NORCAL MINIS

The Adventures Of Roadster In Australia

noreply@blogger.com (NorCal MINIs) — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:28:00 +0000

MINI Coupe Gets 31/2 Stars From Aussie Site Car Advice

noreply@blogger.com (NorCal MINIs) — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:27:00 +0000

Noting that it is the costliest of its competitors Car Advice concludes:

So the Mini Coupe, as with most Minis, is not necessarily the most logical of choices in terms of value. But if you want a car that stands out from the crowd – as well as the throng of Mini hatches – and put a wide grin on your face when you drive it, then the minuscule coupe will have plenty of appeal.

Sneed's Speed Shop's R53 MCS

noreply@blogger.com (NorCal MINIs) — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:27:00 +0000

Watch it here as it participates in the Danville, Virginia Autocross Shoot Out.

[Source: sneedspeed1 @ YouTube]

AZ Miss Teen USA Busted For DUI In Her MINI

noreply@blogger.com (NorCal MINIs) — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:26:00 +0000

Tori Vance, who won the 2010 Arizona portion of the Miss Teen USA contest, was arrested last weekend in Los Angeles on suspicion of DUI after making an illegal U-turn in her MINI.

[Source: tmz]

Car Advice Claims "Not So Mini" Spy Photos of 3rd Gen. MINI

noreply@blogger.com (NorCal MINIs) — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:25:00 +0000

Australia's Car Advice claims recent spy photos of the third generation, 2014 MINI hatchback show a -

"longer and wider than the current hatch, creating a more spacious cabin better equipped to accommodate rear-seat passengers."

It also claims:

It will ride on a new front-wheel-drive platform with a longer wheelbase that should improve the car’s stability and dynamic performance.

2014 MINI Hatchback Caught Testing On Public Roads

noreply@blogger.com (NorCal MINIs) — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:25:00 +0000

TopSpeed has photos of recent public road testing of the 2014 "F56" MINI Hatchback that will share a chassis with the next-generation BMW 1-Series and will be offered in both FWD and AWD versions. Aside from the usual four-cylinder, turbocharged engines, BMW will also be adding a three-cylinder option.

The photos show a slightly wider and longer vehicle, a shorter front grill, more raked front and rear windshields, and a longer over hang by the hood and front than on the current model.

2014 Brings Sharing Of Platforms By MINI And BMW

noreply@blogger.com (NorCal MINIs) — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:25:00 +0000

CarScoop asserts

" . . . the F56 has to do with its underpinnings. As suggested by its codename that replaces the previous models' "R" prefix with the BMW-esque "F" prefix, the new hardtop will be the first Mini to share a common platform with a BMW model."

It also claims:

We will also see Mini and future small BMWs sharing a new family of turbocharged three-cylinder engines as well as a plug-in hybrid driveline.

The next generation of the Mini hardtop will enter the market in 2013 with a conve

WheelsTV Reviews The 2012 MINI Cooper Countryman

noreply@blogger.com (NorCal MINIs) — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:25:00 +0000

&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;A href="http://www.bing.com/videos/browse?mkt=en-us&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;vid=8b4ae573-f261-4e81-97ff-67f70c34a8c7&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;from=shareembed-syndication&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;src=v5:embed:syndication:&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;from=dest_en-us" target="_new" title="2012 MINI Cooper Countryman"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Video: 2012 MINI Cooper Countryman&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/A&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Prodrive's MINI S2000 "From Creation To Winner's Podium"

noreply@blogger.com (NorCal MINIs) — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:24:00 +0000

[Source: WisdomeSage1989 @ YouTube]

The New MINI Coupé's Sunday in Rio

noreply@blogger.com (NorCal MINIs) — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:24:00 +0000

[Source: Wood MINI @ YouTube]

This Is What Happens To The Valves Of The R56 Turbo

noreply@blogger.com (NorCal MINIs) — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:44:00 +0000

. . . and how to (temporarily) fix it.

[Source: sportmotoring @ YouTube]

The DuelL AG Modded 2013 MINI Coupe JCW

noreply@blogger.com (NorCal MINIs) — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:43:00 +0000

TopSpeed looks at this modded rendition of the Coupe JCW by Japanese tuner DuelL AG. No performance changes but check out that body kit. Kind of gives it a little Audi personality don't you think?

Peterhansel To Defend MINI Dakar Rally Championship

noreply@blogger.com (NorCal MINIs) — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:43:00 +0000

MINI Motorsport reports on Facebook that Dakar Rally champion Stéphane Peterhansel announced at MINI United he will defend his title with the X-raid Team at the Dakar Rally 2013 in a MINI ALL4 Racing MINI.

Film Of A MINI Movie Jump Stunt

noreply@blogger.com (NorCal MINIs) — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:43:00 +0000

[Source: freekazoid007 @ YouTube]

White Roof Radio Interviews Roderick from MINI Product Management

noreply@blogger.com (NorCal MINIs) — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:42:00 +0000

Here's the audio file that was posted at MotoringFile.

Four MINI Teams In 24 Hours Of Nürburgring-Nordschleife 2012

noreply@blogger.com (NorCal MINIs) — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:42:00 +0000

MINI Motorsport announces MINI will return to Nürburgring-Nordschleife in 2012 with four teams for the 24-hour race and provides particulars.

MINI Celebrates 10 Years In Japan

noreply@blogger.com (NorCal MINIs) — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:42:00 +0000

Here is video from the birthday festivities found via SET.

[Video Source: MINIJapanOfficial @ YouTube]

MINI of Stevens Creek Not To Be Outdone By MINI of Marin

noreply@blogger.com (NorCal MINIs) — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:41:00 +0000

After MINI of Marin told us it had specials on accessories and offered NORCAL MINIS' a 10% discount on all parts and accessories, as well as the specials, MINI of Stevens Creek contacted us and told us that they would match MINI of Marin's offer in the South Bay for NorCal MINIs' Members.

Thank you MINI of Stevens Creek!

Hartford Courant Reviews The Coupe

noreply@blogger.com (NorCal MINIs) — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:41:00 +0000

Jim Macpherson reviews the MINI Cooper Coupe for the Hartford Courant. He concludes:

When it comes to the Mini Cooper Coupe, less is more more fun, more style and more fuel efficiency.

MINI Recaps MINI United 2012

noreply@blogger.com (NorCal MINIs) — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:41:00 +0000

MINI spins its own MINI United 2012 story in this Official Press Release re-printed at MotoringFile.

Tribute To The MINI Racers Who Appeared At MINI United 2012

noreply@blogger.com (NorCal MINIs) — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:13:00 +0000

[MINI MOTORSPORT CHANNEL @ YouTube]

Make Hot Espresso In Your Car

noreply@blogger.com (NorCal MINIs) — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:12:00 +0000

Handpresso Auto is a handheld espresso maker for your car. According to Digital Trends

With Handpresso Auto, you don’t have to leave your car to get yourself a pick-me-up. This handheld device only needs to be plugged into your car’s cigarette lighter socket to heat up. All you have to do is place a packet of strong coffee under the lid, add some water, and let steam do the work. The Handpresso Auto needs approximately 140 watts to power up, and takes about two minutes to brew a single cup. When your espresso is ready, you will hear three beeps followed by the beverage dispensing from below the coffee maker. Be sure to have your cup readily placed before the beeps come.

Watch it in action:

The MINI Invasion In Toronto, Canada

noreply@blogger.com (NorCal MINIs) — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:12:00 +0000

[Source: JacksonMarketingCorp @ YouTube]

Scottish Mini Cooper Cup 2012 - Round 2, Race 3

noreply@blogger.com (NorCal MINIs) — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:11:00 +0000

Video from munky2k @ YouTube of Race 3 from the Scottish Mini Cooper Cup 2012 at Knockhill Racing Circuit on May 6, 2012. This was the first start before the race was red flagged 1.5 laps in due to a crash at the hairpin.

MINI Takes Vette, MINI, Viper

noreply@blogger.com (NorCal MINIs) — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:11:00 +0000

[Source: bdr127 @ YouTube]