New Mini news |
BMW has released details of its new electric car - the BMW MCV (MultiCity Vehicle) which is scheduled for a launch in 2013. This small car is designed for cities with a population of more than 10 million such as London, LA and Tokyo. Of course a small electric car from BMW is nothing new - trials are currently taking place in the Uk with electric Minis. Leaked photos suggest the car is Smart-sized and it will only be available as an electric version and is constructed with a carbon fibre chassis to reduce weight (up to 50% lighter than a steel car) and make it very strong. The electric motor is said to produce 100kW. A name for the new car range has yet to be confirmed. |
From 2011, Minis will compete on selected rounds of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) and will go on to contest the entire season from 2012 onwards. The Mini Countryman WRC cars will be developed and run by Banbury-based Prodrive, who have an excellent rally pedigree having secured WRC titles with the likes of Subaru. The powerful heart of the racing car is a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder turbo-charged engine from BMW Motorsport. The car complies with the new Super2000 regulations put in place by the International Automobile Federation (FIA), which stipulate the use of turbo engines with 1,600 cc displacement and four-wheel drive combined with an increased emphasis on road relevant technologies. The first test drive for the Mini Countryman WRC, which will also be available to customer teams, is planned for autumn 2010. Prodrive has been working on developing the Mini Countryman WRC since early 2009. A driver line-up has yet to be confirmed but one name in the frame is former double WRC Champion Marcus Gronholm. |
Starting in August you’ll be able to drive a Mini One around the famous Goodwood race track - and you won’t even need a driving licence. You don’t even need to be 17 - as long as you are 4ft 10 in or taller you can get behind the wheel. Drivers will start out in duel-controlled automatic Ones before moving onto a manual version from the fleet of eight cars which have been supplied by Mini Uk. As the young drivers progress through the courses at Goodwood, they will experience a progressive training schedule that will take the student from the basics, right through to passing his or her mock driving test theory exam. Along the way they will have huge fun, but also learn many important life saving skills, including being taught the risks of driving too fast, the dangers of drink driving, having unruly passengers, plus the essentials of good vehicle maintenance and driving on public roads once 17 years of age. After running the full course and passing their driving test, participants should qualify for insurance discounts; the savings of which should more than cover the costs of the full Mini Drivers @ Goodwood training schedule. Prices are £99 per lesson. |
Rally legend Paddy Hopkirk recently took part in the 2010 Bridgestone Brighton to London Eco Rally behind the wheel of the electric Mini E. He shared driving duties with Williams F1 driver Nico Hulkenburg and TV presenter Lisa Rogers. The Mini E was part of a ‘green convoy’ leaving Brighton’s seafront, driving to London’s Hyde Park. Throughout the route the convoy took in some of the country’s past and future energy sources. The car is the first product of BMW’s Project i – a program designed to research and develop transport strategies and new types of vehicles for sustainable mobility. The Mini E is being tested on British roads by a mixture of private, corporate and public sector drivers – all of whom will give valuable feedback to the project consortium and UK government. Phase One of the Mini E UK trial finished last month, and the drivers recruited to take part in the second phase will take to the roads in September this year. The E can travel up to 155 under ideal conditions and reach a top speed of 95 mph. |
Mini UK has announced that from this August all models will bear fresh design features both inside and out. At the front, a new bumper with a lower air intake serves not only to update Mini’s face but also to improve pedestrian protection courtesy of larger deformation zones. New style fog lamps adorn either side of the air intake which on Mini One and Cooper features a black cross bar to emphasize the car’s low, wide stance. On the Cooper S two purposeful air intakes feed the brake discs and enhance the sporting intent of this model. At the rear, a new bumper the tail and brake lights are now LEDs while the brake lights use dynamic intensity lighting that varies according to the deceleration force applied. Pulsating light affords following drivers an opportunity to gauge the urgency of the braking manoeuvre. Integrated reversing and rear fog lamps are also new and are housed in the rear bumper. Cars will also be available with five new dynamic paint colours and five new alloy wheel designs. The centre console, the steering wheel and the air conditioning and audio controls have all been modified to enhance the elegance and quality of the range and there are six new upholstery choices, three new fascia options and two new interior colour lines for door and side panels. |
For the first time in Mini history a diesel engine will appear under the bonnet of an open Mini when the Cooper D Convertible joins the range in August. Using the same 112 hp engine as the Hatch, the Convertible accelerates to 62mph in just 10.3 seconds and can reach a top speed of 121 mph. Despite this performance potential, the Cooper D Convertible sips diesel fuel at just 70 mpg and emits just 105g/km of CO², the lowest emitting and most economical ‘full’ convertible vehicle on the UK market today. In addition to the high efficiency of the new diesel engine, they employ fuel-saving and emission-lowering technology including Brake Energy Regeneration, Auto Start-Stop, Gearshift Indicator, Electromechanical Power Steering and demand-controlled auxiliary units such as the alternator. All of these technologies and the standard six-speed manual gearbox play a role as it ekes the most out of every drop of fuel while also minimising the tailpipe emissions. And of course they will feature all the new styling improvements as well. |
Along with the new styling changes there have also been changes to the standard specs and the wide range of options which are available from August. All Cooper S models now have a 3 spoke sports leather steering wheel as standard, all Minis (except First) have DAB radio as standard equipment and all Minis will now have heated mirrors and washer jets as standard equipment. The option range for all models now includes adaptive headlights that ‘steer’ round corners to give the driver a better view when turning in the dark, ambient lighting which uses LEDs using a wide spectrum of colours inside the cabin, automatic dimming exterior rear view mirrors and Visual Boost Radio with 6.5” windscreen display. |
Visitors to this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed (July 1st - 4th) will be able to get up close and personal with the latest range of Minis and Goodwood will be the venue for the first public showing of the new Countryman which goes on sale later in the year. The Countryman opens up a new era in the Mini story. It is the largest Mini model ever made and it is also the first to offer four doors and the option of four wheel drive in the ALL4 models. The Countryman range will include three petrol and two diesel models, as well as two ALL4 all- wheel drive models – the Cooper D ALL4 and Cooper S ALL4. The petrol engines are equipped with the new 1.6 litre power plants already announced for the Hatch, Convertible and Clubman models and introduced in March 2010. The new diesel-powered units combine excellent performance with parsimonious fuel consumption and extremely low emissions. |
Monte Carlo Rallying legend, and one of the original ‘Flying Finns’, Rauno Aaltonen will drive the Mini E Race up the hill at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The Festival will be the first in the UK to host the appearance of the Mini E Race, a modified race-equipped version of the electric emissions-free Mini currently undergoing road trials in the UK, USA and Germany. The Mini E Race made its public debut at the Nurburgring in May when it covered several laps of the challenging 20.8 km Nordschleife driven by Thomas Jäger, 2006 Mini Challenge Champion. Jaeger managed a lap in 9 minutes 51.4 seconds and achieved a top speed of 117 mph on the sinuous Eifel tarmac. Aaltonen, the winner of the 1967 Monte Carlo Rally, will also be driving an original 1960s Mini Cooper S on the rally stage. Set up like a race track to celebrate Mini’s glorious racing heritage, Rauno Aaltonen will also be on the Mini stand for interviews and to meet fans over the three day event. |
Against the back-drop of the metropolis’ skyline and in amongst the green fields of Mudchute Farm in London, celebrations for the launch of the new Mini Countryman culminated in world-exclusive performances by megastar producer, Timbaland and U.S. country singer Michelle Branch at the ‘Mini Countryman Open Air’ event. Their single ‘Getaway’ – which received its first-ever live outing in front of a 500-strong audience including Eva Herzigova, Cat Deeley, Donna Air, Henry Holland and Ozwald Boateng - is set to be released this summer by Warner Music. |
Taking on the infamous Nürburgring-Nordschleife circuit with an electrically powered car is an ambitious project, but the BMW Group has just become the first car manufacturer to make it happen. The Mini E Race, a modified race-spec version of the standard Mini E, completed a lap of the legendary 20.8 km “Green Hell” in a time of 09:51.45 minutes. The car hit a top speed of 187 km/h. The car was driven by former DTM racing driver Thomas Jäger “I’ve driven this circuit many times, but never in such an extraordinary car,” said Jäger, the Mini Challenge champion in 2006. “The power of the electric motor has an incredible effect, as you can access its full reserves of torque at all times. Another element of this experience is the lack of noise from the drivetrain. That was certainly the cleanest and quietest race lap I’ve ever driven.” Extensive preparations had to be completed before the car could roll out onto the track. It was fitted with a special lightweight body and a roll cage and various other components, such as the suspension, brakes and tyres, are also race specification. Other than that, however, the car relies almost exclusively on the standard technical make-up of the Mini E. The control electronics and the software were reprogrammed to achieve an optimal driving performance for the Nordschleife. The power from the emission-free motor is channelled to the front wheels via a single-stage helical gearbox with a lengthened gear ratio. |
BMW’s Technik division recently celebrated its 25th anniversary with the publication of photos of the super secret division’s work. Tucked away within the photos and information was a piece on a very recent BMW test car that featured a Hydrogen fuel cell combined with a small petrol engine. BMW has traditionally spent a lot of money on Hydrogen research; they even brought the Hydrogen 7 Series to market a few years back. However late last year they said that hydrogen development was being put on hold for fully electric and hybrid electric vehicles. The system combines a conventional front-drive powertrain along with a hydrogen fuel cell, electricity-storing supercapacitors and an electrically driven rear axle. Company engineers say the “fuel cell hybrid technology” is designed to allow a vehicle to travel emissions-free in city centres, a feat beyond the ability of regular petrol-electric hybrids. This drivetrain will fit into today’s Mini Clubman; does that make it an obvious choice? |
One for the lady Mini owners. A multicolor Brit-Pop stylish bag from the Mini collection with an all over print of the car that has made history, highlighted by the contrasting dark brown eco-leather trim. It features two top handles, a front zip pocket, an interior lined compartment with multi-purpose pockets and adjustable canvas shoulder strap. It’s made from polyester and Eco-Leather (PVC) Cost? £134 - I’ve never bought a handbag in my life so don’t know if that’s a good price or not! |
Who wants to win a Mini? Of course you do; well here’s your chance. |
TomTom has made effortless navigation even more sophisticated with the new XL IQ Routes edition. This successor to the TomTom XL IQ Routes edition sports a new simplified menu, along with features such as advanced lane guidance, spoken street names, Map Share and of course IQ Routes. It features an 11cm touch screen. Advanced lane guidance makes light work of particularly complex junctions. This feature displays all of the lanes on the device, showing clearly which one drivers should take – and helping to make navigation simpler and even more effortless. The spoken street names feature, meanwhile, also helps drivers keep their eyes on the road as the name of the turning they need is spoken out loud. Naturally this unit is also fully compatible with TomTom’s standard RDS-TMC Traffic service, which transmits traffic information to the device and then plans an alternative route when one is available. Price: £139. |
