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With Team MINI’s WRC season about to kick off in Italy, MINI Motorsport brings us perspective from the drivers. Dani and Kris are definitely anxious to get going. Some WRC teams have four races under their belts, but the MINI Team has been spending this time working out the kinks in a brand new race program. They’re definitely feeling ready. “Now we want to show how good we are,” says Dani. This first race in Sardinia will be no leisurely Sunday drive. The course’s 18 stages will push the team at every bend. “Sardinia is a tricky rally because sand debris often makes the track slippery,” says Kris. He’d know. Meeke finished fourth in the IRC race on this course in 2010. He went on to add that “Sardinia is like a durability test for the car.” Looks like Sardinia will be a tough test of both man and machine, as any good rally should be. Dani drove the course in 2009 and had this to say, “You have to be perfectly prepared …the surface changes with each car. Once the sand is gone, you find yourself driving on hard, bumpy ground, and you must adapt your driving style accordingly.” Challenges acknowledged, Dani is optimistic, adding that “Sardinia will be a highlight.” We’re looking forward to it. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

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Big sales news this afternoon from MINI USA. April sales were the best ever for MINI USA, with monthly sales up 67.7% and year-to-date sales up 49.4% over last year. Top sellers were the Hardtop — with 2,343 Cooper and Cooper S hatchbacks — and the Countryman, with 1,709 cars sold in April. A trend in sales decline for both the Convertible and the Clubman continued in April as well, with the Clubman down 2.9% and Convertible sales down 15.8%. More info after the break. [Official release] MINI USA reported sales of 6,446 automobiles making it the best sales month ever in the U.S. April 2011 sales are an increase of 67.7% over the 3,843 sold in April, 2010. “The refreshed and expanded MINI model lineup has been driving demand since the first of the year and now rising gas prices mean even more people are open to small,” said Jim McDowell, Vice President – MINI USA. “The U.S. is MINI’s largest market and the addition of the new Countryman offering four doors and All Wheel Drive is a real game-changer, further increasing our appeal.” Year-to-date, MINI sales in the U.S. are up 49.4% on volume of 18,787 compared to 12,571 in the first four months of 2010. April 2011 April 2010 % YTD 2011 YTD 2010 % BMW brand 18,801 17,268 8.9 71,417 63,591 12.3 BMW passenger cars 13,642 14,142 -3.5 51,817 49,916 3.8 BMW light trucks (SAVs) 5,159 3,126 65.0 19,600 13,675 43.3 MINI brand 6,446 3,843 67.7 18,787 12,571 49.4 TOTAL Group 25,247 21,111 19.6 90,204 76,162 18.4 </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

In four months MINI will release a five seat car in the US. Yes MINI will be debuting the five seat MINI Countryman in the US for the 2012 model year. What does this mean and why has it taken so long? As we’ve reported previously US crash standards didn’t allow for the three seat bench due to the width of the Countryman. However after some lobbying by BMW, the NHTSA changed those standards earlier this year and is allowing MINI to sell the 5 seat configuration for 2012. Yes that means MINI has gone from a two door four passenger vehicle to a four door five seater. But let’s get past MINI getting slightly bigger and focus on what this adds to the Countryman. (Full gallery after the break) A middle seat means child seats in an ideal position. It means easy access to the back and a better set-up for pet owners as well. In short it means more versatility and that’s something many Americans tend to like in their cross-overs. There’s no word on what, if anything, it will cost. Either way look for the bench seat to an option starting with US September production on the Countryman. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

Саша, дружище, желаю тебе море удачи, потому как дача у моря уже есть ;-)))))) Крепко обнимаем и жаждем скорой встречи. ПС: Всё таки когда говорят на португальском - это очень красиво, даже если это - Абонент не доступен!

C пзаазданием, но всё же. Наше семейство поздравляет спортсменку, комсомолку, любительницу кошек, да и просто настоящего минипипла с днюхой. Желаем счастья и любви.

We’re just four days away from the MINI factory rally team’s debut at the Rally d’Italia Sardegna. Who’s excited? </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

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

1.000.000

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