Category: MINI

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MINI Toyota Video

VIDEO: Episode 6 of Project Binky

Project Binky

Nik and Richard from Bad Obsession Motorsport are back with the latest episode of Project Binky, which is surely the internet’s coolest build project.

As you can see from the still above the bodywork of the old Austin Mini has been pretty well taken care of. There’s not a lot of the old car left. But don’t let that for one minute devalue this project, which is a testament to the engineering skills on display.

It’s taken almost a full year to get Project Binky to this stage and there’s still so much work to do. The good news for us is that we’ll be seeing a lot more of Nik and RIchard doing their thing. The bad news for them is it must feel like a project with no light at the end of an increasingly long tunnel.

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Accessories & Tech MINI Video

Everything is awesome!

MINI Cooper LEGO

A classic Mini Cooper made from Lego. Isn’t this just the coolest thing you’ve ever seen! And wait until you cop a load of some of the finer details, as presented in the video below.

Of course, you can buy it for yourself from 1 August and it’ll cost you AU$149.99—we think that’s a pretty small price to pay for something that has been scientifically proven* to make your life better.

[via MotoringFile]

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MINI

MINI 5 door revealed

MINI 5 door

It’s got 72mm more interior length, 61mm more elbow and shoulder room, plus 15mm more headroom and an extra 67 litres of luggage space. Oh yeah, and five doors. It’s the first ever MINI 5 door.

The usual models have been announced for the launch, meaning the new MINI 5 door can be ordered in Cooper, Cooper D, Cooper S and Cooper SD trim.

As well as those interior dimensions listed above, the versatility of BMW’s UKL1 platform is further highlighted in the increase in length of the 5 door compared with the F56 3 door. At 3982mm, the Cooper models are 161mm longer than the 3 door, while the Cooper S models are 4005m in length.

A “MINI” that’s over four metres long, whatever will they think of next?

We expect the MINI 5 door will be on sale in Australia later this year, although there is a chance MINI Australia could hold off for an early 2015 sales launch.

There’s more pics and detail after the break, including a couple of PDF downloads.

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MINI Video

VIDEO: MINI Superleggera Vision

MINI Superleggera Vision concept

The MINI Superleggera Vision concept is a very cool thing. This we all seem to agree on. So here’s a couple of videos which may help you increase your attraction to this one-off electric powered creation. They aren’t the most exciting vids you’ll ever watch, they just focus on the lines and exquisite details of the retro inspired two-seater. And, as you’ll see, there’s nothing at all wrong with that approach.

[via MotoringFile]

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MINI

Here comes the new MINI JCW

F56 MINI JCW prototype

The F56 MINI John Cooper Works has just been photographed in testing at the Nürburgring. We already know the new Cooper S has a bit of spunk about it and while we’re not mad keen on the styling of the next JCW, we do think the 170kW+ offered by its 2.0 litre turbo four should be a bit of fun!

The all-new JCW will be revealed later this year and should be on sale in Australia in the early stages of 2015.

[Source: Autoblog | Pic: CarPix]

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MINI

MINI Superleggera Vision revealed

MINI Superleggera Vision

BMW has a fine recent tradition for rocking up to the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este with new and usually stunning concept models. This year is no exception, although the honour has gone to MINI. And the junior brand hasn’t let the team down with this great looking Superleggera Vision concept model.

MINI joined forces with Milan-based Touring Superleggera to create the two-seat roadster. It’s been hand crafted in the finest of coachbuilding traditions, yet is powered by a thoroughly modern electric drivetrain. Sadly no details have been provided about the car’s mechanical features.

So we’re left with this motherhood statement from Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design: “Touring Superleggera and MINI have much in common: both companies attach great importance to their history and this is something which defines their outward appearance to this day.

“What is more, they both emphasise iconic design and distinctive solutions. These elements are merged in the MINI Superleggeraâ„¢ Vision to create an elegant automobile which interprets a British roadster under the influence of Italian style and hand craftsmanship.”

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MINI Targa Tasmania Video

Targa Tasmania 2014: Hellyer Gorge

Targa Tasmania 2014

Ever wanted to race in Targa Tasmania but don’t have the car, the time or the budget? Then here’s your best shot at it, watching onboard footage from the event.

This video was filmed yesterday from the MINI JCW GP (car #923), Andrew Robinson is behind the wheel and Tom Browell is calling the notes.

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Drive Thru MINI

Drive Thru: F56 MINI Cooper S

MINI Cooper S

We’re unashamed MINI fans here at AUSmotive, especially the warmer versions. However, during the development of the F56 we became concerned that BMW was beginning to strip too much of the character away from the brand which has captured the imagination of hot hatch fans around the world since its relaunch in 2001.

BMW’s first attempt at a Cooper S, the R53, was in some ways its best effort. Sure there were build quality issues and its unsophisticated engine wouldn’t have looked out of place in a piece of farm machinery, but such things were offset by the car’s unmistakable charisma. The R53’s best traits were its just right retro styling, pinpoint handling and razor sharp steering. That it was all capped off by an endearing chorus belted out by the supercharger was the icing on the cake.

The car which followed, the R56, was undoubtedly an improvement in virtually all aspects. Yet, while it still left you with a broad smile, some of the cheekiness from the R53 had been lost. So what of the third attempt, the F56? Has BMW been able to integrate MINI more closely with the BMW family and still keep its sense of fun and noted go kart feel?

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MINI Targa Tasmania

Targa Tasmania 2014

MINI JCW GP

Targa Tasmania starts this week and I’ll be heading down later today to act as service crew for car #923. The car itself, a MINI JCW GP, may look familiar to you.

And it is, almost!

This also means updates to AUSmotive may be a bit sparse for the next week.

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MINI Toyota Video

VIDEO: Episode 5 of Project Binky

Project Binky

It’s been two months since the last Project Binky update and when you see the amount of work that’s happened since Episode 4 and then think about how much is still left to do, well, it’s actually quite frightening.

The amount of respect and admiration these guys deserve can hardly be measured.

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MINI

MINI slashes Australian pricing for F56 introduction

MINI Cooper (F56)

MINI Australia will be rolling out the new F56 range across the country this month and has announced it has slashed pricing compared with outgoing R56 models.

“The new MINI receives the latest technology and features for a much higher level of refinement,” said MINI Australia GM, Kai Bruesewitz. “At the same time, we’ve retained the engaging ‘go-kart’ driving style this iconic vehicle is known for.

“But the best news for Australian MINI fans is that we have been able to reduce the pricing of the all-new MINI, making it more accessible than ever before.”

At launch there will be three models on offer:

  • MINI Cooper – $26,650
    (1.5 litre 3-cyl petrol engine, 100kW/220Nm, 4.7l/100km, 0–100km 7.9s)
  • MINI Cooper D – $31,800
    (1.5 litre 3-cyl diesel engine, 85kW/270Nm, 3.7l/100km, 0–100km 9.2s)
  • MINI Cooper S – $36,950
    (2.0 litre 4-cyl petrol engine, 141kW/280Nm, 5.9l/100km, 0–1006.8s)

Lined up against old pricing, the Cooper D has dropped $3000, the Cooper S $3750 and the Cooper has had $5000 slashed from its list price.

Further details are available below, including a brief overview of included equipment. Full specs will be available closer to launch.

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MINI News

I’m not half the Mini I used to be

Heritage Motor Centre Mini cutaway

During our morning rounds we came across this cool image of an Austin Mini, well half of one, for the Heritage Motor Centre in the UK. The centre is celebrating 21 years of operations and it shows the, erm, cut through a good image can have for selling a message.

Make sure you click on the image above for a 2000px version. And if you’re interested in the HMC, read the presser after the break.

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