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]

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.

Out on the road our team found the ride quality of the Potenza RE960AS Pole Position RFT run-flat tire to be very similar to the conventional Potenza RE960AS Pole Position, with a small advantage to the conventional version. The older-generation run-flat design in the Turanza EL42 RFT felt noticeably harsher when it encountered sharp-edged impacts both small and large, such as expansion joints, poorly patched pavement or minor potholes.

The conventional Potenza RE960AS also produced slightly less impact noise, with the 3G run-flat version very close behind. Again the older generation run-flat design of the Turanza EL42 RFT produced some additional booming as it hit bumps in the road.

The handling of the Potenza RE960AS 3G RFT was actually a little crisper than the non-run-flat version, taking advantage of its inherently stiffer sidewalls to help the tire change direction more briskly. The conventional Potenza RE960 was close behind, also feeling nimble and responsive. The Turanza EL42 RFT trailed the two Ultra High Performance All-Season tires, feeling somewhat less responsive as you would expect from a Standard Touring All-Season tire.

Many of our team commented on how similar the run-flat tire behaved to the conventional Potenza RE960AS Pole Position. They felt very little trade-off in everyday ride comfort and road manners when choosing the run-flat tire over the non run-flat version.

You can read the full test here. And keep in mind that the tire tested above is an all-season and not optimal for high performance warm weather driving.

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.

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.

As you can see above the phone mount is a time-bomb that will go off and result in plastic shrapnel. It did to me. So then I switched one of the rear cupholders up to the front to use a do everything bin of sorts. But even that hasn’t worked as the cup-holders are too wide for the front portion of the rail if you ever plan on using the hand-brake. Yet (somewhat ironically) they’re too small inside to hold many American sized bottles of water (I haven’t no idea how they’d handle things like a Big Gulp but I’d guess not well).

MINI got the idea right with the rail. It’s brilliant and is one of my favorite aspects of the Countryman. Now it’s time to get the experts involved. I want to see MINI after-sales and the robust MINI aftermarket to do what they do best – find a way to make what MINI created even better.

Note: comments are off due to server issues with Disqus

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.

The bike folds along the crossbar and handlebars. The saddle retracts and the pedals fold up close to the aluminum frame. This makes the bike extremely easy to handle and saves space. Fitted in a sleeve under the saddle is a fitted transport bag for portaging odds and ends. The MINI Folding Bike claims to match the riding characteristics of a “normal” bike. Weighing less than 24 lbs, the bike is equipped with 8 gears and 20-inch wheels, keeping it quick and versatile. The teflon-coated chain keeps your pants clean and reduces the wear and tear on the components, and the gel saddle keeps things comfortable. The bike also features the customary visibility features and fenders to keep the road off you and your clothes.

Even on two wheels, the MINI design details show through. The bike comes in matte black, and features silver highlights in the MINI lettering on the crossbar. The MINI logo is featured on the handlebars and a monocrhomatic Union Jack motif on the rear forks. The bike chain and bell are the set apart in bold neon yellow.

The MINI Folding Bike will be available in August of this year in select MINI dealers, and at www.MINI.de/shop, at an MSRP of about $730. No word yet on US availability. US availability has been confirmed.

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)

MINI will be releasing a slew of JCW accessories in the weeks ahead as we wanted to start by taking a look at some highlights:

• The John Cooper Works Aero Kit for Cooper S. The kit consists of a lower, aggressive front bumper sill, bold side skirts, a functional rear diffuser and large exhaust pipe tips. It not only improves the sporty look of the MINI but also the performance of the MINI Cooper S or MINI Cooper S ALL4 Countryman by lowering the aerodynamic resistance. MSRP: $2,154 primed.

• The John Cooper Works 19” Double-Spoke Wheels the largest MINI wheel ever offered. This light weight construction wheel is available in a black and machined finish. MRSP: $3,593.00 for polished and $3,527.00 for black.

• JCW Steering wheel and shift knob. These is basically the same designs as found on other MINIs updated for the Countryman. MSRP: $537 and $179 respectively.

• JCW Design Package. This is a new package consisting red mirror caps and red brake ducts. MSRP: $251.95

Now let’s move onto the larger MINI accessories line-up. As you’ll see in the PDF below there are a number of familiar pieces that we’ve seen in the line-up for years. But there are also a few new accessories and more than a few that take advantage of the new rail system in the Countryman.

We’ll be hands-on with reviews on a few key accessories throughout the year. Until then, here’s the entire accessories list for the US market as of January 2011.

Official MINI Countryman Accessories (PDF)

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.

The first idea prototype is the “Fire in the MINI” concept from Satoshi Nakamura of Germany. It’s hardly utilitarian, but then again, setting the mood is important when you’re motoring to a weekend away. For his idea, Satoshi received a four day trip for two to Paris and admission to the Paris Motor Show.

