Mini Sport Car

Mini Cooper D Review And Road Test

noreply@blogger.com (izalkancil) — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 05:44:00 +0000

Mini Cooper D – The Frugal Mini

Green motoring has finally become cool.

Model Tested:

2009 Mini Cooper D; 1.6-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-diesel; six-speed manual; hatch – $33,750*

The Mini Cooper D is an interesting car, it’s both cool and yet still green, two concepts which so far haven’t gone all that well together despite the best attempts of the world’s largest car companies. Making a car that can go 1000km+ on a single tank, put out very little CO2 emissions and yet still be fun and not embarrassing to be in? Is it even possible? Yes

It takes several hundred kilometers to review a car properly and usually when an evaluation vehicles goes home it has about ¼ tank of fuel left in it. So you can imagine my shock as I was handing the Mini Cooper D test car back to BMW and realised that the fuel tank was still more than half full. That would’ve been more than believable had I not done 496km!

On the whole I am not a big fan of fuel efficient cars, in a way they say a lot about the mentality of the automotive industry today, with manufacturers desperately trying to be environmentally conscious and promoting their green image, meanwhile keeping the passion and performance aspect alive at the same time. There is a lot incongruent with that idea.

Fortunately though, the Mini Cooper D is a little different to the rest, for a start it’s a Mini so it instantly has some cool factor attached to it. Additionally, it’s not powered by some super complicated electric hybrid engine that requires half the planet to get involved in its construction.

Of course, then there is the drive factor, it drives like a proper car, you can push hard into corners and you can drive up a twisty mountain and it won’t complain, it won’t make you feel like you’ve sold your soul just to save a few trees.

Best of all though, it’s not incongruent, it’s not confused, it knows exactly what it is. Mini call it Minimalist design even though the car is relatively well equipped.

I collected the Cooper D from Brisbane BMW in Fortitude Valley and headed into peak hour traffic, BMW had decided that since I’m going to be driving it around for a week, it may as well use the car as an advertising billboard. Two giant stickers each side made sure of that, one side read 3.9L/100km and the other side read 104g co2/km.

I was driving around in a beacon of the green movement in peak hour traffic, hippies waved, men in BMW M3s frowned as they sped past. Alas, I am open minded, so what if it helps save the planet, it can still be cool, it’s a Mini! Plus if you buy one, BMW promises to take the stickers off.

On the first set of lights in the middle of Brisbane CBD, the car turned off. Oh dear, had I stalled the car? Had the car broken down, could this get any more embarrassing? For a good 30 seconds there, I started wondering how I was going to end up on the 6 o’clock traffic helicopter with the tag line reading “Hippy in eco friendly car stops Brisbane traffic”.

I looked down, the car was in neutral, how could it possibly stall? It hadn’t, the Mini is so smart it had decided to turn it self off similar to hybrid cars that turn off their petrol engine when stopped. Perhaps if I had paid more attention to the lady explaining the car’s ins and outs 10 minutes ago the Mini’s start-stop system wouldn’t have come as a surprise.

With the system on, the Cooper D will turn itself off (safely) everytime you’re stopped in traffic, even if its for 10 seconds, when you press the clutch in, it will turn back on instantly. Now if you’ve never experienced a car with Start-Stop technology, it may seem like a gimmick, something that might slow you down, however it’s quite a brilliant system.

The idea is that instead of the engine running while you’re not moving, it simply turns off for the duration of your stop to save fuel. To the outside world, it may seem like you’ve gone mad with the ignition switch (or are incapable of driving) but it’s all very seamless and after a few days you get used to it.

Start-stop aside, there is a lot more to the Mini that makes it fuel efficient, it’s powered by the BMW/Peugeot designed 1.6-litre turbo-diesel engine. With 80kW and 240Nm of torque, by no means is the Cooper D a performance car, but nor is it slow. It will go from 0-100km/h in about 10 seconds but somehow BMW have managed to bring fuel usage down to just 3.9L/100km (equal best fuel rating on the market). It does help that the car only weighs 1090kg.

To put that into perspective, the new third generation Toyota Prius with all its ultra-modern technology, electric drives, batteries, hybrid engine and what not can only manage the same fuel rating.

For a car that costs $33,750 you get a lot of underlying technology to go with the good fuel economy. Mini’s famous driving dynamics apart, the Mini Cooper D comes with pretty much the basics, the chilli variant ($37,350) gets a rear spoiler, uprated interior, 16-inch alloys (as oppose to 15), front fog lights and a better stereo system (10 loudspeakers and a digital 8-channel amplifier).

Safety wise you can’t expect anything less than five-star these days and the Cooper doesn’t disappoint. With airbags all around and a five star rating from Euro NCAP Crash Test the Mini also comes with Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist, Automatic Stability Control Traction (ASC T) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC).

During the week I drove to the Gold Coast, around town and even used the Mini to move some furniture. If you’re like me and don’t have any kids, it’s hard to argue against the Mini’s practicality.

Of course it wouldn’t be a proper green car if it didn’t have a few gimmicks, for example the Brake Energy Regeneration system helps charge the car’s battery whenever the driver brakes or the car is coasting in traffic.

In the manual variants, there is even “Shift Point Display” that works out what’s the best gear to be in and prompts the driver to shift up or down via arrows in the rev counter.

For the low to mid 30s there are a few other alternatives on the market, Volkswagen, Peugeot, even Fiat make similarly specified cars for around the same or lower price. So the question you have to ask yourself is, and if I may use Toyota’s marketing department genius for a minute, are you a Mini person?

What makes a Mini person? Being a little different, as much as I love the Volkswagen Golf diesel (and it’s a brilliant car), it’s not exactly a unique car and as much as I want to recommend a Fiat to anyone, resale and reliability come to mind with all Italian cars. So for me it comes down to the Peugeot 207 and the Mini Cooper D.

The only minor downside that is worth mentioning is the stereo, it’s just not what I expected from a car of this caliber as it seems to be lacking much needed bass and clarity. However if you go for the Chilli variant that won’t be an issue.

Handling and performance wise, there should really be no need to explain as the 1.6-litre diesel is the fastest 1.6-litre diesel in Australia (0-100km/h) but it also handles rather well despite its tiny 15-inch wheels (16- on chilli). Steering response is typical go-kart like as with all Minis and the pedal position feel makes for an easy drive.

You have to remember the Mini Cooper D can travel 1,025 km from a single 40-litre tank – and that’s no small feat. Yes it’s a little more expensive than its other European rivals, but being cool has a price.

If you’re looking for a car that is green but still keeps its cool factor whilst being extremely fuel efficient, it’s really hard to go past the Mini.

*Pricing is a guide as recommended to us by the manufacturer.

Specifications:

Engine: 1560cc DOHC four-cylinder (16 valve)
Power: 80kW @ 4000rpm
Torque: 240Nm @ 1750-2000rpm (260Nm Overboost)
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Driven Wheels: Front
Brakes: Discs with ABS, EBA & EBD
Top Speed: 195km/h (Claimed)
0-100km/h: 9.9 seconds (Claimed)
CO2 Emissions: 104 g/km
Fuel Consumption: 3.9L/100km (ADR)
Fuel Consumption: 3.9L/100km (As Tested)
Fuel Tank Capacity: 40L
Fuel Type: Diesel
ANCAP Rating: Five-star
Airbags: Dual Front, Side & Curtain
Safety: ESC with Traction Control
Spare Wheel: Full-size Alloy
Cargo Capacity: 160L/680L
Turning Circle: 10.7m
Warranty: Three Year/Unlimited km
Weight: 1165kg (Tare)
Wheels: Alloy 15 x 5.5-inch (5-Star Spooler)

Mini John Cooper Works Cabrio Review And Road Test

noreply@blogger.com (izalkancil) — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 05:41:00 +0000

99 per cent fat free motoring

Model Tested:

2009 Mini R57 John Cooper Works Cabrio; 1.6-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-petrol; six-speed manual; convertible – $56,900*

Mini’s top-ranking John Cooper Works models have since their introduction come to represent all that’s right about modified modern motoring.

The JCW recipe takes a brand already synonymous with ten-out-of-ten enjoyment and, thanks to a few simple tweaks, brings the Mini’s competitive performance credentials to the fore.

To an untrained eye the JCW Cabrio may not look any different to its standard sibling, but therein lies its charm, for with under bonnet augmentation pumping the topless tuner’s performance’s credentials a further 27kW and 20Nm northward, you’d want to believe this is one Mini that takes itself pretty seriously.

Inside Mini’s compact cabin the familiar funky retro styling is further enhanced by slick piano black trim highlights and matching door sill finishers. Even the gearknob gains a fiery red shift-diagram in a nod to the car’s bolstered performance credentials.

Front seating is supportive, and surprisingly roomy, though the rear pews are only suitable for the occasional very short trip, stowing the handbag dog, or as additional luggage space to the rather limited 125 litres on offer up back.

The feature list is otherwise generous, as you’d probably expect at this end of the price range, with single-zone climate control air-conditioning, pumping six CD tuner, steering wheel-mounted cruise control, four-in-one power windows, electric mirrors, push-button starter, front and rear foglamps, xenon headlamps, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and iPod auxiliary audio input.

Mini’s dual-mode canvas roof too is completely automated, but somewhat slow at doing its thing, which is a little annoying when you’re left holding the button for 25 seconds. The roof is also a little on the rattly side and dramatically hinders ‘C’ pillar visibility when locked in place.

But refinement aside, it’s what’s at the heart of any JCW Mini that serves to raise a well plucked eye brow.

In this instance the JCW Cabrio manages an impressive total of 155kW of power – and a whopping 280Nm (overboost) of torque – from its force-fed 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine. Mated to a sweet, short-throw six-speed manual gearbox, acceleration is acutely sharp with 0-100km/h dealt with in under seven seconds, half a second faster than the regular Cooper S Cabrio on which it’s based.

The JCW Cabrio also boasts a top speed some 17km/h greater than the standard ‘S’ while, curiously, also managing better fuel consumption figures – our test model consuming only 7.3L/100km (combined) this week – a full half-litre better than its generic sibling.

