MINI2

An interactive MINI advert which appeared on a newspaper internet site has landed MINI in hot water with the ASA (Advertising Standard Agency) in the UK.

The animated promotional banner showed a close-up of a man sat at the wheel of a MINI, driving down the road - including instructions for surfers to “FLOOR IT” using an interactive pedal.

When users pressed on the pedal icon the car in the graphic accelerated until the driver’s face appeared to ripple with the G-Force caused by the speeding.

And the ad finished with the words:

NOW WITH EXTRA OOMPH THE ALL NEW MINI ONE MINI COOPER MINI COOPER S AND MINI COOPER D

The ASA said it accepted that the ad was only shown to people who clicked on the pedal and not those who were just browsing the site and also took into account the fact the ad was “surreal” and that a Mini could not get up to the speeds shown in the graphic.

However, it added:

We nonetheless considered that the ad encouraged users to interact with it and cause the man to be shown travelling at excessive speeds.
We considered that the ad made speed and acceleration the predominant message and could be seen to encourage speeding.

The ASA ruled the ad had breached the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) code clause 10.1 about safety that states ads should not “encourage or condone unsafe practices”.

And the ad was also deemed to breach three motoring codes.

Ad agency Glue London, responding to complaints on behalf of BMW, claimed marketing campaigns were

aimed at people who enjoyed the Mini’s sense of fun and cheekiness.

And maintained that

speed and acceleration were not the predominant message of the ad,

but that it was intended to

generate interest in the launch of the new MINI range and to promote the new MINI engine, which had improved emissions and fuel consumption.

So we’ve seen the outside, we’ve seen the inside once through the windows, and then through the doors. But there’s still questions nagging many would be MINI Clubman owners and interested MINI enthusiasts.

For example on the MINI2 forums some members took to calling the suicide door a “courtesy door”. Well, you may be intrigued to know the “suicide door” has been dealt a less deathly name thanks to the bods at MINI, it’s called “the Club Door”, and there’s some very nifty mechanics involved in arranging the third rear seat safety belt, which is exclusively for smaller passengers (those weighing less than 50kg) but we’ll come to that later.

Obviously, extra MINI means extra weight. Our sources have revealed the Clubman Cooper Diesel weighs in at 80kg more than it’s hatchback brother, the Cooper S puts on 75kg in Cooper S form, whereas the base Cooper at 1220kg also gains 80kg. These are all based on a 75kg driver and 90% tank of fuel.

In terms of performance, the Cooper is .7 seconds slower in the 0-62mph drag, whereas the Cooper S and D are impressively only half a second slower, this despite the extra bulk. This means the Cooper S remains under 8 seconds 0-62 mph, even in with an automatic transmission.

Speaking of size, the Clubman wheel base and overall dimensions are, of course, larger than the MINI. The track remains the same, but the wheelbase is universally increased by 80mm to 2547mm. The great news here is the luggage capacity is also increased by 100 litres to 260 litres, and with the seats folded this increases to 930 litres, a full 250 litres more than the hatchback.

Also revealed to MINI2, the Clubman will include an adjustable load base which sounds like a useful piece of kit, sitting on the floor of the boot area, above the tool kit and optional compact spare tyre. All this seems quite an improvement considering the car still looks small in regular traffic, as this YouTube video demonstrates.

Our latest information also confirms that both barn doors open “fully”, including the area surrounding the rear lights (the c-pillars remain in place) to give as wide a load area as possible. This should also mean no more cursing and grazed knuckles if and when you need to change a light bulb!

While at the rear of the vehicle, the Clubman will also be available with a factory fitted tow hitch and power point with detachable ball head, as well as beefed up rear springs to deal with load-lugging duties.

When the first interior spy shots appeared, it lead to some debate and confusion over the central “seat”, how could the anchorage points work, and wont that “lump” be a little uncomfortable?

The answer apparently lies in another bit of unique packaging MINI have devised for the Clubman. The Clubman does have three rear seats, but as stated previously the rear seat is for lightweights only. The buckle arrangement seems a little complex, locking away in it’s mount in the roof, it pulls down, into one buckle, then across to the other creating a three point middle harness. The odd thing is it seems the buckles for the main seatbelts remain almost in their “regular” MINI location, putting them between the mounting points for the middle belt. Could be an uncomfortable ride?!

We hope that’s given a little further insight into the intriguing world of the MINI Clubman. Coupled with the previously shown photos and videos we’re very close to a complete picture ahead of the official public unveiling at the Frankfurt Motorshow in September. All that really remains to be seen is how well the Clubman actually drives and handles. Rumour is that it’s a winner in that department, but we’ll just have to wait and see a little longer yet…

At least, that’s according to the lovely ladies of Chicago interviewed by Cars.com on this video hosted on YouTube.   Apparently, the MINI Cooper is a bit small for a man, but Miata drivers are worth “putting out” for, while Hummer owners “must have money”.

So sorry guys, we’re nerdy and should sell up for a Miata.  Apparently.

Hybrid Technologies, Inc., emerging leaders in the development and marketing of lithium-powered products worldwide, is pleased to announce that Hybrid Technologies has moved into production with the BMW AG Mini Cooper all lithium model.

Based on market readiness and an extensive vehicle selection process, Hybrid Technologies engineers selected the Mini Cooper built in Cowley, England, a subsidiary of BMW produced by that subsidiary since April 2001.

Using Hybrid Technologies proprietary advanced lithium management and battery-balancing system, the all lithium version has already gained significant automotive industry attention.

Basic lithium-powered vehicle facts:

• Speed up to 80 MPH / 128+ Km/H
• 0-60 MPH in 6.0 seconds
• 120+ miles / 193+ Km on single charge

The Hybrid produced Mini Cooper has already gained massive international media attention from outlets such as CNN, Forbes, Popular Mechanics, and Wired magazine; as well as broadcast coverage throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. Marketing Trend forecasters feel that this will be the new “it” car among the Hollywood in crowd who are by no means strangers to Hybrid’s lithium-powered vehicle developments.

Hybrid Technologies President Holly Roseberry stated,

The all lithium Mini Cooper is the perfect combination of style, performance and technology. We are proud to add this latest model to our production lineup. We look forward to enhancing the system to create a dynamic capable of satisfying the most selective automotive consumers.

The conversion to all-lithium currently takes place in North Carolina at Hybrid’s Mooresville plant.

See a review (video) by Popular Mechanics and get more details on the Hybrid Technologies website.

We’ve not noticed this new MINI Cooper S trailer we found posted on YouTube before. It’s a stylish and slick presentation that shows the MINI zipping about the country on amazing roads and heading through town to a rather swanky looking establishment, where “Mr Cool” exits the vehicle to meet with his date. It’s a very smart advert which makes the new Cooper S look very cool indeed.

Compare that, however, with this MINI UK advert, originally from 2002. Instead of “Mr Cool”, we have “Mr and Mrs Nakedoldpeople”, and instead of trashing around town to a posh bar, they’re cruising the countryside, well, you’ll see.

Both very good commercials for MINI in their own right, but thought the comparison just begged to be made. (The eagle eyed among you may notice the exterior of the MINI has been “face-lifted” with CGI, whereas the interior is “original”.

Has it really been six years? Maybe not for all of us, but it’s six years to the day since the new MINI went on sale in it’s home market in Great Britain.

In May 2001, MINI2 attended the international media launch of the new MINI Cooper, and concluded that

In summary I believe the MINI is a superb package, put together with style and a surprising number of little touches that just cap it all off nicely.There is very little to fault, as hard as I tried to find something to grumble about. The Cooper should be great both around town, on country lanes and on the open road. With less horses under the bonnet, the One will be more of a city car, and when it arrives the Cooper ‘S’ should simply be out of this world.

You can read our original review in the MINI2 archives.

But MINI2 were not the only ones brimming over with enthusiasm ahead of the official launch on Saturday the 7th July 2001.  Media reviews at the time were also incredibly positive.  The only question the assembled journalists kept asking at the launch was “how can they possibly make money on this”?  The answer was success.  BMW originally forecast “as many as” 100,000 MINIs to be produced per year.   That now seems ridiculously conservative, as the MINI continues to break it’s own sales records month after month, with over 1 million MINIs now in the hands of customers.

The buzz at the time was quite remarkable.  MINI UK had invited club representatives to a track day the week before launch to get to grips with the new car, and the reception at launch was just as enthusiastic.  I doubt anyone would have predicted the global success of the MINI back then, but long may it continue!

Happy Birthday MINI!

USA Today is 25 in September 2007.

One of the ways in which they’re marking this milestone is by listing several top 25 lists under headings such as “25 Stocks you should have bought” and “25 Top musical milestones”. The MINI Cooper has been listed at number 15 in their 25 “Cars That Made a Difference” category.

The panel of judges stated

The 2002 MINI Cooper was proof you can sell a small car for a big price if you have the look and the legacy.

According to the report the USA TODAY auto team “wrangled mightily over which belonged on the list. But finally, a rough consensus emerged”.

While the MINI being listed at number 15 is without doubt an achievement, especially from a US publication, coming in after the likes of the Toyota Rav4 (Number 10), and Hummer H2 (14) and even the highly ranked Hyundai Excel (5) does take the shine off somewhat.

Then again, the same publications lists “There’s Something About Mary” and “Cable Guy” in their 25 “Movies with Real Impact“, while some more obvious choices, such as Schindler’s List don’t even get a look in.

You can see the full list on the USA Today website.

The BMW Group claimed the honour of  “Design Team of the Year”  at the 2007 Red Dot Design Awards, with the new, second generation MINI scooping one of eight awards the group managed to achieve for wide ranging designs from a child’s bicycle, to a coffee maker, to a MINI!

The award winning designs are all featured on the Red Dot website, and are as follows:  Ecopod E1 compact recycler, Talea Touch automatic coffee centre, BMW Cruise Bike Junior bicycle for kids, BMW F 800 S motorcycle, BMW G 650 Xcountry motorcycle, BMW HP2 Megamoto motorcycle, BMW 3 Series Coupé and last, but cleary not least The new MINI.

An interesting comment in the press release comes from Chris Bangle, head of BMW Design, who makes a statement about the fluidity of movement between all design teams such as those for BMW, M, Rolls Royce, MINI and Motorcycles, and how this sharing of pooled talent improves understanding between the separate design teams, but also re-enforces the individuality of each family member.

Wheels that “think” are being added to an electric Mini with blistering performance developed by British engineers.

The “smart” wheels sense road conditions and modify the car’s performance accordingly. Artificial intelligence (AI) will allow the wheels to communicate with each other and “learn” from experience as the car is driven.

The Mini Cooper, an early version of which was exhibited at last year’s British Motor Show, is powered by four wheel-mounted electric motors that together generate 640 brake horsepower. As a result, the electric car performs more like a Ferrari than a milk float, with a top speed of 150 mph and the ability to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds. A small 250cc petrol engine charges the car’s battery while it is being driven, giving it a range of 900 miles and fuel consumption of 80 to 100 miles to the gallon.

The Hampshire-based team working on the project, which is partly funded by the Department of Trade and Industry, hope the new Mini will revolutionise electric road transport.

Martin Boughtwood, director of PML Flightlink of Alton, told The Engineer magazine:

We had the belief that we could create a very efficient electric vehicle but could see no one was approaching it the right way. There’s a stigma attached to electric vehicles, but really they can out-perform combustion vehicles.

The completed Mini will have no transmission and all its functions, including suspension and braking, will be linked by software.

Scientists from the University of Portsmouth were brought in to add the smart wheel technology after the car’s motor show appearance.

Continue reading Electric MINI Cooper, Now Complete with Thinking Wheels

MINI Canada has announced that the MINI Cooper Classic will join the MINI model lineup this summer with a value-leading MSRP of $22,950.

The debut of the MINI Cooper Classic follows the introduction of the new-generation MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S in February, both arriving with pricing unchanged from their predecessor 2006 models. The MINI Cooper Classic, reborn for 2007, not only incorporates all of the new elements and improvements of the new-generation MINI family, but eclipses its predecessor with a lower starting price and an even more comprehensive list of specifications.

Upgraded standard equipment on the 2007 MINI Cooper Classic now includes:

• Automatic Stability Control + Traction
• Multifunction Steering Wheel
• Passenger Seat Height Adjustment
• Unique to the Classic - 15′ 5-Star wheels with all season tires

Continue reading MINI Canada Introduces 2007 MINI Cooper Classic