During the 41-year, 5.3 million car run of the Mini, only a small fraction-10,000 cars-made it to these shores. The quirky, tiny econobox, especially the John Cooper-massaged version that excelled in motorsports competition, certainly had its devotees here. But the last Mini officially imported to this country hit the road more than 30 years ago, before Richard Nixon was in the White House. So at first glance, when the new Mini handlers say they expect to sell upward of 20,000 cars per year beginning in March 2002, you think maybe they’re dreaming.
Continue reading Maxi fun - AutoWeek’s first drive tells us the Mini is back in a big way
The new MINI Cooper is fantastic. I’m sorry if that sounds over the top, but it just is.The first impression of the new MINI as I walked into a small hangar full of the cars at Perugia airport was “cool”. It wasn’t the first time I had seen the MINI in the flesh, but to have rows of MINI’s all waiting to be taken out into the surrounding countryside, and knowing I was just about to get behind the wheel, it was good.
As I started loading myself and my gear into the MINI those positive first impressions continued. Everything felt nice to the touch. The door handles felt nice and chunky, the click and clunk, the smooth action, all spelled out quality. The car I had to drive was a Silver and Black Cooper with several options including Sports Plus Suspension, 16″ Alloy wheels, ASC+T, Cloth Leather Sports seats, and much more.
Continue reading MINI2 drives the MINI Cooper
Nearly everyone has their own memories of the original Mini. Whether you passed your test in one, clattered through college in one or tuned one to within an inch of its life, the Mini was an intrinsic part of many people’s lives, changing not only the way we approached driving but, by opening up motoring to so many, changing society as well.Now, over four decades since Alec Issigonis penned the original, there’s a new MINI, a car designed with the fundamental principles of its predecessor in mind, but with an eye very much to the 21st century.
Continue reading First new MINI roadtest report from 4car
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