That’s the rather excellent, and also quite true quote that leads an article on the MINI “brand” focused around an interview with Kay Segler, Global Marketing Director of MINI, appearing in the Globe and Mail.
In the interview he speaks about the Rover “experience” from which those involved with MINI had “learned to be humble from”. It’s a fairly broad reaching article, focusing heavily on the concept and realisation of the MINI brand, and what that means to Kay and others at MINI HQ.
Certainly worthy of a read, you’ll find it on the Globe and Mail website.
Remaining in the Canadian media, if you’re also looking for a nice, ego boosting review of the MINI Cooper S pitted against the Volvo C30 and VW Golf, then you should check out this article on Driving.ca, in which author Paul Byrne concludes:
However, if performance and a thrill ride are your objectives, then the Cooper S stands out from the others. It also offers the best handling and fuel economy of the trio.
To us at MINI2, that “thrill ride” is every bit as important as the brand image. As nice as many of the MINI branded accessories and products may be, you only get that thrill when you’re behind the wheel on the open roads in your MINI.
To be honest, we were never really out of a MINI.
That’s because our family, mostly due to us leading them astray, have almost all been bitten by the MINI bug to a greater or lesser extent. This in turn meant we were very fortunate in being able to borrow a MINI while without our own means of transport.
You see, when our ill-fated Cooper S was left at the dealers for good early in 2007, we can’t deny feeling a little empty and wondering just what to do next. Since 2002 we’ve owned at least one MINI. We love the MINI, the MINI scene, MINI2! What would we do?!
Well, we’re in a quandary no more. We now have a Cooper S, but it’s not just ANY Cooper S. It’s not a new Cooper S, but it is a very special MINI Cooper S, a second hand MINI that as MINI UK would put it, is truly “Cherished”.
Continue reading Back in the MINI Saddle Again
Following on from our earlier report on the 2008 MINI Challenge Australia, which will feature the second generation MINI Cooper S in full challenge car spec, MINI Australia have Today released their full press release on the upcoming MINI Challenge series. It’s a bit OTT, but we admire their enthusiasm, so it’s reproduced in full for you below!
MINI RISES TO THE CHALLENGE IN 2008
- Ultra-competitive one make MINI Challenge Series announced
- Affordable, fast and fun
- Australian debut for New generation R56 MINI Challenge cars
- 8 race weekends take MINI Challenge across Australia
MINI will race heart-rates off the clock around Australia when a grid full of potent MINI Cooper S hardtops catapult the 2008 MINI Challenge Series into the very-fast lane.
A swarm of angry bees or nest of exceedingly disturbed vipers would pale into insignificance compared with the swashbuckling bump-and-grind apex arguments that will divide the victorious from the vanquished in this modern-day joust between multitudes of jostling knights in shining armour.
Testosterone levels will reach critical as MINI Challenge visits eight of the most exciting tracks across all Australian States and Territories.
Continue reading MINI Challenge 2008 - Australia
The Brazilian Tritec Engine factory has closed it’s doors after producing their last engine for the MINI Convertible, reports Just-Auto.com (subscription required).
Tritec Motors was launched as a joint venture between BMW and Chrysler in 1996 with an investment of $484,000,000 (USD) to supply 1.4 and 1.6 litre petrol engines to both companies, and all the first generation MINI petrol engines were produced at the Brazilian plant, including those fitted to the continuing MINI Convertible model.
The Tritec power plant, while arguably relatively inefficient and heavy by standards of Today, had been highly regarded during it’s production cycle. The Supercharged derivative which powered the first generation MINI Cooper S was crowned International Engine of the Year in 2003.
So the question (already raised on the MINI2 forums) is “What about the Convertibles?!”. We’ve asked MINI, and are awaiting an official response to the supply situation, but we’re sure this has been thought through in advance.
The Confederation of Australian Motor Sport is pleased to announce the approval of a new one-make national racing series to be known as the ‘MINI Challenge’ which will hit Australian circuits starting from 2008. The series is expected to visit all states and territories around the country and will join the likes of Formula 3, Formula Ford and Carerra Cup as domestic racing categories which also have strong links internationally.
It is great to welcome the iconic MINI back to the Australian motor racing scene after so many years
said Graeme Emerton, Chairman of CAMS’ Australian Motor Racing Commission.
