We’ve heard the notion before that, with the MINI, BMW brought premium to the small car segment. While that could be argued with a number of earlier products (all available outside the US) it’s hard to argue anyone has ever done it better. This video of MINI USA Vice President Jim McDowell is an update to that ideology with some ties into the 2009/2010 world economy and a renewed emphasis on efficiency.

But more importantly there are a couple of recent exclusive MF reports that McDowell confirms in this video:

• Confirmation that the MINI Countryman has been delayed to an early 2011 launch in the US
• Yes the Speedster and Coupé are coming to the LA Motorshow
• The US dealer network is expanding substantially and rapidly.

No you’re not seeing things… that’s the word BimmerCast up there. And no we’re not merging MotoringFile with BimmerFile. However what we are doing is cross-posting our latest BimmerCast since is almost entirely related to the MINI. Specifically we talk about the MINI E and MINI’s struggles with rolling out the cars and the infrastructure. We also talk about MINI Diesels and the general difficulties of both BMW and MINI’s diesel program (or lack there of) in the US market. Enjoy!

Download (24 MB MP3)

+ BimmerFile Podcast / iTunes Link

The MINI Rolls Royce edition that we exclusively scooped last summer has reportedly been green lit according to Autocar:

Highly placed sources at BMW have told Autocar that the cars will “totally individual” and the project is seeking to create “niche vehicles” for customers.

Our sources are telling us that the package will be an entirely bespoke limited edition model including custom dash, headliner and other signature items. The exterior will be finished in Ming Blue (seen above in these prototype images and here) first used by Rolls in 1992 on a special 25th anniversary Rolls-Royce Corniche IV of which only 25 were produced. These special edition MINIs will be extremely limited and, while we can’t currently confirm, the special edition MINI is expected to cost in excess of $50,000. Not bad, if you ask us, considering the exclusivity and high quality craftsmanship that Rolls Royce is known for.

Keep in mind that the car above was simply a design exercise and the final product will likely look quite a bit different.

http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/05/26/mf-exclusive-rolls-royce-to-create-special-package-options-for-future-minis/

Rich with double entendres and bad acting, MINI’s new promo for its extended protection plan is almost painful to watch. But it gets the point across.

We’ll have our own asessment on the program in the coming days.

Ah the CVT. The answer to all of our problems. Its step-less shifting was to be both good for performance and economy while giving you a wafting cloud like experience. That is until it fails costing the owner $8,000 to replace. It’s been a huge frustration for quite a few R50 owners who opted for the CVT over the manual with many failures happening just around the time the warranty expires.

One automaker who also embraced CVTs around the same time period is Nissan. In fact they are still putting them in cars while MINI has very publicly shifted back to torque converter automatics. And as you’d expect there are many Nissan owners with similar CVT failures. So much so that Nissan has just announced a doubling of it’s warranty to 10 years or 120,000 covering the CVT. In addition to that Nissan is also reimbursing owners who have already shelled out thousands on replacements overly slushy slush boxes.

At this point MINI hasn’t acknowledged the issue and it’s not clear that they will ever do so. However if you’ve had your CVT fail on your R50 MINI, make sure you’re voice is heard both at your local dealer and at MINI USA corporate. BMW has a history of eventually taking care of large scale issues. We have no idea if this will be one of them but it’s certainly worth taking up the ladder so to speak.

You can read the corporte letter to CVT owners from Nissan at Autoblog

Related:

Detailed Technically Assessment on the CVT / MotoringFile

Random Thoughts on MINI Loaners and the CVT / MotoringFile

MF Review: 2003 MINI Cooper CVT / MotoringFile

(This poll is primarily for our US readers.)

The US market is now MINI’s largest in the world. Yet it’s made up only of petrol powered models. Yes, there are good and sensible reasons for this. However we can’t help but find it ironic that it was the US market where the MINI E debuted and continues to be tested. So that got us thinking about what you want.

It appears that not only has the MINI Cooper D (in hatch form) been shelved for the US market, but it would now seem the a diesel Countryman has been as well. Costs are the big issue but beyond that BMW just doesn’t believe MINI USA could sell enough of the diesel powered MINIs to make up for the federalization. Even if the model in question shares a four cylinder diesel with a fully federalized BMW X1 it would seem BMW corporate just doesn’t see a reason to take a risk.