Vines Gatwick are organising a Mini convoy starting at their dealership in Stephenson Way Crawley and heading into Horsham on the second day of this years Horsham Piazza Italia. Prizes, including a Mini convertible for a weekend and loads of goodies being auctioned in support of The Chestnut Tree House hospice for terminally ill children. Why not join the convoy from the dealership into Horsham and enjoy the fun then back to Vines for a pizza! It all kicks of at the showroom mid-morning on Saturday 3 April (times to be confirmed). In convoy Mini will cruise into Horsham, park up taking pride of place with Mini balloons, and then return to the dealership in convoy a couple of hours later. If you would like to join the convoy please call 01293 575 557 to register. |
In September this year Mini will launch its latest and largest model, and the first to offer four-wheel drive, to the UK market. The Countryman range will be the fourth member of the Mini family following Hatch, Convertible and Clubman. The Countryman will be available in five models, three of which will offer ALL4, Mini’s new four-wheel drive option. Prices starts at just £16,000 for the One versions, and go right up to £20,810 for the Cooper S. The Mini Cooper D and Cooper S ALL4 models will be available as models from day one. A Mini Cooper ALL4 version will follow in 2012. The Mini Countryman will make its World debut at the Geneva Show in March and it will go on sale in the UK on September 18 2010. |
The New Mini Book by Tim Mundy costs £9.99 and is available in all good bookshops, or online. This all-colour book, now available in paperback, will fascinate all New Mini owners and enthusiasts. It's written by self-confessed Mini fan Tim Mundy and shows you the New Mini's roots, charts its development, and provides useful advice on how to choose and buy an example for yourself. There's also plenty of invaluable practical information on how to keep a Mini in top form, as well as engine tuning, performance upgrades and cosmetic modifications. The author is a well-respected Mini authority, and also wrote Haynes's Mini Performance Manual and New Mini Performance Manual. |
Astle Mini is going the extra mile for its customers with a new reward scheme to help them save money towards their next vehicle and access exclusive deals. Customers who buy a new car from the Grimsby or Scunthorpe dealerships are now eligible for an Astle Owners Club Rewards loyalty card which comes with £100 worth of points towards their next Mini. They can then earn more points by shopping online through the club’s website where they’ll find exclusive deals and discounts from hundreds of well known retail partners including Debenhams, Marks & Spencer and Play.com. Every time loyalty card holders service their vehicle, purchase accessories at the dealerships or refer a friend to Astle Mini they’ll also be awarded points. Each pound spent through the website equals one point so if a member accrues 400 points that’s equivalent to £400. Other benefits available to members include free winter and summer vehicle checks (RRP £49.95) and discounts on services. |
Mini owners interested in boosting the power of their Minis can now approach their local XPart New Mini specialist for an Autologic performance tune. The tunes are available for R50, R52 and R53 vehicle types and deliver significantly increased power and torque, as well as facilitating smoother power delivery, sharper throttle response and faster acceleration. On diesels it also offers improves fuel efficiency. You can locate your nearest XPart New Mini AutoService centre by using the dealer locator at www.xpart.com. This tune on a Mini One increases power output by 30 bhp at 3750 rpm, with torque increases of up to 26 lb/ft at 6000 rpm, giving the car Cooper-like performance. The tuning process typically takes less than half an hour, and can often be completed while the owner waits. No physical changes to the vehicle are visible and the work is in full compliance with UK emissions laws. Although the Cooper S conversion does involve fitting a smaller Supercharger pulley. |
There’s no stopping the Mini range in 2010 - and the latest to hit the road is the Countryman, the first model in the range to come with 4 doors, and also with the option of the Mini All4 AWD system on the Cooper S and D models. It comes fitted with a choice of the more powerful new generation engines which were recently announced with the option of 3 petrol and 2 diesel versions, including the 184 bhp Cooper S version. Other goodies available include six-speed manual and auto gearboxes, numerous air bags, clever storage options, alloys up to 19 in and the chance to have your iPhone fully integrated with the Mini’s ICE. The new cars will also be available with a wide range of exterior styling options such as special paint colours, tow bars, adaptive Xenon headlights and Panorama roof. Price and launch dates are still to be confirmed. |
Hitting the streets in the Spring will be a range of new more powerful engines that will appear across the entire Mini range. A new and improved version of the Mini petrol engine will be fitted to all First, One, Cooper and Cooper S models in the Hatch, Convertible and Clubman ranges. The First and One models will now be fitted with a 1.6 litre engine, replacing the 1.4, and valvetronic valve operation that delivers more torque and better fuel consumption. Valvetronic variable valve timing delivers a 5% improvement on its own while an on- demand, map-controlled oil pump achieves a further 2.5% fuel saving. An improved, low friction engine vacuum pump accounts for another one per cent and a map-regulated water pump working on a pulsed cycle (rather than simply on or off) saves 1.2% fuel. Reduced friction from polished camshaft and main bearings, improved heat management and the specific features above combine to contribute more efficient use of energy by the new Mini range. The One will now produce 98 bhp (3 % more than before), while at the other end of the range the Cooper S is now 184 bhp (an increase of 9 %) partly thanks to a new twin-scroll turbo. |
Launched in 2009, until now it has only been possible to buy a Cooper, Cooper S or John Cooper Works Convertible, so the introduction of the new One Convertible provides a much lower entry point for keen fresh air fans with prices starting at just £14,995. The Mini One Convertible shares the new 1.6 litre engine of its Hatch and Clubman cousins, and produces the same 98 bhp and 153 Nm of torque. The new model accelerates from 0-62 mph in 11.3 seconds and goes on to a top speed of 112 mph. Despite this it brings fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions to a new level in the convertible market, recording 49.6 mpg (combined cycle) . The open top four-seater features a fabric roof that opens and closes electro-hydraulically at the touch of a button up to 20 mph. The Mini One Convertible has an impressive equipment list including air-conditioning and is equipped with all the sophisticated active safety features of the Cooper and S including EPS electromechanical steering, DSC stability control, four airbags and the rear rollover bar behind the rear seats that pops up automatically in the event of a rollover incident. Like all Minis it can be specified with a wide range of options to personalise it to an owner’s taste. |