Adding to the beefed up powerplant, the JCW Cabrio gains stiffer suspension, brake upgrades (now 316 x 22mm front / 280 x 10mm rear), 17-inch “Cross Spoke Challenge” alloy wheels, subtle John Cooper Works badging front and rear, chrome plated side air inlets (without “S” lettering), as well as a raucous centrally mounted dual 85mm stainless steel exhaust that snarls and crackles playfully as you swap cogs.

It’s terrific fun to drive too, with a wickedly responsive throttle, sharp brakes and super grippy handling that nearly defies the laws of front-wheel drive physics. On the downside however an over zealous right foot will induce torque steer that’s about as subtle as the lyrics in a Cypress Hill song.

With pop-up roll bars, dynamic traction control with EDLC, plus front and side airbags the JCW Cabrio earns a four-star rating from the boys at ANCAP, and with pricing nearly as cheeky as it’s personality, this little Mini scores the same from me.

*Pricing is a guide as recommended to us by the manufacturer.

Specifications:

Engine: 1598cc DOHC four-cylinder (16 valve)
Power: 155kW @ 6000rpm
Torque: 280Nm @ 2000rpm (Overboost)
Induction: Multi-point & turbocharged
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Driven Wheels: Front
Brakes: Discs with ABS, CBC, & EBD
Top Speed: 235km/h (Claimed)
0-100km/h: 6.9 seconds
CO2 Emissions: 169g/km
Fuel Consumption: 7.1L/100km (ADR)
Fuel Consumption: 7.3L/100km (As Tested)
Fuel Tank Capacity: 50L
Fuel Type: 95-98RON Premium Unleaded
ANCAP Rating: Four-star
Airbags: Front & Side
Safety: ESC with Traction Control
Spare Wheel: (Run flat tyres)
Suspension: Strut (F) / Multi-link (R)
Cargo Capacity: 125/660L
Tow Capacity: N/A
Turning Circle: 10.7m
Warranty: Three Year / Unlimited Kilometre
Weight: 1230kg (Tare)
Wheels: Alloy 17 x 7.0-inch

MINI Cabrio First Steer Review

noreply@blogger.com (izalkancil) — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 05:33:00 +0000

Remember the original 1969 box office hit “The Italian Job” with British actor Michael Caine, who had to settle for a supporting role alongside a beautiful Lamborghini Miura, two Jaguar E Types and an Aston Martin DB4.

The real stars of the movie were three Mk1 Austin Mini Cooper S’s in red, white and blue, for England of course.

But truth be told, the Mini as it was known then, had already achieved global fame with owners such as, The Beatles (they each owned one), Clint Eastwood, Tom Hanks and even Enzo Ferrari, couldn’t resist the super cool image and go-kart like handling, which the Mini delivered in spades.

It was pretty much the same scenario with the 2003 remake of the film, when heavy hitting Hollywood stars, Mark Wahlbeg, Ed Norton and Charlize Theron, joined the set of the heist movie, only to be out gunned by wheelman, Jason Stratham and three seriously modified MINI Coopers, who drove away with the gold.

Its been far too long since I’ve been behind the wheel of a MINI Cooper S, that was back in 2005 when I was lucky enough to get a steer in a ‘one off’ John Cooper Works Chilli edition, loaded with every possible JCW performance option they could squeeze into the car. I didn’t think it was possible to have that much fun on four wheels, and I wasn’t the only one who thought so.

Former champion race driver Warwick Brown (he has a Formula One race to his credit) is not an easy guy to impress, but a quick spin in the passenger seat of this special MINI, and all he could say was “I want one now”.

But it’s not all about performance with this iconic brand; equally it’s about image and lifestyle, when we’re talking open-air motoring – by MINI

BMW, the saviours and custodians of the MINI brand, has just introduced the Australian motoring press to the new MINI Cabrio in two flavours, the MINI Cooper Cabrio for $39,800 (RRP) and the ‘tuned’ MINI Cooper S Cabrio, at $48,000 (RRP).

While we didn’t get a steer in the stock MINI Cooper Cabrio, with its 88kW and 160Nm, no one complained, as we were greeted with a line up of MINI Cooper S Cabrio’s in a variety of colour-coded combinations.

We went for the Interchange Yellow with a Black Soft top and matching Interchange Yellow interior highlights. Our car also had the ‘must have’ bonnet stripes in black, which along with the bonnet-mounted intake; make this car a worry in anyone’s rear vision mirror.

MINI have gone for the classic soft top look, rather than the popular folding metal roof, which compliments the overall styling of the car, beautifully.

Not that its any less technical though, in fact, its quite a clever system, which takes all of fifteen seconds to open or close and can be done so while moving at up to 30km/h.

We put this feature to the test in rural Victoria yesterday, as we approached a rest stop, it started to rain quite heavily, so I hit the roof switch and we were under cover in no time at all.

With its integrated sliding action, the soft top also doubles as a sliding sunroof, but with little or no noise from the electro hydraulic components.

You can even option what MINI call an Always Open Timer (standard on Chilli models), which as the term suggests, times precisely how long you have the top down during each trip you make in the car.

Open-air motoring is about weathering the elements and enjoying that crisp cool air, so despite the lower than expected temperatures during the test drive, I strongly resisted the temptation to don my jacket, and with good reason.

Our MINI Cooper S Cabrio test car was fitted with the optional heated seats, which could have made a Siberian drive in the dead of winter with the roof down a joy; such was effectiveness of this bottom warming luxury.

And for your hands and torso, this is one of the best HVAC units I have experienced in any car, which made the 250-kilometre trip in short sleeves, entirely comfortable.

The sports seats with the optional Lounge leather in Hot Chocolate are a treat, hugely supportive and anatomically comfortable, even after hours behind the wheel.

You never feel cramped in the MINI Cooper Cabrio either, put that down to the relatively gentle rake of the windscreen, and the fact that is rises high above your hairline and far enough forward, so as never to intrude.

The instrumentation is a modern interpretation of the original Mk1 Mini Cooper, with the oversized centre mounted speedometer, which I found difficult to read at a glance, due to its lack of angle towards the driver, and relied more on the small digital speed read out within the RPM dial, in front of the steering wheel.

The driving position across the MINI line up is brilliant, you sit deep in the car and low to the ground, so its not hard to understand how this car gets its go-kart like handling tag, but frankly, there’s a lot more to it than simply the ergonomics.

The steering for example, is deadly accurate and very quick to respond to the slightest input, making it an enthusiast’s dream on the twisty bits.

The brakes too, offer brilliant stopping power without being overly sensitive to pedal pressure, a common complaint across several different prestige brands these days.
It doesn’t matter how quick you turn into a corner there is no sign of body roll, not even a hint – this car is lean free, and that’s with the roof down!

Couple that, with what I am prepared to say, is the best performing 1.6 litre powertrain in use today and you have a car, which would put a smile on the face of an accountant from a shoe lace factory.
It doesn’t seem to matter what gear ratio you are in, punch the throttle and the MINI Cooper S Cabrio embarks on a high speed mission, utterly devoid of any turbo lag.

We can thank BMW know how for this silk smooth 1,598 cc all alloy power unit, boosted by a twin-scroll turbocharger and direct injection delivering 128kW at 5,500 and up to 260 Newton-metres between an incredible 1,600 and 5,000 rpm.

Even traveling across some winding and hilly countryside, you can sit back in fifth or sixth gear without the need to ever shift down, due in most part, to the MINI’s unusually wide torque curve.

The MINI Cooper S Cabrio will top out at 222km/h and accelerate from 0-100km/h in a reasonably rapid 7.4 seconds, although it felt quicker than that from behind the wheel.

There’s a relatively modest dose of torque steer when you jump on the right pedal in first gear, but its no cause for alarm and entirely normal behaviour from a front wheel drive car, with this kind of performance.

While the Six Speed manual gearbox and the beautifully tactile shifter is another highlight of the MINI, you can choose the six-speed automatic with Steptronic and steering wheel paddles, but that will cost you a $2,350 premium over the manual box.

It might have go-kart like handling, but the ride quality on board the MINI Cooper S Cabrio has been perfectly calibrated to take full advantage of the brilliant chassis and offers a firm, but never harsh ride.

As small as the MINI might look, there is enough room in the boot with the rear seats in place for a couple of medium size soft bags. But fold the rear seats down and close the roof, and luggage space is optimised to a considerable 660 litres.

Safety for those on board the MINI Cooper Cabrio range is clearly a priority. There’s a single piece rollbar, which extends the width of the car behind the rear seats, but does not impede the driver’s rear view. There’s also a sophisticated rollover sensor, which will activate a host of safety features including frontal and side head/thorax airbags together with the rollbar, which can deploy in 150 milliseconds, when fired.

The new MINI Cabrio also comes loaded with a full suite of active safety systems which include; ABS, EBD, CBC Cornering Brake Control, in addition to DSC Dynamic Stability Control and a great feature called Hill Start Assist, which prevents the car from rolling back when starting off in first gear, on an incline.

Weighing in at just 1230kg, I’m reasonably confident you can expect this high performance MINI Cabrio to achieve the published fuel consumption figure of 7.2l/100km (combined). After 250 kilometres of reasonably serious driving, we had used just one bar out of ten, on the fuel indicator.
Even better, if you choose the normally aspirated MINI Cabrio, using variable valve management based on BMW’s “Valvetronic” technology, which is said to use as little as 6.1 litres/100km.

But if the above fuel consumption numbers don’t measure up to your environmental standards, and you’re more leaf green than British Racing Green, then you might want to hold off for the new MINI Cooper D, which means you will be able to have the best of both worlds.

On sale in Australia in May this year, the “D” will provide buyers with a capability to travel up to 1,025km from a single tank of diesel (40 litres).

Moreover, CO2 emissions will fall to just 104 g/km, while the 1.6-litre turbo diesel powerplant produces a staggering 260Nm during “Overboost”, and will be the fastest accelerating diesel in its capacity class in the country.

“I seriously doubt whether there is any other car on the market priced below fifty thousand dollars, which offers more “cool” and “go” than the new MINI Cooper S Cabrio”.