But what about the costs associated with the MINI E program? Yes the MINI E costs quite a bit of money, but in BMW’s eyes it’s an investment in the future of the transportation where diesel is simply a solution for today’s efficiency issues. With higher efficiency petrol engines on the horizon, BMW is betting that they can stay the course in the US and not have to introduce a diesel model.

So that brings us to our question, what would you rather see? Vote below:

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Before we even start, I need to let you know that Todd and I got a chance to see Alliante Station, home of AMVIV 2010. All we can say is it’s going to be off the hook and awesome! If you want to stay there, you had better get a move on and make your reservation because the hotel is almost booked up!

With that out of the way, of course we do the latest news from Motoringfile.com like we like to do, including give our own take on the R60 delays among other things. You also hear our man Chad Miller from Detroit Tuned tonight, which can only mean 1 thing. That’s right, Ask Chad! Quite a few great questions and tips this time around, so pass attention.

Woofcast 314:

Keep those questions coming. You know how, right? Email them to askchad@whiteroofradio.com or call them into the voicemail line at 206-202-3252.

Finally, don’t forget the November contest. Call into the voicemail line to wish MINI of Ontario good luck during their grand opening. I will be selecting one of the callers, at random, to win whatever I buy next time I’m there. Good chance it will be something cool and MINI related.

Woofcast 314:

Shownotes/Download | Subscribe | WRR @ iTunes

Recently MINI revealed to us some insight into the current MINI E field trial program. We got to drive the car (a review is coming) and we talked about some of the insight that they have gotten from the program launched earlier this year.

There is little question that the MINI E field trial was a bold move for BMW. It was designed to give the automaker valuable data and feedback on a large scale roll-out of electric cars among other things. It also placed BMW in the electronic infrastructure business – something that was expected but still uncomfortable for the German manufacturer.

Some of the bigger issues MINI USA has had to deal with revolve around the plug design and installed the home charger. For one a worldwide standardization of connectors does not currently exist. The connector used on the MINI E was not compatible with previous generation chargers so it made installation of new equipment mandatory. On top of this the entire process required timely installation by electricians and checks by local inspectors. And of course local laws and permits needed varied greatly.

Some areas where MINI found issues around where fleet customers not working with MINI to determine charging locations quick enough. Also there was the issue of post-installation troubleshooting and who pays for that service visit.

MINI went on to say that the public infrastructure will be prioritized with next generation products. However this is assuming J1772 and ISO standards are harmonized, which is still a BIG IF. Also vehicle to grid communications will play a bigger role and will things like subscription plans, smart phone reservation apps and load leveling.

Range anxiety is a big issue with not only the MINI E but any fully electric car. Also MINI said that re-thinking residential charging options will be a must as will a more aggressive public infrastructure strategy.

But all is not wrong with the program. MINI has found that owners have been bordering on evangelical about their cars and their experiences. More important the vast majority are thrilled to be involved in the program.

Look for a review by Michael (editor of BimmerFile) in the coming weeks. Hopefully some day (once MINI invites me for an official test-drive) I’ll be able to add mine as well.

This is a repost from one year ago. However given that the weather is about to get colder in the coming weeks, we felt that a re-post was in order.

So you have a MINI. You got the Sport pack and thought performance tires were a good idea. Then it snowed and you almost died. What should you do? That’s the question that prompted this week’s Ask MF sent in by Scott:

I have a 2006 MCS with the sport package and performance runflats I just bought used and I need some recommendations on snow tires to get me through winter. I’m in western Michigan so I really need some dedicated snows rather than all-seasons. Any suggestions?

Blizzak, Nokian, Dunlop and Michelin all make solid snows for the MINI. There some versions that do better in deep snow and some that are more performance oriented. Being in Western Michigan and getting enormous amount of lake effect snow, I’m guessing you need something that geared toward ultimate traction rather than performance. Because of that I’d start with taking a look at the Nokian and Blizzak line-up first.

But what else is out there? Lets hear it in the comment section below.

The on again off again on again diesel plans for the US market may be finally off again. MINI USA worked hard to get the a R56 diesel model to the US but ultimately BMW pulled the plug on the idea due to costs. However with the upcoming Countryman crossover rumored to use the same 2.0L diesel found in the X1 (and other 1 and 3 series models) and BMW planning on bringing said engine over to the US (in the X1, things looked positive.

Up until just a few months ago our sources were relatively positive that the R60 diesel would make it to the US. However just yesterday we heard from very high level sources that BMW North American is currently not planning on importing any flavor of MINI diesel for the foreseeable future.

