MINI2

1st April 2008 the new MINI Cherished website will go live, improved and upgraded to help would be used MINI purchasers in their quest for the ideal ride.

According to a MINI press release, sales of used MINIs via the official MINI Cherished scheme have rocketed recently, and the revamped website is part of their response to ever increasing demand for used MINIs.

The stats speak for themselves, in February 2007 there were 518,018 searches for Cherished MINIs, February 2008 saw an increase of over 90% to 992,269 searches. Sales are also up over 25%, January 2007 saw 2178 Cherished MINIs leave dealer forecourts, and the same month in 2008 saw 2580 used MINIs purchased.

Thanks to the manufacturer-backed scheme, with every Cherished MINI coming with the following range of benefits:

• Minimum 12 months MINI Warranty
• Minimum 12 months MINI Emergency Service Cover across the UK and Continental Europe
• Minimum 12 month MOT and MOT Cover
• Full Service History
• Independent vehicle history and mileage checks
• Finance and Insurance available through MINI Financial Services

The MINI Cherished website address is www.minicherished.co.uk

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.

What’s an R56? What’s a facelift MINI? We attempt to fill in the blanks for the uninitiated.

People new to MINI2 and the MINI in general, often appear to be a little unsure over what changes and versions of MINI have been offered since it’s 2001 introduction. Those familiar with the MINI often use phrases such as facelift, R56, second generation and so on, which can be a little bewildering for others.

This is a small, visual “spotters guide” to the main changes and updates for the MINI, including all major model updates. We have not included region specific options or limited editions to try and keep this guide as clear and concise as possible. We hope you find it useful.

Continue reading The New MINI - A Brief Pictorial History (The Blagger’s Guide to MINI)

The MINI One D will be 20 per cent more powerful from September, increasing its power output by 13 bhp and knocking nearly two seconds off the 0-62mph sprint. The stronger four-cylinder power unit has been thoroughly revised and offers improved performance yet offers the same economy as its predecessor. The combined fuel figure is 58.9mpg and this MINI can entertain its driver for 600 miles on one tank depending, of course, on his or her driving style.
Continue reading More Power to the ‘D’ - UK MINI Spec Revisions

A minor refresh for MINI One, MINI One D, MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S

From July 2004, the MINI hatchback range will receive an enhanced interior and exterior look. In addition, modifications to the transmission will increase engine flexibility in the mid range. Trevor Houghton-Berry, general manager MINI UK said “Clearly we did not want to change a winning formula – customers love the friendly face and retro interior of the MINI. This model update is merely a few subtle tweaks to make the MINI even more desirable than it already is.”

Continue reading Updated MINI in Showrooms From July - Official Pictures &

MINI will present its four models and new equipment options at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Since the market launch of MINI more than two years ago its community of enthusiasts has grown to over a quarter of a million “members” in more than 70 countries. And
the zenith of its popularity has still to be reached, a fact underlined by the growing number of honours it has received: only just recently in July the MINI Cooper was named “Top Automotive Client” in the Top Clients Report 2003 published by Strategy magazine in Canada. This is a remarkable achievement for the smallest vehicle on Canada’s roads.

Continue reading MINI at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show

During the week 19th to 23rd of May, the MINI One D launch event was held on the Isle of Man. MINI2 was of course in attendence, and this time, we have two seperate
reviews on the new diesel powered MINI.

Continue reading TWO Reviews of the MINI One D

No more speculation: BMW Group Board confirms decision to build a MINI Cabrio.

Munich. At this year’s shareholder meeting on May 15th 2003, Dr. Panke, Director of the Board of BMW AG, announced that the MINI family will be expanded by a MINI Cabrio. This ends months of speculation about an open-top MINI variant. MINI is responding to many customers’ urgent calls for a MINI Cabrio.

Continue reading BMW Confirms Decision to Build a MINI Cabrio

The MINI One D will travel to Geneva to make its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show on March 4 2003. It will be the fourth model to join the MINI range and is the first series production MINI ever to feature a diesel engine. Combining the fuel economy of a modern diesel engine, whilst maintaining the agile driving characteristics so typical of MINI, the MINI One D will go on sale in the UK on June 7 2003. Pricing will be confirmed nearer to launch.

Continue reading MINI One D - Plant Oxford’s latest edition

Following the MINI One and MINI Cooper launch in 2001 and the impending arrival of MINI Cooper S on June 8, it was confirmed today at BMW Group’s Annual General Meeting that a diesel MINI will be available in 2003.

Specification and technical details are still to be announced, but Professor Joachim Milberg, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, confirmed that a 1.4-litre diesel engine has been sourced from Toyota Motor Corporation. The engine, recently introduced into the Toyota Yaris line-up, will be built in Japan and modified for performance and physical fit into MINI’s engine bay. The Oxford production plant will build 10 - 20,000 diesel MINIs per year.

Continue reading Diesel MINI announced