Project Binky is back and that means AUSmotive awakens from its slumber. Back to Binky; after 11 episodes, spread across two and a half years, Nik comes out with this pearler: “It’s at this point that things start to get a bit tricky.”
This episode covers a lot of material, mostly to do with the underside of the car. As always it’s a masterclass in how to build a project car.
Nik and Richard send us into the Christmas break with the eleventh instalment of their epic Project Binky crusade. This time we see the lads working on the steering geometry and transmission setup. As ever it’s an episode filled with pitfalls and problem solving leading to complicated and clever engineering solutions.
As for AUSmotive, well it’s no shock to anyone here that things have slowed down a little. This is partly a result of my new job, which has had more of an impact on my available time and motivation than I thought. That said, after eight years of having a pretty serious and often time consuming crack at this gig for basically no monetary gain perhaps a change in perspective hasn’t been a bad thing for your resident editor.
For now, the site will still plug along. Let’s just hope we’re not going two months between posts. Yikes!
If nothing else, thank you to Bad Obsession Motorsport and Project Binky for relighting the AUSmotive candle.
Nik, Richard and the world’s coolest and most over engineered car are back with Episode 10 of Project Binky. Working the Bad Obsession Motorsport lads into a lather this episode were the problems of installing the pedal box and the steering assembly.
It’s safe to say the release of the new MINI Clubman didn’t exactly capture the attention of the readers. “What a hideous turd,” was the first comment left here on AUSmotive and elsewhere the feedback given freely to MINI wasn’t exactly flattering.
It may surprise a few of you to learn that with the release of images for the 21st century Clubman BMW also handed out these images of a Classic Mini Clubman Estate.
And seeing as we reckon most of you will share our view that this one seriously cool little car we figured we’d share these nine photos with you all.
The Clubman Estate replaced the earlier Traveller and Countryman models and was built from 1969–82 during the British Leyland era of Mini stewardship.
BMW says a total of 197,606 Clubman Estates were built and we thank them for sharing these fantastic pics with us, which you can access in our 2560x1690px mega image sizing by clicking on the pics you like.
Mikko Hirvonen will be helped through the withdrawals of his post-WRC career by competing for the all conquering MINI X-raid Team in the 2016 Dakar Rally (3–16 January). The MINI All4 Racing has won the last four Dakar events.
What does Mikko know about the Dakar? Not a lot it turns out, which is why he will be preparing for the Dakar by competing with X-raid in a selection of events in the FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup. Mikko will make his MINI All4 Racing debut in the Baja Aragón race (24–26 July).
Even though he is joining a team with hopes of outright success at Dakar, Hirvonen maintains the old adage to finish first, first you have to finish.
“Dakar is such a long race and the dunes there are in a world of their own,” Hirvonen said. “So, to finish the event without encountering major issues or without getting stuck anywhere already would represent a really good achievement for my first Dakar.
“Meanwhile, the Baja Aragón is going to be more of the kind of rallying I’m used to. But driving without pace notes in your road book is not so easy and I still have to familiarise myself with the MINI All4 Racing as well.
“But should I feel good in the car and everything works well we hopefully will be able to set some good times in Baja Aragón.”
Here’s the new F54 MINI Clubman in all of its full mega pixel glory. It will launch in Australia late this year.
We finally see the end of that poxy single-sided rear door that afflicted the first Clubman made under BMW’s stewardship of the MINI brand. The cost of that change has been to make the new Clubman a lot bigger and to give it four proper doors. The barn-style rear doors, which hark back to the days of the Classic Mini, have been kept.
Built on BMW’s versatile UKL1 platform, all of the new Clubman’s key dimensions have increased. Compared with the impossible to love MINI 5 door, the new Clubman is 270mm longer and 90mm wider. Its wheelbase has also been extended by 100mm.
The usual BMW/MINI engine range will be found under the bonnet in Cooper, Cooper S and Cooper D designations. And for the first time in a MINI, the Cooper S and Cooper D Clubman will be available with an optional 8-speed auto.
Pics and press guff await after the break.
MINI Australia has released pricing and specification details for the new JCW hatch, which will go on sale locally later this month. And it is packed with standard kit!
List pricing starts at $47,400 for the standard 6-speed manual and from $49,950 for the 6-speed Steptronic auto.
In addition, MINI TLC service packs offering up to five years of coverage start at $980.
The new MINI Clubman is due for its official launch in the next 24 hours but a French MINI dealer has pulled le trigger a little early and the result is this selection of leaked photographs.
As is MINI’s style there’s not a lot of change externally from what we saw in the 2014 concept model. And to our eyes, that’s no bad thing.
Some people will struggle with the new Clubman, we understand that. It’s not really a MINI as we used to know the brand. In fact, this car is pretty damn big, for a MINI. But if it’s not clear to you now that BMW is willing to go to extraordinary lengths to milk every last drop out of its MINI brand it never will be.
If nothing else the barn-style rear doors are pretty cool!
[Source: MotoringFile]
A jet powered MINI on a mildly moist Snetterton race track. It’s all fun and games until the first corner comes along!
Thankfully, it appears, the driver emerged unscathed from his fuselage.
[Source: Mattzel89]
Filming and committing a car review to video for the world to see would be much harder than it looks. For one there’s critical people like me willing to cut you down while having no comparable experience.
And so, here’s two video reviews for the new 170kW/320Nm MINI JCW that we’re not too sure about.
The first one is from Xcar and aside from the presenter’s manner of adding, annoying and, unnecessary emphasis, every, two, or three words, is not too bad.
Recombu Cars is responsible for the second clip and if you come away from that feeling like you’ve been treated like an ignorant idiot you probably won’t be the first person to do so.
Actually, the first clip is a bit like that too. Aside from that there’s some good detail on the new JCW’s features.
But, a question for both presenters, is it really necessary to deal in so many clichés?
[Thanks to John for the tip]
You eagerly wait months for an update on the extremely cool Project Binky, then go away for a few weeks and miss the latest episode. Don’t you hate that. Fear not, because here is Episode 9 now. Yes, nine episodes are behind us and we’re still looking at an empty shell!
But, as you’ll see in this update, the level of thought and effort put into this build is truly mind boggling. For example, did they really need to make that already very nifty flip front end automated? No, probably not, but it’s pretty flipping cool that they did!
Then there’s the custom made cooling vents produced with a custom made punch. Damn these guys are awesome.
Good news, MINI is going to make a new model that isn’t an overbloated triumph of marketing over engineering.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the MINI brand, but in recent times BMW has found new ways to extract blood from its stone. But now, now, MINI is going to turn the Superleggera Vision into a production model and that really is good news.
Indeed, MINI itself has recognised it has pushed the friendship with consumers too far and out goes the still dumb enough to be cool Paceman and the poor selling Coupé and Roadster.
The new Superleggera will be based on conventional MINI architecture and will draw from its standard inventory of drivetrains. However, we’re assured the production model will maintain the cool factor and character of the show car you see above.
We like this news and the only drawback is having to wait until 2018 for the expected market launch.
[Source: Car]