr 25th, 2008
DIY Friday is back with one of the most interfaced parts of a manual transmission equipped MINI; the shift lever. And as you would expect it’s also one of the most upgraded parts of a MINI as well. One of our favorites we’ve found is the JCW Shift lever. While we were initially skeptical of the design, it didn’t take more than a couple of miles of driving with one before we were won over. continued →
Apr 25th, 2008
Yet another country slated to get the MINI Diesel according to AUSmotive.com.
GoAuto is reporting that MINI Australia will introduce the MINI Cooper D within the next 12 months. Coupled with a 6 speed manual and a 1.6l 80kW/240Nm powerplant the Cooper D is said to be capable of consumption under 4l/100km. Add to that impressive emission figures of 104g/km and there’ll be a whole bunch of Hollywood actors realising they could have looked cool and still been green, instead of buying a Prius.
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Apr 24th, 2008
Here we go. Things go smoother if you have a free uStream.tv account.
Update. It was great fun again! Thanks to everyone that stopped by.
Yes, audio only. We are still working on video.
Apr 24th, 2008
It’s been a very long time since we last did this, but Gabe, myself and Todd will be getting together tonight at 7:00PM PST to talk about MINI stuff like we like to do. Best part is we will be live via uStream.tv and sharing it with you here and at WRR.
So check back! Tonight at 7PST/8MST/9CST/10EST!
Apr 24th, 2008
MINI of Italy have created two new special editions means solely for the Italian market: the MINI Abbey Road and the Trigger editions. Both editions are meant for the MINI One exclusively. You can read the details below in the MINI of Italy press release provided you can understand Italian.
If you don’t speak Italian, the big take away here is; two new special edition MINIs that you likely won’t be getting.
Official MINI of Italy Press Release: Due inedite versioni esaltano l’una il carattere chic e l’altra quello sportivo tipici del brand. Proposte nella brillante motorizzazione della MINI One, la nuova MINI Abbey Road e la nuova MINI Trigger saranno protagoniste in tutti gli showroom MINI nell’open week-end di sabato 10 e domenica 11 maggio
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Apr 23rd, 2008
MINI and Life Ball have been synonymous for eight consecutive years now, and this years unique MINI will be designed by cult lingerie label Agent Provocateur, founded by Serena Rees and her husband, Vivianne Westwood’s son, Joseph Corre.
The Life Ball MINI 2008 will be auctioned through eBay from 5 to 15 June 2008 in further aid of Life Ball, Europe’s largest AIDS charity event to be helt on 17 May 2008.
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