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.

MINI USA reported sales of 4,176 automobiles, a decrease of 20.8 percent compared to 5,272 cars reported in the same month a year ago when MINI benefited over-proportionally from $4 dollar gas prices. Year-to-date, MINI USA also reported sales of 39,172 automobiles, a decrease of 14.8 percent, compared to the 45,966 cars reported in the first ten months of 2008.

“October played trick or treat with us and we got a mixed bag of news with no clear trend,” said Jim McDowell, Vice President MINI USA. “While our dealers reported a lot of cautious customers and pragmatic buying choices, we also saw an inspiring performance in the West with sales being above last year.”

Official Release: Despite the continuing adverse economic climate, the BMW Group once again recorded positive earnings for the third quarter 2009. “The measures we have put in place to increase efficiency and reduce costs are taking effect“, stated Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG on Tuesday in Munich. As a result, earnings for the full year 2009 are likely to be positive: “We are aiming to achieve positive group earnings for the current financial year“, continued Reithofer. This prediction is made on the assumption that the global economy and conditions on the car markets do not worsen in the period up to the year-end.

Third-quarter revenues decreased to euro 11,759 million (third quarter 2008: euro 12,588 million). The Group reports a profit before financial result (EBIT) of euro 55 million (third quarter 2008: euro 387 million) and a profit before tax of euro 126 million (third quarter 2008: euro 279 million). Revenues for the nine-month period decreased to euro 36,239 million (first nine months 2008: euro 40,425 million). EBIT amounted to euro 169 million (first nine months 2008: euro 1,639 million) and the profit before tax to euro 79 million (first nine months 2008: euro 1,522 million). The profit after tax was euro 47 million (first nine months 2008: euro 1,292 million).

During the period from July to September, the automobile industry in its main sales markets was again confronted with reduced consumer spending and with intense market competition amidst unfavourable business conditions. The BMW Group was unable to avoid the effects of these developments. The BMW Group, however, continues to benefit from having reacted quickly to the global financial and economic crisis by putting a wide range of measures into place at an early stage. As a result, the BMW Group has been able to improve its cost structures continually over the course of the year. A whole range of efficiency improvement measures are being implemented at great pace on both the cost and the revenues side to offset the impact of adverse market conditions.

Automobiles segment aiming to achieve positive free cash flow in 2009

As a result of the stabilisation of conditions on the automobile and capital markets as well the effect of transferring the second tranche of German pension obligations to an external fund under a Contractual Trust Arrangement (CTA), liquid funds decreased to euro 9,899 million at30 September 2009 (30 June 2009: euro 11,898 million). The BMW Group is steering towards a target of approximately euro 9 billion for the year-end. Free cash flow generated by the Automobiles segment in the third quarter 2009 was reduced by approximately euro 1.9 billion by the funding of pension obligations and investments in marketable securities. Adjusted for this effect, free cash flow would have only just been negative (minus euro 99 million) as a result of a small increase in net working capital. The adjusted free cash flow for the nine-month period was positive at euro 417 million. On the basis of this adjustment, the aim is to achieve a positive free cash flow for the full year as well.

Sales volume decrease of 10% to 15% expected for the full year 2009

Based on the sales volume growth in September 2009, the BMW Group should be able to record increases for the remaining months of the year. This will be enhanced by the new BMW X1 and 5 Series Gran Turismo models added to the model range at the end of October, which are arousing much interest amongst customers. Overall, the company expects that the sales volume decrease for the full year will be within a corridor of between 10% and 15%. “It is still too early to give the all-clear for the world’s automobile markets“, stressed Reithofer.

The BMW Group is cautiously optimistic about its outlook for 2010: “We expect that the markets will make a gradual recovery over the coming year”, continued Reithofer. The BMW X1 and BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo should provide good momentum. This trend will be fuelled further between 2010 and 2012 when the new versions of high-selling models come onto the markets. The aim for 2012 in the Automobiles segment is still to achieve a return of sales (EBIT) of between 8% and 10% and a return on capital employed (RoCE) of more than 26%.

Weak economy takes toll on Automobiles segment earnings

The pace of sales volume decrease continued to slow in the third quarter compared to the preceding quarter. The total number of BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand vehicles delivered to customers in the period from July to September decreased by 7.2% to 324,100 units (third quarter 2008: 349,098 units). Sales of BMW brand cars dropped by 9.2% to 263,864 units (third quarter 2008: 290,661 units). The number of MINI brand cars sold increased by 3.4% to 60,104 units (third quarter 2008: 58,105 units). A total of 132 Rolls-Royce brand vehicles was sold during the third quarter 2009 (third quarter 2008: 332 units / -60.2%).

