MINI's Rocketman Concept. Image: BMW Group

MINI’s Rocketman city car took last year’s Geneva Motor Show by storm. The small (even by MINI’s standards) urban commuter seemed destined for production, giving MINI another weapon to counter attacks from Toyota (the iQ and Scion iQ), Audi (the A1) and even Mercedes-Benz (the A-Class).

MINI's Rocketman Concept. Image: BMW Group

As Left Lane News, via Car Magazine, reports, the Rocketman’s size (just under 135 inches in length) may have been its undoing. After researching the project, parent BMW realized that the car couldn’t be built to meet E.U. standards for crashworthiness, stability and handling, at least not economically. Building the Rocketman would have required the design of an all-new platform, and BMW couldn’t justify the expense for a single vehicle.

MINI's Rocketman Concept. Image: BMW Group

While the Rocketman may be resigned to the hangar, it’s funky-fresh designs may live on. We liked the idea of articulating doors for easier entry into the rear seats, and really liked the concept of a slide-out rear cargo tray. We wouldn’t be a bit surprised to see these features re-appear on future MINI concepts, and maybe even on future MINI production vehicles.

The 2011 MINI Cooper John Cooper Works

BMW has announced the recall of some 89,000 Cooper S and John Cooper Works models built for the 2007 – 2011 model year. The recall includes the turbocharged Clubman, Convertible and Countryman models as well, specifically:

- MINI Cooper S, model years 2007-11
- MINI Cooper S Clubman, model years 2008-11
- MINI Cooper S Convertible, model years 2009-11
- MINI Cooper S Countryman, model year 2011
- MINI Cooper John Cooper Works, model years 2009-11
- MINI Cooper John Cooper Works Clubman, model year 2009
- MINI Cooper John Cooper Works Convertible, model years 2010-11

At issue is a circuit board that runs an auxiliary water pump to cool the turbocharger. Under certain conditions, the circuit board can malfunction, leading to failure of the auxiliary water pump and potential overheating of the board and pump assembly. In a limited number of cases, this overheating resulted in an engine compartment fire. To date, BMW in unaware of any accidents or injuries relating to this condition.

MINI dealers will replace the auxiliary water pump assembly (which contains the potentially defective circuit board) when the recall begins next month. Owners of affected MINI vehicles with questions or concerns can reach BMW’s customer service at (866) 275-6464; alternatively, updates are also available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, reached at (888) 327-4236.

You can learn a lot about a person from a little word association. For example, if you say “machine” and the subject replies “head,” chances are they’re a Deep Purple fan. If you say “wife” and get a reply of “chainsaw,” or if you say “barnyard” and get the response of “lubricant,” then you know you have trouble. Along those lines, we’re not quite sure what to make of Mathew Foster, the winner in a recent MINI contest that had entrants define the ultimate test drive in six words.

Mr. Foster’s six words? Stewardess, salt flats, paratroopers, sushi, Falconer. If anyone can explain what the outdated term for a flight attendant, a high-speed testing ground, airborne soldiers, Japanese cuisine and an obscure Swedish power metal band have to do with the new MINI Coupe, we’re all ears. Odd though his terms may be, they do make for an interesting video, reminiscent of college roommates who ingested large quantities of magical mushrooms. Except in the video, the carpet never marched up the wall to eat the light.

The MINI Cooper B-Spec racer. Image: BMW AG

If you want to race cars beyond the ChumpCar, LeMons and SCCA Improved Touring levels, B-Spec may be the most affordable way to turn a wheel in anger. Sanctioned by the SCCA, Grand Am, NASA, and World Challenge, B-Spec is essentially a showroom stock series that pits subcompact automobiles from Honda, Ford, Mazda, Kia (and now MINI) against one another in evenly-matched competition. Engines are left stock, but modified suspensions, brakes, wheels and tires are allowed.

MINI has recently announced that it’s building a car for B-Spec competition, too. Based on the MINI Cooper (and not the Cooper S), the turnkey racer will only make 121 horsepower from a normally aspirated 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, but comes with a KW coilover suspension, front camber plates, Carbotech brake pads, braided stainless brake lines and lightweight Kosei wheels with series-specified Hoosier tires. Inside, the car comes with a driver’s racing seat, a harness, window and cage nets and a full roll cage.

