DimON

MINI has partnered with luggage maker TUMI to produce a pair of custom Clubmen that not only feature bespoke TUMI luggage, but TUMI textiles throughout the interiors. The project is called “MINI Goes TUMI” and was debuted in Beijing by TUMI CEO Jerome Griffith. It begins with two cars, a MINI One Clubman, and a MINI Cooper S Clubman. More info and photos after the break. The MINI Goes TUMI Cooper S Clubman is being called the “Black” and also the “Alpha” — featuring custom matte black and magenta paint plus interior choices to match. It seems no accent has been left untouched both outside and inside, as exotic TUMI textiles and bright colors overlay key interior surfaces. Like its green sibling, the Alpha features a bespoke set of TUMI luggage. Dubbed the “Alpha Brave”, the hunter green and orange MINI One Clubman also features custom paintwork, exterior touches, and interior finishes. The AB also features a custom, rooftop cargo pod for even more stylish hauling. Both cars are set to tour the world car show scene this year and foreshadow future possible collaborations between MINI and TUMI. If these cars see any sort of production, speculation is that they’d be limited to the Chinese market. </img><br/></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

A little more than an hour of 5 dudes sitting around talking about Canada and haboobs. No, not really, but we were a little distracted when we got started wondering if a cube deweler is rocking out to WRR with a sub-woofer at his or her desk. Post a photo on our Facebook page and you might win a badge. When the music finally started, we talk about the news from Motoringfile and Todd compares a MINI to a Fiat 500 to an 8th grade cheerleader. All you have to do is listen to find out what I’m on about. Plus you’ll get the new Outmotoring.com 5% discount code. Finish with a little bit of Ask Chad and White Roof Radio live happening this October 22nd at Detroit Tuned. If you are close enough, we’d love to see you! And before anyone gets upset, Season 17 of Top Gear is coming to BBC America on August 22nd, not this week or next. Woofcast 385 Download |29.6MB | 1:04:42 |WRR @ iTunes | WRR @ WRR </img><br/></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

01. FreDD&Nata +Doctorcooper + 1 02. miiPIG/VarVar/midleMINIPIG + kukusiki+3 03. Jokerace + 1 (второй эк) + miniKisa + 1 (первый эк) 04. DimON+coolcat .. 13. Anneke + KaetAna+ Lina (1эк)+ ПРИГЛАШАЕМ ВТОРОЙ МИНИ

An oldie but a goodie, for those of you into classic Minis, here’s one we couldn’t pass up posting about – even if it’s just for the great pics. And of course it’s for sale (via our friends at Bring a Trailer). For just $13,000 all this could ge yours: Unlike so many questionable Minis out there, this 1960 Morris Mini is a genuine car with a British Heritage Certificate showing its original DoB in June of 1960. It was given a bare-shell repair and repaint approximately 5 years ago in Old English White with a black top, a classic color combo. A 1275 cc engine and disk brakes bring it closer to Cooper S performance, and the overall interior and exterior presentation is very clean and period correct. So classic Mini owners out there – let’s here from you. Tell us about your cars and your experiences. Amd of course check out the fully story here. </img><br/></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

