Without a doubt, MINI has made a huge splash its first year back racing in rally racing. Team MINI was in the chase for several podiums and found themselves standing on more than one. A great car, great drivers and a great support team has made year one a season for the history books. Well the readers of Autosport agree, naming the Countryman WRC Rally Car of the Year. David Richards of Prodrive had this to say:

“This award caps what has been a truly memorable debut year for MINI in the World Rally Championship. We never anticipated that we would be fighting for podiums so soon, let alone leading WRC events, as we did in France. This award is a testament to the dedication of the whole team behind the project in Banbury and the commitment of BMW and MINI who have fully supported the programme.”

A huge congrats to Prodrive, the team, the drivers and MINI!

Source [RallyBuzz.com]

For the second year in a row, MINI has been ranked #1 in customer satisfaction for mass market brands. Sharing the #1 spot with Lexus in the luxury brand category. This isn’t about satisfaction with the cars themselves, but rather peoples’ satisfaction with the purchase experience at the dealership.

MINI ranks highest among mass market brands for a second consecutive year. Buick and GMC, respectively, follow MINI in the mass market segment rankings. The mass market brands with the greatest improvement from 2010 are Volkswagen (moving from 13th rank position to fourth), Scion (moving from 11th rank position to fifth) and Nissan (moving from 18th rank position to 12th).

The 2011 U.S. Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) Study is based on responses from 24,045 buyers who purchased or leased their new vehicle in May 2011. The study was fielded between August and October 2011.

So congrats to MINI, and here’s to taking good care of customers. Did you buy a MINI this year? How was your experience? Read the report in its entirety after the jump.

[Official Release] J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Customer Satisfaction with the New-Vehicle Sales Experience Improves Significantly from 2010, Despite Lengthier Sales Process

Lexus Ranks Highest among Luxury Brands; MINI Ranks Highest among Mass Market Brands for a Second Consecutive Year

The study is a comprehensive analysis of the new-vehicle purchase experience and measures customer satisfaction with the selling dealer (satisfaction among buyers). It also measures satisfaction with brands and dealerships that were shopped but ultimately rejected in favor of the selling brand and dealership (satisfaction among rejecters). Among buyers, satisfaction is examined across four measures (listed in order of importance): working out the deal (17%); salesperson (13%); delivery process (11%); and dealership facility (10%). Among rejecters, satisfaction is examined across five measures (listed in order of importance): salesperson (20%); fairness of price (12%); facility (6%); inventory (6%); and experience negotiating (5%).

Overall sales satisfaction averages 648 on a 1,000-point scale in 2011, improving by 13 points from an average of 635 from 2010. This gain suggests that, as market conditions improve, automotive manufacturers and dealers are placing renewed focus on and investment in providing buyers with satisfying retail experiences.

All measures improve notably from 2010, with the greatest gain in the delivery process, despite the fact that the average length of time to complete the delivery portion of a new-vehicle sale has increased by four minutes to an average of 32 minutes in 2011, from an average of 28 minutes in 2010. Overall, the average length of time a buyer spends at the dealership has increased by 11 minutes, to an average of 4.3 hours in 2011 from 4.1 hours in 2010.

A primary reason for the lengthened delivery process is the increasing proportion of buyers who are receiving more in-depth demonstrations of technology in their new vehicle (including audio, entertainment, navigation and communications systems). Approximately 88 percent of buyers in 2011 say they received a technology demonstration at vehicle delivery.

“Although technology demonstrations add time to the delivery process, those explanations substantially improve satisfaction, as well as customer loyalty and advocacy,” said Jim Gaz, director of automotive research at J.D. Power and Associates. “It would intuitively seem that buyers are most satisfied when the sales process is completed in the shortest amount of time possible. However, buyers actually appreciate it when sales staff spends additional time with them, as long as that time provides them with added value.”

According to Gaz, an increasing proliferation of technology demonstrations may also help improve perceptions of new-vehicle quality. The J.D. Power and Associates U.S. Initial Quality Study(SM) (IQS) has found that rates of owner-reported problem incidence with audio/entertainment/navigation technology systems have increased steadily between 2009 and 2011. Some of these perceived problems may stem from users not understanding how to operate features, so technology demos provided by sales staff can be a powerful tool in lowering problem rates and improving satisfaction with vehicle design.

