Sections: MINI United, Video May 25th, 2009 3 Comments The official video recap of MINI’s largest event ever. Our coverage will continue throughout the week and even into next week as we finish all of our audio interviews and get more video up. Also look for a huge scoop tomorrow regarding a new option that came out of MINI United.
Sections: 50th Anniversary, JCW WC50 May 25th, 2009 32 Comments 
MINI UK has released some details around the WC50 while at MINI United that bring the details of this car into greater focus. As we’ve reported MINI will be building 250 of these special JCWs worldwide with 100 going to the UK. US availability is still up in the air.
The options list is strictly set as each car will be identical when leaving the factory. Once out of the confines of the Oxford plant MINI will fit the aero kit and other accessories before shipping them out to dealers.
Technically this is identical to the stock JCW (even down to the stock suspension) which is sure to dissapoint hardcore JCW fans. However this is a very special car that will likely be the most limited MINI produced to date. continued →
Sections: Motorsports, Official News May 25th, 2009 2 Comments From the Racing Track Straight to the Road. John Cooper Works and the MINI Success Story in Motorsport.
Official release: It is in the car’s DNA and it was obviously there right from the start: the sporting talent of the classic Mini.
When Alec Issigonis was requested by British Motor Corporation (BMC) in late 1956 to develop an economical but nevertheless fully-fledged small car with four seats, it quickly became clear that this new model would be truly innovative and, indeed, revolutionary in every respect.
Front-wheel drive, extremely short body overhangs, a wide track, a low centre of gravity, optimum use of space and low weight were defined right from the start as elementary features of the new model. continued →
Sections: F56 Hatch May 24th, 2009 25 Comments 
Last week we exposed the interior image seen in Automobile.Fr as a forgery. This week we’re doing the same to the exterior photoshop image. Instead of debating the image for days upon days we thought we’d go straight to the source and ask the always candid Gert Hildebrand (director of all things design at MINI) while at MINI United. His response was straight forward and clearly sincere. The images (interior and exterior) are both fake. A simple answer from the man who would know.
Sections: MINI United May 24th, 2009 6 Comments 
This happened during a Safety Car lap at the MINI Challenge race on Sunday at Silverstone.
Thanks to Mark Ryan for the great skills with the shot.
Sections: JCW WC50, MINI United May 24th, 2009 13 Comments We had the chance to get inside the car and get a few more photos showing more details of the World Championship 50 MINI.
Sections: Classic Mini, F56 Hatch, Rumor May 23rd, 2009 27 Comments 
Update – it’s a fake! We’ve uncovered the truth after some further investigation.
A second much more telling image has surfaced from several publications purporting to be an early version of the next generation MINI. If indeed real, we originally thought this could be an early version of the cross-over. However looking at the new image it’s clear that what we have here is potentially much more interesting. The image above shows what looks to be a slightly sleeker more aggressive looking two door hatch-back. While the design looks early this could very well be a good look at the next MINI due out in 2012 or 2013. Or it could be a magazine’s attempt at fleeting fame. Time will tell.
Copyright © 2002-2011 AutoFi Media