2011 MINI Hatchback, Clubman and Convertible With Mega Wallpaper

noreply@blogger.com (izalkancil) — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 05:30:00 +0000

The exception of the newly introduced Countryman crossover, the rest of MINI's lineup that includes the hatchback, Clubman and convertible models has received a subtle facelift with styling updates and new diesel engines for the 2011 model year.

All variants of the MINI sport a new from bumper design engineered to improve pedestrian protection courtesy of larger deformation zones, new light elements in the headlamps, revised side indicators that sit in the redesigned side gill housings, restyled rear bumper and standard LED tail lights on all models. The five new paint colors and fresh alloy wheel designs complete the exterior upgrades.

Inside, there are redesigned controls for the centre console, steering wheel, air conditioning and audio systems, as well as new materials and colors including six new upholstery choices, three new fascia options and two new interior color lines for door and side panels.
New features for the 2011MY include a retractable roller-type luggage compartment cover for the Clubman and updated audio and navigation systems for all models.

Under the hood, there's an all-new 1.6-liter diesel engine that shares the same bore/stroke ratio, all aluminium construction, common rail direct injection and turbocharging tech with variable turbine geometry as BMW's 2.0-liter diesel units. In the MINI, it will be available in two flavors with 90HP (One D) and 112HP (Cooper D).

MINI says that the One D hatch accelerates from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in 11.4 seconds and achieves a top speed of 185km/h or 115mph, while returning 3.8lt/100km [74.3mph UK or 61.9mpg US] in the combined cycle with CO2 emissions of 99 g/km.

The more powerful Cooper D completes the sprint in 9.7 seconds and reaches a maximum speed of 198 km/h or 123mph, while returning the same fuel consumption and CO2 emission figures as the One D.

In addition, the MINI Convertible will be available for the first time with this diesel engine.

The refreshed 2011 MINI will go on sale in most markets in September.

MINI Driver Training Program reaches out to the masses

noreply@blogger.com (izalkancil) — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 05:22:00 +0000

Have you ever been in an emergency situation in your car that had you wishing you knew what to do? Most drivers would think that the only thing to do is to slam on the brakes and hope for the best, but there are ways to get out of a situation practically and there are driver training classes and clinics for people like you and I to attend to hone our driving skills.

While there are a number of driver training classes readily available locally, BMW Malaysia recently held their own MINI Driver Training program for the very first time in Malaysia, and it’s impressive.

Among the exercises at the program include simple exercises in typical traffic and hazardous conditions with speeds of up to 50 to 60km/h (fast enough to create some serious damage for car and driver); utilizing the right seating posture for driving and rehearsing precise and swift steering movement. And also on the menu were exercises for emergency and targeted braking together with lightning fast evasive action when confronted with an obstacle as well as familiarizing ourselves with understeer, the greatest enemy for any driver on the road (oversteer is fun so its okay).

The best part of the program however was an exercise that could never be used on the road but ideal for getting away from the bad guys. MINI calls it ‘Agent Turn’, some call it the reverse flick and others call it the J turn. It’s basically reversing as fast as possible, pop into N (for an auto transmission), flick the steering wheel into whichever direction, wait till it straightens out, pop back into D and blast away. Effin’ cool!! Really makes you feel like Steve McQueen.

Instructors for the program included some accomplished local rally drivers and racers like Ivan Khong, Hammond Lai, Hamdan Rohman and Irwan Ismail. I, together with other bloggers, were invited over to experience the inaugural MINI Driver training, a great honour but it was the vast collective amount of driving experience that made learning from the instructors all the more interesting.

Where some driver training programs assign you and your group to only one or two trainers to learn from, the MINI Driver Training Program ensures that you learn from all the trainers there. Each exercise is done by two instructors who take turns to train you and even offer personal advice when needed.

Two drivers are paired to a single car and we are all instructed via walkie. The instructors stand around the course at separate strategic points and observe our hand positioning, sitting posture, driving behavior, car balance, and make suggestions via the walkie to make sure you're doing it right.

The first lesson is car control; we are instructed to drive through a slalom course without knocking over any cones. This allows you to practice your steering positioning, throttle modulation and car feel. It is only when you get this right that you get to increase your speed, which you are later required to do. This is also a prerequisite to all the other exercises. But the trainers make you run the course so many times that by the end of it, doing it blindfolded would be no problem at all.

Next up is an exercise important for all of us, whether you’re an accomplished racer or a regular driver. Our daily lives require us to spend a lot of time on the roads these days, this increases your chance of being caught by surprise by a suicidal durian falling off a truck, or a suicidal cat that suddenly decided that the most comfortable place is the middle of the road.

Both durian and cat can do some serious damage to your car and in a situation where you loose balance of the car when trying to avoid them, spinning away dangerously is also dangerously possible. The MINI driver training prepares you both mentally and physically to counter such a situation. Seating position, hands at 10 and 2 on the wheel, and alertness allows you to brake and swerve to avoid the prickly thorns or a bloody mess. Of course, you do have to somewhat rely on the ABS so you can actually maneuver, it’s a combination of man and MINI that can get you out of a sticky situation.

Next up is a display of how the traction control actually works to help you and why leaving it on can save your life and MINI. You have to barrel towards a wet piece of concrete and try to do a 180 around a cone and head back to your starting point. Easy, no? Of course it is, with the traction control on. Without it, the distance that it takes to turn back around is longer and wider from the point where you wanted to turn because the tyres have zero grip, so you actually have to wait a while for the rubber to make contact with the road. And in a real life situation, the wait could be very costly.

The traction control on the MINI works like any other system, it calculates the amount of slip on each wheel, and distributes power to the wheel with the most grip. So the next time you’re thinking of turning off the system, think twice (track days are an exception).

So after all the exercises were done and the last drop of coffee finished off, it was time to mark the end of the day with some track time. But before that, it was a time attack challenge around the slalom course that tests everything you have learned through the day. The winner got to take home some interesting gifts including a RM100 fuel voucher.

Yes, we got to take the MINI’s out on track for a full 3 laps per driver. Though we had a pace car guiding us, it was still plenty of fun with the MINI's go-kart like handling characteristics, especially in turns 5 going to 6 and 12 going to 13, where the track really tests the balance of the car. It had me thinking that the MINI would actually be a pretty good race car.

The MINI Driver Training Program is open for everyone and for a price of RM1700, you too can learn from some of the best drivers in the country on how best to maximize the potential of your car, yourself, and the best ways to get out of prickly situations. For more details and to find out when's the next class, click here.

Fifty Years Of MINI

noreply@blogger.com (izalkancil) — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 13:10:00 +0000

Fifty years ago today, the first Mini rolled off the production line at Cowley, now called Plant Oxford. For the first time in half a century that very car is returning to its birthplace for a celebration of 50 years of production.
Plant Oxford built 602,817 Minis from 1959 to 1968, before production was moved to Longbridge. Since 2001 more than 1.4 million new MINIs have been built at the production facility and in total, more than six million classic and new MINIs have been sold since the car first went on sale in 1959.
BMW Group member of the Board of Management for Production, Frank-Peter Arndt said: “Anniversaries are always a wonderful opportunity to look back at the past. But on days like today, it’s also good to look to the future. Therefore, our objective is absolutely clear: We are going to continue the success story of MINI and continue to strengthen it”.

Mini Countryman 2011

noreply@blogger.com (izalkancil) — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 13:06:00 +0000

Mini Countryman is the latest addition to the MINI family. The Mini Countryman aims to bridge the gap between the classic concept of the MINI and a modern Sports Activity Vehicle. As the first model in the MINI range with four doors and a wide-opening rear lid, the MINI Countryman provides even greater freedom of space for truly versatile use, a slightly elevated seating position, and optimized driving comfort.

Mini Life Ball 2010

noreply@blogger.com (izalkancil) — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 13:04:00 +0000

Since 2001, one of the chief protagonists at the Life Ball has been a MINI created by a fashion designer. This year for the first time, three different MINI models will be embellished by a trio of world-renowned names from the world of fashion. Calvin Klein Collection’s award-winning Women’s Creative Director Francisco Costa will be designing the MINI Countryman, the brand's new crossover model. The US fashion designer with Belgian roots Diane von Furstenberg, meanwhile, will add her artistic touch to a MINI Hatch, while New York’s Kenneth Cole will imprint his unmistakable style on a MINI Convertible. These exclusive collector’s items are to be auctioned on behalf of the charity supported by the Life Ball, with the proceeds going to amfAR (the Foundation for AIDS Research).

Mini Clubman

noreply@blogger.com (izalkancil) — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 12:36:00 +0000

