For the 2010 model year two special models (or packages in the US) were released to help celebrate the occasion of MINI’s 50th Anniversary. Both feature attractive trim and color choices combined with unique wheels and badging. Beyond that there really aren’t that many differences between standard models. With one exception of course. The Camden model (named after a trendy London neighborhood with more places to buy shows than you thought was imaginable) comes standard with something called Mission Control. The feature responds to your normal driving inputs by congratulating you, urging you on more than anything trying really hard to be your digital friend. Provided you don’t order Nav (which deletes the option) it’s a standard feature with the Camden that (at this point) is entirely exclusive.

And after spending some time with the car, we hope to God it stays that way. The video above likely gives tells you all you need to know about our reaction to the system.

Perhaps the only redeeming quality (we can find) is that you can hack the system by taking the MINI SD card out and using a SD reader to replace files with a computer. Basically they’re all just sound files so as long as the file structure and file names stay the same, you could presumably just replace what ever is there with your own sounds.

Still with that said we were happy to hear that once the system is turned off, it remains off until it’s turned back on. In fact that’s the best feature we found with Mission Control.

Rebel without Pause Part 1

Rebel without Pause Part 2

MINI’s Official Birthday Video

Rauno Altonen & Paddy Hopkirk Test the JCW Cabrio on Rallye Monte Carlo Roads

MINI Ireland R56 Graham Knuttel Art Car

In my first article for Motoringfile, I bring you (From Ireland) the R56 Art Car commissioned by MINI Ireland.  This vehicle was created by Graham Knuttel, and was given to the various Dealerships in Ireland at the launch of the R56 in 2007.   Currently,  it’s on display at the only racetrack here – Mondello – with a 1968 Mini next to it in order to commemerate the 50th anniversary of the original Mini.   Read on for the full press release from MINI Ireland

Graham Knuttel chosen to ignite the spirit of MINI

A MINI hand painted by internationally renowned Dublin artist, Graham Knuttel was unveiled on the 4th of September, 2007.   MINI Ireland commissioned Knuttel as his work encapsulates the true spirit of MINI as a hip urban style car with an abundance of spirit and an amazingly powerful drive.

Graham Knuttel comments on the inspiration for his design, “When I set out to paint this car it brought back many memories of when I was young and owned four MINIs in succession.  I was in my early twenties and starting out on life’s adventure. The fish symbolise that journey. I have used them to explore the car, swimming from behind the panels and across surfaces. The sailors I hope, give a link between the fantasy of the images and the reality of the car.  I used the images of birds around the roof to reflect the sense of space supplied by the glass roof of the car. In essence I hope that my work will suggest a sense of adventure and a regard and sympathy with the environment.”

The latest model of MINI was launched  November 2007 and the first new MINI to enter Ireland was rushed off the transport truck to a BMW Group dealership to be stripped down to the bare body of the car for Graham to start the design.

MINI Manager, Nicola Bissett comments, “The style of Graham Knuttel’s painting, represents all the MINI values, in this work of art he has perfectly demonstrated the spirit and essence of MINI, which is key to the brand’s popularity and success.”

Globally MINI has a close relationship with a number of creative enterprises in the areas of film, art, fashion, music, media and the design world. The iconic cars have provided a platform for creativity and have been used as canvases for Mario Testino,  Missoni, Diesel, Donatella Versace and Puma. Now MINI Ireland has a contribution to this legacy.

For more information on Graham Knuttel and his work please visit http://www.knuttel.com

R56 Graham Knuttle Art Car Rear View

Car Magazine (one of our favorites) is celebrating the MINI’s 50th Anniversary with a series of articles from various contributors. It’s well worth a click and the perfect thing to start off Monday morning.

+ MINI is 50 / Car Magazine

I wanted to let you know about activities dedicated to MINI 50th aniversary that took place in Russia.

Our club turned 5 years old this year, so we are one 10th of MINI’s age and to celebrate the two events, we had a massive birthday party here in Moscow.

Here are the pics

On the whole it went like this:

We gathered near the center of Moscow underneath a huge MINI advertising banner. There were over 80 cars, including 5 classics. Then we set off on what we call city quest, which involved driving around a preset route and carrying out certain tasks. This years quest was called MINI Monopoly Quest, because the task along the route involved stopping off at 7 Z-Stores (official Apple retailer) and playing renown Monopoly game with a twist. the quest also had a timed-rally aspect to it, as you could not arrive to the waypoint earlier then the route card let you, but being more than 7 minutes late gave you penalties.

At the end of the Quest everyone finished at a BoConcept furniture store (Swedish furniture manufacturer, which I’m sure you have over at the US) where we had awesome award ceremony, not just for the Quest winners, but people who played a big part in Club’s life over the past 5 years also got special awards.

Our latest celebration took part past saturday in the city of StPetersburg. It was called MINI Golden wedding – 50 years. We held a golden wedding ceremony for a R56 Cooper S and a pink classic. The ceremony gathered over 50 cars, including several from Moscow and over cities.

You can find some photos here and here.

video of their ‘dance’ here. You can see the tv spot here.

MINI gave a new JCW convertible to rallye racing Rauno Altonen and Paddy Hopkirk and sent them to the famous roads of Monte Carlo. They talk about the old Monte Carlo rallye, the new JCW and everything in between. This is a must watch video for any MINI enthusiast.

Just in time for a lazy Friday afternoon, MINIUSA’s online configurator has gone live with new pricing and new options including the Mayfair and Camden special editions options. So if you’re in the US, get clicking.

+ MINI Configurator / MotoringFile

Official Release: MINI is celebrating a great birthday – and the party goes on. The 50th anniversary of the brand clearly leaves a powerful stamp on MINI’s appearance at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.

At the MINI stand in the new Hall 11, the anniversary of the brand is the focal point in terms of both architecture and the presentation itself, MINI bridging the gap from the past into the present and from here on to the future of the brand. Visitors to the world’s No 1 car show this year will experience a journey through time beginning with the first appearance of the classic Mini back in 1959 and still far from coming to an end with the outstanding success of the current MINI model range. Because fascinating perspectives for the ongoing development of the brand still remain in the years and even decades to come.