As always we’ll let you know more as we get it. But until then, if you want diesel power in a small car within the US market, VW and Audi are your only options in the near term.

The highly anticipated MINI Countryman crossover originally intended for release in the US in early 2010 has been delayed until late 2010 at the earliest. Our sources are telling us that MINI USA is weighing the market and could decide to delay the launch up to a year pushing the first delivery dates back to early 2011.

While MINI is very happy with the final design and in fact the car itself, they are somewhat cautious about the economic realities of launching such an important car at the moment. MINI sees the Countryman filling a void for those current owners looking to upsize as they grow out of their cars and need something larger. However they want to remain flexible with the exact time to market.

As we reported earlier today the R60 will feature four seats with an optional five seat configuration. The crossover will have four doors plus a hatchback similar to the one found on the R56. Engines will range from the currently 1.6L petrol range to the new 2.0L BMW derived Diesel powerplant. Finally JCW will be releasing not one but two models. The first will feature much of the current technology found in the R56 JCW. However it’s the second that has caught our attention. With reduced weight, all-wheel drive and a hotter JCW engine it will be a surprisingly focused performance car.

But the question is, when will we see it? With the initial launch being delayed as much as a year it could be late 2011 before we see anything from upcoming JCW range.

Look for more information on the Countryman diesel range tomorrow.

There has been a lot of debate in regards to how many seats the upcoming MINI Countryman (R60) needs or will have. While the official answer will change depending on the market you’re in, we can confirm that MINI intends to allow both four and five seats in the new crossover. The optional five seat set-up will feature three across in the back much like the current BMW 1 series hatch. So that means instead of mounting the third belt on the roof like the optional set-up on the Clubman (available outside the US), MINI will mount it on the top of the seat itself.

Of course leading to those four or five seats will be four real doors plus a standard hatchback (a la the R56). So this will be the first official four door MINI. However what’s unclear at this point is what the standard configuration will be in the various markets. Our guess is that four seats will be standard with five seats remaining strictly an optional extra.

Yes $500 MINIs do exist. Or at least one does as it showed up recently at the 24 Hour of LeMons in Texas. According to Jalopnik the above MINI incurred a 1066 lap penalty for being too new and too nice to possibly cost only $500. The team bought the car from a junkyard where it ended up after a roll-over accident.

The car finished 122 out of 123 (due to that healthy penalty and recorded a best lap time of 2:09.79. That was some 10 seconds off of the pace of the fastest cars out there. Clearly they either weren’t pushing the car or the team weren’t the hottest shoes out there.

But this all begs the question… how much would you have paid for the MINI above. All mechanicals work but with a salvage title and a body more warped than the mind of military dictator, it’s not exactly pretty.

(image courtesy of Jalopnik).

It’s just after 4 am and we’re is just entering the 16th hour of a 24 hour endurance race. I’m behind the wheel of an ‘86 Toyota MR2 that we found in a barn (laden with mice nests and five years of dust) going 105 MPH on an impossibly bumpy and dangerous back stretch. To the right of me are the smoldering fires and 24 hour party of the infield. To the left of me is a ravine, the remnants of what once was a legitimate tire wall and an approaching bank of fog. This is the 24 Hours of LeMons.

All it takes to get to this moment is a $500 car (about triple that invested in safety equipment), a group of friends and just a touch of insanity. Our car came to us how you’d expect; Craigslist. Five years ago the owner brought in the (then only 18 y/o) MR2 to get its windshield replaced. However once the job was done he was nowhere to be found. Its history gets a little hazy after that but suffice to say we found the mouse infested crap can (with a shiny new windshield) where it had been sitting in a barn for the last five years.

As you might expect, the combination of Toyota reliability and a mid-engine chassis (rumored to be honed by Dan Gurney in the early 80’s) make the MR2 relatively popular among LeMons teams. Yet it somehow doesn’t have any associated backlash like the countless E30 3 Series often do. Truth be told the E30 was originally what we bought. However after closer inspection the four door 325e we got was deemed “too nice” for LeMons and the searched continued on ending with the Toyota.

Both a classic Mini and a new MINI have entered LeMons races this year. However being able to find either would have taken more luck (and time digging through junkyards) than imaginable. In fact the new MINI recently in a LeMons race was given a 1066 lap penalty just because none of the judged believed it was bought for under $500 – even if it did roll in a previous accident.