MINI and Red Bull have teamed up yet again to bring the world another unconventional sports series. This time, it’s free-running and parcour. Competitors run a street course one and are judged on flow, athleticism and the sheer spectacle of their maneuvers. A MINI is even integrated into the course. As part of the judging, the MINI Sickest Trick Award is presented to the athlete with the most spectacular feat of foot. More details after the break. [Official Release] First London, now the world: with backing from MINI, the Red Bull Art of Motion moves on from its debut in the English capital to five more cities that are set to host some unique free-running events this year. The world’s top free-runners will pit their skills against each other in a publicly staged contest at the following venues: Yokohama (30 July 2011), Sao Paulo (11 August 2011), Detroit (August 2011), Santorini (September 2011) and Green Island Kuwait (October 2011). At each event MINI will present the athlete who has performed the most spectacular trick with the MINI Sickest Trick Award. Free-running and parcour combines creativity and acrobatics into a compelling art of movement in urban spaces. Underpinning this discipline are the discovery of new and unconventional paths and the thrill of motion. Based on the MINI philosophy of “Creative Use of Space”, the athletes make inventive use of the features of the course – in which a MINI is also integrated – in order to execute special stunts and acrobatic moves. A panel of judges rates the presentation of each contestant based on criteria such as flow of movement, creativity and technical level. During the event the judges will also be looking out for the most spectacular performance of the athletes. MINI and Red Bull intensify their partnership. Red Bull Art of Motion is not the first collaboration between MINI and Red Bull: the carmaker is already a partner of Red Bull Crashed Ice, an unconventional winter sports discipline in which groups of four athletes on ice skates hurtle down a five-metre-wide ice cross downhill track. 2011 also saw MINI presenting its first trophy in this discipline: the MINI Rookie Award for the fastest newcomer on the ice track. </img><br/></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

Всем привет! Основной День Рождения MINIpeople прошёл в Питере, и это было мега круто!!!! К сожалению, далеко не все смогли приехать в северную столицу и стать частью великого события. Мы решили попробовать частично восполнить это упущение. В субботу, 16 июля 2011 года вас ожидает веселый необычный квест по городу. Вам потребуется команда из 2х экипажей. Постоянный доступ в интернет у одного из экипажей (подойдёт комп с модемом, планшетник или хороший смартфон, или друг на телефоне у компа). фотоаппарат или телефон с хорошей камерой. Сбор команд в 15:00 Старт в 16:00. МЕСТО СТАРТА Продолжительность 2-3 часа. Стоимость - 1000 р с команды. В 21:00 продолжение празднования в клубе «Gagar.Inn» (Большой Савинский переулок д. 4): - объявление победителей квеста и вручение подарков от АВТОДОМа и других друзей клуба - гонки на PS3 - Dj Компасс Врубель - Видео панорама «7 лет – полет нормальный!» - Отличные коктейли от «Gagar.Inn» - Фотоотчёт наших героев, которые ездили на IMM 2011. - Много необычных сюрпризов.

While the official debut date isn’t until October 1st, MINI has started producing customer and dealer Coupes. Look for more on the road in official MINI and BMW capacities leading up to the final press launch in late September. Also of note in the pic above are the unique 17″ wheels standard on the MCS Coupe. Official Release: Celebrations were under way today at Plant Oxford as the first MINI Coupé rolled off the production line. Andrew Smith MP and Oxford City and County councillors joined plant managing director, Jürgen Hedrich, and members of the plant’s project team to welcome the new model. The Coupé is the fourth member of the five-strong MINI family to be manufactured at Plant Oxford and will be built on the same production lines as the Hatchback, Clubman and Convertible. A two-seater Roadster will complete the line-up early next year. Jürgen Hedrich said: “The car has a unique and strong design but still retains MINI’s exciting and distinctive go-kart feel. “The aim with the MINI Coupé is to give its new owners the most thrilling MINI driving experience possible. Every aspect of the car – from the engines and chassis set up to the weight distribution and aerodynamics – is focused on delivering the optimum dynamic performance” The Coupé is MINI’s first two-seater, since BMW Group developed the new MINI at Oxford, and has already seen strong interest and a healthy order bank developing. Andrew Smith, MP for Oxford East, said: “This is a great day for the Oxford plant. To see yet another model join the line-up shows just how strong demand is for MINI in the 90 markets around the world where MINIs are sold. “This new model, along with BMW Group’s recently-announced £500m investment into UK manufacturing, demonstrates the company’s commitment to a long-term future for Plant Oxford.” The Coupé will see a range of new features, including the sport stripes on the body work, and the increased boot space – the biggest in the MINI range. The unique spoiler is housed in the bootlid and reduces lift at the rear axle to improve aerodynamic balance and road grip. As with all MINIs, a wide range of accessories and personalisation choices will be available. The MINI John Cooper Works Coupé has the fastest acceleration and top speed of any Oxford-produced MINI to date. And while the orders for Coupé are stacking up, customers will have to wait until 1 October to take delivery of their cars. The lightening blue Coupé coming off the line today is destined for a dealership in the UK where it will be used for training dealers and mechanics in advance of customers taking delivery of their cars. </img><br/></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

