Oct 18th, 2013
MINI is launching it’s first ever matte color option with a limited edition model that will be uniquely offered in most key markets. Frozen Black metallic paint is now available as a limited edition color for the top of the range MINI Countryman and MINI Paceman models around the world. In the US this will be exclusively available on the Black Knight Edition Countryman Cooper S but elsewhere will be available on both Paceman and Countryman across the MINI Cooper SD, Cooper S and JCW models.
This innovative paint which has a textured, shimmering matt finish, gives the car a depth that isn’t normally found in matte finishes. continued →
Oct 16th, 2013
MINI USA is rolling out its first special edition Countryman shortly and will use what BMW calls “Frozen” or matte paint. The special edition will be called “The Black Knight Edition” and will be limited to only 60 units. Some MINI owners should be getting an email later today which instruct how to reserve and order one. However there’s a catch.
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Oct 9th, 2013
MINI’s decision to keep the six speed Aisin automatic for the next generation F56 was seen as a surprise when announced last week. While MINI promises some mechanical improvements along with completely revamped software, it’s still seen as rather long in the tooth as compared to some of the more advanced offerings in the marketplace. What’s MINI thinking with this?
BMW has a long history with ZF Friedrichshafen also known simply as ZF. They’ve been producing transmissions for BMW for years and are particularly well known for their recent automatics. The current de rigueur transmission of the rear wheel drive automotive world is the ZF 8HP found in all non M brand BWWs. So good is this transmission in terms of performance and efficiency that it’s made its way into everything from Ram trucks to Bentleys. continued →
Oct 6th, 2013
MINI may be out of the WRC as a factory team but in the hands of private teams, MINI continues to perform well. Case in point Luis Monzón who claimed the first title for the MINI John Cooper Works WRC in the Spanish Tarmac Rally Championship. And the experienced 46-year-old did so without even lining up at the Rallye Villa de Llanes. Five wins in six rounds proved sufficient for Monzón to secure the title with two events remaining. The Spaniard now has two overall victories to his name, having also won the championship in 2001. continued →
Sep 16th, 2013
Tired of all the chrome lettering on the new Countryman and Paceman? Apparently someone at MINI is as well. Starting with fall production both cars will be available with Option Code 320 (aka Stealth Mode) which debadges the cars. continued →
Jul 22nd, 2013
MINI’s been toying with concepts for years that show the potential versatility of the brand’s products. Now we have three new ones based on existing products. The trio each reflect different aspects of the rise in popularity of camping and festivals, creating a choice of premium home-from-home options for the traveller.
Jun 15th, 2013
The MINI Countryman won an award. MINI then decided to drive one through the mud for photos. And now here they are. We say forget the award and enjoy the dirty Countryman. As someone who’s had the pleasure of “mudding” a ALL4 Countryman I can attest it was absolutely a joy. Now onto the self-congratulatory press release…
Official Release: Irresistible design and unstoppable progress – the MINI Countryman is winning over fresh target groups and attracting increasing numbers of fans among potential buyers of all-wheel drive automobiles. The latest evidence of this is its outstanding performance in the 2013 “Off Road Award”. A reader’s vote held by the car magazine “Off Road” has secured a place on the winner’s podium for the first MINI with four doors, a large tailgate and the optional all-wheel drive system ALL4. The MINI Countryman was ranked second in the subcompact SUV category. continued →