939,554 BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand cars were delivered to customers in the period from January to September 2009 (first nine months 2008: 1,113,972 units / -15.7%). Sales of BMW brand cars dropped by 16.2% to 777,455 units (first nine months 2008: 928,230 units). The number of MINI brand cars sold was 12.6% down at 161,638 units (first nine months 2008: 184,915 units). 461 Rolls-Royce brand vehicles were sold during the period (first nine months 2008: 827 units / -44.3%).

Third-quarter revenues and earnings of the Automobiles segment were adversely affected by the sales volume decline caused by the global economic crisis and by intense market competition in the automobile sector. The segment reports a negative EBIT of euro 76 million (third quarter 2008: positive EBIT of euro 141 million) and a loss before tax of euro 154 million (third quarter 2008: profit before tax of euro 18 million). Revenues declined to euro 10,178 million for the quarter (third quarter 2008: euro 11,113 million) and to euro 30,610 million for the nine-month period (first nine months 2008: euro 37,029 million). The segment reports a negative EBIT of euro 358 million (first nine months 2008: positive EBIT of euro 1,155 million) and a loss before tax of euro 783 million (first nine months 2008: profit before tax of euro 882 million).

BMW Motorrad records volume decline in third quarter

The third-quarter performance of the Motorcycles segment was also dominated by difficult market conditions worldwide. 22,741 motorcycles (third quarter 2008: 24,818) were sold during the three month period, 8.4% fewer than one year earlier. Revenues decreased to euro 239 million (third quarter 2008: euro 271 million). The Motorcycles segment reports a negative EBIT of euro 3 million (third quarter 2008: negative EBIT of euro 5 million) and a loss before tax of euro 5 million (third quarter 2008: loss before tax of euro 7 million). The number of motorcycles sold during the first nine months of the year decreased to 69,715 units (first nine months 2008: 80,750 units / -13.7%). Segment revenues fell to euro 865 million (first nine months 2008: euro 1,008 million), while EBIT dropped to euro 51 million (first nine months 2008: euro 87 million). The profit before tax amounted to euro 45 million (first nine months 2008: euro 80 million).

Financial Services segment performs well

The Financial Services segment performed well during the reporting period in the midst of unfavourable business conditions. Third-quarter segment revenues fell to euro 3,831 million (third quarter 2008: euro 4,084 million). The profit before tax improved to euro 94 million (third quarter 2008: loss before tax of euro 17 million). Nine-month revenues totalled euro 12,058 million (first nine months 2008: euro 11,818 million) and the profit before tax was euro 247 million (first nine months 2008: euro 131 million).

Compared to 31 December 2008, the segment’s business volume in balance sheet terms decreased by 2.6% to euro 59,055 million. At 30 September 2009, the Financial Services segment was managing a worldwide portfolio of 3,053,166 lease contracts, up by 2.8%. The weak state of the global economy took its toll on credit financing and leasing business volumes. The number of new contracts signed worldwide with retail customers fell by 18.3% to 752,257 units for the nine-month period. Lease contracts accounted for 28.9% of total new business, 5.4 percentage points lower than in the corresponding period last year. Credit financing contracts accounted for 71.1% of new business. The proportion of new cars of the BMW Group financed or leased by the Financial Services segment was 48.9%, 0.9 percentage points higher than the proportion recorded one year earlier.

The total volume of all new credit and leasing contracts signed with retail customers during the nine-month period under report amounted to euro 18,334 million, 18.0% down on the corresponding period year.

The risk profile with respect to residual value and credit risks was unchanged compared to the first half of the year. As before, the positive and negative effects on the risk provision offset each other. No additional expense was required to be recognised for unforeseen risk provision.

Workforce reduced

The number of employees decreased during the period under report. The BMW Group workforce comprised 98,358 employees worldwide at the end of the third quarter (September 30, 2008: 103,850 employees). This corresponds to a reduction of 5.3%. Natural fluctuation, pre-retirement part-time working arrangements and voluntary employment contract termination agreements are used in managing the size of the workforce.

At the same time, however, the BMW Group continues to recruit specialists in a number of areas, particularly in the field of research and development. In addition, even during difficult economic times, the BMW Group is showing responsibility in the area of training: 1,118 apprentices were taken on in 2009, 1,080 of them in Germany.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Big thanks to Andrew

Official Release: The John Cooper Works name has been inextricably linked with the legendary motorsport exploits of MINI for over 40 years now. The acclaimed British firm is synonymous with racing expertise and premium quality, and the spirit of John Cooper is also woven into the exquisite MINI Collection in the shape of textiles and accessories for him and her. This sporting product line sets out to “KEEP IT WILD” and transfer that racing feeling to the road. In so doing, the items in the range exude a cool vintage style, complete with logos and trim features which recall the distinctive British Racing Green colour shade. This authentic look will please both budding amateur mechanics and those with less of a fondness for grease and spanners.

The Men’s John Cooper Works T-Shirt ensures you make a fine impression both in the workshop and beyond with its stand-out “KEEP IT WILD” motif in easy-going distressed look.

Understated details like the green contrasting stripes on the collar and arm borders, and the embroidered JCW logo on the chest are signature features of the Men’s John Cooper Works Polo. This grey shirt with button-down neck and striking red trim under the collar is extremely comfortable and should be an essential feature of any wardrobe. The long-sleeved John Cooper Works Rugby Shirt with buttoned V-neck in understated green is just what you need for those cooler days in the MINI. The stylish men’s version grabs the attention with its red Racing Stripes on the lower left sleeve and black stitched JCW logo on the chest. The ladies’ shirt boasts a bold “KEEP IT WILD” print on the front, contrasting stripes on the left upper sleeve and embroidered JCW logo on the nape of the neck. The Unisex John Cooper Works Belt is a fitting addition to the vintage line. This practical worker-style accessory has two pockets attached to its reverse side which feature “KEEP IT WILD” artwork and offer a home-from-home for keys, credit cards and the like. The belt buckle provides secure support with its double-eye clasp.

Currently I have an E30 and a R56 and both BimmerFile and MotoringFile are taylor made for me. Now my question. The other night I watched a show about the worlds largest car transport ship named the Faust out of Sweden. They were shipping both MINI’s and BMW’s (among others) from England to the US. I noticed on the BMW’s that each car had what appeared to be a coating of sorts which was evenly applied and which caused each cars paint to have a dull and flat appearence. I don’t think it was dirt or gime and it did not seem to be visible on the MINI’s, Jag’s or Rolls Royces. If you know; is this some type of protective coating applied to the cars for shipping? I’m more curious then anything.

Thanks for the kind words. The material you are talking about is called Cosmoline. It is a thick waxy substance BMW coats the vehicles in for shipment. It is removed by a hot water wash at the US port, separated and then recycled. BMW’s X5 and X6 vehicles wear protective cloth bags that are reused. On newer cars you can sometimes see during the hot summer wax like drips coming out of the door seams.

Rumors are continuing to swirl around a possible MINI WRC entry in the form of the Countryman crossover. The latest comes from Autosport and sources within the team that would build the car – Prodrive. Reportedly confirmation of the deal has now been stalled until spring but work seemingly is continuing deep within Prodive Uk headquarters. Here’s an excerpt from Autocar:

The Crossover road car was due to be launched this year, but that has also been postponed until either next year’s Geneva or Paris motorshow next year. AUTOSPORT sources indicate the World Rally Car would be likely to be launched at the Paris show. Prodrive has been working on a theoretical new generation World Rally Car for much of this year, developing the parts required without actually working on a base model.

Technical director David Lapworth said: “Right now there is nothing to say and I don’t think there will be anything to say until the spring. This is not an official statement from me, it’s just the way things look. “That said, it’s going to be very difficult to keep this thing under wraps. Very soon we will have to start involving more and more people: the FIA, a lot more suppliers and things like that. Once we do that, more is bound to come out.

Related:

+ MINI to Join WRC with Countryman? / MotoringFile

+ MINI to Launch Special Edition Countryman JCW Model / MotoringFile

We know that BMW has grand plans for its smallest brand. MINI has gone from one shape and three models to three cars and well over a dozen models worldwide.