Sure we all followed along with the factory electic cars. There was that one company that was also selling electric MINIs through Sam’s Club a while back. Now, CravenSpeed has gotten into the game and they just did their first test drive of their electric R53. The donor MINI is a 2002 R53. Great testbed for such a conversion. Be sure to click back to read all about their progress. Anyone have any interest in doing something like this to your MINI? $25k seems pretty reasonable for this kind of conversion to us. What say you? </img><br/></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

We’re getting to be bigger and bigger fans of the chaps over at Winding Road. We recently featured their rather good comparison between the new Fiat 500 Sport and the MINI Cooper. They’re back, and this time with an in-depth look at what might happen if you pitted a factory Cooper S JCW against a regular Cooper S with aggressive aftermarket tuning. What kind of performance could the aftermarket provide, and for how much less than the $6,100 JCW premium? The article breaks down the upgrades gained in the factory JCW, then explores what can be hypothetically be done at aftermarket tuning shops like Detroit Tuned and OutMotoring (who they mention specifically) and for how much less money. The end result of this little mental exercise? A savings of about $1,000 for similar or arguably better performance. There’s a catch though. You see, modifying your car is a great way to void the factory warranty, should something go wrong because of your modification. Therein lies the appeal of the JCW, in that you can get a great deal of performance, with the security blanket of a warranty for less than $2000 over the price of the aftermarket car we just built here. So there you have it. The JCW looks like the best choice on a new car. Once your Cooper S is out of warranty though, well, that’s a horsepower of a different color. Take a look at the full article over at Winding Road. </img><br/></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

One of the MINI Coupé JCW press cars was spotted today in New York City stopping for, we can only guess, a big slice of pizza. Keep your eyes open in The Big Apple, as this car will be making the rounds among local automotive journalists. Speaking of which, this photo was snapped just a few blocks from Jalopnik’s headquarters. </img><br/></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

MINI WRC driver Kris Meeke gives us a first-hand tour of his “office” in this video from MINI. He shows off the controls and layout of the cockpit of his MINI Countryman WRC race car — a place where he gets to spend a lot of quality time. It’s sparse in there, but at the same time functionally beautiful in its simplicity. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

<a href="http://www.motoringfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/2012-mini-countryman-john-cooper-works-spy-shots_100355177_m.jpg">

Смотрите рекламу на форуме http://www.minirs.ru/

Just what you needed after a weekend of blowing things up, a fresh batch of White Roof Radio. News from Motoringfile? Like we like to do. About a little more chatter about the Fiat 500? Sure, we’ve got that too. And, as an added bonus, we wrap everything up with a little Ask Chad. Speaking of which, we always need questions for the Ask Chad inbox. Fire those questions off to askchad@whiteroofradio.com and we’ll get them answered. Or, rather, Chad will. We do like to help. Woofcast 384 Download |23.5MB | 51:26 |WRR @ iTunes </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