The MINI Challenge, which is already being run in a number of European countries and also New Zealand, has been an incredibly successful initiative and MINI’s long term commitment to Australian motor sport with this series will provide confidence to competitors and event promoters alike.
The MINI brand has had a long association with motor sport in Australia, particularly in Touring Car racing with their most significant achievement coming in 1966 with Rauno Aaltonen and Bob Holden at the helm of the victorious Morris Cooper S at Bathurst, a race in which Mini cars amazingly filled the top nine places.
More recently, Australian MINI motor sport activities have focused on tarmac rallying with a three-car team campaigned in 2006 and 2007. The lead Team MINI racer, driven by Paul Stokell, finished ninth outright in the 2007 Targa Tasmania rally in April.
Continue reading MINI Challenge set to make Australian debut in 2008
MINI Ireland have announced record breaking sales in 2007.
By midday on Tuesday, 13th June 2007, MINI sales in Ireland had hit 1012 units. Quite incredibly, this surpasses the previous sales record of 1001 units that was achieved in total in 2005!
Nicola Bissett, MINI Manager Ireland, is quoted as saying;
We are delighted to see the MINI success story going from strength to strength in Ireland. The launch of the All New MINI in November 2006 has greatly attributed to the success that MINI is enjoying along with the launch of a 1.4 litre MINI One launched in April of this year.
The MINI hatch model is available in four variants in Ireland: MINI One, MINI Cooper, MINI Cooper D and MINI Cooper S, which are being sold in 13 MINI Dealers across the country. Prices start from €21,950 on the road.
Whenever someone posts up their rolling road results on MINI2, you can almost guarantee an ensuing debate about dyno graphs, drivetrain loss, airflow, temperature, humidity and just about anything else that can affect the outcome and interpretation of such tests. The conclusion generally being that they’re a decent measure of before and after modification power, or for a bit of fun and one upmanship, but not much beyond that.
With that in mind it was interesting to read that Stockholm based Rototest have collated figures from more than 550 engine tests performed using their own unique dynamometer which bolts directly onto the wheel hub in a handy to use web format. And at the same time drawn the conclusion that the average vehicle only achieves around 90% of it’s stated output.
However, according to Rototest (and of interest to us), manufacturers providing more power than their official claims include Mazda, VW, Skoda and MINI. While three of the top five models had forced induction engines.
Continue reading MINI Performs Better Than it Should, Most Cars Dont.
MINI USA is now offering a factory-installed digital HD Radio receiver with FM multicasting capability as an option in the all-new 2007 MINI Cooper and Cooper S hardtops, produced from June 2007. MINI joins its sister brand, BMW to be only one of two automotive brands to currently offer HD Radio technology to its customers.
HD Radio technology is one of the most significant advances in radio broadcasting history, providing listeners with enhanced digital audio quality and clear, noise-free reception, as well as multicasting and on-screen text information. The HD Radio multicasting feature allows FM stations to broadcast multiple channels of digital programming simultaneously on a single frequency.
Continue reading MINI USA Offers Factory Installed HD Radio
MINI hatch models are to receive technological revisions later this year, resulting in jaw-dropping performance and efficiency figures.
Following on from Yesterday’s great news about the demand for the MINI Cooper D, Today’s press release from BMW (to follow), will no doubt push demand even further through the roof!
MINI hatch models are to receive technological revisions later this year, resulting in jaw-dropping performance and efficiency figures. Already BMW Group’s cleanest ever car, the MINI Cooper D will be capable of returning an astonishing 72.4mpg, with CO2 emissions of just 104 g/km.
When production of the revised models begins in August 2007, there will be no requirement for alternative fuel sources or hybrid technology to achieve these stunning stats. All model variants will instead be supplied as standard with high-tech engine tweaks, providing exceptional economy and minimal emissions without compromising the MINI driving experience.
Brake Energy Regeneration, Auto Start-Stop Function and Switch Point Display complete a package that will come at no extra cost to future MINI customers.
Continue reading 72.4mpg. 104 g/km C02. No batteries required.
As of August 2007, all MINI hatchback models with reduced fuel consumption and exhaust emission levels as standard.
As of August 2007, all MINI hatchback models with reduced fuel consumption and exhaust emission levels as standard - maximum efficiency in the new MINI Cooper D: 3.9 litres per 100 kilometres, 104 grams CO2 per kilometre.
Continue reading Increased driving pleasure, reduced fuel consumption: the new MINI in the model year 2008
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