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Just as JCW is MINI’s high performance brand, Goodwood will becomes its luxury marque. According to Autocar MINI will build a series of products based on the name and the principles behind it. So what does that mean? Look for future products that use Rolls Royce materials and a look overseen by the RR design studio. [show as slideshow] [View with PicLens] 12► The MINI Goodwood is set to be released next spring and will cost approximately £42,000 in the UK, €47,000 in Europe and (if our sources are to believed) $50,000. You can read more in MotoringFile’s MINI Goodwood section. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

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Autocar.co.uk is out with a new review of MINI’s intrepid Cooper SD diesel powerplant. This time it’s specifically in the Countryman All4. Of all the cars in the MINI line, we think the R60 seams the most logical candidate for the beefier oil burner because of its added size and because the fuel economy offered in the petrol engines doesn’t shine quite so brightly in this largest MINI model. Autocar agrees. In many ways, this engine suits the Countryman better than any of its siblings. As the heaviest Mini in the range – by a long stretch in All4 guise – the Countryman really does need all the torque it can find. And this new turbo diesel develops more torque than any other engine in the MINI range, including the John Cooper Works power plant. That’s 225lb ft of the twisting stuff, which is very welcome. More after the break. Mr. Conway goes on to say that in SD trim, the Countryman is really best thought of as a capable cruiser. It’s not the hot hatch the smaller cars are, but that’s not much of a surprise. What it is, though, is a truly unique car in its segment that can actually seat four adults in comfort. Try doing that in the Cooper hatch. [source: Autocar.co.uk] </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

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The stage is set and the gear is in place. With Rally d’Italia Sardegna right around the five-right corner, Kris Meeke, Dani Sordo and the entire MINI WRC Team are working to complete final preparations ensuring this first race goes according to plan. Just last week the team prepped the MINI John Cooper Works WRC and tested it stops-out at the proving grounds in Spain. “The car is now to full WRC specification, which is why it was important that Dani and Kris tested under similar conditions to those expected in Sardinia. An extensive shakedown will provide the finishing touch to our preparations.” says Technical Director of the MINI WRC Team, Dave Wilcock. Dani Sordo added that, “the test in Spain was great.” Sounds like things are ready to roll. Wilcock went on to say “It was an accelerated development programme during which we constantly pushed to our limits. We will find out how good we are when we take on the competition in Sardinia.” That’s great to hear. With the car set up to full spec and MINI’s team of veteran drivers having now shook loose everything that’s going to come free, Italy should be quite a show. Cheers, lads! </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

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We don’t get the brilliant MINI diesel engines here in the colonies, but what do the europeans think of them? One of our favorite automotive magazines, Evo, did a quick rundown on the SD engine in each of the MINI models. A comparison of the range is interesting: the hatchback shows the biggest improvement in mid-range thump, the Clubman feels the most resolved and balanced on rough and twisty roads, the Countryman feels least eager to swing through the SD’s powerband and also requires stirring of its gears through stunted motorway traffic. The full review is mostly summary, rather than in-depth editorial, but overall they seem to like the motor. Being the SD, they focus mostly on the performance side of things, which we’re all for. With mileage as high as 65 mpg (imperial), that performance is even part of the conversation suits us just fine, even if we can’t have them here in the USA. Check out the full article over at Evo.co.uk. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

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With city traffic more congested than ever, MINI is offering up a solution to urban parking overcrowding: the MINI Folding Bike. Rather than cram a whole roll of quarters into that parking meter for 15 minutes, park further out and finish your trip on a bicycle. Not just any bicycle, but a rather clever little number that folds up small enough to fit in the boot of your MINI. More after the break. The bike folds along the crossbar and handlebars. The saddle retracts and the pedals fold up close to the aluminum frame. This makes the bike extremely easy to handle and saves space. Fitted in a sleeve under the saddle is a fitted transport bag for portaging odds and ends. The MINI Folding Bike claims to match the riding characteristics of a “normal” bike. Weighing less than 24 lbs, the bike is equipped with 8 gears and 20-inch wheels, keeping it quick and versatile. The teflon-coated chain keeps your pants clean and reduces the wear and tear on the components, and the gel saddle keeps things comfortable. The bike also features the customary visibility features and fenders to keep the road off you and your clothes. Even on two wheels, the MINI design details show through. The bike comes in matte black, and features silver highlights in the MINI lettering on the crossbar. The MINI logo is featured on the handlebars and a monocrhomatic Union Jack motif on the rear forks. The bike chain and bell are the set apart in bold neon yellow. The MINI Folding Bike will be available in August of this year in select MINI dealers, and at www.MINI.de/shop, at an MSRP of about $730. No word yet on US availability. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

