DimON

Aftermarket MINI accessory makers Cravenspeed have taken on a rather ambitions MINI mod: a fully electric R53. Now they fully admit that MINI and others did actually beat them to this feat, but they’re taking it a step further. Cravenspeed plan to have their fully electric R53 wheels down in just about a month. Even more ambitions than their prototype timeline are their plans to offer the setup as a kit. Featuring a 245ft/lb electric motor, the Cravenspeed MINI EV should go like crazy. Estimated range is 60-100 miles, and their approach should make a fully electric MINI a rather fun and accessible option for the ambitious R53 owner. Follow along with their progress over at their project blog. Thanks for sending this in, fellas, and best of luck! </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

Сочувствуем.

[Official Release] KISS, the most iconic band in the history of rock, isn’t just taking the show on the road this summer. They’re also taking it to eBay (www.eBay.com) for a ten-day Father’s Day Charity Auction, starting May 29 at 4 pm PST. Auction participants can bid on any of the four MINI Countryman vehicles, each autographed by the entire band and custom-painted with the iconic makeup for each band member. All of the proceeds will benefit UNICEF to help children in Japan and other emergency relief efforts worldwide. “Helping others is a gift we can give ourselves, but here’s a four wheel bonus!” said KISS co-founder Paul Stanley. “The KISS MINI’s are the ultimate way to show your KISS Army colors while helping our friends in Japan who have been devastated by the recent earthquake and floods. We’re asking everyone to open their wallets to help UNICEF raise money for children who are still coping with the effects of these disasters.” The custom-painted vehicles are the all-new 2011 MINI Countryman, and feature 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 will also be autographed by all four members of KISS (www.KISSonline.com). “The KISS MINIs are the perfect Father’s Day gift for the man who has everything,” said KISS co-founder Gene Simmons, “But this ain’t your father’s car. It’s bigger, better and the very best for the man who has the rest. It’s KISS, baby. The custom-painted MINI Countryman would be the ultimate collector’s item for a KISS fan or curator of rock band memorabilia, and would be the perfect addition to a car collector’s garage; plus the new owner will have the satisfaction of knowing they’ve supported a great cause.” “MINI has a long history of philanthropic activities as part of our MINI Motoring Hearts program, which is all about giving back to the community,” said Jim McDowell, Vice President – MINI USA. “These efforts support that and we are happy to help UNICEF make a difference in these kids’ lives.” The original artwork for all four vehicles was painted by a team of three BMW Group employees, mostly after normal business hours and on weekends. The designs were influenced by each band member’s iconic makeup, as well as some attributes of their costumes. Each car was taken apart and components were painted individually to ensure proper coverage and a quality finish that will last. “It’s been a lot of hard work, but the team is thrilled to help contribute to this much-needed cause,” said Dan Doot, BMW Group Paint and Body Team Leader. “We have a real passion for this type of work.” For more photos, click here. For more information, visit www.eBay.com, www.KISSonline.com or www.miniusanews.com. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

Дорогие ребята, спасибо ВАМ ВСЕМ, за то, что вы примите участие в завтрашней акции. Только что число экипажей достигло заветной отметки в 200 машин! Что и как завтра? Сбор: Когда - с 09:00 Где - тут Что взять с собой: - Детское кресло если есть у вас или можете взять у друзей/родственников. - Правильную одежду, см. прогноз погоды - Попить, перекусить - день будет длинным. - Хорошее настроение! - Фотик. - Рацию в клубном диапазоне (канал 16), если есть. Что не брать с собой: - хлам на заднем сидении и, желательно, в багажнике. Постарайтесь максимально освободить пространство. - Много народу - имейте в виду, что с вами поедет как минимум один ребёнок, а то и два, и сопровождающий родитель, поэтому все кто с вами приедут, останутся в Парке ждать. Что делать по приезду на место: - Чётко следовать инструкциям людей с рациями, которые будут вас расставлять на площадке перед парком. - Пока вы не поймёте, что ваша машина расставлена и в ближайшее время не потребуется её переставлять, не отходите далеко от машины. Как поедем: - Мы поедем или одной длинной колонной или несколькими поменьше, в любом случае, у вас будет ведущий группы. - Находясь в колонне, не делайте никаких резких движений, будьте ПРЕДЕЛЬНО внимательны и делайте только то, что делает машина перед вами. - НЕ ВКЛЮЧАЙТЕ аварийки. Те машины которые будут передвигаться на аварийках, считаются организаторскими и ориентироваться на их действия нельзя. Т.е. если одна из машин включит аварийку и пойдёт в отрыв от колонны, это значит, что она выполняет определённое задание и следовать за ней НЕ НУЖНО, альтернативно, аварийка включается в экстренном случае, когда машине нужно остановить для устранения поломки, соответственно делать тоже самое остальным не нужно. Всем удачи и до завтра!!!

