Dec 20th, 2011
In a cheeky ceremony paying homage to England’s iconic changing of the guard, MINI recently handed over the key to the new retail shop to Jan-Christiaan Koenders and Chris Collet, The Netherlands’ BMW and MINI Group Directors respectively. The store opens to the public this Saturday and features a full breadth of items from MINI’s lifestyle accessories catalog. Unlike the traditional Queen’s Guard, these fuzzy-hatted soldiers were all smiles.
It’s not a dealership, but rather an embassy for motoring. MINI is the first and only automaker to open a brand store in the Netherlands, featuring merchandise well rooted in the brand’s iconic British roots. With both car accessories and lifestyle items on the shop floor, visitors can even configure the MINI of their liking on a big screen inside. This first store in Amsterdam is a pilot store for shops that could open up around the world. Will a MINI brand store make its way into the Mall of America any time soon? Probably not.
[Source: MINI]
Dec 2nd, 2011
Ever since BMW made the switch to run flats, enthusiasts have been waiting patiently for the technology to mature. And with BMW’s move of course came MINI’s reliance on run flat technology as well. This is especially true in the US where they’re not an option (as they are in there markets) but standard on all tire sizes larger that 15″.
We’ve been waiting for the technology to become transparent – meaning that there’s no trade-off in feel, performance and comfort as compared to the tires we’re all used to. With the launch of the 3rd generation of run flats, tire makers – specifically Bridgestone – may have finally done it. Our friends at Tirerack recently tested the Bridgestone’s third generation run flat and came away very impressed with the results and the tech behind it all. Here’s an excerpt:
Bridgestone’s new third generation (3G) run-flat features a sidewall design that helps minimize the run-flat tire’s negative influence on ride comfort. While still thicker than a conventional tire, the signature features of the 3G run-flat sidewall are a unique exterior cooling fin design and special rubber compound, both designed to reduce the heat buildup that occurs while driving on a tire that is no longer inflated. Reduced heat buildup during run-flat operation allows for the thinner sidewall design, ultimately improving ride comfort. continued →
Sep 30th, 2011
Thanks for Drill for allowing us usage of his photos. View all images after the break.
During the recent September 15th-25th 64th Annual IIA Motor Show in Frankfurt MINI exhibited some of the upcoming accessories for the R58 Coupe that were previously covered in our story on the upcoming MINI Coupe accessories.
JCW Coupe Spoiler – The spoiler does replace the innovative automatic spoiler that is a first for the BMW/MINI group We still have not received any information if this accessory spoiler will need the default spoiler either removed or disabled. This gives the Coupe and the eventual Roadster increased down force that will likely be useful in higher speed pursuits such as a track day. The visual language does a good job complementing the rear of the Coupe.
Black trimmed taillights – Likely developed to complement the Black headlight that have recently gone on sale. These should retrofit to R56, R57 LED taillights as well.
Cross spoke R113 Red Stripe Wheels – The R113 in black with the red stripe. This should present a sportier feel to the very popular R113 wheel.
Side Decals – Originally we identified these as being Cooper S side graphics but the image clearly shows a JCW logo incorporated with the stripe. We believe that there might be multiple side strips thus explaining this. Could this mean side strip for Cooper, Cooper S, and JCW? These will fit R56, R57, R58, and R59 cars.
JCW Leather and Alcantara Recaro Sports Seats – These are a new Recaro seat that is a blend between the standard sport seats and the current JCW Recaro seats. There was no information if these seats are replacing the current more aggressive JCW Recaro seats or just a secondary option. There is no information that these would be made available to the US market so until we hear differently we would presume they would not make it to the US market.
Aug 29th, 2011
We’re almost 1,800 miles and over a month into our time with the Countryman and we’ve talked about the design, drifting and just living with the R60. But today we’re going inside.
The rail system is one of those great ideas that I find it hard to believe hasn’t been done before in the automotive landscape. What MINI has done with the rail and its accessories is to de-couple the functional needs of an interior from the design and engineers time-frame for a car. What do we mean? MINI designed and engineered the Countryman from around 2006 to 2009. And while designers and MINI’s strategic planners can envision lots of things, they can’t predict the future. The rail gives them freedom to not have to.
Similar to what Apple has done with apps on iOS, MINI has given us the system. Now it’s up to MINI’s own after-sales and the aftermarket to take up the challenge. Why? Because as you can see in the photo above, MINI hasn’t quite gotten everything right with the rail’s included accessories. continued →
Apr 23rd, 2011
With city traffic more congested than ever, MINI is offering up a solution to urban parking overcrowding: the MINI Folding Bike. Rather than cram a whole roll of quarters into that parking meter for 15 minutes, park further out and finish your trip on a bicycle. Not just any bicycle, but a rather clever little number that folds up small enough to fit in the boot of your MINI. More after the break. continued →
Jan 28th, 2011
MINI is officially taking the wraps off of its after-sales accessories with a range of appearance and performance options. We’re going to go through every single one of them in detail with part numbers and prices. But first lets talk about JCW. (Full list and PDF after the break) continued →
Oct 27th, 2010
Readers of MotoringFile and listeners to White Roof Radio may remember that a few months back MINI extended an invitation to this community to come up with product ideas for the Countryman’s innovative center rail. The winner, as you may recall, was an ingenious idea bringing LEGOs into the back seat. The brains behind that little slice of genius received an autographed book about MINI design. What you may not have realized is that the contest that ran here on MF and on WRR was actually part of a larger international accessory competition. The prizes included a trip to the Paris Motor Show, and a pair of Apple MacBook Pro laptops. Those ideas were also rendered as prototypes and displayed at the Paris Motor Show itself. continued →
