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As we gear up for MINI’s run at the 24 Hours of the Nurburgring this weekend we thought we’d give you a quick overview of the track courtesy of Vimeo member Ozan Halici. This video (shot with four Gopro cameras) captures the track and the danger incredibly well. Check back throughout the week for more on the ‘Ring and the MINI that will be attacking it. For more on the 24 Hours of the Nurburgring you’ll want to check out a documentary look at BMW’s win in last years race at our sister site BImmerFile. It’s one of the best pieces of motorsport video we’ve ever seen (and like the video above, is also non-official. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

German car tuning house AC Schnitzer has built a super MINI based on the R56 JCW. Setting a lap time at Hockenheim Circuit of 1:13.341 minutes, the “Eagle” can turn the course faster than the BMW M3, Ferrari California, Mercedes-Benz CLK 63 AMG Black Series and the Porsche 911 Turbo and Carrera S models. It’s little wonder with power at 256hp, and weight is down to just 2,312 lbs. Thanks to a fully re-engineered exhaust system and tweaks to the engine management system, the 1.6L MINI Turbo engine is belting out well over 50hp more than the stock JCW. Custom suspension and 18″ wheels round out the performance package and aggressive styling of the car. Where the Eagle concept for sale, it’d cost you a spendy $88,667, but alas, it is not. Track video and gallery after the break. (Full press release and video after the break) Press Release: The fastest MINI comes from Aachen: the AC Schnitzer EagleWith a sensational lap time of 1:13.341 min., the new “AC Schnitzer Eagle” concept vehicle (based on John Cooper Works MINI) showed its competitors a clean pair of heels in a direct comparison around the Hockenheim Circuit. In vehicle testing, one of the standard bases for assessment is the lap time on the world-famous Grand Prix Circuit in Hockenheim. The 260 HP AC Schnitzer Eagle has muscled its way into the big boys’ league of thoroughbred sports cars with a lap time of 1:13.341 min. In a direct comparison, the AC Schnitzer Eagle was able to leave its class rivals well behind. Only the very big names with a far more engine power on board, such as the X-Bow, M3 Kompressor, Mercedes AMG and Caterham were able to beat the “little rocket” AC Schnitzer Eagle based on the John Cooper Works MINI.The successful principle behind the concept study (not for sale) is easy to explain: in the development of the AC Schnitzer Eagle, all areas of the vehicle were optimised by our technicians and engineers for “Efficient Performance”. <a href="http://www.motoringfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/2544834871002218867.jpg">

At this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, one lucky MINI fan will get to ride shotgun with Chris Meeke as he drives the Countryman WRC race car in anger around a 1.67 mile, loose-surface, forest rally course. A raffle will be held at the Glittering Ball, Saturday night, July 2, 2011 to choose the lucky passenger. Other MINI WRC highlights for the weekend include Meeke competing in the annual hill climb event on all three days of the festival. GFoS has been a mecca for petrol heads the world over, and this year there’s something special for the MINI faithful. Cheers! Full press release after the jump. [Official Release] The largest motoring garden party in the world, set in the heart of the British countryside, will be the idyllic setting for an outing of the MINI John Cooper Works WRC. This will be at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on the 1st – 3rd July and here a member of the public will get the once in a life time chance to be a passenger in one of these iconic cars while it is being driven at speed. The lucky person, who will sit beside works rally driver, Kris Meeke (GB), on Sunday morning while the car goes through the 1.67 mile loose-surface forest rally stage, will be the winner of a raffle to be held at the annual glittering ball on the Saturday night. Dr Kay Segler, Senior Vice President Brand Management MINI, commented: “When we were invited to be part of this event, which has a worldwide reputation for being one of the biggest on the motorsport calendar, we were delighted. The affection felt for MINI as a brand is amazing, and I am confident the fans at Goodwood will give it as enthusiastic a welcome as I watched it have on its World Rally Championship debut in Sardinia. We wanted to make it even more special, so we felt giving a prize that money could not buy would be a great start.” Meeke will be driving the car on both the rally stage and up the 1.16 mile hillclimb on all three days. This event, which was founded in 1993 by the owner of Goodwood House, the Earl of March, has become a magnet for fans who come from far and wide to celebrate motorsport and all things automotive at their finest. The hillclimb, which is the main attraction, is very technical and challenging and rises over 300 feet from start to finish. This year’s theme is ‘Racing Revolutions – Quantum leaps that shaped motorsport’. Priceless machinery from around the world representing two and four wheeled motorsport will be on display for the 150,000 sell-out crowd to see at close quarters. The MINI WRC Team has been busy testing ahead of its next WRC outing on Rally Finland on 28th – 30th July. This is the second of six WRC events in 2011 that Meeke and co-driver Paul Nagle (IR) and Dani Sordo and co-driver Carlos del Barrio (ES) will take part in ahead of a full assault on the WRC in 2012. Goodwood Festival of Speed Media Requests: All requests over the event weekend for media interviews should be directed to Martin Harrison from BMW UK, Mobile: +44 (0)7525 977083 </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

