MINI
After 41 years, the original and classic-in-its-own-lifetime Mini was replaced with a brand new car, Designed and engineered in the UK, after BMW insisted Rover went in the new-age Cooper direction, rather than the ‘Spiritual’ direction the British really wanted. A few post-launch wobbles, but now in its second generation, and a huge global success that has re-affirmed MINI as the builder of desirable small cars.
The cars : MINI development history
Replacing the Mini was never going to be the work of a moment, and was generally regarded to be one of the toughest gigs in the industry. After years of deliberation, Rover started serious work in 1993, which was soon bolstered by the arrival of BMW the following year. What we ended up with sparked [...]
July 23, 2011
· 
Keith Adams · 
9 Comments
Buying guide : MINI 2001-2007
Replacing the classic Mini should have been a tall order, but BMW managed the job in style in 2001 – and as Keith Adams explains, they make a great second hand purchase today. Following BMW’s takeover of Rover in 1994, the Mini’s passage into the 21st century was guaranteed. The German company’s boss was a [...]
August 19, 2011
· Keith Adams · 39 Comments
News : MINI sells its 500,000th car in the USA
It’s official: MINI has sold its 500,000th vehicle in the USA. A few days after the 11-year anniversary of its launch in the USA, and the introduction of the all-new MINI Paceman (the seventh model in the lineup), MINI USA welcomes its 500,000th new car owner. ‘This milestone is an incredible achievement for MINI, and [...]
April 5, 2013
· Keith Adams · 14 Comments
First Drive : MINI Clubvan Cooper D
Keith Adams takes a trip to Reims in France to see if the Clubvan makes a convincing case for itself as the ultimate lifestyle light commercial vehicle. And, of course, whether it’s suited to Champagne deliveries… Club Express As assignments go, this is not a bad one. We’re to pick up a new MINI Clubvan [...]
February 23, 2013
· Keith Adams · 66 Comments
First Drive : MINI John Cooper Works GP
Considering the MINI is due for replacement in 2014, the number of new variants rolling out of Cowley in its final few months shows that the brand is keen to maintain buyers’ attention. For its latest version, MINI is reviving the limited edition two-seat 2006 Works GP, creating the fastest production version of them all. [...]
January 31, 2013
· Keith Adams · 62 Comments
News : MINI squeezes in 28 (good friends)
Anyone who says you can’t squeeze many people into a MINI -prepare to eat your words. A team of gym members from East Sussex has broken two Guinness World Records for the number of people inside both a classic Mini and a 2012 MINI. An amazing tally of 28 ladies crammed their way into the [...]
November 15, 2012
· Keith Adams · 8 Comments
News : MINI Paceman leaked before Paris unveil
A great spot by the MINI-oriented Motoring File website means that we’ve been ‘treated’ to a pre-Paris reveal of its the marque’s next model. The story, which was published here, shows the MINI Paceman in its natural environment, south east London. The new car, which is a more lifestyle-focused version of the Maxi, sorry, Countryman, [...]
September 8, 2012
· Keith Adams · 47 Comments
News : MINI JCW GP full details revealed
Keith Adams As before, back in 2006, the ultimate production MINI is being rolled out within months of its replacement’s appearance. The MINI John Cooper Works GP packs 215bhp for a 0-60mph time of 6.1 seconds and a top speed of 150mph. But it’s the car’s coilover suspension and uprated brakes which push the car [...]
September 6, 2012
· Keith Adams · 24 Comments
Buy parts with AROnline and Rimmer Bros
KEITH ADAMS Rimmer Bros sponsored AROnline‘s Polish SD1 restoration… Buying parts for your Jaguar, Rover, Lands Rover, Triumph or MG has never been easier through AROnline… HERE at AROnline, we receive a large numbers of emails from people all over the world looking for parts for their cars MGs, Rovers, Landies and all manner of [...]
August 20, 2012
· Keith Adams · 3 Comments
News : Scale MINI is an unlikely Olympics star
Keith Adams More observant readers will have seen the MINI-me remote control cars scurrying around the infield of the Olympic stadium in London. They’ve been developed especially to ferry javelins, discuses, hammers and shots back from the field to the throwing area, saving valuable time during competition. They’ve also been spotted ‘unofficially’ racing after hours… [...]
