Mini Category

 MINI Clubvan Concept First Official Photos

The MINI Clubvan, the Clubman- based concept car which is set to have its first launch at the Geneva International Motor Show this year offers the customers with the combination of the driving fun and a roomier space. This Clubvan concept is designed to be used in both business and leisure.

Both improved practicality and a good lifestyle focus are presented in this new MINI Clubvan Concept. Since the Clubvan concept is creating for maximizing the load capacity of the classic Mini, the engineer had made its wheelbase longer by ten centimeters along with separate load compartment and split rear doors, making the Clubvan more perfect to be utilized for commercial use.

The Mini Clubvan concept is coming in the form of two seats model which is appropriate to day- to- day basis. With longer and wider body, the Mini Clubvan offers a maximum amount of interior space.

The customers are able to bring various lengths, heights, and widths items into the car. Thanks to the six attachment loops recessed into the load compartment floor use elasticated straps. Furthermore the partition grille is now applied into the car body in order to make sure that the items carried cannot slid into the front seats in heavy braking.

A solid aluminum used in the lower section, while silver- painted stainless steel honeycomb applied on the upper section. An anthracite- painted cloth decorates the side walls and floor of the load compartment and continues through overall length of the interior. The compartment of this five- door car can be configured into personal requirements…

The MINI Clubvan concept’s exterior is finished in British Racing Green paint which continues to its roof, C- pillars and exterior mirror caps. The logo of the MINI is also attached in its sealed side windows…

 Fresh Updates for the 2013 MINI Countryman

Mini launched its first ever Mini model two years ago with the all- wheel drive system. Now the so called Countryman that has four doors and more than four meters length is ready for the 2013 model year with a range of subtle modifications…

The 2013 Mini Countryman brings a host of standard features including a three- seat rear bench, while a couple of individual seats will be offered as optional feature with no extra fee. Later this month, the 2013 model year Mini Countryman will have arrived on sale in the United States…

Inside the car, can be found more modified features for example the new trim elements, upholstery colours, the revamped rigs running around the Center Speedo and four air vents, redesigned door armrests that mounts the relocated controls for the electric windows, a large storage space that is placed under the center console and the new door inserts…

In addition, the 2013 Mini Countryman also has got the addition of a new choice of exterior paint including the Brilliant Copper metallic and Blazing Red metallic. Unfortunately, the British automaker is still retaining the previous engine and there is no mechanical updates found on the 2013 model year Mini Countryman…

Now, the company has not announced the pricing of the Mini Countryman yet. However stay tuned in this side since the company may announce that within the next few weeks…

 Mini Unveils New Clubman Bond Street Special Ahead of Geneva Auto Show

At Wednesday, January 23^rd, Mini has just unveiled the very special Clubman Bond Street before having its global premiere held in March at the Geneva Auto Show. If you don’t know the philosophy of the new Mini’s car, then we’ll tell you. Well, the automaker named its special car after one of the most exclusive shopping streets in London…

Since having a name that is as exclusive as the shopping streets, the Mini Clubman Bond Street Special is aimed for the more style- conscious customers. The car that will be only available in limited run is finished in Midnight Black metallic paint decorated with Coll Champagne colour that runs from its roof, exterior mirror caps, lower sections of the C-pillars and bonnet stripes. The engineers are making use of a set of exclusive twin spoke 17 inch alloys of which the Bond Street will ride on. In addition, there is also Bond Street lettering that is attached on the side indicator surrounds and door sill strips…

Inside, the Bond Street applied the same colour theme, leather sports seats finished in Carbon Black decorated in Deep Champagne piping and stitching, an instrument panel wrapped in leather and finished in Black/Carbon Black decorated with Deep Champagne trims…

Leather and the same contrast stitching in Deep Champagne continue running around the armrests and the floor mats. In addition there is also Chrome Line Interior package. Aside of those styling details mentioned above, the limited edition is also offered with abundant of standard equipment such as the climate control, an onboard computer, the Sport Button, a rain sensor with automatic headlamp activation, and a leather steering wheel with multifunction buttons and cruise control…

When the car arrives on sale in March this year, it will be offered with either 121 horses or 181 ponies mated to a six speed manual transmission as standard and a six- speed automatic as optional…

 New Mini John Cooper Works GP

In the past 2006, Mini was presenting the John Cooper Works GP to public and the respond was so great that the company reaped a big success at that time. Wanting to replay the previous success, the carmaker has already unveiled the latest model of the John Cooper in the beginning of May this year. This new GP also has just made its appearance at the Mini United Festival in France this weekend…

The company claimed that this year John Cooper Works GP hatchback edition is the fastest production Mini ever built. It is able to churns out 210 bhp derived from its regular 1.6 engine. Just like the outgoing model, the new GP is lack of its back seat, so that the weight of the car can be reduced. It is said that the new GP will only be produced in 2,000 units for global market…

The new John Cooper features a recently developed front splitter that is a purpose built carbon fiber rear wing completed with new pin striping accents and flat grey paint work. The new GP is also benefitted from an adjustable suspension, race-spec brakes, performance tires and a refreshed five-spoke wheel design…

Don’t forget to check out the pictures provided and notice that the new GP gets new design cues that is still identical to that of the classic 2006 model to attract public, yet it is also can be clearly distinguished from the outgoing model…

With the abovementioned new design and the new paintwork, the company and the Mini design team are proud and convinced with the fastest production Mini ever created. No official announcement has unveiled related to its specs including pricing, but given that the loaded up John Cooper Works is go for $30K, the new GP is expected to runs into nearly $40,000…

 2012 Life Ball Mini Roadster Designed by Vogue Editor

If you assume that a fashion magazine editor is not able to design a car or even to decorate it. Your perception is actually incorrect, since there is a famed magazine editor who has managed in re- decorating the Mini with her passion. Well, in the early of May this year, we had already presented with the very first sketch of the Mini designed by Franca Sozzani who is the chief editor of the top fashion magazine in this globe, the Italian Vogue. Now, Mini had just showed off the new Franca Sozzani’s Ball Roadster at this year edition of the annual Life Ball charity event held in Vienna, Austria…

An unnamed buyer has purchased the one- off creation for as much €54,000 or nearly US$69,000 at the AIDS Solidarity Gala. Franca Sozzani presented her ideas on the Mini with a flower- theme. The Mini then is finished in a bespoke matte paint color called ‘Deepest Purple’ that gives the car an elegance look. The Mini then further decorated with gold racing stripes and gold accents for the Mini’s wheels and its exterior mirrors, giving a sense of elegant but also sporty performance in the same time…

The cloth top and the interior of the 184 horses powered open top model are both decorated in floral styling. The instruments also look so elegant with sports printed leather surfaces, while brass- colored touches appear on the vehicle’s circular elements…

Sozzani who is also the UN Goodwill Ambassador for Fashion 4 Development commented about the concept behind the MINI  customization which she said was inspired by the past beautiful women who like to wear a scarf covered around their hear while they drove their convertible. He added that Flowers were a symbol of joy and life and the Life Ball was always fighting for life and joy…

 New John Cooper Works GP is the Fastest Production Mini Ever

If yesterday, we had already brought to you the details on tuned MINI JCW by Dueil AG, now the news comes from new JCW GP that is said to be the fastest production MINI ever.

Well, the new John Cooper Works GP had managed in lapping the Nurburgring- Nordschleife track in an awesome 8 minutes and 23 seconds time. It means that the new JCW is faster by 19 seconds compared to that of the previous model JCW GP that empowered by a total output of 210 horses and 180 lb- ft or 244 Nm of peak torque derived from a 1.6 liter force- fed unit…

Although the British automaker did not say a single sentence on the number of power the JCW GP gets, some reports suggested that it may use the 1.6 liter twin- scroll turbocharged engine that has been updated to churn out about 220 ponies to 230 horses of power…

The company stated that the whole chassis of the new JCW GP had been upgraded, including adjustable sports suspension, four-spoke lightweight alloys, race-spec brakes and tires, bespoke side skirts and roof spoiler, a recently developed rear diffuser and new aerodynamic parts such as larger front and rear aprons…

The new John Cooper Works GP will have arrived on sale in a limited number of 2,000 units of car worldwide later this year…

Unfortunately, we did not have the opportunity to capture the car’s interior design, yet just the same with its previous model, the new GP is now lack of the rear seat bench in order to reduce its wight…

The spy photographers have caught Mini testing a GP version of the Coupe as well apart from the hatchback version. The coupe variant must have been unveiled by the end of this year or at the beginning of next year…

 Refreshed MINI Coupe JCW by Dueil AG

When you hear words Dueil AG, you may be wondering what it is. Well, Dueil AG is a Japanese tuner company that recently has managed in building some of the most awe- inspiring tuning projects and now the tuner company is ready to show off its latest program on the MINI Coupe  that born out its true reputation in tuning.

Although Dueil AG is not the most popular tuner in this globe, their reputation is considered as one of the top MINI tuners in Japan. The newest project is built based on the new R58 MINI Coupe JCW or short of John Cooper Works edition. The tuned- R58 MINI Coupe JCW features an exterior package that is presented to give an unmissable look…

The Japanese tuner has already applied a new aggressive front bumper for the car’s exterior that completed with integrated LED daytime running lights. The previous black wheel arches derived form the production version have been throw away and replaced with body colored versions. Dueil AG also has refreshed the JCW’s side skirts, while its rear diffuser is now a little more aggressive. A pair of Kumho tires that covered black alloy wheels rounds all of the exterior package…

Unfortunately, the tuner did not say a single sentence on the vehicle’s technical updates. Some reports, on the other hand, suggest that Dueil AG left the R58 MINI Coupe JCW’s engine untouched, so we can assume that the vehicle may retain its standard engine that is good for both 211 PS, equal to 155 kW or 207 horses and 280 Nm or nearly 207 lb- ft of peak torque…

 MINI Clubvan Production Model Officially Revealed

Mini’s product that is dubbed as the World’s first premium compact delivery van has been showed off to public in concept form. However, Mini has just revealed the official introduction of this concept’s production model…

The Mini Clubvan is developed based on the longer Clubman model. However, its rear seat bench and boot floor have been got rid off in the effort of creating improved loading space…

The Clubvan is measured at 1,150mm long and 1,020mm wide. It offers maximum loading capacity of around 500 kilos or equal to 1,102 lbs. yet, if it provides as much 860 liters of load area only if filled up to the roof…

There is also something new can be found inside the car, that is the fixed partition between the passenger compartment and load space. On the other side, the Clubvan is also fitted with blocked- out rear side windows, so that it can be categorized as a commercial vehicle and taxed at lower rate in selected markets…

The buyers will be able to opt for a choice of three available engines, those are a 1.6-liter petrol engine with either 97 horses or 121 horses and a Cooper D model source fitted with a four- cylinder diesel engine…

The first one is able to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h or 62 mph in 11.1 seconds sprint time, while reaching a top speed of 185 km/ h or 115 mph. the average fuel consumption is delivered at 5.5 lt/ 100 km or 51.4 mpg UK and 42.8 mpg US…

Moving on the next model, it sprints from standstill to 100 km/h or 62 mph in 9.8 seconds sprint time. The top speed is reached at 201 km/h or 125 mph, while the fuel economy is figured at the same number of that in the 97 hp 1.6 liter engine…

The range topping model is the Cooper D model with its 110 hp four cylinder diesel that wisely spends 10.2 seconds sprint time to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h. the average fuel economy is returned at 3.9 liters per 100 km, while the CO2 emission is figured at 103 g/km…

A standard six- speed manual transmission is fitted in all three modesl, while a six- speed automatic gearbox is available as optional exclusively offered in for the Cooper D Clubvan. In the next weekend’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, the new Clubvan will have its first public appearance…

 New MINI Paceman John Cooper Works Cost at $36,200

At the Detroit Auto Show this week, Mini has just made the global premiere of its Paceman John Cooper Works. Well, before you read on this article, you’d better to take a look at the pictures first and guess what it is actually. You may say the Paceman is a hatch, a CUV, a coupe and may be a pocket rocket. Alright, the company stated that the Paceman is all of those four vehicles…

The new Mini Paceman John Cooper Works gets an aerodynamic kit completed with 18 inch light alloy wheels, sports exhaust system with chrome tailpipes and doorsills decorated with the John Cooper Works symbol. Last but not least there is also two tone schemes that differentiate the car from its sisters. Moving inside the cabin, we will find the common sport treatment applied on the steering wheel, seats and also the dashboard of the car…

For the States model, the Paceman gets a 1.6 liter four- cylinder turbocharged engine installed under its hood that is able to churn out 208 horses. The unit can be chosen in MINI’s ALL4 all-wheel drive system and mated to either a six speed manual transmission as standard or a six- speed automatic as optional. Either connected to the manual or automatic, the Paceman JCW is able to accelerate from standstill to 60 mph or equal to96 km/h in just 6.5 seconds, reaching a top speed of 127 mph or 204 km/h. the company said that the EPA rating figures the average fuel consumption churns out is 31 mpg highway or 25 mpg city and 27 mpg in combined cycle in the manual gearbox, while with the automatic transmission the average fuel consumption is rated at 30 mpg highway, 23 mpg city and 26 mpg combined…

For you who wish to get the sportiest model of the John Cooper Works line in the States should be prepared for at least $36,200 including handling and delivery fee at $700…

 MINI Countryman Coupe caught testing

In this year Detroit Auto Show that had been held in January, MINI had unveiled the Countryman Coupe concept and so far, the concept has gained a lot. Recently the Countryman pre- production prototype of the Countryman coupe has been caught while doing testing.

The Countryman Coupe that was previously called as the Paceman is not going far away from its concept version. One part that looks so different is its exterior design with the front end that is actually appeared about to identical with the concept. Its rear end features a layer of camouflage that seems to hide a revamped pair of taillights and a slightly redesigned bumper…

The engineers have utilized the same engine found on the four- door Countryman’s sibling to be placed under the car’s hood. It means that the Countryman will not available with the 1.6 liter turbocharged four- cylinder engine that was previously placed under the Paceman concept hood. Well, the new source is at least able to produce a total output of 208 horses or 155 kW or equal to 211 PS and around 260 Nm or 192 lb- ft of peak torque. The engine is also expected to be applied for the high performance John Cooper Works or JCW variant…

The MINI Countryman Coupe will have arrived on sale next year as a next two years model. Before available on sale, this Countryman will have a public unveiling at the Paris Motor Show in September this year…