Lexus ranks highest among luxury brands in satisfaction with the new-vehicle buying experience. Cadillac and Mercedes-Benz follow in the luxury-brand segment rankings. The luxury brands with the greatest improvement from 2010 are Lincoln (moving from ninth rank position to sixth) and Audi (moving from 11th rank position to ninth).

MINI ranks highest among mass market brands for a second consecutive year. Buick and GMC, respectively, follow MINI in the mass market segment rankings. The mass market brands with the greatest improvement from 2010 are Volkswagen (moving from 13th rank position to fourth), Scion (moving from 11th rank position to fifth) and Nissan (moving from 18th rank position to 12th).

The 2011 U.S. Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) Study is based on responses from 24,045 buyers who purchased or leased their new vehicle in May 2011. The study was fielded between August and October 2011.

Luxury Brands Sales Satisfaction Index

Lexus 715 5

Cadillac 713 5

Mercedes-Benz 701 4

Porsche 696 4

Land Rover 690 3

Luxury Segment Average 688 3

Lincoln 681 3

BMW 677 2

Infiniti 676 2

Audi 675 2

Acura 673 2

Volvo 666 2

Included in the study but not ranked due to small sample size are Jaguar and SAAB.

Mass Market Brands Sales Satisfaction Index

MINI 723 5

Buick 682 4

GMC 672 4

Volkswagen 660 4

Chevrolet 655 4

Scion 655 4

Subaru 655 4

Mazda 653 3

Chrysler 647 3

Ford 645 3

Toyota 643 3

Mass Market Segment Average 642 3

Honda 636 3

Nissan 636 3

Mitsubishi 630 3

Hyundai 629 3

Dodge 622 3

Kia 614 2

Ram 609 2

Jeep 606 2

NOTE: Suzuki is included in the study but not ranked due to small sample size.

Power Circle Ratings Legend:
5 – Among the best
4 – Better than most
3 – About average
2 – The rest

The latest version of MINI’s turbocharged Prince engine features variable valve timing, direct injection and a tall torque plateau that starts early and pulls the Cooper S forward with plenty of gusto. It even does heavier duty under the bonnet of the Countryman. The 2011 model year upgrades to the Prince engine brought adjustments to the power band and solved nagging issues some owners found with their R56s. So it’s little surprise that Wards has named the updated Prince to its Top Ten list of Engines for 2011.

Another new engine on this year’s list is the 1.6L turbocharged direct-injection I-4 that packs a mighty punch in the MINI Cooper S. With a specific output of 113 hp/L, this package quickly rose to the top of a crowded field of new small-displacement 4-cyl. engines in this year’s competition.

The latest “Prince” engine in the Cooper S is assembled for BMW by PSA Peugeot Citroen in Douvrin, France, and integrates BMW’s excellent Valvetronic fully variable valve timing system, which enhances power and fuel efficiency. Driven hard, this prince of an engine still musters better than 34 mpg (6.9 L/100 km) during our test drive.

The full list is as follows:

• 3.0L TFSI Supercharged DOHC V-6 (Audi S4)
• 3.0L N55 Turbocharged DOHC I-6 (BMW 335i)
• 1.6L Turbocharged DOHC I-4 (Mini Cooper S)
• 3.6L Pentastar DOHC V-6 (Dodge Avenger)
• 5.0L DOHC V-8 (Ford Mustang GT)
• 1.4L DOHC I-4/111kW Drive Motor (Chevrolet Volt)
• 5.0L Tau DOHC V-8 (Hyundai Genesis)
• 80kW AC Synchronous Electric Motor (Nissan Leaf)
• 2.0L DOHC I-4 Turbodiesel (Volkswagen Jetta TDI)
• 3.0L Turbocharged DOHC I-6 (Volvo S60)

Beyond their list of honored engines, Wards went a step deeper in this article looking into the history and technology behind the current powerplant:

The ’06 model year brought a new all-aluminum 1.6L “Prince” I-4, jointly developed with PSA Peugeot Citroen, built in Hams Hall, U.K., and featuring BMW’s Valvetronic variable-valve-lift technology.