The second idea prototype, dubbed “MINI Star Karaoke” takes your road trip sing-along to a whole new level. Submitted by Chris Townsend of the UK, he received an Apple MacBook Pro for his idea.

The final prototype features something expected done in an unexpected way. The “MINI Gamer” prototype shows iPad integration focused on playing games between the seats. In this case, air hockey. Penned by Andrew Till of Italy, this little bit of thinking also earned him an Apple MacBook Pro.

Info and images courtesy of BMW Blog.

Looking to do some early holiday shopping for your favorite MINI fan? Well look no further than the latest fun stuff from the MINI Lifestyle Collection. Items include an iPhone-integrated internet radio, new pieces of travel luggage and even one of those funky jet-style helmets from the MINI Scooter E launch. We’ve included the official PDF, but you can see even more over at www.mini.com/shop. You can order online or even find these items at selected MINI dealers. (Full PDF after the break)

MINI Lifestyle Collection PDF

Last week we asked you to give us your questions to MINI USA Product manager Vinnie Kung. This week we have your answers. First a big thanks to Vinnie who’s been quite busy driving in the 24 Hours of Lemons recently. Oh and then there’s the little task of getting the entire refreshed MINI model line-up (not to mention the new Countryman) ready for the 2011 model year. So with all that said, let’s jump right in to it.

MotoringFile: Vinnie, great to see you again. Let’s get straight to the most important question. How was the 24 Hours of Lemons?

Vinnie: Oh, you mean the coolest race ever to happen? Yeah, things went great, thanks. I only hit the guardrail once with our D-Day themed Impala. We came in 32nd, but who cares when you’re having fun.

MF: Ok, not that that’s out of the way, we’ve got a few questions about a little thing called the 2011 MINI refresh. For starters we’ve had a ton of people wanting to know about MINI Connected’s availability.

Vinnie: MINI Connected has been one of the most fascinating projects. But like any technology offer, there are challenges when it’s time to get things onto the streets. As of now, it looks like December production is when we will see it.

Engineering suspensions, engines and other cool mechanical technologies takes about 54 to 60 months to develop. When it comes to electronics, we have only a fraction of the time in order for it to be relevant in the market. I can design a control arm today and it will work for a real long time. But a new app? I have only a few months. I mean, would you want a Friendster App in 2011? I didn’t think so. So, sometimes extra time is all we need to finalize it. I’ve tried the latest version and it’s awesome.

MF: Another 2011 options question. Is there a chance of the early JCW’s being able to get the black headlights in either the standard xenons or the Adaptive headlights. Secondly why in the world is MINI not allowing us to fit the more aggressive looking black headlight surrounding to the most aggressive MINI, the JCW?

Vinnie: We agree completely, but the guys in Oxford have other intentions for the JCW models. We keep asking for it but we keep getting a big, “No.”

MF: A couple of JCW questions regarding the 2011 model year. Why exactly was the JCW engine not upgraded along with the rest of the range?

Vinnie: The Cooper and Cooper S models were the focus of this update. A higher power version of the JCW has been rumored.

MF: Can we expect an updated version of the JCW Engine kit?

Vinnie: It should be out real soon. I spoke to Florian Kuenstner who heads up the accessories and it will have a similar power increase like we’ve had going from the N14 to the N18. Cool thing is that we’ll now be able to hear the popping sound on decel better.

MF: Ok onto a few random options questions that readers had. First up why is there no lumbar support on the cloth and leatherette seats?

Vinnie: It’s priced into the higher end seats. To make both Cloth and Leatherette free on the Sport seats, we can’t put lumbar support in it or we’d have to raise the price of the Sport seats from $250 to $500 on the Cooper or increase the price of the Cooper S’ base price to add it as standard. Right now, we think it is a fair tradeoff.

MF: Is there any specific reason why MINI eliminated the tilt/slide/memory (for getting into the back seat) from the passenger seats in the late 2010’s while keeping them on the drives side?

Vinnie: It was part of a cost-down measure. Sadly, this was one of few things that we fought against but the beancounters prevailed. Luckily, we did win on a few fronts such as getting the MINI logo back on our engines, budgeting for oil feed line heat shields on the turbo engines and even getting new timing chain tensioners.

MF: What about colors? Will we see brighter non-metallic color choices in future? We’ve had plenty of bright metallics but rarely something retro inspired that doesn’t have metal flakes.

Vinnie: We always work on new colors, either metallic or not. For instance, we took the time to develop Ice Blue for December production. But incredibly, we have a high demand for metallic colors so we will continue to meet that demand by offering metallics that are bright, such as my personal favorite, Spice Orange metallic.

MF: Ok onto the JCW. Let me state that this next question is a reader question and is not officially sanctioned by MotoringFile. Ok here we go… will the current R5X JCW cars ever be available with some type of automatic transmission?

Vinnie: It is not planned for the current JCW cars. The goal has been to keep the JCW pure but we know eventually, there will be enough people that want it and we may offer it. But right now, we want to be able to keep the existing JCW lineup interesting so we are focusing on making it stand out more from an appearances perspective.

MF: Now onto something a little more our style. Based on talking with dealers and our various sources I get the feeling that the current JCW hasn’t sold quite as well as expected or hoped. True or not we’ve not been shy of our critic of the car. We love the way it goes and stops but it just doesn’t look or feel special enough to us. We know MINI is listening but can we expect future JCW products that could address these concerns?

Vinnie: Besides the updates we will see in 2011 (gray-faced gauges, specific color combos, etc.) we will continue to lobby for more differentiation on the JCW models. When you buy an M3, it’s almost a completely different car compared to a 335i. Same goes for the R32, Renault Alliance GTS, SAAB 900 SPG, SVO Mustang, etc. See what I am getting at? Even those were some pretty bad examples, the reality is that today, the JCW models appeal to the vast majority of new MINI customers that are new to the brand. Those of us who have been with MINI from the beginning prefer a truly differentiated car and for us, we need a GP replacement beyond what we saw with the WC50.

MF: Any chance for an AWD JCW in something like the current R56? The Golf R sure looks tempting sometimes.

Vinnie: Sadly, the current L3 chassis does not support an AWD system. While tempting, it would cost beaucoup bucks to get it to work in the market. The breakeven point would take either a huge price surcharge or an inordinate number of cars to be sold. Either way, due to plant and pricing limitations, success would be hard to come by.

MF: Let’s talk R60. There’s been a ton of excitement around the Countryman (more than we expected) but there have been a few questions that keep coming up. First is the rear seating. I know you’ve already answered this in our previous interview but has anything changed that could allow a three seat option in the US for the Countryman?

Vinnie: We have been lobbying for a five-seater for years. But to meet the changing US standards for side impact crash testing, we would have to heavily re-engineer the car and that would add price, something that none of our customers would want to hear about. We are still requesting a fully-compliant three-seater bench seat, however, and know that this is a huge factor in making people consider us for their next family vehicle.

MF: With the announcement of the WRC Countryman built by Prodrive rumors have popped up that there might be something road going that could be linked to the rally car. Is there anything you can shed on that?

Vinnie: I will have to respectfully decline commenting on that, due to the fact that it may incriminate at a future time.

MF: Can we expect any WRC inspired surprises in our future as MINI fans?

Vinnie: It would make sense.

MF: What about standard JCW options such as the engine kit or the Aero-kit. Is there any thing you can tell us?

Vinnie: The biggest goal is to make the JCW Aero Kit available from the factory as it would have perfect fit, finish and reduced cost. Since the supplier is a small-volume manufacturer (different than the supplier for the factory aero kit), they need to get ramped up. Once that is done, I believe this will take off very well as an option. We’ll need to transition out of the current factory aero kit in the meantime, which is now only on the Cooper models.

MF: The Coupe remains the most anticipated product on MotoringFile. Any updates you can give us on the timing? We’ve reported late Summer of 2011.

Vinnie: When the school semester starts, it would be a good time to see a MINI dealer.

MF: What about a debut?

Vinnie: The cars will stay pure to the concepts we have presented so far. So, I wouldn’t expect a big debut at a show.

MF: The R58 Coupe seems like the perfect platform for a hardcore MINI. Would you agree?

Vinnie: With an aluminum roof, potential for great aerodynamics and lower weight, it has the inherent ability to perform better on a racetrack, all around the world … in a Challenging environment.

MF: How much do we expect headroom to be compromised in the R59?

Vinnie: Not sure yet. I hope it’s not much.

MF: Moving on to everyone’s favorite topic, warranty issues. What’s the story with the high pressure fuel pump and intake manifold/throttle body issues that we’ve read about throughout the MINI web? Has this been addressed with both pre-2011 and post 2011 MINIs?

Vinnie: I wish I had more expertise here, but in product planning, we look at how the MINI product line will look like in the year 2022. But our technical service guys keep me up to date every so often on the current product line. I do know that the N16 and N18 engines get new intake manifolds so that should eliminate any issues there. The JCW also has several updates due to the MY changeover. But anything more than that, and I’d just be making it up.

MF: Regarding the R57. Why is no one touch down (or up for that matter) on the MINI Convertible? Was this a safety thing? Programming?

Vinnie: This is 100% a safety issue. The lift motor’s current-sensing anti-trap feature is what allows us to have one-touch up on the R55 and R56. On the convertible, however, there are two reasons why the one-touch cannot work. For one, the rear windows have the ability to slide and then close into the front side windows and getting a finger pinched in there is tough for the vehicle to detect. There is no easy way to properly place a sensor on the rear glass and using current-sensing technology on the lift motor itself is not an accurate or safe way to offer one-touch. Also, if you had placed a contact sensor in the upper seal, this would only work with the top up and not with the top down. With so many variables and possible ways for somebody to get an extremity misplaced in one of the four windows, we decided to play it safe and let the window lift function be manually-controlled by the occupants.

