Pepper White MINI Cooper S Convertible destined for its owner in Australia…
The Pepper White MINI Cooper S Convertible destined for its owner in Australia was the 766,290th vehicle built at the plant since MINI production started in April 2001. Nearly all MINIs manufactured at the plant are built to a specific customer order.
It is the first time that the plant has built over 200,000 units in one year since 1988.
Continue reading Record MINI Production in 2005 – 200,000th MINI produced
MINI Convertible tops the UK charts as the best-selling convertible of 2005
MINI Convertible tops the UK charts as the best-selling convertible of 2005, as a record 200,000 MINIs leave Oxford.
In a year when UK soft-top sales are down overall, MINI has bucked the trend. The best-selling convertible of 2005 is set to be the MINI Convertible, already scoring 11 per cent more sales by the end of November (YTD) than the best-selling convertible of 2004.
Despite the UK’s consistently changeable climate, MINI drivers are refusing to allow their soggy surrounds to put a dampener on their enthusiasm for open top motoring. In 2005 the MINI Convertible outsold its nearest competitor by a whopping 27 per cent. The MINI One, Cooper and Cooper S Convertibles now account for almost one in every four MINIs sold.
Continue reading Drop-top Top of the Pops
MINI Cooper S Auto gets tuned on
The John Cooper Works engine tuning kit has been a great success since it was launched in 2003. Demand in the UK has seen one in nine Cooper S hatch owners opting for the upgrade. From this month, the tuning kit is now available for MINI Cooper S’s with automatic transmission.
The JCW kit will push the auto-shifting Cooper S to 203bhp at 6,450 rpm with an impressive 0-62 mph in 7.3 seconds; an increase of 33bhp over the standard MINI Cooper S. Offered as an aftermarket kit from all 157 MINI UK dealerships, the cost is £2,999 (excl. fitting).
The Aisin six-speed transmission in a MINI Cooper S auto was developed to maintain the MINI’s traditional zesty drive. The close gear ratio settings ensure sharp gear changes and a dynamic driving experience that complements the sporty character of the MINI Cooper S. The great drive is further enhanced by the high level of standard equipment including Steptronic paddles on the steering wheel, limited slip differential and Adaptive Transmission Control (AGS). AGS allows the transmission to adapt over time to fit with the driver’s individual driving style.
MINI is set to buff its fun, cheeky character still further with the announcement of a pair of highly polished new models on a very auspicious occasion.
17th November 2005 marks the 99th anniversary of the birth of the father of the original Mini, Sir Alec Issigonis. Sir Alec also fathered the post-war Morris Minor. He was the visionary who conceived of a compact front-wheel drive engineering solution that changed the course of small car history, creating the unique Mini in 1959.
MINI is still unique in its market space and its delivery of go-kart like driving fun. It also offers an unrivalled ability for owners to personalise their cars via a vast range of factory fitted options.
Now, a collection of unique characters has been developed with very distinct flavours, courtesy of a range of new features.
MINI Park Lane is a VIP lounge on wheels and MINI Checkmate takes MINI sportiness to a new level.
Both these new MINI Characters will be offered on MINI Cooper and 125 kW supercharged MINI Cooper S models.
Set to arrive early in 2006, MINI Park Lane and MINI Checkmate are easily identified by their unique paint schemes complete with a highlight silver roof.
Continue reading Park Lane & Checkmate Announced for Australian Market
Dragster is World’s Quickest MINI First Time Out at NHRA Sport Compact Finals
The MINI USA/FTR made its drag strip debut at the NHRA Sport Compact World Finals at the Pomona Raceway in Pomona, California this past weekend. In its inaugural run the car posted an impressive time of 12.54 seconds for the Quarter Mile with a top speed of 115.79 miles per hour making it the world’s quickest MINI in the quarter mile.
MINI USA has collaborated with the extreme California based tuner FIREBALL TIM RACING (FTR) to create a one-of-a-kind record-breaking dragster. The outrageous carbon fiber MINI dragster stood out, drawing a crowd of onlookers as it tore down the strip, laying its 450 twin-charged-horsepower to the ground.
Continue reading MINI USA/FTR DRAGSTER MAKES PERFORMANCE DEBUTS ON STRIP
More official information released.
MINI in Germany have published details of the MINI Cooper S with John Cooper Works GP Tuning Kit.
Official figures released this morning reveal a power output of 160 kw (218 metric HP / 214.5 international HP) and weight reduction of approximately 40 kg (88 lbs)
Continue reading John Cooper Works GP Tuning Kit: Power and Weight Details
Looks like BMW made a little blunder..
On the afternoon of Sunday 23rd October, this message was posted on the MINI2 forums, with images from the BMW Press Website showing sketches of a MINI labeled “John Cooper Works GP Tuning Kit”.
Much furore and speculation followed, with people wondering what this was, if was genuine, if it was old or new, why does it have an “old” registration plate, where’s the wiper blades…. In short, what is it?!
Continue reading John Cooper Works GP Tuning Kit: Light Weight Cooper S
MINI USA/FTR Dragster Debuts with Win at Hot Import Nights in Phoenix, AZ
MINI USA Partners with Fireball Tim Racing to Build Wild Dragster - Steals Coveted “Best Engineered” Award from over 300 Competitors
October 19th, 2005… MINI USA has collaborated with the extreme California based tuner FIREBALL TIM RACING (FTR) to create a one-of-a-kind record-breaking dragster. The extreme MINI made its show debut, beating 300 competitors to win the “Best Engineered” award at the Hot Import Nights in Phoenix, Arizona Saturday, October 15th.
The outrageous MINI dragster stood out in an atmosphere thick with music, models and impressive custom cars as the crowd of over 15,000 carved their way through the best of the best. From the coolest Japanese and German tuners to high end exotic wonder cars, the MINI dragster wowed judges and onlookers with its polished under-hood hardware and eye-catching graphics.
Continue reading MINI USA/FTR Dragster Debuts with Win
It’s been a pretty solid rumour for a while, now BMW are starting to talk…
Tucked away in the last paragraph of a press release about the forthcoming MINI United event from BMW in Munich, is official confirmation that a ltd. edition MINI will be unveiled at the event.
Of course, MINI2 will be there to see it and will report back in close detail everything we see, which will be a nice conclusion to the much maligned “rumours” MINI2 started almost a year ago about a ltd. edition Light Weight Cooper S.
Continue reading Official: “Sporty” Special Edition Set for Milano
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