MINI2

In our second photo fest for your we present a set of official photographs of the MINI Clubman in Dark Silver. Coming very soon, our own exclusive images of the MINI Clubman taken at the international media launch for you to enjoy.

In the first of three MINI Clubman photo blasts we’ll be presenting, this collection shows official MINI Photographs taken for the international media launch of the MINI Clubman in Madrid. We’re showing them all in a slide show format below as there were so many high quality shots we felt it the best way to present them all in one shot. Our second photo group will be official photographs of a Dark Silver Clubman, followed later by our own exclusive collection of MINI Clubman photographs.

Feast your eyes, and enjoy!

Tomorrow (5th September) MINI2 is off to sunny Spain to spend some time getting familiar with the forthcoming “other MINI”, the new MINI Clubman.

As ever we will be ready and waiting for the media embargo to be lifted on the 7th September to share our views, experiences and media on the MINI Clubman with you all, but we wanted to give you one last chance to get any questions or concerns raised with us so we can do our best to find some answers at the MINI Clubman launch, which will be attended by the usual groups of top level executives and MINI design and engineering leaders.

So hit “add your comments”below if you have anything you’d like us to find out from driving the Clubman, or to put to members of the team at MINI, and we’ll do our best to come up with the goods.

Confusion surrounding alternative fuels and related technologies is leading new car buyers to miss a trick. A recent YouGov Plc survey commissioned by MINI found that diesel-powered cars are thought to be way behind hybrid models for cleanliness. Yet the 104g/km CO2 emitted by the MINI Cooper D is a figure that equals, and in many cases beats other cars using alternative technologies – including hybrids.

In a poll designed to gauge public understanding of CO2-related issues in the car purchase process, just three per cent of the 2,018-strong sample believed that a diesel-fuelled vehicle could be considered a low source of carbon emissions. Yet the new MINI Cooper D’s 104g/km is identical to the hybrid-powered Toyota Prius and lower than the 109g/km achieved by the Honda Civic Hybrid.

Andy Hearn, General Manager for MINI UK, said:

Buyers looking for the most efficient cars could be missing out on the fun of driving a MINI. By developing sustainable diesel technology, MINI engineers have proved that you can have a low emissions car without compromising on driving characteristics and style.

A quarter of the survey’s respondents believed the Honda Civic Hybrid was the lowest carbon-emitting vehicle from a list of five models.* Just two per cent plumped for the MINI Cooper D, perhaps misled by the sporty personality indicated by a Cooper badge.

Along with the rest of the MINI Hatch range, the MINI Cooper D now features a number of engineering enhancements.

Brake Energy Regeneration removes the need for a traditional alternator and reduces drag on the engine, thereby saving fuel. The Auto Start-Stop Function cuts out the engine when the car is brought to a halt and re-engages on depressing the clutch, again increasing fuel efficiency. Switch Point Display indicates to the driver the best gear for frugal driving. These technologies, as well as the Variable Turbine Geometry applied to the MINI Cooper D’s turbocharger combine to make a torquey, yet economical and low-emitting sports hatch.

Well, those that know, know. The MINI Cooper D topped the poll for desirability, despite an apparent misunderstanding between car fuel sources and their relative carbon emissions.

So what else did MINI discover? The most important factor in buying a new car remains price. Fuel economy and style/design were placed second and third respectively. Great news for MINI. Taking into account MINI’s low whole-life cost and its place at the top of the Lex Vehicle Leasing residual value chart, along with the Cooper D offering a combined fuel consumption of 72.4mpg and a unique design, the car again ticks every box.

*Car models listed in the survey were Honda Civic Hybrid, Toyota Prius, MINI Cooper D, Ford Focus 1.6 Duratorq TDCi and Citroën C4 1.6 HDi

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,018 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 22nd - 24th August 2007. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).

MINI2 member “I Love MINI, Laura” had a nice surprise while on holiday in the Cotswolds. No less than an undisguised (save for Cooper S and MINI badges carefully blanked out!) MINI Clubman pulling up outside where she was dining.

Well, who could resist crawling all over the car and taking a few photographs? Not Laura, and the photos are all on the MINI2 forums (see comments below).

This follows on from a recent mass Clubman sighting reported on the MINI2 forums by Hein who photographed 30 or so of the “Other MINI”, which you can see via the MINI2 forums here.

September is going to be a busy month for MINI Clubman followers on MINI2. In little over a week we’ll be driving the new MINI, ready to report back when the international media embargo is lifted on the 7th September, then we’re off to Frankfurt for the motor show to report on the MINI Clubman and John Cooper Works MINIs, and then we’re off to Scotland later in the month to put a UK spec Clubman or two through its paces.

In a review of the Peugeot 207 SW John Simister, writing for the Irish Independent has been heavily critical of the new MINI Clubman and it’s one sided suicide door, or Club Door, dismissing the new Clubman as competition for the Peugeot Estate by stating;

..that car [the MINI Clubman] is already fatally flawed because the side that has two passenger doors is the right-hand side, even on right-hand drive cars. For a car built in the UK, and inspired by a British past, this smacks of breathtaking arrogance.