From February 2010 the limited edition Graphite Mini will be available as the larger Clubman version. It will feature special Dark Silver metallic livery and offer unique alloy wheels, white indicator lenses, piano black interior trim, bonnet stripes and special ‘Graphite’ badging as standard equipment. The current Graphite stands out in the used car market offering the highest residual value position of any current Mini model. Available on Mini One, Cooper and Cooper D variants, the Mini Clubman Graphite offers the same Dark Silver paintwork (normally only available for Cooper S models) and the same enhanced level of standard equipment as on the Hatch. The raised level of standard specification is priced at a discount of 25% versus the normal ‘single’ option costs. |
Ok, we can’t promise you a pile of gold at the end of the rainbow, but from April 2010 you will be able to order three new Rainbow paint options for your new Mini which offer a deeper dimension of reflective quality than ever before seen on a standard Mini. This water-based basecoat colour produces an amazing rainbow effect in bright sunlight that changes the character of the Mini completely. It will be available in three different colours – Sunlight Metallic, Asteroid Metallic and Nightlife Metallic – these unique paint finishes open a new chapter in Mini personalisation. Prices will be announced in March. |
A diesel-powered Mini has set a New Zealand fuel economy record, driving from the tip to the toe of the country using less than two tanks of fuel. Using fuel at an average rate of 3.5 litres per 100 kilometres, the Mini Cooper D can now claim the title as the most fuel efficient vehicle in New Zealand. Professional ecodriving consultant, Mark Whittaker, and motoring journalist Paul Owen, set out from Cape Reinga on 7 December, and travelled more than 2000 kilometres to Bluff, arriving at midday, Friday 11 December. Over the journey, the Mini used 72.1 litres. Through the use of ‘ecodriving’ techniques, the drivers managed a 20% improvement on the car’s factory-quoted fuel economy figures in the unmodified, standard specification Mini. |
40 electric Mini E cars were recently handed over handed over to their test drivers, who are all members of the public, at Mini’s Oxford plant. This marks the start of two consecutive six-month field trial periods which will evaluate the psychological, social and technical aspects of living with an electric car. The findings will be used both to inform the BMW Group engineering teams, as they create zero emissions vehicles for the future, and the wider world to help guide power providers, policy makers and component manufacturers in their decision making. “This is a historic day for Mini and for the BMW Group” said Tim Abbott, Managing Director of BMW Group (UK). “It is fitting that the brand with its inspiration in the oil crisis of the 1950s is again at the forefront of energy efficiency with a car that is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. To cover the research and investment costs of the project a Mini E would normally cost in the region of £550 a month to lease, however part funding from the Government’s Technology Strategy Board means that the lease cost to Mini E pioneers is just £330 per month, which includes VAT, insurance, service and maintenance. Over and above this payment, the only other costs that Mini E drivers will incur are for the electricity they use when charging their car. A full charge at home (for a completely flat battery) costs just £1.50 when using off-peak electricity or around £4.00 when charging during peak hours. This equals just over a penny a mile when charging off-peak. |
The Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, recently welcomed an all-electric, zero emissions Mini E to the Government car pool today in Downing Street. The Mini E will be tested by ministers wanting to try a fully-fledged electric car in an urban environment on their official business around London. The car was presented by Tim Abbott, Managing Director of BMW Group (UK) Ltd. The car will be tested for one year and will help to shape the future of BMW Group electric vehicle development and to inform the wider world about the economic, behavioural and practical issues of living with an electric vehicle. The Prime Minister was joined by Cabinet colleagues, including the Business Secretary Lord Mandelson, who has been an enthusiastic supporter of electric vehicle development through the Government’s Technology Strategy Board. Prime Minister Gordon Brown said, “I congratulate BMW and Mini for their ground-breaking electric project and I welcome the extensive user field trial that has now begun.” He added: “The low carbon transport industry will not only cut harmful emissions but has the potential to be a major source of jobs and growth. We have already committed £400 million of support to the sector, encouraging its development and take-up, and I am confident that in future years we will see thousands more electric and other low carbon cars on Britain’s roads." Lord Mandelson said: “I am delighted that the Mini E is going to be put through its paces by Government ministers for two months. The Government is keen to show that driving electric vehicles is fun. I want the UK to be a world leader in low carbon transport and cars like the UK-built Mini can help us achieve that aim.” |
Just when you thought the Mini couldn’t be any cooler; Mini unveiled the Beachcomber Concept car at the Detroit Motor Show. With no roof or doors, (although optional soft or hard tops are available for rainy days!) this is said to be a nod towards the original Mini Moke, although this Concept features 4WD as well. It’s seats 4 and there’s more than enough room for surfboards. According to the press release the car is: perfect whether cruising through town, enjoying rough tracks in the mountains, or breezing along the beach. The adaptable rear seats provide a wide range of storage/seating options. With the Mini Beachcomber Concept being intended primarily for driving in the open air, the number of air vents has been reduced in the interest of additional loudspeakers on the HiFi system as well as special instruments for offroad motoring. These additional instruments are reminiscent of the displays in the cockpit of an aircraft. There’s a liquid-sprung compass fitted to the left of the steering wheel consistently which tells the driver whether he is going the right way and moving in the right direction and a further gauge presents an artificial horizon showing the angle of the car around its longitudinal and transverse axis. You’’ll never get your Mini stuck on the beach again. |
Hailed as the only new Mini show in the UK, by the Daily Express, New Mini Show is all systems go for 2010 on Sunday June 13th. For next year they have changed the location to a bigger and better venue - just three miles off the M1 Motorway, to Wicksteed Park, Kettering. It’s a great place - We’ve been there several times! |
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson recently visited Mini Plant Oxford to see two recently-unveiled concept cars – the Coupé and the Roadster. Both have been confirmed for production at the facility where they will join the three current core models – Hatchback, Convertible and Clubman. The cars were presented to Lord Mandelson in the plant’s final assembly hall by Ian Robertson, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Sales and Marketing, and the plant's managing director, Dr Jürgen Hedrich. Lord Mandelson said: “The British love the MINI and the addition of two new models demonstrates BMW's commitment to manufacturing in the UK. "The exceptional skills and flexibility of the manufacturing teams across the production triangle of Oxford, Swindon and Hams Hall is a key factor to the success of the Mini across the world. "The Coupé is designed to accommodate the 1.6 litre twin-scroll turbocharged engine, carried over from the Mini – John Cooper Works, which has won Engine of the Year for three years running. The Mini production triangle in the UK employs around 5,500 people. The vehicle assembly plant in Oxford currently operates six days per week and is supported by engine production at Hams Hall, near Birmingham, and the pressings and sub-assembly plant in Swindon. |
A Mini dealer in New Zealand has dressed up his Cooper S Clubman with vinyl graphics to resemble the classic wooden panels which used to appear on the original Minis. New Team McMillan Mini Sales Manager Jonathan Highton is a self-confessed Mini fanatic, and is keen to promote and increase the Mini brand in the NZ marketplace. The Woodie Mini Clubman captures the spirit of the outdoor and surfing lifestyle, and is fitted with roof-racks to carry surfboards to summer destinations. |
Launched at the Earls Court Cycle Show are a new range of bikes from Cooper. Yes, that’s the same Cooper as in lovely Mini Coopers. Mike Cooper commented: "The Cooper Car Company has always had a passion for bicycles and we have been thinking about diversifying the business for a while. We wanted to turn our engineering know how to making bicycles that offer the best possible components for the best possible price.” Using their engineering and technical skills the bikes will go on sale at the start of 2010. The T200 Championship 50 is a special edition single speed, finished in classic Cooper racing green to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Cooper Car Company Formula 1 World Championship victory in 1959. Other bikes in the range include the T100 Monza and the T100 Sebring and prices start at £595. |
The new Mini First is available from Mini dealers now with a starting price of just £10,950, making it the cheapest Mini currently on sale in the UK. Available in 2-door version only it’s fitted with the same 1.4L petrol engine that’s used by the Mini One, but with 75 bhp and a 6-speed gearbox. Of course it comes fitted with usual Mini gadgets as standard such as Auto Start-Stop, Dynamic Stability Control and Shift Point Display. New customers will also be able to customise their cars to meet their requirments starting with the Salt package at £390 which includes items such as front fog lights and interior lights pack, through the Design Package at £525, right up to the Tech option at £855 which includes a 3-spoke leather multi function steering wheel and Bluetooth. |
20 test drivers for the new electric Mini trials are now required! But before you all log onto the website to apply as you’d expect there are a number of terms and conditions. 1) You have to live in a selected area of the South East. 2) You have to pay a monthly lease for the 6 month period of £330 per month. 3) You have to pay for all the electricity the car uses - a full off-peak charge will be around £1.50 and takes 4.5 hours. 4) You’ll need to have a garage or secure parking area so a charging unit can be installed. Still want to be one of the first people in the Uk to drive a Mini E? Check out full details on the website. |
Mini will be showing off their new Mini Coupe Concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. It’s designed to be the most dynamic and agile Mini ever built. Strictly a two-seater, the low roof line, compact dimensions, perfect axle load distribution and lightweight construction are all trademarks of a genuine sports car. It features large round headlights inclusive of black internal reflectors, a hexagonal radiator grille and low front spoiler. Unique exterior design cues include a bespoke rear spoiler, bonnet stripes extending to include the radiator grille and an entirely revised front air dam. This car is 1,356mm high and the steep rake of the A-pillars is accentuated by the high waistline common to every Mini. Sat on 18” light alloys, the concept is 3,714mm in length and 1,683mm wide. The weight-saving aluminium roof is an unbroken bridge shape and flows smoothly from A to C-pillars. The steep front rake stops above the heads of driver and front passenger and descends gently to the rear of the car, emphasising the wedge shape of the car and its sporty poise. The low rear end of the car ensures optimum air flow across the vehicle when in motion and in combination with the roof spoiler, minimises any aerodynamic interruption. |
Plans to test the electric Mini E in the UK have recently been given the thumbs up by the Government and we could be seeing the cars on the road by the end of the year. Mini E models will be on UK roads for a twelve-month field trial that will evaluate the technical and social aspects of living with an all-electric vehicle in a real world environment. This year-long project will play an important part in informing future strategic and technological decisions. The Mini E’s electric drive train produces a peak torque of 220 Nm, and power is delivered to the front wheels via a single-stage helical gearbox. This unique engine and transmission arrangement powers the Mini E to 62 mph in 8.5 seconds and on to an electronically-limited top speed of 95 mph. Based on the current Mini Hatch, the car is available as a two-seater. With 204 hp at the driver’s disposal, performance is close to that of the Mini John Cooper Works. The space normally inhabited by rear passengers is reserved for a lithium-ion battery which can be charged from any standard electric point. To charge a totally flat battery would take around 4 hours and cost up to £4. |
The Mini factory at Oxford recently celebrated the production of its 1.5 millionth Mini since the car was launched in 2001. The car, a Chilli red Clubman, was built for a UK customer. Since production started at Oxford in 2001, Mini has become a global phenomenon, winning plaudits and awards all over the world and is now sold in more than 80 countries, with its most recent launch in Brazil. BMW Group has invested more than £380m in Plant Oxford since 2001 and a further £100 million in the Hams Hall and Swindon plants, which make up the Mini Production Triangle in the UK. The Group employs more than 7,000 people in the UK, and its activities account for 1% of the country’s GDP. The company has invested more than £1 billion in the UK since 2000. |
Just Minis are opening a new shop on Wednesday 1 July, specialising in original and New Mini parts and accessories. |
Mini specialists Palmer Brothers have acquired new diagnostic equipment at their workshop in Mottingham, South East London, so now they'll be able to diagnose and fix any problems with your Mini. |
The new Mini R57 Convertible might not have been in showrooms for long, but those eager beavers at AC Schnitzer are very quick off the mark and have already introduced a wide range of tuning and styling options. They can offer tuning packages to increase the standard Cooper S power to 208 bhp and yet retain the driving experience with a LSD. They also have a wide range of exhaust, alloy wheel and suspension options, including an aluminium strut brace. On the styling front you can now buy an AC Schnitzer front spoiler and skirts and a wide range of interior goodies such as handbrakes, gearknobs with digital shift displays, and aluminium pedals. Go on, spoil your Mini - it’s worth it. |
Making its public debut at Mini United was a new Mini which will be limited to only 250 cars, and all in Connaught Green - step forward the John Cooper Works World Championship 50. The 1.6-litre, 211 hp turbocharged John Cooper Works-tuned engine sits beneath a body featuring numerous specification upgrades, both inside and out. Signatures appear on the right bonnet stripe as well as on a plaque on the dash facia. The signature belongs to John Michael Cooper, the son of John Cooper. The car’s 17” Challenge cross-spoke alloy wheels are finished in Jet Black, giving the car a menacing and dynamic appearance. The standard Xenon headlamps are encased in black internal reflectors. Lightweight and eye-catching Carbon parts are found in the shape of the bonnet scoop, tailgate trim, rear apron, mirror caps and interior dash. Every car will display a unique production number, next to the indicator lens, ranging from 001-250. Black Leather Lounge seats are edged in red piping, which is a combination unique to this edition. Nearly every option available to buyers of the existing Mini John Cooper Works Hatch is fitted as standard on this car. Standard equipment includes a Harmon Kardon Hi-Fi system, DAB radio, full Bluetooth with USB audio, Mini Navigation system, Park Distance Control, heated Front Seats and a Multi-function steering wheel. On sale date and price have yet to be confirmed. |
Mini are producing a very limited edition - in fact it’s a unique one-off, based on the Mini Cooper S which was given to George Harrison by the Beatles manager, Brian Epstein in 1966. He gave one to each band member but lead guitarist George had his car painted with psychedelic images such as yantras and Sanskrit mantras. A year later this iconic Mini featured in The Beatles’ Magical Mystery Tour film. The one-off model will be handed over to Olivia Harrison at the MINI United event at Silverstone, May 23/24. Olivia will accept the MINI on behalf of the Material World Charitable Foundation, a charity set up by her late husband George Harrison in 1973. The car will be auctioned in aid of the Foundation later in the year. “George was a huge Mini fan and he would have enjoyed creating this new version. The fact that Mini’s anniversary celebrations will also benefit our Foundation has made it an enjoyable as well as meaningful collaboration.” said Olivia. |
Mini are adding to their car range with a value-packed special edition - the Mini Graphite which could be yours from only £210 a month. It will be available for the Mini One, Cooper and Cooper D versions. Cars will be produced in Dark Silver metalic paint, previously only an option with a Cooper S or John Cooper Works models. The Mini One version (£13,075) features the silver paint, black bonnet stripes, white indicators, Piano Black interior, Graphite logos on B-pillars and 15 in Rotator alloys. The Cooper (£14,590) and Cooper Ds (£15,660) have all the One features + 16 in Bridge alloys and the choice of black or white bonnet stripes. These options can be applied to non-special edition Minis and would cost £225 - £280. Limited edition versions of Minis are always a good seller and industry expert Glass’s has confirmed that the Mini One Graphite will command a 3% higher residual value than the standard Mini One. Get down to your local Mini dealer and check them out. |
Launched at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show last month, the Mini One Clubman is now on sale in the UK. This entry level version of the Clubman carries an on the road list price of only £13,290. The car is powered by the 1.4L engine four-cylinder engine that’s used in the hatchback version of the Mini One. It produces 95 bhp, giving it a top speed of 114 mph, reaching 62 mph in 11.6 seconds, returns fuel consumption figures of 52.3 mpg and thanks to its very low emissions will only cost £120 per year in road tax. The car also features the same steering and suspension as its Cooper brother to ensure the typical Mini handling and cornering ability. Brake Energy Regeneration, Auto Start Stop and Shift Point Display are all standard features on this car, as is air conditioning, now standard on all new Minis. A short shifting 6-speed manual gearbox is fitted as standard and there is the option of a 6-speed semi auto gearbox as well. New exterior colour combinations will be available for the Mini One Clubman. It will be possible to specify Silver or Black variants of this model with the same colour C-pillars. Previously the C-Pillar was always supplied in a contrasting shade. Get down to your local dealer and check them out. |
With rumours that the 2009 Budget will be geared towards green issues, Mini are already ahead of the game and are currently testing 500 electric Minis in the USA. These battery powered cars will only be available as a 2-seater car to start with as rear passenger space is now taken over by a large lithium-ion battery. The energy storage unit’s basic components are based on technologies proven in power supply units for mobile phones and portable computers. The Mini E will reach 62 mph in 8.5 seconds and has a top speed which is restricted to 95 mph. The car can be recharged via any normal electric socket, and while charging at the owners home base, a totally flat battery can be fully charged in two and a half hours. A full charge eats up 28 kilowatts of electricity and each kilowatt should last 5.4 miles - giving the car a range of around 150 miles before it needs power again. And of course the car produces zero emissions which means the planet will love it as much as the owner. On the outside the cars all feature a distinctive colour scheme, including a big yellow plug logo on the roof - just in case you forget, while inside the rev counter has been replaced with a battery gauge showing power consumption. Trials are currently taking place in California, New York and New Jersey and are scheduled to last a year and then all the cars will be returned to BMW for further testing. |
A unique Mini featuring a visually stunning exterior designed by legendary artist, illustrator and graphic designer Alan Aldridge, has been on display at the Design Museum in London. Alan Aldridge is known primarily for his creative work throughout the 1960s and 70s. Dubbed ‘The Graphic Entertainer’, Aldridge illustrated lyric books for the Beatles, album covers for The Rolling Stones, The Who and Elton John, was Art Director for Penguin Books and illustrated much-loved children’s books such as ‘The Butterfly Ball’. Now working in Los Angeles, Alan was keen recreate an iconic cover of the Sunday Times Magazine, which in 1965 featured a classic Mini painted in his own, inimitable style. The updated interpretation of this image, using a new Mini One as the canvas for Alan’s design, featured in the 12 October 2008 edition of the publication, again, warranting front cover status. The Mini Aldridge Special is adorned with an array of images, shapes and patterns, each reflecting either a male or female theme, just as the 1965 car did. The design theme is split between each side of the car, the driver side being largely set on a blue background and masculine in appearance, with passenger near side artistry backed on pink. The public will get another chance to get up close and personal with the Mini Aldridge Special at Mini United, the global Mini event at Silverstone in May. One thing’s for certain, he won’t get it mixed up with another Mini in the car park. |
No less than 47 Minis were recently spotted in convoy driving across the Lincolnshire countryside on Sunday March 29th. And there was a very good reason for this impressive sight - the launch of the new Mini Convertible which starts at just £15,995. Mini dealer ‘Astle’ in Grimbsy and Scunthorpe organised the run in conjunction with the Lincolnshire Mini Club (LMC). The club chairman, Matt Taylor, said “ This is probably one of the most important runs the LMC has ever been involved with, and it was a fantastic turnout.” As a ‘prize’ for attending the run owners were allowed to get up close and personal with the stunning new Convertible which was launched that weekend. |
As we should all know by now the Mini is 50 this year and the celebrations are happening all around the world. There’s going to be a huge Mini party at Silverstone, home of the British Grand Prix, on 22-24 May (Mini United) and who better to celebrate the birthday of the Mini legend than the music icon Paul Weller - former Jam and Style Council front man (and Mini owner!) who will be headlining the weekend’s entertainment. Paul will be supported by DJ Calvin Harris, Chris Thompson, former lead singer with Mann’s Earth Band, Raygun who played with Pink on her recent European Tour, and Twister Wheel who are fast gaining a reputation as one of the best live acts around. Tear yourself away from the music and you’ll find no end of Mini entertainment including loads of cars on display, the chance to lap the famous Grand Prix circuit, either in your own car or with a race driver in a racing Mini, two rounds of the Mini Challenge Clubsport race series, and last but not least, stunt man Russ Swift. Tickets for the three-day event are £35 and camping for 10,000 tents is also available.
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The 2009 Mini Challenge is about to kick off and is coming to a circuit near you soon. With 18 rounds for the season, spread over six weekends, this popular race series is THE place to race a Mini in and it’s open to all ages and abilities. Those who are dipping a toe in the water will start in the Club Class before moving up to the 215 bhp S Class where the competition is really fierce. There are also awards for the best novice driver and the series is becoming increasingly popular with lady drivers as well. Last years winner of the Challenge, Martin Depper, will be returning to the hot seat for his forth season of racing and hoping that he’s as successful as he was in 2008. Martin, behind the wheel of his John Cooper Works car, will also be taking on a field of experienced German Mini racers when the German Mini Challenge comes to Silverstone on May 23/24th during the Mini United show. Race Dates
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The second generation Mini Convertibles hit the streets at the end of March. 164,000 of the original cars were sold and demand is sure to be high for the all-new version. Two new colours to the Mini range will be added – Interchange Yellow and Horizon Blue and for the first time air conditioning will be fitted as standard – that even keeps the lockable glove box cool! The canvas roof, available in a choice of colours, goes up or down in just 15 seconds, at the touch of a button – essential for the English weather. The new cars also feature an optional Openometer to measure how much you drive the car with the top down. Unlike the first generation cars, the new Minis feature a single-piece roll bar which extends in milliseconds in the event of a crash, and passengers in the rear will now be able to adjust the height of their headrests. Despite weighing less than the predecessor, the body, floorpan and side sills have been strengthened to offer better crash protection and the boot space is larger than before, while mountings for a bike rack are included with the car. Two versions of the car will be available – the Cooper (£15,995 OTR) and the Cooper S (from £18,995 OTR), both fitted with a six-speed gearbox, although six-speed autos are offered as an option. The cars will be built at Mini plants in Swindon and Oxford.
