MINI Cooper Clubman - Major MINI

I have a five-year-old son. I happen to think he’s pretty cute, a comedic genius, and an excellent athlete. But I am never more proud of him than when he spouts off his automotive knowledge. What can I say? He’s a chip off the old (er, young) block. So on our first outing in the Clubman, the cute, funny, athletic, five-year-old car expert observed, “This looks like a BMW on the inside.” See what I mean? Genius. I am, of course, banking on the fact that there are still several people out there who don’t realize that BMW owns MINI.

The Cooper Clubman is almost nine and a half inches longer than the Cooper. I kept explaining to people that it was the “longer-wheel-base version.” Turns out, the wheelbase is only 3.15 inches longer. This essentially translates into a little more rear legroom and some extra cargo room. On the passenger side, it’s got a small clamshell door (we used to call them suicide doors) for easier ingress/egress to/from the back seat. The rear features two barn-like doors with gas-charged struts for easy opening. Everything else is exactly the same, distinguishing a MINI as a MINI. My test car was black and silver, and with the rear barn doors and slightly longer body, I often felt like I was driving a miniature hearse (not that there’s anything wrong with that).

On the inside, the Clubman is a thoroughly modern MINI. Everything is either round or elliptical, which I think gives it a fun atmosphere. One more observation came from the aforementioned five-year-old when he said, “that speeding thing is bigger than my head!” By “that speeding thing” he of course meant the incredibly large, center-mounted speedometer. Seriously, I’ve got wall clocks that are smaller; but like I said, this is a MINI and MINI’s are all about having fun. Adding to the fun are a panoramic moon roof and an iPod jack. My test car came with a perforated sunshade for the moon roof, which meant the black leather interior stayed pretty toasty. I’d prefer a solid sunshade as a small gesture towards keeping things cool on hot summer days.

Powering the Clubman is a 1.6-liter, 118 horsepower engine mated to an optional Steptronic automatic transmission (a 6-speed manual is standard). I found a little lag time when launching, especially when trying to get on the freeway. I know… I like to drive fast, but it seems to me that the 118 horses should pull the MINI at a little quicker trot. The tranny features steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, the same as in the beemers. The steering and suspension are good; they offer good road feedback to the driver without the jostling and vibration of other small cars. The Clubman has a combined fuel economy rating of 29 mpg. I did a lot of freeway driving, and the trip computer told me I was averaging 38.8 mpg.

Overall, I enjoyed the Clubman version of the MINI Cooper. If I had a different color, I could even get over the tiny hearse thing. It’s a fun to drive four-seater that comes with good fuel economy and a reasonable price tag. With options, my test car topped out at $24,450. 

By Cindy Stagg
www.car-data.com

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2009 Mini Cooper S Convertible - Fun In The Sun

It’s a tale of two cities.

In Goldsboro (NC) four dreary days filled with off-and-on rain and cool temperatures had us longing for some sunshine and warmth. Perhaps it was just coincidence that an all-new yellow 2009 Mini Cooper S convertible showed up just before the sun broke free of the clouds and the temperature started an upward climb into the mid-70s.

Later in Los Angeles (CA) balmy mid-70’s seemed to be the norm. But as soon as that yellow Mini showed up the weather took a turn – up – to the sizzling mid-90s.

And then again maybe it wasn’t coincidence. Maybe a conspiracy of a higher order?

Either way, if there was ever a car capable of transforming a sour mood into euphoria, bringing sunshine to a cloudy day and coloring grey skies blue or bringing a searing state to blissful fun it’s the Mini convertible.

The little Mini drop top – they call it a cabriole – is a happy car. It transfers its light- hearted nature to its inhabitants. And perhaps that’s the ticket in our current doom and gloom world, sunshine aside.

We never tired of heading for the little yellow puppy dog of a car, hitting the power roof and enjoying wind in the hair (okay, so not so much hair) on a beautiful springtime afternoon.

The Mini convertible gives us reason for hope that all the fun won’t be completely wrung out of driving as we rampage ahead to save the planet through the reduction of tailpipe emissions, accomplished generally by greatly reducing gas consumption.

The happy little Mini obliges providing both enjoyment and green- agenda frugality offering between 23 and 28 mpg in city driving and between 32 and 37 mpg highway depending on engine and transmission choice.

