Archive for February 2010
Feb 9th, 2010
Our friends at AUSmotive broken the news that MINI of Australia will indeed be getting the WC50. With production up to 500 units (from 250) it would seem that several markets will now be getting the 50th Anniversary MINI. Rumors suggest it’s not out of the question that the US might follow suit. Here’s the full press release:
- MINI Lands 500th John Cooper Works WC50
- 500th car destined for Australia
- Most exclusive MINI model ever produced
- Strictly limited production
- Ten secured for Australian market
- Public debut, MINI CHALLENGE race series – rounds 1 and 2
Official Release: This MINI special edition has a strictly limited production run of only 500 units worldwide – each are individually numbered – and will become one of the most exclusive MINI models ever produced.
Just ten of the limited John Cooper Works WC50’s, including the 500th, are destined for Australia. This comes as a significant milestone for the MINI brand in Australia and reaffirms the importance of the local market on a worldwide scale.
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Feb 9th, 2010
Official Release: The MINI brand also saw a substantial increase in sales volumes in the month under review. With 12,181 (prev. yr. 10,120) units sold, 20.4% more vehicles were delivered. Volumes increased for all three model series. In January 1,191 (+510.8% / prev. yr. 195) MINI Convertibles were delivered to customers. The MINI Clubman was sold to 2,003 customers last month (+5.2% / prev. yr. 1,904), while the MINI recorded 8,987 deliveries worldwide (+12.0% / prev. yr. 8,021).
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Feb 8th, 2010
Yes the names keep getting longer. But the engines are also getting both more power and more efficient. Behold our first look a the Clubman version of the upcoming Cooper S Diesel. We first told you about the new hot diesel last year about a curious MINI prototype with went down the Oxford production line with BMW’s highly acclaimed 2.0L diesel. Now Autocar is showing us picture of an R55 Clubman with the engine and some new front air intake meant to cool the new mill. According to Autocar output will be around 150bhp and torque could be as high as 250 ft lbs based on the output with the same engine in the BMW 118d.
Also mentioned in the article is further rumor of a JCW version using the engine. As we’ve reported previously the same 2.0L BMW diesel is also at the heart of the 123d which has an output of over 200 bhp and close to 300 ft lbs of torque. However we can imagine BMW would consider retarding some of that torque either across the entire range or at lower RPMs to help alleviate what could be biblical torque steer.
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Feb 8th, 2010
A quick reminder for all those readers who might have missed our design contest launched in conjunction with the internet debut of the MINI Countryman. The idea is simple, design your own accessory that fits on the Countryman’s new interior rail system. We’ll send the best ideas over to Munich and the MINI Design team will pick their favorite. The winner gets an ultra-exclusive copy of the new MINI Design book autographed by MINI Design head Gert Hildebrand.
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Feb 5th, 2010
It’s the dead of winter in most of the world and for some of us that means driving our MINIs in snow. But that’s not all bad. With the right tires and the right techniques the MINI can conquer almost any snow. That brings us to this week’s Ask MF from Mary:
My 2005 mini is not doing well in 2-6 inches of snow. Is there something I can disable to get better control? I grew up in Maine so I know driving in snow, but my MINI is not handling well. Help.
There are several things that you can do to turn any MINI into a snow devouring beast. First off knowing when to turn off traction control will help in some situations. Secondly if you get a good amount of snow annually, the most important addition to a MINI are dedicated snow tires. These can be ordered by a place like the Tirerack and shipped to any tire installer in your area. It’s a bit of an investment but dedicated snow tires with their own wheels make a night and day difference.
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Feb 5th, 2010
After five months of motoring in his MINI Cooper Convertible with the top down as part of MINI USA’s Open One Challenge, David Loveall has proven that neither rain, snow nor blistering sunshine can deter his ‘open’ spirit. Loveall is the grand prize winner in MINI’s Open One Challenge, a contest to determine who could accumulate the most top-down motoring hours.
Enduring every type of weather Mother Nature could throw at him between August and December 2009, Loveall motored for 555.55 hours with his MINI Cooper Convertible’s top wide open. To reward Loveall’s dedication to sharing MINI’s open philosophy, MINI will present him with a trip for two people to travel to Oxford, England and a visit to the MINI plant where the MINI Cooper Convertible is built.
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Feb 4th, 2010
Todd, Gabe and DB are all here this week and we wrap up talk of the R60 and sagging hood scoops among the rest of the MF news.
Woofcast 323:
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