Jun 29th, 2012
Big news out of Munich today as BMW announces a deeper strategic partnership with Toyota. Specifically, this strategic partnership will focus on four major areas:
- Fuel Cell Systems
- A “future sports vehicle” platform
- Powertrain electrification
- Lightweight materials and manufacturing
While these areas of focus could have a wide range of applications throughout BMW Group, they could also point to one particular exciting possibility for MINI fans: a production version of the MINI Rocketman concept. We’ve been hearing rumblings from sources for awhile that, in order for MINI to profitably build the Rocketman they’ll need a partner. It’s possible that this Toyota/BMW partnership could include BMW collaborating heavily with Toyota on the next generation platform for the Toyota iQ. This platform could then underpin a production version of what we now know as the MINI Rocketman — a car that would deliver a MINI in nearly its classic footprint.
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Jun 28th, 2012
With the Coupe and Roadster officially launched, MINI is turning their attention to the MINI Coupe – aka the Paceman. No the official name has yet to be announced but MINIUSA’s internal documents are calling it the Paceman so we’ll stick with that until we see Countryman Coupe in bold type on an official MINI website.
What we do know will be the launch colors of both the Cooper and Cooper S Paceman. While both will be offered with the full gamut of Countryman colors, each will have a unique color that will be featured on launch cars seen in the press and on dealer lots. continued →
Jun 28th, 2012
MINI USA has twisted the arm of someone at the Austrian plant where the Countryman is built and persuaded them to create a special model finished in MINI’s signature Chili Red. We expect the total production to be around 400 which US dealers getting 2-3 each.
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Jun 27th, 2012
Autoblog has some seemingly innocuous spy shots of a MINI mule in R60 garb. There’s a chance it’s actually a test mule for MINI’s upcoming Spacebox concept, also known as the Traveller. The photos aren’t particularly telling, other than some changes to the footprint of the car. What is the SpaceBox? continued →
Jun 27th, 2012
MTTS starts next week! As we continue to receive updates, we’ll keep sharing them! We’ve got more information about the headlining act in LA at the final stop of MTTS 2012 below. We discussed this during Woofcast 428, along with a few other things. Full press release after the jump!
MINI TAKES THE STATES 2012 is ROCKIN’ IT COAST TO COAST.
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Jun 26th, 2012
According to AUSmotive, MINI of Australia has secured 20 GPs out of the 2000 that will be produced. The Aussie market missed out on the GP the first time due to ride height and noise issues. We’re not entirely sure how they got around this as the new GP looked to us (with the first generation sitting next to it) to be at least as low as the previous car if not lower. Additionally sources have told us to expect an aggressive note from the exhaust as well – not something any quieter than before. Regardless expect pricing and availability to be announced in September.
What about the US market – MINI’s largest?
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Jun 25th, 2012
MotoringFile and WRR attended MINI United in France just a few weeks ago. Turns out MINI threw Asia its own MINI United event starting on the 23rd of June. Just like MINI United Europe, this event is describe as an “open air festival” featuring numerous MINI and non-MINI related activities as well as musical acts to please the crowd. Great to see that as MINI grows in the fastest growing part of the world, they haven’t forgotten about the culture of motoring. Hopefully next year we can make it out to cover MINI United Asia in person!
[Official Release] MINI United is celebrating its premiere in China. The spectacular open-air festival for fans of the British small car brand will be held for the first time in the southern Chinese coastal city of Xiamen. The MINI Community will come together from across the South China region on 23 June 2012 for this extraordinary gathering of MINI aficionados. More than 700 people are expected to attend the event, having secured their places for the festival at 14 MINI dealers around the sales region. Awaiting them on Xiamen’s Music Island will be an exclusive party, bringing together everything from live music and sporting competitions to a world record attempt; at the heart of the festival site, on a platform measuring approximately 18 metres (59 ft.) in length, the world’s largest sand sculpture replicating the form of a MINI is taking shape. continued →
