MINI News
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BMW's foray into the world of hybrids is expected to begin at some point this year with the release of a hybrid variant of the 7-series flagship and eventually the X5 and X6 SUVs as well. While development for those cars is mostly complete, BMW is preparing its next-generation of hybrids and all-electric vehicles and today has announced a new battery supplier for the future vehicles. The new models are being developed under BMW’s recently established Project i division and will include a whole assortment of vehicles including city cars, coupes, roadsters, and even a scooter or two...
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Spy Shots: MINI Crossover Nearing CompletionMini unveiled a new crossover concept at last year’s Paris Motor Show and within just four weeks after its debut the vehicle was given the green light for production. Numerous prototypes have since been spotted testing across Europe, but despite a scheduled debut for September’s...
Jeremy Weber -
Preview: Production Audi A1 headed to Frankfurt Motor ShowJust a few weeks ago, we brought you news that Audi's all-new A1 and next-gen A8 would be skipping the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show, but a new report today puts the A1, at least, back on for the Frankfurt show. But the Frankfurt appearance will be more than just a debut - it will be a launch...
Alex Kaufmann -
Mini One D bests Honda Insight with 60mpgThe Mini Cooper isn't the first car you'd associate with the environmental movement, but with its frugal four-cylinder engines and the new Mini E battery-operated version, the Cooper's green credentials are considerable. Now Mini's buffing the inexpensive, high-miler Cooper it sells in Europe as...
Martin Padgett -
Mini sells 1.5 millionth new generation modelJust weeks after celebrating Mini’s 50th birthday, another milestone was reached today as the 1.5 millionth car rolled off the Oxford production line, since the launch of the new generation Mini back in 2001. BMW CEO Ian Robertson as well as British politician Ian Lucas were on hand to see...
Kenneth Hall -
Report: First BMW Project i car coming in 2012In March of 2008 BMW first announced plans to establish a new research division called ‘Project i,’ whose task would be to develop a number of solutions for a vehicle designed for congested city motoring. The goal of Project i was never to exclusively develop one type of vehicle or...
Jeremy Weber -
Forty years ago, a privateer Mini Cooper S specially prepared by Arden Engineering took the British Touring Car Championship, and today, Arden's modern custom house is celebrating the occasion with a heavily modified special edition Mini Equipe. The Equipe gets a custom two-tone leather upholstery scheme throughout the cabin, including the doors and dash. Hand-stitched casings and handmade stainless steel and chrome elements adorn the car front to rear, including the redesigned grille. But the upgrades aren't all cosmetic - super-light 18x8in aluminum alloy wheels - 15lb each - are placed at...
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Study: Domestic North American production outpaced by European, Asian brands by 2012As a side effect of the current industry downturn and the subsequent realignment of capacity at America's major domestic car manufacturers, the once-Big Three could be outstripped in North American production by a combination of foreign companies by 2012, including BMW and Porsche-owned Volkswagen...
Ralph Hanson -
Mini planning 20% expansion in dealer network to meet growth targetsEven as the rest of the industry - including its parent company, BMW - contracts, Mini USA is getting ready to expand with 17 new dealerships across the country. The new outlets will bring the total up to an even hundred. Bigger cities and markets completely new to Mini are the focus for the...
Alex Kaufmann -
Lexus tops J.D. Power Initial Quality study, Porsche and Cadillac close behindWhen it comes to luxury-car quality, taste often plays as big a role as fact, but J.D. Power tries to boil the issue down to a simple metric: problems per 100 cars. The resulting ranks are dubbed the Initial Quality Study, and used to guide consumer decisions. As usual, Lexus rates at the very top...
Alex Kaufmann -
BMW working on Rolls-Royce custom MiniSpecial editions and the Mini seem to go together like rubber and asphalt, with no fewer than three out in the last month, including the luxury-focused Mayfair Edition (pictured). But the next special edition could be something special, indeed. Built in cooperation with Rolls Royce, the new Mini...
Kenneth Hall -
Official details and photos for Mini's F1-Commemorative ‘World Championship 50’ editionWhat was previously just a rumor and then confirmed in late May has now become official: the Mini John Cooper Works (JCW) World Championship 50 special edition. The car was unveiled at its 50th anniversary celebrations a few weeks ago, revealing a new special-edition Mini to mark the event as well...
