Archive for October 2011
Oct 18th, 2011
We can’t say it enough. BMW’s insistence on run-flats on their cars kills the ride. When an M5 rides better than a 6 Series something is wrong. In the Countryman it’s particularly a shame because MINI engineers have clearly done an admirable job in crafting the best riding MINI to date. When we’ve found (key word here is found) glass smooth roads, our sport suspension equipped Countryman exhibits an impressive balance between sport and comfort with minimal body roll yet a comfortable transitions over imperfect roads. But that’s only if you forget about the brittle quality of the ride thanks to the run-flats that wrap our R60′s 18″ wheels.
So why did MINI go with run flats in the first place? continued →
Oct 17th, 2011
The Detroit News is reporting that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating the ’07-’08 R56 Cooper S after 12 complaints were filed, including five vehicle fires. At this point we can only speculate as to the cause of these incidents (as to whether or not they’re turbo-related), but it’s important to keep in mind that we’re talking about five cars in approximately 36,000 vehicles, with no injuries or crashes reported. So we’re pretty sure it’s safe to go ahead and drive your Cooper S to the office this morning. While only preliminary at this point, we’ll keep you posted on any findings this investigation turns up. Full story excerpt after the break. continued →
Oct 16th, 2011
This Green Car Reports story about a particularly enthusiastic group of MINI drivers who recently got together found its way to the MF inbox recently. The group gathered at Nauna’s Bella Casa Restaurant in Montclair, NJ to celebrate the end of the MINI E trials before the time came to hand in their electric MINIs. Tom Moloughney, owner of Nauna’s Bella Casa and MINI E alum, hosted the event after clocking more than 65,000 miles in a MINI E of his own. The sentiment among attendees was a bittersweet mix of sadness in having to hand back George Jetson’s MINI, and excitement that even better electric cars are in the works from BMW. continued →
Oct 12th, 2011
The new MINI Coupé debuted this month, and along with it, MINI USA is running their annual Motortober events at dealerships across the country. However, that’s just the beginning. For one lucky MINI fan, they just might get to go on the ultimate test drive. All it takes is six words. Six words to describe your ultimate test drive. Go to your local dealer’s Motortober event, or head on over to Facebook and give them your six word test drive story. The winner doesn’t just get bragging rights, though. MINI is going to do their darnedest to make that ultimate test drive happen. My six words:
Bonneville
Salt
Flats
Bury
The
Needle
What are yours? Tell us about your ultimate test drive in the comments. (Full rules and prize info after the break) continued →
Oct 12th, 2011
It’s been on the drawing boards for years and now the BMW Group is taking the wraps off of what has been highly conceptual work. Augmented reality has been on iPhones since 2008 but the technology has the potential to be much more of a watershed change in the way we drive and interact with technology. Will it come to MINI? As we’ve seen over the years, everything developed in the labs in Munich that sees the light of day in high-end BMWs eventually makes it across the model ranges. When? Think the next decade rather than next year. But before we get to that, lets take a look back.
In 2004, the BMW Group was the first automotive manufacturer to bring out a colour Head-Up Display which projected driving-related information directly in the driver’s line of sight. In early 2011 the latest generation of this system was introduced, featuring full-colour graphics. But already the BMW researchers and developers are working on a new milestone in this technology which will see the Head-Up Display acquiring “contact analogue” functionality. This is a technique whereby virtual “markings” are superimposed on real objects in the external environment, so that navigation information or information from the driver assistance systems can be displayed at exactly the right points on the driver’s view of the road scene. Navigation instructions can be blended into the road, and vehicles or safety-relevant objects can be highlighted or marked in context. continued →
Oct 11th, 2011
News from MotoringFile as always with a little Shuttlecast thrown in for good measure. Finishing off with some more excellent Ask Chad questions, including some great information if you are looking to tow with your MINI.
Reminder: White Roof Radio Live is happening next week! RSVP on our Facebook page and get more information like hotel group rate and directions to Detroit Tuned here. We are all VERY excited and hope you are too!
Woofcast 398
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Download| 1:06:00 | 31.4MB |WRR @ iTunes | Show Notes
Oct 10th, 2011
A month back BMW surprised the automotive world by announcing that they’re working on adapting lasers for use as headlights on future models. Now we’ve got details as to how they’ll actually do it. When will we see it on the road? It’s a safe bet that technology like this will show up first on BMW’s most premium products before moving throughout the range. And with that the next 7 Series would seem to be a perfect candidate in 2015. So how does this affect MINI? As with all BMW Group technologies, we do expect this to eventually make it to BMW’s smallest brand. And even if it’s ten years out, it’s still interesting to imagine.
Official Release: As a globally successful carmaker within the premium segment, the BMW Group attaches the utmost importance to advanced technology in all sectors of automotive manufacturing. Exclusive innovations and technological leaps secure BMW’s lead amongst the competition. In the field of exterior vehicle lights, BMW also leads the way for example with full-LED headlights for the BMW 6 Series and with new developments such as the Anti-dazzle High-Beam Assistant, as well as with Dynamic Light Spot. The latter refers to a marker light system that automatically illuminates pedestrians in good time, thereby guiding the driver’s attention to them. continued →
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