When MINI partnered with racing fabricator Prodrive, we knew that they wouldn’t be building just any ordinary racing car. By choosing Prodrive — the company famous for making Subaru a worldwide household name in rally racing — it was obvious that MINI was taking its foray into WRC very, very seriously. One area where this commitment is particularly evident is in the safety innovations built into the Countryman WRC race car. Specifically, Prodrive has designed unique side-impact structures into the Countryman WRC’s roll cage structure that offers superior protection for the driving team. Complete info after the break. [Official Release] The MINI WRC Team is setting new standards, and for its debut into world rallying has made an important step forward in the safety of its car by designing a ground breaking roll cage. The MINI John Cooper Works WRC’s roll cage has a unique side-impact structure which the engineers from Prodrive believe make it the safest rally car ever. In any accident, be it on the public highway or on a rally stage, a side-impact is the most dangerous, as the distance between the occupants and the point of impact is the smallest. To overcome this, the car has innovative door beams which curve outwards, allowing them to withstand much greater impact forces and to begin the deceleration of the car sooner and over a longer period of time. This significantly reduces the G-forces experienced by the crew. The MINI WRC Team’s Technical Director, Dave Wilcock, explained the simple but very important philosophy behind their work in this area: “The new generation of rally cars are more compact than before, however we wanted to ensure that the crew were safer than ever and also that the car felt as spacious as possible. This brought some unique challenges.” It was in the early days of the project that this work started with the engineers doing an exhaustive study of crash data. “The Eureka moment was the redesign of the side impact protection bars, routing them farther away from each crew member and subtly changing their shape,” explained Wilcock. “In an impact, this brings the structure into play much sooner, allowing softer materials to be specified to safely decelerate the crew over a much longer period of time.” The convex curve shape of the door beams allows them to withstand much higher impact forces than traditional straight bars, as well as feeding the loads into nearby welds in a controlled direction, minimising the chance of failure by tearing. The beams are now so far outboard that they pass through the car’s B-pillars, to which they are welded, contributing further strength to the structure. One important factor that helped this part of the project was the strength of the MINI Countryman bodyshell. “For previous rally cars, we have effectively ignored the original road car bodyshell in calculating the design of the roll cage. However, the Countryman is such a strong and safe car that we very much used this to our advantage and integrated it into the roll cage design, reducing the material we needed to add and so saving weight,” said Wilcock. To evaluate how different roll cage joints and welds performed, Prodrive specially prepared more than 50 roll cage joint samples and carried out physical tests on each one to see how each would fail. This led to the complete redesign of many of the joints and the use of a different welding process, as well as the application of a new grade of steel for the cage tubing. The team is justifiably proud of its achievement which has come at no cost to the car’s performance. Also so safe is the new design that the FIA is now looking to make the unique side impact configuration mandatory in future designs of motorsport roll cages. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

Last Sunday the 26th of June Top Gear Season 17 debuted with Jeremy Clarkson driving the BMW 1M and James May racing the MINI JCW Countryman WRC against a sled. We’ll leave the 1M to our sister site and of course focus on the JCW WRC. Unfortunately this version of the video omits Captain Slow giving the rally car the business on public roads. To say he was impressed would be an understatement. But we’ll have to make due with just the main event: Chris Meeke racing against him is Amy Williams, the British Olympic skeleton gold medalist. We won’t give away the result but we will say (in true Top Gear fashion) it’s very close. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

June 2011 June 2010 % YTD 2011 YTD 2010 % BMW brand 21,637 19,182 12.8 113,705 100,632 13.0 BMW passenger cars 15,474 14,490 6.8 82,338 78,423 5.0 BMW light trucks (SAVs) 6,163 4,692 31.4 31,367 22,209 41.2 MINI brand 5,228 4,149 26.0 29,816 20,953 42.3 TOTAL Group 26,865 23,331 15.1 143,521 121,585 18.0 [Official Release] MINI USA reported sales of 5,228 automobiles in June, a new record for the month. The June 2011 sales are an increase of 26% over the 4,149 sold in June, 2010. “Fuel prices have moderated in the last month or so but we are still seeing an increase in MINI sales” said Jim McDowell, Vice President MINI USA. “It’s not just the new Countryman that’s popular but the entry hardtop as well, telling me that more Americans are embracing small cars as a rational choice.” Year-to-date, MINI sales in the U.S. are up 42.3% on volume of 29,816 compared to 20,953 in the first six months of 2010. The January to June numbers are the highest achieved in that six month period since MINI was launched in the U.S. in 2002. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