Our choice for a week on both coasts — or the choice the manufacturer left us with — was the Cooper S with the 172-horsepower turbocharged 1.6-liter 4- cylinder engine mated to an easy-to-shift six-speed manual transmission. That combination is rated at 26 city/34 highway.

Standard fare is a 1.6-liter developing 118 horsepower. Both engines can be mated to an optional six-speed automatic.

The engines are all-new, built at BMW’s engine plant in Great Britain.
The second-generation Mini convertible is also all new and began arriving in showrooms around April 1. The first generation hit the streets in 2004 as a 2005 model, about three years after BMW sold its first Mini hardtop in the U.S.

The newest convertible is based on the completely reworked hardtop, which came to market in 2007. And this one really works well. But as Mini let’s us know in a series of amusing and mystifying commercials, the top should always be down!

The Mini’s playful nature gets delivered with the new convertible. For instance, it comes with an “openmeter” gauge to the left of the tachometer. It counts the number of hours you keep the top open. Our test car also came with an optional climate control that maintains the same temperature whether the top is open or closed.

And the Mini folks wanted to make sure that when the urge to go topless hits, you won’t have to wait long. The power top opens in 15 seconds and it can be opened or closed at speeds up to 20 miles per hour. If you want some fresh air, but don’t want the top down, the front part of the roof can be rolled back about 16 inches for a sunroof effect.

The changes between the first and second generation convertibles are pretty much unseen, but Mini has reworked the car adding two inches in length while retaining the diminutive 97.1-inch wheelbase.

The benefit of the slightly increased size can be found in the trunk, which opens via a fold-down tailgate. Luggage capacity has been increased two cubic feet to nearly six, and the rear seatbacks can be folded down and locked into position to allow for 23 cubic feet of storage.

We have loved the quirkiness of the Mini since it arrived on our shores, highlighted by the dinner plate speedometer in the middle of the dash and unusual toggle-switch controls. The toggles may not win an ergonomic prize, but they are cool and really not that hard to become familiar with.

The interior has been reworked with new gauges and controls, but thankfully, only a Mini owner who has sat behind the wheel for a few years would be able to point out the differences. We say thankfully because the first generation Mini's cockpit was just right.
The convertible can be fun for four, but in reality comfortable fun is limited to two adults. The back seats are indeed there, ready for use, but leg room ranges from extremely tight to non-existent. Young folks will probably think it’s cool to cram four people into the Mini.

And young folks are not excluded from the price of entry, which is an affordable $24,550 for the 118-horsepower model and $27,450 for the turbocharged version.

You don’t need more than what the base price buys because the convertible comes with such standard equipment as full power, six- speaker audio system with CD player, leatherette upholstery, 16-inch wheels, run-flat tires, traction and stability control, four-wheel antilock brakes, side-mounted airbags and tilt and telescoping steering wheel.
Also standard is an electromechanically operated rollover bar situated behind the rear seats, activated when a rollover is detected. The innovative safety bar allows for optimum visibility to the rear and sides of the car.

But be warned — the options list is anything but mini. It’s incredibly long.

You might be enticed by such things as navigation, full-leather, a cold-weather package and a sport package that includes such things as stripes, 17-inch black bullet alloy wheels, xenon high intensity discharge headlights, and Dynamic Traction Control. Rear distance park control adds another handful of dollars – like 500 of them. Many buyers will opt for the six-speed automatic transmission. That will add $1,250 to the bottom line.

Our turbocharged S-model test car, for instance, came with several options bringing the bottom line to $32,700.

So, will you be satisfied with the normally aspired 1.6-liter engine?

We think so. It has comfortable performance measured by BMW at 8.9 seconds from 0-to-60 with the manual transmission and 10.2 seconds with the automatic. Gas mileage is superb rated at 28 mpg city and 37 on the highway with the manual transmission and 25/34 with the automatic.

Performance is part of the turbocharged package. BMW says the 172- horsepower engine can rocket from 0-to-60 in 7 seconds with the manual and 7.2 with the automatic. Not only can you go fast, you can go fast through the twists and turns thanks in part to a reworked suspension that includes MacPherson struts up front. Mini says the body has been stiffened for a more solid feel and weight has actually been reduced 22 pounds.

One more caveat — premium fuel is recommended for the turbocharged engine.

The Mini offered us each a week of top-down fun. Unfortunately, there weren’t enough days in those weeks.