The MR2 was terrible in all the right ways. The suspension was gone and the interior smelled of mouse urine. Oh and it couldn’t start without gas being poured into it. But nevertheless we set about creating a road/track worthy car and over the course of countless nights I’ll be damned if it didn’t actually turn into one. It started, stopped and steered seemingly well enough to drive on the street. So by that rational we figured a 24 hour endurance race should be maybe doable?

There are two tech inspections. One that is taken seriously and one that is not. The latter features someone in a judge’s robe and white wig poking around the car. It also generally includes bribes in the form of craft brewed beer or liquor. However be warned future LeMons drivers… domestic macro-brews such as Coors or Miller are looked down upon and might result in said beer being poured into the engine bay.

The event was held at the infamous Nelson Ledges in north east Ohio. It’s a track that may have seen better days, but I’m pretty sure even those days weren’t great. It’s bumpy, incredibly dangerous and lacked anything but the most basic facilities. Yet I can’t think of another track I’ve had more fun at save for the Nurburgring. It’s a fast sweeping course that features plenty of passing opportunities and tons of character while the muddy infield mixed with back to basics racing gave off a Woodstock vibe.

There is nothing that can quite match the feel of real racing. Two, three and sometimes many more fighting for position around a winding road-course is an exhilarating feeling that I hope more than a few of you experience in your lifetime. As ridiculous as the car and the circumstances around the event were, it was the most magical moment I’ve ever had on a track. The combination of pushing a car (a surprisingly well sorted one I might add) to its limit while picking off cars one by one is the kind of thing that I only imagined in video games.

The thrill of racing into (and through) the night was also a big draw of this particular race. Most LeMons races follow the 12 and 12 format due to local noise restrictions often imposed on even rural tracks. However Nelson Ledges surrounding area makes you rethink the term rural. Suffice to say there are no noise restrictions.

Naturally it was the night stints that really stick in my memory. The fog rolled in on all corners of the track throughout the night and you were never sure what the next lap had in store because of it. Then there was the issue of putting extra lights on $500 cars. It’s an imperfect art-form to say the least and there was some creative lighting solutions on many entries.

The 24 Hours of LeMons features penalties that include things like bolting orange cones to your car and having to parade a pig around the paddock for an hour. Then there were the more sinister fines like filling entire tool boxes with plastic foam and then making the team clean it out before they could go back on the track. And of course there’s the “People’s Curse” which allows for all the teams to vote for the one car they would like to see destroyed. The idea is that it allows for drivers to self police as it’s the worst drivers or the nicest cars that often get this ultimate penalty.

In our case we were only give one penalty for a spin where we came in contact with no one else on the track. Yes it was me. I also had a “moment” while exiting the carousal entering the backstretch. While pushing the always gutsy MR2 first through the inside to pass a car and then to the outside to finish off another, my left rear briefly left the track and entered the frictionless world of damp grass. In my head at that moment I felt like I was actually sliding down the track sideways. I imagine it wasn’t quite that dramatic but I did manage to gather it up (without losing a position) in front of six cars that would have made a full on error pretty costly (think NASCAR at Daytona). However two things allow me to sleep at night. I was the fastest of the team and I was the only one from our team to not actually hit anything.

But that’s not to say we didn’t have drama. Around 2 am our alternator overheated and we limped back into the pits staring defeat in the face. For those who don’t know (and believe me, you’re better off not knowing) replacing an alternator on a mid-engine car is not typically something do be done in a field at 2 am. Yet somehow we not only located a spare alternator from another MR2 team but with superstar mechanic (and driver) Chad Miller from the MINI shop Detroit Tuned we broke out the blow torch and got everything put back together and operational in about 90 minutes.

Save for two incidents (one with a tire wall and another with a faux wood-grained E30 3 Series, the rest of the race was relatively trouble free. While we never climbed as high as we were pre-alternator melt-down (37th) we did manage to steadily pass cars both on the track and on the pits. At 8 am we were 64th and running strong. Our goal at that point was to pass four more cars and finish in the top 60. We managed that plus one at 59th place. Perhaps more impressively I managed the fastest lap of the event on my last stint with the MR2.

The 24 Hours of LeMons is the kind of event that simply cannot be compared. And this particular race at Nelson Ledges (running 24 hours straight) exemplifies the spirit of grassroots racing better than anything I’ve ever seen. The danger, the camaraderie, the unbridled excitement of wheel to wheel racing; it’s something that must be experienced.

