| Note: MC2 issue #18 (January-February 2009) was mailed on January 12th to all subscribers in the data base as of December 23rd, 2008. Issues were mailed a little later than usual due to severe inclement weather.
January-February '09:  Our first issue of the new year is packed with performance ideas, racing tips, Mini Heritage, photo features, club and event coverage, plus an up close and personal look at the latest MINI to hit the market, as well as designer's eye view of the latest concept. Here's a rundown of what's in the current issue:
On The Cover: Hybrids and electrics are popular topics of discussions these days and MC2's first issue of the new year focuses on The Electric Coopers, with our main story being about the all-new MINI E, and complimentary pieces on two other electric MINIs -- the Liv Flash MINI and the MINI QED. The world debut of the MINI E - the first truly practical electrical car  for the real world driver - is big news in the automotive world. Our west coast correspondent, Neil Chirico, was at the unveiling in Los Angeles of this interesting and unique model and actually got to take it for a spin along the streets of LA-LA Land. Neil says that he got quite a charge out of driving the new MINI E (so to speak) and points out that with a zero to 60 mph time of 8.5 seconds, a top speed of 95 mph and a driving range of 150 miles, this is one electric car that is actually practical as a daily driver. You can read MINI E: First Drive starting on page 26. The new MINI E is not for sale, however. MINI USA is making the new model available to public as a leased vehicle.  But if you feel that you'd actually like to own your own electric MINI, fear not. The Liv Flash MINI from Hybrid Technologies can actually be purchased, and it was out before the factory version! These cars are regular MINIs that are purchased and converted to run on electricity and they have comparable performance and recharge times to the factory version. In Battery Powered (page 30), Marilyn Stemp visits the Hybrid Technologies plant in Mooresville, North Carolina to get the rundown on this purchasable electric MINI and to also take it our for a test drive.
The MINI E and the Liv Flash were not the first the first electric MINIs; that honor goes to The MINI QED (page 25), a prototype electric car highlighting unique electric technology. According to UK Correspondent, Rob Marshall, the QED (Quad Electric Drive) features something called Hi-Pa Drive, a unique technology where the wheels of the vehicle harbor brushless motors that provide all-wheel drive and recharge the battery under overrun conditions. Rob points out that although the QED is a one-of prototype, the car has impressive performance, with a zero to 60mph of just 4.5 seconds. Furthermore, he points out that the development of the technology has lead to discussions with major automakers, plus it has other applications outside of the automotive world.  A Designer's Eye: With all the media hype over the world debut of the MINI E and other electric vehicles, the fact that MINI displayed its Crossover Concept publicly at the Paris Auto Show this past October was lost on just about everybody but our Design Editor, Stephan McKeown. The MINI SAV is set to debut sometime next year and the Crossover Concept is the first hint of what it might look like. In Design In Context (page 34), Stephan casts his critical eye over the "big MINI" concept. He points out that MINI is interested in attracting buyers who are downsizing from large SUVs and putting them in their new SAV. And while he basically likes the overall idea of the Crossover Concept, Stephan does criticize some of the designer's more "far out" touches such as the gold fish instrument pod, sushi bar center console and beefy tailgate. Even so, he thinks that if done right, a "green" SAV from MINI could attract a lot of new converts to the brand. Around the world: Last month, we introduced Oscar Revelli di Beaumont and his plan for a madcap dash around the world in his MINI GP. Oscar and his co-driver, Salvatore Carobene, set off on their adventure early this past fall, driving from Florida to the MC2 offices in Bremerton, Washington and then loading the GP on an air transport for South Korea. From there they headed into Russia, across Siberia and eventually made it to Torino, Italy. Along the way they were met with curiosity, shot at by hunters, broke a brake line and had a host of other adventures. Editor, Peter D. DuPre, caught up with the pair after the fact and details their journey in The MINI GP World Challenge, Part II on page 51. But there was too much to write about in just this issue, and next time he'll finish the story.
Mini Heritage: Although the new MINI has been making a name for itself in racing with the MINI Challenge, and some levels of success in SCCA racing, the halycion days of Mini's racing glory occured back in the 1960's with their huge success in rallying. Not so well known the general public was the brand's success on the racing ciruits, as well. Luckily, our Senior Europran Correspondent and staff historian, Graham Robson, knows all about those glory days. In Motor Racing in the 1960s (page 38), Graham writes in detail about a decade of track racing for the most famous car  of all time. According to Graham, back then, a well equipped privateer could actuallly compete against the works teams and sometimes even win! If you are a student of all things Mini, this is one historical piece you cannot miss.
New to MC2 this issue is a column dedicated to the classic Mini ower. Keep 'Em Running is a how-two technical column similar to the Dr. Is In -- but for classics. It is authored by noted Mini "expert," Chuck Heleker, a modest individual who protests that he is not a Mini expert -- even though he makes his living by keeping old Minis running. Classic Minis are gaining more and more popularity among new MINI owners, and Chuck's column is the formal beginning of our expanded coverage of them. Our classic coverage finishes with a feature on Mini Police Cars. Back in the 1960s and early 1970s, police departments in Britain had discovered that the Cooper S made a great little patrol car for chasing down crooks on narrow English roads. Because they were "rode hard and put away wet," few of these Cooper S police cars survive but while visiting Chuck Heleker to discuss his new column, Editor Peter D. DuPre discovered that Chuck owned a perfectly restored Liverpool police car. In The Mini Copper (page 48), Peter discusses the history of the police Coopers and tells the history behind Chuck's perfect example. And, as a sidebar, he shows us a couple of examples of new MINI police cars being used here in the States. Tech and How-To: With all the excitement over the MINI E and other electrics, Technical Editor Matt Richter thought it might be time to make the case for the battery powered car. In Batteries Are the Future! (page 64), Matt tells us all why he thinks that the electric car is the car of the future and to back up his opinion, Matt discusses energy use, the cost of oil and the efficiencies of driving electrically.
Instead of the normal nuts and bolts wrench how-to story, for this issue we'd thought we'd discuss how to get i nvolved in AutoCross and TSD rallying. There's lots of fun to be had in both pursuits for the MINI enthusiast, and best of all, it doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg in performance parts. In Winning at AutoX (page 42) and Making Time (page 44), writer and rallyist Jeff Zurchmeide gives you all the information to determine if these two performance driving pursuits are for you. According to Jeff, all you need to get started is a MINI in good condition, a stop watch, and the will to put yourself to the test. Performance Parts Buyer's Guide: Although it is winter now, spring and the start of racing season are just a couple of months away. If you are thinking about upgrading your new or classic Mini, now is the time to start shopping for performance parts and this is where a soft economy can be a real help as many of the suppliers listing parts in the 2009 Performance Parts Guide (page 58) are offering incredible deals! We Aren't Done Yet: We could stop right here and you'd still have a great issue, but the staff of MC2 believes in always giving it's readers the most bang for their bucks, so we've packed even more info into this issue. On page 68 we have Breaking News on the the new R56 Cabrio (with a road test to follow next month) and in Out To Launch  (page 46) we show off MINI's 10 second plus dragster. Then, in Chewin' Up The Salt  (page 54) we go to Bonneville Salt Flats to see MINIs in action, in Hot Laps! (page 32) we highlight this season's up and coming race drivers and on page a 72, we highlight the upcoming 2009 Can-Am. And as they say on the TV infomericals, "But wait! There's More," because we still have all the regular columns by Mini Cindy, Graham Robson, Matt Richter, plus club news, book and product reviews, letters, Your Wheels, and a host of other things for your enjoyment. Motor On! ~ Peter D. Du Pre, Editor-In-Chief
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