Autosport.com is reporting that Prodrive chief David Richards expects 20 of their race-prepped MINI Countryman racers to compete in the 2012 season of WRC rally racing. Ten will be WRC spec cars, and the other ten S2000 spec. Two of the WRC spec cars are set aside for the factory MINI team, but Prodrive expects to sell the remainder to independent racing teams as this season progresses and people see the capability of the cars. More info after the break. “I believe there will be 10 Mini WRCs in the championship next year,” said Richards. “When we came back into the championship with Mini we had two aims, firstly to get Mini in there and winning and secondly to build cars for the customers around the world, both of these are very important to us. “There will be at least 20 cars, a mixture of Super 2000s and WRCs, out there for end of this year, so there will be plenty of cars out there for people. We haven’t started talking to people about putting deals in place for the start of next year, we’re still in the middle of producing the cars.” So look for more and more snarling MINI racers in the coming seasons. If early race results this season are anything to go buy, the MINI is already a car to be reckoned with. With Prodrive involved, the cars will only get better and podium finishes will only drive up more demand for the cars from race teams. Price differences between the MINI and the Focus won’t mean much if the MINI is winning! </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

We’re a week away from the start of one of the year’s major perennial MINI events: MINIs on the Dragon. MF and WhiteRoofRadio will be there in force. I’ll be attending for the first time, meeting up with Todd and Chad for several days of MINI fun. There will likely be as many cars as there are corners and when the tire squeal dies down, the campfires will flare up. I can’t wait. I’ll be getting in Thursday night and staying through Sunday morning. Flag me down and say hello. Now more on what the Dragon (MOTD) actually is. (video after the break) The Full Run Arguably the largest MINI event in the US not hosted by MINI USA, MOTD is unique in that it is centered around one road in a vastly rural area. But what a road it is. The Dragon (as it is known) is an 11 mile stretch of US 129 that starts in extreme eastern Tennessee and turns 318 times before it ends in western North Carolina. To put it mildly it is arguably the best stretch of road in North America. With it’s inspiring layout and excellent banking, the Dragon is a rare road in that it has almost a magical rhythm do it. And in early May MINI’s take over the entire thing With many hundreds registered (and many others sneaking in) MINIs on the Dragon (MOTD) is arguably the largest US MINI event outside of MINI USA’s MINI United. It’s also our favorite here at MF. Why? Because it’s all about driving the best road in North America. Everything else (no matter how good) is secondary to the road and the driving experience. Which begs the question, are you going? You can register and find more information below. The Way Down (Chicago to MOTD) + MINI’s On the Dragon / Event Site + Road Site / 129 Website + Wikipedia Dragon Entry / Wikpedia Post photo courtesy of MotoringFile frequenter blalor. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

Couldn’t make it to Auto Shanghai this year? No worries because we’re brining it to you with a recap of the MINI press conference and a quick look around the MINI display. Included is the first public look at the MINI Goodwood – the new special edition model designed in cooperation with Rolls Royce. Yes The NYC show has been officially upstaged. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

While we don’t know much about the MINI Coupe (and won’t until very early June) we can confirm that dealers in the US have officially ordered their launch cars. MINI USA gave dealers some choices including Cooper or Cooper S and auto or manual. At launch each dealer will get two MCS and one MC to have for test drives and showroom cars. Other confirguration specifics will be determined by MINI USA closer to the launch. Look for much (much) more on the highly anticipated MINI Coupe late this spring. And what about the rumors or a JCW Coupe at launch. While that still may be the case MINI may also decide to push it back to spring to focus on the Cooper and Cooper S models. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

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Starting off with our man Todd having some fun with the intro after rolling through some serious Black Roof Radio. Once that was over, we roll through a rousing session of News from Motoringfile.com before talking, just a little more, about MINIs on the Dragon. Programming note. The boys are all heading to the Dragon next week, so we will be interrupting our normal show schedule. Watch for updates coming from Todd (if he gets internet) and for our regular show schedule to resume shortly thereafter. Download | WRR @ iTunes | 30.3MB | 1:03:00 </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

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More video from the WRC team launch day, with more than 350 guests and 200+ journalists attending to celebrate the launch of the WRC Team at Plant Oxford. The highlight real looks like a great time. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

Hot on the tail of our story about the 3rd generation MINI codename, the F56, Autocar is reporting this morning that ailing automaker Saab has made “an audacious bid to buy the rights to the outgoing BMW MINI platform.” The Swedish automaker wants to get into the premium small car game, but without all that pesky engineering. Having already licensed the current generation of 1.6L engines, it looks like Saab just needed a car to put them in. The target Saab model would be the 9-1, and be intended to compete against the F56 generation MINI and the Audi A1. It’s a bold move, but Saab will have to survive as a company long enough to take delivery of the new platform in 2012. With recent plant stoppages and suppliers complaining about non-payment for parts, Saab is clearly in trouble. Would a MINI clone be too little too late? Perhaps. I also wonder just how competitive a six year-old chassis and engine platform could really be against contemporary offerings from Audi, and especially the evolved MINI — a car likely to be lighter, more efficient and more powerful than the current generation. It seems Saab might only be able to compete on price, but if that’s the strategy, can they actually build a “premium” car that’s significantly price competitive? Time will tell. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

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From the rally team launch event at Oxford this week, here we have video of champion rally driver Kris Meeke showing off the Countryman WRC’s incredible capabilities. With a fog of tire smoke and an unholy amount of engine noise, Mr. Meeke puts the car through its demonstration paces. We can’t wait to see him and this car flying around WRC courses! More video after the break. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

Welt.de is reporting that MINI plans to price the Goodwood at €50,000 for the German market. It’s the first pricing we’ve seen on MINI’s most luxurious model and it gives us some indication as to pricing elsewhere. However (as always) don’t expect a simple conversion rate to give you the US price based on that figure. In fact we believe this gives the rumored $50,000 price point that we’ve heard for years quite a bit some credence. But at $50,000 (or €50,000) is this car worth it? As always that’s a very personal question that likely isn’t even meant to be answered by a typical MINI owner. We expect the Goodwood to be pitched towards Rolls Royce and other luxury brand owners as their urban runabout. It’s the car that gets used when you don’t want to pull-out the Rolls Drophead Coupe. And with RR levels of comfort and opulence and a healthy dose of understated British style thrown in, the $50,000 is almost not the point for that customer. Or at least that’s what MINI and BMW seems to be thinking. Regardless we’ll see final US pricing in the coming weeks. [show as slideshow] [View with PicLens] 12► </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

Once upon a time there was a blog post. A blog post extolling the virtues of the Fiat 500 over the MINI Cooper. Then 1 day, 3 fine lads heard about this blog post. And they came to defend their champion. As did 75 of you. That’s right, your 3 favorite MINI Cooper fan boys doing what we do best for 42 minutes and 54 seconds. And then some. Enjoy! Download | WRR @ iTunes | 20.6MB | 42:54 </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

After more than two years of rumors MINI has finally taken the wraps off of the MINI Rolls Royce collaboration: the MINI Goodwood. The concept is simple; bring Rolls Royce levels of refinement and luxury to a package that is much more space and energy efficient. In total 1000 cars will be made. Officially called the MINI Inspired by Goodwood (who actually will call it that we have no idea) the car has been thoroughly reworked by Rolls Royce Design to create the most luxurious and opulent MINI ever conceived. Basically if you want leather, wood and plush carpet like no other, you’ve found your MINI. Interestingly it’s also the first time we’ve seen a Cooper S without the non-functional hood-scoop. Pricing will be available closer to launch (later this year) but we can safely assume, if you have to ask, you can’t afford. We’ll have much more on the Goodwood in the coming days. Until then read on for the full press release. (Full gallery after the break) [show as slideshow] [View with PicLens] 12► Official Release: The MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD, which will make its world debut at the Auto Shanghai 2011, is an exclusive special edition that adds another layer to the MINI brand experience with a generous dose of automotive luxury and exclusivity in its highest form. Close collaboration with the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars design team at the development center of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, England has produced a limited-run special edition MINI, whose exterior and interior design is inspired by fine materials and the British luxury car marque’s commitment to absolutely flawless workmanship. The MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD, which will be produced in a limited edition of 1,000 units, combines typical MINI driving fun with discerning craftsmanship, select materials and a styling marked by typical British understatement of the world’s leading producer of luxury automobiles. Deliveries of the 2012 model year vehicle, which will launch as part of the exclusive MINI Yours product line, are scheduled to start in spring 2012. The MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD is characterized by top-grade materials, the highest level of workmanship and stylish supremacy. The special edition of the MINI Hardtop was built under the guidance of the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars designer team and transfers the unmistakable style of the British luxury car manufacturer to the equally unique MINI, an original within the premium small car segment. The exterior and interior design from the MINI Yours range: fascinating charisma and incomparable high-quality ambience. As the first premium model in the small car segment, MINI has been a genuine trailblazer, the unsurpassed scope of its equipment features and accessories allowing it to meet the most varied requirements. And now MINI fans can express their appreciation of exclusive individuality, eye for stylish elegance and penchant for uncompromising premium quality with even greater sophistication. Inside the MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD, a harmonious color concept, selected materials and a production quality characterized by precise craftsmanship guarantee the highest degree of well-being and comfort. The dashboard, including the surrounds of the central instrument and the air vents, the center console, carpet surfaces, the Lounge leather seats, the roof lining as well as the door, side and body pillar cladding boast the exclusive Rolls-Royce color Cornsilk, a warm and natural shade of beige. Only the upper section of the instrument panel, which is lined with extremely high-quality, soft full-grain leather, is in black. The dashboard and door handle surfaces are manufactured in Goodwood and finished in Walnut Burr, a wood quality also exclusive to Rolls-Royce. The black nappa leather dashboard top, Tipped Leather Cornsilk door linings as well as Piano Black surface finishes for the buttons on the multifunction steering wheel and the controls below the central instrument all provide additional quality-enhancing accents. These veneers are selected at the Goodwood factory exclusively for the MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD, and the matching black dials for the speedometer and rev counter bear the same typeface as their Rolls-Royce counterparts. Two of the most striking features of the exterior design are the body finish in the exclusive Rolls-Royce color Diamond Black metallic and 17-inch light alloy wheels sporting a multi-spoke design. Alternatively, the MINI color variant Reef Blue metallic can be specified as an option. The chosen paint shade is also used for the exterior mirror caps and roof spoiler of the MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD. The exclusivity of the special-edition model is also reflected in its body design. The car’s front and rear apron are the same as those found on the MINI Cooper S, but are combined with the bonnet from the MINI Cooper D. Rather than carrying over the air scoop of the MINI Cooper S, it boasts a harmoniously flowing surface which underlines the stylishly elegant appearance of the MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD. There are also high-class aluminum badges stamped with the lettering “MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD” on the side indicator surrounds above the front wheel arches and on the door sills. Another badge, also featuring the legend “One of 1000”, can be found on the centre console in front of the gearshift lever (or selector lever, if the automatic gearbox is specified). Beyond the signature features of the special-edition model, the standard equipment fitted in the MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD also meets the highest expectations of a premium car. 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 and the audio system Radio MINI Visual Boost, which includes the Harman Kardon hi-fi speaker system. Twin-scroll turbocharged engine delivers customary MINI driving fun. The MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD is powered by a turbocharged l.6-liter four-cylinder engine that was featured for the first time in the 2011 MINI Cooper S. The MINI Cooper S engine ensures that the hallmark MINI driving fun and imposing power reserves are available on tap. The engine includes a Twin Scroll turbocharger, direct injection and variable valve control. The 1.6-liter drive unit generates 181 hp and maximum torque of 240 Newton meters (177 lb-ft), which can be raised to 260 Newton meters (192 lb-ft) using the Overboost function. The most efficient engine in its displacement class combines its outstanding power development with exceptionally low fuel consumption and emissions figures. The sprint from 0 to 60 mph is all over in 6.6 seconds, while its EPA fuel economy ratings are 35 mpg highway / 27 mpg city / 30 mpg combined (manual transmission). As an alternative to the standard six-speed manual gearbox, the MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD can also be ordered as an option with a six-speed automatic. Inspired by Goodwood, built in Oxford.The exterior and interior features specially developed for the MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD embody the inimitable style of Rolls-Royce Design. From the initial inspiration, the selection of materials and the detailed preparation of the color concept, to the fine-tuning of the production process to ensure unimpeachable quality standards, the entire development process in Goodwood was carried out in close collaboration with the MINI plant in Oxford and the BMW Group’s development center in Munich. The special-edition car will be built at the Oxford MINI plant, where the MINI Hardtop, MINI Clubman and MINI Convertible are also produced for the global market. Bred from the finest of stock: The MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD. The British origins of the two brands, their shared belief in meeting the individual needs and desires of their customers, and the creative pooling of ideas between the various brands at BMW Group Design provided the fuel for the collaboration between Rolls-Royce and MINI. At the Rolls-Royce headquarters in Goodwood, southern England, Rolls-Royce interior designer Alan Sheppard has overseen the emergence of a MINI which reproduces the hallmark majestic allure of the historic luxury brand and an interior ambience born of exquisite materials and outstanding workmanship in a representative of the small car community for the first time. The exclusive status of the MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD is rooted in a materials and color concept which reflects the unmistakable and globally unique Rolls-Royce style not only in its individual component parts, but also in the configuration put together for the special-edition model. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

WorldCarFans is reporting that chinese automaker Geely will unveil their new Emgrand EC6-RV at the upcoming Shanghai auto show. They also point out something probably completely obvious to most MotoringFile readers. Does this car look familiar? The dimensions are similar and that white roof is definitely smuggled from Oxford. We’ve seen asian MINI clones before and this one isn’t particularly remarkable, but it does have me thinking about car design. Take a close look at this car, my friends. This is what the MINI would be if BMW didn’t have a design team that really cared about the car’s heritage, and about standing out in the marketplace. This is what a MINI looks like without a soul. Behold the chinese zombie MINI! Special thanks to Kirk for sending this in. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше