Mini News

It's a plug-in electric car which will be previewed at the Los Angeles Motor Show ahead of sales of up to 500 cars in California through 2009.There was no sign of the Mini volt in Paris yesterday, even though Mercedes-Benz had its electric Smart on show and up and running, but the car is definitely coming."It's a plug-in. It looks like a Mini, drives like a Mini, but doesn't sound like a Mini," the global head of sales and marketing for BMW Group, Ian Robertson, says.He says BMW wants to get electric experience as soon as possible, not just in its cars but also to test the various infrastructure challenges from how and where to plug-in - at home, at work, at a government charging station - to the acceptance range for customers."We want to see how practical it is. We need to see if charging it at home works . . . right through to the issues of living with it."Robertson would not go into technical details on the electric Mini, not even the battery pack or range, but said everything would be obvious at LA in just over a month. 

The car – which would be a fourth variant in MINI’s current model range — has four doors, four drive wheels, four single seats and measures four metres in the length.The body has two hinged doors on the passenger’s side (front and back), with a third for the driver. The fourth door, for the rear passenger on the driver’s side, slides back along the outside of the car.The rear door has a frameless, retractable window and when open, swivels to one side to help the loading of long items, such as skis, snowboards and surfboards.A folding cover that extends across the length of the roof increases luggage capacity, and there is an optional transport case that can be fitted on to the outside of the rear door.A matt aluminium fastening rail extending from the dashboard through the middle of the car to the rear can become a modular system with detachable cupholders and storage and entertainment units.

THE Mini brand makes no bones about it: its new cars will be `a pair of red-hot racers for the road'.Cashing in on the interest of the Mini Challenge race car series around Australia, the new John Cooper Works Mini and Clubman (station wagon) will run high-performance versions of the 1.6-litre engines used to power the familiar Cooper S along with other hot-up bits. Light alloy 17in diameter wheels, red caliper performance brakes and a new exhaust system are part of the go-faster kit on the John Cooper Works versions.“These cars will bring the thrill of the race track to the road,” says Mini national manager Justin Hocevar. “We are excited that these red-hot models will be coming to Australia at the same time as our Mini Challenge race series will be showcasing Mini handling and performance prowess at race tracks around Australia.”The engine has been uprated to generate 155kW of power at 6000rpm - not bad from a 1.6-litre motor. Torque is a good 260Nm on tap from 1850rpm to 5600rpm. But there's an over-boost system in the turbocharging, allowing a temporary 280Nm between 2000rpm and 5300rpm.The engines use aluminium cylinder blocks and bearing housings, twin camshafts and exhaust valves filled with sodium to better handle the cooling requirements.The John Cooper Works cars have reinforced and specially-ground pistons and special material for intake valves and valve seat rings to make them more resilient. The two-door and Clubman wagon have aero packages and sports chassis of springs finished in red, as well as rear spoilers and perforated brake discs.Mini says the cars are the first front-wheel drives to have the Dynamic Stability Control from parent company BMW.It allows the threshold at which these systems intervene to be raised, so allowing an amount of slip on the driving wheels. Stability control can be switched off, too.The standard Mini Cooper is no slug, especially if the road has some tighter twists and turns. It will accelerate to 100km/h in 9.1 seconds and run to 203km/h. The Cooper S does the sprint in 7.1 seconds on the way to 225km/h. The John Cooper version clocks 6.5 seconds and 238km/h or in the Clubman wagon 6.8 seconds and 238km/h. The Clubman weighs 75kg more than the two-door.The John Cooper Works versions get a six-speed manual gearbox (no auto option) that has been beefed up to take the high torque loads.They are performance cars but are still gentle on petrol use and emissions. The two-door Works car averages 6.9 litres/100km and the Clubman 7 litres/100km. Emissions are 165g/km and 167g/km. 

Naughty but nice is the latest take on the Mini Clubman, which looks set to continue its starring role in fun and fashion events around the world.This time the Clubman, which was the subject of a dress-up game that resulted in many wild concepts before the car even got to showrooms, has been dressed to impress by British lingerie label Agent Provocateur, which has a huge following in Europe.Agent Provocateur has really done a number on the Clubman. By harking back to the days when the original Mini was a police paddy van in Britain, it has turned the 1960s machine into a patrol car that would be a dream machine for petty criminals.“The divvy van with a difference has been kitted out like a burlesque bedroom on wheels, thanks to the manic machinations of Agent Provocateur's founding father Joseph Corr,” Mini Australia spokesman Alexander Corne says.“It comes with fold-flat reclining rear seats and restraints for ankles and wrists, ensuring the wickedly dressed assume a supremely supine position for interrogation.“Barred rear windows, obscured by luscious blinds, ensure no one, especially the paparazzi, gets to peek in while the rozzers do their thing.”Corr has even included a whip, in case the police need some extra persuasion.The body of the car has been painted in regulation white and black, but the look also includes drag-racer-style alloy disc wheels.Inside, it's a padded cell with pink and black leather trimming.The Agent Provocateur Clubman was created to star at one of Europe's biggest annual fundraising events, the Life Ball in Vienna, which helps fund research for a cure to AIDS.For the past four years Mini has provided a one-off car created by an edge artist, including Donatella Versace, to sell through the ball.Now that the Clubman has made its run up the red carpet and starred in a shoot with models also dressed by Agent Provocateur, it goes up for auction on eBay from June 5-15. 

It‘s business as usual for two of Australia's biggest racing series, despite being for sale. The Porsche Carrera Cup and the Mini Challenge are on the market after current owner Ian Sherrin decided he was too busy to run them.Sherrin's company, Motorsport Event Management (MEM), owns the category management rights for both series.After a rapid expansion into motorsport in recent years, including running cars in both series and Targa Tasmania, Sherrin says he has too much on his plate.He runs six cars in the Mini Challenge and two in the Carrera Cup.“After owning a category and a multiple-car race team in the same category for the past two years, it's time to concentrate on one or the other. I think this is the right decision to make,” he says.MEM will run both series for the rest of the year while a buyer is found.Porsche Cars Australia managing director Michael Winkler will help.“We'll work with Ian to have an arrangement in place by the end of this season to ensure a seamless and smooth transition into 2009. Until then, it's racing and business as usual,” Winkler says.The news is abrupt for Mini, with the series only three rounds old. But the company confirmed it remains committed.“Mini is confident that any sale of MEM will be to a suitable purchaser who will continue to manage the increasingly popular Mini Challenge series exactly in line with the arrangements Mini put in place with MEM,” Mini national manager Justin Hocevar says. 

Motor shows are an expensive proposition, even to multi-billion dollar car manufacturers.

A hectic 2007 proved to be lucrative for the car industry with a plethora of new cars launched and more than a million sales throughout the year. And there's no indication that it will be slowing down in 2008.AUDI The new A4, to rival the 3 Series and C-Class is expected here about April, while July will see the hot sports wagon, the RS6 Avant and the A3 Cabrio. Extra A5 variants will follow. BMWBMW has a busy year ahead, starting with the 320d and 335i touring this month. The 1 Series Coupe will go on sale around April, followed by the convertible in May-June. But its big one for the year will be the new X6 Sports Activity Coupe, arriving between July and September. It comes with three engine variants, all twin-turbo, an in-line six, a 3.0-litre diesel and a 300kW 4.4-litre V8. Pricing is expected to start at just under $100,000. And the X5 scores a new engine in February, with the first variable twin turbo diesel offered in the range. CHRYSLER/JEEPJanuary will be a busy month for Chrysler, with the Sebring Cabrio and Grand Voyager people mover both arriving in Australia. The Jeep Cherokee will also get a total makeover. CITROENBased on the C4 Picasso, but bigger and better equipped, Citroen will introduce the Berlingo van between July and September, with a mainly diesel range. This will make room in the line-up for the new Nemo small van mid-year. The C5 will also get a new V6 diesel engine.FERRARIDeliveries of the exquisite F430 Scuderia, priced at about $550,000, will start mid year. Only about 40 will come to Australia and New Zealand. FIAT The reincarnation of the 1960s Bambino will arrive in March, but Fiat has already sold the first four months' supply. The new Fiat 500 will have three engine choices, a 1.2-litre petrol, a 75kW 1.4-litre petrol engine or a 56kW 1.3-litre turbo diesel. Pricing is expected to start from $22,000. The new Ritmo will join the Fiat 500 in March with pricing from $30,000. FORD One of the biggest launches for the year will be the new Falcon. Ford will release details of the new model in February and it's expected to be followed by an unveiling at the Melbourne motor show in the same month, with the official launch around May.FPV FPV will start the year with a new model, the hot turbo Territory, known as the F6 X model. It's the first non-Falcon model from FPV, with 270kW and 550Nm. The FPV Falcon range will also arrive this year. HOLDEN/CADILLACWith Ford's big year planned, you can't expect Holden to keep quiet. But so far, Holden has only announced it is expecting the VE Sportwagon, due in the first half of the year. GM-Holden is also introducing Cadillac with the first model due late in 2008. HONDA Honda will start the year with the new Accord model, due to be launched in February. The small Jazz is also getting an update after the middle of the year. Details on the new generation will be released closer to the launch. The Accord Euro is also expected to arrive later this year. HYUNDAI No big launches just yet, although an upgraded Sonata is expected mid year. JAGUARJaguar's major release for the year will be the new XF in June, with pricing expected to start from $105,000. It will be available in a V6 diesel, as well as a V6 and V8 petrol. KIAPreviewed at the Sydney motor show last year, Kia will launch its new seven-seater Rondo crossover in February. It is expected to start from as low as the mid-$20,000 mark. LEXUSNew for Lexus will be the LX570 around April or May, followed by the IS-F towards the end of the year. Details still to come. MAZDAThe second-generation Mazda6 will go on sale at the end of February with pricing from less than $30,000. It will be powered by a 2.5-litre, four cylinder engine, with 125kW and 226Nm.MERCEDES-BENZThe first arrival for Mercedes-Benz is expected to be the C 63 AMG in mid March. It will be followed by the S 320CDI, priced at $189,874 and the C-Class wagon, which will carry a $3000 premium over the sedan, coming in just under $60,000. MINIAnother new version of a 1960s cult car is also headed our way, with the Mini Clubman launched in February. The modern successor of the Morris Mini Traveller, the Austin Mini Countryman and the Mini Clubman Estate won't get into showrooms until March or April. Pricing will start in the mid-$30,000 area. MITSUBISHIMitsubishi will release two turbocharged Lancers this year. The top-level Lancer Evo X GSR will be here in April and sell for about $58,000. The 2.0-litre four cylinder turbo engine pumps out 200kW and 422Nm. Joining it will be the detuned version in the Ralliart all-wheel drive, at about $40,000. NISSANNissan's first addition for the year will be the all-wheel-drive wagon, the Dualis. Starting at $28,990 and stretching to $35,990, it's powered by a 102kW, 2.0-litre engine. PEUGEOTThe big launch for Peugeot will be the 308 replacing the 307 range, which will start with the 308 hatch in February in both petrol and diesel guises. The touring will follow in June or July, with the 308cc model a prospect for late 2008 or early 2009. PROTONProton has announced the Persona, based on the Gen2 hatch platform, will make its debut at the Melbourne motor show in late February, going on sale in March. It will be priced around the mid-teens. The Gen2 will also get engine updates and minor styling changes. RENAULTThe all-new Laguna will go on sale mid-year with a 2.0-litre diesel engine. SAABJune sees the arrival of the Turbo X AWD. SSANGYONGThe South Korean company will go completely diesel in 2008, with no more petrol engines on offer in Australia. SMARTThe new Fortwo arrives in Australia in February. The one-model brand will get both the 52kW and 62kW models, in hatch and cabrio, being bigger than the current models. SUBARUThe star WRX STi comes in February with a 2.5-litre turbocharged engine, although pricing is still to come. The third generation Forester arrives in March. SUZUKIFebruary's proving to be a busy month, with Suzuki also launching its Grand Vitara diesel. TOYOTAAfter a big year in 2007, Toyota is expecting a quiet year, with only the TRD Hilux due to be launched in April-June. VOLKSWAGENVolkswagen will kick off the year with the SUV, the Touareg R50, to be released in April. It's powered by a 258kW V10 TDI engine. The Tiguan also arrives about October.  VOLVOThe recently launched XC70 arrives in showrooms this month, joined by the C30 diesel also in January. It's priced at $43,950. A base model C30 will also enter the line-up, at $34,450. A 3.0-litre six-cylinder engined V70 will arrive in March. 