The unique character of the MINI Clubman is obvious at first sight. The roofline of the car extends across all three pillars, merging smoothly into the rear section where the innovative, split-rear doors open. The rear doors are further highlighted with the C-pillars painted in a contrasting silver or black finish. Inside, the generous luggage compartment may be further extended in flexible configuration, offering very easy and convenient loading options thanks to the two rear doors.
In addition, the MINI Clubman incorporates a rather ingenious door configuration on the right side of the car. The "Clubdoor" swings open in the opposing direction relative to the main passenger door to dramatically increase the access to the rear seating area. Behind the front seats, the new MINI Clubman offers remarkable rear seating comfort and flexible use of space. Rear seat passengers now enjoy 3.15 inches more legroom compared to the MINI hardtop.
The MINI Clubman also stands out, retaining all the handling and performance characteristics that one expects in a MINI. With its design, functionality and performance characteristics, the MINI Clubman is the modern successor to the legendary classics Morris Mini Traveller, Austin Mini Countryman, and Mini Clubman Estate.
Compelling Design and Five Doors in a Brand-New Configuration.
MINI retains its position as the definitive premium small car offering a combination of successful attributes - a truly unique design; agile driving characteristics; premium quality; a high level of safety; a wide range of customization options, and outstanding efficiency. Now the MINI Clubman offers another compelling attribute, offering 9.45 inches more body length and wheelbase extended by 3.15 inches that helps create more space in the rear legroom area. What makes the MINI Clubman truly unique is its innovative five door configuration with the conventional driver's and front passenger's door supplemented by an additional rear-hinged door on the right-hand side of the car and the two split-rear doors in the back.
The MINI Clubman extends an open welcome to rear-seat passengers with the Clubdoor on the right side of the vehicle. With its large opening, this feature allows comfortable and convenient access to the rear seats. In the US market the MINI Clubman comes in a four passenger configuration, offering the passengers at the rear more spacious accommodations upon entry. For safety, the Clubdoor can only be opened with the adjoining front door open. Without an exterior handle, the Clubdoor integrated unobtrusively into the body design of the MINI Clubman. The split-rear doors at the back of the MINI Clubman open up to offer easy and convenient access for larger parcels and equipment such as sports gear. In addition to increased functionality, the split-rear doors represent a modern interpretation of an authentic detail seen on MINI's classic forerunners.
With one or both sections of the split-folding rear seatbacks down, together with the available flat load floor and the generous height provided by the roofline, the MINI Clubman offers more flexibility and practical value for all kinds of transportation requirements. The MINI Clubman has 9.1 cubic feet of storage space with the seats upright and a total of 32.6 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. This compares with the MINI hardtops which offer 5.7 cubic feet, rear seat up and 24 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. Additionally there is an available safety net to separate the luggage area from the passenger compartment. And to ensure clear visibility to the rear at all times, the rear doors come with separate windscreen wipers.
Modern Interpretation of a Classic Concept.
In its split-door configuration, the MINI Clubman harkens back to its famous predecessors: the Austin Mini Countryman, the Morris Mini Traveller, and the Mini Clubman Estate sold successfully between 1960 and 1982. These classic models were a source of inspiration for today's MINI Clubman, a thoroughly modern car with state-of-the-art technologies and features. The potential offered by a creating a modern interpretation of this kind of vehicle was shown with the four Clubman concept cars. And now the most important highlights of these concept cars are making their entry into series production in the form of the MINI Clubman.
The MINI Clubman design is reminiscent of its classic predecessors, with re-interpretations of the unique features of the classic models done in up-to-date design language featuring thoroughly modern function. Where wooden framed doors with exposed hinges characterised the rear end of the classic car, the new MINI Clubman features door surfaces that smoothly and aerodynamically merge into the C-pillars.
The color scheme also takes its inspiration from the classic rear-doors. The C-pillars together with the bumper finished in contrasting paintwork, form a striking door surround. The color of the rear door surround also matches the colour of the contrast roof, which comes standard on the MINI Clubman in either Silver or Black. As an option the MINI Clubman is also available with the roof finished in body color, in which case only the C-pillars including the upper section of the bumpers are finished in contrasting Silver or Black.
Enhanced Function With MINI Driving Characteristics.
MINI has developed the new MINI Clubman specifically for the active and passionate individualist wishing to consciously stand out. The MINI Clubman retains its sporting character, while offering new and flexible options in interior use and practical value. Despite its slightly longer proportions the MINI Clubman retains MINI's typical "wheels at the four corners" stance and the car's driving characteristics still offer the legendary go-kart feeling unique to MINI.
The chassis and suspension are engineered specifically to the needs of the MINI Clubman. At the front McPherson struts and springs ensure excellent wheel control, keeping the steering smooth in control and responsive. The suspension is further tuned to expertly manage the dynamic affects of engine power under acceleration or when applying the brakes. The central-arm rear axle, benefits from BMW Group's state-of-the-art engineering and development and the rear suspension is unique in the MINI segment thanks to its sophisticated design. Lightweight aluminium longitudinal control arms and anti-roll bars offer sporty and stable handling. On the MINI Cooper S Clubman the suspension is tuned to reflect the vehicle's additional power compared to that on the MINI Cooper Clubman. The new MINI Cooper Clubman comes standard with 15-inch wheels, while the MINI Cooper S Clubman features 16-inch rims with runflat tires allowing the driver to continue even after a complete loss of tire pressure.
EPAS Electrical Power Assisted Steering, geared to road speed, gives the driver precise feedback and retains the razor-sharp reflexes expected in a MINI. The Electrical Power Assisted Steering system also offers significant weigh reduction over a conventional hydraulic steering system and electrically generates power-assist only as needed. The feature eliminates any unnecessary parasitic loss, further increasing vehicle efficiency.
The sport-tuned characteristics of the MINI Clubman are supported by an impressive level of braking and traction management technology such as anti-lock control (ABS), Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Cornering Brake Control (CBC) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) including hill start-off assistance all standard. In addition the Brake Assistant on the new MINI Clubman recognizes emergency application of the brakes and immediately builds maximum brake pressure whenever required to minimize stopping distances in panic situations.
Technical data
MINI Cooper S Clubman

Petrol Turbocharged, 1598 cm3, 128 kW/175 PS at 5,500 rpm, Torque: 240 Nm at 1,600-5,000 rpm (with 260 Nm Overboost),
0-100 km/h: 7,6 s,
Top speed: 224 km/h,
Fuel consumption: 6,3 l/100 km,
CO2-emissions: 150 g/km,
Price in Germany: 23.900 €.

MINI Cooper Clubman

Petrol 1598 cm3, 88 kW/120 PS at 6,000 rpm, Torque: 160 Nm at 4,250 rpm
0-100 km/h: 9,8 s,
Top speed: 201 km/h,
Fuel consumption: 5,5 l/100 km,
CO2-emissions: 132 g/km,
Price in Germany: 19.900 €.

MINI Cooper D Clubman

Diesel Turbocharged, 1560 cm3, 80 kW/110 PS at 4,000 rpm, Torque: 240 Nm at 1,750-2,000 rpm (with 260 Nm Overboost),
0-100 km/h: 10,4 s,
Top speed: 193 km/h,
Fuel consumption: 4,1 l/100 km,
CO2-emissions: 109 g/km,
Price in Germany: 21.600 €.

Mini Cooper Wallpaper

noreply@blogger.com (izalkancil) — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 12:47:00 +0000

MINI Taunts Porsche in Rocky IV Training Montage

noreply@blogger.com (izalkancil) — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 07:44:00 +0000

It’s possibly the best 80’s montage of them all; yes, we’re talking about the training scene from Rocky IV where the underdog Balboa trains in a wooden hut in the Russian countryside while Captain Ivan Drago (aka, Dolf Lungren) pumps up on steroids and makes use of the world’s most sophisticated machines to tone his body.
Well, in MINI’s continued bid to taunt Porsche into a showdown at Road Atlanta, the fun-loving (and internet marketing savvy) folks at MINI have teamed up with the comedy geniuses at FunnyorDie to produce a parody of the epic montage that is sure to pump you up. It’s no surprise that the part of Rocky is played by a MINI and that those overly serious Russians are played by overly serious folks from Porsche.
And we thought the Ford Fiesta campaign was smart online marketing.

BMW’s Active Sound Design Gives MINI Cooper V8 Sound

noreply@blogger.com (izalkancil) — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 07:39:00 +0000

Last week we brought you a story about an innovate technology BMW is working on called Active Sound Design. The primary use of the technology is in sound deadening using an electro-acoustic system (aka, your car’s stereo) to minimize or change the sound you here. This is particularly important for BMW when it comes to diesel cars, as the sound of a diesel is considered rather unattractive to luxury shoppers – particularly in North America.

But there’s another use of Active Sound Design too, namely, making your car sound cooler. BMW says its new electronic noise canceling technology can not only be used to just limit sound, but to let the right kind of sound through, matching the engine’s noise to how the car is being driven. In fact, BMW recently performed a little research project using cars equipped with its electro-acoustic system and cars without. The results are impressive. “Subsequent test drives showed that test persons, despite measurably identical longitudinal dynamics, judged the driving performance of the vehicle with integrated Active Sound Design to be better. The subjective in-vehicle impression was comparable to the sensation of an accelerating car with a stronger engine.”

To prove this point further, BMW recently build a MINI with the new Active Sound Design technology, giving the little 4-cylinder the sound of a big V8. Don’t believe it? See the demonstration video courtesy AutoCar.

Mini VP Coupe Roadster To Arrive Within Two Years

noreply@blogger.com (izalkancil) — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 07:35:00 +0000

Two stripped down models will join the MINI range within two years of the debut of the MINI Countryman crossover, one a Coupe, the other a 2-seat Roadster.

“The Coupe will arrive six months after the Countryman, and the Roadster 12 months after the Countryman,” said Jim McDowell, Vice-President of MINI USA. The Countryman will hit showrooms in February, 2011.

The MINI Coupe concept was essentially a Mini Cooper S John Cooper Works package (with the more powerful 211-horsepower turbo engine, suspension tweaks and big wheel package), with a “coupe” bodystyle. The Roadster used a base Cooper S engine (good for 172 horsepower), and jettisoned the exposed soft top from the standard Cooper Convertible in favor of a clamshell design similar to the Porsche Boxster Spyder.

Gallery: Mini Coupe and Roadster Concepts

MINI at the Goodwood Festival of Speed

noreply@blogger.com (izalkancil) — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 13:23:00 +0000

MINI will be displaying their fleet of Mini models at the 2010 Goodwood Festival of Speed that will be held this July 1-4. Goodwood will be a witness to the reunion of Mini’s past models, and the contemporary future of the brand.

MINI E Race to set electrifying pace

Monte Carlo Rallying legend, and one of the original ‘Flying Finns’, Rauno Aaltonen will drive the MINI E Race up the hill at Goodwood.

The Festival will be the first in the UK to host the appearance of the MINI E Race, a modified race-equipped version of the emissions-free MINI currently undergoing road trials in the UK, USA and Germany.

The MINI E Race made its public debut at the Nurburgring in May when it covered several laps of the challenging 20.8 km Nordschleife driven by Thomas Jäger, 2006 MINI Challenge Champion. Jaeger managed a lap in 9 minutes 51.4 seconds and achieved a top speed of 117mph on the sinuous Eifel tarmac.

Extensive preparations were made before the car could undertake tests under racing conditions. The MINI E Race was fitted with a special lightweight body and a roll cage in order to ensure optimum performance and safety. Other components, such as the suspension, brakes and tyres, also follow race specification. Other than that, however, the car relies almost exclusively on the standard technical make-up of the MINI E. For example, it shares the same 150 kW/204 hp electric motor, supplied with energy from 5,088 lithium-ion battery cells. The power from the emission-free motor is channelled to the front wheels via a single-stage helical gearbox with a lengthened gear ratio.

Explaining why MINI had decided to build a Race version of MINI E Peter Krams, Head of the project said “The length and profile of the Nordschleife place extreme demands on the technology of our electric car. But the MINI E Race met this considerable challenge with great authority. The aim of this unique undertaking was to provide an impressive showcase of the great potential of the MINI E and its environment-friendly drive concept.”

The driver was clearly impressed too. “I’ve driven this circuit many times, but never in such an extraordinary car,” said Jäger. “The power of the electric motor has an incredible effect, as you can access its full reserves of torque at all times. Another element of this fascinating experience is the lack of noise from the drivetrain. All in all, that was certainly the cleanest and quietest race lap I’ve ever driven.”

The MINI E Race demonstrates that MINI is leaving no stone unturned to prove the MINI E under all conditions. The public trials are approaching halfway and are proving highly successful. They are also helping to inform the BMW Group about the use of electric vehicles in real world conditions and contributing to the mass of planning and knowledge that is accumulating in BMW’s Project i. The company has announced its decision to start production of a Megacity vehicle in 2013.

Set up like a race track to celebrate MINI’s glorious racing heritage, Rauno Aaltonen will also be on the MINI stand for interviews and to meet fans over the three days.

New MINI models make Goodwood debut

Visitors will be able to take a closer look at the current range of MINI models including examples of the Hatch, Convertible and Clubman. Making its debut at a UK motoring event will be the new MINI Countryman that goes on sale at MINI dealers on September 18th 2010. The Countryman opens up a new era in the MINI story. It is the largest MINI model ever made and it is also the first to offer four doors and the option of four wheel drive in the ALL4 models.

The MINI Countryman range will form the fourth pillar of the MINI brand and it seeks to offer a solution to MINI owners who love the brand but feel forced to move to another make when they need more space in their car. The MINI Countryman will be available in five models, two of which will offer ALL4, MINI’s new four wheel drive option.

The Countryman retains a familiar MINI appearance, albeit distinctly different to any that have gone before. It is 398 mm longer than a MINI Hatch, 106 mm wider and 172mm higher. With the seats up it offers 190 litres more luggage capacity than a MINI Hatch, with a total of 350 litres. With the rear seats folded flat, capacity increases to 1,170 litres. This large load space is accessed through a wide-opening tailgate. For the first time ever a MINI has four wide-opening doors, passenger capacity for five adults and a flexible, activity-orientated interior packed with innovations. All UK models will be built as five seat cars, although customers can specify the four seat option at no extra cost.

Featuring that typical ‘wheel at each corner’ stance with short overhangs, the Countryman not only has larger dimensions than its cousins but also a higher ride height. This provides the commanding driving position preferred by many drivers as well as the ground clearance for soft off-road driving. Its ground clearance is 10mm higher than any other MINI model.

Many design characteristics are familiar such as the high window line and window graphics circumnavigating the glasshouse while others are new interpretations of iconic features. For example, the roofline with roof rails, the reinterpretation of the hexagonal radiator grille and the prominent headlight units integrated into the bonnet.

The Countryman range will include three petrol and two diesel models, as well as two ALL4 all- wheel drive models – the Cooper D ALL4 and Cooper S ALL4. The petrol engines are equipped with the new 1.6 litre power plants already announced for the Hatch, Convertible and Clubman models and introduced in March 2010. The new diesel-powered units combine excellent performance with parsimonious fuel consumption and extremely low emissions, both emitting well below 120g/km.

The petrol engines all feature VALVETRONIC variable valve timing that produces more torque low down and aids overall efficiency. The Cooper S model also features a twin-scroll turbocharger and direct fuel injection that enables blistering performance with modest fuel economy and low CO2 emissions. All engines meet EU5 emissions standards. The key performance data are listed below:

Model/ hp@rpm/ Nm@rpm/ 0-62 mph/ Top speed/ Combined mpg/ CO2 g/km

One/98 @6,000/153@3,000/11.9 secs/107/47.1/139

Cooper/122@6,000/160@4,250/10.5 secs/118/47.1/140

Cooper/S184@5,500/240@1,600*/7.6 secs/134/46.3/143

One D/90@4,000/215@1,750/12.9 secs/106/64.2/115

Cooper D/112@4,000/270@1,750/10.9 secs/115/64.2/115

*The MINI Cooper S Countryman delivers 260 Nm of torque for short periods courtesy of Overboost.

Two models in the new Countryman range will offer four wheel drive, for the very first time in MINI’s 51 year history. The MINI Cooper D and Cooper S ALL4 models will be available as models in their own right from day one. A MINI Cooper ALL4 will follow in 2011.

Four-wheel drive is not needed for much of normal driving and it does consume more energy to drive all four wheels. MINI has a typically smart answer for this conundrum: the Countryman ALL4 is a front wheel drive car in most normal circumstances, but when an electro-mechanical clutch in the rear axle detects any sign of wheel slip it engages drive to the rear wheels to improve traction. To enable this imperceptible change to the driven wheels a propeller shaft from the front axle is driven constantly and is ready to direct drive forces from the front axle to the rear. The amount of power fed to the rear wheels is infinitely variable between one per cent and 100, depending upon the slip encountered.

The price over the standard front wheel drive Countryman models is a modest £1,065 for the MINI Cooper D ALL4 and £1,190 for the MINI Cooper S ALL4, while the penalty in terms of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions is smaller than one might expect. In the case of the MINI Cooper D ALL4 Countryman, it delivers a CO2 value below 130g/km.

“With Countryman prices starting at £16,000, and offering a high standard specification along with optional MINI tlc, Chili and Pepper Packs, the Countryman offers new horizons for the MINI brand” said Jochen Goller, Director of MINI UK.

Monte Carlo Rally Legend drives the Forest Rally Stage

Rauno Aaltonen will also drive a classic Mini Cooper S on the Goodwood Forest Rally Stage. Aaltonen, along with Paddy Hopkirk and Timo Makinen, is part of the legend that saw the tiny car defeat all comers in the top echelons of rallying during the 1960s.

Aaltonen, known as the ‘Rally Professor’, invented the idea of left foot braking to balance the car as it entered corners. He enjoyed a long professional driving career from 1956 to the late 1970s and enjoyed a particularly purple patch when driving for the works Mini team winning the 1965 European Rally Championship in 1965 and the blue riband Monte Carlo Rally in 1967. He won countless other events too, including Britain’s RAC rally and the Gallaher 500 in Australia (now the famous ‘Great Race’ – the Bathhurst 500), also in a Mini Cooper S.

This legend of the world of rallying will be driving a privately-owned 1964 Monte Carlo car on the challenging Goodwood Forest Rally Stage on both the Saturday and Sunday of the Festival. One or two lucky people will experience the passenger seat to see at first hand the Flying Finn deliver a masterclass of MINI action.

Aaltonen has for many years been chief instructor for BMW’s driver training programme that operates winter and high performance driver training for customers in Austria, Germany, Finland and elsewhere around the globe.

MINI AT THE GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED

noreply@blogger.com (izalkancil) — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 13:03:00 +0000

MINI is planning to have heaps of fun at the 2010 Goodwood Festival of Speed from July 1st to 4th. Apart from displaying the full range of the current MINI models, the quintessentially British MINI brand will mix old and new as befits a 51 year old hell raiser. Goodwood will be the venue where MINI’s glorious past meets the brand’s exciting future.

MINI E Race to set electrifying pace

Monte Carlo Rallying legend, and one of the original ‘Flying Finns’, Rauno Aaltonen will drive the MINI E Race up the hill at Goodwood.

The Festival will be the first in the UKto host the appearance of the MINI E Race, a modified race-equipped version of the emissions-free MINI currently undergoing road trials in the UK, USA and Germany.

Set up like a race track to celebrate MINI’s glorious racing heritage, Rauno Aaltonen will also be on the MINI stand for interviews and to meet fans over the three days.

New MINI models make Goodwood debut

Visitors will be able to take a closer look at the current range of MINI models including examples of the Hatch, Convertible and Clubman. Making its debut at a UKmotoring event will be the new MINI Countryman that goes on sale at MINI dealers on September 18th 2010.The Countryman opens up a new era in the MINI story. It is the largest MINI model ever made and it is also the first to offer four doors and the option of four wheel drive in the ALL4 models.

The Countryman retains a familiar MINI appearance, albeit distinctly different to any that have gone before. It is 398 mm longer than a MINI Hatch, 106 mm wider and 172mm higher. With the seats up it offers 190 litres more luggage capacity than a MINI Hatch, with a total of 350 litres. With the rear seats folded flat, capacity increases to 1,170 litres. This large load space is accessed through a wide-opening tailgate. For the first time ever a MINI has four wide-opening doors, passenger capacity for five adults and a flexible, activity-orientated interior packed with innovations. All UKmodels will be built as five seat cars, although customers can specify the four seat option at no extra cost.

The Countryman range will include three petrol and two diesel models, as well as two ALL4 all- wheel drive models – the CooperD ALL4andCooperS ALL4. The petrol engines are equipped with the new 1.6 litre power plants already announced for the Hatch, Convertible and Clubman models and introduced in March 2010. The new diesel-powered units combine excellent performance with parsimonious fuel consumption and extremely low emissions, both emitting well below 120g/km.

The petrol engines all feature VALVETRONIC variable valve timing that produces more torque low down and aids overall efficiency. The CooperS model also features a twin-scroll turbocharger and direct fuel injection that enables blistering performance with modest fuel economy and low CO2 emissions. All engines meet EU5 emissions standards.

Two models in the new Countryman range will offer four wheel drive, for the very first time in MINI’s 51 year history. The MINI CooperD and CooperS ALL4 models will be available as models in their own right from day one. A MINI Cooper ALL4 will follow in 2011.

The price over the standard front wheel drive Countryman models is a modest £1,065 for the MINI CooperD ALL4and £1,190 for the MINI CooperS ALL4, while the penalty in terms of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions is smaller than one might expect. In the case of the MINI Cooper D ALL4 Countryman, it delivers a CO2 value below 130g/km.