Gallery One

Gallery 2

Official Release: The continued popularity of the MINI and the variety of different models available ensured that sales volumes were up 11.1% for the premium compact car brand (19,323 deliveries/prev.yr. 17,386). The MINI Convertible again performed extremely well and, with 2,172 sales worldwide, made the biggest gains (+336.1%). Many more customers than last year opted for the Hatch and Clubman versions of the MINI One this October, with a total of 3,974 units sold (prev.yr. 2079 / +91.1%).

The BMW Group in total increased its global sales in October. A total of 115,252 BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand automobiles were delivered to customers – a 2.0% increase over the same month last year (113,011). During the period from January to October, 1,054,811 (prev.yr. 1,226,844 / -14.0%) vehicles were sold. The company remained on its growth track in the emerging markets of China (9.558 / +81.0%), India (343 / +55.9%) and Brazil (838 / +224.8%) in October. In these markets the BMW Group was able to exceed the sales volume achieved for the whole of 2008 after just ten months. Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for sales and marketing: “We are aiming to set new sales records in China, India and Brazil in 2009.” Commenting on the overall trend, Robertson added: “Our sales figures have been steadily recovering since April – and we were able to make gains in October as planned. We expect to see further solid growth in November and December. Our goal is to remain the world’s leading premium manufacturer once again in 2009.”

Besides China, India and Brazil, the company was also able to increase sales volumes in a series of other markets. In the high-volume markets of the U.K. (12,991 / +34.8%) and Spain (4,693/ +4.0%), for instance, deliveries rose substantially in some cases. The BMW Group also reported strong growth in many smaller markets, including Austria (1,414 / +16.8%), South Africa (1,750 / +15.8%), South Korea (1,100 / +24.3%), Thailand (243 / +18.0%), Argentina (321 / +34.3%) and the Netherlands (1,915 / +6.5%).

Every so often we like to just sit back and watch cars go around the Nurburgring. And what better car than the (still) ultimate MINI, the GP. The new JCW may technically be faster than the GP around the ‘Ring but in our hearts, the GP is still plenty special. Enjoy.

Related:

+ JCW GP Long Term Review / MotoringFile

Yesterday we told you about Wash Me, MINI’s latest book all about car art inspired by a dirty car. Today you can see it come to life in video form.

Official Release:: Today, MINI USA celebrates the Grand Opening of its second dealership in Washington, as the brand continues to grow its U.S. presence and expand its dealer network by 20 percent compared to 2008.

“The Seattle metropolitan area is one of MINI’s largest markets, and this facility will reinforce the brand’s presence and support additional sales growth in a market where MINI is well-known and successful,” said Jim McDowell, Vice President MINI USA. “MINI has established a solid base for the dealer network around the country, and we are now positioning additional facilities in existing markets with the most growth potential.”

The dealership, located close to the University of Washington and just six miles from downtown Seattle, is a renovated facility that previously housed another manufacturer’s sales outlet. Staying true to the brand’s values associated with MINIMALISM, re-using an existing facility allowed the MINI dealer to minimize the negative impact associated with building a brand new facility, save cost and re-energize an empty storefront. The site near the University is a prime location for the dealer to increase visibility with college students, a key MINI customer segment.

“The world is becoming more MINI every day, and consumer tastes are shifting decidedly to cars that offer tremendous value. The MINI brand is considered ageless, and its core traits are well-aligned with the demands of today’s customers,” said McDowell. “Our cars are not only fuel efficient, and offer great value, but they also provide a fun and dynamic motoring experience and are packed with personality.”

The 60,000 square foot facility, positioned on 1.1 acres, employs 30 staff members and can accommodate 19 vehicles on the two show floors, as well as an additional 45 vehicles on a rooftop lot. The dealership has an aggressive sales target for its first full year of business, as Seattle is one of the top 12 markets in the U.S.

Seattle MINI is owned by Manfred Scharmach, who has been part of the MINI and BMW family for years. He also owns two additional BMW Group sales outlets in Washington, Northwest MINI and BMW Northwest. The dealership is located at 11550 Lake City Way NE, Seattle, WA 98125-5328.

The Seattle MINI Grand Opening celebration begins at 6 PM today, and guests will enjoy local wines, food from local restaurant, Waterfront Seafood Grill and music by Seattle’s own, Doctor Funk. Special guests will include Jim O’Donnell, President BMW Group North America; Jim McDowell, Vice President MINI USA; Robert Frisch, Vice President BMW Group Western Region; as well as local celebrities and political leaders.

