Kelley Blue Book Reviews The "Maximus Of Minis"
We had a chance to take this hot hatch for a quick spin in the hills high above Puerto Rico and were impressed overall with the GP's performance. While its off-the-line performance is similar to that of the lower-priced and higher-powered MazdaSpeed3, unlike Mazda's deviant the 2013 JCW GP doesn't have torque steer that demands a gorilla grip on the steering wheel during hard acceleration. Most impressive is the GP's rock-solid stability in corners and its tenacious braking power.
Let's Drag! MINI Cooper S Versus JCW GP
The MINI Cooper S is modded with a Milltek Cat-back, K&N Typhoon and Alta 15% pulley. The JCW GP is stock.
[Source: Daniel James Day @ YouTube]
[Source: Daniel James Day @ YouTube]
MotoringFile Profiles MINI's Head Of Exterior Design
National Post Likes The Paceman
The Paceman is seen as a unique blend of hatchback, coupe and sports activity vehicle that is a sportier, less family-oriented and more youthful counterpoint to the popular but practical four-door Countryman
Jenna Loves Her MINI . . .
. . . but doesn't understand how her hair always ends up in such knots when the sunroof is open.
[Source: Justin Fowlkes @ YouTube]
[Source: Justin Fowlkes @ YouTube]
Castro Street Auto Erotica
Right in front of the Castro Theater this [February 22, 2013] morning, a baby blue Mini Cooper ended up slightly on top of a red Toyota Prius in some sort of traffic mishap. Our tipster on the scene tells us the Prius was (ahem) pulling out, while the Mini Cooper was trying to hang a right.
Carlex Previews The MiniRoy
Could The MINI Connected Platform Change The Auto Industry?
MINI Roadster Wins What Car? Award
LED Headlights, 8 Speed Auto Transmission On F56
Auto Express Reviews The 2013 MINI Cooper S JCW
This latest MINI JCW isn’t much different, so buyers shouldn’t expect to be blown away by a completely new driving experience. Instead, it retains its fun and playful character, but now has more of an eye on economy and emissions. It’s just a shame the engine doesn’t sound as good as it did before.
AutoGuide.com Reviews The 2013 MINI Paceman In Puerto Rico
MINI To Celebrate 100 Years Of Making Cars At Plant Oxford
[Source: Mab01uk @ NorthAmericanMotoring.com]
MINI Takes On The European Horsemeat Scandal
This Is Ridiculous. It Really Should Be Electric
The MINI Roadster roof of course. It is flawed. You shouldn't have to do all of this at a complete stop on a trip to the beach or due to a passing weather event.
[Source: LIFE87extra @ YouTube]
[Source: LIFE87extra @ YouTube]
MINI Cheapest To Insure Relative To Sales Price
When Was The Last Time You Took A Long Shortcut?
You know, got in the MINI and took the long curvy "shortcut" to get home? Like the driver of this MINI in Texas -
[Source: atticuscc04 @ YouTube]
[Source: atticuscc04 @ YouTube]
Where Have We Heard This Before?
MINI At The Grammys
The focus of attention on the red carpet at Chateau Marmont located on the famed Sunset Boulevard was a MINI Convertible whose bonnet served as a VIPs guestbook for the artists and VIPs attending. Abundantly adorned with autographs from such luminaries as Sean Paul, Flo Rida and Sting, to name a few, the freshly embalmed one-off MINI will subsequently be auctioned off. The entire proceeds going to the charity organisation “MyMusicRX”, which is a charity focusing on soothing and delighting hospitalized children, their families and medical professionals who care for them, by infusing the hospital environment with the healing power of music.
What Competes With The 2013 MINI Convertible?
The Fiat 500c is the only true rival to the Cooper Convertible - it's smaller and slower but less expensive than the MINI. The Mazda MX-5 Miata is also worth considering due to its similar price and superb handling, although it only has seating for two.
Given their power and size, the Cooper S and John Cooper Works convertibles really don't have any true competitors. Bigger, more potent but less precise drop-tops like the Ford Mustang Convertible and Chevrolet Camaro Convertible are potential cross-shopping candidates.
