A quick reminder for all those readers who might have missed our design contest launched in conjunction with the internet debut of the MINI Countryman. The idea is simple, design your own accessory that fits on the Countryman’s new interior rail system. We’ll send the best ideas over to Munich and the MINI Design team will pick their favorite. The winner gets an ultra-exclusive copy of the new MINI Design book autographed by MINI Design head Gert Hildebrand.
Todd, Gabe and DB are all here this week and we wrap up talk of the R60 and sagging hood scoops among the rest of the MF news.
Woofcast 323:
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With the release of MINI’s first crossover MINI enthusiasts and perspective owners have had lots to react to. But more than anything they’ve been asking questions about the car, the business case and what this all means for the “mini” in the MINI brand. While we’ve done some work trying to clear up some of those questions we thought, what could be better than going straight to the source for all answers? So we have enlisted the help of MINI USA Product Manager Vinnie (Tennessee) Kung to help in answering your questions about the new MINI Countryman. That’s right, the man responsible for all product in the US will be answering your questions about the Countryman.
Here’s how it works:
Post your Countryman related question in the comment section below by Friday February 5th 11:59 pm.
We’ll go through and pick the very best, combine them with a few of ours and interview Vinnie.
Finally we’ll post the full Q&A interview right here next week.
Over the past week we have bombarded you with Countryman with images, video and enormous amounts of information. So in an effort to help you make sense of it all we’re going to go back over the high points over the next few days. Today we’re going to take another look at the video we exclusively debuted here last week. The version above is a bit short (ie more concise) and is higher quality than what we showed you last week.
Next we’re presenting you with our full photo gallery of the Countryman with every exterior and interior MINI has officially released. Enjoy.
The answers; thankfully not so big. The German magazine Auto Bild had chance to get the latest R56 Hatchback in a studio with the just unveiled R60 MINI Countryman to show off the relative size differences. The result? It’s almost shocking how close the two are in overall length and height. While we haven’t had a chance to drive the R60 yet, we’re certainly optimistic knowing the overall size comparison to the R56 and the R55 Clubman. And if it drives as good as it looks, MINI may have a smash hit on their hands.
Yesterday we told you about the center rail in the forthcoming MINI crossover. Today we’re giving you a chance to design your own accessory that fits on the rail. But the best part? Come up with the best idea and we’ll give you an ultra-exclusive copy of the new MINI Design book autographed by MINI Design head Gert Hildebrand.
Here’s how it works:
Come up with the idea.
Post your idea in the comment section below (a sketch or even a Youtube video of you explaining or even a very detailed description it of course will help.
After 30 days we’ll send the ideas to the MINI Design team and they’ll pick the winner.
Of course really the best part? If it’s a good enough idea, you may even see it end up in a MINI someday.
All submissions need to be in within 30 days of this post!
Need a refresher on the rail system? With the MINI rail you can add and subtract different components depending on your needs. Want an armrest? Easy, snap it in and position where needed. Need an iPhone holder? MINI will surely have that covered. What about different devices? Again the beauty of the system is that MINI can offer a array of options depending on what you need. They even see the aftermarket stepping in and offering all sorts of accessories for things we can’t even imagine. But for more information on it straight from the people that know best, watch the video above where Gert Hildebrand (Head of MINI Design) talks about the concept behind the rail.
As we recently have seen in all the Countryman photos, the center rail seen in the Beachcomber concept is coming completely intact for the R60. While it may initially seem gimmicky, the more we saw it, used it and thought about it, the more it started to make a lot of sense.
Here’s the idea; with the rail you can add and subtract different components depending on your needs. Want an armrest? Easy, snap it in and position where needed. Need an iPhone holder? MINI will surely have that covered. What about different devices? Again the beauty of the system is that MINI can offer a array of options depending on what you need. They even see the aftermarket stepping in and offering all sorts of accessories for things we can’t even imagine.
But enough writing about it. Click play above to hear our interview with Gert Hildebrand and his team actually talk about the concept that will come to market with the R60.
Check back tomorrow for more on the center rail and for a way to win an ultra-exclusive copy of the new MINI Design book autographed by Gert Hildebrand.
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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
Sections: Design, MF Feature, R60 (Crossover) Feb 8th, 2010 No Comments 
