MINI announced that it will be returning to the World Rally Championship next year. Their car? A WRC version of the Countryman and the team will be run by British motorsport group Prodrive.

The WRC just recently imposed a new 1.6L turbo, four-wheel drive regulations so the Countryman WRC will be limited to such specifications. MINI has been planning for its comeback for “several years” now.

The company aims to use its racing heritage to boost its motorsport profile. In turn, the publicity can help bolster sales of the production cars.

Testing is set to begin later this year. No word yet on who will be tapped to drive the Countryman WRC but Marcus Gronholm has been tipped to be behind the wheel.

Here we are again with some blessings from Internet demigods. What we have here’s a photo of the new MINI Countryman that has been leaked to the web by some anonymous source.

MINI has only started to tease the crossover when the photos came out. Well, sure, it could always be MINI who’s behind this so-called leak. But as gearheads, we should always take what we can get.

Anyway, as you can see here, it’s the Cooper S version of the Countryman. If you could remember the the car doesn’t seem to be as tall as the Beachcomber concept that was featured in Detroit but shares some of the features like the lamp placements.

No final details yet on the powertrain and performance but we can expect to have more of those as Geneva nears when it makes its debut.

Source: World Car Fans

Why even issue a long press release if you won’t reveal anything that gearheads are exactly interested on? Hear that, BMW/MINI?

The MINI Beachcomber concept will be showcased in the upcoming Detroit motor show next year and due to the sarcity of tech details, we’re pegging this to be more of a design statement – a sort of preview/teaser for the new Countryman SUV.

On the outside, the car does stand out since it has an open-top and open-sides – a sort of tribute to the Jeep Wrangler. True to its name, it’s only practical for beach days when it’s sunny outside.

One really striking feature of the car’s design is its red interior. The space inside has also been maximized to give passengers an airy interior despite the relatively wee size of the car.

This is what’s great when motor shows are just around the corner – automakers create as much buzz as they can for the cars that they’d be featuring the show. Check out these newly released on the Mini Coupe Concept.

The concept in its current form, is a Mini John Cooper works but Mini promises that the production version (which is most likely to come) will be more focused than the JCW. Powering the car is the 1.6L turbocharged engine that dishes out 211 hp with a max torque of 192 lb-ft.

As for the visual tweaks, the most noticeable is the new top with the roof line 136 lower than the standard. The use of aluminum also reduces weight and the height lowers its center of gravity. That should basically translate to a nippier car.

Mini’s quite excited with this concept since many consider this car as the company’s celebration of the Mini’s 50 years of existence. It’s parent company, however, thinks that the a Mini Coupe will be a welcome addition to its overall fleet.

The car will be showcased in the Frankfurt Motor Show next month.

Source: Mini

The Mini Clubman is one ugly car and we really don’t know why they even bother to create something based on it and market it as the cooler version. Say hello to the Mini Clubman S “Rally Edition.” And it will only be available in the United States.

If you’re wondering what makes this car rally-eque, well, it sports “rally green” mirror caps, side skirts, HID xenon headlights, clear lens indicators, 17-inch alloys and black paint to differentiate it from the standard car for starters.

Too bad shiny bits don’t necessarily allow the car to powerslide through dirt and gravel. And you can only attempt to do so with the Clubman S Rally Edition if you go for the optional John Cooper Works tuning kit. Still, that’s no assurance that the four-door Clubman will be any nimbler. For added “sportiness,” you can get sport stripes, a roof rack and rails.

Sad to say this Rally Edition is more of tribute car as JCW is reported to participate in the coming WRC season. Only 70 of these Clubmans will be sold and prices with the JCW tuning kit starts at $32,999.

Source: Autocar

The Mini John Cooper Works World Championship 50 special edition was unveiled at the concluded Mini 50th anniversary celebrations held at the automaker’s former Cowley plant now known as Plant Oxford. Now, the company has released new images along with additional details about the commemorative vehicle.

The JCW World Championship 50 commemorates two things. One is, of course, the company’s milestone 50th anniversary. The other is for the accomplishments of John Cooper, culminating in back-to-back Formula One titles back in 1959 and 1960. The car was revealed at the 50th anniversary celebrations alongside the Beatles Cooper S edition and the Mayfair and Camden variants of the Cooper S.

The World Championship 50 edition is mostly a cosmetic edition, with no performance upgrades or anything. It’s built around the basic JCW unit, so expect the turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that’s good for 208 horsepower and 192 lb.-ft. of torque.

The car will have a limited production run and sold in one exlusive color: Mini’s Connaught Green, otherwise known as British Racing Green.

MINI is promoting the company’s full line of vehicles by providing iPod Touch and iPhone users with an interactive game that they can take wherever they go. Titled “MINI Liquid Assets”, the game is based on those old water jet games.

The game takes players through several stages where players manipulate intuitive touch screen controls to guide coins to their favorite MINI vehicles. Players have to avoid obstacles, which include sharks and aliens. The game also features bubble sound effects and music. Additionally, the game includes a pretty neat built-in dealer locator powered by Google Maps.

“We think “MINI Liquid Assets” is going to put a smile on people’s faces — a little like cruising around town with the top down on your new MINI Convertible,” said MINI USA Vice President Jim McDowell.

The game showcases the entire MINI range across the various themed stages, including the MINI Convertible and the MINI E. The best thing about the game is that it’s free for download at the iTunes App store.

Source: Lethistorylive

What happens when you get a classic Mini Cooper, lop its top off, and give it some of the latest technology? You get the 2009 Mini Cooper Cabrio.

Most are familiar with the Mini Cooper’s compact and elegant styling. The Cabrio builds on this and adds some new touches. The roof has an integrated sliding function, which takes 15 seconds at most to drop down. Open-air driving is the main draw for the Cabrio, even featuring an Always-Open timer that counts the time spent driving with the top down.

The Cabrio sports the 1.6-liter 120 horsepower engine likewise in the current Cooper models. There will be a performance-boosted S Cabrio variant which fields turbo-charging and direct injection to deliver 160 horsepower at some 6,000rpm. Other features include automatic air-conditioning, Bluetooth, media player syncing, telephony, and a USB port. More importantly, emissions from the Cabrio are even down 19 percent from previous Minis.

The 2009 Mini Cooper Cabrio will be available in 12 colors. It will debut at January’s Detroit Auto Show and will start delivery to German showrooms sometime in the second quarter of 2009.

Source: Lethistorylive

The BMW Mini One D topped the slowest-depreciating cars of 2008, pacing the top 10 of the list published by European used-car expert EurotaxGlass.

The projected value of the Mini One D over three years is pegged at 63.2 percent of its starting value. It comfortably edged out the Citroen C1 1.0/1.4 HDI and the Ferrari F430, which were pegged for three-year values at 61.2 percent and 60.9 percent, respectively. The Toyota Aygo 1.0 went fourth (60.6%), the Peugeot 107 1.0 went fifth (57.4%), and the Smart ForTwo bagged sixth place (56.7%).

The depreciation values are based on a theoretical mileage of 37,000 miles over a projected three-year span, although some of the 55 cars ranked are not really expected to reach that plateau, including the Lamborghini Murcielago (55.2%, eighth) and Porsche 911 Carrera 2/4 (54.8%, tenth). The Seat Leon 1.9/2.0 (55.4%, seventh) and the Toyota Prius 1.5 T4 (55%, ninth) round out the top 10.

The car which depreciated the most over the projected span is the Alfa Romeo 166, fetching only 12 percent of its value for a three-year model—a value around £3500.

Source: Autocar

I wonder how far will automakers go to push the envelope on next-gen earth-savers. With legislation forcing automakers to create zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) which almost always are electric vehicles, we can only expect more EVs to roll out.

Like the new MINI E – BMW’s pure-electric variant of the popular wee car. Well, too bad we still have to wait for it to reach production stage but seeing these renderings keeps our hopes up. So far, the MINI E is for testing purposes only just to explore its viability.

BMW will be making around 500 to 1000 samples to be leased out to special customers in major US cities of New York, LA, New Jersey and London since these hubs have recharging infrastructures already in place.

Powering the MINI E is their latest lithium-ion battery technology that store juice that the 204bhp electric motor would tap. The motor also boasts of 162 lb-ft of max torque. Power is sent to the front-wheels via a “single-stage helical gearbox.” The car also features regenerative braking to charge the batteries while on the go.

The MINI E recharges via a special electric socket. A full recharge takes eight hours and that would allow the MINI to get a range of 150 miles. Amazingly, the MINI E is quite the zippy car, capable of reaching a decent top speed of 95 mph. It’s also capable of reaching 0-62 in just 8.5 seconds.

We can expect to see the car in the Los Angeles Motor Show next month.

Source: Autocar

Catching up on some Paris Motor Show posts here. First up for the week, the MINI Crossover Concept. With its cousin, the BMW X1 also in the show, the gargantuan MINI was intent on catching some camera flashes as well.

Aside from bragging about its size and its Mini Center Globe, the Crossover Concept finally revealed a few more details regarding what’s under the hood though not as detailed as we had hoped.

The car will be on all fours – four-doors, four seats, 4WD, and will be powered by four-bangers. The lineup will feature a slew of four-cylinder engines and European markets might even get a diesel variant.

The Crossover Concept (to be the Crossman ) will enter production by next year to be launched as a 2011 model.

Hey, lucky us. Just before the Paris Motor Show, MINI has decided to show us a more detailed look of the ‘larger’ MINI Crossover Concept. If you’re as boggled as I am with why we need a damn large MINI, then watch the clip to gain just a bit more insight on this concept.

A few things that amused me with this concept include the ‘Mini Center Globe’ – MINI’s supposed new take on central instrument controls. It’s got a multi-touch display probably satisfying your poke-happy nature. It’s got Bluetooth and navigation and even acts as a damn ignition starter. Instead of a traditional key, it uses this thingamabob called the ‘Keyball.’ Interesting.

BMW has already announced that they have instituted a Project i division that will dedicate its efforts in developing low-emission city cars. Apparently, BMW has also integrated the development of an electric MINI cooper as part of the division’s efforts.

A spy photographer recently snapped an electric MINI test mule outside BMW’s headquarters in Munich. Can’t deny sharp eyes as well, as he determined its an electric vehicle since it wasn’t sporting any exhausts and a “Hybrid” sticker was slapped on the car.

California seems to be a huge market for automakers. Everyone’s hellbent on developing an electric vehicle/zero-emissions vehicle just to comply with state legislation. 480 electric MINIs will be leased to 480 Californians. Lucky bastards.

Source: CAR Magazine

More mind-boggling ironies here with BMW revealing yet a larger MINI. Isn’t MINI supposed to be about small cars? Probably the reason why I thought the Clubman was a bit off with the company image. Still, they’ve decided that the fleet could use a larger vehicle so they decided to pursue the Crossman which is somehow previewed in this “Crossover Concept” that they will be showcasing in the Paris Motor Show.

Since MINI’s under BMW, expect to see some technology sharing. Sans the styling, the Crossman will share some of the bits and pieces found in the BMW X1 bin. Another thing it will not share with the X1 is the platform as MINI decided to create a unique on for their crossover. This is to accommodate an AWD system and a increased ride height.The CUV is expected to enter production by next year to be launched as a 2011 model.

As said, this will be even larger than the Clubman making it the first MINI to span longer than 4m in length. It will also be the tallest, measuring 1.6m high and will be 1.83m wide. It will be a five door model with an interesting twist. The right rear-door opens conventionally while the left door slides out like a minivan.

Source: MINI

At first, it seemed that BMW didn’t really bother to join in the mad scamper for hybrids and electric vehicles. But first impressions didn’t last at all with BMW’s announcement that they will be creating 500 electric MINIs which will be made available to the US market specifically to California (no surprise since California is one state that requires automakers to make EVs available per fleet).

Still, these MINIs will go a long way – to be built in Oxford, UK (where the MINI factory is located). These will then make a trip to Germany so that BMW will be able to slap on their electric powertrains. No performance figures yet but it will have a silver body and yellow roof.

It’s interesting what automakers will do just to appease legislation. California is surely a market that any automaker would hate to lose holds of with Hollywood being there and all. An indirect celebrity endorsement goes a long way especially for green cars. See what Leo and Cameron did to the Prius?

Source: Automotive News (Subscription required)

BMW will strike at the crossover market with a double whammy – the BMW X1 and the MINI Crossman. BMW has confirmed that they will be using the 1-series platform for both vehicles and production will indeed commence with the X1 rolling out of the Leipzig plant and the MINI Crossman to be handled by Magna Steyr through an outsourced venture.

As far as the two are concerned the Crossman is nearing its production version while the X1 is still in the concept phase. What is quite notable in this is that, with the shared platforms, it is also indicated that the two might also share the same powertrain lineup. If details on the Crossman holds true, then that would mean that these will sport a 3.0L engine.

Platform and powertrain sharing partly annoys me to a minute extent since that would mean that you’ll practically be dealing with the same cars with two identities, one in a crisp suit and one in a baggy pants.

A desire to be cute? Or an innovative twist for a piece of market share? Either way, why call a big vehicle MINI? That’s like calling a Chihuahua “Juggernaut” or something. MINI on growth hormones and steroids would be a proper name to this MINI crossover.

Ever since its comeback (and the Italian Job) MINI has again made a name for itself as that zippy city car that could get in and out of the nooks and crannies of congested traffic flow in style. But building a crossover just by adding doors and hulking the Clubman a bit? Come on!

Updates have it that this Crossman (rumored name) will be using the same engine as the coupe and Clubman. Hey, those engines make the cars zippy because it packs enough power to propel the small and lightweight cars to orbit. But 207hp on a bigger and heavier body? If it goes 0-60 in sub-10 seconds then I will be impressed.

Good thing that while the body stylings are very much MINI, the platform will be borrowed from parent BMW’s X1. But how would that compare to the agile handling that is associated to all the other MINIs? We’ll just have to see.

Source: Automotive Blogs

With all the small and zippy cars out there, two might stand out as the zipper ones – the Fiat 500 and the BMW Mini One (AKA Mini Cooper). Thanks to Fifth Gear, they’ve put these two wee cars in a head-to-head shootout. And guess which car zips ahead first.

Yesterday, we had a look at the MINI John Cooper Works and Clubman cars. MINI fans are sure to be delighted that there will be very sporty versions of the car in the market. Imagine 200+ hp pulling something as light as the MINI. The result? 0-60 in 6.5 seconds. Some coupes can’t even get to that range. Anyway, here’s a video featuring these two releases from MINI.

This shows that BMW isn’t neglecting MINI. Arguably the inspiration for all the minis that we see today, MINI will be launching a couple of small fast cars in the MINI John Cooper Works and Clubman. Mind you that both cars are prepped for racing featuring some wicked performance upgrades and interior stylings.

The difference mostly is that one has 3-doors and the Clubman has five but both are equipped with a turbocharged 1.6L 4-cylinder engines that generate a whopping 207hp. The engine is mated to a modified 6-speed transmission. Mind you that the size of the MINIs with such power is quite mind blowing. Numbers peg the sprint from naught to sixty at a blistering 6.5 (the Clubman does it 0.05 slower).

For a more sporty look, the cars feature light allow wheels. It is also equipped with a new performance exhaust system, upgraded suspensions. The cars will hit dealerships in the summer.

Source: MINI

Minis and hatches have really caught a market and word has it that BMW wants to have a share of it and it’s not necessarily with the MINI badge. Numerous speculations have been made to the possibility of BMW creating a new model that would share features with the Mini but have it under the BMW name. It’s all probably in lending the small, agile, and economic image that superminis to cars sporting the propeller badge.

Now if you think that if it’s going to be a lesser car than what you’d expect from BMW, then one thing that would come less with this supermini would be the price. It’s rumored to be the cheapest BMW yet. And as for the engineering side, would be the first FWD BMW.

Having a fuel-economic and low-emission is definitely the trend for many carmakers. For one, having this car in the BMW fleet would lower their averages. We’d still have to wait more announcements from BMW about this car but it’s supposed to come out by 2010.

Source: Motor Authority