Celebrating the world debut of the MINI Coupé Concept and the MINI Roadster Concept, MINI is presenting no less than two spectacular visions of driving pleasure in the sixth decade of the brand at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. Both concepts offer a unique interpretation of the traditional values, the individual style and the innovative character of MINI, each in its own way. Both concept cars stand for concentrated driving pleasure in an extremely sporting Coupé, on the one hand, and in a Roadster both pure and elegant for extravagant open-air motoring, on the other.

Further highlights at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show being presented to the public at a car show for the first time are the anniversary MINI 50 Mayfair and MINI 50 Camden announced on the occasion of the MINI United Festival. These two likewise unique models also offer a perfect symbiosis of tradition and innovation in particularly attractive style.

The MINI 50 Mayfair and MINI 50 Camden will be built for a limited period of just one year, their exclusive status being clearly confirmed by special equipment and design features.

The broad range of new models is being rounded off by the world debut of the MINI One D, a new entry-level diesel consistently upgrading the MINI portfolio of particularly economical and efficient models.

Two unique characters, one common presentation: the Oxford Twins at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Celebrating their world debuts at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, the MINI Coupé Concept and the MINI Roadster Concept are making a clear statement together as the Oxford Twins. This special characterisation of the two new models obviously refers to the production plant of the current MINI in Great Britain where, at MINI Plant Oxford so full of tradition, more than 1.5 million units of the only premium model in the small car segment have been built since production started in 2001.

The MINI Coupé Concept and the MINI Roadster Concept are based on a platform specially conceived for integrated production at MINI Plant Oxford. Indeed, this again underlines the particular identity of the two concept models, each of which stands out through its innovative character and, at the same time, offers one asset in particular: the uniqueness of a genuine MINI.

MINI Coupé Concept: a vision of concentrated driving pleasure.

The MINI Coupé Concept brings together a wide range of features for a truly sporting and ambitious style of motoring. Intentionally limiting the passenger compartment to two seats and focusing on consistent lightweight construction, the very concept of this unique car specifically addresses the demands made of a particularly dynamic and active coupé. At the same time the low roofline, a precisely defined spoiler at the rear, and further aerodynamically optimised features all serve to improve both the performance and the efficiency of the car. Both in its design and in the opportunities to use a truly powerful engine, the MINI Coupé Concept sets the ideal foundation for a compact sports car in the premium segment.

This two-seater study is conceived from the start also for the most powerful engine currently available in a MINI: Featuring the 1.6-litre twin-scroll turbocharged engine carried over from the MINI John Cooper Works, the concept car is able to offer supreme performance in every respect. This four-cylinder delivers maximum output of 155 kW/211 hp and peak torque of 260 Newton-metres/192 lb-ft increasing briefly under Overboost to an even more significant 280 Newton-metres/206 lb-ft.

Exterior design: typical MINI look with individual character.

In its body design, the MINI Coupé Concept spans the entire range from the beginnings of the MINI’s history far into the future of the brand, highlighting both the unique looks of the concept and its membership in the MINI family. Through its individual and emotional design language alone, the MINI Coupé Concept also promises a particularly impressive driving experience.

This unique two-seater measures 3,714 millimetres/146.2″ in length and 1,683 millimetres/66.3″ in width. The height of the car is 1,356 millimetres/53.4″.

Through these dimensions and its athletic proportions alone, the MINI Coupé Concept at very first sight stands out as a truly compact and powerful performer for all occasions.

The unmistakable look of the front end comes straight from the four-seater MINI, well-balanced contours with large radii on the engine compartment lid, the large headlights, the homogeneous sweep of the radiator grille and the extra-wide air scoop at the bottom offering the mimicry typical of every model in the range, full of openness and sporting appeal.

The radiator grille and engine compartment lid on the MINI Coupé Concept are the same as on the MINI Cooper S. The inner section of the grille nevertheless comes with trim bars in body colour clearly distinguishing the car from all other models in the MINI family. The bonnet stripes also continue into the radiator grille, providing an additional sporting touch.

Through its lower and even more streamlined windscreen, the MINI Coupé Concept shows its striking character and unique look from the very beginning also from this perspective.

The front side panels on the concept car come straight from the MINI Convertible. Similarly, the diagonal body joint between the engine compartment lid and the surrounds of the side direction indicators reflecting the style of the MINI Cooper S and characteristic of every MINI offers a unique sign of distinction.

The well-known look of these design features forms a stylish contrast to the far lower rake of the A-pillar leading into a completely different and very innovative roofline. The glazed section of the passenger cell referred to as the greenhouse is far lower and more slender on this new model than on the regular models in the range. The MINI Coupé Concept features a low and dynamic windscreen merging softly and gently into the roof, while at the rear the roofline initially moving back above the heads of the driver and passenger in a straight line tapers out into a sturdy and muscular C-pillar.

Throughout the entire car, the roof contours show an unmistakable bridge design feature to be admired for the first time on a MINI, made up of a stable cornerstone formed by the C-pillars and the more filigree structure above the passenger cell. At the same time the side view of the MINI Coupé Concept shows a clear-cut wedge shape as if the car were constantly pushing ahead with all its muscle and power.

The rear-end design of the MINI Coupé Concept seeks to optimise the flow of air essential in terms of both driving dynamics and the efficiency of this unique two-seater. The rear spoiler with its wing profile fitted at the same level as the C-pillars makes a particularly significant contribution to the smooth flow of air at the rear of the MINI Coupé Concept and, at the same time, stands out as a genuine optical highlight. The rear window of this two-seater elegantly tapering out to the bottom of the car merges in typical coupé style into a short and low rear end with just a hint of a notchback. Again, this particular design follows the overriding objective to ensure an optimum flow of air without any turbulence or swirl possibly harming the car’s aerodynamic qualities. The spoiler right at the back of the car comes with appropriately sharp and clear-cut contours.

Impressively functional: tailgate opening up wide, lots of luggage space.

A further highlight is the special construction of the tailgate on the MINI Coupé Concept. Intentionally doing without a rear seat bench, the body of this two-seater obviously offers additional space for all kinds of luggage. Luggage capacity, therefore, is no less than 250 litres or 8.8 cu ft.

To make optimum use of this potential, the MINI Coupé Concept comes at the rear with a large and wide-opening tailgate. Pivoting above the roof spoiler, the tailgate swings high up together with the rear window, offering convenient access to the extra-large luggage compartment behind the seats of the car. The bulkhead between the passenger and the luggage compartments, in turn, comes with a lockable opening.

The colour scheme and the choice of materials within the MINI Coupé Concept clearly symbolise the classic sportiness and unique character of the car. Like the instrument panel, the roof lining of this unique two-seater comes in black providing a calm ambience and helping the driver to concentrate on the actual driving experience. Black trim bars in conjunction with a carbon interior trim help to additionally enhance the purist look of the car.

MINI Roadster Concept: fresh ideas for an intense driving experience.

Presenting the MINI Roadster Concept, the brand once again sets a new trend for individual mobility. This is where a purist character, elegant design and fascinating driving qualities come together in the vision of an open two-seater meeting the demands of a modern and self-confident target group. Individual style, premium quality and exactly the right balance of driving pleasure and efficiency in our modern day and age give the MINI Roadster Concept its very special character, the design of the car clearly reflecting this focus on maximum driving pleasure with nothing but the sky above.

Spontaneous pleasure – the domain of the MINI Roadster Concept.

The MINI Roadster Concept offers ideal conditions for an emotional experience also on short trips, at the same time urging the connoisseur and aficionado to escape the usual congestion of city traffic.

With its intentional restriction to two seats and lightweight construction, the car from the start expresses its focus on uncompromising agility. Its stylish looks and high-class interior ambience, in turn, give this very special two-seater truly exclusive character.

Exterior design: unique proportions, expression typical of MINI.

The body design of the MINI Roadster Concept visualises the identity of the brand and its innovative power in a truly fascinating combination. The integrating factor throughout is the design language so typical of MINI, determining both the elements characteristic of the brand and the car’s innovative features. In its design the MINI Roadster Concept is refreshingly different, but nevertheless absolutely harmonious and perfectly balanced in its look so reminiscent of MINI. In a truly incomparable manner, therefore, the MINI design of this concept car offers an extroverted look in style and with genuine class.

This new two-seater measures 3,714 millimetres/146.2″ in length and 1,683 millimetres/66.3″ in width. The height of the car is 1,356 millimetres/53.4″.

Again in typical MINI style, the MINI Roadster Concept comes with extra-short body overhangs front and rear emphasising the athletic stature of the car and alluding even at a standstill to the unique handling of the MINI Roadster Concept characterised by thrilling agility and that typical feeling of go-kart motoring. The front section including the large headlights and the hexagon radiator grille is the same as on the MINI Cooper S up to the A-pillars. The entire front air dam, in turn, has been adjusted to the sporting look of the car and appears to be even wider and more striking than before. The inner area within the chrome radiator grille comes with louvers in body colour, while the bonnet stripes extending all the way into the radiator grille add a sporting touch and provide clear optical differentiation on the MINI Roadster Concept.

The low, short and dynamically raked A-pillars merge gently into the roofline of the car as long as the roof is closed. The glazed area in the passenger cell is significantly lower, slimmer and even more dynamic than on the regular production models, providing a strikingly sleek silhouette for an even more sporting and performance-oriented look.

The typical roadster character of the concept car comes out clearly when both open and closed, the waistline rising up slightly towards the rear in a linear perspective also maintained with the roof open.

The pure and open character of the car is of course most obvious and appealing with the roof down. Folding down in a compact configuration, the roof leads on to a short luggage compartment lid housing the luggage compartment separated from the passenger compartment.

The passenger compartment limited to two seats is covered – whenever required on account of wind and weather – by a high-quality soft top with the smallest possible dimensions.

With the roof closed, on the other hand, the MINI Roadster stands out clearly from the MINI Convertible through its notchback contour. The soft top opens and closes manually in a process performed very quickly and with utmost ease thanks to the compact dimensions of the roof.

Innovations in typical MINI style: rear-end design, luggage compartment and safety concept.

The rear view of the car is characterised by innovative design features clearly originating from the design language so typical of MINI. The side panels, the rear apron and the luggage compartment lid flow together to form a harmoniously configured sculpture not only boasting that cascading style so typical of the brand, but also taking up elements of the front-end design re-interpreted here in a new and unique manner.

Increasing in width step-by-step from top to bottom, the rear structure of the car gives the MINI Roadster Concept a particularly powerful stance on the road also from this perspective.

Beneath the short rear end of this compact car so typical of a roadster in its style, the MINI Roadster Concept offers a luggage compartment unusually large and generous for a vehicle in this segment. And since the soft top of the MINI Roadster Concept moves down directly behind the seats, luggage capacity remains exactly the same with the roof both open and closed.

Another feature of modern function quite unique in a compact roadster is the through-loading from the luggage compartment to the passenger compartment, with the bulkhead featuring a lockable opening between the two sections.

The rollbar instantaneously moving up whenever required and featured for the first time on the MINI Convertible is an important highlight of the safety concept ensured from the start in developing this unique car. The single-piece aluminium bar covering the entire width of the interior and moving up whenever required under electromechanical power within 150 milliseconds interacts with the reinforced windscreen frame as an essential element of maximum occupant safety on the passenger cell.

The outstanding character of this two-seater comes out not only in the harmonious design of the exterior so typical of the brand, but also in the interior with its high quality of finish and outstanding elegance. Exclusive style and a supreme touch of quality are also borne out by the colour scheme and the choice of materials, high-class wooden trim and selected colour highlights on the door linings and seat upholstery providing a highly attractive contrast to the interior as a whole finished in discreet black.

As yet a further feature the cockpit of the MINI Roadster Concept comes with a multi-functional display able to provide a range of information according to the user’s individual choice. Positioned to the left of the rev counter, this display serves, for example, to show the driver exactly how much time he has spent on the road with the roof down, like with the Always Open Timer on the MINI Convertible, and is also able to provide further display functions typical of MINI.

Exclusive characters: MINI 50 Mayfair and MINI 50 Camden.

The MINI 50 Mayfair and the MINI 50 Camden presented at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show carry over the special flair of this unique MINI anniversary on to the road with lasting and sustained driving pleasure. Through their characteristic design and exclusive features, both models clearly bear out the great tradition and the visionary power of the MINI brand. Both the MINI 50 Mayfair and the MINI 50 Camden are available with a choice of two petrol engines and one diesel power unit.

In both their design and equipment, the MINI 50 Mayfair and the MINI 50 Camden clearly stand out from the current production models in the MINI range. Indeed, numerous features contributing to the cars’ unmistakable looks are available only on these very special anniversary models.

Special body paint, light-alloy rims tailored to the character of each car, special materials and surfaces within the interior, as well as a colour scheme tailored to the looks of the MINI 50 Mayfair and, respectively, the MINI 50 Camden underline the exclusive status of each car in the same way as the anniversary placard on the radiator grille.

MINI 50 Mayfair: elegance with tradition.

The term “Mayfair” was already a sign of supreme comfort and extravagant looks back in 1982 on the classic Mini – and today the MINI 50 Mayfair re-interprets this unique understatement in truly modern style.

Precisely this exclusive character comes out ideally with the body paintwork in Hot Chocolate metallic so far reserved to the MINI Clubman and the MINI Convertible, combined in this case with a white roof, 17-inch white-painted 12-spoke light-alloy rims in Infinity Stream spoke design as well as three-dimensional bonnet stripes in light-brown Toffy metallic complete with a white edge at the border.

Additional headlights on the radiator grille, mirror caps in paintwork transcending from brown to black and a discreet “Mayfair” logo on the surrounds of the side direction indicators round off the exterior design of this anniversary model.

The combination of Toffy paintwork and white highlights extends into the interior of the MINI 50 Mayfair likewise quite unique and exclusive in its finish. This also applies to the seats in Lounge leather and individual piping around the edges.

A fine additional effect is provided by turquoise-green double seams on the seats and the gearshift lever knob on the manual gearbox likewise finished in Toffy.

The trim bars also coming in brown at the bottom change into a black colour higher up to provide a perfect transition to the instrument panel likewise finished in black. The Colour Line at the bottom of the instrument panel and the armrests on the door linings as well as the inlays in the steering wheel, finally, again come in that unique Toffy colour.

MINI 50 Camden: progressive sportiness all the way.

The MINI 50 Camden stands out from the start through the dominance of its colours Silver, White and Black emphasising the car’s technical character and sportiness. Body paint in White Silver metallic is combined in this case with a white roof.

Further features are 17-inch light-alloy rims designed exclusively for this model, sporting, three-dimensional silver-stripe trim on the side shoulders of the bonnet lid, and exterior mirror caps which, like on the MINI 50 Mayfair, boast a twin-tone stripe trim extending up from silver to pure white.

In combination with xenon headlights featured as standard on the MINI Cooper S 50 Camden, the headlight units with their black-coloured lenses offer a particularly progressive and dynamic touch.

The interior of the MINI 50 Camden also offers a most contrasting colour scheme combining Carbon Black with trim surfaces on the dashboard merging in its colour like the exterior mirror caps from white to silver.

The trim surfaces on the door linings, in turn, come in Fluid Silver, while the sports seats in cloth/Ray leather feature leather surfaces like the lower edge of the instrument panel and the armrests on the door linings in Tech White. The black cloth sections in the middle show a discreet pattern with staggered white stripes extending from front to rear. Green and white seams then add the final touch in colour and sophisticated appeal.

In-car entertainment of a new dimension: the introduction of Mission Control.

In addition to the particularly wide range of standard equipment featured on both anniversary models, the MINI 50 Camden also comes with a top-class HiFi system from car audio specialist harman-kardon. Yet another new feature coming together with the market launch of the MINI 50 Camden is the introduction of a new generation of in-car entertainment systems. Referred to as Mission Control, this new system evaluates a myriad of signals from the car itself, on driving conditions and the surroundings, providing the driver in typical MINI style with information and messages helpful in specific situations.

The language messages provided by the system come worldwide in English as the mother tongue of MINI, three characters clearly differing from one another through their unique voices sharing the task of communicating clearly and convincingly. To support the Coach function primarily addressing the driver, the two Assistants offer helpful information on the drivetrain and driving conditions as well as the Mini’s comfort functions.

The carefully interacting statements made by the three voices offer both entertaining and useful information for the driver and his passengers naturally to be enjoyed at all times with a twinkle in their eyes. In all, depending on the car’s level of equipment, up to 120 different driving situations, operating conditions and other events are taken into account and covered in each case by 15–40 different statements. As a result, Mission Control offers a wide range of comments adding up to more than 1,500 different messages.

Making an ideal start: the MINI One D.

The MINI model range is more versatile and attractive than ever before in the anniversary year of the brand, with the MINI One D now joining the portfolio as the latest model.

This new entry-level diesel offers a particularly economical start into the brand world of the MINI characterised by driving pleasure and premium quality, combining the benefits of a modern diesel engine with an attractive base version.

The MINI One D combines spontaneous power with exceedingly efficient use of fuel under all conditions. Its 1.6-litre four-cylinder comes with direct common-rail fuel injection and a turbocharger with variable turbine geometry for optimum development of power at all engine speeds. Maximum output of this diesel engine particularly light through its aluminium structure is 66 kW/90 hp at an engine speed of 4,000 rpm. Peak torque of 215 Newton-metres/158 lb-ft, in turn, comes at just 1,750 rpm.

