Sections: Classic Mini, Video Apr 11th, 2010 No Comments MINI is celebrating 50 years of the MINI with Classic Mini Clubs from Germany and the Netherlands at the Techno Classica Germany. The fine people behind MINI PR would nice enough to recap the highlights that were on display.
Sections: MOTD Apr 9th, 2010 22 Comments 
Over the years we’ve made it clear how much we adore MINIs on the Dragon as an independent US based MINI event. Arguably the largest MINI event in the US not hosted by MINI USA, MOTD is unique in that it is centered around one road in a vastly rural area. But what a road it is. The Dragon (as it is known) is an 11 mile stretch of US 129 that starts in extreme eastern Tennessee and turns 318 times before it ends in western North Carolina. To put it mildly it is arguably the best stretch of road in North America. With it’s inspiring layout and excellent banking, the Dragon is a rare road in that it has almost a magical rhythm do it. And in early May MINI’s take over the entire thing
Sections: JCW WC50 Apr 8th, 2010 62 Comments 
Update: the US bound WC50 does not have the navigation included as it is everywhere else in the world. To us this makes the car slightly less of the good deal it was before and not quite as desirable.
Last year MINI introduced the ultimate JCW at MINI United at Silverstone with the WC50. Short for World Championship 50, the limited edition model includes a unique Connaught green exterior paint job with loads of one-off trim both inside and out. It’s truly the most remarkable looking new MINI we’ve ever seen at MF.
Initially we were told that a US allotment wasn’t in the cars due to production being capped at 250. However when MINI doubled production MINI USA started to ask US dealers if they’re be interested in the car. Apparently the feedback was positive enough that MINI USA has decided to import 50 cars to dealers that specifically requested the WC50. That means this will be the most limited edition MINI model ever – much more rare than even the GP. However that also means that if you’re not on a list or haven’t expressed interest in the car through a dealer, it may be hard to get one.
Since the WC50 is essentially a hand built JCW taken off the line at Oxford and finished elsewhere, the entire allotment should arrive in stages throughout April.
Initially pricing was expected to be close to the unthinkable mark of $50,000. However MINI USA pricing these (can we say aggressively?) at $39,600. Combined with the $700 shipping fee each JCW WC50 comes with the total is $40,300. While we’re sure there will be debate over the merits of the car versus the price, it doesn’t seem to matter all that much. We believe these cars will sell-out without much drama over the course of the next few months. But if you want to look at pricing critically, you’ll quickly realize that, to order a MINI with all of these options (sans the one-off components and trim) the final cost would be at least a few thousand over the $40k mark. In our minds MINI has pricing the WC50 as fair as possible given option costs.
Sections: Classic Mini, Official News Apr 8th, 2010 4 Comments 
MINI is embracing their past not only with new models and naming conventions but with the models themselves. MINI will be trotting out numerous variants everyone’s small car this year at the Techno Classica. Arguable the world’s greatest classic car show, the Techno Classica takes place in Essen Germany and bring in around 170,000 people from almost 40 countries.
This year MINI will be showing off the brand like never before with el from various MINI (and Mini) clubs around the world.
Official Release: For many years MINI has been a firm fixture in Hall 12 of Techno Classica. This attendance record has been underpinned by the various MINI Clubs and the exceptional cars which make up their collections. This year the British brand will be showing off the numerous variants of a small car whose history now stretches back 50 years.
Sections: Motorsports Apr 6th, 2010 8 Comments A very vintage Top Gear celebrated Mini’s win 1964 at the Monte Carlo Rally way back in 1994. Yes that’s the 30th anniversey complete with 90′s era pop references which we may or may not understand. Regardless it’s a great piece (in two parts) that catelogues exactly why the win was so impressive.
Sections: Podcast Apr 6th, 2010 7 Comments 
We survived AMVIV and share a few stories about what happened plus covered the news from MotoringFile like we like to do, and since it’s been about 2 weeks, there is quite a bit of news.
It’s event central here at WRR! We have a great interview with our friend Gina Koutros from MINI USA. There is a little thing coming up this summer called MTTS in case you haven’t heard. Thanks to Gina for taking time out of her busy schedule for us, and you. Plus, we are on Dragon Watch! If you are going, you better make sure you are signed up! MINIsontheDragon.com is where you want to point your browser for the most up-to-date information.
Woofcast 332:
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Sections: R58 (Coupe), R59 (Roadster) Apr 6th, 2010 28 Comments 
Our friends at Autoblog have what they believe are patent rendering of the final MINI Coupé and Roadster. While they are very close to final they are in reality simply patents of the concept cars shown last September in Frankfurt.
With help from our sources we can exclusively report that these renderings are nothing more than CG images of the concept that debuted last year. In fact the coupé has the wheels from a GP while the Roadster carries wheels from the R57 convertible. Both will ultimately feature unique body kits and wheels along with a couple new exterior and interior colors.
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