MF: We know that there have been some decisions made to not bring the diesel to the US. Does that also rule out hybrid technology for MINI?

Vinnie: Diesel and Hybrid models have never been ruled out. The business case is what limits us. We all want it but at the end of the day, it has to make business sense and while there are many people out there just screaming for one (myself included), the spreadsheet says otherwise. US conformity is not cheap on the Diesel front. But it may be easier with other alternatives.

MF: What about the automatic Start/Stop system that has been used throughout the MINI range elsewhere in the world? We understand that the EPA doesn’t count it in the official MPG figures but does MINI plan to bring the system to the US in the near future?

Vinnie: It’s a classic compound business case problem. MSA (auto-start/stop) is only available on cars with manual trans. So right off the bat, we’re looking at only 40% of all MINI Coopers since there is no MSA for automatic transmission cars. This doubles the price immediately. After all the calculations are done in our finance group, we then look at how many cars would actually have it, and we predicted a modest 20% take rate. So, 20% of 40% of 28,000 cars means only 2,240 Cooper Hardtops would have it. Then you have to hope that these people really want it because who would pay $750 for an option that makes no difference on the EPA label. So in the end, we’d lose money on the option and in these times, I want to keep my job.

MF: Here’s another one that has been answered many times but we thought we’d give us another shot based on our readers interest. Has there been any movement in a UK delivery program (for those buying cars in the US) since we last talked?

Vinnie: Not as of yet. We just compounded this topic with the addition of the Countryman being built in Austria. We’d rather give our customers a true MINI experience from start to finish, but as of now, we don’t have a way to provide that.

MF: Ok last question. Does the Fiat 500 keep you up at night? If not, does anything?

Vinnie: The Fiat 500 will have VW Beetle-itis. People will run, then realize it’s a bucket of Fiat leftovers, and never buy one again. For Fiat, it may not be the best choice as their first car to bring the name back to the US. So, it does not keep me up at night.

Usually, I lose sleep worrying about roving bands of militant zombies coming in the middle of the night to steal my incomplete Vanilla Ice and Milli Vanilli cassette collection while they have their shoes on. I hate it when rude zombies leave footprints.

But as of now, my former adult magazine career is what still keeps me up all night.

And with that I gave Vinnie the secret MINI insider secret handshake and he was off into the night. If you didn’t see anything added “between the lines” above you may want to read again. Sometimes silence in a few of the answers was deafening.

Official Release: Whether embarking on a business trip or heading off on holiday, every frequent traveller needs a reliable companion by their side. So luckily MINI cars give people on the move all the support they need. The new MINI Countryman crossover model sees the cult car maker once again displaying its expertise in all things mobility-related. And the central theme of the Creative Use of Space also lies at the heart of the practical luggage solutions available from the MINI Lifestyle Collection. The items in the Collection are designed to meet the full range of travel requirements. Functionality and stylishness are guaranteed, in customary MINI fashion.

The robust MINI hard-shell suitcases from the Rooftop line can take anything you throw at them. The Rooftop Cabin Trolley, for example, represents a stylish and reliable means of carrying your kit. Decked out in either the Union Jack or Racing Stripes, it has an extending telescopic handle, two strong carry handles and smooth-running wheels. The main compartment is fitted with packing belts and a net divider, while the centre section has two small side pockets. Also provided are a protective transportation cover, an integrated lock and a nameplate to help the trolley make it home in one piece should – perish the thought – owner and case become separated. The white Rooftop Pilot with black Racing Stripes is a hard-wearing item of travel gear for business and leisure, and comes equipped with a retractable telescopic handle, robust carry handle and easy-rolling wheels. Inside the case are organised compartments for clothes, documents and your mobile phone and pens. These can be joined by a laptop case, which allows you to keep your computer separate when travelling. Reinforced edges and a rubber-coated base make this hard-shell case extremely durable, and the integrated lock and transportation cover deliver the requisite protection. Plus, the nameplate ensures that the case is easy to retrieve in the event of it being mislaid in action. The MINI Travel Belt, an adjustable suitcase strap in Racing Check style with metal fastener, offers an extra layer of security should your trolley case unexpectedly open. And the MINI Travel Bag Tag, a luggage tag with metal fastener, adds another element to this all-round worry-free package for trips away.

MINI Black Jack Collection.

