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Saturday we gave you a glimpse at all that went on behind the scenes with MINI’s first factory supported rally in over 40 years. Now with the Rally Sardinia over, we have even more to show you of the car, the team and the drives. (watch part 2 after the break) </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

The good news continues for MINI sales. While US sales are particularly strong, the rest of the world isn’t far behind. Sales climbed to 23,839 vehicles (prev. yr. 17,719) – an increase of 34.5% over the same period last year. In China (1,400/ +89.2%), South Korea (300/ +130.8%) and Russia (165/ +283.7%) sales growth was in the three-digit percentage range. The number of MINI models through April this year rose to 84,698 (prev. yr. 67,251/ +25.9%) vehicles. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

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With the MINI JCW WRC team making it’s debut in Sardinia this weekend (and currently in 6th place) we wanted to give you a behind the scenes look at what actually goes into a rally. The team, the pit set-up and even the food. Here’s a look at how it’s all done. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

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Watch the full episode. See more MotorWeek. PBS’s MotorWeek is celebrating 30 yawning years on the air and here we have their mostly summary review of the Countryman. Overall, they like it, but like most MW summaries, you don’t come away with much more than stats. So if you’d like a good rehash of the R60′s dimensions and statistics, look no further. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

Fortune’s Alex Taylor III brings us this review of the MINI Countryman. He begins with a history lesson about the Honda Accord, which grew almost three feet in length from its original dimensions. So why this gnashing of teeth over the 2011 MINI Cooper Countryman, which has grown two more doors and a mere 15 inches from the original MINI Cooper? The Countryman is still immediately identifiable as a MINI, with its flat roof, friendly face, and extroverted paint job. There is nothing else like it on the road. Although the Countryman has some crossover characteristics like a rear hatch and all-wheel-drive, the ground clearance is minimal, and the cargo space is laughable — all traditional MINI traits. There’s a lot about the car he likes, but like most mainstream car reviewers, he’s unimpressed by the interior and can’t not mention those infamous J.D. Power dependability results. Check out his full write up over at Fortune. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

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Two reviews from CNET today. One in video form (above) from Brian Cooley, and the other in long form written editorial from Wayne Cunningham. Neither were particularly charmed by the R60′s interior or character, but both gave the larger MINI sibling credit for great handling. Their digs are nothing new to MF readers, but if you’d like to hear more from Mr. Cooley, you can read his full review here. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

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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