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Section: MINI Competitors

Fiat Officially Approves 500 for the US Market

MotoringFile Sections: MINI Competitors Jun 29th, 2009 42 Comments

Yet more MINI competition… this time specific to the US market. Fiat has officially approved four variants of the 500 to be built in Mexico and release starting in 2011. Reportedly we should expect the standard hatchback in both standard and Abarth trim, newly released convertible and a wagon variant. While it may not quite live up to the MINI’s dynamic abilities, there’s little question that the little Fiat has plenty of charm and potentially even an edge on the cute factor – seemingly important in the US market these days.

For those of our readers in the US, would this tempt you out of a MINI? Or for those readers elsewhere, has the 500 already tempted you?

+ REPORT: Four versions of Fiat 500 in the U.S. by 2011 / Autoblog (via Automotive News)

Aston Martin’s New MINI Competitor

MotoringFile Sections: MINI Competitors Jun 29th, 2009 25 Comments

In a shocking move Aston Martin has revealed that they are partnering with Toyota to produce an Aston version of the iQ micro car. The car will retail for around £20,000 (likely over $30,000 if it comes to the US) and will retain all the mechanicals and technical layout (including the unique 3+1 seating arrangement) of the iQ. It’s worth noting that Toyota plans to introduce the iQ in the US as a Scion in the next year.

The iQ has been praised for it’s engineering and efficiency but its driving dynamics leave a lot to be desired. It’s an interesting move to say the least – especially considering what the Aston Martin brand stands for in the world of luxury automakers. Full press release after the jump… continued →

MINI Magnetic Badges

Are VW’s Diesel Sales in the US Making MINI Re-Think Their Diesel Plans?

MotoringFile Sections: Diesel, Efficiency, MINI Competitors Jun 5th, 2009 26 Comments

Cooper D

We know that MINI USA is very interested in getting diesels in the US market. The roadblock has always been cost. Now that roadblock may be slowly eroding away. Recently we reported that MINI’s US diesel plans are back on the table. Based on sources this is due to several reasons. For one the lowering cost of diesel fuel has helped tremendously. Secondly the sharing of BMW’s 2.0L diesel engine (currently powering the 1 and 3 series outside the US) that is destined for the updated R55 and R56 platform could help the cause as well. If BMW federalizes the engine for use in 1 and 3 series in the US (not that unlikely since the passing of the EPA’s new efficiency mandate), MINI’s costs for using the power-plant go down considerably.

Now comes potentially another reason for MINI USA to push the diesel option. VW is reporting that over 36% of all Jetta (Bora outside the US) sales in May were diesel. That’s almost 4,000 diesel cars sold in one month alone. Not impressive in Europe but quite eye-opening for the US market. continued →

Ask MF: If MINI Didn’t Exist, What Would You Drive?

MotoringFile Sections: Ask MotoringFile, MINI Competitors Jun 5th, 2009 93 Comments

E1

Let’s say the unthinkable happened in 2000 and BMW scrapped plans to launch the new MINI during the infamous “Night of the Long Knives“. What would you be driving? How would it have differed from the MINI?

Sound off below…

Out Motoring

Ask MF: MINI’s Biggest Rival?

MotoringFile Sections: MINI Competitors May 6th, 2009 54 Comments

fiat500_opt

What would you call MINI’s biggest rival? We’ve been asked this question by readers and MINI themselves. And while we have our own opinions, we want to hear yours. Obviously in the US potential rivals are a little more slim than rivals available in the UK, Europe etc but clearly there are other cars people consider as they walk into a MINI dealership.

Sound off in the comment section below.

$2,000 Tata Nano Goes On Sale

MotoringFile Sections: Efficiency, MINI Competitors Mar 27th, 2009 24 Comments

tata-nano-standard

A car we have been hearing about for quite a while now, mostly because of it’s very low price, is finally almost available.

But six years after the project was conceived, Ratan Tata, chairman of the Tata Group, announced on Mar. 23 that the world’s cheapest car would soon be available in one of the world’s fastest-growing car markets. Tata Motors, which is 37% owned by Tata Group, plans to begin a lottery to pick 100,000 people who will be eligible to buy the first Nano cars that roll off the production line. “We have made a promise and we have kept that promise,” Tata told journalists in Mumbai.

Only 50,000 will be produced this year with hopes of increasing production to 350,000 in 3 years.

As a MINI owner, would you ever think of owning one?

[ At Last, Tata Motors' $2,000 Nano ] BusinessWeek.com

Minspeed.net

Fiat 500 to Launch in the US for 2010?

MotoringFile Sections: MINI Competitors Jan 23rd, 2009 50 Comments

It was inevitable. The Fiat 500 is likely coming to the US via a Chrysler dealer near you. While the 2010 year was mentioned more than once from Fiat themselves over the last year, it would now seem that that timeframe is actually doable based on the Fiat/Chrysler merger announced just days ago. continued →

JCW Clubman vs. Everything Else

MotoringFile Sections: JCW, MINI Competitors, R55 (Clubman) Dec 4th, 2008 60 Comments

Car and Driver recently did another one of their comparisons. This time they put 7 cars together to try to come up with a good dollar-to-performance figure. The MINI of choice for this particular shoot-out was one of the most expensive MINIs you can buy, the JCW Clubman.

The seats (cloth, at this price) lack support, and the view out the back is partly obscured by the French doors. The rear area seats two, and only two, in relative comfort, but not before both must insert themselves awkwardly through the half-door on the passenger side. And the radio, despite our increasing familiarity with it, continues to confound us, in both function and the odd logic behind the placement of its knobs. Unlike the charming exterior styling, the Mini’s interior looks as if it is trying too hard to be different.

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M7 Tuning

Suzuki SX4 Directly Takes on the MINI

MotoringFile Sections: MINI Competitors, Video Oct 23rd, 2008 41 Comments

It’s unusual to see someone within the US market go head to head against the MINI. Perhaps the MINI’s success in the market has simply made it inevitable or Suzuki is trying to elevate their brand by association. Whatever the reason Suzuki is now running a primetime commercial in the US market spouting the virtues of it’s SX4:

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Gordon Murray Almost Unveils His New City Car

MotoringFile Sections: MINI Competitors Oct 15th, 2008 31 Comments

Yes this is not a MINI. But we feel it’s interesting (and related) enough to mention here on MF. For those who don’t know Gordon Murray was engineer and brain-child of the MaClaren F1 super-car. But let’s get to why this almost unveiling is so interesting. Murray has been on a crusade to essentially re-make the original MINI. Or at least create something inspired by the same ideas and ideals. And today is the first time we get a sense of the size and shape of the thing.

And while you may say it’s impossible for a single person or small company to bring to life a brand new car, Murray has plans for that as well. He wants to license his design to be built by companies (whether they’re automotive or not) throughout the world. continued →

The Fiat 500 In the States

MotoringFile Sections: MINI Competitors Sep 18th, 2008 39 Comments

We’ve heard rumors that Fiat is planning to bring the 500 to the United States in the next couple of years. And, recently, in the Bay Area of California, Fiat held a research study about small cars that included the Smart, Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit, Nissan Versa and the 500.

WRR listener Jason managed to get an invitation to this event, the idea of which was to do some driving in the cars under normal driving conditions. And his take on it is very interesting.

After that I was a little more pleased with the car’s overall performance. (him being there also hinted that this was put on by Fiat). I felt the car was underpowered too, coming from driving a modified R53 for so long, but he assured me there would be a “JCW like” kit for the Fiat 500 soon, so thats a plus for the little Fiat.

And, he hated the Smart!

Great write-up Jason! Thanks for sharing

[ The Fiat 500 Test Drive ] twothirtyam.com

BMW CEO Confirms City Car

MotoringFile Sections: Efficiency, MINI Competitors Sep 16th, 2008 47 Comments

From Autoblog green and something we have been expecting for a while now.

This entire time, BMW was to decide on the fate of the city EV by the end of the year, and it seems that they have. BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer has confirmed that the Bavarian automaker will indeed go smaller, though we are not so sure it will wear the blue and white badge. Rather, the new vehicle could wear the Isetta badge made popular on microcars from the past. “It’ll be a car with a completely new look, with two engines available. One will be a very efficient combustion engine and the other will be a purely electric model,” says Reithofer.

This will be interesting to see and to see how well it performs against the MINI.

*The image above isn’t an official rendering. The final version of the car will surely look much more different. However you can see more information about it on it’s Flickr page.

[ BMW CEO Confirms City Car with Electric Option ] Autobloggreen.com

Escalade vs. MINI Cooper S

MotoringFile Sections: Best of the Web, MINI Competitors, R56 (Coupe) Sep 16th, 2008 12 Comments

This has to be the craziest comparo yet. From AOL Autos via Car and Driver, in search of cars that will give an Audi R8 a run for it’s money.

Of course, both get their grunt from powerplants that are as antithetical as the wrappers they arrive in. The Cooper S’s high-tech, 1.6-liter engine uses a turbocharger to put a “bang” in “four-banger,” whereas the Escalade employs a brutal, old-school 403-hp, 6.2-liter V-8 that sucks down more than twice the fuel. Furthermore, if anything remotely resembling a curve turns up in the middle of that quarter-mile run, David will eat Goliath for lunch.

