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Avenue of the Giants Weekend Run - Sat. March 23, 2024

Saturday will be a very full day of cruising from Novato up through the Avenue of the Giants and ending at Eel River Brewing in Fortuna. Sun...

We're Back And Have We Got News For You!

We haven't posted in 10 days, yet, during that time there has been a plethora of MINI News. Here is a synopsis:

MINI Sales In June 2010


As this BMW sales graph from BMW Blog shows year over year MINI sales stayed relatively stable.

Scott Hunter To Drive MTTS 2010 For East Bay MINI And NorCal MINIs


NorCal MINIs' very own Scott Hunter will be driving MTTS 2010 (with Tara Moore) for East Bay MINI. You will be able able to follow their adventures right here and on East Bay MINIs' dedicated facebook page. We have many surprises in store so you will want to stay tuned.
If you want to go on MTTS 2010 register here.












New Audio Options For the 2011 MINI Refresh



For 2011 HD radio and Sirius satellite radio, with a free one year subscription, will come standard on the refreshed MINI. In addition the new MINI Connected will be added across the entire MINI range. MINI Connected is a $1,000 option that allows an iPhone to connect to the MINI and adds a new 6.5” hi-resolution screen (the same as on the 2011 Nav system), Comfort Bluetooth (6NE) with Smartphone prep (6NF), a Combox control box (interface the iPhone with the car), Voice recognition (620), and a joystick controller to access all features. Support for Android and Blackberry Smartphones is being planned for a later launch. [Source: MotoringFile]



The Back Pressure Burble Is Back


MotoringFile reported that the 2011 refresh brings back pressure popping sound of the late model R53s.




















New 2011 MINI Colors


With August production, MINI will produce Spice Orange, a new color that will be available on all R56 and R57 models but not the R55 Clubman. British Racing Green II will also be released. Eclipse Gray metallic, will replace Dark Silver metallic. White Silver will become available on all models. Non-metallic Ice Blue will join the range available for the R56 Clubman and R57 Convertivle with December 2010 production. In March 2011, Velvet Silver will replace Sparkling Silver. [Source: MotoringFile]

MINI Reduces Torque Steer On 2011 Models


For 2011 MINI has provided a steering software update that uses the EPS to keep the MINI going straight under full throttle. [Source: MotoringFile]



















Rumors Of A MINI Minivan

Rumors are flying that MINI will produce the MINI Spacebox concept - a minivan based on the Countryman platform - by 2013. [Source: edmund's Inside Line]








MINI Clubman S Hybrid Caught Testing?


MotorAuthority obtained spy photos of what appears to be of some sort of gas electric hybrid MINI Clubman S test mule.


















MINI Canyon May Be Produced


Using the same platform as the Countryman, the rumored MINI Canyon is supposed to be a three-door vehicle, shorter than the Countryman but sharing the All4 drivetrain. It is like a MINI Coupe Small Activity Vehicle with 3 doors and space for four people. [Source: BMW Blog]






Official Countryman Specifications Announced


MINI has released official specifications for the Countryman. You can check them out at LeftLane.