Apr 29th, 2011
Just as JCW is MINI’s high performance brand, Goodwood will becomes its luxury marque. According to Autocar MINI will build a series of products based on the name and the principles behind it. So what does that mean? Look for future products that use Rolls Royce materials and a look overseen by the RR design studio. continued →
Apr 28th, 2011
Today MINI is officially rolling out three new and or updated features for MINI Connected we’ve previously covered: Dynamic Music, Mission Control and an enhancement of the current Facebook and Twitter integration. The update is version 2.0 of the app and is ready for download in the iOS app store.
Official Release: MINI Connected gives drivers an even more intense experience of limitless driving fun, and allows that experience to be tailored to personal preferences and even shared with other users. Now the intelligent link-up of the driver, the MINI and the outside world has reached a new stage. The extended MINI Connected App gives Apple iPhone users access to innovative functions designed to enhance driving fun, entertainment and social networking. MINI therefore takes the lead once again in the intelligent link-up of the car with the outside world. continued →
Apr 27th, 2011
Autocar.co.uk is out with a new review of MINI’s intrepid Cooper SD diesel powerplant. This time it’s specifically in the Countryman All4. Of all the cars in the MINI line, we think the R60 seams the most logical candidate for the beefier oil burner because of its added size and because the fuel economy offered in the petrol engines doesn’t shine quite so brightly in this largest MINI model. Autocar agrees.
In many ways, this engine suits the Countryman better than any of its siblings. As the heaviest Mini in the range – by a long stretch in All4 guise – the Countryman really does need all the torque it can find. And this new turbo diesel develops more torque than any other engine in the MINI range, including the John Cooper Works power plant. That’s 225lb ft of the twisting stuff, which is very welcome.
More after the break. continued →
Apr 27th, 2011
What? BMW? MotoringFile is a MINI based site right? Yes and yes but today (thanks to our sister site BimmerFile) we bring you a look into the future of the MINI brand by looking at it’s corporate cousin. Earlier this year BMW released details on an entirely new family of four cylinder engines. The first up is the 2.0 N20 that will be most of the line-up within 18 months. It also signals a new where MINI is headed as well. For some time we’ve know that MINI will be moving to a three cylinder engine. What you see above will form the basis of that 1.5L 3 banger. And there may even be a chance that we’ll see a variation of the N20 in future MINI products. So to give you a head start at understanding where MINI will be heading in the years ahead, we’re going to take a deep dive in to the N20 and some of the technology at its heart. continued →
Apr 26th, 2011
The stage is set and the gear is in place. With Rally d’Italia Sardegna right around the five-right corner, Kris Meeke, Dani Sordo and the entire MINI WRC Team are working to complete final preparations ensuring this first race goes according to plan. continued →
Apr 24th, 2011
We’ll be spending and entire week with the little Fiat in early June. However MF correspondent Brendan Nystedt just couldn’t resist the temptation of a quick spin so we present you MF’s very first quick spin in the latest MINI competitor that has made it’s way to North America.
Today, I found myself somewhere I never imagined: an American Fiat dealership. And I didn’t even have to hop in my TARDIS to get there. On sale, the new Fiat 500. As evidenced recently here on MF, the rivalry between the micro Italian Stallion and the Limey Wonder is just now heating up. Does MINI need to check itself before it wrecks itself? continued →
Apr 23rd, 2011
With city traffic more congested than ever, MINI is offering up a solution to urban parking overcrowding: the MINI Folding Bike. Rather than cram a whole roll of quarters into that parking meter for 15 minutes, park further out and finish your trip on a bicycle. Not just any bicycle, but a rather clever little number that folds up small enough to fit in the boot of your MINI. More after the break. continued →