In 2001 BMW debuted the R50 MINI Cooper and MINI One to great acclaim. However tucked away in much of the press coverage of the launch was the fact that BMW didn’t expect to even break even on the development and launch costs over the course of the models life-cycle. The problem were economies of scale and the fact that the MINI was a bespoke platform designed from the ground up to be shared with nothing else on the market (save for the Chrysler developed engine). The writing was on the wall even then. BMW needed multiple variants of the MINI to make the brand stand on its own financially.

Fast forward eight years. MINI has successfully launched it’s second generation hatchback and along the way added a convertible and the long wheel base clubman – all based on the core R56 platform (itself based on the R50). But BMW is just getting started.

The 2010 MINI Countryman Crossover

The next MINI will indeed be the R60 crossover. While the debut has been pushed back slightly we still expect this car product to appear in the first part of 2010 with European and US sales starting in early spring. Without going into too much detail (you can naturally find that in our R60 section) look for MINI’s first all-wheel drive system, a range of familiar and not-so-familiar engines powering the crossover. Four doors and optional five seats will make this the largest MINI ever produced.

We expect the full range of models including a standard JCW and a very limited edition lightened JCW R60. Finally look for the R60 to be the first MINI to offer diesel power in the US.

The Countryman, like the original MINI, will feature a relatively bespoke platform. However, even with the R60 sharing components with the R55/R56, BMW intends to maximize the development costs of the new platform but spinning off several variants.

The MINI Moke Concept

The first of these will be shown in concept form sometime in 2010 most likely. However we believe this has been pushed back in favor of the Roadster and Coupé concepts and eventual production cars. When the concept finally does surface we expect it to resurrect the Moke name and feature a stripped down interior and an exterior devoid of a full roof. Imagine a small version of the four door Jeep Wrangler and you have an idea of what’s in store.

The MINI MPV Concept

Also on the drawing board is an R60 derived four door GTI type of vehicle. Lower to the ground and without the faux off-road baggage that the Countryman will be saddled with, the SpaceBox concept (as it is called internally) is intended to move the MINI brand into more mainstream waters and is aimed primarily at the European market (though still should make it to the US).

There are several other concepts sources have told us about (a sedan and a small truck to name two) but we believe what is mentioned above will have the greatest chance of making it to the showroom floor and possibly even production.

The 2012 MINI Roadster/Coupé

As we predicted last spring, MINI is indeed going ahead with production plans for the Roadster and Coupé models. MINI Design is working (through the night we expect) to finalize production versions of the cars that won’t differ outwardly to much from the concepts. Look for MINI to eventually offer Cooper, Cooper S and JCW versions of both.

The 2013 MINI Hatchback

It’s hard to believe but in four years we expect MINI to roll out an entirely new replacement for the R56. Details are very sketchy but we expect engines to generally get more efficient and for some to even lose a cylinder. As we’ve reported BMW is planning on sharing at least one three cylinder petrol powerplant (if not more) with this next generation MINI. It’s much less clear when it comes to the future of the current R56 engine range. Codenamed “Prince” the current engines were designed by BMW but built in cooperation with PSA. As has been recently reported, PSA is keen to continue the partnership and gain more access to BMW’s engine technology. However it’s unclear what BMW would gain from a continued partnership knowing that they have stated that they intend to share as much of the next generation MINI development costs with other BMW models. That of course include engines.

The MINI Vision Concept

Once again here’s where things get a little hazy. We’ve had several sources tell us recently that MINI is in the initial stages of creating their own “Vision Concept” similar to BMW’s in concept but thoroughly different in form. We expect Project i related technology and a smaller form factor but beyond that we don’t know much about this concept.

Here’s what we know in terms of launch dates so far (each links to its section on MF):

• R55 Clubman (2008)
• R56 Hatchback (2007)
• R57 Convertible (2009)
• R60 Crossover (2010)
• R?? Speedster (late 2011)
• R?? Coupé (late 2011)
• R?? Hatchback (late 2013)

Here’s what we don’t know:

• R6? SpaceBox
• R6? Moke

As always stay tuned to MF for more details as we get them.

Automotive News is reporting that PSA is looking at deepening it’s ties with the German company. As it stands now PSA produces engines blocks for the BMW design 1.6L engines found in the current MINI range. However the idea is that this new round of cooperation could return the favor so to speak with PSA offering BMW it’s upcoming 3 cylinder engines. However we’re not entirely sure this makes sense with BMW set to produce it’s own range of highly efficient 3 cylinders destined for both BMW and MINI products. Here’s an excerpt:

CEO Phillipe Varin said he is talking with BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer about cooperation in areas such as purchasing and components including transmissions and climate control systems. “We have set up groups of experts to work on deepening our cooperation on gasoline engines,” the German business daily Handelsblatt quoted Varin as saying.

