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MINI at the 2013 Nürburgring 24 Hours

Keith — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:54:06 +0000

From MINI Motorsport: The Nürburgring-Nordschleife is once again the hub of the motorsport world this weekend, as more than 200,000 fans flock to the 41st staging of the legendary 24-hour race. With 33 left-hand bends and 40 right-handers over the course of the 25.378-kilometre circuit, the event is one of the toughest endurance races in the world. The perilous track through the undulating landscape of the Eifel Mountains, together with the area’s unpredictable weather, makes the race the ultimate challenge for man and machine. The Nürburgring-Nordschleife truly lives up to its nickname of the “Green Hell”. As well as driving ability, stamina, tactics, versatility and teamwork, the drivers must also have plenty of courage. The circuit is utterly unforgiving – and that for a whole 24 hours.

MINI fans still have fond memories of the 24-hour race back in 2011, when the MINI John Cooper Works Coupé Endurance made its sporting debut. Two MINI John Cooper Works Coupé Endurance cars lined up at the start of the race, and both successfully crossed the finish line at the end of 24 spectacular hours of racing. Incentive for other teams. The MINI brand once again showed its stamina on the endurance rollercoaster in 2012. Starting the race from 96th, the Partl Motorsport team achieved an outstanding 41st place overall with its endurance MINI. An impressive result given the total field of 196, and good enough to finish runner up in its class and the highest-placed MINI in 2012.

Read the full story at the MINI Motorsport site here.

Latest spy photos reveal new details of next-generation MINI

Keith — Sat, 11 May 2013 09:04:13 +0000

From MotoringFile: The cladding is coming off and the true shape of the 2014 MINI is starting to become more clear. Gone is the dramatic front overhang. And in its place are new details like a “Rocketman” style front grille, headlights and an almost bullet side profile in the front. And perhaps the best news for MINI fans? The F56 will be approximately the same size as the current MINI. While we’ve been reporting that for years now it’s nice to see some further confirmation. All this and more thanks to these new photos courtesy of Autoexpress.

MotoringFile has additional details and a link to lots more photos here.

Reborn in the Netherlands

Keith — Thu, 09 May 2013 17:30:08 +0000

From MotoringFile: As soon as the second half of 2014 MINIs will once again be made in the Netherlands. To mark the occasion BMW is sponsoring the restoration of a 1959 Mini originally assembled at Molenaar’s Car Factory in Amersfoort, Holland. We’ll be talking more about MINI’s production plans and how they will be tweaked for the introduction of the 3rd generation later this year.

MotoringFile has the full story and more photos here.

Two generations of JCW GP compared in photos

Keith — Sat, 04 May 2013 09:05:49 +0000

From MotoringFile: Since the release of the 2nd generation JCW GP we’ve been debating how it compares to the original. And while we’ve found that the new GP runs rings around the first generation on the road and track, the jury is still out on which actually looks better. So we wanted to take another look at both with back to back photos comparing details of both cars. Which one wins out?

You can check out the full gallery of photos over at MotoringFile here.

Sleep in Helsinki’s MINI hotel room

Keith — Sat, 04 May 2013 09:01:18 +0000

From MINI Space: MINI owners are experts at exploring uncharted territory. While that indescribable go-kart feeling is always an incentive to head out of bounds, the elusive MINI spirit also inspires those in the know to think outside the box. Case in point: Klaus K Hotel’s “Passion for MINI” rooms.

What began as a simple idea from two Helsinki hoteliers with a love of the original British small car has materialized into an entire set of hotel rooms fit for the most die-hard of MINI admirers. Klaus K Hotel owners Marc and Mia Skvorc have decked out their one-of-a-kind automotive accommodation with a host of MINI merchandise – from MINI-themed curtains and linen to bedside copies of The MINI International.

Klaus K Hotel’s passion for MINI isn’t just confined to four-walls. Their most recent endeavor transformed a MINI Countryman into a four-door hotel experience! Imagine cozying up in your camper-ready MINI Countryman while you gaze up at the Nordic region’s famed Northern Lights.

MINI Space has the full story and more great photos here
Download the free MINI International iPad app here

Consistency key to success

Keith — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 18:07:19 +0000

From MINI Motorsport: After back-to-back victories at the Dakar Rally, the Monster Energy X-raid Team started the new season as it ended the last – successfully. Despite the triumphs at the toughest endurance rally in the world, Team Principal Sven Quandt’s outfit is still hungry for success. This bodes well for fans of the X-raid Team, which has put its faith in the reliable performance of the MINI ALL4 Racing for years now. The team, which once again lined up with one of the most cosmopolitan crews at the latest Dakar, once again has an excellent record already this season.

A third of the way into the season, the X-raid Team already has a win and two second places to its name at events in the FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies. Nani Roma claimed the first victory since success at the Dakar, winning the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge in January this year. Roma, who finished fourth at the Dakar, came home almost 27 minutes ahead of the field in the emirate’s sweeping desert on the Persian Gulf. His team-mate Krzysztof Holowczyc had previously finished runner-up at the opening round of the World Cup, the Baja Italy. Holowczyc has now confirmed his promising early-season form with another second place at the cross country rally in Qatar.

Read the full story at the MINI Motorsport site here.

Is the JCW Roadster the best commuter car ever?

Keith — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:23:04 +0000

From MotoringFile: Bold claim for sure. But the recent warm and sunny weather in Chicago has me thinking the JCW Roadster may just represent the best every day car money can buy. Obviously a statement like that should be filled with asterisks and qualifiers. But before we get into all that, lets back up and talk about why. First off I’m specifically referring to urban commuting. Small parking spots and lots of tight streets. What the Roadster offers is a tidy package that provides plenty of thrills while being efficient in both its use of fuel and space. In terms of raw numbers; I’m seeing (with a very heavy right foot) close to 30 mpg (US) in the stop and go commuting duty.

There’s also the simple thrill of driving a small MINI. Quick steering rack and all the visceral thrill you can stand in a day to day car. In short stepping foot into any MINI every day should put a smile on your face.

You can read the rest of this review here.

MINI begins local production in India

Keith — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 12:09:17 +0000

From MotoringFile: The idea of local production isn’t new to the Mini world. The classic Mini had numerous local production points throughout the world that allowed the company to meet the needs of specific markets. History is repeating itself with this latest announcement by BMW – which builds multiple models at the same plant. But don’t expect to see an Indian built MINI at your local dealer. These cars will be sold exclusively on the sub-continent as the term “local production” suggests.

MotoringFile has the full story here.

Dezeen and MINI world tour takes Milan

Keith — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 18:34:02 +0000

From MINI Space: Off the back of canvassing Cape Town’s premier design conference, Design Indaba, the Dezeen and MINI tour makes its next stop in Milan for Salone del Mobile. This year, one of the most influential furniture fairs on the globe plays host to MINI Kapooow!, a high-impact installation inspired by the MINI Paceman. While the diverse program at the MINI Paceman Garage may have your calendar filled with a host of creative events, there’s plenty of hidden treasures to inspire your Milan bucket list.

MINI Space has the full story and more great photos here
Download the free MINI International iPad app here

A winter ride in a MINI cabrio

Keith — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 16:42:17 +0000

From MINI Space: As spring ever so slowly begins to take root, most couldn’t be blamed for already getting anxious to fire up that barbecue. But there’s still one more wintry tale to be told from the road – one that’s sure not to disappoint the die-hard MINI fans whose enthusiasm is more than skin deep.

With the mercury hovering several degrees below the freezing point and thick flakes of fresh morning snow silently accumulating on the snaking alpine roads of Laax, Switzerland, many visitors to the mountain were gearing up for another day on the slopes. A brave crew of MINIacs, however, had another idea of alpine riding in mind…

MINI Space has the full story and more great photos here
Download the free MINI International iPad app here