MINI
Paris 2010 – MINI Countryman WRC concept
MINI has brought over the concept version of the MINI Countryman WRC to the Paris Motor Show. As mentioned earlier, the BMW-owned brand will be competing selected WRC events next year with Prodrive, before making a full-fledged entry the following year. The model shown here is being regarded as a concept, but expect the final contender’s design to look quite similar.
This rally machine is based on the MINI Countryman and is powered by a 1.6 liter turbocharged 4-potter, sourced from BMW Motorsport. We don’t have the engine’s performance details but we know that it is linked to a 6-speed Xtrac sequential transmission.
It was also confirmed that British driver Kris Meeke will be one of the drivers who will race the car. The MINI Countryman WRC rally car which is still in its testing phase can also take part in other championships that conform to FIA’s Super2000 regulations. You can check out a previous video of the Countryman WRC in action here.
More images can be seen after the jump. Read the rest of this entry.
MINI reveals Scooter E concepts ahead of Paris
Following Smart’s move in unveiling the escooter concept, MINI has followed suit and released official photos of the company’s iteration of an electric scooter concept. Not only that the company released three versions of the concept. These three models are colored and trimmed differently.
They are made up by one that is inspired by the MINI E, another with British Racing Green and brown leather combo and finally a version which pays homage to UK’s mod subculture. Unfortunately the company did not reveal technical details, so we will have to wait for the Paris Motor Show for that. The company did say that the Scooter E uses an iPhone that slots between the handlebars.
More images can found after the jump. Read the rest of this entry.
MINI Countryman WRC rally car – action video!
We have come across an amateur video that showcases the MINI Countryman WRC rally car performing some tests in Portugal. This rally-spec Countryman is powered by a BMW Motorsport-sourced 1.6 liter engine, which is turbocharged. The beastly Countryman is being co-developed with David Richard’s Prodrive and it is expected to be ready to race in selected races next year.
Continue reading to check out the video. Read the rest of this entry.
MINI and Smart to reveal electric scooter concepts in Paris
Both BMW-owned MINI and Daimler-owned Smart have announced that they will each an all-electric scooter concept at this month’s Paris Motor Show. Unfortunately both companies only released design sketches and are still being tight-lipped about the juicier details.
These models are still concepts at the moment but when (and if) they go into production, Singaporean’s could enjoy two additional electric scooter models apart from the already available E-Max electric scooter. Furthermore Singapore also has solar-powered Solar Greenlots for out-of-home charging solutions.
Continue reading to view more design sketches of both scooters. Read the rest of this entry.
MINI Countryman WRC rally car – so far so good!
MINI is looking good in it’s rallying comeback. The BMW-owned brand previously announced that it will take part in the World Rally Championship starting from next year and has linked up with motorsport outfit Prodrive for the project. The announced was made in July and now MINI has released a single official image of the rally hatch under going testing.
It has completed it’s first round of testing on tarmac and low grip surfaces at Prodrive’s test facility and it is now scheduled for on-gravel tests in Portugal. It will comply with the Super2000 regulations and it is powered by a turbocharged 1.6 liter engine supplied by BMW Motorsport.
Both MINI and Prodrive are still working on the Countryman WRC’s exterior design and I can’t wait to look at the final product. Along with the initial announcement of the Countryman WRC rally car, a design sketch was released as well. Continue reading to view a high-res version of the image above. Read the rest of this entry.
MINI to rally Countryman in WRC from 2011!
The MINI brand name is set to make a rally comeback with the Countryman from 2011. Called the MINI Countryman WRC, the race car is being developed by motorsport firm Prodrive and it will be raced in selected FIA World Rally Championship events in 2011 before a full-fledged rally campaign in the following year.
The car will comply with the Super2000 regulations and will feature a turbocharged 1.6 liter four potter from BMW Motorsport. The race car will be fitted with an all-wheel-drive configuration and customer teams will be able to purchase it. First test drives are scheduled to take place in autumn 2010. The first time the MINI took part in rallying was in the 60′s with the MINI Cooper S. The nimble little car went on to beat the big guns and went home with multiple victories.
“I am delighted MINI will be represented on one of the most popular stages in international motorsport. The success enjoyed on the rally circuit has made a vital contribution to the image of the brand. MINI customers have always shown great interest in motorsport. I am convinced we will add a few more chapters to our success story in rallying,” said Ian Robertson, member of the Board of Management of BMW.
“The MINI Countryman provides an excellent basis, from which to create a competitive racing car for the world championship. In Prodrive, we have a strong and experienced partner. We will work hard together over the coming months to ensure we get the project on track right from the word go,” he added.
Prodrive chairman David Richards said, “I believe our new MINI will become a firm favourite of the latest generation of rally fans, just as it is adored by its millions of owners across the world. We already have a significant number of confirmed customer orders for the new MINI rally car with the first deliveries scheduled for the start of the 2011 season.” I am no huge rally fan but it would be great to see a MINI go sideways and kick out some dirt! Pictured above is an illustration of the MINI Countryman WRC released by BMW.
MINI updates it’s range of cars, new diesel engines introduced
MINI has updated it’s model line up and has released initial information and a gallery full of images of the ‘lifestyle’ vehicle. The update affects the MINI, MINI Clubman and MINI Convertible. The company has also revealed the updated MINI JCW and JCW Clubman models as well. The new MINIs have been treated, among others, with new bumpers, a modified front grille, new headlights as well as new taillights with LED technology. New body colour options are part of the list of upgrades as well.
The interior has been updated with new audio and air conditioning controls, new colours and material options. There is also a revised MINI Connected system which allows iPhone users to view video files and album cover artwork on an onboard display. It can also present Facebook and Twitter posts using an external application.
Other features available include optional xenon headlights with black headlight reflectors or the Adaptive Headlights function, automatic dimming for the rear-view and exterior mirrors, optional ambient lighting with LED, a new retractable roller-type luggage compartment cover for the Clubman and more. Overall three specification packages have been announced for the new MINI lineup: Scene, Classic and Rally.
MINI will also introduce new diesel engines for the One D and the Cooper D variants. The former carries a 90hp power figure while the latter has 112hp. Fuel efficiency is figured at 3.8 liters per 100 kilometers while emitting 99 grams of emissions per kilometer.
The engines in the petrol family are carried over from the existing range. The BMW-owned brand also released images of the new JCW or John Cooper Works models which have also been refreshed with new colour options including a sinister black-red finish, as pictured above. It is powered by the same 208hp powerplant used in the current JCW.
The new range will be officially introduced on September 18th this year. An image gallery can be found after the jump. Read the rest of this entry.