In combination with the six-speed manual gearbox featured as standard, this nimble diesel engine ensures sporting performance and acceleration, the MINI One D completing the sprint from 0–100 km/h in 11.5 seconds and reaching a top speed of 182 km/h or 113 mph.

The new MINI One D also comes as standard with a diesel particulates filter as well as numerous technologies serving to maximise the car’s efficiency. These include Brake Energy Regeneration as well as a gearshift point indicator and an Auto Start Stop function switching off the engine when the car comes to a stop at traffic lights or a road junction. Average fuel consumption of the MINI One D as determined in the EU test cycle is just 3.9 litres/100 kilometres, equal to 72.4 mpg imp, with a CO2 emission rating of 104 grams per kilometre.

Typically MINI: agile handling and comprehensive occupant safety.

Like on all models within the brand, drive power on the MINI One D goes to the front wheels. Another highlight typical of the car and, of course, of MINI in general is that unique go-kart feeling, agile handling being ensured by the front axle with McPherson spring struts, the multi-arm rear axle and EPS Electrical Power Steering with speed-related power assistance.

EPS also promotes the car’s efficiency with the electric motor being activated and consuming energy only when steering assistance is really required or desired by the driver.

The safety features offered by the MINI One D include frontal and side airbags as well as head airbags at the side, while all four seats come with three-point inertia-reel seat belts.

The standard equipment offered by this new entry-level diesel is the same as on the MINI One. The looks of the car likewise bear clear resemblance to the “standard” petrol engine model, while the new entry-level diesel is naturally also available with the usual wide range of options and special equipment enabling every enthusiast to turn his or her MINI into a personally configured one-off showpiece.

What a birthday!: record turn-out at the MINI United Festival – and the party goes on.

In May some 25,000 MINI fans from all over the world celebrated the 50th birthday of the brand at the legendary Formula 1 race track in Silverstone. With its unique blend of music, lifestyle and motorsport action, the third MINI United Festival attracted visitors from more than forty countries. And together with this international MINI Community, numerous celebrities also congratulated this classic small car on its great day.

The Silverstone Festival is however by far not the end of this great anniversary party, since Mini’s presentation at the Frankfurt Motor Show is again dedicated to this great birthday of the brand. So the party will continue with world debuts revealed on the MINI stand, numerous further highlights from the brand’s model range and an exciting look back into the fascinating history of the MINI and its predecessor, the classic Mini.

1959–2009: milestones in a unique story of success.

The anniversary of the brand offers a great opportunity to look back at a story of success truly unique in the car industry the world over. Only very few car concepts have survived for such a long period or have achieved this kind of popularity, and none of them was ever interpreted in such a great number of variants as the classic Mini built for the first time in 1959. Then, with the brand being re-launched in 2001, the MINI started immediately to add further exciting chapters to this fascinating history.

It was exactly fifty years ago, on 26 August 1959, that British Motor Corporation (BMC) proudly presented two variants of a truly innovative small car: the Morris Mini-Minor and the Austin Seven. This double premiere was attributable at the time to BMC’s broad range of brands, with the two models being almost identical: both featuring extremely compact dimensions, the Morris Mini-Minor and the Austin Seven offered space for four occupants and their luggage, they were inexpensive not only to buy, but also to keep, and they offered both comfortable and agile driving qualities.

All this resulted from a revolutionary concept developed at the time by Alec Issigonis, the Deputy Technical Director of the Austin Plant in Longbridge.

The concept developed by Alec Issigonis: ideal conditions for maximum use of space and that legendary go-kart feeling.

To implement his vision of an affordable, straightforward and uncomplicated small car for the entire family and for a wide range of the population, Issigonis, a brilliant engineer, took new approaches in terms of both body design as well as the drivetrain and suspension concept. Never before had the combination of front-wheel drive and the engine fitted at the front been used as consistently to provide superior driving qualities and extra space as on the Mini. Beneath the short bonnet there was sufficient space for an 848-cc 34-hp four-cylinder, but only because Issigonis fitted the engine crosswise into the car and positioned the gearbox beneath the drive unit. This revolutionary innovation fully reflected the principle of form follows function crucial to the design of MINI to this very day.

The short overhangs front and rear as well as the wheels positioned far to the outside likewise benefited not only the space available, but also the car’s roadholding. The result was that 80 per cent of the space offered by the MINI only 3.05 metres or 120″ in length was available to the passengers and their luggage.

Issigonis also focused on innovations in creating the steering system. Since the usual universal joints tended to deflect when turning the steering hard to one side or the other, the father of the MINI decided to use homokinetic joints in the car. This allowed an adequate steering angle without any deflection and at the same time significantly reduced the influence of engine power on the steering, setting the basis for the go-kart MINI feeling legendary to this very day.

From a sporting talent to a serial winner: MINI dominates the Monte Carlo Rally.

Just one-and-a-half years after the start of MINI sales, a new version entered the market destined to shape the legend of the classic Mini more than any other car: the MINI Cooper. Sports and racing car constructor John Cooper, a good friend of Alec Issigonis, had recognised the sporting potential of this new small car right from the start while the first prototypes were still under construction. So with the support of the Company’s management he developed a small series of 1,000 Mini Coopers featuring a modified power unit increased in size to 1.0 litres and developing maximum output of 55 hp.

This marked the beginning of an unusually sporting career on both the road and the race track. For the potential offered by the engine and the concept of the car still had a long way to go in the MINI Cooper. Issigonis and Cooper increased engine capacity to 1,071 cc, with maximum output of 70 hp, making the MINI Cooper S an outstanding performer not only on the road.

The class win scored by Finnish racing driver Rauno Aaltonen in the 1963 Monte Carlo Rally was indeed the beginning of an unprecedented series of success in motorsport leading on to three overall victories in Monte Carlo in 1964, 1965, and 1967.