It bumped base power to 118 hp and torque to 114 lb.-ft. (155 Nm) with 26/34 mpg (9-6.9 L/100 km) ratings, while its turbocharged (not supercharged) direct-injected variant (without Valvetronic) pumped out a healthy 172 ponies and 177 lb.-ft. (240 Nm), with a temporary overboost feature good for 192 lb.-ft. (260 Nm). Fuel economy for the manual version was 25/32 mpg (9.4-7.4 L/100 km).

For ’11, BMW upped output again by adding direct injection and double VANOS (variable valve timing) to the naturally aspirated 4-cyl., plus Valvetronic and a new twin-scroll turbocharger to the S version.

That gives base-engine drivers 121 hp and 114 lb.-ft. (155 Nm) of torque and moves S owners up to 181 hp and 177 lb.-ft. (240 Nm), with the same 192 lb.-ft. (260-Nm) overboost feature. Manual-transmission coupe ratings now are 29/37 mpg (8.1-6.4 L/100 km) and 27/35 mpg (8.7-6.7 L/100 km), respectively.

The latest twin-scroll Cooper S 4-cyl. turbo earns BMW a second 2011 Ward’s 10 Best Engines Award (along with BMW’s 3.0L N55 turbocharged I-6). After averaging 34/35 mpg (6.9-6.7 L/100 km) in an ’11 Cooper S, “while beating it hard,” Ward’s editors exclaimed that it combines “stunning performance and superb fuel economy.”

We’ve said it before, but it’s good to hear it from other sources. The MINI hits a sweet spot in performance and economy that the competition has trouble matching, and that’s no small engineering accomplishment. The rest of the article is an interesting read if you’re not familiar with the history or motivation behind why MINI has gone the direction they’ve gone with these engines. But what might be most interesting is something MINI USA Product Planning Manager, Vinnie Kung, had to say about the future of MINI engines:

“Everyone has heard that we’re looking at different cylinder counts and different technologies,” Kung says. “It will be a process of optimization of everything we already have — if we can take Valvetronic to the next level, and lubrication systems and accessory drives, and electrify things such as power steering.

“I think in the next three years, when we introduce the next-generation MINI, you will see those technologies. And I would not be surprised to see another 20% improvement in fuel economy.”

A twenty percent increase in fuel economy at the same (or better) power range would be an amazing achievement of engineering. Given how far the MINI engine has come so far, I wouldn’t put it past the fine folks of Frankfurt. Cheers, Vinnie!

Official Release: Driving pleasure, premium quality and reliability guarantee the latest models from the BMW and MINI brands the highest acclaim in international automobile markets. That has been confirmed yet again in a recent study conducted by international market research firm J.D. Power. In its latest customer survey – the Automotive Performance and Layout Study (APEAL) – assessing satisfaction levels among North American new car buyers, the BMW 5 Series range, BMW X3, BMW Z4 and MINI Countryman emerged as winners of their respective vehicle segments. In addition, four more models from the BMW Group finished in the top three of their category. This tally means the BMW Group boasts the highest number of segment winners of all manufacturers in the latest APEAL survey.

Such excellent individual scores also boosted the overall rankings of the BMW and MINI brands, with BMW coming third in the latest survey. As well as the class-winners – the BMW 5 Series range, BMW X3 and BMW Z4 – the outstanding results of the BMW 7 Series range also contributed to this outcome. The luxury saloon not only came second in its segment but also claimed the second-highest individual score of all the vehicles involved in the APEAL survey, making it the top European model in the entire competition. The BMW 3 Series range and the BMW X6 also finished as runners-up in their respective segments.

The MINI brand likewise bumped up its overall results compared to the previous year. The main driving force here was the new MINI Countryman, which instantly took top honours in its vehicle class. The MINI Cooper also made it onto the winners’ podium, finishing second in its segment.

J.D. Power and Associates ranks among the world’s leading market research firms. Through its numerous surveys, the renowned institute regularly evaluates satisfaction levels among vehicle buyers in the main international car markets. The results of the latest APEAL study for North America are based on a customer survey carried out by J.D. Power on average three months after initial vehicle registration.

Moving up from last year’s fifth place finish, MINI sits atop the J.D. Power and Associates’ 2011 Customer Service Index Study in the category of dealer service in the mass market segment. Lexus topped the Luxury category with MINI parent company BMW down in seventh place. The study covers the first three years of ownership, measuring owner satisfaction regarding visits to dealers for service, maintenance and repair work. The survey covers five main areas: quality of work done, ease in getting appointments, the performance of the service adviser, the facilities themselves, and the experience of receiving your vehicle again. Congrats to MINI for coming out on top. Full table of results after the break.

J.D. Power 2011 U.S. Customer Service Index (CSI) study
Customer service index ranking for mass market brands			Customer service index ranking for luxury brands
MINI	805		Lexus	846
GMC	803		Jaguar	837
Buick	799		Cadillac	830
Chevrolet	792		Acura	828
Kia	784		Average	819
Hyundai	783		Lincoln	817
smart	783		BMW	814
Volkswagen	779		Porsche	814
Ford	773		Mercedes-Benz	810
Honda	765		Infiniti	801
Average	758		Audi	794
Mitsubishi	754		Volvo	788
Mazda	750		Land Rover	785
Chrysler	749
Subaru	744
Dodge	743
Scion	737
Toyota	735
Ram	733
Nissan	731
Jeep	728
Suzuki	724

Now I’m sure lots of folks have had some sort of negative experience at their MINI dealership. I know I have, but if these results demonstrate anything, it’s that the good experiences so often outweigh the bad ones. That’s definitely been my experience with the two MINI dealers I’ve dealt with in owning my R53. Yet when the service is perfect, we’re often much less likely to be vocal about it. Does your local MINI dealer go above and beyond? Tell us your satisfaction story in the comments.

Big thanks to Matt for sending this in.

[Source: Autonews.com]

Let’s be honest. The back seat in the MINI is a bit diminutive. However, that didn’t stop members of the Pilobolus Dance Company from cramming a world record-breaking 26 people into a standard MINI Cooper. That’s with doors shut and the roof closed, people. It’s quite a feat of human acrobatics. They don’t even fold the rear seats down. You can watch the video here and remember, the safety word is “pineapple.” (Video after the break)

German automotive publication Automobilewoche, a sub-publication of Automotive News, has named the MINI “Car of the Decade.” Our german is a little rough, but what we’re able to glean out is that while Ford’s Fiesta and VW’s Golf family of cars outsold the MINI from 2000-2010, the MINI deserves the honor because it’s been a game changer. More specifically, the MINI has created an entire car segment that previously didn’t exist: The Premium Small Car. Big congrats to MINI and a big thanks to Gert H. for sending us the news.

Auto Industry analysts Ward’s has announced their Top Ten engine winners for this year and among the results are two power plants from BMW Group. First, a 3.0L Turbo straight six from BMW, then the newly revamped inline four from the MINI Cooper S. It’s a diverse list of winners, which includes motors from both the Chevy Volt and the Nissan Leaf. Each winner was chosen not just for its technological advancement, but for the stand-out performance they offered the vehicles they propel.

“We have something for everybody on this year’s Ward’s 10 Best Engines list,” says Drew Winter, editor-in-chief of Ward’s AutoWorld magazine. “It’s the most diverse mix we’ve ever had, as well as the most technologically advanced.”

You can see the full list, plus commentary from Ward’s on the winners here.

More awards news from the LA Auto Show. ALG (The Automotive Lease Guide) has named the all new 2011 MINI Countryman the winner of thier 2011 Residual Value Award as Best Sporty Car. What this means is that ALG predicts the 2011 Countryman will retain the highest value percentage of its MSRP of any car in its class after three years. From the ALG website:

Recognizing that residual values are a widely used measure of brand health and vehicle quality, ALG honors those vehicles in each segment predicted to retain the highest percentage of their MSRP after a three year period. The annual awards are derived after careful study of segment competition, sales strategy, resale performance, and industry residual values. ALG also includes Industry Brand Residual Value Awards, bestowed on the brands with the highest predicted resale values among all mainstream and luxury vehicles.

