News

As the first model in the MINI range with four doors and a wide-opening rear lid, theMINI Countryman provides even greater freedom of space for truly versatile use, a slightly elevated seating position, and optimized driving comfort. Full integration of the passengers within the vehicle creates that driving experience so typical of MINI. And at the same time the MINI Countryman maintains that go-kart feeling likewise so characteristic of MINI, and optional ALL4 all-wheel-drive

Ever since the introduction of the original Mini in 1959, the brand has always exhibited a certain level of excitement among auto enthusiasts, and since the debut of the BMW/MINI in 2000, the public has been blessed with plenty of auto excitement by the factory. The new MINI hatchback was earth shatteringly different, as were the cabriolet and Clubman and JCW models.

For the second time in just a few weeks, BMW/MINI has stunned the Mini faithful with the introduction of the long-awaited Roadster Concept. The new model made its World Debut along side the Coupe Concept. Although, MINI did release photos and advance press information on the Coupe on the 50th Anniversary of the Mini brand, this past August 26, today’s debut marked the first time that either car has been seen in public...

For the second time in just a few weeks, BMW/MINI has stunned the Mini faithful with the introduction of the long-awaited Roadster Concept. The new model made its World Debut along side the Coupe Concept. Although, MINI did release photos and advance press information on the Coupe on the 50th Anniversary of the Mini brand, this past August 26, today’s debut marked the first time that either car has been seen in public...

Now the MINI Roadster Concept once again sets a new trend for individual mobility borne out by the brand. A purist vehicle concept, elegant design and fascinating, sporting driving characteristics all come together in this unique car to offer the vision of an open two-seater catering for the demands of a modern and self-confident target group...

Two special models also on the starter grid in Silverstone are the MINI 50 Mayfair and the MINI 50 Camden, two cars which will most certainly convey the great spirit at the anniversary party into lasting driving pleasure on the road. For through their characteristic design and exclusive features alone, these two models live out both the great tradition and the visionary power of the MINI brand...

The sporty two-seater will be on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show (September 17-29) in Germany, and it is expected that this unique sports car will be the star of the show. Additionally, word has leaked out that MINI may also display their speedster concept at the show. If this is indeed true, then MINI will definitely steal all of the limelight at the world’s premier auto show this fall...

The all-new design brings the convertible MINI more in line with the thematic stylings of the R56 coupe but, nonetheless, features a number of new and unique features. Of particular interest are the motorized top and the addition of the “always open timer” gauge to the steering column, left of the tach...

The MINI Coupé Concept is an expression of MINI design and the great ability of the brand’s designers to fill the elementary values of the brand with new life, using the options of modern drivetrain and suspension technology, and developing fascinating perspectives for the future of the brand on this basis...

The BMW Group will be the world’s first manufacturer of premium automobiles to deploy a fleet of some 500 all-electric vehicles for private use in daily traffic. The MINI E will be powered by a 150 kW (204 hp) electric motor fed by a high-performance rechargeable lithium-ion battery, transferring its power to the front wheels via a single-stage helical gearbox nearly without a sound and entirely free of emissions. Specially engineered for automobile use, the battery technology will have a range of more than 240 kilometers, or 150 miles...

The first public showing of the new electrically powered MINI, called the MINI E, is at the Los Angeles International Auto Show, being held November 21-30 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. In fact, it can honestly be said that the new MINI E is the star of this year's auto show, attracting huge crowds of both press and public on opening day...

The wraps are now off the new MINI Clubman, an all-new addition to the MINI model range. With an anticipated international debut this fall, the MINI Clubman will go on sale in Europe this November in three model configurations: MINI Cooper Clubman, MINI Cooper D Clubman MINI Cooper S Clubman. In the U.S., the new MINI will be sold in Cooper Clubman and the Cooper S Clubman configurations and will be available early in 2008. Although US pricing has yet to be announced, it is expected that the MSRP will fall between the MINI hardtops and MINI convertibles...

In our November-December (#11) issue we wrote just about all that we knew about the John Cooper Works Challenge MINI possibility for the US market. At the Frankfurt auto show we spoke with various people and learned that MINI Europe personnel were very interested in bringing the MINI Challenge series to the US but MINI USA wasn’t exactly in the position both financially and in desire to make it happen...

Though the exterior appearance of the new for 2007 Mini Cooper and Mini Cooper S haven't changed very much, and the interior changes are small, the engine is completely new in just about every respect. Having seen the engine and driven the car the last week in July at the Zandvoort race track in the Netherlands, let me take you on a guided tour through it.

The first impressions when one sees the engine under the open bonnet of the 2007 MINI Cooper S are that there no longer...

Well, here it is, as much as information and insight into the 2007 MINI as we can provide from our testing on the road and track this past summer and recently in Scottsdale, Arizona at the U.S. press launch. Some of the information, such as the options available for interior decor are just too overwhelming to put into these pages, but we're using the pages of the magazine for a number of indepth stories about the new 2007.

It all started when we received an email from Oscar Revelli back at the end of April. He introduced himself as “…a crazy Italian guy who is going around the world in my MINI GP.” Needless to say, here at the magazine, we thought it was just another one of “those emails” that we often receive along with other, more legitimate messages. However, a reader is a reader, and rather than just ignore his email, we paid attention to it because Oscar only asked for two things...

The bedazzled MINI, features famous American scenes such as the Alamo, American Eagle, American Flag, Statue of Libety, Mt. Rushmore, the Capitol Building, White House and the Space Shuttle all done in mural style from more than one million colored crystals. To make the one-of-a-kind MINI, artisans handcrafted colored stone crystals and meticulously placed each on the vehicle. Each stone took four people to set and the entire project to some six months to complete. Valued at $250,000, “American Icon” is CrystalArt’s unique way of introducing its new line of crystal-embellished greeting cards...