Feb 17th, 2014
BimmerToday.de managed to capture a late evaluation prototype of the F55 MINI four door outside of the Munich airport over the weekend. The F55 (as it’s internally code-named) is the spiritual successor to the current R55 Clubman in size and market positioning. According to sources the F54 four door will debut in Geneva lightly disguised as a concept with an imminent internet debut.
What’s the F55 four door and why should you care? continued →
Feb 17th, 2014
This should come to no surprise to MotoringFile readers, as we reported on this some months back, but the official word is out. Additional MINI production will be taken on at VDL Nedcar in the Netherlands. This is in addition to cars already slated to produced at Plant Oxford, not a replacement. As in so many things, this move is actually another case of MINI staying in touch with its roots. That is, this isn’t the first time Minis have rolled off the assembly lines in the Netherlands.
Full details in the official release after the break. continued →
Feb 15th, 2014
For the past few years we’ve been told by insiders that the next generation JCW power plant would be shared with a BMW. First we thought that might be the i8 with it’s 225 hp three cylinder. Then we were tipped off it would instead be based on a 2.0L four cylinder making more power than today’s car. Finally a few months ago we got a code-name for the new engine: B48B20O0. And after some digging we discovered it matched a code-name used for the (at the time) soon to be released BMW 225i Active Tourer – also based on the MINI platform of course. Finally with the release of the new BMW 225i we finally saw a power figure for that engine. continued →
Feb 13th, 2014
The first front wheel drive BMW is finally here. Why should you, the MINI enthusiast care? Because this BMW, under all the metal, glass and composites lies the same chassis and drivetrain as the new MINI. In other words this is the BMW version of the F56 MINI. Or more specifically this is BMW’s version of the new F55 Four door and F54 Clubman in terms of a size comparison respectively.
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Feb 11th, 2014
Bookmark this post. Because in 7-8 years we’ll be talking about this as a reality.
According to Autocar, BMW plans to reduce the number of models within the MINI range with the introduction of the fourth generation car. Peter Schwarzenbauer, BMW board member for Mini and Rolls-Royce suggested that MINI focus on it’s core “hero” models rather than create many derivatives. While it’s not necessarily something we haven’t heard before, this is the first time a BMW Board member has gotten into the strategy behind the move.
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Feb 10th, 2014
Right on schedule MINI will be killing off the Clubman model at the end of the 2014 model year after a seven year model run. If the rumors we’re hearing our true, the last month of production will be June of this year giving prospective buyers just a few more months to plan our their purchase. But what of the future of the Clubman? Read on for the details.
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Feb 9th, 2014
Rounding out the launch models of the F56 will be the MINI Cooper D, One and One D. Let’s start with the One, MINI’s value and efficiency leader across both the petrol and diesel ranges. continued →
