Sep 12th, 2011
MINI is releasing a special edition R56 Cooper S for the European market to celebrate it’s multiple wins at the Monte Carlo rally almost 50 years ago. The car comes in Chili Red with a white roof and unique stripes on the side. Additionally the car will feature unique badges and a white rings gas cap.
Perhaps the most notable thing to the are the four front driving lights installed on the grille. This marks the first time that MINI has officially sold a car with more than two driving lights. MINI has said this reduced air flow to the engine of the with the R50 and R53 models. However with the R56 the majority of cooling comes into the car via the lower grille allowing for the extra pair of lights. continued →
Sep 12th, 2011
We’re 2,000 miles into our tenure with the Countryman we’ve already learned how well the R60 handles a road trip. Granted packing for a trip as a small family definitely requires some thought both in choosing what to bring and how to pack it. From figuring out how to get strollers in to playing life-sized tetris with luggage, the Countryman can accommodate quite a bit. You just have to use some geometry. continued →
Sep 9th, 2011
Yahoo! Autos has a story today featuring what vehicles car thieves tend to leave alone. Among the least popular boosted rides is the MINI Cooper Clubman. Not only is the instance of theft low, the reported average insurance claim payout is considerably lower than the rest of the list. This isn’t too surprising. Given all the electronics in the MINI’s ignition systems, you pretty much can’t steal a MINI without the keys or a tow truck. So rest assured, your Clubman is unlikely to go anywhere without you.
Good catch, db!
Sep 9th, 2011
Top Gear UK presenter Richard Hammond featured the Mini Cooper S MkII in his “Hammond’s Icons” series in the September ’11 issue of Top Gear Magazine. Like any self-respecting Englishman, the Hamster loves the plucky little Mini which like Hammond himself, is impressive well beyond its stature.
But does it work? Yes. Gloriously. With a smile-inducing whine from the transmission, that 75bhp is enough to give a chunky, determined pull straight from the off. If anything, it feels slightly pugnacious; this is a car with ‘small man syndrome’ – and if there’s one thing about which I know anything, it’s that.
It’s a fun read, all of which you can find here.
Sep 9th, 2011
Official Release: MINI brand sales climbed 5.2% to 15,761 vehicles worldwide in August (prev. yr. 14,987). Sales for MINI have increased 24.8% to 177,829 vehicles in the first eight months of 2011 (prev. yr. 142,531). continued →
Sep 9th, 2011
From its cars to the way it manufactures them, the BMW Group (including MINI) has a history of environmental consciousness. And for the 7th straight year it’s being honored at the best within the automotive industry when it comes to sustainability.
Official Release: The BMW Group has once again been named the automotive industry’s sector leader in the ranking published today by the SAM Group for the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes (DJSI). The BMW Group has therefore been the world’s most sustainable automobile manufacturer for seven consecutive years. The BMW Group is also the only company in the automotive industry to be listed in this family of indexes every year since it was established in 1999. continued →
