For those of you that thought we were going to be live, all apologies. We had a bit of a scheduling conflict. Before that, I choked on the intro and Todd and I both realize that we are getting old after realizing that our good friend The Future Queen of Nebraska (Happy Birthday Tori!) was born the year we graduated highschool.
Gabe was at the Chicago Auto Show so not able to be with us, but we carried on without him with news of the week from Motoringfile.
Then some auto industry talk and bit more on the throttle body freezing issue. Todd dug into this a little deeper and has a very good explanation as to what is happening. From what we understand, this is only affecting the MCS and Clubman S (and some Volkswagens). We explain what is happening and what they are trying to possibly fix it. If this is a problem that you are having with your MINI, be sure to get it into the dealer to have it looked at.
BMW AG has laid off all 850 workers who worked weekends and has shut plant production down for one week. Additionally BMW will be laying off 150 at the MINI engine plant in Swindon UK. Here’s the latest from the BBC.
“Mini plant Oxford will be bringing in a new shift pattern in response to continuing volatile market conditions,” a BMW statement said. continued →
You can get another look at that trippy MINI cross-over prototype that’s currently undergoing cold weather testing over at Autoweek.
Look for the production version of the crossover to debut this fall in Frankfurt and to begin production (in Austria) sometime in 2010. Be sure to check out our R60 section for all the details you could ever want on the soon to be largest MINI.
This is a follow-up to the story we ran a few weeks back about the MINI only track-day at Buttonwillow raceway
The first Advanced Car Control Clinic for MINI Coopers was held here this weekend as a part of the driving school offered by the Vintage Auto Racing Association. MINI race drivers Bob Scheer and Jerry Bradbury challenged six eager, experienced MINI drivers to wring more performance from their cars than they ever imagined was possible. They came from Spokane, San Diego, LA and San Francisco to this track due west of Bakersfield, California for two days of intense application of the basics of visualization and awareness, car balance, and smoothness in acceleration, braking and steering. continued →
MINIs, Mountains and Dragons OH MY. That’s right, it’s time to gear up for the largest Annual Gathering of MINIs in the United States. The 7th Annual MINIs on the Dragon, taking place once again in the beautiful Smokey Mountains of Robbinsville, North Carolina from Wednesday April 29th to Sunday May 3rd 2009.
This event is based around a section of road called the Dragon, aka US 129, that runs from North Carolina into Tennessee. Can you say Twisties? How bout 318 of them in just 11 miles. We’re talking some white knuckle driving. But the event is so much more than just the road. Imagine getting up each morning and driving around breathtaking mountain scenery and every turn you take another MINI passes you by. No…..you haven’t died and gone to MINI heaven…….you’re at the Dragon!! continued →
Potentially owing to less than stellar sales, MINI UK has decided to improve the specification of the JCW MINIs it sells. Here’s the full rundown of what is now standard on the car:
John Cooper Works Updated Aerodynamic Kit
All MINI John Cooper Works cars will now be fitted with an updated John Cooper Works Aerodynamic Kit. This new kit is similar in design to the current version but has been enhanced to include brake air intake channels (for optimum ventilation of the brakes) as well as an extended splitter on the front apron. continued →
While we missed official coverage of both the Detroit and LA Auto Shows due to schedule conflicts, we managed to make it to the Chicago Auto Show for the 6th year in a row. Billed as the nations largest show (and arguably the largest in the world when it come to square footage) Chicago had a slightly more upbeat if not quiet atmosphere than Detroit. Gone was some of the lavish lunches and parties and in their places were straight forward press conferences and with little in the way of press swag.
But with that said we did get a chance to talk with engineers, designers and other associated with the industry as well as of course poke, prod and play with every machine on the floor. Always well worth the visit. So with that, here’s our best and worst of the show:
Best new production car: The Z4 takes it from the R57 MINI convertible if only because it truly is a totally new car rather than version of another (the R56)
Best concept: Chevy Volt. I cannot believe how much I liked this car. Granted I’ll never own one and it’s clearly not built with an enthusiast in mind, but it’s such a forward thinking car and looks so much more interesting than the new Prius.
Most disappointing: 2010 Mazda 3. What a terrible redesign. As big fans of the previous 3, we were appalled what this car has turned into. Of course a close second was the MX5 (Miata) redesigned front end.
Manufacturer most obvious to go bankrupt: Chrysler. The lack of press interest in that part of the show floor was nothing less than erie.
1st Gen MINI R50: One & MC Hatch R52: All 1st Gen MINI Convt. R53: MCS Hatch 2nd Gen MINI R55: Clubman R56: Hatch R57: Convertible R58: Coupe R59: Roadster R60: MINI Crossover R61: MINI Crossover Coupe 3rd Gen MINI F55: Clubman F56: Hatch F57: Convertible F60: MINI Crossover F62: Traveller
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Sections: Podcast, R55 (Clubman), R56 (Hatch) Feb 17th, 2009 No Comments 
For those of you that thought we were going to be live, all apologies. We had a bit of a scheduling conflict. Before that, I choked on the intro and Todd and I both realize that we are getting old after realizing that our good friend The Future Queen of Nebraska (Happy Birthday Tori!) was born the year we graduated highschool.