Дорогие Пиплы, давайте сложим руки в громких аплодисментах в честь всех и нас и Оксаны (Oksi) из Клуба Fiat 500, которая стала 200-м экипажем, записавшимся на нашу Акцию. Вы все огромные молодцы, теперь, очень важно, что бы все приехали! До завтра!

The Nissan Juke one of the more obvious cross-shop vehicles for the MINI Countryman. It’s small. It’s sportish. It’s funky. It’s got a turbocharged engine. It’s got all-wheel-drive. So it’s inevitable that the two cars would go head-to-head in the automotive press. John Leblanc of the Toronto Star gives the edge to the Juke, but upon reading his review, I almost can’t tell why. In basically every category, he gives the Countryman the higher marks. More headroom More rear cargo room Better ride quality More refined interior surfaces and materials So what’s the rub? Price. The Countryman is — as usual for MINI — the driver’s car, and you’re going to pay a premium for that experience. Admittedly, the extra $10k it costs does give the MINI a slight advantage if you like to drive. The Countryman ALL4 leans less in corners and feels more composed when you drive it like a sports compact than the Juke SL AWD. Plus there’s the availability of a manual gearbox in the Mini, an option Nissan doesn’t offer with AWD in the Juke. If I like to drive? Uh, yeah. I like to drive. While he’s not quite calling the Juke an appliance, he hits the nail on the head. The Countryman All4 is the only car on the market right now that gets the kind of mpg it gets, has AWD, and has an available manual transmission — let alone the kind of suspension that makes it capable in the bends. So in the end, it comes down to price with Mr. Leblanc — the tired old trope that price is the only part of the value equation that matters. Needless to say, we don’t agree. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

CNET has a very interesting piece this morning highlighting the different technologies used by auto manufactures to put power down through all four wheels. Featuring everything from MINI’s All4 system, to Mazda’s Active Torque system, to Hybrid on-demand systems found on Lexus vehicles. Somehow though, they’ve managed to flub the All4 system’s specifications, saying that 100% of the Countryman’s power can be sent to the rear wheels. MINI’s own documentation has the power split at only 50/50. Errors notwithstanding, it’s still a very interesting look at the cross section of technologies out there to keep the rubber on the road. Check out the full article over at CNET. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

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Записались уже 165 машин! Молодцы, так держать!

MINI’s been busy on the ‘Ring lately. This time they’re back with the upcoming Coupe – in JCW flavor no less – doing final suspension testing. It’s also killing birds. Yes that’s a dead bird flying through the ‘Ring wedged in the Coupe’s grille. Look for the JCW Coupe to debut shortly after the standard Cooper and Cooper S this fall (dead bird optional). Source: Worldcarfans </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

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As MINI gears up for the Coupe launch late this summer the engineers in Munich are turning their attention to the Roadster. The MINI Roadster (like the coupe based on the R57 Convertible platform) is in the suspension testing stage and will soon move to final engineering. Thanks to sources we also know that initial Roadster prototype production has begun at the Oxford plant. Early prototypes are built by hand in Munich before ‘alpha’ production moves to the plant closer to launch. Check back tomorrow for another little nugget we’ve picked up from inside sources. Look for the Roadster to make it’s public debut at next year’s Geneva Motor Show and be at dealers later in the spring. Source: Car Magazine </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

The MINI community is the one fantastic accessory you won’t find on the Configurator. It’s free-of-charge, but it requires participation. That community has its online elements like MotoringFile or MotoringAlliance, but if you really want to experience the community, you’ve got to attend an event like MINIs on the Dragon. I experienced this first hand this year, as MOTD 2011 was not only my first time at The Dragon, it was my first real MINI event. Attending MOTD meant two solid days of driving — motoring from the Twin Cities, overnighting in Chicago, and finally arriving at Fontana Resort in North Carolina. I headed out Wednesday morning from south St. Paul and met up with Gabe just outside Chicago some seven hours later. With some pizza and brew consumed, Gabe and I talked cars and the road to come. It was easy conversation, since we have such similar tastes in cars. He’s excited to be taking delivery of his M1, and with good reason. He also sent his greetings to everyone at The Dragon. With our powers of MotoringFile united, I set off the next morning for Fontana. As far as I’m concerned, the brilliance of the MINI is its blend of premium performance and economy. With premium gas running me as much at $4.85/gallon, I wanted to emphasize my R53′s thrifty capabilities on my nearly 2,200 mile round trip. While there are plenty of extreme hyper-miling techniques available, I decided to go simple and trade speed for economy. I knew there were plenty of driving thrills in store for me on Hwy 129, so I stuck with the speed limit for my 1000 mile leg to The Dragon. My economy was fantastic — nearly 35 mpg when I exclude the stop-and-go nonsense I encountered in Chicago. More than that, I really enjoyed embracing the journey, rather than just pining for the destination. When you’ve got two days to do, you’d better relax. Keeping to the speed limit actually helps, believe it or not. But be warned, driving the speed limit will not help you make friends on the roadways. Because I’d come through Chattanooga to visit some extended family, I actually drove The Dragon for the first time just to get to Fontana Resort. Better yet, I got to drive it at night. For those who’ve never driven US-129, it’s an amazing piece of road. It’s more than 300 turns in fewer than 12 miles, and these aren’t just little bends. We’re talking massive 180º switchbacks, winding chicanes and constant changes in elevation. But where many roads in America today are flat, crumbling pothole minefields, US-129 is not only smooth, but those switchbacks are banked at angles to make a speedway proud. At nearly midnight local time, my R53 and I wound our way through the darkness taking it easy in the bends. The last thing I wanted to do was wrap myself around a tree on the side of a smokey mountain in the middle of the night. But despite my caution, simply arriving at MOTD was an absolute blast. If you’re going to get the full MOTD experience, I say you simply have to stay at Fontana Resort. This sprawling campus of cabins and lodges is the kick off point for everything. More than that, there’s something about sharing one huge campsite with several hundred other MINI owners that really brings the week to life. Being onsite also makes it easy to party hard and know that at worst, you’ll only have to stumble up the hill to find your bed. Waking up Friday morning (and yes, it was still morning), I made my way down to the main vendor area. The whole area was buzzing with MINIs, vendors and people sampling the buffet of MINI-focused merch. Everything from accessories, to graphics, to performance parts was within 30 yards walk. What’s more, there were numerous installations going on all the time. Everything from sway bars and supercharger pulleys in the Detroit Tuned tent, to roof graphics and bonnet stripes in the DMP Productions tent. It felt much less like a trade show than one big MINI club garage day. That low-key attitude is pervasive throughout the entire event. Nothing about MOTD is wound up. Everything is laid back and casual. There’s little or no cell phone signal at Fontana, the scheduled events are very come-and-go, and despite the frequent growl of MINI exhaust, nobody ever seems in a hurry. It’s an event that forces you to let go of your over-scheduled daily routine, if you’ve got one. It forces you to unplug and chill out. No wonder so many people take MOTD as their one big vacation trip each year. Wandering through the vendor paddock, I heard a familiar voice. Detroit Tuned founder and fellow WhiteRoofRadio host Chad Miller was rallying his crew for the day’s installations. To date, Chad, Todd, Gabe, DB and I have spent hours on conference calls recording the podcast, but until Gabe the day previous, Todd was the only one of the group I’d actually met in person. It was great to finally meet Chad, who quickly showed me around his makeshift traveling auto garage. High storm winds the day before had trashed his tent, which was now cleverly MacGyvered back together and secured on one end to the team van full of tools and MINI parts. No sooner had Chad shown me ’round, when another familiar voice rolled up in his MINI Cooper S JCW GP. Our man Todd Pearson had his DMP Productions tent set up right next to Detroit Tuned. I was glad to see Todd because not only was I looking forward to hanging out with three-fifths of the WRR crew, but my R53 needed its silver stripes put back on. As I continued to wander the paddock, I met tons of people familiar to the show or who I knew of in other contexts such as MotoringAlliance or OutMotoring. What’s great about The Dragon (and I’d wager any MINI event) is that you won’t be a stranger for long. Misanthropes had best stay home. Friday carried on for me with a mid-afternoon trip down The Dragon. I needed to head back down to civilization to make a phone call, but more than that, I was excited to run the road in the daytime where I could actually see deeper into the corners than just what my xenons would illuminate in the night. The experience was surreal. Even when driven leisurely, The Dragon is a challenge in any car. In my R53 though, it was hammer and nail. It was as though the MINI was made for this road and vice versa. With each whipping turn and each heal-toe shift, my MINI growled and zipped its way through the mountains. It’s like driving a go-kart down a roller coaster. Friday night at The Dragon is one of its quintessential events: The Brew Swap. A huge group of beer enthusiasts gathered in the main lodge hall where tables were set up and an incredible variety of beer and soda could be had for the simple exchange of a bottle. The place was bustling when I arrived. People take this event very, very seriously. One guy had dozens of beers only found in Germany. Others had rare, obscure brews from their local areas. Samples abounded and everybody soon had new flavors on their tongues and new brew in their boxes. That and a handsome new Dragon Brewswap tumbler from the fine folks at Detroit Tuned. Brew soon turned to song as the karaoke cranked up and an increasingly lubricated crowd sang their way into the night. Friday night ended for me the way most nights at The Dragon did: at the fire pit. Just down the slope from my cabin was a Stonehenge-looking fire pit with stone benches all the way around it and ominous looking stone pillars. While campfire company is great in most any setting, hanging around the fire pit at The Dragon was especially enjoyable because there was something we could all talk about: MINIs. It wasn’t the only topic of conversation, obviously, but having so much in common with everyone ’round the fire was as fun as it was comfortable. Saturday morning came comfortable and foggy. I made my way down to the main vendor area. Todd was slinging vinyl. Chad was turning wrenches in the Detroit Tuned tent. Aaron from OutMotoring was selling MINI accessories left and right. The whole row was bustling with activity — MINIs coming and going. One particular MINI of interest pulled up outside the DT tent. It was a Countryman All4 Chad had customized in the weeks leading up to The Dragon. The night before, at the fire pit, Jill (the owner) had offered to let me take her R60 down The Dragon. With several good runs under my belt in my R53, this was the perfect opportunity to contrast the newest (and largest) addition to the MINI family against the car that helped make the modern MINI famous. I’ll be writing a more in-depth review of the Countryman All4 on The Dragon in the coming days, but I can say this. The R60 is 100% MINI. Sure, it feels taller and it’s got more mass, but chucking the All4 through the switchbacks and sweeping turns of The Dragon convinced this MINI owner once and for all that the Countryman absolutely deserves to wear the MINI badge. Unfortunately, my evaluation had to be cut short, as the twists and turns of The Dragon (and a lack of a real breakfast) actually gave me motion sickness behind the wheel. I was in good company though, Chad did the same thing earlier that morning. Thankfully neither of us spewed any vital fluids inside Jill’s Countryman. Once I got some food in me, I went down the hill to do a load of laundry. By the time I finished, there were MINIs lining up all over Fontana. It was time for the group panorama photo. Why not? Once the line got moving, I pulled my MINI in a few cars behind a couple fellow Minnesotans whose MINI was done up in blue and yellow like a flag of Sweden. The line-up coordinators got everybody set up and parked in radii around the photographer, a rather unpleasant fellow barking orders over a megaphone from a bucket crane. I was glad to be a part of the photo, but after thirty seconds of this guy talking to us all like middle school students, I had my mind made up that he wasn’t getting any of my money. Here’s hoping those who bought the photo enjoy their print though. For most, Saturday night is the final night at The Dragon. The plan was to attend the farewell dinner, but our man Todd pulled me into the lodge bar and kept buying me drinks. How do you turn that down? Dinner in Fontana’s lodge restaurant followed and the party inevitably led back to the fire pit. We told each other stories, talked about our cars, and regaled each other with tales of our impending trips home. I had two days of driving in front of me, but it didn’t matter. The week had been so much fun, spending a couple more days with my car sounded great. Although I saw a handful of people on my way out the next morning, I said the majority of my goodbyes at the fire pit that night. I was sad to leave Fontana, honestly. It was so much fun to have so much fun with so many fun people. I’ll definitely be back next year if I can help it. My two days of driving home did little to diminish my renewed love for all things MINI. I wouldn’t have made the trip in any other car. If you can swing it, add The Dragon to next year’s plans. You and your MINI won’t regret it. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

Ксюха, поздравляем тебя всем семейством! Желаем счастья, удачи, веселья, фонтан идей и быстрых сборов ;-)

На форуме есть полное описание с картинками, пользуйтесь поиском.

Official Release: Dean and Dan Caten, better known as the Canadian designer duo DSQUARED², today unveil their exclusive Life Ball MINI 2011 in Vienna. The twin brothers refashioned their MINI Cooper S to ensure that it would be armed for adventures of all kinds. Among its striking features are the front guard, rally headlamps, tinted side windows with grilles and the spare tyre on the tailgate. But that’s not all: the vehicle’s raised chassis and deep-tread all-terrain tyres instantly evoke a sense of adventure. When it came to the interior, our two designers similarly scrutinised every detail. If road signs are unclear, there’s a compass to help you head in the right direction, while floormats made of structured aluminium sheeting protect the inside from dirt. The trademark DSQUARED2 maple leaf on the leather head restraints and the side doors rounds off the cabin of this robust MINI with a stylish flour. Dean and Dan are delighted with the result: “Our MINI ‘Red Mudder’ is 100 per cent DSQUARED².” Tonight this one-off will be gliding along the red carpet at the legendary Life Ball. This year sees carmaker MINI supporting Europe’s biggest AIDS charity event for the 11th time. Each year a one-off MINI is created for the Life Ball, the proceeds of which support projects combating HIV/AIDS. Since 2001 more than half a million euros has been generated by these specially styled Life Ball MINI models on behalf of Aids Life. Gery Keszler, the founder and organiser of the Life Ball, is impressed by this longstanding collaboration: “MINI has been a partner of the Life Ball for 11 years and each year it demonstrates anew its creativity, enthusiasm and passion for this good cause. This year’s Life Ball MINI designed by DSQUARED² provides further persuasive evidence of this.” In previous years, designers such as Agent Provocateur, Donatella Versace, Diesel, Missoni and Gianfranco Ferré obliged with their own designs for a Life Ball MINI. The social commitment of the BMW Group.Worldwide measures to combat HIV/AIDS are one of the main elements of the corporate and social policy pursued by the BMW Group. The company’s involvement in South Africa is particularly wide-ranging, covering a comprehensive workplace programme for employees and their families, plus a number of different projects in the local communities and further afield. The carmaker is also committed to fighting this pandemic in other affected countries, such as Thailand or China. Membership of the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS (GBC) underlines its long-term commitment at its various locations. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

AutoExpress, the overly sensational british auto tabloid, has done it again with a set of “photos” claiming that this is the production version of the MINI Rocketman concept. They are not. In fact the details aren’t even close to what MINI will ultimately produce. The ‘photos’ are nothing but photoshop jobs of the concept car we saw last spring at Geneva. However Auto Express does give us further confirmation that the Rocketman will ultimately be produced. So let’s talk about what we know. As MF readers likely remember, we’ve been reporting for the last few years that MINI has been looking at building a city car based on a shortened version of the R56 chassis. AE suggests that BMW may lend the carbon fiber and aluminum chassis from the upcoming i3 for the Rocketman. The problem with that theory (beyond the fact it makes no sense) is cost and product complexities. The Rocketman will be priced lower than the standard MINI hatch and the i3 with all of it’s carbon and aluminum will likely be around the $40k mark. With that said we still believe the Rocketman will be based on a shortened existing MINI chassis. Look for MINI Design to revise the entire car for production but retain the general look of the Rocketman concept. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

WorldCarFans.com has a fresh crop of MINI Coupé and Roadster spy photos. This time, it’s on the world’s most famous public roadway. As we’ve seen time and time again, MINI and BMW use the Nürburgring to test the final suspension setups and driving dynamics of prototype cars. As we get closer and closer to the official launch, shots like these are no surprise. Check out the full gallery over at WorldCarFans. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

It’s Countryman review season, as regular readers have probably noticed, and today’s comes from CNN Money. Par for the course is the usual summary, the usual “doesn’t quite drive like it’s smaller sibling”, and the usual moaning about the “weird” interior controls. There is one gem in this assessment, though. At the very end he makes a great point. Compare the Countryman to the entire car market, and on paper you’ll get more for your money elsewhere. However, if you’ve always wanted a MINI but needed more space, “I think I found your car.” Big thanks to everyone who sent this in. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

Once again BMW has cleaned up in the annual Engine of the Year awards with four victories. And for the forth year in a row MINI’s turbocharged Prince engine has made the list. Here’s the full BMW/MINI rundown: 1.6L Turbocharged Four Cylinder (MINI Cooper S) 2.0L Turbo Four Cylinder diesel (variations found in everything from the 123d to the Cooper SD) 3.0L N55 Turbo Six Cylinder (Found in almost all BMW models) 4.0L S65B40 V8 from the M3 Official Release: With four class victories in the competition “International Engine of the Year Award” 2011, the BMW Group repeated last year’s success, whilst at the same time strengthening its position as the most successful manufacturer to take part in the competition. Four, six and eight-cylinder petrol and diesel engines prevailed in their respective displacement classes. The award-winning engines are featured in a number of current models of the BMW and MINI brands. In addition to the V8 power unit of the BMW M3 and the straight six-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology, the four-cylinder diesel with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and the new four-cylinder power unit under the bonnet of the MINI Cooper S also received an Engine of the Year award. The commendation of the award-winners took place during the trade fair “Engine Expo” in Stuttgart. The success in four of the eight capacity classes in the world’s most renowned engine competition underscores yet again the BMW Group’s outstanding expertise in the field of engine development. Thanks to Efficient Dynamics there is a choice of exceptionally powerful and at the same time remarkably efficient engines available for all models of the BMW and MINI brands. Since 1999, the company has been able to claim more than 50 class and overall victories in the “Engine of the Year Award” competition. Commendation for the awards is decided by an international jury, which consisted this year of 65 car journalists from 32 countries. In the capacity class 1.4 to 1.8 litres an award went to the engine featured in the new MINI Cooper S. The 1.6-litres four-cylinder engine is equipped with a Twin Scroll turbocharger, direct petrol injection as well as variable valve control based on the BMW-patented VALVETRONIC system. This combination renders the 135 kW/184 bhp engine the world’s most efficient power unit of its type and size. It assumes the title from the predecessor engine used in the MINI Cooper S, which was able to seize the class victory in the “Engine of the Year Award” competition four times in a row. The second victory in succession went to the four-cylinder diesel engine with TwinPower Turbo technology. Like last year, the 2-litre power unit featured in the BMW 123d and the BMW X1 xDrive23d was also successful in the engine category 1.8 to 2 litres. With its impressive pulling power and exceptionally low fuel consumption and emission levels, the 150 kW/204 bhp engine still sets the benchmark in its class. A BMW engine was able to repeat last year’s victory in the capacity class 2.5 to 3 litres as well. The jury voted once again for the 3-litre, 225 kW/306 bhp straight six-cylinder engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology, which is also featured in the new BMW 5 Series, in the new BMW X3 as well as in a 235 kW/320 bhp version of the new BMW 6 Series Convertible and the new BMW 6 Series Coupé. Its unique technology package comprising a Twin Scroll turbocharger, direct injection technology High Precision Injection and VALVETRONIC valve control ensures a particularly favourable relation between driving pleasure and fuel consumption. In this area, it even surpasses its predecessor, which was not only able to win the class valuation in the “Engine of the Year Award” competition three times, but also claim overall victory spanning several categories in 2007 and 2008. The only naturally aspirated engine amongst the four award-winners is responsible for the currently most impressive series of victories. For the fourth time in succession the V8 power unit featured in the BMW M3 was triumphant in the 3 to 4-litre capacity class. The 309 kW/420 bhp, 4-litre engine convinced the jury yet again with the exceptional pulling power generated by the characteristic high-revving concept utilised on this power unit. The engine under the bonnets of the high-performance sports cars BMW M3 Coupé, BMW M3 Saloon and BMW M3 Convertible combines its outstanding performance characteristics with remarkable efficiency, which is attributable among other things to the Auto Start Stop function, brake energy regeneration and further Efficient Dynamics technologies. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

Our new friend Dirk Lauth, #44, sent us these two great in-car videos from his car during MINI Challenge Germany. For this race, MINI Challenge was hosted by the GT 1World Championship at Sachsenring in Germany. Some great racing action that’s definitely worth a few minutes of your day. A huge thank you to Dirk for sending this our way. Second video after the break. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

With a combined fuel economy of 57.6 mpg, it’s not a big surprise that Green-Car-Guide.com gave the Countryman SD All4 a score of 10-out-of-10. GCG gave the same score to the Countryman D, but had one nagging qualm: power. The Countryman SD All4 solves that with more power and torque — landing the sport diesel powered R60 nearly as sporting as the Countryman S All4, but with drastically better fuel economy. Read their full break down here. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

Writing at length about both cars, Car and Driver have pitted the MINI Cooper against the Fiat 500. What we find refreshing is that C&D hasn’t just assumed that these two cars are true competitors. They point out what we’ve thought all along, that these are two cars created for two very different purposes. So it’s no surprise that they give the edge to the MINI. The MINI Cooper’s more flexible powertrain, more capable chassis, and greater comfort combine to make a car that is as fun as it looks. No doubt, the 500 has style. But the Mini has style and agility. It’s refreshing to see someone in the automotive press acknowledge that just because these two cars are small, it doesn’t mean they’re evenly matched. We like the Fiat 500 here at MF, but in our opinion, it’s not really in the same league as the MINI. That’s not going to stop some people from cross-shopping them though. C&D agrees. The current, second-generation MINI Cooper is sort of the automotive equivalent of  boxer/politician Manny Pacquiao. It can fight a class size up or down. It can thrill as a sport hatch, with numerous go-and-look-faster add ons, or it can serve as a simple transportation vessel. Here we have it punching under its weight as it enters the ring with its Italian opponent. They go on to point out something that doesn’t actually help the 500 in this market: its size. The MINI is small enough to be off-putting to a lot of US buyers, but the Fiat is even smaller. That makes its interior downright cramped for drivers of any taller stature. Calling the Fiat cute might be cliché, but the 500 is just so darn little (7.0 inches shorter and 2.2 inches narrower than the MINI). This Sport model’s larger grille opening and y-spoke wheels don’t man things up enough to elicit descriptors like “aggressive” or “poised for attack.” Cute still applies. From behind the wheel, the Fiat feels taller than the MINI, more so than its 4.4-inch-higher roofline suggests. The over-six-foot set will want to forgo the sunroof, as it reduces headroom by 1.3 inches. Mid-five-footers can feel their hair connecting with the burlap-crossbred-with-mouse-fur headliner. The only touch of interior panache is a body-color plastic dash panel. Without that, the cabin would be a black sea with the occasional piece of chrome debris adrift in it. Dimensions and head room are one thing, but it’s out on the open road that the two cars really start to show their differences. How do the cars compare in actual feel and performance? Ohio’s roads revealed how different the MINI and the Fiat are. The Cooper feels substantial and stiff where the Fiat shows some dynamic gaps. The 500’s body roll at turn-in gives the impression it is nearing, or at, its cornering limit. But there is more to be had. We were surprised to find its skidpad grip at 0.85 g. The high-mounted seats are partly to blame, as they exaggerate the sense of roll. …when you flip to the specs and results charts on these pages, be sure to take in all the bold print populating the Mini’s columns. The Mini lost to the Fiat in only three objective rankings (rear-seat space, cargo space, and as-tested price) and absolutely clobbered it in the performance metrics. As in any comparison, it ultimately comes down to what’s important. If you’re looking for a stylish little runabout, either car will probably do. But as is usually the case in these comparisons, if you’re looking for a driver’s car, spend the money and drive the MINI. Check out the full review over at the Car and Driver website. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

Take a Facebook campaign, add an on-site photo booth, then a huge screen on one of Berlin’s busiest city squares, and you’ve got MINI’s “It’s Personal” campaign. Participants can throw on a matching set of headphones, choose their favorite MINI, snap a photo and then share their love of MINI with all of Berlin. Details after the break. [Official Release] You can’t choose your family, they say. Actually, with MINI you can. As of today citizens of Berlin, visitors to the German capital and Facebook users worldwide can make their choice when MINI presents the MINI family on Berlin’s Kurfürstendamm boulevard as part of the guerilla campaign “It’s personal”. Participants are invited to enter the on-site MINI Photo Box, clamp on a pair of vibrantly coloured headphones and select their favourite model from the MINI family with colour-matched exterior mirrors. There are four colours and four models to choose from: the MINI Hatch, MINI Convertible, MINI Clubman and MINI Countryman. Next, participants appear in real time on a 104-square-metre video screen together with their photo and personalised MINI model. The MINI campaign was set up overnight from 15 to 16 May and continues until 29 May 2011 at the intersection of Kurfürstendamm and Joachimstaler Straße. It is being run in parallel as an international campaign at http://www.facebook.com/MINI. “With our ‘It’s personal’ campaign, MINI fans interact individually and authentically in an urban environment,” says Julia Hartmann, MINI Brand Management. “Through the personal configuration of the model, along with their choice of colours, we encourage them to express their personality – in front of friends and a global audience.” This unconventional marketing campaign is set to reach more than two million people on location and over 1.8 million MINI Facebook fans. Dean and Dan Caten, creator of the fashion label DSQUARED2, are also taking part in the campaign. They will present this year’s Life Ball MINI in Vienna on Saturday. Facebook users can apply to participate online at http://www.facebook.com/MINI or direct at: http://apps.facebook.com/miniphotobox by taking a photo with their webcam, selecting their model from the MINI family and uploading it. They too appear on the video screen in Berlin. The images, in turn, are streamed live on the internet. Whether through Facebook or Photo Box, all pictures will be entered into a competition. For this purpose, visitors to the event in Berlin will be given an ID number – along with their printed photo – with which to register on Facebook. The winner will be announced in June 2011 and can enjoy his or her specially selected, favourite MINI model “for real” – complete with colourful exterior mirrors. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

Our friends over at Edmonds.com have done a rather interesting comparison of fuel economy in 19 sports cars available in 2011. Monthly fuel costs ranged from $330/month for the Corvette ZR1/BMW M3 on one end, and $165/month for the MINI Cooper. But the fuel-sipping Cooper wasn’t the only MINI at the top of the Edmonds list. The Cooper, Cooper Convertible, Cooper S and Cooper S JCW took the top four spots. Looking at the numbers, on fuel alone a MINI is about half the operating cost of an M3. Sure, the M3 has a lot more horsepower and panache, but with gas creeping toward $5/gallon there’s a lot to be said for thrifty thrills. Check out their full analysis here. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше