Feb 20th, 2015
A few years ago MINI had to embarrassingly recall JCW models due to the tailpipes sticking out too far from the car. This was due to a little known regulation in the US meant to save owners from burning themselves on hot tailpipes. This time MINI is getting ahead of the issue and holding deliveries of the new JCW Tuning Kit and holding sales as they re-engineer the exhaust. continued →
Feb 18th, 2015
Last year MINI showed us the thinly vieled Clubman concept that gave us an excellent view of the 2016 model. The new Clubman will be the largest MINI to date and feature a full six doors (four full doors plus two barn doors). It will also have a number of features not seen on MINIs to date including a patented BMW aero technology called “Air Curtain.” Together with the “Air Breather” the system reduces drag on the bodyshell in a very simple, but extremely effective way.
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Feb 16th, 2015
After a few weeks living with our F56 Cooper S we had a moment to step back into an R56 Cooper recently. While there’s plenty to compare and contrast, the single biggest difference is in your hands. Put plainly the F56 is a big step forward over the R5X platform for steering feel and response. With the R56 (and even the R53 at times) there could be a knife’s edge between satisfying feedback and a car that was working against you when you pushed them hard. With the new F56 generation of MINIs, we have a driving experience that feels both more communicative, more balanced and more forgiving at the same time. Why is this? Read on. continued →
Feb 14th, 2015
Or is the future already in your pocket in the form of your smartphone? Either way what you see here is the Android based key fob that BMW will introduce this fall for the BMW i8. However like most technology within the BMW Group, we expect this to make its way down the range of BMWs and even MINI in some form in the years ahead. continued →
Feb 13th, 2015
If you’ve never heard of Apple, it’s a small technology company that has changed the world, over and over again since 1976. It also recently became the first U.S. company to manage a $700 billion market cap and is now possibly making headways into the automotive space. To be exact, Apple already has a presence in the automotive space with CarPlay, but this new hire along with reports indicating that Apple’s design team has met with a number of key automotive executives and creators in recent months, adds more fuel to the potential fire. continued →
Feb 13th, 2015
What was just a whisper a couple of months ago, is now a reality. Today MINI is announcing the impending end of production for the R58 Coupe and R59 Roadster. As you may remember, MotoringFile is quite fond of the Twins, to the point that we awarded the Roadster the title of best commuter car ever. Since we don’t know if they will ever be replaced, it is with mixed feelings that we see these two go. On the other hand and given how much love they have received from enthusiasts, it would not surprise us if they turned into sought-out collectors’ items in the near future. On a more positive note, if the Superleggera ever hits production, it would surely make for a worthy replacement. Godspeed, Coupe and Roadster.
Official Release: Changeover at MINI Plant Oxford: while worldwide demand for the new MINI 3 door and the new MINI 5 door launched a few months ago increases continuously, production of two model variants from the preceding generation of the original in the premium small car segment is about to come to an end. continued →
Feb 12th, 2015
The 2015 MINI JCW is the highest horsepower MINI from the factory of all time. But is it the fastest? The numbers tell an interesting story that paint a more nuanced picture than you’d think. Especially when you compare it to the previous fastest MINI, the GPs. continued →