The design of the extensive Black Jack luggage line from MINI stands out with its classy black finish and tone-in-tone Union Jack motif. The spacious Black Jack Trolley, for example, comes with an extending telescopic handle and a pair of strong carry handles. Two wheels mimicking the classic MINI rim design guarantee swift progress. The main compartment has a practical partition, a net divider and four small pockets for cosmetics, and the front face of the suitcase features two easily accessible small pockets and a large compartment. An extra lock with MINI Wing logo takes care of security, while reinforced edges and a rubber-coated base enhance strength and stability. The Black Jack Cabin Trolley performs the same functions to impressive effect, but its smaller dimensions mean it can be taken onto aircraft as hand luggage. The Black Jack Briefcase adds a briefcase to the range. Two compartments and inside pockets for a mobile phone, pens and business cards ensure you have everything you need for a day at the office; your laptop slides away securely into a separate padded compartment. With its adjustable and detachable carry strap and padded handle the case sits comfortably in your hand, but should it prove too heavy to carry it can be simply fixed to the trolley’s telescopic handle with the help of the slide-in pocket on its reverse side. The Black Jack Duffle Bag, a trendy sports and travel bag with a detachable carry strap, is perfect for leisure use. In addition to an ingenious inner compartment system, this item also includes an extra pocket compartment with a magnetic closure on the reverse side. These are joined by two neat side pockets, one of which has an integrated net to accommodate drinks. The small Black Jack Ammo shoulder bag is another impressive member of the range and features a front zip pocket, several inside pockets and a side pocket with net insert for drinks bottles. The Black Jack Washkit, a wash bag with one large and two small waterproof compartments, will become an indispensable element of your travel armoury. It also has a front pocket with zip closure. The high-quality leather Black Jack Wallet, meanwhile, provides a fine home for your travel funds with its classic notes/credit cards compartment split, plus a separate area for coins.

MINI Shout Collection.

MINI delved deep into its classic photo archives to create the Shout accessories line. With striking black-and-white retro MINI motifs, the Shout items recall some legendary moments in the brand’s history. As the name suggests, the design of the Shout Small Doctor Bag takes its cues from a traditional medical bag. A classic Mini Rallye Monte Carlo print stands out from the front, and the structured compartment division and comfortable carry strap ensure that it never becomes a pain to carry. The bag’s red inside creates an attractive contrast. The Shout Bucket Tote with cool Swinging London print offers a large inner compartment for papers and a small pocket for a mobile phone, pens, etc. A contrasting colour is provided by the red twill lining. A short upper carry strap and an additional adjustable strap allow it to be used as a shoulder bag or handbag, as desired. Elsewhere, it’s not only bicycle couriers who will appreciate the virtues of the Shout Messenger with classic Mini motif. This shoulder bag with clever inner design and velcro-type fastening cuts an equally dashing figure in your day-to-day routine and on your travels. The Shout Wallet Simple Organizer and Shout Wallet Medium Organizer offer a secure hideaway for credit cards and notes, and have a separate zip pocket for coins.

The stock MINI out of the box has a remarkable stiff chassis. But, that’s not going to stop aftermarket accessory makers from trying to make an even more rigid car. That’s where M7 Tuning has worked their magic. Gabe previously reviewed the understrut system by M7 here on MF, and so this is my review of their rear chassis brace.

For you suspension geeks out there, I thought I should establish where I’m coming from on my 2006 R50. I have a Sport Suspension Plus set of springs and shocks from an early 2003 MCS (before the suspension was softened), front fixed camber plates and a SS+ rear sway bar. It’s stiff and a whole lot of fun. Turn-in is quick and I can induce a smidgen of oversteer either by lifting off the throttle and trail braking. No other FWD car I’ve driven is as responsive.

The rear suspension on the MINI is surprisingly sophisticated for a car of its size. The multi-link setup still sets the MINI apart from other cars in its class like the Nuova Fiat 500 (torsion spring rear axle) and the VW Polo (semi-independent). The problem is that there is no good place to brace the rear of the car in order to eliminate flex. But, thinking outside the box, M7′s solution is a brace which goes in between the two latches for the rear seats.

Unpacking the parts and pieces was a fairly standard procedure. Everything arrived in bubble wrap, nuts and bolts were packaged in a compartmentalized plastic baggie. M7 is even kind enough to include two allen wrenches to aid installation. Not included were a 10 mm wrench, a 13 mm socket and paper instructions.

The build quality of the parts was impressive. The most impressive piece was the top bar; a hollow black anodized aluminum bar with specially manufactured ends which bolt to the chassis. It’s too bad that this product likely won’t be seen by most passengers because it’s really nice. The engineering was to impressive, tight standards and everything fit together with very little tolerance. M7 says that this is ‘pre-tensioning’ and aids the overall effectiveness of the system. The side pieces attach to the bottom of the chassis, utilizing hooks normally used for strapping down cargo. One cross beam keeps these side bars stiff at the bottom.

Installation took me about 45 minutes at a careful pace. When it’s assembled it becomes even more apparent how much homework M7 did on this product. Although the top bar bolts on behind the rear seats, the RCB does not affect their operation one iota.

And so, I took to the streets. Driving up one of my favorite local roads immediately made the brace’s effect known to me. The rear end of the car feels like it’s one solid piece, and I could feel the vehicle rotate around me more in turns. It’s a subtle trait that doesn’t disrupt day-to-day driving and is only of use in more spirited driving situations.

My only qualm with the product is the fact that the shape the braces create is a rectangle, one of the least rigid geometric shapes. This is because it’s all too easy for a rectangle to be shifted into a parallelogram, diminishing the absorption of force from its corners. And given that M7 was likely trying to strike a compromise between functionality of the brace and cargo space, I can understand which shape they chose for the brace. However, there is a pretty good chunk of passthrough cargo space which is eaten up by the RCB even with this compromise. I would prefer to see the next iteration of this design consist of two bars crossing (creating an ‘x’) attached to the top brace for an even more hardcore level of chassis stiffening.

MotoringFile Rating: 4 (out of five)

Where to Buy: The M7 Rear Chassis Brace is available from M7 Tuning for $279 plus shipping. I tested the R50/53 version, but there is also a version available for the R56.

MINI USA is continuing to hype the attempted match-up with Porsche on June 21st at Road Atlanta. The latest effort is the idea of creating a limited edition set to commemorate the race. We’re told that MINI has yet to decide if they will have the collectors set and bringing them to market would likely depend on the race actually happening. But suffice to say the handful of pre-production sets already produced will be highly sought after if no more are made.

What do you think? Regardless of whether or not the race is run, would you be interested the set you see above?

It’s likely no surprise to anyone that MINI is looking to release an enormous amount of apparel and accessories for the Countryman. The first of that was shown to the public today for the first time in the form of the “MINI Getaway Package”. The set (seen above) includes the MINI Countryman Seats, two comfortable folding wooden chairs in characteristic MINI design. Look for a full range of accessories to be release closer to launch in September.

Official Release: We’ve all had one of those days when you’re out in the car, the sun shining, and your thoughts turn to finding a nice rural spot for an impromptu breather. If only you’d packed the right equipment for the job in hand. Luckily, MINI is pitching in to help out. The cult British brand has come up with a handy set of items for off-the-cuff mid-journey breaks – just in time for the market launch of the MINI Countryman. The clever MINI Countryman Getaway Package can be stowed away in the new crossover model’s dual-layer load compartment floor, which is separated from the regular storage space by a lid. This allows the travel set to be in place and ready for use at all times without making in-roads into interior space.

Their durable canvas surface comes in an easy Racing Check or stylised Union Jack look, both in dark grey against a black background. Roomy outside pockets can be attached to the sides of the Countryman Seats using press studs, while a carry bag makes the chairs easy to transport. The MINI Countryman Seats can also be converted into tables with the help of a wooden board. Now nothing can get in the way of a picnic in the great outdoors. And, as it happens, the convertible seats also do an excellent job inside. The MINI Countryman Seats are available as a set consisting of two chairs and a table top. Extra seats can be purchased individually should your random excursions grow in popularity.

An essential feature of the Getaway Package is the MINI Five-In-One Cover. This multifunctional cover in Chequered Flag design is a poncho, sleeping bag, awning, picnic blanket and bed cover in one, and makes the ideal accessory for those more extended stops during a journey. The loops and ties on the four corners help to make the most of the cover’s various functions, and the bag for the cover doubles up as a handy cushion.

The new MINI Countryman Boots, meanwhile, ensure that your feet stay dry on cross-country hikes. With their Union Jack/Rockstyle Print/Countryman design, the black unisex Wellington boots cut a seriously cool figure. The British flag also makes an appearance in the inside pattern of the boots.

The MINI Parka, a contemporary interpretation of the classic M51 Fishtail, also protects against the vagaries of the weather. The olive-green unisex hooded jacket embodies a stylish Mod look, complemented by a selection of neat patches which can be attached on the left sleeve using a Velcro-type fastener.

The Getaway Package also contains a change of shirt, should fresh togs be required. The limited-edition MINI Countryman Tee suits MINI down to the ground and adds a touch of fashionable chic with its funky gift packaging for him or her, catchy shade of lilac and print of the new MINI model.

Spur-of-the-moment picnic or brief saunter into the countryside, the MINI Countryman Getaway Package ensures you are ready for anything. The set will be available from the launch of the new MINI model in September 2010. Customers will be able to order the Getaway Package – as well as the other MINI Collection items – from the MINI Online Shop at www.MINI.de/shop and at selected MINI dealers.

Official Release: The John Cooper Works name has been inextricably linked with the legendary motorsport exploits of MINI for over 40 years now. The acclaimed British firm is synonymous with racing expertise and premium quality, and the spirit of John Cooper is also woven into the exquisite MINI Collection in the shape of textiles and accessories for him and her. This sporting product line sets out to “KEEP IT WILD” and transfer that racing feeling to the road. In so doing, the items in the range exude a cool vintage style, complete with logos and trim features which recall the distinctive British Racing Green colour shade. This authentic look will please both budding amateur mechanics and those with less of a fondness for grease and spanners.

The Men’s John Cooper Works T-Shirt ensures you make a fine impression both in the workshop and beyond with its stand-out “KEEP IT WILD” motif in easy-going distressed look.

Understated details like the green contrasting stripes on the collar and arm borders, and the embroidered JCW logo on the chest are signature features of the Men’s John Cooper Works Polo. This grey shirt with button-down neck and striking red trim under the collar is extremely comfortable and should be an essential feature of any wardrobe. The long-sleeved John Cooper Works Rugby Shirt with buttoned V-neck in understated green is just what you need for those cooler days in the MINI. The stylish men’s version grabs the attention with its red Racing Stripes on the lower left sleeve and black stitched JCW logo on the chest. The ladies’ shirt boasts a bold “KEEP IT WILD” print on the front, contrasting stripes on the left upper sleeve and embroidered JCW logo on the nape of the neck. The Unisex John Cooper Works Belt is a fitting addition to the vintage line. This practical worker-style accessory has two pockets attached to its reverse side which feature “KEEP IT WILD” artwork and offer a home-from-home for keys, credit cards and the like. The belt buckle provides secure support with its double-eye clasp.

Yes this may be a cheaper way to get bluetooth in your MINI (with a MINI logo involved), but we implore you, please don’t walk around with this thing in your ear.

Official Release: The driver of a BMW or MINI who wishes to always remain in touch also while travelling now has the choice of new Bluetooth headsets matched specifically to his car. These universal hands-free mobile phone communication systems are made up of a combined earplug/microphone unit and ensure smooth and reliable communication to the user’s mobile phone through a Bluetooth connection, without requiring any kind of cable or wiring.

This gives the driver of a car not equipped with an integrated telephone or a mobile phone preparation kit installed from the start at the factory the opportunity to drive safely and communicate conveniently at the same time.

The new headsets may be combined with all mobile phones able to interact with Bluetooth and are scheduled to join the wide range of Original BMW Accessories and Original MINI Accessories as of December 2009.

The new Bluetooth headsets from BMW and MINI combine sophisticated, brand-like design with innovative technology. The BMW headset comes in elegant white, the MINI headset is in classic black, both headsets proudly bearing the appropriate brand logo on the rhomboid-shaped ear element fitting quickly and easily also while driving on the driver’s ear and coming off again just as conveniently, naturally with just one hand.

Low weight of just 8 grams, the slender microphone arm and precisely-fitting earplugs in various sizes guarantee superior wearer comfort also during lengthy periods of use. The rechargeable battery integrated in the headsets allows maximum use of up to five hours and a stand-by time of up to 7 days. The headsets come complete with a charge adapter to be connected to the car’s power socket or, alternatively, to the cigar lighter.

Use of the headsets is largely intuitive through a button for the incoming call, end-of-call, and re-dial functions. A second button serves to control the level of volume, with speech and reception volume being adjusted automatically to surrounding conditions as a function of the noise level. A voice selection function allows direct access to the address directory in mobile phones supporting this function. In that case all the driver has to do is speak out the name of the person he wishes to call into the microphone on the headset in order to select the number desired. Via Bluetooth, the driver may even use the headset at the same time in combination with two mobile phones, switching spontaneously as he wishes from one mobile phone to another, depending on where a call is coming in.

After much customer inquires, MINI has introduced an official Bluetooth retrofit kit for the R55, R56, R57 produced after 03/07. The retrofit kit enables you to connect most bluetooth devices. Additionally the kit also includes a USB/audio interface. Here’s the full list of functionality:

Functions of the hands-free kit

• Voice output via the car’s loudspeakers
• Control via voice commands (only with multifunction steering wheel)
• Telephone book display and selection, top 8 list and last numbers called
• Wireless connection of the mobile phone to the car via Bluetooth
• Usage of the telephone’s own aerial
• Storage of the telephone in an storage tray or in a jacket pocket
• Up to four mobile phones can be connected

Functions of the USB/audio interface - Playback of MP3, WMA and WAV files - Access via playlists and search for music genre, artist, album or title - Track repeat, shuffle, fast forward/rewind - Connection via USB / audio socket - USB devices with a total of 20,000 tracks can be managed

Of course the benefit the OEM kit is the full integration within the display and sound output while retaining the full vehicle warranty. The downside is price at well over $700 msrp. You can see more in the official PDF below.

+ Official Bluetooth Retrofit kit / MINI USA PDF

Simon sent us this via the MF Inbox, concerning the internet radio feature.

Sharp eyed MF reader Jas brought this one to our attention. The original video is after the jump.

Look at this video, around the 0.28 second mark, it shows a yellow convertible, with a new NAV user interface? I have only ever seen a different looking one, like a list.

We had a feeling the nav system was going to be updated and would guess that these changes should start showing up in the 2010 model year cars. We will have full details when they are available.

Thanks for sending this in!

The JCW Tuning Kit. We’ve raved about it for two years as one of the better JCW accessories released. However until just recently it was a R56 only modification. We reported last spring that its release on the Clubman was and today we can officially tell you it is available at dealers throughout the US. Available for a few months in Europe and the UK, the kit features the same power and torque figures as the version on the R56. The kit takes the stock Clubman MCS from 175bhp to 192bhp. But more importantly it increases torque to as much as 200lbs-ft within the range from 1750 to 4500 rpm with the over-boost function. Additionally the ECU tuning sharpens the already fast throttle tip-in (with sport button on of course) to even higher levels.

The kit will be available on both manuals and automatics starting immediately. This also means that MINI USA now offers the tuning kit for all three variants (R55, R56 and R57) and in both manual and auto.

You can read our review of the JCW Tuning Kit (JCW Stage I as we’ve called it) as it pertains to the MINI R56 MCS here.

We’ve been wanting to get our hands on a Mini Do More trailer hitch for years but never had the right opportunity. Luckily we found someone who had not only bought and use the hitch. But also towed pretty much everything you could think of.. including a plane. Enjoy:

I ordered my Clubman (on January 24, 2008) with the “factory tow package” and was disappointed to find it deleted when I took delivery on 2/29/08. I was further disappointed when Mini of Peabody (MA) told me they wouldn’t install an after-market hitch (giving me some vague story that it wasn’t crash-tested with a tow hitch).

So I spent next 12 months on the waiting lists of MiniFini and Mini Do More while they perfected their Clubman hitches. Finally in January ’09, I ordered and installed Mini Do More’s Trailer Receiver Hitch & Tow Wiring Harness.

What I really like about their design is that it takes a standard 1-1/4″ draw bar (they offer their own in a special Mini storage bag). Also when the draw-bar is removed, the license plate covers the opening and leaves no trace (the license is mounted with bottom bolts in top holes when hitch in place).

The hitch and wiring harness appear to be high quality, came with very thorough directions, and needed only minimal tools to install.

The best news is how good a tow-car the Clubman has proven! I could not have been more pleased with my 3,000 mi trip to the Sun n’ Fun Splash-In towing my Air Creation Float Trike. At 70 mph on the highway, I barely felt it behind me. It has proved better than my Ford Escape (my previous car which I bought for it’s towing capacity). Clubman averaged 24 mpg towing my plane compared to 13.6 mpg last year with the Escape

The Mini Do More Clubman S Hitch has a 1,400 lb. capacity and 200 lb. max tongue weight. (My airplane, including the wing folded between the floats, and the boat trailer is approx. 800 lbs.)

I heartily recommend the Mini Do More hitch to all potential Mini haulers.

As well as having a huge influence on the international music scene, British bands like the Sex Pistols, The Clash and the Rolling Stones have also left their hallmark as style icons on the world of fashion. In a year when we are celebrating the 50th birthday of the brand, MINI presents an authentic lifestyle collection of fabrics and accessories showcasing essential “Brit chic” with Union Jack prints and rockstar badges.

Britishness at its best: the MINI Heritage Highlights.

MINI breathes new life into a fashion staple of the 1950s. The Duffle Coat has always provided a more subtle option to the leather jacket, making it extremely popular both in the music scene and beyond. The stylish MINI “his and hers” variants both have a hood, practical toggles and patch pockets, and make the perfect companion for chilly days. The ladies’ duffle comes in a classy grey, the men’s in classic anthracite. The latter also has a handy key chain fixed to the inner pocket. A blue-purple check pattern lends a colourful streak to the inner lining of the two coats: checks are back – and no mistake! Indeed, the Ladies’ Checkered Blouse and Men’s Checkered Shirt are the thing to be seen in right now. Boasting a blue-purple retro look, the checked twosome have breast pockets and sleeves that lend themselves to that cool rolled-up look. An elastic fitting on the back of the ladies’ blouse gives a sexy cut. Rounding off the collection are a wide range of shirts, polo shirts, long-sleeved tops, sweatshirts and hooded jackets, which make clever use of rockstar motifs, Union Jack prints, racing checks, badges and the used look.

MINI also offers a selection of accessories which can be combined with the outfits to excellent effect. The legendary British Wellington Boots provide a “rubber-stamped” guarantee of dry feet – and not only in the festival season. Union Jack badges and rock-style prints bring our shiny black MINI “wellies” bang up to date. The British flag also features in the inner pattern of the robust rubber boots. The black Badges Lapeer Hat, a winter number in traditional trapper style and with fake fur lining, will ensure your ears stay toasty warm when the weather turns cold. Three badges on the left-hand side of the hat underline its vintage character. The Rockstar Belt – made from high-quality leather and with a striking Union Jack metal buckle – represents a tribute to the MINI homeland. Meanwhile, the ladies’ Checkered Scarf in essential check design and the black Unisex Bandana with rockstar print are absolute must-haves and genuine fashion statements – not only when the going gets chilly.