Last week the R56 finally launched in South Africa, and MINI2.co.za was there to cover it.
>The 2007 MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S was launched to the customer network via Dealers recently. MINI2.co.za was fortunate enough to attend the launch to customers in Johannesburg last week.
>The launch was centered around the MINI Make-Out concept – see www.makeout.co.za for more details. The All New MINI is the perfect place to make-out, an experience to share with those you love.
Pictures? Of course there were pictures! You can see the full photo set here.
[ MINI South Africa Dealer Launch – R56 ] MINI2.co.za
Thank you for the mention!
I was at one of the launch sessions last night. Very well organised, lots of fun, and I got to drive both the new Cooper and Cooper S. I think I will be keeping my 06 JCW MCS for now…. Loved the handling, brakes, seats and suspension. Hated the interior, cheap chrome tat on the outside and lack of supercharger whine. The Cooper was a big improvement over the 06 Cooper in terms of ride and handling (my wife has an 06 Cooper), but I really couldn’t live with the Fisher Price interior and generally cheap feel of the car now. What have they done to the car that I love so much??????
Oh yes… and I got to drive the MINI 37 Game with steering wheel and pedals…. I really hope no prospective MINI Drivers judge the car on the game, despite picking the Cooper S it was extremely sluggish and handled like a brick…… NOT a good advert for MINI’s at all.
Alan we see eye to eye on re: your opinions on the R56.
Hmmm… there’s something in the water in SA. The New Zealand launch was much more exciting – the MINI stunt driver from UK came and demonstrated his world record parking style and drove a new MINI on two wheels.
Hehe. The guys in the States might not have any frame of reference for GregW’s cheeky comment above, but there exists a fierce rivalry between South Africa and New Zealand, mainly in terms of sport – cricket and rugby union football mostly. This is the first time I’ve come across it in the world of MINI.
The stunt driving does sound exciting though. We can give them that.
Ahh! The love between ex-British colonies!