Small car, versatile qualities: the different versions of the classic Mini.

Parallel to the sporting success of the car, the various versions of the classic Mini soon acquired a growing community of fans. Through its practical qualities, agile driving characteristics and charming flair, the MINI became a car for all classes within society soon inspiring artists in their work, playing a leading role in cinema films, and enriching the car fleets of well-known celebrities.

It also became obvious very soon that the concept of the MINI was simply ideal for diversification in a number of other model variants, with the Mini Van and Mini Estate entering production in the very first year of the classic Mini. A year later they were followed by the Morris Mini-Traveller and Austin Seven Countryman estate models, and further versions joined the range in the years to come – extending from the MINI Pick-Up in 1961 through the particularly sophisticated Wolseley Hornet and Riley Elf adding two further BMC brands to the range in the same year all the way to the MINI Moke, a four-seater completely open on all sides introduced in 1964.

In 1967 the classic Mini received a more powerful engine increased in size to 998 cubic centimetres and with maximum output of 38 hp. Two years later the MINI Clubman joined the range as a slightly larger version with a modified front end. And some important details also changed in 1969, the front side windows featured by the classic Mini from the start being replaced on all models by wind-down windows, the door hinges at the outside being moved to the inside, and an individual MINI logo being presented on the engine compartment lid.

The range was then streamlined from 1980 to 1983 with the Clubman, the Estate and the Van being taken out of production. The only model left, therefore, was the classic Mini with its 1.0-litre engine and output of now 40 hp. Customers nevertheless remained faithful to the car over all these years, with the five-millionth classic Mini coming off the line at the Longbridge Plant in 1986. In 1990 the Mini Cooper returned to the range, being warmly welcomed by countless fans all over the world and now boasting a 1.3-litre power unit.

A new variant of the classic Mini appeared for the last time in 1991. A dedicated dealer in Germany, like some tuners before him, had cut off the roof, turning the car into an extremely attractive Convertible. But this time the result was so good in terms of quality that Rover Group now responsible for the classic Mini decided to buy the design of the car and build it themselves. Production of this special model between 1993 and 1996 amounted to approximately 1,000 units.

Production of the classic Mini ended in the year 2000, with more than 5.3 million units of the world’s most successful small car having come off the production lines in various versions.

But even after 41 years, the car had not yet reached the end of the road, with a new chapter in the history of this famous British brand starting after a break of not quite one year in 2001.

A new start in 2001 – with the MINI Cooper right from the beginning.

When BMW took over Rover Group in early 1994 new perspectives opened up for the MINI brand. In 1997 BMW presented a concept of the MINI Cooper at the Frankfurt Motor show offering an outlook at a possible new version of this unique car from Britain. Then, in 2001, the new, future-oriented rendition of the original appeared at the dealership in the guise of the MINI Cooper and MINI One.

Creating these models, the MINI designers answered the question as to what the ideal small car would look like if the concepts developed by Alec Issigonis in the 1950s were combined with the technical potentials and customer wishes of the 21st century.

Through its design alone, the new MINI provided an authentic rendition of the classic Mini in its character, introducing design language boasting a unique combination of lines, joints, circles and ellipses. While significantly longer, the proportions of the car including the short overhangs front and rear remained the same, giving the MINI that unique agile handling borne out from the start by the looks of the car.

A further point was that details typical of the brand and quite unmistakable already on the classic Mini were now re-interpreted in modern style: From the modern rendition of the hexagon radiator grille and the round headlights now integrated in the bonnet, through the bonnet joints on the MINI extending upwards at the same angle as the seam on the side panels of the classic Mini, and all the way to the rear light clusters in upright position, special design features gave the car a unique touch.

With front-wheel drive, four-cylinder power units fitted crosswise at the front, exceptionally good handling, short body overhangs and space for four, the new models immediately took up elementary features of the classic Mini. And last but certainly not least, the development engineers also made sure to offer the latest standards of comfort and safety in every respect.

From the original to the original: the second generation of MINI.

The great success of the MINI obviously set the foundation for consistently continuing the concept and developing additional potentials. Further improved in an evolutionary design process and fundamentally upgraded in technical terms, the second generation of the MINI entered the market in November 2006. Following the motto “from the original to the original”, the looks of the MINI already lauded the world over were further refined through many details giving even greater emphasis to the sporting virtues of this compact and agile performer.

Almost exactly to the day one year after the introduction of the new model generation, the MINI model range was extended in autumn 2007 by an innovative vehicle concept: With its wheelbase up by 8 centimetres or 3.15″, the MINI Clubman offers brand-new opportunities to enjoy the driving pleasure so typical of the brand. The latest newcomer to the range, on the other hand, is the second-generation MINI Convertible. Offering even more sporting design, active and passive safety optimised to a higher standard than ever, a wider range of functions and the latest generation of engines, the world’s only premium Convertible in the MINI segment once again raises the benchmark for driving pleasure of the highest standard.

The current range of engines is more versatile than ever before. The MINI is now available with no less than four petrol and two diesel engines, the MINI Clubman comes with three petrol engines and one diesel, and the MINI Convertible is currently available with two petrol engines.

For the first time there are also three truly unique models under the John Cooper Works brand, the top-of-the-range MINI John Cooper Works, the MINI John Cooper Works Clubman, and the MINI John Cooper Works Convertible, through their 155 kW/211 hp four-cylinder power unit derived from motorsport, offering a particularly intense rendition of the Mini’s high-performance character.

The John Cooper Works brand integrated within MINI and also offering accessories for the drivetrain, suspension, aerodynamics and design has in the meantime become the epitome of extreme driving pleasure based on extensive know-how in motorsport and a close connection with MINI now going back for decades.

Made in England: MINI production based on tradition and high quality standards.

The unique story of success of the MINI brand is closely connected to the production of the cars in Great Britain. On 4 April 1959 the first Austin Seven came off the production line in the Austin Longbridge Plant near Birmingham. Five weeks later, on 8 May, the first Morris Mini-Minor was built at the Oxford Plant.