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For the third year in a row the Mini Cooper S has been voted the best hot hatch on sale in the UK in the annual What Car? awards. It beats off a strong opposition which included the new VW Scirroco, the Honda Civic Type R and the Clio Renaultsport 197, all of which have more power than the Cooper. The Cooper walked off with the award again with a winning combination of brilliant performance, low running costs and high residual costs.
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To celebrate the launch of the new second-generation Mini convertible at the end of March Astle Mini in Grimsby and Scunthorpe are inviting Mini owners to join them for a convoy through the Lincolnshire Wolds on Sunday 29 March. The event ties in with the new cars going on sale at their dealerships and the convoy will snake through the countryside visiting picture-postcard villages along the way. Fingers crossed they get nice weather to take their tops off! The whole show kicks off at their Grimsby showroom at 9.30am, and it’s a great opportunity to get up close and personal with the new car. Find out more at www.astlegrimsbymini.co.uk.
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Launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2009 the Mini John Cooper Works Convertible goes on sell in the Uk at the end of March, priced at £23,470. The car’s 1.6-litre twin scroll-turbocharged engine produces the same 211 bhp as the hard top version and is based on the Cooper S model, but with a lighter and stronger engine, with a larger air intake and custom exhaust. The Convertible has a top speed of 146 compared to the hatchbacks’ 148 yet still maintains an average of 39.8 mpg. This car will be built entirely in the Uk in Minis’ Oxford and Swindon plants. As with other JCW cars the Convertible will feature a full Aero bodykit, Alcantara steering wheel, sports seats, air conditioning and that all-important Sport button on the gearknob which activates a bespoke engine control map producing boost earlier in the rev range and sharpening steering and throttle response. And of course the exclusive JCW speedo goes all the way round to 160 mph, which you won’t see in any other Minis. Naturally the car is equipped with EDLC (Electronic Differential Lock Control) to deliver an even sportier drive; basically it ensures that power is transferred to the wheel with the most grip to provide ultimate traction. The Convertible will run on a set of lightweight 17 alloys, shod with run-flat tyres and will stop thanks to the combined forces of larger discs and bright red Brembo callipers. Bring on global warming!
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Sponsored by Astle Mini, New Mini Day 2009 takes place on Sunday June 21st at Manby Motorplex, Louth and they are aiming to set a new Guinness World Record for the longest Mini convoy. The organisers are hoping this will be one of the largest Mini gatherings of the year. Attractions at the show include Russ Swift and his amazing stunt driving display, the chance to drive a rally car, a truck or even a double decker bus and of course numerous trade stands from the top names in the Mini styling and tuning world and a Show & Shine sponsored by Miracle Drywash. There’s also the chance to sit alongside professional rally driver Trevor Godwin as he takes lucky passengers on rides around a special rally stage in the car he used for the 2002 World Cup Rally. Not enough going on for you? How about the use of a skid pan to put your driving skills to the test, or even a lap of the 4x4 course? And there are also rumours that the Red Arrows will be putting in an appearance in the skies above the 470-acre site. For those planning of making a whole weekend of it, then camping is available on the Saturday night with the evening ’s entertainment taking the form of a special Help for Heroes concert, raising money for charity. The record attempt will also take place on Saturday.
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Germany tuning experts AC Schnitzer have worked their special brand of magic on the Cooper S Clubman. Style-wise they have fitted a new front spoiler and the car has been lowered with height-adjustable racing suspension. The company can now offer a choice of alloys for the car the Mi1 (7.5 x 17 in) or the Mi2 (7.5 x 18 in). Tuning increases the standard power up to 226 bhp with a side-order of 285 Nm of torque to match the improvement in power. To cope with the increased power feeding through the front wheels the experts have also developed a new LSD, in an effort to tame the extra horses. Getting rid of all those nasty gases in the new AC Schnitzer twin sports rear silencer with chromed tailpipes. Apparently is sounds grrreat! |
13/08/07 - Mike Cooper speaks before launch of new Works kit We met up with Mike Cooper at Beaulieu Mini Cooper Day in June and he told us what he's been up to since the closure of the retail side of John Cooper Works: "I'm just keeping quiet at work, knuckling down and supplying the manufacturers. We've got the Works warehouse where we have accounts and that's our distribution centre. All the rest is engineering and going around different companies including Ricardo and Prodrive. "If a manufacturer wants a tuning kit for their car, like we've done with Mini, we come up with the concept. They give us the parameters of how far we can go to be safe and we say what we can produce. So with the latest New Mini kit it's air filter, exhaust and engine calibration. Then we put together prototype parts and testing. We then produce the parts and get them shipped down to East Preston, put them in a box and send them out to their suppliers. For the manufacturers it's a one-stop shop. When we work for other manufacturers they will have their own brand - nothing else will be badged as Cooper. "Regarding the new Works kit for the Peugeot-engined Minis: if you buy a Cooper S, you will go to your dealer and ask for the Works kit. They will order it as a kit of parts and will get it fitted. It's not as complicated as the first kits, which was a cylinder head and supercharger. This is just an air filter, exhaust and engine calibration so it makes lots of noise, goes well and ticks all the boxes. "Bhp increases from 172 to 195, but that's not really the telling figure. The telling figure is the torque which has gone up from 220/230 NM to 260/270 Nm which is a tremendous amount of mid-range power." |
16/03/09 - Improved Clubman Cooper S