And the day the guys came to pick up our fun-mobiles, the clouds rolled back in and the skies threatened again in Goldsboro. In LA it got hotter.

Was that just coincidence?

By Ted Biederman and Jim Meachen
MyCarData

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Mini Cooper S Clubman

Despite reasonable pump prices, fuel economy remains high on the list of sought-after features for new-car shoppers. For those whose gotta-have list also includes sporty and fun to drive, there are more than a few choices out there. None, however, are more sporty or fun to drive than the Mini Cooper S. A combination of jackrabbit acceleration and spot-on handling elevates the Cooper S into the ranks of uber grin makers that include sports cars costing thousands more.

My latest Cooper S was the $24,350 Clubman. The “S” is the middle-of-the-road Cooper model. It has a 172-horsepower turbocharged 1.6-liter four. A 118-horsepower version of the same engine without turbo charging powers the entry-level Cooper. At the top of the Cooper heap is the John Cooper Works edition that delivers 208 horsepower. As in The Three Bears, the in-between S seems to be just right. Just the right mix of moxie, fuel efficiency, low emissions and get-up-and-go, the Cooper S balances environmental concerns with boy-racer performance. If you can reconcile the living space to your lifestyle requirements, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better blend of green and go.

Environmental concerns are met with a fuel-stingy appetite for gasoline. Yes, premium is required, so there is a bit of a spike in the per-gallon price over regular; but with an EPA fuel economy rating of 26 mpg in town and 34 mpg on the highway, the Cooper S will cost about as much in gasoline per year as a four-cylinder Accord. And the Cooper S is a lot more fun to drive. Also earning a spot on the EPA’s list of SmartWay cars; the Cooper S scored well on the government agency’s measure of smog pollutants and greenhouse gases. The higher the score, the fewer pollutants and greenhouse gases; the Cooper S received 14 out of 20 possible points.

Hustling engine output to the front wheels falls to a six-speed Getrag manual transmission. If you want the transmission to self-select the cogs, you will need to pony up an additional $1,250 for the optional driver-shiftable six-speed automatic. My test Cooper S had the slick-shifting manual – flogging the transmission yourself is more entertaining anyway. Well matched, engine and tranny coaxed some great fun out of the Clubman. Mini says you can expect to sprint from 0 to 60 in about seven seconds.

Stocked up with a number of features designed to help keep the driver in control, the Cooper S comes standard with four-wheel disc brakes with ABS. There is also traction control, stability control, emergency brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution. Additionally a brake hill-holder feature that keeps the vehicle from drifting backward when putting the car into first gear on an incline is standard.

Sixteen-inch alloy wheels carrying run-flat tires are part of the Cooper S package. Upgrading to 17-inch alloys will add $1,250 to the bottom line. McPherson struts in front and a multi-link arrangement in the rear comprise the basics of the four-wheel independent suspension. The ride is sports-car stiff, inspiring some braking at every railroad crossing. A Sport button for the Clubman’s electronic steering increases the response. The athletic suspension and acute steering conspire to deliver an almost go-cart-like driving experience.

Larger than the two-door hatchback or convertible Cooper, the Clubman is nearly 10 inches longer. It contains about 38 cubic feet of cargo room – about 40 percent more than the hatchback. That space swells to 33 cubic feet with the backseat folded. The cargo hold is easier to utilize thanks to side-hinged “barn doors” that open wide for loading and unloading. Likewise rear-seat passengers find entering and exiting the Clubman easier than the hatchback because the doors on the passenger side are also hinged opposite each other in a barn- or suicide-door format.

Other than the additional cargo space and two and a half inches of extra rear-seat legroom, the Clubman cabin is a carbon copy of the hatchback's with all the standard bells and whistles. All Coopers are furnished for four; however, the Clubman does a better job of actually accommodating that number. The dashboard is the same funky retro layout found in other Coopers. The pie-pan tachometer sits directly in front of the driver, while the smaller speedometer is fixed in the center of the dashboard with the controls for the six-speaker audio system included in the same unit. A CD player and an auxiliary input jack for your iPod are standard. The heating and cooling controls are arranged below. If you didn't realize BMW is Mini's parent, it will become apparent when you want to make any adjustment to the stereo, which is more difficult than it needs to be. Pop an extra $2,000 for the optional navigation system and be prepared for some real hair pulling. There is very little intuitive about this unit.

Once past some of the controls that are overly complex, BMW's influence is all positive. The Cooper S Clubman is a blast to pilot and can more than hold its own on mountain twisties or dashing from green light to red in urban slogfests. Lots of fun and environmentally responsible – it's perfection on wheels.

By Russ Heaps
MyCarData

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Mini E - An all electric battery Mini

The BMW Group will be the world's first manufacturer of premium automobiles to deploy a fleet of some 500 all-electric vehicles for private use in daily traffic. The MINI E will be powered by a 150 kW (204 hp) electric motor fed by a high-performance rechargeable lithium-ion battery, transferring its power to the front wheels via a single-stage helical gearbox nearly without a sound and entirely free of emissions. Specially engineered for automobile use, the battery technology will have a range of more than 250 kilometers, or 156 miles.

The MINI E will initially be made available to select private and corporate customers as part of a pilot project in the US states of California, New York and New Jersey. The company is looking into expanding the MINI E pilot to include Europe. The MINI E will celebrate its world premiere at the Los Angeles Auto Show on November 19 and 20.

The MINI E's electric drive train produces a peak torque of 220 Newton meters, delivering seamless acceleration to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 8.5 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 152 km/h (95 mph). Featuring a suspension system tuned to match its weight distribution, the MINI E sports the brand's hallmark agility and outstanding handling.

By introducing the MINI E, the BMW Group is underscoring the resolve with which it works towards reducing energy consumption and emissions in road traffic.

The BMW Group is drawing on its unique technological expertise in the field of drive systems to develop a vehicle concept enabling zero emissions without renouncing the joy of driving. Putting some 500 cars on the road under real daily traffic conditions will make it possible to gain widely applicable hands-on experience. Evaluating these findings will generate valuable know-how, which will be factored into the engineering of mass-produced vehicles. The BMW Group aims to start series production of all-electric vehicles over the medium term as part of its Number ONE strategy. The development of innovative concepts for mobility in big-city conurbations within the scope of "project i" has a similar thrust, as its objective also includes making use of an all-electric power train.

The energy storage unit: cutting-edge lithium-ion technology engineered specifically for use in the MINI.
Based on the current MINI, the car will initially be available as a two-seater.

The space taken up by back-seat passengers in the series model has been reserved for the lithium-ion battery. When in use in the zero-emissions MINI, the battery unit combines high output with ample storage capacity and a small footprint with power ratios that are unrivalled in this field of application so far. The lithium-ion storage unit will have a maximum capacity of 35 kilowatt hours (kWh) and transmit energy to the electric motor as direct current at a nominal 380 volts. The rechargeable battery is made up of 5,088 cells grouped into 48 modules. These modules are packaged into three battery elements that are compactly arranged inside the MINI E.

The energy storage unit's basic components are based on the technological principle that has proven itself in practice in power supplies for mobile phones and portable computers. The MINI E's lithium-ion battery can be plugged into all standard power outlets. Its charge time is strongly dependent on the voltage and amperage of the electricity flowing through the grid. In the USA, users can recharge a battery that has been completely drained within a very short period of time using a wallbox that will ship with every MINI E. The wallbox will be installed in the customer's garage, enable higher amperage, and thus provide for extremely short charging times. Wallboxes fully recharge batteries after a mere two-and-a-half hours.

Driven by electricity: reliably, affordably and free of emissions. A full recharge draws a maximum of 28 kilowatt hours of electricity from the grid. Based on the car's range, a kilowatt hour translates into 5.4 miles.

Besides the benefit of zero-emissions driving, the MINI E thus offers significant economic advantages over a vehicle powered by a conventional internal combustion engine as well.

The heavy-duty battery delivers its power to an electric motor, which transforms it into thrilling agility. Mounted transversely under the MINI E's bonnet, the drive train unleashes its full thrust from a dead standstill.

This provides for the car's fascinating launch capability. The MINI E's intense driving experience is augmented by its dynamic deceleration potential, which is also directly coupled to the accelerator pedal. As soon as the driver releases the gas pedal, the electric motor acts as a generator. This results in braking force, and the power recovered from the kinetic energy is fed back to the battery. This interaction ensures extremely comfortable drives - especially at medium speed with constant, but marginal, variation. In city traffic, some 75 percent of all deceleration can be done without the brakes. Making substantial use of this energy recuperation feature extends the car's range by up to 20 percent.

Signature MINI agility in a new guise. Weighing in at 1,465 kilograms (3,230 lbs), the MINI E has an even weight distribution. Minor modifications made to the suspension ensure safe handling at all times. The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system has been adapted to this model's specific wheel loads.

The MINI E's brake system comes with a newly developed electric underpressure pump. Its Electrical Power Assisted Steering (EPS) is the same as the one used in mass-produced MINIs. Both brake and steering assistance react to driving conditions and are thus extremely efficient. Even the air conditioning's electrical compressor only operates if desired or necessary.

Design: unmistakably MINI, undoubtedly new. At first glance, the MINI E is obviously an iteration of the brand. But its design, which is the blueprint for the zero-emissions two-seater, has been complemented by a number of visual cues that point to its revolutionary drive concept. All of the units produced for the pilot project will have the same paintwork and bear a serial number next to their side turn signal lights.

The MINI E's coachwork sports an exclusive combination of metallic Dark Silver on all panels but the roof, which is clad in Pure Silver. What distinguishes the zero-emissions MINI is a specially designed logo in Interchange Yellow, depicting a stylized power plug in the shape of an "E" set against the silver backdrop. It has been applied to the roof, in smaller dimensions to the front and back, to the charger port lid, the dashboard trim, and - combined with the MINI logo - to the door jamb, in slightly modified form. The color of the roof edges, mirror housings, interior style cues and seat seams will match the logo's yellow tone as well.

Moreover, the central gauge and the battery level indicator behind the wheel of the MINI E, which replaces the MINI's rev counter, feature yellow lettering against a dark grey background. The battery level is displayed in percentage figures. The central gauge includes an LED display indicating power consumption in red and power recuperation in green. MINI E customers will be part of a pioneering mission.

A 500-unit, limited-production MINI E series will be manufactured through the end of 2008. The project will thus attain an order of magnitude that clearly exceeds the size of currently comparable test series. Putting the MINI E on the road on a daily basis will be a pioneering feat to which both the drivers and engineers of the first zero-emissions MINI will contribute as a team.

MINI E customers will join forces with BMW Group experts to assist in the project's scientific evaluation. MINI E engineers accord high importance to staying in touch with the drivers on a regular basis, as this will help them
analyze driver behavior besides vehicle characteristics in order to gain the most accurate and realistic picture of the demands placed on a vehicle with a purely electrical drive in the select usage areas.

Special charging station and full service for every MINI E.
The cars will change hands based on a one-year lease with an extension option. Monthly lease installments will cover any required technical service including all necessary maintenance and the replacement of wearing parts. At the end of the lease, all of the automobiles belonging to the project will be returned to the BMW Group's engineering fleet where they will be subjected to comparative tests.
The MINI E's lithium-ion battery can be charged using a wallbox provided to MINI customers. Only lockable garages or similar buildings will qualify as homebases and power stations for the MINI E.

Maintenance by qualified specialists.
The electric drive's high-voltage technology requires that maintenance work be done by qualified personnel using special tools that are not included in MINI service partners' standard toolboxes. In light of this, a service base will be set up on both coasts, staffed by service engineers that are specially trained to perform maintenance and repair work on the MINI E's electrical components.

In the event of drive malfunction, these experts will provide professional support at the customer's local MINI dealer or the service base's specially equipped workshop. Technical inspections will take place after 3,000 miles (just under 5,000 kilometers) and at least after six months.

Production in Oxford and Munich.
The MINI E has already gone through the major phases of product development for mass-produced vehicles and passed numerous crash tests on the way. Aspects investigated besides passenger protection were the impact of collision forces on the lithium-ion battery and finding a non-hazardous location for it in the car. The MINI E's energy storage unit emerged completely unscathed from all of the crash tests mandated by US standards, which are especially high.

Production of the approximately 500 cars will take place at the company's Oxford and Munich sites and is scheduled for completion before the end of 2008. MINI's UK plant will be responsible for manufacturing the entire vehicle with the exception of the drive components and the lithium-ion battery, with the brand's series models rolling off its assembly lines concurrently. The units will then be transferred to a specially equipped manufacturing complex situated on BMW plant premises where the electric motor, battery units, performance electronics and transmission will be integrated.

Source Mini
MyCarData

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MINI Cooper S convertible

How do you improve upon the fun-to-drive genius that is a MINI Cooper? This car’s tossable suspension, funky styling and excellent fuel economy make it one of the better all-around daily vehicles for both the style-conscious and driving enthusiasts. Well, there’s the Cooper Clubman, which adds a bit more room. And for summertime fun, there’s the Cooper convertible, which provides all of the same thrills as the MINI Cooper, but without a roof to contain the exuberance.

The previous MINI Cooper convertible didn’t have many downsides other than a lack of rear-seat interior space, so there wasn’t much for designers to address when updating the ragtop for the second-generation body. This compact, high-performance package won’t fail to put a smile on your face.

The styling is instantly familiar, of course. The adorable, stubby MINI Cooper is made stubbier and more adorable by the removal of the roof. With the top down, the one-box MINI Cooper looks not unlike a bathtub on wheels, with comfortable seating for four, of course. The new body is slightly longer than before, but the unmistakable large oval lamps and chrome grille remain true to the aesthetic. Emergency rollover hoops are located behind the rear seats and pop up in the event that they’re necessary. The new MINI convertible’s top stack is slightly lower than before, offering a sleeker, more finished appearance. The MINI Cooper convertible’s roof is power-operated, and can be raised and lowered at speeds up to 20mph. It also includes a sliding section that mimics a sunroof.

The interior appointments are not all that different from those of the hardtop, either. The centrally mounted pie-plate speedometer and love-‘em-or-hate-‘em toggle switches are the same. If the Cooper makes you feel claustrophobic, then the roofless version is the way to go. MINI’s quirky designers have included an “Openometer” that will tell you how much of your time has been spent with the top down.

The trunk isn’t that large, but the lid pivots up and out of the way to provide easy access to the six cubic feet of space within. The rear seats also fold down, expanding space to just over 23 cubic feet, and there’s a small two-tiered shelf for additional storage space.

Entertaining performance is a part of the package, of course. The MINI Cooper convertible is offered with the same new 1.6 liter four-cylinders that power the hardtop, in 118-horsepower naturally aspirated and 172-horse turbocharged guise. The naturally-aspirated engine uses VALVETRONIC variable valve timing borrowed from parent company BMW to improve fuel efficiency and response. The Cooper S’ more powerful turbocharged powerplant features direct-injection fuel delivery and a twin-scroll turbocharger. The Cooper S is capable of creating a bit of torque steer, but it’s never unmanageable.

The MINI Cooper convertible is nothing if not tossable, of course. This is especially true in Cooper S trim; a low curb weight and comparatively wide track mean that some serious twisty-road heroics are possible. MacPherson struts are used in the front, with a multi-link rear. It’s not an exotic setup, but the MINI’s diminutive, wheels-out stance and light weight mean that the seemingly mundane suspension is capable of serious performance. I experienced no significant chassis flex, even when hammering the MINI Cooper S convertible around a race track. MINI offers a range of driving aids to improve things even further, including Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with an electronic limited-slip differential and anti-lock brakes that include Cornering Brake Control and Brake Assist. Run-flat tires are available if you want to save the weight of a spare. Nervous about flinging the roofless MINI Cooper around at high speeds? A pop-up roll bar lives behind the rear seats.

The MINI Cooper S convertible will staple a smile to your face, whether the top’s up or down--and if you were already smiling, then the 172 horses motivating a curb weight of significantly less than 3000 pounds are likely to turn it into a mad cackle. It’s okay. Just try to behave yourself, and wear sunblock. The MINI Cooper S convertible starts at $27,450, while the standard Cooper convertible stickers for $24,770.

By Chris Jackson
MyCarData

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Mini Countryman - Newest Addition to Mini Family

The all new MINI Countryman, MINI’s biggest and boldest model, will make its U.S. debut during the New York International Auto Show.

Equipped with four doors, four individual seats and a four-wheel-drive system known as MINI ALL4, the MINI Countryman will be hitting the U.S. city streets and snow-covered back-roads early next year. Measuring 161.3 inches long and with a wheelbase of 102.2 inches, the MINI Countryman offers more passenger space than any other MINI vehicle, along with nearly 40 cubic feet of cargo space.

“The Countryman is the most striking addition to our vehicle lineup so far,” said Jim McDowell, Vice President, MINI USA. “And development of this vehicle has inspired our engineers and designers; the brand is taking on a new, even feistier, fun-loving attitude.”

As a small crossover, the MINI Countryman bridges the gap between the classic MINI concept and a modern crossover vehicle. The MINI Countryman is a completely new car, unprecedented in the history of the MINI brand, though its likeness to the rest of its family is immediately apparent. While it is MINI’s largest production vehicle ever, it is still only a size “small,” and the company remains committed to the its core values... practicing fiscal, environmental and adrenal responsibility at all times.

MINI Countryman offers MINI fans more space and greater flexibility, as well as typical MINI fun. The extra interior space is made possible by the additional height of the body, and by the car’s longer wheelbase, which has grown nearly six inches compared to the hardtop.

A key feature that is unique to this model is the innovative Center Rail. The aluminum track stretches from the front to the rear of the cabin and offers storage for personal items, electrical and USB connections for seamless integration of smartphones and other devices and a large number of attachments to fit customers’ lifestyle.

MINI Countryman powertrain options include Cooper, Cooper S or Cooper S with ALL4. The Countryman will be the first crossover on the market to feature a turbocharged and direct-injected engine with VALVETRONIC technology, which together provide optimum performance and efficiency. And for those who are focused on gas mileage, MINI Countryman is expected to offer the best fuel economy in the crossover segment.

MINI Countryman is a one-of-a-kind crossover, and will stand out among its competitors in the segment and provide dynamic handling and an overall fun motoring experience. Like all MINI vehicles, the MINI Countryman promises a compelling value story through low free scheduled maintenance, great fuel efficiency, and the brand promises will be a competitive price point (Final pricing for the U.S. will be announced closer to the arrival on dealer lots).

Source Mini
MyCarData

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Mini Paceman - a new member of the Mini family

MINI USA ANNOUNCES A NEW MEMBER OF THE MINI FAMILY
MINI Paceman Concept Confirmed As Basis For New Production Model
First crossover coupe in the premium small car segment
MINI lineup to reach seven vehicles

Woodcliff Lake, NJ - The MINI Paceman Concept vehicle made its world debut at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. During the press conference, Ian Robertson, Board Member for Sales and Marketing, announced that the Paceman will be the basis for MINI's seventh production model in the lineup.

“There will be a seventh member of the MINI family – and we will base it on this concept,” said Robertson. “MINI keeps growing, the excitement never stops.” The current lineup includes the MINI Hardtop, Convertible, Clubman and Countryman. The MINI Coupe will be launched later this year, and the MINI Roadster will be available in 2012.
The Paceman design study is the first crossover coupe in the premium small car segment. It is based on the same platform as the MINI Countryman, and combines an athletic, masculine coupé appearance with the dimensions of the MINI Countryman. “It is the strong muscular MINI with sporty elegance,” said Robertson.

The MINI Paceman Concept captures the typical MINI characteristics – unique design, clever functionality and signature driving fun - with a new level of agility. It includes ALL4, MINI's intelligent all-wheel-drive system and is powered by the 1.6 liter John Cooper Works twin-scroll turbo engine.
All details, including launch timing, production vehicle name and manufacturing information will be announced at a later date.
Source Mini - MyCarData

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VIDEO: When in New Zealand, Beware of the Most Annoying Mini in the World

Did you ever think about adding on some harmonicas to your car's bodywork? Of course not; you don't want people in your neighborhood to vandalize your car. The folks from Mini New Zealand, however, decided to stick 300 harmonicas on a Mini Clubman, just for the sake of a marketing campaign.

Once the job was finished, they created an interactive app on the local Mini website that allows visitors to combine the different sounds from the Mini Carmonica's adventures and create their own compositions. Creative marketing or the result of boredom? Who knows, but one thing's for sure; many of you will definitely turn off the sound after the first seconds of the video below…

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SCOOP: 2012 MINI Coupe JCW Remains Remarkably Faithful to Concept Model

Given that BMW Group officials recently confirmed that MINI’s new coupe model will arrive in the market before the end of the year, it shouldn't come to much of a surprise that the company is gradually stripping away the camouflage from its test cars. Spotted here by our scoop photographers in Germany, is the most potent version of the MINI Coupe lineup, the John Cooper Works model that’s easily distinguished by the aggressive body kit with the flared wheel arches and muscular bumpers.

MINI first showed the Coupe and Roadster models through a pair of concept cars at the Frankfurt motor show in 2009. As predicted, the production version of the Coupe has stayed remarkably faithful to that show car’s design. In fact, with the exception of some very minor details such as the grille and the tail lamp crystals, nothing else has changed, including the shape of the top that’s supposed to resemble a baseball hat worn backwards.

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READ MORE - SCOOP: 2012 MINI Coupe JCW Remains Remarkably Faithful to Concept Model

MINI Launches New USB Flash Drives for the Car Gadget Geeks

For all you MINI fans and car gadget geeks, BMW’s British subsidiary has released a new collection of USB flash drives. The data storage devices come in three unique shapes: an 8GB stick in the form of a MINI ignition key with an illuminated ring; a 4GB unit in the shape of a bulldog, which is said to reflect the firm’s British heritage, and a dual-purpose liquid mouse with a white MINI miniature swimming around in a two-tone, transparent orange fluid. More photos after the jump.

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READ MORE - MINI Launches New USB Flash Drives for the Car Gadget Geeks

BMW Confirms Plug-in Hybrid Version of 5-Series for China as well as New 3-Cylinder Turbo Engine and 2012 1-Series

For the past few months, we’ve been hearing various rumors about BMW’s future plans, but today, the German automaker came out with official details at a press conference in Munich starting with the debut of a plug-in hybrid version of the China market 5-Series at next month’s Shanghai Auto Show.

“A highlight at the Shanghai Motor Show in mid-April will be the presentation of our New Energy Vehicle, said BMW Chief Executive Dr. Norbert Reithofer. “This model will be our e-car from China for China – a long version of the BMW 5 Series as a plug-in hybrid. This car will benefit from the strength and the excellent reputation of the BMW brand.”

Reithofer confirmed the presentation of the production version of the MINI Coupe, first seen as a concept model at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, and the second generation of the BMW 1 Series, both of which will be launched this year alongside the new M5 sports saloon and the 6-Series models.

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READ MORE - BMW Confirms Plug-in Hybrid Version of 5-Series for China as well as New 3-Cylinder Turbo Engine and 2012 1-Series

BMW Group Posts 21.7 Percent Increase in Global Sales in February

The BMW Group, which includes the BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brands, sold 111,720 vehicles in February 2011, recording a 21.7 percent increase over February 2010 (91,763 units) and setting a new record high for the month. For the year to the end of February, the German group’s sales volumes were 24.7% higher than in the first two months of the previous year, at 216,911 units compared to 173,913 in January-February 2010. Read more »

READ MORE - BMW Group Posts 21.7 Percent Increase in Global Sales in February

ultimate gamers chair

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ultimate gamers chair

found on http://crudmudgeon.tumblr.com

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MINI New Rocketman at Milan Fashion Week

Only a few days before its motor show debut at next week's Geneva Salon, the MINI Rocketman concept made its first public appearance at a special event on the sidelines of the Milan Fashion Week. The presentation was held at the Istituto Europeo di Design, which is a design school with a focus on automotive and product design.
The BMW Group said the debut of the Rocketman Concept was stage-managed by London-based film artist, photographer and director Marcus Tomlinson, who also made a short art film for the car featuring Model and actress Lily Cole.
MINI's new concept model is supposed to hark back to the classic Mini in terms of its exterior dimensions while keeping up with the times in terms of safety requirements and occupant space, and also provide a glimpse into the firm's future design language.


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READ MORE - MINI New Rocketman at Milan Fashion Week

MINI Shows off New Rocketman at Milan Fashion Week [New Photos and Video]

Only a few days before its motor show debut at next week's Geneva Salon, the MINI Rocketman concept made its first public appearance at a special event on the sidelines of the Milan Fashion Week. The presentation was held at the Istituto Europeo di Design, which is a design school with a focus on automotive and product design.

The BMW Group said the debut of the Rocketman Concept was stage-managed by London-based film artist, photographer and director Marcus Tomlinson, who also made a short art film for the car featuring Model and actress Lily Cole.

MINI's new concept model is supposed to hark back to the classic Mini in terms of its exterior dimensions while keeping up with the times in terms of safety requirements and occupant space, and also provide a glimpse into the firm's future design language.

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READ MORE - MINI Shows off New Rocketman at Milan Fashion Week [New Photos and Video]