MINI
MINI Cooper SD Line Previewed Ahead of Geneva Debut With Lots of Torque
MINI has confirmed the launch of a new SD line of performance diesels for all of its models. Using a new 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine, the oil burner will deliver 143-hp and a significant 225 ft-lbs of torque at from 1750 rpm. This new diesel engine sits above the current Cooper D with 112-hp. The SD…
German Man Tattoos ‘MINI’ On Penis to Win a Car
Don’t believe everything you read. Or at least that’s what Andreas Muller might tell his lady friends after having ‘MINI‘ tattooed on his penis in order to win one of the fun British cars. The German man recently entered a contest held by a local radio station to win a new MINI Cooper. Rather than…
MINI Countryman May Get WRC Inspired Street Car
With a huge gulf existing between the road-going version of the MINI Countryman and the WRC-ready version, a halo version that could bridge the gap between urban crossover and full-blown race car could be an asset for MINI, and help them leverage some of the image boost that their rally program will provide, especially in…
MINI Clubman Hampton Edition Rumored for Geneva Auto Show Launch
The boys and girls over at MINI have been busy bodies in the last few years. While the company originally started making just one body style of car with two engine options, MINI has now grown and offers a whole line of vehicles. You still get the regular Cooper, but add to that the Convertible,…
BMW/MINI to Share Hybrid Powertrain Technology
Now, it would appear that instead, future US bound Minis will get a line of 1.5-liter three-cylinder engines and possibly a plug-in hybrid powertrain. As far the latter is concerned, Mini will partner up with Getrag to produce it and this will likely be a plug-in system, designed to extend the vehicle’s range on electric...
Next MINI to Get More Dramatic Makeover
The next generation of the MINI Cooper will be the most dramatic change from the past since the new MINI was introduced in 2001. Described as a, “bigger design leap than the last one,” by BMW Group design chief Adrian van Hooydonk, that’s not saying much with the current model and the original new MINI…
New VARIO Motorhome Features Built-In a Garage For Your MINI
You want to take more road trips in your RV, but the thought of leaving your MINI behind is distressing. All alone in the garage, no one to drive it – sure, a neighbor can come over twice a day to let it out and feed it, but it’s not the same as having your…
MINI Cooper SD to Debut at Geneva Auto Show Alongside New ‘Performance Diesel’ Line
Rumored for some time now, MINI is set to introduce a rival to the Golf GTD in Europe at the Geneva Auto Show. Powered by a 2.0-liter BMW turbo-diesel, the car should make around 143-hp and a more robust 225 ft-lbs of torque. But there’s more. MINI will reportedly introduce the more potent diesel powerplan…
Detroit 2011: MINI Paceman Confirmed For Production 2013 [Video]
Having just been unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show, the MINI Paceman Concept is production ready, according to a MINI source, who told AutoGuide that 2013 is the target date for the Paceman’s launch. Before the new two-door crossover, MINI will launch the upcoming Coupe and Roadster, sportier, stripped down versions of the base car…
MINI Beachcomber Concept Too Dangerous for Production
There has been much debate inside MINI as to what direction that automaker would go with its next crossover model. Executives, designers and engineers were reportedly stuck between a production version of the Beachcomber Concept, or a two-door version of the Countryman, initially referred to as the Canyon. That decision has, however, been made for…
MINI Paceman Concept Revealed Ahead of Detroit Auto Show Debut
Arguably the best looking MINI yet, the new Paceman (not Pacman) concept is what the fun British brand refers to as a Sports Activity Coupe. Along the lines of the BMW X6, the Paceman takes MINI’s new Countryman crossover and lops-off two of the doors. Normally we might criticize a vehicle like this for not…
MINI Canada Giving Away Countryman Crossover with Facebook Contest
If you’re in Toronto and wanted to get into the holiday spirit, MINI Canada and their happy elves made the trip downtown to let people know they were in the giving mood. In fact, they still are, and want to give you one of three all-new gift-wrapped MINI Countryman models. MINI and eight happy elves…
MINI Countryman To Contest Dakar Rally
German firm X-Raid is already preparing a MINI Countryman, a vehicle that’s been on sale for less than a month, for competition in the upcoming Dakar rally. While most of the photos show a finished product, the vehicle prep shots show a pretty thorough re-working of the biggest MINI, as well as a gorgeous custom…
MINI City Car Set to Debut at Geneva Auto Show; Canyon SportCross to Bow in Detroit?
MINI will return to its roots at the Geneva Auto Show next year, showcasing a new entry level model that will compete with cars like the Smart fortwo and Toyota iQ. The long-rumored city car has one again been hinted at by MINI boss Wolfgang Armbrecht, reports AutoCar. The new vehicle is likely to be…
Fiat Sues Journalist Over Negative Review
One recent discussion taking place at Autoguide HQ was how long it’s been since we’ve driven a car that was truly worth a bad review. Most cars these days are pretty good, and the true stinkers are few and far between. The other side of the coin is that competition for your dollars is fierce,…
MINI to Contest Dakar Rally
While MINI‘s WRC aspirations have garnered a lot of attention among fans of the automaker and racing enthusiasts, the British brand’s off-road ambitions won’t be limited to just one series. The German off-road X-raid Team has just announced it will run the new MINI All4 Racing car in the annual Dakar Rally, which now runs…
AC Schnitzer Builds All Electric MINI E Police Car [Video]
The German Automobile Tuner Association has been helping raise awareness with a “Tune it! Safe!” campaign, and famed German aftermarket tuner AC Schnitzer has chimed in with their MINI E Police Look Concept. Currently being shown off at the 2010 Essen Motor Show, the MINI E Police Car continues to promote tuning without compromising safety….
MINI Coupe to Debut at Frankfurt Auto Show as New Halo Performance Model
Two years after it’s debut as a concept at the Frankfurt Auto Show, MINI is set to unveil the production version of its Coupe model at the same venue. The design of the Coupe isn’t expected to change much, but MINI will position the car as its new performance model. According to the MINI enthusiasts…
Paul Weller Designs Custom MINI For Special Charity Auction
Here’s one cool offer you can’t refuse. MINI and Paul “The Modfather” Weller have join forces to bring you a special art car, with proceeds going to charity. Every year, MINI teams with top designers to produces a one-off car that is auctioned off for charity – but this year, the company decided to do…
MINI, Jaguar Dealers Top J.D. Power List for Sales Satisfaction
Each year J.D. Power ranks numerous categories in the automotive sector, the latest being customer satisfaction with their purchase experience. In other words, the results of the Sales Satisfaction Index Study show how consumers rank their dealerships. Tops on the list of “Mass Market Brands” for 2010 is MINI, followed by Mercury in 2nd place…
BMW Faces Fine Over Allegations it Blocked Sale of Cars to Swiss Citizens
German automaker BMW is currently under investigation by Swiss government authorities over allegations it prevented Swiss citizens living in other parts of Europe from buying its vehicles. According to the Swiss Competition Commission, it has information that BMW distributors in the 27 European Union countries are preventing Swiss citizens from purchasing BMW or MINI vehicles…
BMW Considering 2-Cylinder Engines for Future Models
With reports indicating that BMW will move to using 3-cylinder engines in the next-generation MINI Cooper range (and possibly the 1 Series range as well), it still comes as a shock to hear execs at the German automaker talking about 2-cylinder power. In a recent interview with Auto Motor und Sport, BMW’s product development boss,…
BMW, PSA Peugeot Citroen Announce Partnership on Front-Drive Hybrid Vehicles
BMW and French automaker PSA Peugeot Citroen have officially announced plans to partner on development of hybrid components for front-drive vehicles. Currently the two automakers already share engines, between the Peugeot, Citroen and MINI brands. It’s expected that the new hybrid drivetrains will be shared with models from those ranges (including the next-generation MINI Cooper)…
MINI Beachcomber to See Production as Two-Door Canyon SportCross or 4-Door Moke
MINI has decided to move ahead with production plans for the Beachcomber Concept, but the new model could take one of two very different directions. According to a report by AutoCar, company product planners are currently debating between two different models: a two-door Countryman, called the Canyon; and a 4-door rendition of the classic Moke….
