Category: MINI

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MINI

MINI John Cooper Works – power and economy

MINI John Cooper Works

Most readers here will know AUSmotive is a fan of most things MINI, and the recently released John Cooper Works is no exception. When casting an eye over the spec sheet one thing that stands out is the combined fuel consumption figure of 6.9l/100km (40.9mpg). A nimble pocket rocket that is kind to the wallet and the planet. Well, within reason!

Sure, achieving such consumption figures can sometimes be counter productive to the JCW’s raison d’être. But this hasn’t stopped UK magazine Auto Express from seeing just how frugal the most powerful production MINI can be. They recently entered the the MINI John Cooper Works in a two-day economy run. The aim was simple, each car must have a crew of two and cover the 660km test route using as little fuel as possible.

So, how did they go? The overall consumption achieved was an indicated 49.4mpg (approx 5.7l/100km). Having owned an R53 MINI for some time now, I can say the on board computer’s reading is often on the optimistic side. Having said that, this is still mightily impressive result for the turbocharged MINI, even if you knock off around 10% for the generous computer reading.

It’s not surprising to see that MINI UK was keen to make the most of the result, with a spokesman commenting, “You’ve proved this model is the UK’s greenest hot hatch. We believe this makes the JCW ideal for drivers who want to downsize, reduce fuel costs and environmental impact, but still own a sporting car.”

Read the full report on the Auto Express website now.

(Thanks to Chris for the tip.)

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Green Machines MINI

You and the MINI E – together in electric dreams

MINI E - The electric, zero emissions MINI

An electric MINI—with 150kW—pretty cool hey! Welcome to the MINI E, a lithium-ion battery powered zero emissions MINI with a top speed of 152km/h (limited). The car is capable of reaching 100km/h in 8.5 seconds, although repeated efforts will no doubt affect the car’s 240 kilometre range. The MINI E’s peak power is 22kW higher than a petrol powered Cooper S and the torque figure, too, is impressive at 220Nm—although slightly less than the Cooper S number of 240Nm (one may expect an electric powered car would have more torque than that?). Further comparison to the Cooper S shows that the petrol car is 1.4 seconds quicker in the 0-100 dash, however, battery power is not light and that explains the slower time for the MINI E. Tipping the scales at 1465kg the MINI E is some 260kg heavier than a standard Cooper S.

MINI will launch the MINI E as a 500-car pilot program available to private customers in three US states—California, New York and New Jersey. Customers will liaise with MINI giving reports on the car’s performance. Like the hydrogen powered Honda FCX Clarity, the MINI E will only be available on a lease and MINI will be restricting the lease period to 12 months, although an extension option will be available. Lease repayments will cover all maintenance costs, of course, the cost of recharging the car will be the owner’s responsibility. Recharging the car can be done using regular power sockets. Use of a specially designed wallbox, that allows higher amperage, can see the MINI E recharged from empty to full in just two and half hours. Every MINI E will be supplied with a wallbox, intended to be installed by MINI into owner’s garages.

There is a price to pay for your zero emissions lifestyle, and in the MINI E, that is the back seat. So this climate friendly commuter can only carry two people, and you could probably squeeze your dog in the boot. The electric motor is in the traditional position under the bonnet, with the battery in the back seats. The Dynamic Stability Control system and suspension have been tuned to suit the unique characteristics of the battery powered MINI. By using the motor as a generator the bulk of the car’s braking can be done by simply lifting off the accelerator pedal (quaintly referred to as the “gas pedal” in MINI’s press release).

The MINI E presents a great test bed for all electric powered cars. Sure, there are some compromises, but the 500 strong fleet should enable BMW to collect some fascinating and valuable data to aid their future development of battery powered technology.

MINI’s full release along with more images can be seen after the jump.

Continue reading “You and the MINI E – together in electric dreams”
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MINI

MINI Crossover spied

MINI Crossover spy shots

NextAutos has some very good spy shots of the MINI Crossover (R60 model code). The latest MINI variant, due for release in 2010, will have a traditional four door and hatch layout. The Crossover concept made its public debut at the Paris Motor Show earlier in the month. The final name for the MINI SUV is yet to be revealed, but we do know it won’t be called the Crossman as earlier speculation suggested.

For more speculation and detail on the R60 Crossover make sure you check out MotoringFile.

Source: NextAutos

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MINI

MotoringFile lifts the lid on 2009 MINI convertible

R57 MINI Convertible

Leading MINI website MotoringFile has revealed the first images of the new R57 MINI Convertible. Most styling cues are as to be expected with the removal of the rear bootlid hinges and rollover bars—replaced with a pop-up system—being the most obvious exterior changes. MotoringFile also reports that a John Cooper Works version of the convertible will be available from launch.

Check out MotoringFile for more.

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MINI MINI Challenge News

Australian MINI CHALLENGE under new management

MINI CHALLENGEGood news from the world of the Australian MINI CHALLENGE today with confirmation of a new management team securing the future of the series. Toleman Motorsport has been given the seal of approval from MINI Australia and CAMS to act as Category Management Agency for the rest of the year. All racing dates and television schedules will remain as advertised. Further highlighting the future of the MINI CHALLENGE is word that plans for the 2009 calendar are in full swing with seven rounds already locked in as negotiations continue.

