MINI
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.
MINI reveals pricing of the Countryman, starts from €20,200
BMW has revealed pricing details of the fourth MINI model called the Countryman. Several models are offered and buyers can choose between three petrol and two diesel engines. There is also an all wheel drive version called the ALL4. This setup can be selected with the MINI Cooper S Countryman and the MINI Cooper D Countryman. Below is the price list of the MINI Countryman which will make its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show. Deliveries of MINI’s first crossover in Germany will begin in September 2010.
MINI One Countryman – €20,200
MINI Cooper Countryman – €22,500
MINI Cooper S Countryman – €26,300
MINI Cooper S Countryman ALL4 – €27,900
MINI One D Countryman – €22,000
MINI Cooper D Countryman – €24,200
MINI Cooper D Countryman ALL4 – €25,900
MINI reveals the 4-door Countryman!
MINI has released official details of the a new variant of called the Countryman. This new iteration of a modern MINI is basically a jacked-up version of the MINI and on top of that it has four doors and features an all wheel drive configuration (optional).
One of the highlights on the inside is the Centre Rail which is an illuminated platform the runs until the rear cabin. Occupants can clip on holders, bins and armrests, apart from plugging in audio or communication devices. Meaning this area can be personalized which is cool.
Overall the Countryman is about 400mm longer than a regular MINI and when it comes to its wheelbase, it can be compared with a C-Segment vehicle. It has a boot space that is rated at 350 liters and with the rear seats down, space goes up to 1,170 liters.
Three petrol engines and two diesel units are available. The petrol front includes a 184hp/240Nm of torque (260Nm on overboost) 1.6 liter turbocharged in the Cooper S, a 122hp/160Nm normally-aspirated 1.6 liter in the Cooper as well as a 98hp/153Nm 1.6 liter version in the basic Countryman.
The diesel family is made up by a 112hp/270Nm unit in the Cooper D and a rather modest 90hp/215Nm engine in the One D. A 6-speed manual comes as standard while the petrol versions can be fitted with a 6-speed Steptronic automatic equipped with paddle shifters.
The above mentioned optional all wheel setup normally sends up to 50% of the power to the rear wheels. During certain conditions, up to 100% can be sent down south. Another optional feature is a lowered suspension that can bring the Countryman closer to the ground by 10mm.
The Countryman also features an electric power steering and BMW will also offer JCW performance upgrades soon. The MINI Countryman is expected to come to Asia in early 2011. A high-res image gallery can be found after the jump! Read the rest of this entry.
2011 MINI Countryman: Leaked images!
Its finally here! What you see above is the 2011 MINI Countryman, which is a slightly jacked up MINI finished with different front and rear ends. The vehicle here which is also known as the MINI R60 is the Cooper S variant and has the All4 logo slapped on indicating that it has an all wheel drive configuration.
There is also an image of the interior which shows us a design that is very similar to the design that we are all used to. But it looks like the company went a little too far with the choice of the blueish finish on the door cards and on the centre console, it is a little out of nowhere. You can look at three leaked images in high-res glory after the jump! Read the rest of this entry.
MINI Beachcomber Concept hints at next year’s production car
Remember the Mini Moke of the 1960s? While the new MINI Beachcomber Concept doesn’t look like a golf cart, it is clearly inspired by the classic – how else can you explain the lack of doors, roof and full tailgate?
Previewed ahead of the Detroit show in January, the Beachcomber is further evolved from last year’s MINI Crossover Concept which first hinted of plans for a 4X4 MINI. Fill in the missing panels and what you see here should be pretty close to the final product – MINI’s fourth variant is set for a third quarter 2010 launch.
To deal with bad weather, the Beachcomber comes with a soft roof with extensions at the sides and the rear that serve as windows. The light and foldable contraption fastens on the windscreen, rear panel and side openings. For better security, MINI has an optional transparent removable hardtop.
The high ground clearance hints at potential off road ability. BMW says that the Beachcomber comes with all-wheel drive and suspension with generous travel. Also, the short overhangs at both ends mean that you worry less about scraping the body on steep inclines and declines.
As usual for a MINI there’s some cool detailing going on. From the top, the name ‘MINI’ is spelled out on the support bar while the side indicator lights visually join the A-pillar to the wheel arches. Could be interesting if this “frame” is specified in a contrasting colour. Up front, the hexagon radiator grille is a nod to the Moke. Don’t be fooled by the “tyre case” at the back – the Beachcomber comes with runflats and doesn’t have a spare.
Inside, the “Center Rail” system takes centrestage. It runs the length of the cabin, connecting the front seats with the rear. It also comes with a built in cable duct that allows occupants to attach things such as music players or communication devices, lighting, shelves and holders to make a second home!
Check out the gallery after the jump!
MINI 50 Mayfair and 50 Camden now in Singapore
MINI recently unveiled the 50 Mayfair and 50 Camden models to commemorate the brand’s 50th anniversary. The cars are named after two suburbs in the UK and will be produced for one year only. Both models are now available at MINI Habitat.
Both models are differentiated from other MINI’s with chrome trim and the ‘50′ emblem on the front grille. The MINI 50 Mayfair features 17-inch white wheels (Infinity Stream Spoke Design), additional lights on the radiator grille, Hot Chocolate Brown body finish as well as Piano Black trim panels and Toffy Brown inlays on the inside.
The MINI 50 Camden on the other hand comes with a White Silver metallic finish combined with a white roof (also optionally available are Black metallic or Horizon Blue metallic), unique 17-inch alloy wheels, Xenon headlights (with black-tinted lenses), USB port, an iPod jack, a Harman Cardon audio system, Fluid Silver trim panels and more. Look for an image gallery after the jump. Read the rest of this entry.
A one-off MINI Cooper in Singapore: MINI Devil
What you see above is the MINI Devil. It is a one-off special edition model made by MINI to commemorate FLY Entertainment’s 10th anniversary in Singapore. The ‘devilish’ MINI will be presented at an interactive fashion theatre dinner called The Devil Eats Prata, from 7th to 10th October 2009 at the klapsons, The Boutique Hotel. The MINI Devil is treated to a red-black colour scheme and features a pair of horns as well as a tail. Under the hood lies a 1.6 liter petrol unit that can output 120HP. FLY Entertainment is an artiste management company founded in 1999 by award-winning host and comedienne, Irene Ang.
