Mini News

There are already seven variants of the Mini, and you have to wonder how much further they can stretch or extend the vehicle. Latest reports suggest Mini owner BMW has found three more ways.The new Mini Cooper will be revealed mid-November simultaneously at LA and Tokyo motor shows, but the debut car may be only the first in what could be 10 different models -- including a plug-in hyrid. And there's still room for a sedan and sports car in the line-up.Mini boss Peter Schwarzenbauer revealed the family growth plans in an interview with industry journal Automotive News. “With the new ULK architecture, we currently have in mind eight to 10 models,” Schwarzenbauer said, referring to the new ULK front-wheel-drive platform that will underpin all the MINI variants plus several BMW models.The ULK platform will debut within weeks in the new Mini Cooper, but is also flexible enough to accommodate all-wheel drive as well as alternative powertrains.Schwarzenbauer also said future plans for Mini include electrification, and that a plug-in hybrid model was certainty. He also confirmed Mini is exploring the potential for a fully electric car -- similar to the Mini E concept -- but that nothing had been decided.The new Mini range is expected to arrive in Australia in the second quarter of 2014, and while we don't have final specification for our market, details of the available engine line-up have been released.For the first time we'll see a three-cylinder engine in the Mini Cooper, with new 1.5 litre direct-injected turbo 1.5-litre petrol and turbodiesel triples powering the volume variants, while the Cooper S will carry a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder.The direct-injected 1.5-litre petrol offers 100kW/220Nm from 1250rpm (with 230Nm on overboost), the 2.0 litre develops 141kW/280Nm (with 300Nm on overboost), and the 1.5 litre turbodiesel gives you 85kW and 270Nm -- a lift of 3kW over the current engine.The 170kW achieved by the three-cylinder unit as used in the BMW i8 suggests that somwhere around 226kW is possible for the 2.0-litre John Cooper Works models -- which could see them offer competition to the hot hatch hero Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG.www.motorauthority.com 

BMW has confirmed key details for the new engine lineup for the 2014 Mini Cooper range, which will make its first public appearance simultaneously at the Tokyo and LA motor shows in November.The new F56 Mini Cooper will be available with a three cylinder engine for the first time, with new 1.5 litre turbo petrol and turbodiesel triples to make up the volume of Mini's most popular model. A 2.0-litre turbocharged four cylinder engine will power the Cooper S model, with the modular units developed by BMW for the first time.The first two Mini generations under BMW's stewardship used engines developed in conjunction with Chrysler and PSA respectively, and the new third-generation BMW model's petrol engines are related to the 170kw 1.5 litre petrol three used by the new i8 hybrid sports coupe.In Mini guise, the direct-injected TwinPower 1.5 litre petrol develops 100kW/220Nm from 1250rpm(with 230Nm on overboost), while the Cooper S-spec direct-injected TwinPower 2.0 litre makes 141kW/280Nm (with 300Nm on overboost).The new 1.5 litre turbodiesel makes 85kW and 270Nm, representing a slight power gain over the current 82kW/270Nm 1.6-litre four.Both petrol engines represent a gain on the existing 90kw/160Nm base 1.6-litre four, and the 135kW/240Nm for the turbocharged Cooper S, while a challenger for the current 155kW/260Nm and 160kw/260Nm John Cooper Works (JCW) range-toppers will likely come later.The 170kW achieved by the three cylinder unit in the i8 suggests that a figure in the vicinity of 226kW is possible for the 2.0-litre JCW models, which could make the smaller Mini a serious rival for the current hot hatch hero Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG.BMW claims that all engines will trump their existing counterparts for fuel efficiency and emissions with Euro 6 compliance, but exact figures will have to wait until the Cooper's November unveiling.Six-speed manual and automatic transmissions will continue to be offered across the range, and a fuel-saving stop/start system will now be standard. Automatic models equipped with satnav will also be able to downshift in preparation for upcoming hills and intersections, using similar technology to the new Rolls Royce Wraith and Ghost models.Kerb weights of the new Cooper lineup have been minimised through the use of construction technology shared with the i3 and i8 models, but once again, Mini is yet to mention specific figures. The new model will continue the Cooper tradition of a dynamically-focused chassis, with a multi-link rear end and single-link spring-strut front end, and adaptive dampers will be available for the first time on Mini models.Following the Cooper's LA and Tokyo debuts, the new model is expected to make its way down under in the second quarter of 2014.This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn  

The recall notice is for 329 of the Mini Countryman diesel and Paceman diesel sold between August 1 2010 and March 18 2013.Mini’s parent brand, BMW, says the defect means moisture can penetrate the plug-in connection of the adapter cable on the electric power steering, causing corrosion on the contacts and in some cases lead to the car catching fire – although there have been no occurrences so far in the local market. "There have been no reported incidences on this current recall in Australia," BMW spokesperson Lenore Fletcher said.The recall on the Mini models follows a larger one last week in which BMW recalled six diesel models: BMW 5 Series E60, BMW X5 Series E70, BMW X6 Series E71, BMW X3 Series E83, BMW 1 Series E87 and BMW 7 Series F01 & F02 – built between August 1 and November 30, 2009.The earlier recall notice cited a defect that means the electric contacts of the diesel fuel filter heating unit could short-circuit, leading to the risk of the vehicle catching fire – also with no local incidences reported.  However the notice also explains that the diesel fuel filter heater unit only operates at temperatures below -1° Celsius.BMW says owners should contact an authorised BMW motor vehicle service centre, or call the BMW Group Australia Customer Interaction Centre on freecall: 1800 813 299. 

Mini will celebrate the 107th anniversary of the birth of Sir Alec Issigonis, the designer of the original Mini, by unveiling the third generation of the modern MINI, the 2014 Cooper, at a special ceremony at the car’s plant in Oxford, England. That special ceremony will take place on November 18, after which Mini will make simultaneous presentations at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show and 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show on November 20. We don’t have to wait until then to see the car, however. In addition to our numerous spy shots, of both the Cooper and sportier Cooper S, Mini has already previewed the new car’s design with its Mini Vision concept that’s set for a debut on September 10 at the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show. Key design elements expected for the 2014 Mini Cooper include a hexagonal radiator grille (inspired by the one on the 1959 original), ring-shaped daytime running lights integrated with the headlights, and jewel-like tail-lights. Completely new engines and a new platform will feature as well, and for the first time BMW models will share the Mini's technologies. Sales of the 2014 Mini Cooper are expected to start overseas early next year, and arrive here just a few months later. Just like its predecessor, the new Mini will be produced in Oxford in the UK. The oncoming start of production and the November 18 reveal will mark additional highlights in a jubilee year for the Oxford plant, where automobiles have been built for more than 100 years. www.motorauthority.com  

It means every Mini model including hatch, Clubman, Coupe, Cabriolet, Roadster, Paceman, Countryman and GP now includes a John Cooper Works, or JCW, variant.All are powered by a new generation 1.6 litre four-cylinder direct injection engine featuring twin-scroll turbo technology, variable valve control and a host of technical features.Highlights include reinforced cylinder head and pistons, sodium filled exhaust valves and lightweight crankshaft which help the excellent revving capability With a maximum output of 155kW and 260 Nm of torque (280 Nm with overboost), which increases to 160kW and 280Nm (300Nm with overboost) in the all-wheel-drive JCW Countryman and  JCW Paceman.The exhaust note is trumpeted through a JCW sports exhaust system, which produces a deliberately tuned raw note under acceleration, along with a symphony of burbles and crackles on over-run.In two-wheel drive variants, the drive is transferred to the front wheels via a  six-speed manual transmission. In the case of the JCW Paceman and JCW Countryman, power is channelled via the electromagnetic centre differential of the all-wheel-drive system between the front and rear axles to all four wheels.An optional six-speed automatic transmission is available for all JCW variants except the JCW GP limited edition model. JCW sports suspension, which comes as either standard or a no-cost-option depending on the model, has dynamically tuned dampers and anti-roll bars.  Stopping power is enhanced by a high performance sports-brake system.A Sports button in the centre console allows the driver to tweak the engine's responses and soundtrack, as well as the power assistance provided by the steering. In models fitted with automatic transmissions, pressing the Sport button also quickens shift times.

Mini purists will probably throw their hands up in the air with disgust, but yes Mini bosses have seriously considered offering ‘camper’ versions of the famous (not as small as it used to be) small car.Mini has just unveiled three concept ‘campers’ which could be the perfect home-away-from-home for car buyers looking to get out into nature on the weekends, but still have a fun and easy to drive city car on Monday morning.Now, the idea of whacking a big camper ‘pod’ onto the roof of a Mini may seem a bit weird but you can kind of see some logic beyond at least exploring the idea. The fact is most Mini owners are young well-to-do city-dweller types and having the versatility of a vehicle that couldsafely take them to areas out past the suburbs would probably be attractive to many of them.How comfortable the pods would be and what the driving dynamics of the Mini would be like with that extra weight up-top remain unknown however.Mini also hasn’t spoken about how easy, or difficult it might be to turn your Mini back into a regular car when your weekend escape is over!Never the less, in a statement Mini said the concept vehicles ‘reflect different aspects of the rise in popularity of camping and festivals, creating a choice of premium home-from-home options for the enthusiastic traveller.’The statement then went on to say that at this stage there are no plans to make the concepts a reality; some would say that’sprobably a good idea! In the meantime here’s how Mini described their three ‘camper’ concepts:The Mini Clubvan Camper is the world’s smallest luxury camper van, packed with practical solutions that make it ideal accommodation for an individual on a weekend away.The Mini Cowley is a compact yet comfortable caravan for two people, equipped with a twin-ring gas stove, fridge and sink.The Mini Countryman ALL4 Camp with its innovative roof-top tent is the getaway car for an adventurous couple, evoking images of African safari and expedition vehicles.Joel Helmes is the editor of the Behind the Wheel radio program, heard on more than 150 stations around Australia, and www.behindthewheel.com.au

The body is finished and only the swirly camouflage is protecting the final details on a car that is longer and wider with a longer bonnet and slimmer A pillars.

The camouflage is almost gone and the car is revealed as slightly longer and wider, although the big changes are in the cabin where the centre-mounted speedo is gone. 

A new world record for the tightest parallel park has been set, with Guinness World Records confirming that the new distance is a gap of just 13.1 cm. The new record was set twice, initially by John Moffatt and then a second time by Moffatt’s brother Alastair. The brothers accomplished the amazing stunt on December 10, 2012, during filming of a segment for the British television program Officially Amazing. And since they accomplished it on the same day, Guinness officials were happy to enter both their names into the record books. At the distances we’re talking about, the only way to parallel park a vehicle is by spinning it into the spot, rather than the conventional way of reversing into it. And in case you were wondering, the brothers used an original Mini Mayfair for the stunt. They certainly didn’t mind smashing the car on some of the attempts, which does partially diminish the incredibleness of the stunt. Others have done it with zero damage.  Who will be the next driver to break the record? Considering the gap is just 13.1 cm now, realistically, how low can the margin for error go?     www.motorauthority.com  

Two of a limited 55-car batch of the red-hot $56,900 Mini JCW GP Editions have set down in Australia.