Mini News

The new unit is based on the one in the 1.6-litre Mini Cooper S, with twin-scroll turbocharger, direct fuel-injection and variable valve control. The turbocharger is tweaked for extra boost and the engine has been fitted with a new high-performance exhaust system – finished with twin stainless-steel tailpipes. Engine outputs are 155kW of power at 6000rpm, and 260Nm of torque from 1850-5500rpm, with 280Nm available for a few seconds on overboost between 2000-5200rpm. It will be mated to a six-speed manual transmission as standard, but there will still be the option of a six-speed automatic with a manumatic mode and shift paddles mounted on the steering wheel. Mini says the new engine gets a weight-saving aluminium block and bearing mounts, lighter crankshaft, reinforced pistons and a high-strength cylinder head. The manual transmission gets a fuel saving stop-start system, and the load on the electrical system is reduced by brake energy recapture with the alternator disengaging at high revs – combining to cut your fuel burn by about 500ml per 100km.  

Unveiled on the weekend at the Mini United festival in France, the Mini JCW GP will go on sale later this year in a limited run of 2000 cars.

... Paceman, which has been developed from a motor show tease into a car that could be sold as the Countryman Coupe.It's another of the more practical Mini models - definitely less wild than the Coupe - and is certain to join the line down under.

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.