The MINI Cooper B-Spec racer. Image: BMW AG

MINI will sell the B-Spec cars through its dealer in Charleston, SC, since that’s also who’s building them. Pricing hasn’t been announced, but we’d expect the cars to sell in the $30,000 range, which makes B-Spec one of the more affordable pro racing series on the planet. MINI is offering up contingency money for a podium finish, too, but they have worked out all the details on their program yet. The B-Spec MINIs will be available prior to the start of the 2012 racing season.

The 2012 MINI Roadster. Image: BMW Group

We’re not fans of the MINI Coupe’s backward-baseball-cap styling, which we frankly just find goofy. The car may be a blast to drive (but we wouldn’t know, since MINIs in the press fleet are rarer than ethics in politicians), but sooner or later you have to park it. Getting out, eyes averted, while nearby pedestrians point, snicker and laugh out loud is something we just can’t get used to.

The 2012 MINI Roadster. Image: BMW Group

The new MINI Roadster, on the other hand, escaped its beating with an ugly stick. If fact, we’d go so far as to call it the best-looking car in MINI’s current lineup, even with the top in place. The proportions (small though they may be) seem just about right, and we’ll bet that the Roadster will carry on MINI’s tradition of building front-drivers with surprisingly capable handling.

The 2012 MINI Roadster. Image: BMW Group

As with most MINIs, the new Roadster comes in mild, medium and spicy flavor, with prices to match. On the entry-level side is the base MINI Cooper Roadster, which gives you a 121-horsepower engine and a 0 – 60 time of just under nine seconds, for a price that starts at $25,050.

The 2012 MINI Roadster. Image: BMW Group

Moving up the line, the MINI Cooper Roadster S gives you a stiffer suspension and more horsepower, courtesy of MINI’s TwinPower Turbo design. For a price of $28,050, before adding options, you get 181 horsepower and a 0 – 60 time of 6.7 seconds. Top speed increases from 124 mph in the base Roadster to 141 mph in the Roadster S.

The 2012 MINI Roadster. Image: BMW Group

If spicy is your preference, you’ll need the MINI John Cooper Works Roadster, which gives you 211 horsepower from the same 1.6-liter four found in the other cars. You also get bigger brakes, improved aerodynamics and standard Electronic Differential Lock Control (EDLC), which is optional in the other cars. The increased horsepower nets you a 0 – 60 time of 6.3 seconds, on the way to a top speed of 147 miles per hour. You’ll pay for the improvements, though, since the base John Cooper Works roadster starts at $35,200.

The 2012 MINI Roadster. Image: BMW Group

The MINI Roadster will often be cross-shopped against the Mazda MX-5 Miata, which yields performance similar to the Roadster S. Opt for an MX-5 in Grand Touring trim, and the price (before options) is a comparable $29,000. On the other hand, a John Cooper Works Roadster starts at $35,200, and will easily top $43,000 with options added in. A loaded Mazda MX-5 Miata, with the power retractable hard top, stickers at a more reasonable $32,640, which leaves you over $10,000 for a Cosworth supercharger, suspension work and stickier tires.

‘MINI MANIA GROWS TWO MORE DOORS’ 

The new Mini Cooper has been a phenomenon here ever since it first débuted a couple of years ago.  Mini owner car clubs have popped up all over the country as this fabled, small, ubiquitous two door was taken over, redesigned to modern day standards, and marketed around the world by BMW.

To expand its sales to families and active singles and couples, Mini introduces the four-door Countryman in 2011.  Two more seats for adults or children are in order, or you can fold the two seats down to increase cargo space.

More front and rear overhang is necessary on the new Mini since it has been transformed into a crossover/stationwagon.  The wheelbase has been lengthened to 102.2 inches, almost 2 inches longer than the Clubman’s and a solid five inches over the standard Mini Cooper hatch.

These new extra inches are going to good use as the 2011 Mini Cooper Countryman’s standard rear bucket seats have a 5.1 inch fore/aft range adjustment.  You can also order their three-place bench seat at no extra cost if you want your Mini Countryman to seat five.  The bench seat will also adjust fore/aft, similar to a 60/40 split bench, and like the bucket seats, it seatback cushions recline.