Kenneth Hall -
Mini's aren't exactly known for their aggressive or sporty styling, instead choosing to adopt a more 'cute' appearance at the behest of its designers. German tuning house AC Schnitzer, however, didn't agree with Mini’s original design theme and instead unveiled a new kit for the R57 Cooper Cabrio with a number of modifications to the engine, suspension, styling and aerodynamics. Starting with the performance, the standard Cooper S Cabrio features a 175hp (131kW) 1.6L engine, but with performance upgrades this figure is increased to a more impressive 208hp (155kW). The car is also fitted...
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Mini Cooper roadster set for Frankfurt Motor ShowMini has been a giant success story for BMW, with the iconic little cars becoming almost ubiquitous throughout cities these days. With brand success comes more models, and BMW has already capitalized on the Mini name in a big way with new variants such as the Clubman as well as an upcoming...
Kenneth Hall -
BMW wants to develop its EV technology completely in-houseSince the release of BMW’s official strategy back in September 2007, media sources around the world have speculated about the carmaker looking to either launch its own new brand or acquire one to help its expansion. Instead, BMW established a new environmental think-tank dubbed 'Project i'...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Mini unveils Mayfair and Camden 50th Anniversary special editionsThoroughly modern yet pleasingly reminiscent of the original Mini, the latest generation offers a price, economy and handling package few can match. And today Mini decided to sweeten the deal with a pair of special editions in celebration of its 50th year of production. The names of the two new...
Kenneth Hall -
Mini celebrates 50 years with special Beatles ‘Magical Mystery Tour' Cooper SMini is resurrecting one of its most famous models, a car that once belonged to Beatles member George Harrison. Decked out in psychedelic paintings, the legendary Beatle Mini Cooper appeared in the rock group’s 'Magical Mystery Tour', and now Mini is dedicating a reinterpretation of...
Jeremy Weber -
Mini celebrates 50 years of production at UK's Oxford plantTomorrow, May 8, 2009, marks 50 years to the day since the first Mini rolled off the production line at Plant Oxford, formerly known as Cowley. It's been a long and winding road for the British icon, but the Mini has made it through half a century of nearly continuous production despite passing...
Kenneth Hall -
According to BMW's 'MINI Space' team of engineers and designers, race cars of the future may be built out of old oil drums, bomb shells and BBQ grills - oh and did we mention goldfish? While it may seem like the parts list for a race car out of a Dr. Seuss book, in reality the project by BMW to envision the race car of 2025 is a tongue-in-cheek look at what the future may hold for cars, as well as promoting its own team's design goals of thinking of new ideas for the creative use of space. The futuristic racer was first unveiled as part of a design competition at last year's Los Angeles Auto...
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Scion-branded iQ hatch concept rolls into New York Auto ShowThe iQ hatch has been winning hearts and awards ever since its debut at last year's Paris Motor Show thanks to its cute face and its innovative design. Now it is catching second looks as it shows up in New York wearing a Scion badge and a special urban look. Targeted directly at Scion's already...
Nelson Ireson -
Arden looks to Mini Challenge Cup race car for new performance kitArden is a German tuning company that has a penchant for modifying British cars, namely, Jaguars and Land Rovers. Now, the company is looking to expand its business by modifying vehicles from the Mini brand and is targeting buyers looking for something sporty yet still luxurious. Arden’s...
Kenneth Hall -
BMW Z2 Roadster To Highlight New Project i FamilyIn March of 2008 BMW first announced plans to establish a new research division called ‘Project i,’ whose task would be to develop a number of solutions for a vehicle designed for congested city motoring. The goal of Project i was never to exclusively develop one type of vehicle or...
Ralph Hanson -
Report: Mini Planning John Cooper Works CrossoverHeating up the hot hatch world has become a game of diminishing returns - finding a way to fit 300hp, smart looks and a roomy interior all into an affordable price tag is not easy. But Mini has decided to take a new tack: turning the Cooper into a crossover, and maybe even adding diesel into the...
Nelson Ireson -
Report: Fiat and BMW working on new small car familyLast year BMW and Fiat first started looking at cooperation over parts and platform sharing and possibly sales and distribution synergies, but with Fiat aligning itself with Chrysler earlier this year the scope of its workings with BMW have widened. Though exact details remain scarce, BMW and Fiat...
Kenneth Hall