<a href="http://www.motoringfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/DSC0243.jpg"> [View with PicLens] 12► </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

Hot on the heels of the Coupe debut, here we have a pre-production prototype of the MINI Roadster getting spied by WorldCarFans in Germany. No big surprises here, just a nice glimpse of the car-to-be. Having now seen the Coupe and how closely it kept to its concept car roots, we expect the production R59 to be pleasantly unsurprising. Head on over to WCF for their full gallery of spy shots. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

Editors note. MINI is insisting that ‘Inspired by Goodwood’ be in all caps. We think it’s plainly ridiculous looking at won’t be following that custom here on MF. As MINI Inspired by Goodwood makes its European debut this weekend at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, MINI announces UK pricing for the stunning car which blends Rolls Royce luxury with the unmistakble MINI driving experience. From 30th June 2011 customers will be able to place their order for one of just 1,000 MINI Inspired by Goodwood models priced at £41,000. The first of these unique cars will be delivered in March 2012. MINI Inspired by Goodwood is the result of an exceptional collaboration between MINI and the Rolls Royce Motors Cars design team. The special edition MINI features top-grade materials and the highest level of workmanship. The exterior and interior design features, were conceived at the Rolls-Royce Design division in the Sussex town of Goodwood and provide the car with a luxurious charisma and an incomparably high-quality ambience. Inside the MINI Inspired by Goodwood, specially selected materials and precise craftsmanship guarantee the highest degree of comfort. The dashboard, central console, air vents, carpets, heated lounge leather seats, roof lining, doors and interior cladding all boast the exclusive Rolls-Royce colour Cornsilk. The dashboard and doorhandle surfaces, which are manufactured in Goodwood are finished in Walnut Burr, a premium wood trim exclusive to Rolls-Royce. The MINI Inspired by Goodwood also features cashmere roof linings, sun visors and rear storage tray as well as deep-pile lambswool foot mats – a quality also featured in current Rolls-Royce models. The most striking features of the exterior design are the body finish in the exclusive Rolls-Royce colour Diamond Black metallic and 17-inch light alloy wheels sporting a multi-spoke design. The MINI Inspired by Goodwood is powered by a l.6-litre 135 kW/184 bhp four-cylinder engine with Twin Scroll turbocharger, direct petrol injection and variable valve control. The power unit, which is featured in the new MINI Cooper S – it is the most efficient engine in its displacement class. The MINI Inspired by Goodwood’s range of high-quality equipment offered as standard also includes Xenon Adaptive Headlights, Park Distance Control, automatic air conditioning, an onboard computer, MINI Navigation and the audio system Radio MINI Visual Boost, which includes the Harman Kardon hi-fi speaker system. The car also comes with MINI’s 5 year servicing package; MINI TLC. Customers can find out more about the MINI Inspired by Goodwood at www.mini.co.uk and can place an order at their local MINI dealership. Source: MINI UK News Full Gallery [show as slideshow] [View with PicLens] 12► </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

Download |29.1MB | 1:03:42 |WRR @ iTunes Apologies for the delay in getting this posted. That said, let’s move on. We swapped Chad for Gabe tonight which is always a treat, as long as he isn’t trying to steal the show from me. But, even more Coupe talk, quite a bit more Fiat 500 talk and I even let some Bimmer talk in. And, some Top Gear talk. White Roof Radio live is coming together nicely! We would still love for you to RSVP either way (Yes/No/Maybe) to give us an idea of how many of you fine people are planning on attending. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

