The day has come that many of us have dreaded – MINI has officially announced that Prodrive is out as the factory supported MINI team for the WRC. MINI is parting ways with the UK based rally specialists and will effectively take over the reigns by handing them to MINI Team Portugal for the 2012 season. That means the banner of the MINI WRC Team will be carried for 2012 by the teams of Armindo Araújo (PT) and his co-driver Miguel Ramalho (PT), as well as Paulo Nobre (BR) and co-driver Edu Paula (BR).
Reports are that the issues that saw this split came down to money. To us it’s a great shame. Prodrive managed to field a rally team that went from nothing to 2nd place in a WRC rally in the span of months. In the recent Monte Carlo WRC rally the team managed a 2nd place beating teams with much more experience and a longer rally CV. continued →
Many of you will receive this information in an email from MINI over the next few hours, but we’ve got the word early thanks to MINI and White Roof Radio. This year’s installment of MINI’s epic road trip, MINI Takes The States, will take place over 11 days starting on Independence Day. Celebrating 10 years of MINI, it’s an East-to-West road trip and while the exact start point, end point and way points are as yet unrevealed, expect the main route to run coast to coast. Along the way, MINI has lots planned. There will be sights to see, but more thrilling are the once-in-a-lifetime MINI motoring opportunities that MINI USA is likely to organize along the way. Previous MTTS trips have given people the chance to drive their cars on the Bonneville Salt Flats, and even around the oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Attractions aside, expect MINI to throw a hell of a party from sea to shining sea. Registration starts in April with full route details expected sometime next month. Are you excited yet? You should be.
Today we have two new special edition MINIs named for iconic London neighborhoods. As part of the pre-Olympic push, MINI has released the Baker Street and the Bayswater as their latest MINI Yours special editions. Following in the tire treads of the Hampton and Soho MINIs, both cars feature exclusive interior and exterior details you won’t find on stock MINIs at your local dealer. continued →
MINI UK has joined forces with a group called MotorSport Vision, providing a group of MINI Ones for their YoungDrive events where kids as young as 11 years-old get their first experience behind the wheel of a car. What better way to be introduced to driving than behind the wheel of a MINI? I’m jealous. I took Driver’s Ed in a GMC Safari. Full details after the break. continued →
Just what we’ve been waiting for. One of the best things about MINI Connected is the easy of updating the software with new features. Luckily it looks as if those features aren’t all going to revolve around social media and games. Enter the Driving Excitement App. The app allows drivers to see the following:
Lateral Gs
Acceleration
Coolant temp (finally!)
Engine output
RPM
Torque output
This update will come in the form of an updated app for iOS (yes it works on the iPhone but also the iPod Touch and iPad) in the coming days. Android users are out of luck for the foreseeable future.
Read on for details and the full gallery. continued →
MINI USA reported sales of 4,750 automobiles in November, up an astonishing 70.5% from the 2,786 sold in November 2010. Year-to-date, MINI sales in the U.S. are up 25.4% on volume of 51,800 compared to 41,324 in the first eleven months of 2010. (Full sales chart after the break) continued →
With our own winter tires arriving today we thought it appropriate to talk about why you should consider winter tires if you live in the snow-belt. MINI UK’s program (similar to the one in other parts of Europe) offers owners convenient (retail price: £560) set of tires and steel wheels straight from the dealer. Convenient in that the same dealer will store your summer tires for you. We’ll talking more about our own set-up and choices in the US soon. However in the meantime, if you don’t know why you might need winter tires, check out the videos and read-on.
[Official Release] With average British winter temperatures dipping below 7°C, this winter MINI is dedicated to helping drivers stay on the roads, regardless of weather, with its Winter Tyre Programme. continued →
1st Gen MINI R50: One & MC Hatch R52: All 1st Gen MINI Convt. R53: MCS Hatch 2nd Gen MINI R55: Clubman R56: Hatch R57: Convertible R58: Coupe R59: Roadster R60: MINI Crossover R61: MINI Crossover Coupe 3rd Gen MINI F55: Clubman F56: Hatch F57: Convertible F60: MINI Crossover F62: Traveller
If you or your company are interested in advertising on the most influential MINI website in the world, please visit our Advertising section. If you have further questions about becoming a sponsor or would like to see our rate sheet please feel free to contact us directly.
Sections: Countryman WRC, Official News Feb 6th, 2012 14 Comments 