This makes for the sixth time MINI as a brand has received a best in class award from ALG for predicted residual value. Raj Sundaram, SVP, Solutions Group and ALG, had this to say about the Countryman specifically:

“The 4-door Countryman combines the brand’s trademark superior handling with more passenger and luggage space and optional all-wheel drive for a ride that offers more utility than any other MINI Cooper. With a unique distribution strategy and strict supply management, MINI maintains some of the best residuals in the business.”

With the Countryman likely to be a significant sales success in the US market, higher residual value will work to sweeten the deal for anyone who purchases one, and likely help further cement MINI’s reputation as a premium car company. Congratulations to everyone at MINI!

File this one under “new news that’s old news.” Automotive consumer price index Kelly Blue Book has named the 2011 MINI Cooper range the best resale value in the compact car segment during the LA Auto Show this week. This makes nine straight years that the MINI has taken top honors at KBB.com’s Best Resale Value Awards. KBB.com’s Executive Market Analyst, James Bell, had this to say:

“Consumers should take a good look at the projected resale value of a car when choosing their next new-vehicle purchase, and they would be wise to carefully consider the 2011 Best Resale Value Award winning vehicles and brands on this year’s list. Vehicle depreciation is a new car buyer’s biggest expense. Taking the time to research and choose vehicle makes, models and options wisely now can help new-car shoppers hold value down the road when they go to sell or trade-in the vehicle.”

Congrats to MINI for another year atop the value podium!

Official release: Success in four out of eight capacity classes put the BMW Group in a dominating position at the “International Engine of the Year Awards” this year. Among the award-winning power units at the world’s most renowned engine competition were both petrol and diesel engines with four, six and eight cylinders. The victorious quartet consisted of the V8 engine of the BMW M3, the in-line 6-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo, direct injection and VALVETRONIC used in such vehicles as the BMW 1 Series, BMW 3 Series and BMW 5 Series, the 4-cylinder diesel engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo from the BMW X1 xDrive 23d and the BMW 123d, and the 4-cylinder Twin Scroll turbo engine of the MINI Cooper S.

The wide range of winning engines is further evidence of the outstanding expertise of the BMW Group in the area of engine development. It enables engines of great power yet also exemplary efficiency to be offered across all series and output classes. The “Engine of the Year” awards were conferred by an international jury made up of 76 engine journalists from 35 countries. The award ceremony was held at the “Engine Expo” trade fair in Stuttgart.

The “Engine of the Year” awards have been in existence since 1999. Since then over 50 class and overall victories have fallen to engines developed for automobiles of the brands BMW and MINI. Among the serial production winners in this competition were the 1.6 litre 4-cylinder engine from the MINI Cooper S, achieving its fourth and last victory this year. Next year it will be the turn of the recently presented successor engine in the 1.4 – 1.8 litre capacity class. In addition to the Twin Scroll technology and petrol direct injection of its award-winning predecessor, this engine also has variable valve control and an output of 135 kw/184 bhp, as well as being the world’s most efficient engine in its capacity class.

The first victory in the category of 1.8 – 2 litre engines went to the most powerful 4-cylinder diesel engine in the BMW range. The 2.0 litre fully aluminium direct injection power unit with BMW TwinPower Turbo and common rail direct injection has an output of 150 kW/204 bhp and impressed jury members both with its pulling power and its outstanding efficiency. The experts commented that in view of the qualities of this engine, it appeared doubtful as to whether diesel engines will get any better at all in future.

There was an internal BMW changeover in the class of 2.5 – 3 litre engines. The new winner in this category is the 3.0 litre in-line 6-cylinder engine with an output of 225kW/306 bhp with BMW TwinPower Turbo, petrol direct injection and VALVETRONIC. It thus replaces the predecessor engine of identical output which secured the overall “Engine of the Year” award in 2007 and 2008, as well as finishing first in its capacity class last year. Yet further proof of the dominance of BMW engines in this capacity class is provided by a glance at the ranking table. Second to the new title winner and a long way ahead of the competition is the new 3.0 litre in-line 6-cylinder diesel engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo and common rail direct injection.

The V8 engine of the BMW M3 won its third award in succession in the capacity class between 3.0 and 4.0 litres. The 309kW/420 bhp 4.0 litre engine used in the high-performance sports cars BMW M3 Coupé, BMW M3 Sedan and BMW M3 Convertible fascinated the jury yet again with its outstanding propulsive force resulting from the high-revving concept which is characteristic of this power unit. In addition to brilliant performance qualities, the experts also noted the impressive efficiency of the high-performance engine, which in the BMW M3 is combined with an Auto Start/Stop function, brake energy regeneration and other BMW EfficientDynamics measures.

MINI & BMW are celebrating two victories in reliability. Europe’s largest automotive club has named the MINI, the X3 (made in the same factory the Countryman it about to be produced in) and the X5 as the most reliable in class.

Official Release: With two class victories and top marks for a host of other models, BMW and MINI have again performed excellently in the ADAC breakdown statistics. In the ranking list produced by Europe’s largest automobile club MINI emerged as the most reliable small car to take top spot in its class. Meanwhile, the BMW X3 and BMW X5 secured first and second places in the off-roader class. The two Sports Activity Vehicles suffered the fewest breakdowns due to technical problems in their segment, regardless of registration date. The BMW 1 Series, BMW 3 Series and BMW 5 Series range also earned top marks for an extremely low breakdown rate, putting them among the star performers in their respective segments in terms of reliability. The latest ADAC breakdown statistics include all models achieving more than 10,000 registrations in Germany in 2009.

The most comprehensive and representative reliability analysis covering all cars sold in Germany has again confirmed the high quality and reliability of BMW and MINI models. The latest statistics are based on analysis of over two million call-outs handled by the ADAC road patrol staff – popularly known as “yellow angels” – in 2009. In all the vehicle categories, BMW and MINI models are among the vehicles providing the least work for the “yellow angels”. Regardless of the vehicle segment, the probability of suffering a breakdown in a BMW or MINI is exceptionally small – proof that the high quality standards of the BMW Group apply across all its model series.

The ADAC calculate what they refer to as breakdown ratios to compile the ranking lists in the various vehicle classes. These figures are calculated using the breakdown frequency and registration figures of each model over the last six registration years. This list shows that BMW Group vehicles are among the most reliable in their categories, not only when newly registered, but also – thanks to an enduring level of premium quality – over later years. For example, MINI models registered between 2005 and 2009 are given the top mark “very good” (denoting extremely infrequent breakdown). The BMW 1 Series, BMW 3 Series and BMW 5 Series also stand out with their consistent level of reliability. All the model series achieve the top marks for cars registered between 2006 and 2009. The BMW X3 and BMW X5 – which have been included in the statistics since 2004 and 2007 respectively – have also been awarded the top rating “very good” without exception. These positive ratings enable the BMW Group to build on its outstanding showing in the ADAC breakdown statistics from earlier years, as well as in other studies carried out into the reliability and quality of cars. Their success has come as the result of a rigorous application of extremely high quality standards. The company’s premium claim spans the entire product creation process and includes vehicle development and material selection, as well as manufacturing processes across the BMW Group’s global production network. This gives customers the peace of mind that, by purchasing a BMW or MINI they will be able to enjoy not only exceptional driving pleasure, but also unbeatable quality and reliability.

Official Release: For the third year in a row, MINI is honored to be named as one of the Top 10 Green Cars for 2010 by Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com. The MINI Cooper has been named to the list every year since its inception in 2008, a nod to the brand’s commitment to being environmentally friendly.

“MINI drives support a sustainable economy – they take the resources they need and leave some for the next generation,” said Jim McDowell, Vice President, MINI USA. “The original Mini was born during an oil crisis, and we work to remain true to the original MINI brand values in every vehicle we build today. We are honored to be named by kbb.com as a 2010 Top 10 Green Car, and are grateful for their recognition of our commitment to the environment.”

According to kbb.com, in being considered for the green Top 10, each vehicle was required to offer fuel economy and CO2 emissions superior to the bulk of vehicles in its class, and at the same time provide all the safety, creature comforts and driving enjoyment that would make it pleasant to own. In talking about the MINI Cooper being named to the list, the kbb.com editors said, “The famously responsive and eager little MINI Cooper is roomier and more livable than many imagine, and just as fun as anyone could expect. The fact that it also delivers impeccable fuel economy is simply the cherry on top of one of our favorite automotive sundaes.”

MINI, along with BMW Group as a whole, is committed to minimizing the automotive industry’s effect on the environment. This overall effort by MINI, known as MINIMALISM, can be witnessed in everything from current vehicle and engine designs, to manufacturing processes and active research about alternative energy. MINI vehicles achieve a fuel economy rating of up to 37 mpg (highway) while delivering a fun driving experience with sporty engine performance and responsive, go-kart handling. As the brand grows, the promise of combined fuel efficiency and driving fun will remain. In fact, MINI’s newest vehicle, the MINI Countryman, will be available to US customers in February 2011 and is expected to offer the best fuel economy in its segment. For more information about the 2010 Top 10 Green Cars from Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com, visit www.kbb.com/GreenCars2010.

“Our existing customers are a top priority for this company, and owner loyalty has been fundamental to MINI’s success here in the U.S.,” said Jim McDowell, Vice President of MINI USA. “We are very pleased to accept the Polk Automotive Loyalty Award, and are grateful to our customers for their enthusiasm and commitment to the MINI brand. Our goal for the coming years will be to steadily increase owner loyalty rates by continuing to ensure a high-quality motoring experience.”

2009 is the first model year a MINI brand vehicle has earned the prestigious award. According to R. L. Polk & Co., the 2009 MINI Cooper achieved a loyalty rate of nearly 29 percent.

“We congratulate MINI on winning its first Polk Automotive Loyalty Award,” said Stephen Polk, chairman, president and CEO of Polk. “The MINI Cooper’s award in the compact car segment demonstrates the MINI brand’s commitment to creating and maintaining loyal customers.”

JD Power has released their latest initial quality survey and the MINI came in (drum roll) dead last. The survey asks owners about mechanical and design problems they experience in the first 90 days of ownership.

It’s a bit of a shock to us considering the perceived increasing quality we had seen in other surveys. Jim McDowell was on CNBC this morning talking both about the expanded dealership offerings as well as MINI’s very low initial quality.

Official Release: Scoring outstanding wins in the three categories of the International Engine of the Year Award, the BMW Group once again highlights its top position this year as a manufacturer of particularly powerful and, at the same time, efficient engines. In the world’s most significant engine contest, the V8 power unit featured in the BMW M3, the straight-six with Twin Turbo Technology to be admired, among other models, in the BMW 3 Series, the BMW 1 Series and the BMW X6, as well as the four-cylinder twin-scroll turbocharged engine in the MINI Cooper S, have all scored triumphant victories in their respective classes.

The Awards were presented on 17 June 2009 at the Engine Expo in Stuttgart.

This triple victory continues the BMW Group’s story of success in the International Engine of the Year Award. In this contest held since 1999 BMW engines have brought home overall victory no less than six times, including the four last years in a row. This year’s three winners once again thrilled the jury through their fascinating development of power as well as their up-to-date efficiency. This combination of such superior virtues is the result of the BMW EfficientDynamics development strategy characterising both the eight cylinder from BMW M GmbH, the straight-six from BMW, and the MINI four-cylinder.

In the engine category between 3.0 and 4.0 litres the V8 power unit featured in the BMW M3 successfully defended the title it had already won last year. Indeed, this 309 kW/420 hp 4.0-litre makes a substantial contribution to the success of BMW’s high-performance sports car in the market, now available in the guise of the BMW M3 Coupé, the BMW M3 Saloon, and the BMW M3 Convertible.

The 3.0-litre 225 kW/306 hp six-cylinder with Twin Turbo and High Precision Injection, in turn, this year dominates the engine category between 2.5 and 3.0 litres for the third time in a row.

Continuity has also been the name of the game in the engine category between 1.4 and 1.8 litres ever since the year 2007, with the 1.6-litre four-cylinder power unit in the MINI Cooper S with its twin-scroll turbocharger, direct gasoline injection and maximum output of 128 kW/175 hp still setting the standard.

The decisions on the International Engine of the Year Award are taken by an international jury made up of renowned motoring journalists. This year the team of no less than 65 experts came from 32 countries, awarding prizes in eight engine classes based on size and in three special categories, as well as the special award for the overall winner.

In the eleven contests held so far since 1999, the BMW Group has already brought home more than 40 trophies. This ongoing success in the world’s most significant engine contest is impressive proof of the BMW Group’s unique competence the world over in the area of powertrain development.

Sure the MINI made the list.

The Mini Cooper line has been a favorite with the automotive media since its introduction in 2002. The latest iteration sallies forth as a wonderful mix of performance and fuel efficiency, particularly the S variant with its 172 horsepower four-banger that achieves 26 miles per gallon in the city and 34 on the highway.

Other cars in the list include the BMW 1 Series, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo, The Audi R8 and Dodge Sprinter. Yes, that Dodge Sprinter.

The MINI is also featured in their Top 10 most fuel effecient cars, coming in at number 9.

Winding Road is a free online car magazine. You can read it on the website or download it to your computer to read any time. Well written, great photos and easy to use. It’s no wonder it always makes the Motoringfile Gift Guide. Well worth checking out and subscribing.

+Winding Road, Issue 41

But there are some good deals out there in this recession; cars that are worth the price and will hold their value. And in spite of our exasperation, we don’t advise buyers to to ignore the American brands. Our outlook is more nuanced than that, although unfortunately for the Wee Three’s sake, it’s still not the story they want to read. Here’s the breakdown, and the logic behind it.

There are a few cars that actually made the list like the Honda CR-V and BMW 328i. Oh yea, and the MINI.

The Mini makes this list because it gets very good fuel economy (28/37), has a huge following (Mini dealers have pretty much failed to create a sustainable certified-used program because Mini owners are so reluctant to sell their cars), and Kelley Blue Book rates the residual value of the Mini the highest on its list for the past five years.

[ Recession Proof Cars ] finance.yahoo.com

It would appear that the MINI E wasn’t a favorite either.

This is like digging into a luscious Thanksgiving bird to discover it’s stuffed with floor sweepings and sawdust. The electric Mini is, in fact, a crude and rude retrofit of the existing British bumblebee, with a 28-kWh battery lump stuffed into the space where the back seat used to be.

Have a great Thanksgiving everyone! And thanks to all of you that sent this one in.

[ MINI E Concept ] LAtimes.com

MINI Release: The MINI Cooper family of products has been awarded top honors in the compact car category of the 2009 Best Resale Value Awards presented by Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com, a leading provider of new- and used-vehicle information. Additionally, the MINI Cooper has been named to the Top 10 models list, which recognizes best resale values across all vehicle segments.

These latest honors from Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com mark the sixth year in a row that the MINI Cooper has won in either the compact car, hatchback or convertible categories, and also the sixth time it has earned a spot in the overall list of Top 10 models.

“Primarily, people are attracted to MINI on a very emotional level – for go-kart-like handling, iconic design and nearly endless opportunities for personalization,” said Jim McDowell, Vice President of MINI USA. “However, in these uncertain economic times it is reassuring to MINI owners to know that their cars also represent a sound financial choice, delivering fuel economy up to 37 miles per gallon and retaining value during ownership.”

“We are excited to have the MINI Cooper models recognized by Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com again this year for leadership in resale value,” McDowell said.

Kelley Blue Book established its Best Resale Value Awards in 2003 to complement the company’s Residual Value Guide. Kelley Blue Book derives its resale value projections from current vehicle data, sales data, market conditions for each vehicle, competition within vehicle segments, expectations of the future economy and the combined experience of Kelley Blue Book’s team of market and pricing analysts. Values reflect projected wholesale pricing for clean, reconditioned vehicles at the end of a five-year lease or ownership period.

“The MINI Cooper has been nothing less than a true phenomenon since its entry into the U.S. marketplace,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com. “The fact that the car is again a winner in resale value just reinforces that notion, and its excellent resale value record is just one of its many strong suits. Being a blast to drive and inexpensive to own is a nice recipe for success, and that describes MINI to a T.”