With all of the seats reclined you get 12.2 cu.ft. of cargo space.  If you drop the rear seats into the floor you can get up to 41 cu.ft. of cargo space.  You can also use the roof rack to store cargo to your needs.

The Mini Cooper S ALL4 Countryman that I tested only comes with the 1.6 liter inline four-cylinder engine that adds BMW’s Valvetronic variable valve lift to the twin-scroll turbocharger and direct injection systems.  This combination adds up to 181hp at 5,500rpm and 177lb.ft. of torque (192lb.ft. with the overboost) and more efficient fuel economy.  The base Mini Countryman features the normally aspirated 1.6 liter engine with no Valvetronic or direct injection systems and makes just 121hp at 6,000rpm and 118lb.ft. or torque.  You are better off with the optional engine that came with my test Countryman.

The new Mini Cooper S comes equipped with Mini’s familiar Getrag six-speed manual transmission allowing you to change gears as you like.  Mini’s six-speed automatic transmission is optional and includes paddle shifters for even more fun-to-drive action.

Front-wheel-drive is standard but the fun and extra traction needed in the snow, wet, or slick road surfaces is made easier and safer with the optional ‘ALL4’ all-wheel-drive system that is available only on the Mini Cooper S Countryman.

Even though it is touted as all-wheel-drive, it only indicates a clutch-pack coupling built into the final-drive unit.  An electrically driven hydraulic pump governs the pressure that reaches the coupling.  In dry conditions, you can expect most of the torque to go to the Countryman’s front wheels.

Up to 50% can be redirected rearward to promote proper cornering character, and in really extreme cases, up to 100% of engine torque can go to the rear wheels.  Also, an electronic limited-slip differential allows for side-to-side torque swaps between the car’s front wheels.

The suspension is fully independent with a MacPherson strut setup up front and a multi-link setup in the rear with front/rear sway bars.  It gets a slightly softer tune since the car is bigger and heavier, even with the sport suspension.  Turn-in is excellent but it tends to get a little loose at speed in S-curves as the sway bars try keeping the rear from hanging out as the new Countryman has a higher ride height.  I’d advise taking it easy when driving on continuous curving roads.  The electric power rack & pinion steering is nicely weighted with a great feel for the road and quick, precise response to your inputs.

The brakes are slightly larger to more effectively and safely slow this larger and heavier Mini Cooper S Countryman down from speed.  Up front are 12.1 inch vented discs clamped with dual-piston calipers and 12 inch solid discs in the rear clamped with single-piston calipers.  Keeping you in control are standard ABS, EBD, Corner Brake Control, Dynamic Stability Control and Dynamic Traction Control with EDLC.

The new Mini Cooper S Countryman ALL4 rides on big, 18X8 inch alloy wheels wrapped with 245/45R18 inch all-season run-flat tires for a smooth and quiet ride.

Inside the new, larger, roomier cabin is basically the same dashboard setup but for the addition of two more toggle switches for the rear door windows, larger air-vents at the ends of each side of the dashboard, new surfaces that are now textured grain and newly designed door panels that underline the specific shape of the body.

In addition to being the biggest and most rugged member of the Mini family, the Countryman promises to be the most tech-laden.  Adaptive HID headlights are optional, and Mini is promising full integration for iPhones and other smartphones that find their way into your Countryman.

While the all-new 2011 Mini Cooper Countryman is more useful and practical than any other Mini to date, be prepared to spend more money as prices start at $26,950.00, and my fully loaded S ALL4 model was stickered at $34,650.00 including destination.

Standard features in the 2011 Mini Cooper S Countryman ALL4 not mentioned above that I tested includes Tire Monitor, A/C with micro filter and air-recirculation, manual 6-way adjustable front bucket seats, adjustable tilt/telescopic sport leather-wrapped steering wheel with cruise-control buttons, sport button for quick throttle and steering response, Boost CD,AM-FM audio system wit HD radio technology, six speakers and auxiliary input jack, power windows all express up/down, power remote sideview mirrors, variable intermittent wipers/washers, rear wiper/washer, power door locks, remote keyless entry, center rail with eyeglass case and two cupholders, center console with two cupholders, low-profile aluminum roof rails, seven-airbags, 3-point safety belts for all four seating positions, side-curtain airbags, thick cut-pile carpeting with thick floor mats front/rear, cold weather package of power folding/heated sideview mirrors, heated front seats, leather seats, dual pane panoramic sunroof, automatic climate control, Harman-Kardon sound system, black stripes, Xeon headlamps, 18X8 inch alloy wheels, comfort access keyless entry, cargo net, center armrest, park distance control in the rear, and foglamps.

COPYRIGHT:2011:HARVEY SCHWARTZ

SPECIFICATIONS

• Price: Base Cooper S Countryman $26,950 As-Tested $34,650
• Engine: 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder 181 horsepower @ 5500 rpm / 177 ft-lbs. torque @ 1600 rpm
• Total length: 161.3in.
• Total width: 70.4in.
• Total height: 61.5in.
• Wheelbase: 102.2in.
• Track: f/r-60/61.1in.
• Headroom: f/r-39.9/37.5in.
• Legroom: f/r-40.4/33.8in.
• Fuel tank: 12.4 gallons
• Curb weight: 3,042lbs.
• 0-60 mph: 7.3 seconds
• EPA mileage: 25mpg/city, 31mpg/highway

Image: BMW Group

Last April we told you about the upcoming “Mini Inspired by Goodwood,” the illegitimate love child of a one-night-stand between a Rolls Royce and a Mini Cooper. It’s got almost everything you’d expect to find inside a Rolls-Royce, but in scaled-down proportions. Wool mats? Check. Leather-topped Walnut Burr dash? Check. Cornsilk leather interior? Yeah, it’s got that, too. It doesn’t make the seamless power of a Rolls Royce, but it does come with the 181 horsepower turbocharged engine from the Mini Cooper S.

Image: BMW Group

We told you that only 1,000 copies would be built, and now Mini has announced pricing. Each will sell for £41,000, or the equivalent of about $66,000. That’s a lot of scratch to pay for a Mini, regardless of how well appointed it is, and their press release justified it by saying, “The MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD is characterised by top-grade materials, the highest level of workmanship and stylish supremacy. Its exclusive character is the result of an exceptional collaboration. The special edition of the three-door MINI was built under the guidance of the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars designer team and transfers the unmistakable style of the British luxury car manufacturer to the equally unique original within the premium small car segment.”

There’s no word on which markets will get cars just yet, but my guess is that the bulk of production will stay in Europe or get exported to the Middle East. Deliveries are set to begin in March of 2012. so if you can’t live without one in you garage, now is the time to hit up your local Mini dealership.

Source: Autoevolution

Mini Inspired By Goodwood. Image: BMW Group

If two automakers were ever at opposite ends of the automotive spectrum, they’d be Mini and Rolls-Royce. Mini makes compact but amusing hatchbacks for the great unwashed masses, while Rolls-Royce builds luxurious motorcars for the well-heeled. You probably wouldn’t want to park a Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe on the streets of Manhattan overnight, but on the other hand you wouldn’t want to roll up to Monte Carlo’s Hotel de Paris in a Mini Cooper. It’s all about expectations, I suppose.

Image: BMW Group

At least it was until Mini announced the Mini Inspired By Goodwood model, to debut at next week’s Shanghai Auto Show. Named for Rolls-Royce’s hometown, the Goodwood is built under the watchful eye of Rolls-Royce advisors. It gets Rolls-Royce paint (Diamond Black Metallic), a Rolls-Royce inspired interior (in their proprietary color, Cornsilk), and it even gets the Cooper S engine, good for 181 horsepower. As alluring as the outside may be, the inside comes close to over-the-top. Mats are made from thick lambswool, just like on Rolls-Royce models. The Walnut Burr dash is topped with black Nappa leather, just like on a Rolls. Even the switchgear has gone upscale, and now features a piano black finish.

Image: BMW Group

There’s no word on what markets will get the Goodwood Mini, or what the price will be (hint: a LOT higher than a base Cooper S). Mini says the car will see production, and they insist that only 1,000 will be built for all markets. Unlike the Aston-Martin Cygnet, which requires prior Aston ownership to “qualify” for purchase, no such rules exist with the Goodwood Mini. Sure it’ll be expensive, but it’s be the closest that most of us can come to buying a Rolls Royce.

Source: Mini