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Upcoming MotoringFile Reviews

MotoringFile Sections: MINI Competitors, R55 (Clubman), R56 (Coupe), Reviews Aug 25th, 2008 28 Comments

MINI Cooper Diesel

We’ve had an enormous number of requests for a couple reviews over the past few months. First up are of course the two new JCW MINIs. And then there is continued interest (yes from MINI owners) of the 135i – specifically the manual which we haven’t tested yet. So we’ve been busy working with BMW and MINI to get these cars and in turn get our reviews out to our loyal readers. continued →

BMW 128i vs Clubman S

MotoringFile Sections: In the Press, MINI Competitors, R55 (Clubman) Aug 13th, 2008 30 Comments

clubman vs 1 seriesNow this is new. Edmunds has decided to pit the newest BMW against the newest MINI Cooper.

Season the Mini with a few options and it costs about the same as the BMW 1 Series. Both are known for being fun to drive and both are designed to hold two people comfortably but can accommodate four if the need arises. Both have usefully large cargo areas — the rear seats in each folds flat to enhance capacity. And both come standard with a six-speed manual transmission.

You will have to go back and read this to get the full effect, but for a car they reviewed rather well, they kick it to the curb for this comparision.

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Previous Select MF Features

2008
» MINI Challenge Race Car in the US
» MF's MINI United Video (part 1)
»
MF Exclusive: Ask Stracco Part 2
» R57: Seriously Always Open
» Factory JCW MINI in Detail
» Exclusive MINI Takes the State Info
2007
» MINI Officially Updates Line-up for 2008
» New Models & Production Locations Confirmed
» MotoringFile's MINI United Coverage
» 2007 JCW Kit Officially Announced
» MINI's Top Secret Colorado Project
» 2009 Factory JCW MCS (Stage II)
» More MINI Variants Officially Confirmed
» MINI Clubman Official Photos and Specs
» R56 Pedestrian Crash Analysis
» Future JCW Vehicles Revealed
» MINI USA's Motorby Pilot Program
» MINI Clubman Update & Sketch
» BMW To Re-Brand JCW
» 2007 MINI MotoringFile Q&A
» MINI One and MINI Cooper D Now Official
» 2007 MINI Reader Reviews
» 2007 MINI USA Pricing and Options
» MINI Unveils the Sidewalk

2006
» MF Design Analysis: 2007 MINI
» 2007 JCW Accessories Revealed
» MINI Names the R55: The Clubman » 2007 MINI In Detail (Part 2 / Part 3)
» 2007 MINI Official Photos (Part 2 / Part 3)
» 2007 MINI Drops Weight
» Official 2007 MINI UK PDFs
» 2007 Nav Includes iDrive-Like Controller
» 2007 US Market Options Packages
» Hey Stracco: The Interview
» Let's Plan: MINI Clubs & MTTS
» MINI's Official R56 Preview Photos
» MINI's Official R56 Preview
» Next Generation MINI Revealed (#2)
» '07 MC & MCS Spotted in Death Valley
» 2007 MINI Color List (US Market)
» '07 MINI Gets More Power/Less Weight
» MF Review: MINIs on the Dragon
» MINI USA Releases JCW GP Pricing
» JCW Cooper S Long Term Review
» Seven New Colors for 2007
» MINI Release Info on Next Gen Engines
» Chicago Autoshow Gallery
» JCW GP at Geneva (final release info)
» 2006 JCW Product Info
» MINI Concept Detroit - In Detail
» MINI Sourced Triump Still Years Away
» US Connection for MINI's new Roadster
» First MINI Now Triumph?
» More News on the MINI Triumph Concept

2005
» Behind the Wheel of the 2007 MINI
» MINI Concept Tokyo - In Detail
» MINI Concept Frankfurt - In Detail
» Driven: The Nürburgring Nordschleife
» MINI Wins at Targa Newfoundland
» 2006 JCW Accessories
» US Market Color Changes for 2006
» Getrag's All Wheel Drive MINI In Depth
» BMW/MINI to Buy JCW?
» Official 2006 MINIUSA Pricing
» Special Editions/Package for 2006
» Checkmate Options Package (USA)
» JCW Direct From to the Factory in '06
» Tips on How to Sell Your MINI
» 2006 Model Year Timeline
» MINI's 2006 Color Changes
» Next Generation MINI Revealed
» Official MINI Armrest Revealed
» MotoringFile Review: MCS Auto

