Motor Authority - blog Category: MINI

Borrowing a page out of parent company BMW's playbook, MINI's "Wash Me" art car video shows off the latest batch of art cars from the MINI lineup. BMW has long been known for its art cars, and the latest push, complete with a book based around these art cars, is to give MINI that same sort of history.

By using the MINI as a canvas, 10 different artists present 10 different takes on what an art car should be--and what a radically custom MINI paint job can look like.

Playing on the theme of casual art drawn in dirty cars, the "Wash Me" video shows how a single car can express many different themes, depending on the personality of the artist....

Borrowing a page out of parent company BMW's playbook, MINI's "Wash Me" art car video shows off the latest batch of art cars from the MINI lineup. BMW has long been known for its art cars, and the latest push, complete with a book based around these art cars, is to give MINI that same sort of history. By using the MINI as a canvas, 10 different artists present 10 different takes on what an art car should be--and what a radically custom MINI paint job can look like. Playing on the theme of casual art drawn in dirty cars, the "Wash Me" video shows how a single car can express many different themes, depending on the personality of the artist. If the car, or the art, catches your eye, you can get the book at your local outlet now. [MINISpace] Read More

MINI fans have been waiting with a mixed sense of dread and anticipation ever since the 2008 Paris Auto Show where the MINI crossover concept was introduced, but it looks today like that wait may be extended another three months. A new report says that instead of showing up at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show in January--after a delay from the Frankfurt show--the car's debut will be delayed again, this time until  March, 2010 in Geneva.

Along with the report of the delayed debut comes alleged confirmation that the Countryman name is final. Previous reports have hinted at this name, so it won't be a surprise to many, but MINI has yet to release...

MINI fans have been waiting with a mixed sense of dread and anticipation ever since the 2008 Paris Auto Show where the MINI crossover concept was introduced, but it looks today like that wait may be extended another three months. A new report says that instead of showing up at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show in January--after a delay from the Frankfurt show--the car's debut will be delayed again, this time until  March, 2010 in Geneva. Along with the report of the delayed debut comes alleged confirmation that the Countryman name is final. Previous reports have hinted at this name, so it won't be a surprise to many, but MINI has yet to release any official statement on the matter. Other tasty tidbits from the new report include an expected "All4"-branded all-wheel drive system for the Countryman, which will be marketed much as BMW's xDrive system or Audi's quattro, potentially opening the door for more MINI applications. Who wouldn't want to see an all-wheel-drive turbocharged, John Cooper Works version of the Coupe or standard hatchback? When the Countryman finally does arrive on the scene in production form, expect it to seat four at about 13 feet in length but with MINI's now-expected handling qualities intact. Powertrains will include both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive variants, though the all-wheel model may not be available at launch. Engines will include the standard 1.6-liter 118-horsepower unit, a 173-horsepower 1.6-liter four, and for Europe at least, a 1.6-liter common-rail diesel rated at 110 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. [Motoring File via Autoblog] Read More

Rally racing isn't especially popular here in the U.S., but MINIs sure are, and it's always exciting to see a capable car put to use in a historical context. Today, MINI brings us the Rallye Monte Carlo in the JCW MINI Cabrio at the hands of rally greats Rauno Aaltonen and Paddy Hopkirk.

The video is certainly a major upgrade from the last batch of videos out of MINI, featuring a creepy yet attractive pair of twins somehow advertising the upcoming MINI Coupe and Roadster, unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.

It's Friday, and for about half the country, it's after 5 p.m., so sit back, kick your feet up, and enjoy the video.

[YouTube...

Rally racing isn't especially popular here in the U.S., but MINIs sure are, and it's always exciting to see a capable car put to use in a historical context. Today, MINI brings us the Rallye Monte Carlo in the JCW MINI Cabrio at the hands of rally greats Rauno Aaltonen and Paddy Hopkirk. The video is certainly a major upgrade from the last batch of videos out of MINI, featuring a creepy yet attractive pair of twins somehow advertising the upcoming MINI Coupe and Roadster, unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. It's Friday, and for about half the country, it's after 5 p.m., so sit back, kick your feet up, and enjoy the video. [YouTube via Jalopnik] Read More

A cute new family is forming at MINI, with the Coupe Concept joined by the 2009 MINI Roadster Concept today at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Ready to amp up the lineup, the two-seater twins promise an upgrade to MINI's already solid reputation for fun.

Like the Coupe, the Roadster Concept is essentially production-ready, and already a candidate for construction in the U.K., though for now it still officially wears the "concept" badge.

Reviving the purity of driving a MINI is the underlying theme behind the Roaster. Beyond the open top, the two-seat layout does away with the rear seats of the standard MINI Cooper and yet still manages to be...

A cute new family is forming at MINI, with the Coupe Concept joined by the 2009 MINI Roadster Concept today at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Ready to amp up the lineup, the two-seater twins promise an upgrade to MINI's already solid reputation for fun. Like the Coupe, the Roadster Concept is essentially production-ready, and already a candidate for construction in the U.K., though for now it still officially wears the "concept" badge. Reviving the purity of driving a MINI is the underlying theme behind the Roaster. Beyond the open top, the two-seat layout does away with the rear seats of the standard MINI Cooper and yet still manages to be instantly recognizable as a MINI. Extensive use of family design cues makes that possible, including the round headlights, short hood and circular interior theme. The front air dam of the MINI Roadster Concept is undeniably performance-oriented. And it should be, considering the 175 horsepower turbocharged 1.6-liter powerplant will be even more willing to please in the smaller, nimbler Roadster. How is it nimbler? For starters, weight distribution is improved, shuffling a bit more heft over the rear axle for more neutral behavior. The slightly shorter layout and lower weight also helps handling, while power-to-weight ratio is improved, too. When it's really time to get down to business, hit the "overboost" button and you'll get a few brief moments of extra torque from the engine. Aesthetically, the concept's houndstooth-and-leather seating and gold striping show it won't be purely about go, either--there's an element of show to any roadster. Though slightly longer overall at 146.2 inches, the Roadster is identical to the standard Cooper from the windshield forward. From the windshield back, there are numerous differences, including a more steeply raked windshield, a more rounded rear end, and a short decklid--not to mention the convertible top. The soft folding top hides away behind the seats under a tonneau cover, and when the top is up, it's said to be even sleeker than the standard MINI Cooper Convertible, though the Roadster does share door panels with its larger sibling. Unlike a lot of modern cars, however, the Roadster's soft top won't drop on its own--it's manual-operation only, not that it's likely to be a hassle. Safety in a topless car is always a concern, but MINI has you covered with a pop-up rollbar that helps keep the car's passengers safe even if things go horribly wrong. Cargo space, while not in the same league as the Cooper hatchback, is still better than you might think, with 8.8 cubic feet available, beating out the larger 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster. A trap door access to the passenger area gives the ability to carry long, thin objects, and a locking lid lets passengers access the trunk should the need arise. Uniquely MINI features include the "openairometer", which will warm the hearts of Convertible fans, plus the NatureGuard function which informs the driver of the environmental impact of their driving. Not that this green machine isn't concerned with speed either: a "Highspeed Shifter" swaps cogs with ease and the "Gravity" indicator gives a readout on lateral acceleration. The Roadster Concept can even measure the driver's heartbeat--perhaps the gold standard of how exciting a car is to drive. When other Roadster drivers are around, a "Buddy Radar" alerts you to their presence, bringing a new kind of social media to not only MINI, but cars in general--for better or worse. Stay tuned for photos and even more details on the MINI Roadster Concept from High Gear Media, live on the floor of the Frankfurt Auto Show. Read More

Mini fans in the U.S. will soon have a new model to salivate over in the form ‘Rally Edition’ Clubman S, which is reportedly headed to the U.S. later this year. Expected to be sold in a limited batch of just 70 units, the new Rally Edition Mini Clubman S has been designed to create excitement in the lead up to the release of the Clubman John Cooper Works (JCW) tuning kit.

Each Mini dealer in the U.S. is only expected to receive one car, each with a unique plaque, as well as Rally Green mirror caps and side skirts. Other standard specs include a Midnight Black paint scheme, a matching roof, Mini’s Sport Package, clear lens indicators, xenon...

Mini fans in the U.S. will soon have a new model to salivate over in the form ‘Rally Edition’ Clubman S, which is reportedly headed to the U.S. later this year. Expected to be sold in a limited batch of just 70 units, the new Rally Edition Mini Clubman S has been designed to create excitement in the lead up to the release of the Clubman John Cooper Works (JCW) tuning kit. Each Mini dealer in the U.S. is only expected to receive one car, each with a unique plaque, as well as Rally Green mirror caps and side skirts. Other standard specs include a Midnight Black paint scheme, a matching roof, Mini’s Sport Package, clear lens indicators, xenon headlights, 17 inch black alloy wheels, and a Bluetooth kit. Optional accessories include the aforementioned JCW tuning kit, sport stripes, roof rack and rails, a new roof basket and driving lights finished in black. Look for delivers to start in October, with prices starting at $32,999 with the JCW tuning kit. [MotoringFile] Read More

For the older European readers out there, the mention of the words BMW Isetta probably conjures up nostalgic images of little, egg-shaped cars trundling around the city, with styling that looked possibly as cheerful and non-threatening as a car could ever get. Built in the 1950s and ‘60s, the BMW Isetta was one of the best-selling minicars of all time, and BMW ended up producing close to 160,000 units in just seven years - but apparently that wasn't enough considering the news that BMW is expected to revive the Isetta brand to sell city cars under once again.

The news comes following speculation that BMW was considering adding a... For the older European readers out there, the mention of the words BMW Isetta probably conjures up nostalgic images of little, egg-shaped cars trundling around the city, with styling that looked possibly as cheerful and non-threatening as a car could ever get. Built in the 1950s and ‘60s, the BMW Isetta was one of the best-selling minicars of all time, and BMW ended up producing close to 160,000 units in just seven years - but apparently that wasn't enough considering the news that BMW is expected to revive the Isetta brand to sell city cars under once again. The news comes following speculation that BMW was considering adding a fourth brand to its portfolio that would be able to sell cars developed under the 'Project i' initiative, a rumor that was denied by CEO Norbert Reithofer. Instead, BMW will use a sub-brand to sell the Project i cars, rather than an entire new brand, much in the way BMW's 'M' performance division sells M-badged cars. The exact quote from Reithofer comes from a speech given earlier this week, in which he confirmed that BMW's "Project i is working on a Megacity vehicle as well as on new mobility concepts. The board has now decided: this auto will be launched on the market as a sub-brand of BMW. As BMW is the innovation driver within the group, the decision for a sub-brand under BMW is the most logical step." This is where the Isetta brand comes in - while BMW has yet to officially confirm the news, there are several big clues that BMW will be reviving the Isetta name to sell off its Project i cars. The biggest clue comes from a new ad campaign for the BMW Museum in Munich. Interestingly, the ad exclusively features miniature Isetta models travelling around an urban environment in stop-motion - 'subtly' highlighting the car's small nature and intended use in cities. Powertrain options for the car are still uncertain, but many are speculating that it may be launched with a small diesel or petrol engine, with a move towards electric vehicles shortly afterwards. In the meantime, you can check out the very subtle ad that BMW has just released for the BMW Museum below. Via: TheCarConnectionBMW Museum Isetta ad campaign Read More