Wouldn't you love to wake up on Christmas morning and find a new BMW or Mercedes-Benz SL convertible with your name on it under the tree? Yes, so would I. Sadly, if you're old enough to be reading this, you've got no hope of that happening unless you've got a very big tree and somebody who loves you very much has an equally large bank balance. But Santa could be bringing that car if you're lucky enough to still be a kid (and no, lads, I mean a real, under-age-type tot). Welcome to the world of pedal-powered prestige motoring. For about $560, your little darling can be zooming around the house in the SL. This desirable vehicle comes complete with side mirrors to keep an eye on whether the family pet is gaining on you, a handbrake to help execute those quick stops before you hit the kitchen wall; and perhaps for a couple of tight handbrake turns around the lounge; and a horn to let everybody in the house know you're coming. Smart parents will locate the wiring that works the horn and disconnect it on Christmas Eve. If the SL's price tag is a tad hefty, there are some more affordable versions around. Well affordable compared with the PlayStation3 they've been nagging you for. BMW has a gorgeous version of the latest 3 Series convertible for $399, with adjustable seats and pedals so they can still fit into it as they grow from three to five years old. BMW says the car comes with hard-wearing rubber wheels that are “kind on parquet floors and also minimise driving noise.” No mention of how they sound running over uneven old floorboards. But thankfully no mention of a horn on the accessories list either. For about the same price, you can get Volvo's C70 - recommended for three-year-olds and up; it comes with wing mirrors, lights and alloy wheels, or the $100 Volvo C30 with steering wheel and horn. For younger learner drivers (one to three), there is the $189 BMW-Sauber F1 Racer and the 150 Mini Baby Racer, both of which are designed for the L-plater to sit on and scoot around. These offer features like a nappy-friendly large plush seat, soft-covered steering wheel and non-skid-marking plastic tyres. And a horn. The imaginatively named Australian Pedal Car Company also does a nice line of quality powder-coated vehicles with a retro theme and snazzy paint jobs, ranging from $179 to $399. There are racers, hot rods and even a fire truck, some of which are big enough to take a nine-year-old. This model line-up has a well-stacked equipment list, including side steps, low-profile tyres, spare wheel, glass headlamps, pretend crank handle and chrome steering wheel and grille. They have a claxton horn. For a truly retro gift, you can occasionally find a vintage pedal car, like the early Holdens or the Ford Mustang that appeared with the original in 1965, in antique shops or at auctions. And we're talking Sotheby's auctions, not the local trash-fest. These cars in good condition can fetch as much as you'd pay for the adult-sized one.   How does this expensive toy compare to the toy (cars) you had as a child?     

Audi recently announced it would have iPhone capability when the Apple mobile phone is released here early next year.BMW and Mini have joined the ranks of those offering full compatibility for products available here.BMW spokesman Toni Andreevski says details of which BMW and Mini models will have full compatibility will be announced closer to the Australian launch of the iPhone.The rush to be first to integrate the iPhone is in direct contradiction to the slow adoption of iPod technology.While few manufacturers offer full integration of iPods, some have input sockets for the headphone jacks which limits control options and most don't offer any hook-up for an iPod.However, Chrysler Sebring offers an alternative solution with a hard drive in the car for downloading music files, without the need of an iPod.When the iPhone was launched in the US in June, BMW Group claimed to be the first car manufacturer in the world to offer full integration in most models. It will be available first in the 6, 5, 3 and 1 Series and the X5.All Mini models will be equipped for the Apple iPhone in time for its European premiere later this year.In the BMW hook-up, music files and signals for operating the iPod are transferred to the vehicle's audio system by a cable adaptor available for the USB audio interface in BMW and Mini models. The iPhone can also be charged using the same connection.The requirement for comprehensive integration of the telephone functions is the mobile phone preparation feature with Bluetooth interface from the relevant BMW or Mini models.Audi Australia corporate communications general manager Anna Burgdorf says the iPod feature will also be fully integrated via its Bluetooth telephone preparation.Costs for Bluetooth preparation vary by model. It is a standard feature in some, she says, while in the A6 it is $1390 as an option.Alongside standard hands-free functions (accept/reject call/hands-free), the Audi mobile phone preparation supports the display of the signal strength and the provider's name, in addition to the transfer of the telephone directory, including the icons Work, Home, Mobile and call lists.In addition to telephone calls, the Audi Music Interface (currently an optional extra for the A5, A6, A8 and Q7) allows the iPhone's music playback function to be used via the car sound system.Until now, telephone and iPod functions have been separated in vehicles because they were operated via different end-consumer products. For the smart phone innovation, the BMW Group has developed a joint platform for both functions.With the adapted software, a music program the driver is listening to through the vehicle speakers is automatically stopped for the duration of the call, starting again at the same place as soon as the call is over.While the music is paused, the speakers and microphone of the hands-free facility are activated.In conjunction with the operating system BMW iDrive, the telephone function's address book and hands-free can be operated using the controller in the centre console, as well as music selection and play.In the Mini, activated smart phone functions are shown either in the display of the navigation system or, if the latter is not available, in the radio unit. If a Mini navigation system is installed, the Mini Joystick operating system can be used to control the telephone and audio functions of the Apple iPhone.A snap-in iPhone adaptor for BMW and Mini models will follow next year and will incorporate a wireless connection to the external vehicle antenna to lift reception. BMW plans to integrate other “smart” phones in the same way as the iPhone.Mercedes-Benz fully integrated the iPod and spokesman David McCarthy says the company should have something when the phone is released.Toyota, Holden and Ford have no plans yet to introduce iPhone compatibility but several of their models have Bluetooth compatibility. 

It may seem like a strange comparison. A BMW 120i up against a Mini Cooper S Chilli. From a historical perspective, it's a small German luxury vehicle against a utilitarian British car for the masses, albeit the performance variant. But as with any number of instances in the car world these days, history has little to do with the reality of the present.True, the British Leyland Mini of the 1960s was a no-frills car. It came with the bare essentials, including a four-cylinder 850cc engine and four-speed manual gearbox.And, at the same time, in this neck of the woods (Australia) anything with the spinning propeller badge was considered luxury, even if it was merely as a result of exchange rates that had BMWs priced at least 150 per cent above most other cars.But how times (and exchange rates) have changed. Both the BMW120i and the Mini S Chilli now come from the same family, the BMW group. These days, neither would be considered as a true luxury vehicle.And since both appeared in the carsguide garage recently, both are around the $50,000 mark, why not a comparison?Today's Mini is to all intents and purposes designed and built by BMW. Bits of it come from various parts of Europe but it is a German car masquerading as a British vehicle.You get two doors, in the “S,” a highly sophisticated 1600cc turbocharged engine, and, in the test car, an equally sophisticated six-speed automatic gearbox. The interior, and for that matter the external appearance, is about as far from utilitarian as it's possible to get, especially in this “Chilli,” which came with heated leather seats, six airbags, floor mats, interior lighting package (colour adjustable), climate control, cruise control, 10-speaker sound system, sports seats and stainless steel pedals and footrest.Automatic transmission ($2200), Dynamic Stability Control ($840), chrome line interior ($250), glass roof with sliding and tilting function ($1840) and seat heating ($560) brought the total cost to $49,190.The BMW 120i five-door hatch (with executive package) tipped the scales at $52,850, thanks to options such as metallic paint ($1300), executive package of leather, USB interface and preparation for Bluetooth mobile interface ($1700), BMW navigation system ($3500), luggage compartment separation net ($150), electric glass sunroof ($2200) and voice recognition system ($700).Options excluded, the Beemer was $43,300 and the Mini $43,500.So for the same money you could have either vehicle. On the one hand a quick turbocharged 1600cc engine putting out 128kW and 240Nm of torque from as low as 1600rpm. An engine at the cutting edge, both frugal and powerful. On the other hand, another four, 2000cc, naturally aspirated, putting out 115kW and 200Nm of torque but at 3600rpm. Also a sophisticated engine, a revver in the best BMW tradition.The Mini wins the power contest both on paper and on the road, where the generous torque figure so low in the rev range means the Mini can be described as quick, while the BMW performance is moderate to good.True, there is only a 1.3 second advantage to the Mini in the 0-100km/h time if both cars are redlined, but real-world driving means the “grunt” of the Mini gives it much stronger legs in all conditions.In handling and roadholding stakes, the Mini takes the honours but not by as much of a margin as might be imagined.You can still provoke considerable understeer in the Mini and there is also noticeable torque steer if you gas it up with the wheels turned.In the ride/comfort stakes the BMW wins hands down.Both the 120i and the Chilli S use run flat tyres with hard sidewalls. The tyres do neither car any favours when it comes to passenger comfort, but it is the Mini which thumps and bangs over potholes rather than the Beemer.Both have stability control, which lets the driver push hard but stops the same driver from overdoing things.Interior set-up is much of a muchness in terms of switches and gadgets and dials.The Mini is more “funky” with aeronautical toggle switches both overhead (a la Boeing aircraft) and on the centre console. It also has an adjustable interior light colour scheme tooling through blue to red. The BMW is more traditional, the baby 120 having a cabin much like its bigger brother, understated if anything. The Mini is brashly youthful.If you want to go fast and be noticed, it's the blue Mini with the white bonnet stripes and twin chromed exhausts. If comfort and prestige float your boat, go for the BMW. However, $50,000 is more than a reasonable amount to pay for a motor car and neither the blue-and-white badge of the baby BMW or the “S” logo of the Mini present a watertight case of best value for money. If the budget is around $50,000, both the Mini and BMW have plenty of competition not restricted to Ford Focus XR5 ($37,000), VW Golf GTI ($40,000), VW Passat 2.0 turbo FSI ($45,000), and Mazda3 MPS ($40,000) for the Mini; and Mercedes 200 Turbo Avant ($48,300), Mercedes B-Class 200 ($48,500), Volvo S60 2.4LE ($50,000), Audi A3 TFSI ($43,000), and Audi A4 2.0 sedan ($50,000) for the BMW.The choice available these days is truly all encompassing and figuring out how much you are paying for the badge rather than the abilities and appointments you want is a tough task.