2004
» Details on the MCS Limited Slip Dif
» MotoringFile 2004 Holiday Gift Guide
» Getrag Tests All-Wheel Drive MINI
» Q&A on the OutMotoring ARC Armrest
» 2005 Chicago Auto Show / Gallery
» MINI USA's JCW GP Delivery Program
» 2005 MINI Changes
» The Cabrio In Depth / Gallery
» Special Edition MC40 / Gallery
» MINI Plant Tour Review
» Hood Rub Service Bulletin
» 2004 Chicago Auto Show / Gallery

2003
» MINI Accessory Additions for 2004
» CVT Paddles Retrofit
» 2005 MINI Spotted
» Rear Fogs Almost Here
» New Prince Engine Caught Testing
» MINI Releases Hood Rub Bulletin
» MINI_Motion Launched
» MINI Conquers Snow and Ice
» MINI One D Announced
» MINI Named North American Car of the Year
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Auto Reviews:
'09 Cooper S Convertible
'09 JCW Coupe
'09 JCW Clubman
JCW Stage I vs JCW Stage II
'08 Clubman S (Auto)
1st Drive: '08 MINI Clubman
Comparison: '08 BMW 135i
'06 R53 MCS vs '07 R56 MCS
'07 R56 JCW (Stage 1)
'07 MINI Cooper S Long Term
'07 BMW Z4 M Coupe
'07 MINI Cooper & Cooper S
Audio: '07 MC/MCS at the Track
'06 JCW GP Long term
Reader Review: JCW GP
'06 JCW Cooper S Long Term
Comparison: '06 Lotus Elise
Comparison: '06 Mazda MX5
Comparison: '06 UK Focus ST
Comparison: '06 Civic Si
Comparison: '04 TVR T350
Comparison: '06 Nissan 350z
Comparison: '06 VW GTI w/DSG
Podcast: Cooper S Auto
Podcast: BMW 325i
Podcast: JCW MC Soundkit
'04 JCW MINI Cooper Tuning Kit
'05 MCS: One Month Review
'05 MCS Auto
'05 JCW S 1st Drive
'05 MINI Cooper
'05 MCS Conv. Long Term
'05 MINI Cooper S
'05 MCS Cabrio 1st Drive
'04 JCW MCS First Drive
'04 MC w/JCW Tuning Kit
BMW M3 SMG Vs. MCS
'04 MINI Cooper CVT
'02 MCS 3 year Review
Autocrossing the MINI Range

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Performance Accessories:
R56 JCW Engine Kit
R56 JCW Suspension (Long-Term)
R56 JCW Suspension (Track)
R56 JCW Suspension (Street)
R53 Craven Speed Short Shifter
R53 M7 Understrut System
Kumho Ecsta SPT Tires
R53 M7 Strut Tower Plates
R53 JCW Alcantara Wheel
R53 JCW Brake Kit
R53 Webb 15% Pulley
R53 Helix MCSa 15% Pulley
R53 H-Sport 19mm Sway Bar
R53 MCS Supersprint Exhaust
Podcast: R53 MCS SS Exhaust
R53 JCW Cold Air Intake
Reader Rev.: R53 JCW Brakes
R50 Supersprint Exhaust
R50 Remus Exhaust
R50 Promini Intake
R50 Remus Dual Exhaust
Schroth Harness System
R50 CVT Steering Wheel Paddles

Exterior Accessories:
Miniature's Receiver Hitch
OEM White Tail Lights

Lifestyle Accessories:
MINI_Motion Watch
MINI_Motion Driving Shoe

Audio:
MINI Digital SoundModul
ICE-Link Plus iPod Adapter
Official BMW/iPod adapter
ICE-Link iPod Adapter
Kenwood iPod Interface
Alpine iPod Interface
Harman Kardon Stereo

Interior Accessories:
JCW Alcantara Steering Wheel JCW Leather Dash
MCAW Auto Up Circuit
MINI Rear Camera
MINI Rear Saddle (official)
MINI Rear Cargo Storage Case
Official MINI Rear Saddle Bag
2004 MINI Armrest Reviewed
Mymini Knee Pad
MINI Bluetooth Kit
MINI Video Input
Aftermarket Bluetooth Integration
Ian Cull Auto-up Circuit
Universal Mobile Phone Holder

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MINI Model Number Cheat Sheet:

1st Gen MINI
R50: One & MC Coupe
R52: All 1st Gen MINI Convt.
R53: MCS Coupe
2nd Gen MINI
R55: Clubman
R56: One/MC/MCS Coupe
R57: One/MC/MCS Convt.
R60: MINI SUV