The MINI gets compared to a lot of other cars, both here and in Europe. The comparison de jour for the Cooper is the newly stateside Fiat 500. The MotoringFile review of the Fiat 500 goes live in a few hours. In the meantime, we wanted to share this fantastic comparison from Winding Road. Unlike many surface-level, mostly sensationalized comparisons we’ve read in the past few months, Seyth Miersma does a great job of comparing the two cars objectively, on their actual merits. I like the conclusion, because for once it’s not about one car “beating” the other. Drive both, buy one, be completely satisfied, no matter which you chose; that’s the prescription here. We can’t wait to see if the upcoming Abarth version of the Fiat 500 has got what it takes to finally top the Mini, in Cooper S form, too. Here’s to the delicious pain of waiting, and some great small car driving in the meantime. The full article is definitely worth a read. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

Personally, I’m a big fan of creative philanthropy. Being charitable and generous is awesome, but doing so in an interesting way is even better. A great example is the recent partnership between MINI and the iconic band KISS. MINI created four unique, KISS-themed Countryman S four doors, each custom painted to match one of the KISS band members. The cars were then auctioned on eBay to benefit UNICEF. The grand total came to $129,000 raised for Japan relief and global initiatives caring for children in need. At an average of just $32,250 each, that’s not far above MSRP depending on final spec. A modest premium for a good cause and unique MINIs. Kudos to all involved and congrats to the auction winners. Full info after the break. [Official Release] The world watched in horror as the earthquake and tsunami devastated Japan; so the legendary rock band KISS partnered with MINI USA and unleashed the power of The KISS Army to battle the elements with dollars – and plenty of them. KISS (www.KISSonline.com) and MINI USA raised $129,000 during an eBay online charity auction of four custom-painted and autographed MINI Countryman vehicles. After shipping, all proceeds will be donated to UNICEF to help children in Japan and other emergency efforts around the world. And the initiative keeps on giving… KISS vehicle wraps based on the auctioned designs are still available for purchase through www.MINIUSA.COM/KISS or local MINI dealerships. MINI USA’s proceeds from those sales will continue to help those in need. “The KISS Army is the greatest army in the world and when they heard the cry for help, they fought back in the best way that they knew how – with their wallets,” said Paul Stanley. “The KISS MINIs are the ultimate way to show your KISS Army colors and it’s a reminder that we have the best fans in the world.” The four custom-painted vehicles are the all-new 2011 MINI Countryman, and each vehicle features the iconic makeup and costume association of one KISS member, including co-founder and rhythm guitarist Paul Stanley (Starchild), co-founder and bassist Gene Simmons (The Demon), lead guitarist Tommy Thayer (Spaceman) and drummer Eric Singer (Catman). All of the MINIs are autographed by all four members of KISS and have become instant collector’s items. “The KISS MINIs are rare one-of-a-kind collector’s items and KISS salutes the winners of the auction,” said Gene Simmons. “The new owners have the satisfaction of knowing that they not only have an instant investment that will keep growing in value, but every time they look at the car, they’ll also be reminded that the real value is knowing that their dollars helped children in the greatest need.” “Thank you to the auction participants and MINI owners who bought vehicle wraps, thereby contributing to this charitable effort. MINI USA is proud that our vehicles were featured as part of such a remarkable initiative and helped raise much needed funds,” said Jim McDowell, Vice President MINI USA. “It is fantastic to see what started as a simple idea grow into something that will touch the lives of so many. UNICEF does great work and I hope that the ties with KISS and MINI have elevated awareness and support of their tireless efforts.” The eBay auction winners are located in North Carolina, Oregon, and Massachusetts. The vehicles will be delivered in the coming weeks to their new homes. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

This weekend MINI competed in the Nurburgring 24 Hours and came away two cars running at the end. It was a test and learn race for MINI but they did a little more cracking into the top 50 at one point. However with 24 hours on the most grueling track in the world and a pair of new cars, things didn’t go perfectly. But still there are a lot of reasons to be excited about the result. We’ve pulled together the best of the official footage and the behind the scenes to give you a flavor of the weekend’s activities. It’s also the best look yet at the car and the team. And as we find out at the end of the video, it’s a team that will be competing later this year at Spa Francorchamps. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше