Mini News

According to Carparazzi, tweaking to the hot Mini - lowered suspension, new grille, rear diffuser and central exhaust - point to a John Cooper Works challenge edition.

Mini’s 2012 special Life Ball car has been teased as a Mini Cooper Roadster S decked out in purple and gold, courtesy of Italian Vogue editor Franca Sozzani. It’s this year’s contribution to the annual Life Ball charity event, which Mini has supported for more than a decade. Along with being the editor of one of the leading Vogue mastheads, Sozzani is also a UN Goodwill Ambassador for Fashion 4 Development -- a global campaign that uses fashion-based initiatives to raise awareness of issues ranging from poverty to gender inequality. As a Mini Life Ball designer, she follows in the trendily-shod footsteps of Donatella Versace, Gianfranco Ferre, Missoni, Kenneth Cole, Diane von Furstenberg, Diesel, twin enfants-terrible Dsquared and lingerie house Agent Provocateur. Mini has partnered with the Life Ball since 2001, donating a specially designed car each year for auction and raising an admirable 500,000 euros (about $680,000) over that time. The 2012 annual Life Ball will be held on May 19 in Vienna, Austria.  

"It's going to be an icon in five years,'' he says. Segler is in charge of an explosion of the Mini brand that will eventually see the number of models double to reach 10. As well as the Coupe and its Roadster twin, there's something called the Paceman, which is a go-fast version of the Countryman SUV.BMW plans to expand the number of front-wheel-drive cars it makes to one million a year by 2020.Controversially, it will begin making small front-wheel-drive BMWs on the Mini platform as well, to help amortise the costs and broaden its range. However, a lot of the extra volume has to come from more Minis.The plan is already under way, with pound stg. 500 million ($785m) committed to its British factories to expand and modernise. In the meantime, some Minis are being made under contract in Austria.One measure of intent comes from the unusually short development time for the Coupe, just 17 months. Although for Syring, it must have seemed a lot longer.

BMW launches a driverless running trainer, Subaru reveals a self-cleaning car. Sunday was the biggest day so far this year for announcements of ground-breaking car developments. And it was April 1 of course.Leading off the Australian April Fool's Day spoofs was Skoda announcing a 'ground-breaking sponsorship deal with Sydney Harbour bridge - lauded by NSW Roads & Maritime Services as the 'future of road management solutions' - that will see the Aussie flags at the peak replaced by Skoda ones, put the Czech brand's winged-arrow logo in neon lights on the side.The deal also saves bridge-climbers the effort of climbing to the top by driving them there in Skoda Yeti 4WDs, and offers toll-free status for any Skodas that cross the bridge... Mini announced that April 1 will see the addition of a compact luxury caravan and roof-top tent to its product range. "A sumptuously appointed caravan with two sleeping bays and a roof-top tent (also designed for two) in the classic John Cooper Works colour scheme will whet the appetite for do-it-yourself summer holidays peppered with spur-of-the-moment detours along the way," Mini said. The Cowley caravan boasts two sleeping berths, a twin-burner gas-stove, a water tank with pump and dish-washing facility, a solar module to charge the on-board battery and a 230-volt power connection to supply the refrigerator, TV/DVD and hi-fi stereo system. For cars like the John Cooper Works top sports models where a trailer coupling is not an option, the Swindon roof-top tent can be fitted easily to the roof of a MINI, MINI Clubman or MINI Countryman, and likewise offers sleeping space for two people. All of which makes those stressful last-minute searches for accommodation "so last holiday".As an official sponsor of London 2012, BMW has been inspired to develop a new technology helping customers to boost their fitness in the run up to the Games. The new driverless Running Coach feature uses a combination of ConnectedDrive technologies and surround view cameras to enable the car to follow the runner, at a safe distance, while pounding the pavement. To help with motivation, integrated exterior speakers play encouraging words while the Lock Out Logistics feature makes sure that any distance set is completed without cheating. Alvin Alaff, Head of Futile Innovations at BMW's renowned Forschungs und Innovationszentrum, said "It's a car gym but not as we know it."Subaru is set to hose down water restrictions with the launch of the world's first self-cleaning car, with patented AF Technology demonstrated on the launch video. To clean the car in an instant, the driver simply has to press a button on the key fob while outside the vehicle, without any danger of getting wet. Subaru's Professor Ai Lai, who led the team, reveals: "Nanogenerators convert mechanical energy available in the environment into electrical energy, activating safe low-voltage electrical currents on the car's outer body surface. These currents flow in precise, overlapping patterns to disturb and dissolve micro-attachments on the car's metalwork, such as dirt and dust." 

The Roadster makes number six. It's the first model designed for two people, but not the first soft top version of the car. The Mini Roadster will be available with a choice of two petrol engines from launch. The model line-up includes the 135kW Cooper S Roadster and an even more powerful John Cooper Works Roadster with 155kW on tap. The aerodynamic balance of the Mini Roadster is optimised by an active rear spoiler, which extends automatically once the car reaches a speed of 80 km/h.A torsionally rigid body complete with special strengthening elements and low centre of gravity enhance both the handling agility and safety of the roadster. It's fitted with front and head-thorax airbags, an extremely rigid windscreen frame and polished stainless steel roll-over bars in the name of occupant protection. But the question remains. After the convertibles, the barn doors, the odd -side-door - and the shrunken  SUV version - what more can Mini add to the range? A plane? A boat?Let us know your thoughts in the comments box below. No matter how weird or unlikely, you just never know...

At some point in the evolution of the Mini portfolio the designers started to reinterpret the new Mini rather than the original.  The latest variation, the Mini Coupe, is a case in point, because it has little in common with the 1960s original designed by the late Sir Alec Issigonis.  The coupe is the fifth variation of the theme and the first two-seater to bear the famous moniker.  Makes you wonder how many more they've got up their sleeve?  Mini's masters BMW claim the coupe offers a depth of driving fun unmatched by any rival in the small car segment.  It will be available in 135kW S and 155 John Cooper Works form. The engines, chassis set-up, weight distribution and aerodynamic properties of the new model all serve the cause of optimum performance.  Making its an active rear spoiler is integrated into the boot lid and pops up automatically when the car reaches a speed of 80 km/h.  At maximum speed the spoiler provides 40kg of extra downforce. With its contrasting coloured roof and odd, stepped rear end the design is sure to polarise opinion.

Mini has secured 10 limited-edition Mini Goodwoods for the Australian market. Based on the Cooper S, the car has been built under the guidance of the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars design team. It bears the unmistakable style of the British luxury car maker. Just 1000 Mini Goodwoods have been crafted for the worldwide market, all of which are emblazoned with the marking: "1 of 1000". Mini Goodwood is priced from $74,500 which includes everything apart from on-road costs. That's even more than the Fiat 500 Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari, 45 of which sold out at $70,000 a pop here last year. Eight of the Mini Goodwoods have already been purchased leaving just two of these rare collector items for sale. Despite the fact it's based on a Cooper S, the ubiquitious bonnet scoop has been removed to preserve the Goodwood's regal air. The diamond black metallic paint has a rich 'liquid' effect that oozes luxury along with the polished intricate 17" multi spoke alloys. Rolls Royce is renowned for its natural wood finishes and the Mini Goodwood's interior inherits a rich walnut veneer. The opulent interior is trimmed with Goodwood Cornsilk leather which adorns the doors, top of the instrument panel, knee rolls, centre console and rear inside door trim. This blends seamlessly into the headliner, sun visors, parcel shelf and pillars which are all in Cashmere. Cornsilk carpets line the floor and are complemented by Rolls Royce Lambswool floor mats. Chrome switches, a Rolls Royce leather steering wheel, even Rolls Royce lettering throughout the instrument cluster  all give the this Mini an air of superiority. The special edition three-door Mini comes fully equipped with all the options ticked including automatic transmission, Mini Navigation System, Voice Control and harman/kardon Hi-Fi - to name a few.

...with camouflaged bodywork reflecting a longer and wide body than today's car.Carparazzi expects big changes in the cabin, including a dash that ditches the centre-mounted speedometer for a more traditional instrument cluster.

High performance versions of the Mini Cooper are being recalled worldwide to fix an engine problem that could potentially start a fire.More than 235,000 of the turbocharged Cooper S models built between 2006 and last year are being recalled worldwide to remedy a secondary water pump fitted to cool down the turbocharger.The company has global reports of just over 80 water pump failures and four fires as a result, but BMW Australia and local authorities have deemed the program here to be a technical service campaign,Mini Australia spokesman Piers Scott says just over 3700 Cooper S (of which one may have experienced the smoldering engine bay issue) and John Cooper Works vehicles built between 2006 and 2011 are effected in Australia."This was deemed to be a technical campaign, in-line with similar campaigns conducted in the past," he said.Mr Scott said the use of the term `recall' overseas to describe the issue."It is the Department of Infrastructure and Transport that we liaise with locally and they would advise us if it were to be a safety Recall.""There is no less urgency under a technical campaign - replacement parts are now in the country and Mini Australia has already begun contacting affected customers," he said.The worldwide recall of 235,000 cars includes 29,868 in the UK and 89,000 in the US and involves replacing the water pump free of charge.The company head office said that the turbocharged engines are fitted with an additional water pump to remove residual heat from the turbocharger after the engine was switched off."Under high operating temperatures an electro-migration can occur at the circuit board installed in the additional water pump," it said."This can lead to a failure of the additional water pump or smoldering and even a fire cannot be excluded."More than 200,000 Minis are built each year at the company's Oxford plant, where production started in 2001and recently passed two million vehicles built - the car is exported to more than 90 countries.The turbocharged engine is shared with Citroen and Peugeot, but both French companies said there engines employed different electrical systems.

...some of the highest and most rugged mountains and temperatures ranging from 50C to freezing.In the end, the mighty Mini, loosely based on the All4 Countryman, conquered the 2012 Dakar Rally which began on January 1 and finished last Sunday. Five Minis started and incredibly five finished in the top 10, including first and second.Mini was the favourite before the event with its entries prepared by the successful Frankfurt-based X-Raid company, and a collection of champion drivers, including the victorious Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel who has now won four car titles and six times on a motorcycle.The Minis cost $1.1m each and, although based on the road going Countryman costing about $40,000-$60,000, they are much higher and wider, with 16-inch wheels and a carbon body. And instead of 1.9-litre four-cylinder engine, they have a three-litre, six-cylinder turbo diesel.The only standard parts are the lights, windscreen door handles taillights. The rest is pure prototype. VW pulled out this year after winning the past three rallies, including a trifecta last year, paving the way for another manufacturer to take over.Prior to VW, Mitsubishi dominated from 2001-07 for a combined total of 12 wins over 33 years with the 2008 rally cancelled due to terrorist threats. The following year the event shifted from North Africa to South America where it has retained "the spirit of Dakar" with its rugged terrain.This year's course was claimed to be the toughest yet with man and machine tackling high temperatures of 50C and stage six cancelled because of persistent snow storms over the Andes.Entry to this gruelling event is costly with some teams spending millions on car preparation and millions more with back-up crew, trucks and spares.VW made the most of its expensive victories with substantial advertising campaigns, in particular its promotion of the Amarok pick-up which was merely a back-up vehicle for last year's rally. But don't expect the same from Mini after its win at its second attempt.BMW Group Australia head of corporate communications Piers Scott points out that the five cars were part of a private team entry, not a factory team."Aside from the car, and obvious technical assistance, I don't think there is too much in the way of an official connection to the X-raid team, besides the fact that it is led by Sven Quandt, who obviously is a son of Herbert Quandt," he said.(Quandt was a German industrialist lauded for turning BMW from bankruptcy to profit.) "Therefore, I don't think there are any plans to shout about it too loudly, but it certainly sets the tone nicely for Mini's increasing involvement in motorsport."Mini was pushed throughout this year's rally by the Hummers of Nascar legend Robby Gordon and last year's winner Nasser Al-Attiyah, and single private entry of 2009 winner Giniel De Villiers in a Toyota Hi-Lux.While the big-money Mini entry caught all the headlines, the De Villiers entry gave Toyota a surprising and much-needed boost after a tough 2011 when it slipped from the world's top sellers in the wake of the tsunami in Japan and floods in Thailand.He finished third behind the Minis, even though his machine was made to comply with next year's Dakar engine specifications. Another surprisingly successful entry was the Great Wall SUV driven Portugal's Carlos Souza, who has raced for Mitsubishi, Nissan and Volkswagen. Over a 10-year period, except for a disappointing 2010 rally, Souza has never finished outside the top 10, with a best of fourth in 2003.He finished an amazing seventh and 4.5 hours behind. The result gives the Chinese manufacturer something to smile about after the disappointing two-star safety rating it scored in the Australia New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) last year for its utilities.Dakar officials this year limited the entries to 171 cars, 185 bikes, 33 quad bikes and 76 trucks. However, only 97 motorcycles, 12 quads, 78 cars and 60 trucks made it to the finishing line. Among those was Team Latvia's OSCar eO, the event's first electric vehicle.The OSCar eO has an "engine" bay filled with 52.5kWh of batteries and is powered by an electric motor nominally rated at 210kW with a top speed of 140km/h and range of 800km. Like GM's Volt, which will be available for sale in Australia later this year as a Holden, the OSCar eO has a back-up petrol generator that charges the batteries to extend the electric vehicle's range.In this case it's a 3.5-litre V6 Nissan engine. The vehicle finished 77th or second last, but at least it finished, which is always difficult in the world's toughest motorsport event. Expect to see more electrics vehicles competing in future.The Koreans starred, the Japanese mounted a comeback, and One Ford hit the headlines with an extended family of Focus-based newcomers that it is certain to make a big hit in Australia. But it was one car and the commitment of its company chief that made the most impact as America fought back on the opening day of the 2011 North American International Motor Show.The bike category was an arm wrestle between KTM teammates Cyril Despres of France and Marc Coma of Spain with three wins each. They exchanged lead at almost every stage and when Despres was stuck in the mud late in the rally it looked like Coma's fourth.However, the officials deleted the time delay because other riders were diverted from the obstacle and it came down to a tight finish with Despres the victor. Argentine brothers Alejandro and Marcos Patronelli won the quad section on their Yamahas, while Dutch teams took out the top two truck positions in Ivecos.DAKAR 2012 WINNERSCARS1 Peterhansel (Fra) Cottret (Fra) Mini2 Roma (Spain) Perin (Fra) Mini3 De Villiers (S Af), Von Zitzewitz (Ger) Toyota4 Novitskiy (Rus) Schulz (Ger) Mini5 Gordon (USA) Campbell (USA) Hummer6 Alvarez (Arg) Graue (Arg) Toyota7 Sousa (Por) Garcin (Fra) Great Wall8 Leal Dos Santos (Por) Fiuza (Por) Mini9 Ten Brinke (Hol) Baumel (Fra) Mitsubishi10 Holowczyc (Pol) Fortin (Bel) MiniBIKES1 Despres (Fra) KTM2 Coma (Spa) KTM3 Rodrigues (Por) YamahaQUADS1 Patronelli (Arg) Yamaha2 Patronelli (Arg) Yamaha3 Maffei (Arg) YamahaTRUCKS1 De Rooy (Hol) Iveco2 Stacey (Hol) Iveco3 Ardavichus (Kaz) Kamaz