With Countryman prices starting at £16,000, and offering a high standard specification along with optional MINI tlc, Chili and Pepper Packs, the Countryman offers new horizons for the MINI brand” said Jochen Goller, Director of MINI UK.

Monte Carlo Rally Legend drives the Forest Rally Stage

This legend of the world of rallying will be driving a privately-owned 1964Monte Carlocar on the challenging Goodwood Forest Rally Stage on both the Saturday and Sunday of the Festival. One or two lucky people will experience the passenger seat to see at first hand the Flying Finn deliver a masterclass of MINI action.

MINI facelift and Countryman set for Australia Coupe and Roadster possible

noreply@blogger.com (izalkancil) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 12:50:00 +0000

As the MINI range expands to be anything but that overseas, MINI Australia has confirmed local customers will not be left behind.

MINI Australia’s Piers Scott today confirmed a facelift of the current range, including the hatch, convertible and Clubman, will take place most likely in the last quarter of 2010. He said cosmetic changes would be “subtle”, with the biggest changes inside and under the bonnet.

“You could expect some small improvements in engine output fuel economy across the range and some changes in the interior in terms of the ergonomics, the layout of the interior and the levels of personalisation of the interior.
“Something that MINI places a very strong emphasis on is your ability to tailor your own MINI in terms of options and that will be increased with the launch of the model update. Things like what you can do with interior light set-up is a big one for example – the colour options become virtually infinite – and other things like that,” Mr Scott said.

He said the next brand new model to join the local line-up would be the MINI Countryman – a longer, chunkier, higher-riding, four-door off-roader with optional all-wheel drive – which launches internationally next month.

“That car won’t arrive in Australia until the very beginning of next year. It certainly heralds a pretty exciting new direction for the brand as a reasonably big departure in a design sense from where we’ve been in the past.
“But you can expect the vehicle to retain all the performance hallmarks of MINI in terms of it being quite unique in its drivability and driving experience,” Mr Scott said.

In the US, MINI vice president, Jim McDowell, earlier this week revealed that the MINI Coupe would arrive in the third quarter of 2011 and be followed by the Coupe-based Roadster six months later in early 2012.

Mr Scott said he could only vouch for the production of the Coupe, which he said was a good chance to make it to Australia.

“It’s been confirmed that the two-seater MINI Coupe will go into production. We don’t have any timing around that. I haven’t heard anything that the Roadster will go into production.
“[There is] no information on Australia, although assuming the car is built in right-hand drive – which I think is a pretty safe assumption – we will definitely be taking that vehicle,” he confirmed.

Looking further down the line, UK publication Auto Express says MINI designers have plans to make a seven-seater version of the Countryman to compete against smaller people-movers and SUVs.

Global head of MINI brand management, Dr Wolfgang Armbrecht, told Auto Express the Countryman’s platform had the flexibility to be expanded.

“We could take the wheelbase from 2.60m to around 2.60m,” Dr Armbrecht said.

The UK publication also said the Moke is expected to make a comeback after supposedly being given the green light for production following a positive response to the radical Beachcomber Concept unveiled at this year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Mini Works Clubman

noreply@blogger.com (izalkancil) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 12:43:00 +0000

On fleet since: February 2010
Total mileage: 7,200 miles
Official combined mpg: 40.4mpg
Actual mpg: 30.3mpg
Costs: £0 so far
GALLERY: Mini John Cooper Works

Where have we been?

Ash cloud. Unpredictable volcanoes. Strikes. It's enough to put anyone off flying. However, for my recent trip to Northern Ireland I needed little excuse to avoid the little metal tube in the sky. I was taking my Mini Clubman Works long-termer.

And better still I was forgoing the boring motorway route to Scotland by opting for a cross-country blast through Wales. Two and a bit hours from my house to the border, then four hours of winding roads, misty glens, soaring mountains and the occasional sheep.

My destination was Holyhead in Anglesey, where I would pick up the swift and reliable Stena service to Dublin.

From Dublin it's then a couple of hours to the north, dodging the millions of cops hiding in unmarked patrol cars ready to pounce on anyone who strays mildly over the limit. Hard given that this little Mini can flash well past the speed limit in third gear.

What do I like?

Some critics of the Mini accuse it of being deafening, stiff and uncomfortable, but on the A5 through Wales I'll guarantee they would reconsider their views.

The steering is crispier than a bag of Kettle Chips, allowing you to pick out the apex on the jagged roads like you're on a track. The 1.6-litre turbo offers the punch to surge past slower moving traffic as if it's sitting still. And the constant buzz from the exhausts is undeniably intoxicating, not tiring.

On wet roads the front wheels would spin away the power in the first three gears, so a gentle throttle approach was required, but from here on grip was reassuringly abundant. Just make sure both hands are on the wheel or you might make an unscheduled short cut through the hedge when the torque steer kicks in.

What don't I like?

"Oh, it's the Mini estate" I would overhear. However, there's nothing roomy about the boot on this car: two small suitcases wouldn't fit lengthways without the rear seats being folded.

It's not that the boot is useless - it offers about the same room as a Ford Fiesta - but it's the awkward shape that prevents it being more useful. The extra length on the wheelbase doesn't give it much more rear legroom either.

Other foibles? Even on a motorway run sticking at 70mph, the average fuel economy rarely lifted its nose above the 30mpg mark though it was just about possible to get from our house to Holyhead on one tank.
And while I love the retro switches for the electric windows sitting low on the centre console, I often flick the fog lights on by mistake.

What next for the Mini?

Two months to D-day - the Works is due to go back soon. So in the meantime I'm trying to cram as much in as possible including the slight possibility of a trip to the Nurburgring. 150mph on the Autobahn, here we come... (maybe).
Mini Works Clubman: month three
Mini Works Clubman: month two
Arrival: Mini John Cooper Works Clubman
All our long-term test cars
Thanks to Stena for the travel arrangements

Gallery:

MINI Coope Vehicle Overview from Edmunds

noreply@blogger.com (izalkancil) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 12:16:00 +0000

Introduction:
Have fun, save the planet. Now that sounds like a great plan, but cars that get great fuel economy are typically dull to drive, boring to look at and just a tad dorky. But the 2010 Mini Cooper proves to be an exception to this rule. Since being reintroduced to America eight years ago, the Mini has been one of the few ways to get great gas mileage and still look cool in the process. And its agile handling, unique character and highly customizable nature make it a winner whether you care to save fuel or not. There are some downsides, however. Though it's tremendously fun to drive, the Mini rides stiffly (especially with 17-inch and larger wheels). Its compact dimensions make parking a snap, and even tall drivers will fit easily, but the backseat legroom is tight to nonexistent. The modernistic interior looks cool, but its controls are unintuitive and poorly placed. The convertible offers a whole bunch of fun in the sun, but its rear visibility is compromised. The Mini's engines are undoubtedly win-win propositions, though, offering relatively rapid acceleration, particularly in turbocharged form, while averaging about 30 mpg. And the customization options are second to none in this segment. There are countless combinations of trim, engine, body style and options available, from the hatchback and convertible bodies and three engine choices to the numerous factory options and dealer-installed accessories. For 2010, the hatchbacks can be further glamorized with the Mayfair or Camden packages. Named after distinctive parts of London, they combine a number of regular options with unique wheels and special exterior and interior color combinations. If you're looking for a small car, the Mini isn't the only game in town. Hatchback models like the Mazda 3, Volvo C30 and VW Golf/GTI, as well as convertible models like the BMW 1 Series and Volkswagen Eos, have their own sets of advantages. However, none of these exactly match up to the Mini in an apples-to-apples comparison. At the end of the day, know that if you pick a 2010 Mini Cooper you'll end up with a truly special automobile, one that allows you to have fun and help save the planet at the same time.
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options:
The 2010 Mini Cooper is available in two-door hatchback and convertible body styles. Each is available in three trim levels: Cooper, Cooper S and John Cooper Works (JCW). The base Cooper comes standard with 15-inch alloy wheels, full power accessories, keyless entry, air-conditioning, cruise control, a six-way manual driver seat, leatherette (vinyl) upholstery, a tilt-telescoping steering wheel, multicolor ambient lighting and a six-speaker stereo with a CD player and an auxiliary audio jack. The Cooper Convertible models add a full power convertible top that includes a sunroof feature and 16-inch alloy wheels. The Cooper's Sport package adds 16-inch wheels on the hatchback and 17-inch wheels on the convertible, foglamps, a rear spoiler, sport seats and hood stripes. The Cooper S adds 16-inch wheels, a turbocharged engine, firmer suspension tuning, foglamps and sport seats. The Cooper S Sport package adds 17-inch wheels, xenon headlights and hood stripes. The John Cooper Works includes a more powerful turbo engine, upgraded Brembo brakes and cloth upholstery. A limited-slip differential and a firmer suspension can be fitted to both the S and the John Cooper Works. The options list is anything but mini. There are several packages available, but their content is mostly available Ã la carte. Major optional features include a dual-pane sunroof, automatic climate control, heated seats, keyless ignition/entry, a 10-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound stereo, Bluetooth and an iPod interface. Other options include different wheels, parking sensors, cloth or leather upholstery, different trim colors and materials, a navigation system, satellite radio and HD radio. The new Camden and Mayfair packages include a selection of optional features listed above and add unique colors and trim. As has been the case since the Mini's debut, a multitude of dealer-installed features are additionally available.
Powertrains and Performance:
The Cooper comes with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine good for 118 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque. As with all Minis except for the John Cooper Works, a six-speed manual with hill-start assist is standard and a six-speed automatic is optional. Mini estimates a manual-equipped hatchback will go from zero to 60 mph in 8.5 seconds. EPA estimated fuel economy is 28 mpg city/37 mpg highway and 32 mpg combined with the manual (28/36/31 convertible) and 25/33/28 with the automatic. The Cooper S has a turbocharged version of the same engine good for 172 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque (192 lb-ft at full throttle thanks to an overboost function). In Edmunds testing, a manual-equipped hatchback went from zero to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds, and a convertible with the same transmission did it in 7.2. EPA estimated fuel economy is 26/34/29 with the manual and 24/32/27 with the auto. The John Cooper Works cranks up the turbo boost to produce 208 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual is the only available transmission. Mini estimates a 0-60 time of 6.2 seconds for the hatchback and 6.6 for the convertible. Fuel economy is 25/33/28.
Safety:
All 2010 Mini Coopers come standard with antilock disc brakes, stability control and front-seat side airbags. Side curtain airbags are standard on the hatchback, while the convertible features pop-up rollover bars and larger front side airbags that extend to head height. Traction control is optional. In Edmunds braking, various Mini Cooper S models with 17-inch wheels stopped from 60 mph between 112 and 115 feet -- excellent results. In government crash testing, the Cooper hatchback received a frontal crash rating of four stars out of a possible five. Side-impact tests resulted in five stars for front passengers and four stars for those seated in the rear. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the hatchback its best rating of "Good" in the frontal-offset test, and its second-best score of "Average" in the side-impact and roof-crush tests.
Interior Design and Special Features:
The 2010 Mini Cooper's interior layout is as head-scratching as its exterior is endearing. The pie-plate-sized center-mounted speedometer honors the Mini's past, but from a functional standpoint it's a bit silly. Meanwhile, the climate controls are awkward to use and the stereo volume control knob isn't grouped with any other audio controls -- what looks like the volume knob is actually a redundant tuning/track-skip knob. The phrase "form over function" is quite apt when describing the Mini Cooper's interior. On the bright side, the diminutive Mini is impressively accommodating up front -- neither headroom nor legroom is an issue. The rear seat, however, is very cramped due to a virtually nonexistent amount of legroom. Trunk space behind the rear seat is severely limited, too, but folding down the 50/50-split rear seat creates a useful square-shaped cargo area. The convertible features a tailgate-style trunk opening with an upper portion that lifts up to allow larger items to fit in the tiny 6-cubic-foot trunk. The 50/50-split rear seat folds down to expand space into the cabin. Unlike in the old Mini Convertible, it is possible -- barely -- to see out the back of the current one with the top lowered thanks to redesigned rollover hoops, though visibility is still compromised relative to other drop tops. With the top raised, rearward visibility is very poor.
Driving Impressions:
The 2010 Mini Cooper is an amusement park ride on wheels, albeit a noisy one. Even the base model can hold its own when the going gets twisty. It rides stiffly, however, and the Cooper S and JCW are stiffer still. We recommend that mainstream buyers pass on the sport suspension and the larger wheels. The base Cooper is peppy enough for most drivers, and the S and John Cooper Works variants are a wild ride -- expect some torque steer with these turbo models, though. In terms of outright speed, the JCW model is the swiftest, but the Cooper S is close enough that it should suffice for all but the most ardent Miniphile. The six-speed manual transmission is notable for its precise shifter and compliant clutch. The automatic isn't the smoothest-shifting unit in the world, but in Manual mode it responds quickly to the driver's paddle-shifted inputs.

