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Gabe has a Fiat 500 sport in his garage and he tells us about it to get us started. 4 words that you will keep hearing about the Fiat: “It’s not a MINI.”
After that, we magically transform into the Coupe show, hosted by none other that Mr. MotoringFile (pictured above). For those of you that have been chomping at the bit for any shred of information about this MINI, this is a show you **don’t want to miss**. And don’t ask what we can’t talk about, Gabe wouldn’t give it up.
We did run long this week. Terribly long in fact. So much so that if you check back tomorrow, you will find part 2 of Woofcast 381 waiting for you, just like we used to do in the old days.
<p>“It’s not a MINI.†How many times did I say this for 2 years ? trust European people…</p>
<p>Here is my little bit of trolling Nathaniel. Have been saying all along that it will be cross shopped by the small, cute, economical drivers. I actually think the 500 fits between the Smart and Cooper models. A lot of Cooper sales are not about the pure driving dynamics it comes from people wanting a small, cute, economical car which I think both cars actually do fit in.</p>
<p>Coupe is still broadly a disappointment, more glamor than performance. Wonder how many millions of dollars it took for MINI to create basically a standard R56 in slightly different sheet metal. While its true they will sell some because of its looks I can say that MINI really has once again turned its back on the feedback from its community. They may pay lip service but think only a tiny bit of anything ever said reaches MINI.</p>
<p>Broad statement considering that this community you speak of is quite splintered and doesn’t always vote with it’s wallet. The problem is that MINI is relatively small still and when they gamble on product they’re doing so with real money that has to show a real return. HIstorically special one-off models have been money losing propositions for BMW and MINI. While they enhance brand credibility (the GP, CSL and 1M) they don’t always do anything for the bottom line. I would even put the current JCW engine in this category. It’s a spectacular engine that in a car that has sold poorly. Whatever you consider the reason that is a fact and it negatively impacts one-off models much less updates to the engine.</p>
<p>What you see in the Coupe is MINI laying the groundwork for something in the future. This has always been the plan. But look for something even before that.</p>
<p>Give it All4 and I’m sold. Seriously.</p>
<p>The All4 system is not tuned for sport but rather dealing with slick roads. So you would end up with a Coupe that has several more hundred pounds of weight and a lower ride height than a crossover to snowplow along heh.</p>
<p>700°F and the brake differential (EDLC) turns off. How does the Mini know when the brakes have this temperature because there is no temp. sensor?</p>
<p>It’s calculated by the ambient temp, engine temp and how the car is being driven.</p>