Jul 19th, 2010
The long long rumored Prodrive WRC rally entry looks to finally come to fruition this week. AutosportMini’s first-ever World Rally Car, which will be based on the Countryman road car, has been in preparation for months at Prodrive’s Banbury base and the BMW 1.6-litre turbocharged engine recently arrived to turn a rolling shell into a full World Rally Car. Testing of the new machine is expected to begin soon and, as technical director David Lapworth said, once it starts testing it will not stop.
“When we start testing on our rally car development programme, it will be intensive,” said Lapworth. “We still have a good timescale to work towards for testing and we’re happy with where we’re at.”
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Jul 16th, 2010
Over the last two weeks we’ve brought you every detail of the 2011 MINI refresh. We’ve given you every detail of the options, colors and overall vehicle changes. We’ve even given you specific information on the US market. Now MINI USA is officially releasing all the information. Look for pricing to follow shortly and the online configurator to be updated in the next few weeks. For photos of the changes and many more details be sure to check out our 2011 LCI section.
Official Release
Exterior updates
- All models will have new bumper fascias, taillamp assemblies and larger foglights.
- There is a new Adaptive Xenon headlight option ($100), and black headlight housings are newly available for Cooper and Cooper S (no charge option).
- Sunroof glass tint will change from 10 percent in the previous model to 30 percent on 2011 MY vehicles, further reducing sunlight penetration.
- New colors: Spice Orange will be available on the Hardtop and the Clubman models., All MINI vehicles will also be available in British Racing Green II (which is lighter and closer in shade to the iconic British Racing Green of decade’s past), Eclipse Gray metallic (which replace Dark Silver metallic), White Silver, Ice Blue (non-metallic) and lastly, Velvet Silver (which replaces Sparkling Silver).
- Five new wheel designs will adorn the MY 2011 MINI lineup. There will be a new 15†wheel for the Cooper models.
- All the 16†wheels will be replaced with new designs. The Rib Spoke will replace the standard S-Winder on the Cooper S models and the 4-Hole Circular is an alternative for both Cooper and Cooper S cars. The 6-Star Twin Spoke will also be available.
- The 17†Conical Spoke wheel replaces the Crown Spoke.
Interior Updates
- All interior items that were previously covered in Silver paint will be matte black, the steering wheel will have a chrome trim ring in the middle and a light beige headliner will be standard (replacing the gray headliner).
- The radio controls for the standard Boost CD system have been simplified.
- A new slot in the Clubdoor can hold the passenger front seatbelt buckle in place for easier ingress and egress for the rear passengers, and there is also a new roller-style rear cargo shade.
Radio and Infotainment
- HD Radio and Sirius satellite radio will both be standard for all 2011 MINI models (previously these options were priced at $500 each); and customers will receive a one-year subscription for SIRIUS.
- There will be three audio options in 2011. Standard will be a new version of Boost CD with new radio controls, and HD Radio and SIRIUS already installed.
- MINI Connected will be an option on all 2011 models. It will add a new 6.5†hi-resolution screen, Comfort Bluetooth with Smartphone prep, voice recognition, and a joystick controller to access all features.
- The third radio option will be MINI Connected with Navigation that also features real-time
traffic information. The new NAV system uses an internal hard memory card and maps can be updated through a USB port in the glovebox.
Engine and Technology Updates
- The MINI Cooper now makes 121HP, thanks to an optimized lubrication and the reduction of internal friction losses.
- The MINI Cooper S makes 181HP, as MINI has added the VALVETRONIC intake valve control.
- Anti-torque steer programming is built into power steering.
- Enhanced acoustic attenuation has been added throughout the car to reduce road and tire noise.
The MINI Experience Continues
- New exterior design reinforces the sporty nature of the vehicle
- Interior enhancements add to premium feel
- All new engines offer more fun and increased efficiency
The fun-to-drive MINI, still guarantees go-kart handling and a fun driving experience, but now with eye-catching design modifications, all-new engines and innovative equipment upgrades, the revamped 2011 MINI is equipped to be the most popular to date.
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Jul 16th, 2010
With less than a month to go, our friend Gina Koutros from MINIUSA took some time from her hectic schedule to give us some updates about MINI Takes the States, which is shaping up to be the largest MTTS to date!
If you haven’t decided if you are going yet, don’t forget there will be a Countryman (R60) at each of the kick-off cities driving to Denver. If you wanted to see this MINI in person, now is the time to do it!
Once in Denver, besides all of the regular festival fun and games, there will be the MTTS Music Stage featuring local talent during the day, headlined by Blues Traveller! For those of you that caught them in ’08 during the Chicago leg of MTTS you remember what a great show they put on.
MTTS Update:
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Jul 16th, 2010
Earlier this summer we told you about MINI’s secret city car project that fits within MINI’s megacity program. However now MINI has leaked details to the press about the program. Several publications were briefed on the first steps of the program, a concept car that will debut in Geneva next March. Potentially called the MINI Minor (as reported on MF), the concept car will be based on the current R56 platform but shortened to a length similar to the Toyota iQ.
How will they achieve this? MINI will likely be ditching the rear seats and go to a straight two-seater. Of course there are two keys to this program. One is making money on the car. The second is making it handle like a MINI.
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Jul 15th, 2010
We missed a week and came back with a live show! If you missed it, you really should follow any of us on Twitter or like the WRR Facebook Fan page. If you would rather find out in other ways, sound off in the comments below and I will see about hookin’ you guys and gals up! continued →
Jul 14th, 2010
MINI Takes the States 2010. The largest MINI event the US has ever seen is less than a month away and MotoringFile will be covering from every angle. With the help of Todd, Db and Chad from Whiteroofradio we plan to bring you audio, video, photos and stories from both the road and from the final event in Denver.
We’ll be leading the caravan from LA (DB), NYC (Todd) and Chicago (myself & Chad). Now all that’s needed is you. It’s MINI’s goal to make this the biggest and best MTTS ever. So lets get a show of hands. Give us a shout in the comment section below if you’re planning to attend any of the MTTS festivities. continued →
Jul 14th, 2010
The stock MINI out of the box has a remarkable stiff chassis. But, that’s not going to stop aftermarket accessory makers from trying to make an even more rigid car. That’s where M7 Tuning has worked their magic. Gabe previously reviewed the understrut system by M7 here on MF, and so this is my review of their rear chassis brace.
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