MINI's Holland Street And Brick Lane Editions For "Dutch" Market
MINI has also introduced the Brick Lane exterior package for the MINI One Hatchback (D) with Brick Lane brightly colored mirrors, bonnet and stripes, colored side scuttles and a colored front badge on the front. The edition is named after a street in London where, according to love:mini, "neon, 'curry houses' and colourful graffiti predominate".
"Barrels Of Excitement"
For all that, I’d be amazed if the GP did not sell out fast. For a select few, those with the right roads on their doorstep and a love for the Mini brand, it is a brilliant little thing, all pumped-up aggression with a bass line of usability.
Yes, it’s silly and overpriced but then so are most Hollywood film stars, and the world would be a poorer place without them too. It’s not quite the best hot hatch around (Renault Megane RS, step forward) but it is just terrific fun, missing seats and all.
Is MINI Planning A Four Door Hatchback?
Run For Absent Friends 2013
For many years now, most of you are used to coming out to the runs and seeing what has become Norcal MINI's mascot Chilly rabbit. Chilly could always be found hanging around before the runs either with Scott or Tara or sometimes just exploring a patch of grass. Then after the driver's meeting she would hop in the car to enjoy the run along with everyone else, whether it be a simple day trip, overnight or even MINI Takes The States.
It is with great sadness that we announce that Chilly passed peacefully at home with Scott & Tara on Saturday Feb. 9, 2013.
This year's Run for Absent Friends will be dedicated to Chilly. We hope that many of you can come out and celebrate her life. She charmed everybody, everywhere she went, and she will live in our hearts forever.
The NorCal MINIs' Run For Absent Friends will occur on Saturday, March 9, 2013. Meet up location, time and further information will soon be posted.
It is with great sadness that we announce that Chilly passed peacefully at home with Scott & Tara on Saturday Feb. 9, 2013.
This year's Run for Absent Friends will be dedicated to Chilly. We hope that many of you can come out and celebrate her life. She charmed everybody, everywhere she went, and she will live in our hearts forever.
The NorCal MINIs' Run For Absent Friends will occur on Saturday, March 9, 2013. Meet up location, time and further information will soon be posted.
Jarkko Nikara Will Drive A Prodrive MINI At Rally Portugal 2013
MINI's New Colors And Options For 2014
MINI To Unveil The Next Generation MINI In Finland
That Foot Well Water Leak In Your R55 MINI
Does it only occur when you turn on the air conditioning? AskTheCarExperts @ YouTube think this may be the problem -
The Engines And Transmissions Of The 2014 MINI
MINI Cooper S Countryman At The 2013 Mumbai Auto Show
India gets a gander at the MINI Cooper S Countryman, just the thing for that weekend trip to the Kashmir border.
[Source: Indian Drives @ YouTube]
[Source: Indian Drives @ YouTube]
Auto Express Reviews The MINI Clubvan
As the first premium car to become a small commercial vehicle, there’s simply no cooler van on the road. The MINI Clubvan will inevitably be bought first and foremost for its image and the economical Cooper D model is the star of the line-up. While it’s not cheap, it’s incredibly efficient and, as an extra bonus to owners, it’s fast and lots of fun to drive. The only real problem is that the loading area still isn’t all that large.
Hot MINI Action In The Cold Of Sweden
Here's video of Nikara testing in Sweden:
[Source: Marcus Sundh @ YouTube]
MotoringFile Looks At The Technology In The 2014 MINI
Marcus Gronholm Returns To WRC In Motorsport Italia's MINI
The Interior Of The 2014 MINI
Sources familiar with the new interior have called the final form a huge step forward for MINI and likely one of the selling points of the new car.
MINI Has A "Best Ever" January 2013
BMW Group PressClub, USA press release excerpted as to MINI's January numbers and commentary:
MINI Brand Sales
MINI USA reported the best January ever with sales of 3,682 automobiles, an increase of 10.4 percent from the 3,334 sold in the same month a year ago.
MINI Pre-Owned Vehicles In January, sales of MINI used automobiles (including MINI NEXT certified pre-owned and pre-owned) increased 70 percent to 1,542 automobiles from the 907 sold in January, 2012.
Table 1: Vehicle Sales BMW of North America, LLC, January 2013
January 2013
|
January 2012
|
%
|
YTD Jan. 2013
|
YTD Jan. 2012
|
%
| |
BMW brand
|
16,513
|
16,405
|
0.7
|
16,513
|
16,405
|
0.7
|
BMW passenger cars
|
10,044
|
11,826
|
-15.1
|
10,044
|
11,826
|
-15.1
|
BMW light trucks
|
6,469
|
4,579
|
41.3
|
6,469
|
4,579
|
41.3
|
MINI brand
|
3,682
|
3,334
|
10.4
|
3,682
|
3,334
|
10.4
|
TOTAL Group
|
20,195
|
19,739
|
2.3
|
20,195
|
19,739
|
2.3
|
A Preview Of The Exterior Design Of The 2014 MINI
Over The Highest Driveable Himalayan Pass In A MINI
Automobile Magazine drives a MINI to Khardung La -- the Himalayan mountain pass that claims to be the highest drivable road in the world at 18,380 feet, 790 feet higher than Everest base camp. You can read about the entire trip here.
Look Who MINI Was Hanging Out With In New Orleans
MINI USA Launches Tablet Site
Kumho Ecsta V700's Are OE Tires For The MINI GP II
So That's How You Do That
Time lapse photography of installing Megan adjustable coilovers and an Alta rear swaybar on a 2004 MINI Cooper S JCW.
[Source: Kurt Hammond @ YouTube]
[Source: Kurt Hammond @ YouTube]
U.S. MINI JCW GP II's To Sport Roof Numbers
Dips Plasti-Dip A MINI
It's all the rage and rather nice. But, unlike these blokes, we recommend that you wait until it is warm out or do this in a heated garage. Using Plasti-Dip in the cold results in a rough application due to thickening of the flow/spray.
[Source: Cliff Scholes @ YouTube]
[Source: Cliff Scholes @ YouTube]
Did You Receive A MINI Spam Apology?
Recently, a server glitch at Mini Cooper clogged the inboxes of some subscribers with hundreds of messages.To apologize MINI sent the pictured "spam kit" and an accompanying letter that reads:
"Nothing says 'I'm sorry' quite like flowers and chocolate, so we've combined the two and enclosed a chocolate rose. But if you're allergic to flowers (or chocolate), we hope this duct tape will help fix things up. Or, if you're ever feeling annoyed again, you can de stress using this particularly squeezable can of spam."
Auto Express Gives The MINI JCW GP II Four Stars
The MINI JCW GP is for those who value a pure driving experience. It’s certainly not practical or sensible, but it is huge amounts of fun and feels unlike almost anything else on the road. The near-£29,000 asking price makes sense when you’re behind the wheel and becomes even more palatable when you consider that good examples of the first-generation JCW GP are selling for around £15,000.
MINI And Burton RE:LAAX
MINI Countryman will be chiselled artistically into a snowy landscape during the event. Hence MINI’s invitation to the PirateArtCrew. Their art has earned them a regular gig with the world-famous Pirate Movie Production, purveyors of epic snowboard films that have made them a big name on the boarding scene. The crew run by Lukas Goller and Tobias “Ludschi” Ludescher will project a gradual reel of thrills and spills from the Burton European Open, along with snapshots of nature, onto a MINI Countryman. The creative process behind their “RE:LAAX – the MINI Countryman Perspective” installation will be on show for everyone to see in Laax. The MINI Countryman will be placed in a glass container in Café NoName at the mountain station and opened up to visitors at various times.
Updated Tune For 2013 MINI Cooper S JCW
MINI Hatchback Versus GMC Envoy Head-on, Each Going 35 MPH
Video from the University of Tulsa. It is the equivalent of driving into a brick wall at 70 mph. Admirably, the MINI passenger compartment maintains structural integrity.
[Source: TheTUCRRC @ YouTube]
[Source: TheTUCRRC @ YouTube]
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