This follows an apparent recent admission by MINI that the Club door could cost the Clubman fans and buyers due to the decision to fit it only on the driver’s side for RHD markets.

We can’t see this being the last time such criticisms are levelled at MINI parent company BMW, it will be interesting to hear the opinions of the media when MINI2 attends the international Media launch in September, from which we will report back on Friday 7th.  Hold on to your hats folks!

September will see a huge amount of MINI Clubman related activity and reports on MINI2, so if you’re interested in the “Other MINI”, stay tuned!

Early in September MINI2 will be driving the MINI Clubman at the International Media Launch in Spain, and will be reporting on our first hand experiences on MINI2 as soon as the embargo is lifted on the 7th September* (provided it’s not smashed to pieces as seems to be the trend with MINI embargoes of late).

Then, we’re off to Germany for the Frankfurt Motor Show, where the MINI Clubman will be making it’s public début. We’ll be reporting from the press day on 11th September, following the unveiling of the new MINI Clubman at around 11am local time.

Then, as if that’s not enough already, we’re off to Aberdeen later in the month to drive right hand drive UK spec Clubman, and will post further impressions of our experiences as soon as we return from north of the border.

We’re looking forward to it, and we hope you are too!

If there is anything specific you’d like us to focus on during our reviews and reports, please comment on this article with your ideas, and we’ll do our best to accommodate your suggestions.

* Updated from the 8th.

Mini has admitted for the first time that the unusual, and somewhat controversial door layout of the new Mini Clubman may turn off some buyers. That’s according a report published Today on the Autocar website.

A quote from a MINI spokesman states simply that

We accept the design of the Clubman might turn off some people, but we also believe that there are others who will like its unusual design..

MINI expect to sell around the same number of Clubman models each year as they do the MINI Convertible. Full report on the Autocar site.

MINI have shown official images and released a press statement with details of the 2008 MINI Challenge racer car.

MINI performance is to be taken to new levels with the new MINI John Cooper Works CHALLENGE, a MINI Cooper S built specifically for track use and ready to race. Set for its first public appearance at the forthcoming IAA Motor Show in Frankfurt, deliveries of the new car will take place from spring 2008.

Key characteristics of the new car include a higher top speed, increased torque, faster acceleration and optimised traction. Performance figures are detailed below:

MINI CHALLENGE Car: Power: 210 hp, Torque: 260 Nm (280 with Overboost), 0-100 km/h 6.1 seconds, Top Speed: 149 mph

Power enhancements are at the core of the striking CHALLENGE car’s modifications. As well as a re-developed twin-scroll turbocharger, the standard MINI Cooper S engine receives modified pistons, air filter, air intake passage, catalytic converter, exhaust components, electronic sensors and engine management system.

Numerous chassis and suspension tweaks add to what is a finely-tuned racing package. The new suspension system features adjustable damper units from KW Automotive, designed specifically for motorsport. A six-speed manual gearbox transmits power to 17” front wheels made by Borbet and shod with exclusive new racing tyres manufactured by Dunlop.

Body revisions based on the John Cooper Works Aerodynamic Kit, currently available from all MINI dealers, are key features of the CHALLENGE car’s set-up. To generate increased downforce at higher speeds, CHALLENGE car owners can expect a new adjustable rear spoiler, rear diffuser and performance front spoiler. The new braking system performs exceptionally. Large four-piston callipers mean the car can go from 62 – 0mph in just 3.1 seconds. A race-specific ABS configuration and an air-pressure elevating system complete the product modifications, which together equate to a vehicle 30kg lighter than the previous CHALLENGE car.

Safety measures perfect the array of MINI CHALLENGE car features. A roll cage welded firmly to the body of the car houses RECARO bucket seats combined with a six-point safety belt, along with the HANS (Head And Neck Support) system used in Formula 1 cars.

Oh, and you can buy one for yourself too.

MINI Today confirmed for the first time in an official press statement that a 210 hp Works MINI Cooper S will be available to the public in “Summer 2008″.

We’ve been saying for a long time that the new Stage 1 Works kit was only phase one of the “Hot MINIs from MINI” strategy and recently we gave 212 hp as the predicted output of the Stage 2 factory fitted Works, we were pretty close.

In a press release focusing on the MINI Challenge 2008 car, MINI mention, as an aside, that the same engine conversion will be available to private customers from Summer 2008. The tuning kit powers up the Cooper S with a quoted output of 210 hp (ps) and 260 Nm of torque (280 Nm with overboost). Now that sounds like fun.

*update*

Now we’ve received a full English language release, this news may not be so exciting for the road-going hot MINI fan.

Although the car is designed for race participation, private owners may find owning a MINI CHALLENGE car a compelling prospect. However, the car will not be licensed for public roads and as such is expected to maintain its appeal among racing enthusiasts.

Race teams will receive the first MINI CHALLENGE cars from March 2008. Private customers not competing in the MINI Challenge series can expect deliveries of cars from June 2008. An order form for the car can be downloaded from 11 September 2007 at www.MINI.com/challenge-car and the expected price is €49,900 inc. VAT.