MINI2

BMW Group and PSA Peugeot Citroën have signed a letter of intent to assess a new extension of their cooperation on petrol engines.

BMW Group and PSA Peugeot Citroën have agreed to extend their successful cooperation in the field of petrol four-cylinder engines. They will jointly conduct a feasibility study concerning a new family of engines, with advanced technology features aimed at delivering excellent power and torque characteristics combined with reduced fuel consumption and CO2-emissions. If the study confirms the expected technological, industrial and financial benefits the two companies intend to enter into a joint development project.

PSA Peugeot Citroën and BMW Group have already a cooperation agreement concerning the development and production of a family of 1.6 - litre turbocharged petrol engines, encompassing two technologies: fully variable valve drive and direct injection, with power ranking from 55 kW (75 hp) to 128 kW (175 hp). The engines sport the newly launched MINI as well as Peugeot and Citroën vehicles.

Information: MINI Press

MINI will be unveiling a new addition to its Convertible range at the 2007 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), when it presents the Sidewalk model for the first time on January 6 in Detroit.

MINI Convertibles have always combined great handling characteristics with the thrill of open-top motoring, but when the Sidewalk hits MINI dealers from April 2007, MINI fans will have the opportunity to get their hands on a fresh model boasting a raft of luxurious design enhancements.

Andy Hearn, General Manager for MINI UK, said: “The MINI One Seven, Cooper Park Lane and Cooper S Checkmate editions of the MINI hatch have been hugely popular, with nearly 8,000 models sold in the UK in just 12 months. We are confident that Sidewalk will offer the same exclusivity and maximum value for Convertible customers. Undoubtedly it will reinforce MINI’s unique position as a premium small car.”

Continue reading MINI Convertible takes a walk on the style side

MINI2 Members have a unique chance to put their questions about the second generation MINI to the MINI design team in Munich

MINI2 has arranged an exclusive questions and answer session with the design team of the new MINI, lead by Gert Hildebrand in Munich. MINI have kindly agreed to field up to ten common or interesting questions from MINI2 members, which we will select from those posted in our forums, and attempt to answer them, complete with illustrations!

So if you’re wondering how or why design decisions were made for the new second generation MINI, then now is your chance to get your questions answered directly by the people who penned the car! To put across your questions please visit our forums here.

MINI2 recently had a Mellow Yellow MINI Cooper S for review, during that period we put together the following video.

In case anyone who followed our “Week with the MINI Cooper S” thread were wondering how the car got so grubby, the following video compilation shot locally and on some our favourite roads for MINI driving will hopefully answer a few questions. And yes, the new exhaust does pop, burble and growl very nicely thank you!

Continue reading Exclusive Mellow Yellow MINI Cooper S Video