Mini Cooper Convertible Quick Spin

noreply@blogger.com (izalkancil) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 12:10:00 +0000

Convertible owners are a breed apart. An opportunistic lot, they seize any opportunity to drop the top and soak up the sunshine. While many live in Sunbelt states, you'll also find them in parts of the country where sunshine is fickle and top-down seasons are fleeting. Through months of leaden skies and numbing cold, these people grit their teeth and button their tops (or squirrel their cars away for the duration). When winter shows a chink in its armor, they jump on the opportunity, peel back the lid and take off - even if they have to turn on the heat to keep frost from forming on their brows. It's to these people that Mini points its latest offerings.

Sporty cars have traditionally been open cars - even in Great Britain, where rain was invented and from whence Mini's hail. No surprise, then, that Mini is celebrating the second anniversary of the Cooper hatchback's arrival with a pair of new convertible models. On sale now are ragtop versions of both the standard Cooper and the sportier Cooper S.

Vehicle Overview from Kelley Blue Book

noreply@blogger.com (izalkancil) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 12:01:00 +0000

By now you've seen the MINI Cooper running around town. It's unmistakable really, with its tiny box of a body and big bug eyes. You may even have made the mistake of trying to race past one, assuming that such a small car couldn't be as fast as your SUV. If the little car you tried to overtake ended up dusting you in the process, you were probably toying with the Cooper S, a supercharged terror that can roll from 0 to 60-mph in less than seven seconds flat.

The MINI Cooper—or MINI as it is affectionately known—may be small, but it is big on room, safety and economy. MINI's parent company is BMW and the quality and attention to detail this premium automaker is renowned for is evident throughout the Cooper. A quick walk around reveals perfectly aligned seams, solid construction and unusually detailed brightwork surrounding the grille and bumpers. Upon further inspection, you'll notice that the MINI's wheels are pushed to the furthest edges of the car. This design not only creates a roomy interior, it is a major factor in the MINI's fantastically stable handling.

The MINI comes in only one body style, though a convertible will join the line mid-year. The two-door hatchback is available in three trims: base, S and John Cooper Works S. All three employ the same 1.6-liter engine, but the latter two receive a supercharger that significantly increases horsepower. The standard MINI produces 115 horsepower while the S bumps that figure to 163; the John Cooper Works S, which is a specially produced version of the MINI sanctioned by BMW, tops out at a whopping 200 horsepower. Now we know these numbers don't look huge, but you need to remember that the MINI weighs less than 3500 pounds, so a little power goes a lot further than in most cars.

The MINI is as radical inside as out, with a huge speedometer predominantly mounted in the center of the dash and a freestanding tachometer bolted to the steering column. There are numerous styling tricks that delight and entertain, such as the dash-mounted toggle switches and the sculpted plastic door panels. The MINI's height adjustable front seats ensure that there is plenty of leg and headroom for six-footers; you can even fit two adults in the rear seat without requiring the front passengers to move their knees under the dash. You won't find much cargo room behind the rear seats, but you can fold them down if you need the extra space.

Of the three models, you'll likely find that the base car affords the smoothest ride. The 115-horsepower engine has no problem pulling the MINI around and, so long as you don't have a full load or are climbing steep inclines, the acceleration is more than adequate for passing and merging. You'll find the MINI's handling to be downright mind boggling, with instantaneous turn-in and a level cornering attitude that would make the original proud. The standard five-speed manual shifts smoothly, but is not as precise as the wonderful Getrag six-speed found on the S model. If you want an automatic, you will have to go with the base Cooper that offers an advanced CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) as an extra-cost option.

The 163-horsepower Cooper S provides a significant increase in performance yet costs only a few thousand dollars more. Though it runs like a cheetah closing in on dinner, the Cooper S does exhibit one unusual trait. Upon engaging first gear, you'll notice what feels like turbo lag. The Cooper S slowly moves forward and then—as the supercharger gains momentum—suddenly rockets away. We are not sure why this occurs but we do know that the John Cooper Works S exhibits no such hesitation, suggesting the culprit may reside in the stock engine management program. To compensate for this momentary lack of inertia, you may find yourself tempted to slip the clutch; doing so will certainly quicken the Cooper S' off-the-line acceleration but it will also greatly shorten the life of the car's clutch.

The Cooper S runs on 16-inch run-flat tires that provide better handling than the stock 15s, but contribute greatly to the S model's rougher ride. If you opt for the Sport Package on the S, you'll get even shorter 17-inch run flats. To ensure you don't end up with buyer's remorse, we suggest you road test all three wheel and tire combinations before signing on the dotted line.

Beyond its original good looks, the MINI offers tremendous value for the money. With a starting price just under $17K, the MINI includes many items that are usually options on other vehicles. If you were to pick up a MINI with no options at all, you'd drive off in a car with air conditioning, power windows, power door locks, four-wheel anti-lock brakes, keyless entry, dual heated power side-view mirrors, a five-speed manual transmission, AM/FM stereo with CD, front head- and side-impact airbags, a rear wiper, a tire-pressure monitoring system and 15-inch alloy wheels. The S adds traction control, sport seats, six-speed manual transmission, 16-inch alloy wheels, chrome fuel cap and a hood scoop.

For just a few thousand more, you can select from a number of packages and stand alone options such as the glass moonroof that fills the entire roof panel, larger wheels and tires, a sport suspension, cruise control, Dynamic Stability Control, heated seats and Xenon headlamps; you can even get an onboard navigation system, though you'll lose the cool center-mounted speedometer to the unit's LCD screen if you do.

Mini is just the name Think huge.

noreply@blogger.com (izalkancil) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 11:58:00 +0000

The eagerly awaited Mini has arrived with the emotional appeal of a puppy, the high-style gloss of a fashion magazine and the technological edge of a Los Alamos lab. It is adorable, roadable and affordable. BMW has managed to meld the inherent incongruities of the German and British car culture and reached back to the 1960s for the automotive icon of mod London. The popular Mini thus reappears as the Mini, reinvented for the 21st century.

A third larger than the original Issigonis design, this Mini is still the shortest car in American parking spaces and still larger on the inside than on the out. It totes four adults and a fair amount of stuff. Though connected to its popular past, the new Mini is clearly of this century with advanced safety features and impressive engineering innovation.

BMW priced the Mini with an appreciation for real-world pocketbooks (starting at $16,300) yet endowed it with a visual and physical opulence that ratchets up its value quotient. And finally: it's as much fun as patent-leather Mary Janes with taps on the toes.

MINI Cooper Overview Vehicle Overview from Kelley Blue Book

noreply@blogger.com (izalkancil) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 11:53:00 +0000

There is a lot of buzz about the MINI Cooper. The hot little British import now owned by BMW is being reintroduced to the U.S. market for the first time since leaving our shores some 20 years ago. What's so special about a tiny little hatchback with big bug eyes and a price tag starting at over $15K? Plenty! The MINI Cooper puts the fun back in to "fun to drive" and after your first test spin we're sure it will have you wearing an ear-to-ear grin in just under 7.0 seconds.

The original MINI Cooper (MINI is the company, Cooper is the actual name of the car though most people just refer to it as "the MINI") came to the U.S. in the early 1970s. It was even smaller than the current MINI, but its tiny size and long wheelbase made it a phenomenal handling car and it quickly gained a cult like following. Contrary to its outward appearance, the original MINI Cooper actually had a surprisingly roomy interior, a trait the modern MINI also shares.