With the demise of Sherrin Motorsport, subsidary company Motorsport Event Management (MEM) was forced to put the management rights for the MINI CHALLENGE up for sale last May.

Toleman Motosport is headed by Ted Toleman who was the person responsible for giving Ayrton Senna his start in Formula 1. Toleman’s last Grand Prix was Australia’s first, Adelaide 1985. It’s great to see Australia’s MINI CHALLENGE series in good hands and I’m sure all fans of the series will be looking forward to racing this weekend for Round 5 at Phillip Island, including live action from Race 3 to be broadcast on Channel 7 on Sunday (check your local guides).

For the full details on the Toleman Motorsport news the press release from MINI CHALLENGE has been included below. Don’t forget, you can keep up to date with the series and its personalties by joining the Aussie MINI CHALLENGE Army on facebook.

Continue reading “Australian MINI CHALLENGE under new management”
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MINI

MINI John Cooper Works now in showrooms

MINI John Cooper Works

The MINI John Cooper Works can now be seen in a MINI showrooms. AUSmotive has already tested the JCW and if you missed our Drive Thru review, make sure you have a read. In the meantime, there’s some press blurb below. I reckon this quote from Justin Hocevar, National Manager, MINI hits on a great selling feature, “The MINI John Cooper Works … powered by the very same engine that is used in the MINI CHALLENGE race series.”

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MINI Random wallpapers

Random wallpaper: Team MINI at 2006 Targa Tasmania

Team MINI at 2006 Targa Tasmania

While trawling the press archives at AUSmotive I often stumble across some pretty cool images. Rather than keep them all to myself, I figured it would be nice to share a few from time to time. In the first of what will become a randomly updated series, I trust you enjoy this image taken from the 2006 Targa Tasmania. Click on the image above for a 2000x1320px version. Should you choose to use this as a wallpaper/desktop image that size should cover most monitor resolutions. If not let me know what size you need and I’ll see what I can do.

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Drive Thru MINI Reviews

Drive Thru: MINI John Cooper Works

MINI John Cooper Works

When something meets your expectations so well, have you ever been left feeling almost let down? Equally, when something does meet your expectations so well, can you be anything other than impressed? These were questions I was asking myself a quick squirt in the new MINI John Cooper Works (JCW) today.

Firstly, a big thanks to Rolfe MINI Garage in Canberra for giving me early access to their demo JCW. To be thrown the keys and told ‘go and enjoy it’ was an opportunity I was not going to waste. Off to my preferred mountain test route I headed.

Continue reading “Drive Thru: MINI John Cooper Works”
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MINI

MINI pedals zero emissions vehicle around Beijing

MINI Clubman Rickshaw

MINI has just launched a limited release zero emissions Clubman Rickshaw model on the streets of Beijing. At a time when the 2008 Olympic Games in China are under the spotlight due to the host city’s pollution this pedal powered MINI is just what the doctor ordered. The mobile Clubman is able to power through Beijing’s contested city streets like few other vehicles can.

Indeed the PR blurb states, “the MINI Rickshaw perfectly captures Beijing’s dynamic combination of tradition and progress, coupled with a touch of fantasy and individuality—as only MINI can do. The real Chinese lucky charms and talismen on the bicycle and in the inside of the vehicle are intended not only to bring the passenger luck, but also, of course, to release positive energy for the entire Olympic Games.”

If you’re on your way to the Chinese capital you’ll find the MINI Clubman Rickshaw in trendy club and scene districts such as the old Beijing quarter of Hu Tong.

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MINI

First generation MINI Cabrio ceases production

R52 MINI Cabriolet Cooper S Sidewalk

Even though the R56 MINI has been on sale for some time, the R52 Cabriolet models currently on sale were still based on the first gen MINI platform. In readiness for the all new R57 model, Cabrio production has come to a temporary close after 164,000 R52s rolled off the line at MINI’s Plant Oxford. The MINI Cooper Cabrio accounted for 79,500 of the total sales with the MINI Cooper S Cabrio (and John Cooper Works versions) selling around 56,500 units. The remaining 28,000 were MINI One Cabrio models, not sold in Australia. The very last R52 Cabrio rolled off the line last week. It was a MINI Cooper S Cabrio Sidewalk finished in metallic White Silver, sold to a keen MINI fan from the USA.

News of the last R52 Cabrio came just days before MINI announced its one millionth MINI for export. Oliver Zipse, Managing Director MINI Plant Oxford said, “Export is a key factor for the success and stability of our MINI Plant in Oxford. Since MINI was launched we have seen a significant increase in export from less than 60 per cent in 2001 to over 80 per cent this year. The high customer demand in almost 80 countries around the world, from Chile to China, has driven MINI’s success over the last seven years.”

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MINI

MINI John Cooper Works teaser ad – version 2

Following on from MINI’s first teaser for the “Not extreme enough” MINI John Cooper Works campaign is this second effort. Looks like they put a bit of elbow grease into this one.

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MINI

MINI John Cooper Works teaser ad

This teaser ad for the new MINI John Cooper Works may start off slowly, but builds to a great climax. Enjoy!