Look for much more on this team and the car next week. Official news from MINI Motorsports: For the first time Dörr Motorsport starts a MINI at the legendary 24h race Nürburgring this year. In the background of this, Dörr cleverly promotes young long-distance drivers. This year the MINI commitment may be starting under the Olympic motto of “It’s the taking part that counts”, but Dörr has set his sights on a clear goal: Next year, two MINI race cars are due to start, one of them with four junior racing drivers from other long-distance series behind the wheel. To have the best possible car in place for 2012, Dörr has four veterans driving this year’s MINI. “With Christian Penno, Friedrich Holoch, Roland Konrad and Heiko Hahn we are lining up with very experienced drivers who are well qualified to give us feedback on what we might be able to improve. Then we go from there.” However, Dörr is not worried about having to deal with any major problems. He knows all about the quality of the MINI. “The car is already running very well,” Dörr says. Then, in 2012, Dörr makes dreams come true. This spring four junior racing drivers have started behind the wheel of a 220 bhp MINI Cooper S at the RCN Rundstrecken-Challenge Nürburgring. After the 24h race, which the four youngsters will not yet compete in, they will start at the VLN long-distance championship at the Nürburgring. Those who prove themselves in this series can look forward to a starting place at the renowned 24-hour race next year. Dörr is also keen to listen to the opinions of the junior drivers. After all, they were practically raised in the “Green Hell” with their experience at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. And so the future looks bright for Dörr and his young drivers. “The next group are already just around the corner,” says Dörr. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

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Car Magazine snuck in somewhere they shouldn’t have been and snapped the best pics yet of the forthcoming MINI Coupe. For those that read our review of the coupe last week we see a couple details that we mentioned; The contrasting roof and stripes Unique 17″ wheels Silver roof and mirrors (white will not be offered) The Coupe is scheduled to be officially unveiled in the coming days. However until then, feast your eyes the Cooper S Coupe. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

For those who don’t read the comments, there was some interesting chatter the other day between frequent MotoringFile commenter and BMW insider Herr26. He gave us some interesting information on some future MINI variants. Specifically, Herr26 mentions the future of the Paceman, the next generation of the Clubman and the as yet unseen Spacebox (aka MINI MAT). Considering Herr’s comments are almost always spot on they’re probably worth repeating here for those who may have missed them. The MINI (MAT) is the genesis of the Spacebox concept – some have dubbed MINI caveman because of it’s “cavernous” space in the interior (hah-hah) . But if you want to give it it’s final market term it will be called the MINI Traveller – It’s an ingenious concept – a MINI with more passenger flexibility. It is effectively a larger Clubman , with the next Clubman taking on a more sporting “Shooting Brake” style. The MINI Paceman has developed into a more sportier looking vehicle with rear hinged “activity” doors making the car a full five door. but still keeping that dynamic sloping roof at the rear. The front of the car has changed and is following the next generation of MINI’s with the headlights for example instead of the placement on the front wings or slightly pushed in on the R56. The next generation of MINI illustrates it’s evolutionary traits by having them cut into the front of the car and raked further into the wings to give a really sporty impression. We definitely like the sound of a sporty, AWD Paceman with even more aggressive lines. Most interesting is the description of the future Clubman. Many have wondered how the Paceman and Clubman can co-exist without being too redundant. A longer shooting brake style Clubman could have almost a MINI Coupé fastback rear end and (according to Herr and other sources) could be based on the next generation MINI (the F56) and not the R60 Countrymam. This would give the Clubman a sport wagon profile possibly in the vein of the best shooting brakes over the years. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

Finishing up from yesterday with some Ask Chad talking about JCW Aero kits and transmission replacements. And we drop some hints about something that is probably going to be happening sometime in October. At Detroit Tuned to celebrate Woofcast 400. More details to follow very soon! Download |12.8MB | 28:04 |WRR @ iTunes </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

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Ever wonder if an electric car could really work in your daily driving routine? Take heart, a recently released study from UC Davis and BMW Group found that the MINI E met the daily driving needs of 90% of the trial participants. The study also found that 95% of participants drove fewer than 80 miles in a given day. In terms of commuting and even general errand running, this isn’t particularly surprising, but the results are noteworthy because of most people’s so-called “range anxiety.” Read the full summary after the jump. [Official Release] The University of California, Davis and the BMW Group today released the largest publicly available study of electric-car users ever conducted – including over 120 families who drove the fully electric MINI E automobile more than 1 million miles in California, New York and New Jersey from June 2009 to June 2010. The report shows that the participants found the cars to be fun yet practical, easy to drive and recharge, and many said they would buy an electric car in the next five years, according to UC Davis researchers. As battery electric vehicles (BEVs) enter the commercial marketplace for the first time, the results of this year-long study by the UC Davis Plug-in Hybrid & Electric Vehicle Research Center provide valuable insight into new ways that consumers value BEVs. Through online and telephone surveys of the participating households, and diaries and in-person interviews with a subset of more than 40 households, the UC Davis MINI E research team examined user behavior, infrastructure use, costs, environmental benefits, and other aspects of electric driving. Among the key findings of the study are the following: 100% of respondents said BEVs are fun to drive and practical for daily use Respondents said the MINI E met 90% of their daily driving needs 71% of respondents drove fewer than 40 miles/day; 95% drove fewer than 80 miles 99% of respondents said home charging was easy to use 71% of respondents said they are now more likely to purchase a BEV than they were a year ago while only 9% said they are less likely. 88% of respondents said they are interested in buying a BEV or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle in the next five years By the end of the lease period, MINI E drivers overwhelmingly thought that the electricity for charging their BEV should come from renewable resources such as solar, wind and hydropower, and were strongly opposed to using coal to generate electricity for their vehicles. The UC Davis study is part of a whole set of studies being conducted by the BMW Group on electric vehicles, which includes research in China, Germany and the U.K. Compelling combination of “clean and fun” UC Davis Plug-in Hybrid & Electric Vehicle Research Center director Tom Turrentine said the study highlights three new and potentially significant ways that drivers value BEVs. First, the MINI E meets drivers’ desire for a vehicle that is both environmentally friendly and fun to drive. Drivers loved the vehicle’s quick acceleration and quiet operation. “What we heard over and over again in our interviews is how fun it was to drive. That’s in part because it’s a MINI and in part because of the feel of electric drive,” Turrentine said. Second, drivers find value in using electricity as a fuel and in mastering their individual energy use through efficient driving behaviors. “The combination of limited onboard energy and extreme efficiency make BEVs the premier appliance for people to experience energy use,” says Turrentine. Additionally, the drivers learned to appreciate the car’s powerful regenerative braking function, which returns energy to the battery and allowed them to drive using a single pedal for acceleration and braking. Third, drivers like to develop their clean driving territory. “Drivers start talking about the MINI E as a special way to explore their region. They of course can go anywhere in their gas car, but they like to talk about where they can go in their MINI E,” Turrentine says. “Range anxiety” not a big issue for experienced MINI E drivers While range is often held up as a limitation of BEVs, the MINI E’s range of around 100 miles was acceptable to most drivers most of the time. “We found that households adapted their driving around the capabilities of the vehicle and even explored ways to maximize the use of the MINI E,” said Turrentine. By studying the MINI E drivers’ usage patterns and need for range, researchers were able to determine that strategic placement of charging stations could allow drivers to reach most of their desired destinations using a BEV that has a range of 90 to 100 miles. Most charging occurred at home, at night, and 99% of respondents said home charging was easy to use. BMW Group prepares 2nd phase of its EV strategy with BMW ActiveE “The MINI E studies are extremely valuable for us as they show that electric cars are already today offering an attractive mobility solution to a broader spectrum of customers. While reducing the tail pipe emissions to zero, the MINI E provides the fun that users expect when driving our products. The results of the UC Davis study have a direct impact on the development of all BMW Group electric vehicles to come,” says Ulrich Kranz, head of project i, BMW Group. “BMW Group now is developing the next generation of full electric cars, with the BMW ActiveE test fleet coming into the market in 2011 and the series production BMW i3 following in 2013.” The all-electric BMW ActiveE will be available in select US markets beginning in late 2011, for a two-year lease at $499/month, with a $2,250 down payment. Details can be found at www.BMWUSA.com/ActiveE. Join the growing conversation about the future of mobility at www.BMWActivetheFuture.com. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

With a small fleet of press vehicles out for review at the moment, it’s no surprise that we’re seeing more and more reviews of the Fiat 500 online. This one from the New York Times caught our attention because of their take on the inevitable MINI comparison. Read their excerpted summary after the jump. The 500C is often compared to the similarly adorable Mini convertible. But the 500C, which is seven inches shorter than the Mini, feels softer. The steering is considerably less crisp, and the Fiat leans more in the corners than its BMW-owned competitor. But the Fiat is quieter over every type of road. Over all, the Mini feels more like an economical sports car, whereas the 500C feels more like a sporty economy car. In addition, compared with the low-slung driving position of the Mini, the Fiat 500C’s is noticeably loftier, like being perched on a sofa. Then again, Americans tend to enjoy sofas, which might explain Fiat’s decision to equip American-bound 500s with wider front seats than models sold in Europe. It’s been our contention all along that the MINI and the Fiat 500 aren’t really in the same class. On both price and performance, there’s enough distance between the two cars that it’s only really their diminutive size and quirky aesthetics that lump them together. The common thread throughout these reviews (and our experience backs this up as well) is that once you drive both, you quickly realize how different the two cars really are. That’s not a bad thing, and hardly a knock against the 500. It isn’t even that the MINI is a better car, simply that it’s a very different car. Special thanks to Aurel for sending this in. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

Our sources are telling us that in the next few weeks, Horizon Blue will no longer be available on the MINI. HB will be replaced by Laser Blue, which is presently available for the Cooper S, JCW and Convertible hardtops and will remain available on those models. So if you’ve got your heart set on a Horizon Blue MINI, you’d best act quickly. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

WhatCar.com is reporting in an interview with BMW/MINI leadership that while the recent BMW investment in UK manufacturing may spawn as many as 10 MINI variants, the Rocketman Concept will not be among them. While clever doors and composite materials featured in the Rocketman Concept will see the light of day in future MINI models, Ian Robertson put it pretty bluntly: The Rocketman was a concept and we have no plans to take it further, but features of it will appear on future Minis. No word yet on if this kills the entire MINI city car program, but we will do our best to find out more. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

MINI is taking on the most grueling 24 hour race in the world; the Nürburgring 24 Hours. It’s known as the Green Hell for a reason and MINI will be competing with almost every kind of car concievable as well as the track and the ever changing conditions. MINI Motorsports caught up with Team Principal Lothar Sausemuth about the challenges faced in the race and the advantages of the MINI. And the car? We’ll find out more about that in the coming weeks. Mr. Sausemuth, what do you find so appealing about the 24-hour race? Lothar Sausemuth: “The race is a legend, and the appeal is the starting line-up, which features many different brands and drivers. s.i.g. Motorsport also competes in the VLN Endurance Championship, in which the races take place before or after the 24-hour race. For us, however, the centrepiece of the season is and always has been the 24-hour race itself.” Which MINI cars will s.i.g Motorsport be lining up with this year? Sausemuth: “This time we are starting with two MINI John Cooper Works cars. These were originally used in the MINI Challenge. We have made some modifications to a few areas for the 24-hour race, as this kind of endurance race puts the cars under immense strain.” Who does your team consist of? Sausemuth: “In the first car we have almost the identical driving line-up to last year with Andy Glanc and Ingo Gaupp. New to this MINI are Steffen Schmid und Michael Mönch. We have new drivers in the second car: Dirk Lauth and Martin Heidrich from the MINI Challenge, and Hitoshi Goto from Tokyo, who gives the car an international feel. One place is still up for grabs in the second car. We will decide shortly who will take up this place.” Are you recruiting potential drivers yourself? Sausemuth: “I have been involved in motor racing for over 20 years, so I have a lot of contact with other teams, know a lot of drivers personally, and have a large network of experts who can recommend candidates. Furthermore, we have been racing in the MINI Challenge Germany since its inception. We have very good contacts within ADAC and companies who are actively involved in motor racing. After so much time you know all the world and his brother, which obviously helps when selecting a driver.” What properties do you look for in a driver? Sausemuth: “The drivers absolutely must have plenty of experience of endurance racing. The Nürburgring-Nordschleife is possibly the most difficult racetrack in the world. Over 200 cars will start, and many have twice as much horsepower as we do. We expect a driver to have at least three or four 24-hour races under his belt before he is considered.” Why did you choose MINI for the 24-hour race? Sausemuth: “The MINI is a very reliable car. In 2010 we lined up with the MINI John Cooper Works Challenge, which was built in 2004, and we had absolutely no problem with the parts that are usually so critical, such as the suspension and gearbox. If we had not been involved in a crash, which put us out of action for two and a half hours, we would have achieved a very good result.“ Can you sense the special passion the fans have for the MINI brand when you line up in the MINI Challenge or at the 24-hour race? Sausemuth: “MINI enjoys cult status. A MINI fan club recently arrived in over 40 MINI cars when they came to visit our pit lane. Everyone is happy when we defy the fast cars in our MINI. When it comes to performance, the MINI can more than hold its own.” </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

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On June 25th, the official MINI Motorsports teem, three privateer MINI teams and as many as 200 other competitors will race a grueling 24 hours at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. This epic endurance race on the world’s most epic public road will test men and machine alike. It’s been dubbed “The Green Hell Adventure.” Notoriously unpredictable weather plus a swarm of cars will make this race truly a spectacle to behold. MINI is still tight-lipped about just what cars they’re racing at this event, but if they’re the cars we think they are, stay tuned, ’cause you’re going to want to see this. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

If you follow us on Twitter you may have already seen the news. As part of an effort to further differentiate the sub-brand’s cars from standard MINIs, MINI AG is making the JCW aerokit standard across the entire range of JCW cars. It’s a move we have called for since 2007 and we applaud MINI for finally making the right decision. So what took so long. According to sources it was plant capacity. Once MINI ditched the optional aerokit tyat launched with tue car in 2007 there was room to move the JCW kit to the plant. Albiet with some changes that allow for simplier installation. In addition to that the front splitter on tue Coupe has been lengthened a few millimeters for a more aggressove look. Look for 2012 production to start in August of this year. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

Our time with the MINI pre-production Coupe JCW has come to a close. We’ve met with MINI’s engineers and designers and had two track sessions in an effort to get to know the dynamic ins and outs of the R58. So while we start to formulate our thoughts on the car for the MF review, we thought we’d give you a chance to ask some of the questions that many of you have had rattling around in your heads. Just post them in the comment section below and we’ll get them answered as best we can and as they come in. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

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Starting off with something very cool coming up later this year to help celebrate our 400th episode/6th year. We think it will be very cool and think you will too. Moving on to news from Motoringfile.com like we like to do. As an added bonus, we get a short call from Gabe with an update about what he is doing this week. Toss in an interview with our favorite Pikes Peaks racer, Savannah Rickli and that’s how we do that! Big thanks to everyone that has been leaving nice comments on iTunes for us, especially those of you that have a hard time even getting the show. We read everyone one of those, sometimes twice and appreciate every one! Download | 24.2MB | 50:13 |WRR @ iTunes </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

The early rumors indicating the coupe would be lighter were wrong. Due to MINI increasing rigidity with extra bracing (where the rear seat would be), additional pedestrian impact safety, the rear movable spoiler and several options that are now standard on the R58, the Coupe is actually around 45 lbs heavier than the hatch. This is based on our in-depth conversation about the car with MINI execs. One important note, the extra weight of the pedestrian impact safety measures will eventually find it’s way to the rest of the MINI line-up sometime in 2012. That all aside the Coupe is still faster than the R56 according to MINI. While the official 0-60 time is pegged at 6.1 we heard from MINI tonight that the R58 is not only faster than the R56 hatch in a straight line but also around any track thanks to better weight distribution and better aerodynamics. But enough of the subjective. We’ll be putting this theory to the test tomorrow on the track. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

Первоначальная регистрация экипажей производится на форуме клуба MINI-People." 1.FreDD&Nata - #08 2.Semia+1 (За мной номер)-#01. 3.Anneke+Kaetana - #13 4.ASBUS - #7 5. Бирюкова Ксения - #77 6. Andre Bore - #25 7. ElComandante - #24 8. Maretti+1 - #11 9. MiniKisa+1 - #22[/b] 10. Jokerace 11.Gale+1 -№18 12. DimON+marika

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