The MINI Cooper is a blast to drive. Its 115-horsepower engine has no problem pulling the little car around and you can zip in and out of traffic with go-cart-like precision. The five-speed-manual transmission is fun to shift, but feels a bit rubbery, making quick, flick-of-the-wrist shifts a bit difficult. The S model, which includes larger wheels and a supercharged engine, gets a much nicer 6-speed manual that feels more in tune with the MINI Cooper's image. As good as it feels to accelerate in a MINI , it feels even better coming to a stop. The MINI Cooper is outfitted with large 11" front disc brakes (10" at the rear) that can stop the car on a dime. Run the MINI up a winding mountain road, and you'll understand the true joy of driving. The MINI obeys your every command with instantaneous response; no SUV ever tackled a mountain road like this! The more you drive the MINI Cooper, the more you begin to feel like one of the car's components, an integral part of the driving apparatus. It may sound like a bad Zen pun, but you really do become one with the car.

The new MINI Cooper offers more than just go-cart-like handling and attention grabbing good looks; it is a real value story in the making. The design alone is worth the price of the car, with its retro exterior styling and thoroughly funky interior that includes a center-mounted speedometer and flip-up toggle switches, just like they used in the 1960s. The MINI Cooper is also loaded with standard safety features including front side-impact airbags and a full-length head protection airbag for both front and rear-seat passengers. The MINI Cooper also has numerous crumple zones and a rigid passenger cell that helps protect the occupants in the event of a crash. Though tiny in size, the MINI is big on safety, a point that needs to be emphasized in a land where people sometimes falsely equate size with security.

The MINI Cooper's interior is nothing short of magic. How they fit all that legroom into such a tiny frame boggles the mind. Six footers will have no problem with either headroom or front seat legroom; rear seat passengers can sit comfortably, provided the front-seat occupants do not have the seat pushed all the way back. Storage behind the second row is pretty MINImal, but if you are not carrying additional passengers, you can fold the rear seats down and create a large storage zone (25 cubic feet). There are plenty of standard features to play with such as power windows, power door locks, a steering column mounted tachometer, tilt wheel, rear defroster, air conditioning and a 6-speaker CD audio unit.

The MINI's options list is loaded with cool and fun features you won't find on any other car in this price range. It has features like a full-length glass sunroof, a Harman Kardon sound system, on-board navigation and automatic climate control. And then there are the no-charge options, like the numerous paint patterns. You can order your MINI in one solid color or opt for the roof and side mirrors to be painted either black or white. For an additional fee, MINI will even paint a British Union Jack flag on the top of your car; very hip.

Top 10 Most Economical Cars

noreply@blogger.com (izalkancil) — Fri, 28 May 2010 11:47:00 +0000

There's a revolution going on in the car industry at the moment. Over the last decade, car manufacturers have been spending a lot of time and money investing in efficiency. The biggest area car manufacturers have looked at is the diesel engine.

Of course, more recently hybrid cars have been growing in popularity. The mix of a petrol engine and electric drive-train has proven a massive hit in the USA, but is it justified?

In this article, I'll look at the top 10 fuel efficient cars avaliable to buy today. I'm not including electric cars because of how rare they are at present, although I'm hoping by this time in 2010 there will be a lot more on the roads.

10. Fiat Panda 1.3 MultiJet 65.7mpg

A popular return of name for Fiat with the return of the Panda. This spacious little city car has amazed people with it's sense of spaciousness. It's a small car that feels big.

The small 1.3 Turbo diesel engine pumps out an impressive 65.7mpg on a combined cycle. There was some shock when this car first arrived at how well it was built. Fiat had a problem with bits breaking from almost new. Yet the Panda gets thumbs up from a lot of people and it help turn the tides for Fiats problems.

9. Fiat 500 MultiJet 67.3mpg

The new kid on the block. Retro is in and everyone is reviving classic cars. The Fiat 500 is obviously the new re-incarnation of the 500 from all those years ago. Using the same 1.3 TD engine from the Panda (above). Due to less weight (only 3 doors) and being a little more aerodynamic, the 500 manages an extra 1.6mpg over the Panda.

A great little car that's a lot of fun to drive. Is a definite contender over the king of retro, the Mini.

8. Renault Clio 1.5 dCi 67.30mpg

Another face lift for the ever popular Renault Clio has appeared, and with it's 80 horse power 1.5TD it has taken the crown of the most fuel efficient Renault of them all.The Clio is one of Renault's best selling cars now, and they keep making it better.

Like the Fiat 500, it's a lot of fun to drive, and like the Fiat Panda

, it's also very roomy with a decent size boot, and 5 comfortable seats. It's looks are fresh up to date and as it's a Renault, is built very well.

7. Citroen C2 1.4 HDi 68.90mpg

The Citroen C2 has been around for a while now, so Citroen have just launched a face lift version of the car. It's a good seller for Citroen, especially with the ridiculous cash back offers Citroen are known for! 68.9mpg comes from the 1.4HDi engine which is an absolute dream.

These well built French cars are on a par with Renault for quality and style. Both of these cars appeal to the youngsters as much as their elders and due to the massive increase in the economy are getting more and more popular.

6. Toyota Aygo 1.4 HDi 68.9mpg

The Toyota Aygo is exactly the same as the Citroen C1. Both use the same 1.4 HDi engine producing a brilliant 68.9mpg. There both a lot of fun to drive while keeping them easy to use. Well built and very reliable will add to the low cost of ownership to make both these cars great sellers in 2009.

The one thing to know about these cars, is there's a slightly cheaper brother to both of them. A 1.4 Petrol version is available for £1000 less, and still pulls 61.4mpg! Yes it costs a little more to run, but the little petrol engine is very capable.

5. Mini Clubman Cooper D 68.9mpg

This is one of the coolest cars out at the moment. Yeah it might have shocked you when you first saw one, but it's growing on you! It's not quiet as economical as the non Clubman version (losing 2.5mpg) but it's worth it for the extra room the Clubman offers you. those extra doors and a real boot really help!

The Clubman is comfortable and spacious, and even though it's growing in popularity, it's not as common as the normal Mini. Get yourself something rare before everyone finds out about this great little car.

4. Skoda Fabia Greenline 68.9mpg

The Skoda Fabia is a great car. Skoda are part of VAG (Volkswagen Automotive Group) so in essence this car is the Volkswagen Polo Blue-Motion, but cheaper and slightly bigger! The slight increase in size means it's heavier so loses out 5.4mpg over it's VAG brothers. But the extra room and smaller cost means it's still a winner.

This is the mark 2 of the Fabia, and is it not a pretty car? It's a Volkswagen, so it's well built and well run for ever.

3. Mini Cooper D 72.4mpg

For the majority of this millennium the Mini Cooper has been a massive success for BMW. It's been one of the coolest cars to own. There small, cute and fun to drive. There maybe some controversy over the looks, and the fact it's more Midi than Mini, yet the sight of one every 30 seconds in any major town or city speaks for itself.

The cooper D has been improved for 2009 and is now part of an very small group of cars to average over 70 mpg. Even with these current diesel prices, that's a lot of mileage for your money!

2. Volkswagen Polo Blue-Motion 74.3mpg

The Polo is another car that's been around for years and is still very popular. Using the same engine and gear ratios as the Skoda and Seat, this daddy of the small VAG cars is a stunner. Amazing fuel economy, great build quality and VAG reliability make it a great car.

It runs joint top with the Seat (below) yet it sits in position 2 because of it's cost. It might still be popular, but being over £1000 more expensive than the Seat means it's not worthy of the number 1 spot.

1. Seat Ibiza Ecomotive 74.3mpg

Yes, the Seat Ibiza is the most economical car out today. using the same engine as the Polo and Fabia, this small little Spanish car is phenomenal value for money. It's a little over £10000 although they can be had for about £8000 if you look and haggle) and with 74.3mpg it will keep the pounds in the bank.

As with all VAG cars, it's well built, reliable and great fun to drive. The new version has just been launched, and Seat have really outdone themselves with the new model. There popping up everywhere.

Tuning Mini Cooper 2004 Pics

noreply@blogger.com (izalkancil) — Sun, 23 May 2010 10:41:00 +0000

Tuning Mini Cooper 2004 Pics High Res

ENGINE MODIFICATIONS

stage 2 turbo, hoosier headers

TRANSMISSION MODIFICATIONS

standard rebuilt transmission,hd organic clutch

SUSPENSION MODIFICATIONS

gab adjustable multi point suspension

ALLOY WHEELS

20" 5 spoke mags

TYRES

bridgestone potinza super soft

BRAKES

ap 360mm 6 pots

EXTERIOR MODIFICATIONS

blue neons underneath the car.a flag on the mirrors and a big flag on top of the car so people up above can see the flag.

INTERIOR MODIFICATIONS

full colour coded leather buckets to match with paint. xbox built into the passenger side dash with 5.5" tv in the middle.razo pedals custom interior accents autometer voltometer autoimeter air/fuel ratio gauge ninjacar 3 pod gauge pillar.

IN CAR ENTERTAINMENT

panasonic cd player dei 500w x 4 channel amp dei 1100w amp 2 dei 6.5" neodymium mids 2 dei neodymium dome tweets 2 dei crossovers 3 dei 12" 4 ohm subs dei 5500 eq dei digital display 1 farad cap dei in line anl 300 amp fuse holder 2 dei gold battery clamps 1 dei distribution block dei avant guard 4 alarm system 35lbs door solenoid 15lbs trunk solenoid optima yellow top battery custom installation.

Tuning Mini Cooper 2004 Pics

noreply@blogger.com (izalkancil) — Sun, 23 May 2010 10:37:00 +0000

Tuning Mini Cooper 2004 Pics High Res

ENGINE MODIFICATIONS

full mini mania stage iii kit: (247 hp), cold air intake, exhaust header, cat back exhaust system, pulley upgrade, ecu upgrade, hi flow head, performance camshaft, throttle body upgrade, iridium plugs.

ALLOY WHEELS

19" konig theory/17" gunmetal wheels/ 17" volk rays

BRAKES

brembo grand turismo big brake kit (12.6 disc).

EXTERIOR MODIFICATIONS

zeemax wide body kit, euro altezza tail lights,