Archive for the ‘MINI’ Category
MINI have announced that as of August 2010, all models in their range will bear new design features both inside and out, while the first diesel powered MINI convertible will also make its debut. This is just one of two new diesel engines that will achieve Co2 emissions of just 99g/km.
The new, reworked models will be available in showrooms from September, with MINI aiming to sneak their new diesel models in underneath the road tax threshold under the current system. The One D and Cooper D are the two reworked models that will benefit from a new super-efficient diesel engine, with other designs in the range undergoing a few other nips and tucks.
MINI have attempted to take some attention away from the dastardly vuvuzelas at this summer’s World Cup by launching their own fan item, the Countryman Makarapa. Fancy trading in your used MINI Countryman for a new model with a giant workman’s hat on the roof? No, I didn’t think so, but nonetheless, the Makarapa is a fun little addition to the party atmosphere currently enveloping South Africa.
This new Countryman may not be the most practical invention that BMW have come up with, but their novelty model with a giant Makarapa (a customisable South African workman’s helmet) attached on top has certainly caused a stir on the South African streets as fans embrace the fun and festivities that have been bywords of this first African World Cup.
Plucky car brand MINI are not giving up in their campaign to arrange a race between their famous Cooper model and the Porsche 911. Having thrown the gauntlet down to Porsche boss Detlev Von Platen, the BMW-owned brand, whose famous history has made them a much loved and iconic group of vehicles across the world, are refusing to give up despite Von Platen’s rather dismissive response.
MINI gave enthusiasts a glimpse of the future last week, with a media preview of their forthcoming extended range of models. In addition to the variety of new and used MINI motors already owning the roads, MINI look set to add the Coupe and Roadster to their arsenal sooner rather than later.
It has been a long wait for MINI fans after the two concepts were first revealed at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. But finally it would appear that both concepts are edging closer to the production phase, despite no official production date having yet been announced.
When shopping for a new car, it is easy to overlook a brand that has symbolised British chic for decades. While they may now be manufactured by German firm BMW, used MINI models are still a wise choice when looking to buy a second hand car.
The first generation MINI One and MINI Cooper both maintain a timeless charm, despite some models now being as much as nine years old. BMW injected both models with a transversely-mounted four-cylinder engine, which along with the lightweight nature of the cars makes for an enjoyable driving experience. Furthermore, the MINI is perfect for inner city travelling due to its relatively small size and ease of handling.
As MINI bombards the market with new launches we’re being encouraged to think for ourselves. It’s not enough to buy a new model. We can now choose from a choice of MINI parts to make our cars as unique as were are.
Thanks to the new MINI website you can navigate around a fun interactive application that allows you to tailor the look of your new car both inside and out. On the roof you can have a choice of lettering, stripes, a chequered flag and the good old Union Jack.
It seems that not a day goes by without a new MINI model being announced. From the Beachcomber to the Roadster, it seems new MINI’s are everywhere, but the new 4×4 crossover the Countryman certainly took us by surprise.
Sitting a fair bit higher than many would expect from a MINI and for the first time boasting five doors, the new Countryman is certainly a different design from the trusty MINI we all know and love and swears blind that it offers a genuine carrying capacity of four adults, but it’s still the good old MINI at heart.
The new MINI Beachcomber is set to be unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show next month. This Moke-inspired number has certainly divided the MINI community like few other developments have, but it seems that all questions will be answered when it finally rolls out.
MINI aficionados are notoriously difficult to please when it comes to alterations to the classic design and the Beachcomber is the biggest modification in recent memory. With both soft and hard top options due to be made available, this new MINI will be suitable even if it’s not beach weather which, let’s be honest, it rarely is here in the UK.
BMW and Mini are on a collision course after it was announced that the German manufacturer are looking to introduce a new series called the 0-Series. As it suggests the new mini car will be designed to be smaller than the current 1-Series which means that it is likely that it will go into direct competition with the current Mini, which strangely is also owner by BMW.
It really does seem that the company is almost shooting itself in the foot with this latest move, admittedly having two cars competing in the market should mean that the company will grab large shares of the market, however it could of course backfire and the companies could end up taking sales off of each other.
2009 is a celebratory year for MINI having recently commemorated its 50th birthday, and now they are set to enter new territories – the world of the coupe.
BMW has released images of the MINI Coupe Concept that is set to be exhibited at the Frankfurt Motor Show in mid September and this reincarnation of the classic hot hatch looks set to steal the show.
This most iconic of hot hatches will now enter the sports coupe market for the first time in its 50 year history and judging by the images, MINI fever is likely to spread once again, not only through the UK and Europe, but also across the Atlantic and beyond.
The BMW 3 Series Saloon and Convertible have been named best compact executive car and best convertible. The two high-profile awards were awarded to the motoring company by th UK’s biggest selling weekly motoring magazine: Auto Express.
The panel of motoring experts from the magazine assessed the two cars and later awarded them the two prestiduous awards.
The road test team from Auto Express said: ‘BMW’s superior dynamics won the day. A model range that includes everything from a diesel variant capable of 62.8mpg to the supercar-chasing 414bhp M3 is unbeatable’ about the Saloon.
The MINI John Cooper Works Cabrio will join the Australian line-up next month. The new and exciting drop-top isn’t just the newest member to the John Coper Works range, but also is it’s fastest convertible yet. The turbocharged convertible is the third car in the John Cooper Works line-up and, being the quickest accelerating convertible in the sub-$100,000 range, it surely is a very fast MINI.
The John Cooper Works Cabrio (first unveiled at this years Geneva Motor Show), claims to be able to hit 100km/h in 6.9 seconds – wow!
Since 2001, Mini has of course changed a lot. Although the pre 2001 Mini has the same name and some of the same details, they are both very different cars. It is much more difficult to spot the differences between the early new Mini, and the Mini that is on sale today. The overall look has been maintained, but much of the bodywork, the engine and the headlamps have been altered.
Those crazy cats at Top Gear are planning to shoot a re-enactment of the Italian Job (the original, not the hammy US remake) but not in Italy; the three mid-lifes plan to drive MINI’s through sewers in Belfast.
They will drive the MINI Coopers through the City’s new 6 mile sewage works and like the original film, this will be the second time this scene will have been shot in the UK., as although the opening and ending sequence of the car chase was shot in Turin, the actual scene where the Mini’s speed through the sewer tunnel was shot in Coventry.
The new MINI First has many an incentive for those on the lookout for a new comfortable, stylish, eco-friendly and economical drive.
Not only will you be getting an efficient and quality assured piece of German engineering, but the MINI First is also set to be the least depreciating vehicle in its class.
BMW expect the MINI First to still be worth 50 per cent of its £10,950 price tag after three years or 30,000 miles: unheard of!