+ PSA Plans Deeper Ties with BMW / Autonews

The Center for Companies that Care is a national not-for-profit organization whose main goal is to educate and inspire employers to incorporate business practices that will support the needs of society as well as the profitability of the business (click here for more info: http://www.companies-that-care.org/index.php).

The CTC is having their annual Benefit Dinner on NOV 5th to raise funds for their programs. One of their programs – AIM High, is focused on helping inner-city high school students in Chicago by facilitating a mentorship between a corporate mentor and a student. I’ve been fortunate to have been involved as a mentor for the last year. The mentorship is a long-term commitment with the expectation of following the student not only through high school, but onto college and hopefully graduating from a 4-year college.

This is where your help is needed. The CTC is having a raffle. The grand prize is either a new MINI Cooper or $15,000. Tickets are $100 each or 3 for $250. Only 500 tickets will be sold. The deadline to purchase raffle tickets is Monday NOV 2nd (click here to purchase tickets: http://www.companies-that-care.org/l2_news_73.php). The winner need not be present. Delivery of the MINI would occur at one of the Chicagoland MINI dealerships.

Wouldn’t it be great to own another MINI?? With only 500 tickets to be sold, your chances are pretty good at winning the prize. Hope you can help!! With about a week to go, what are you waiting for!!!

Official photos and details will be released in a few months but we have a few bits and pieces to finally reveal. For one we’ve confirmed (for the 3rd time now) that MINI will name the R60 “Countryman”. For those who have been following MotoringFile for awhile this shouldn’t be news, but another high-level confirmation was worth a mention.

However what is news is that MINI will be branding the new all-wheel drive system that comes optional on the Countryman. Like Audi does with Quattro and BMW does with Xdrive, MINI wants to create a sub-brand that will be recognizable with consumers. Therefore the system will launch with the name “All4″ tied to it.

While marketing is getting underway on the new MINI, pre-production is lagging behind. First off the X3 is still being produced. And as BMW’s most profitable vehicle per unit, they are very sensitive to the time it will take to stop production in Austria and start production of the new X3 in the US. So the Countryman is certainly a secondary thought as compared to an already established vehicle like the X3.

But that hasn’t stopped Magna Steyr from starting the hiring process at the Austria plant. Once X3 production ceases, new candidates have been selected and trained (along with the rest of the staff) production should commence. However the specific time when that will happen remains a little foggy other than to say early 2010.

All this leads us to believe that MINI may well push back the launch of the R60 to the Geneva Motor Show in early March rather than show it in Detroit in early January. If that’s the case we’d also guess that the debut R55/R56/R57 refresh will also fall back a few months.

Drive Magazine has some incredible in-car video of a new MINI flat-out around the Lake Doksa Circuit Greece by driver Giannis Tsigris. Enjoy!

Hat tip to Dylan.

MINI’s latest commercial demonstrates some core differences between MINI and non MINI drivers.

Car Magazine has captured the first photos of Audi’s A1 in all its prototype glory. The A1 represents yet another challenger in the premium small category that MINI has so dominated over the years. Look for the new hatch to debut at the Geneva motor show in March.

In other news it looks like BMW and MINI don’t have the market cornered anymore on the famous camouflage swirls.

(Photo courtesy of Car Magazine)

A couple of months ago we broke MINI’s upcoming auto show schedule starting with the release of the Coupé/Roadster twins in Frankfurt. Now comes MINI’s next phase in LA. The LA Autoshow should see the North American debut of the Roadster/Coupé twins but not much else. MINI will be saving the big debut for Detroit.

Yes that means the R60 (aka the MINI Crossover) will be debuting in the Motorcity in early January at the North American International Auto Show. The car will technically debut on the web a few weeks before but the show will feature our first hands-on glimpse of the final production spec.

Next up MINI should start to roll out the R55/R56/R57 lifecycle refresh and what better place than the Geneva Motorshow in March. While we haven’t confirmed this plan yet, it would seem appropriate as that’s where the R50/R53 refresh was also debuted.

As always we’ll be covering everything as it happens.