The decision to build the modern MINI in Oxford was taken in spring 2000, leading to the construction of one of the most modern car production plants in the world equipped with the latest technologies and focusing specifically on the MINI. At the same time all production processes naturally follow the strict quality standards of the BMW Group.

Within just six years more than a million MINIs were built in Oxford, that is in exactly the same time that the classic Mini also took to pass the one-million mark. And just a few weeks after the official celebrations on the 50th anniversary of the brand at the Silverstone race track, MINI Plant Oxford was able to celebrate yet another anniversary, with production of the MINI after starting out in 2001 amounting to no less than 1.5 million units. Together with the sales figures of the former model, the brand now accounts, therefore, for 6.8 million cars built in Britain and sold the world over

Few new features have garnered more question than MINI’s Mission control that will be available on the limited edition Camden. Today we finally have video of the option in action. However remember, if you want navigation on the Camden, you’ll lose the Mission Control feature.

(Courtesy of miniunted.com and bigbloggtv)

The Mission Control option that debuted this May with the special edition Camden model at MINI United has generated quite a few questions recently. While MINI has given it’s own vague explanations within press releases, it’s been short of specifics. So Autoweek got some further information from MINI themselves.

(The MINI Camden) will showcase a new technology Mini calls “Mission Control,” which allows the car to interact with the driver, sort of like a British version of Ford’s Sync. Three voices offer information about the car and its surroundings. There are up to 1,600 different statements, and it’s a standard feature on the Camden.

For example: If the driver hammers the engine on a cold morning too quickly, a voice may say “ouch, I’m not warmed up yet,” in the words of Jim McDowell, Mini USA vice president.

The voices can also offer congratulations for taking a curve with gusto–and plenty of g-force; or say something like “wow 4.5 seconds of full throttle,” after a lengthy launch.

It can also suggest the driver turn on the air conditioning if the program senses ambient temperatures are hot, or tell passengers to buckle up.

Mini, which is known for somewhat off-the-wall innovations–like the giant speedometer in the center of its dashboards or the gauge that tells you how long the roof has been open–also offers a common-sense option: the voices can be turned off.

You can read more here.

Todd, Gabe and I had the chance to get together Wednesday and give our thoughts about the the MINI Coupé Concept. Yes, we will be calling it the Coopster. Jump on board.

And, happy 50th birthday to the MINI!

Comments are open. Let us know what you think.

WRR Special: The MINI Coopster

Download | WRR @ iTunes | 8.9MB | 19:23

It’s a big day for the MINI world. From dealers to clubs to individual owners just going for a joy ride. It’s time to celebrate. And MINI is giving us a virtual party with the release of the MINI Coupé and now this official birthday video.

But how about you? Any big MINI plans for the day? Let’s hear what you’re doing to celebrate.

Another little birthday surprise. MINI has released a commercial running in select markets around the world that calls attention to the big day.

Official Release: The MINI brand will turn 50 on 26 August 2009. Fifty years ago to the day, the British Motor Corporation (BMC) unveiled the result of its quest to design a new and revolutionary compact car. The very first sales brochures praised the Morris Mini-Minor’s “extraordinary future promise”. Fifty years later, we know that few vehicle concepts have survived as long or achieved such popularity. No other vehicle has ever spawned such a wide range of variants as the Mini. Last year’s MINI E premiere was definitely one of the highlights of MINI’s long history, fulfilling its future promise in a way that no one could have foreseen 50 years ago.

Reducing fuel consumption was already becoming an important issue for vehicle developers fifty years ago. Back in 1956 the Suez crisis and petrol rationing were major factors for the automobile industry. BMC management gave designer Alec Issigonis the following guidelines: the Mini must make creative use of the limited space available; accommodate four passengers; and guarantee perfect handling and low fuel consumption. By 1962 – within three years of its market launch – Mini production already exceeded 200,000 vehicles a year. Once the world’s rich and famous (Peter Sellers, the Beatles, Brigitte Bardot, Clint Eastwood, Lord Snowdon, Twiggy…) adopted the Mini as their preferred city car, it rapidly became the symbol of an entire generation. Over the next 40 years the Mini became an icon – a brand with a unique tradition and charm that appealed to all ages.

Brand re-launch

Following its acquisition of Rover in March 1994, the BMW Group decided to revive the MINI brand tradition and continue writing Mini’s history: The new MINI was to create a unique premium brand with unmistakeable charisma and excellent product qualities in the compact segment – respecting its history, but at the same time meeting the needs of its present customers. The brand was successfully re-launched thanks to consistent positioning as a premium global brand and a clear focus on its new target customers. The re-launch relied upon excellent product qualities and a modern design that paid tribute to its earlier iconic status. Communications also give the brand a consistent global profile, or to be more precise, a unique MINI feeling: MINI not just as an A-to-B car – but as an expression of an outgoing and spontaneous lifestyle, with “enthusiasm” at the very heart of the MINI brand.

MINI as a pillar of the BMW Group

Since the MINI brand’s acquisition by the BMW Group, it has become an important element in the BMW portfolio. MINI sales have increased every year since 2002, with more than 232,000 MINI brand vehicles sold in 2008. The United States was the single largest market for MINI cars last year. To date almost 1.5 million vehicles have been sold worldwide since the “New MINI” was launched in 2001. Its characteristic combination of driving fun, individualistic style and premium quality has led to rising sales on all continents in recent years. This unique premium compact car is now sold in 80 countries around the world, with Brazil becoming its newest market in 2009. The MINI brand has come of age and become an important pillar of the BMW Group in virtually all international markets.

Like the rest of the automobile industry, MINI has been unable to escape the effects of the global economic crisis this year. However, by July 2009, with deliveries up 0.3%, sales of MINI brand vehicles were already slightly higher than in July of the previous year at 19,281 vehicles. The new MINI Convertible in particular, which has been available since late March, has given sales a boost. Last month, the brand reported its best July sales ever in Germany (3,207/ +16.1%). On the international markets, 120,813 MINI cars were sold in the year to the end of July.

Production Triangle

The BMW Group has invested more than 380 million British pounds in the MINI plant in Oxford since 2001, as well as a further 100 million pounds in the Hams Hall and Swindon production facilities which also form part of the MINI Production Triangle. The MINI plant in Oxford is currently jointly manufacturing the MINI, MINI Clubman and MINI Convertible models. It is also producing the extremely sporty MINI John Cooper Works, MINI John Cooper Works Clubman and MINI John Cooper Works Convertible models. Around 1.24 million of the 1.5 million MINI vehicles so far built in Oxford were based on the traditional body design of the standard hard-roofed two-door version. The Oxford plant has also produced some 179,000 MINI Convertibles, as well as 79,000 MINI Clubman. If these figures are added to sales of the classic Mini, the brand can claim to have sold 6.8 million vehicles worldwide.

Outlook

The MINI 50 Camden and MINI 50 Mayfair birthday editions will make their world debut at the IAA 2009, where further product surprises await visitors. To mark its 50th birthday, the MINI presence will focus on the brand’s 50-year success story. Visitors will be greeted by an oversized “What a Birthday. It’s MINI.” banner. With its MINI, MINI Clubman and MINI Convertible versions, the brand’s potential is far from exhausted. Ventures into other vehicle segments are another appealing prospect for its designers. While the MINI Crossover Concept may appear to be a typical example of the MINI design philosophy – it is also a new model version without historical roots that can take the brand to a whole new dimension. The market launch of the MINI Crossover is scheduled for 2010.

Related:

+ 1959 – 2009 – 50 Years of the MINI / MotoringFile

While MINI USA hasn’t released anything official yet, we are starting to hear of some info about 2010 options. So let’s talk details.

• As we broke a few months back, MINI will be bring to market an entirely new upgraded stereo created by Harman (the maker of all premium MINI stereos since 2001). The new system is to be branded Harmon/Kardon and should make its way into production builds by December.
• The always important multi-function steering wheel will be standard on the MCS starting in 2010
• The Camden and Mayfair models will be coming to the US as special edition models and not as standalone packages as was once thought. So that means unlike the special editions models released in 2006, you won’t be able to order any of the unique trim or exterior colors found on the models.
• After almost eight years Dark Silver will finally become available on the Cooper in the US.
• As previously announced on MF, Interchange yellow will go from a unique Convertible color to a available across the model range effectively replacing Mellow yellow. A shame in our eyes.

Look for other surprises around the 2010 model year in the coming weeks. And remember, for all those considering ordering over the next year, the life-cycle refresh is right around the corner in 2010. We’ll have more on that and the 2010 model year changes in the days ahead.

Thanks everyone for sending this in.

Car Magazine has the scoop on the 2009 edition of the Goodwood Revival this September. As you might expect the Mini/MINI brand will be featured prominently. Heres an except:

Mini turned 50 recently, and the celebration of its engineering achievements continues at the Goodwood Revival in September 2009. Huge numbers of pre-1966 Minis are expected on track, bringing their owners and large numbers of enthusiasts with them.

So what are the Mini highlights at Goodwood? Champions and role models such as five-time winner of Le Mans Derek Bell will be racing, as well as Jackie Oliver, Bobby Rahal, Anthony Reid and Brian Redman. You can also hope to see ‘The Rally Professor,’ Rauno Aaltonen, who won the Gallaher 500 touring car races in a Mini Cooper S.

Other Mini legends will include Sir John Whitmore, Alec Poole, Warwick Banks, John Fitzpatrick, Richard Longman and Barrie ‘Whizzo’ Williams. We at CAR are most looking forward to when a full 30-car grid, largely composed of 1275cc Mini Coopers, will compete in a race that is promised to be ‘the most closely fought race in the Revival’s history.’ That’ll be the St Mary’s Trophy saloon car race packed with cars that raced before 1966.

We’ve held off reporting about the new system at the request of our sources for awhile but MINI hinted at the new system in its recent Camden press release so all bets are off. Here’s what we know. There were quite a few at MINI who weren’t overly happy with the current optional hifi audio system that replaced the venerable H/K that was found in the previous generation MINIs. Both were made by Harmon (parent company to Harman) but some cost was taken out an the sound suffered for it. Make no mistake it was a nice upgrade to the stock system, but it just wasn’t as impressive as had been hoped.

So MINI went back to Harmon and asked them to design a system in the same vein as the (now almost mythical) DPSM system available on the R50 generation. However with one big change, this new version would be available from the factory as an option rather than a very expensive dealer installed accessory.

Our sources told us a year and a half ago that the new system would be H/K branded and it would appear (again based on that mention in the 50th anniversary press release) that that will be the case. Additionally we’ve been told that the system will feature a 480 digital watt (down 80 from the previous DPSM system). Finally we’re being told the system should include up to 10 speakers all told.

As mentioned in the press release the MINI Camden will come standard with the new system for 2010. However look for the new H/K system to be available as a premium audio option (above the current Hifi option) for the 2010 model year.

We’ll have more information as we get it.

Related:

+ MINI DSPM Audio System Review / MotoringFile

Enjoy.

Part 1

Part 2

You can view the HD versions below:

Rebel without Pause Part 1 HD Youtube

Rebel without Pause Part 2 HD / Youtube

Apparently there has been one Rolls MINI already created for the famous Park Lane MINI dealership in London that could give us a glimpse into what the car could be if it goes into production. A member at Totalmini.com did managed to snap a few photos, like the one seen above. You can see all of the photos here. However we would stress that this is not the Rolls Royce MINI that we’ve been told about.

For what it’s worth our sources were fairly certain that the car was a go as of last week. In fact we were told quite a few dealers in the US have already been told to start taking names for an order list. That said we won’t know for certain until we get further word from sources at MINI.