In the spirit of MINI’s giving back philosophy, Seattle MINI has selected a Motoring Hearts Partner, the Seattle Chapter of Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF), which will receive a donation from the event. Photos will be taken on the red carpet upon arrival that can be purchased online after the event and will generate a donation to CFF. Plus, all attendees will receive a coupon that can be presented during a new car purchase before December 31, 2009. For each coupon, Seattle MINI will donate $200 from the purchase to the Seattle CFF chapter. A Motoring Rally is also planned for the spring to continue Seattle MINI’s support for CFF.

Official Release: It’s always tempting to write “Wash Me” on a dirty car or to draw something on a fogged windscreen with your finger. Everyday situations like this were the inspiration for this publication, says Nico Ammann, art director and photographer of the works featured in the book to be published by MINI Switzerland in a limited edition of 2,000.

The upshot is a colourful volume depicting a wide range of subjects, and one that will appeal not only to MINI fans. The common thread is that none of the ten artists has ever before worked with the automobile as a medium, and each has transformed it into a transient work of art.

The following artists and authors contributed to the book project: Smash137, Fabian Bertschinger, Marisa Pichler and Gigi Burn, Tika, Euro, Aurèle Sack, Stefan Ege and Seak, August, Rémi Jaccard and, last but not least Dieter Meier, also famous as the singer in the band Yello.

Designer Alfredo Häberli provided two sketches and an article. The author and journalist Michèle Roten and Prof. Dr. Jacqueline Otten, director of the design department at Zurich University of the Arts, likewise made creative written contributions to the book, which will be out in early November.

Art always was, and remains, a key aspect of the MINI brand. MINI is, for example, the exclusive partner of the “Ludlow 38” exhibition space at the Goethe-Institut in New York, located in the heart of the thriving gallery district in the Lower East Side, near Chinatown and not far from the New Museum of Contemporary Art. Since its inauguration in 2008, this gallery space has presented contemporary artistic projects in collaboration with various cultural partners in Germany. Through its partnership with brands such as Bisazza and its involvement with FIAC 2007 or the International Talent Support / MINI International Photo Award in Trieste, MINI also remains true to its traditional involvement with unconventional cultural projects. Reason enough to welcome the launch of a vibrant photo book that is bound to delight MINI fans as well as design, art and photographic enthusiasts. For further information on the book please go to www.washme.ch.

Official Release: What MINI and street art have in common? The MINI has always characterized the image of the metropolis and is itself part of the urban street culture. Exceptional design has always been to claim the mark. A passion shared by the protagonists of the creative street art.

The legendary New York street artist Craig “KR” Costello has missed last week in Hamburg, a MINI its unique style. His trademark, so-called KRINK dripping ink aesthetics, are motifs for which the color extends downward, as if it were applied too thick. The entire MINI was designed in the typical drop KRINK aesthetics of the creative people from Brooklyn. In the silver color runs along the distinctive shape of the MINI, around the body and side and rear windows of the black car.

The project was the “first love story” and the photographer Ali Salehi.

Am 28.10. presented the Hamburg trendy KRINK MINI in the bar “First Love” to the public. Am 31.10. interested will have the possibility of the MINI, and other works by the artist from the Vicious Gallery (HH) to admire.

Erstenthüllung:

Wednesday 28 October, 19.00 – 23.00 clock First Love Bar, Michaelisbrücke 3, 20459 Hamburg

Opening reception and exhibition: Saturday 31 October, from 20.00 clock Vicious Hallery, Kleine Freiheit 46, 22767 Hamburg

For more information about the project and an interview with street artist can be found at www.MINIspace.com.

About KRINK.

Craig “KR” Costello earned in the 90 years of downward trending silver signature great fame in the scene.

This resulted in the brand KRINK. Today’s tags can be found in doorways, on walls, subway stations, street signs, etc. in the cities weltweit.Bereits in his youth, he lived in Queens, New York, developed KR graffiti colors. What began as a personal experimenting with homemade materials, quickly became a first strictly limited product line with special silver paint in bottles, which he distributed to selected friends. The result is a thriving company has grown, offering under the name KRINK (KR-INK), a wide range of specialty inks and markers that represent the highest quality and have a genuine cult status.