August 7, 2012
· Keith Adams · One Comment
News : MINI makes £250m investment in the UK
MINI has announced a further £250m investment in its UK manufacturing operations by the end of 2015 at its Cowley factory, steel body pressings operation at Swindon and engine plant at Hams Hall near Birmingham. This is to support the company’s international growth strategy for the MINI brand with increasing volumes and up to 10 [...]
July 9, 2012
· Keith Adams · 32 Comments
News : MINI Clubvan rolls-up for business
Possibly the most sensible MINI variant to date is launched, following its warm reception at the Geneva. The Clubvan’s arrival leaves just the pick-up to come… Making its global premiere at the 2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Clubvan is an interesting – and some would say overdue – addition to the MINI range. It’s [...]
June 23, 2012
· Keith Adams · 33 Comments
Concepts : MINI Rocketman revisited
The MINI Rocketman Concept caused quite a stir at the Geneva Motor Show 2011. The 3+1-seater, with its three doors and an exterior length of just over three metres, offers a very contemporary take on the ‘creative use of space’ principle that’s considered a Mini core value from days gone by. The MINI Rocketman Concept’s [...]
June 15, 2012
· Keith Adams · 2 Comments
Video : MINI Unveils ‘The Britalian Job’
MINI has released a short London 2012-themed film, paying homage to the 1969 classic, the Italian Job. The film, created to celebrate MINI’s partnership with Team GB and ParalympicsGB, features a host of stars, including sporting legends Daley Thompson, James Cracknell, Jonathan Edwards and Matthew Pinsent, as they attempt to track down the perpetrator of [...]
June 13, 2012
· Keith Adams · 27 Comments
News : MINI Cooper Works GP II unveiled
Keith Adams Just like in 2006, when the Cooper John Cooper Works GP was rolled out as the ultimate MINI towards the end of the R50′s life, history seems to be repeating itself with the unveiling of the Works GP II close to the end of the R56′s lifespan. Although the power and performance figures [...]
May 12, 2012
· Keith Adams · 10 Comments
News : Not for Brits, the latest MINI edition
Keith Adams Just so you know, the latest special edition MINI Cooper, the Rauno Aaltonen Edition has broken cover. But the new car, named after the winner of the prestigious 1967 Monte Carlo Rally, is only available in selected European markets. The car comes dressed with a Chili Red paint finish with a white air [...]
March 31, 2012
· Keith Adams · 7 Comments
News : MINI Clubvan unveiled ahead of Geneva
The MINI Clubvan Concept will be officially unveiled at Geneva – and is the last spin-off from the existing car, which has been in production since 2007. It promises to be a great-driving city van with an added dash of style. The MINI Clubman-based concept car has an increased load-carrying capability, and opens the (club)door [...]
February 19, 2012
· Keith Adams · 85 Comments
News : MINI Highgate unveiled
Keith Adams Another MINI London-district themed hits the road with the arrival of the Highgate convertible. Following hard on the heels of the Baywater and Baker Street editions, the new MINI adopts a name from the ciy that’s hosting the Olympics in 2012. The car comes in flip Ice Chocolate metallic paint with matching hood, [...]
February 6, 2012
· Keith Adams · 20 Comments
Drive story : MINI Coupé 1.6T John Cooper Works
Coupés are cramped, impractical, noisy… and a whole lot of fun. That’s the whole point of them, yes? MINI obviously thinks so, and has introduced a crackerjack Coupé to prove it. Keith Adams takes one up to Yorkshire and experiences something even more cramped and noisy. Coupés, trains, and the Coopermobile It’s fair to say [...]
January 24, 2012
· Keith Adams · 34 Comments
News : MINI Bayswater and Baker Street unveiled
Two new MINI special editions have been unveiled, and continue the marque’s obsession with London – kicked off by Austin Rover back n the 1980s, with the launch of the Mayfair and Picadilly. The Baker Street and Bayswater go on sale on 1 March in 100 global markets where the marque is sold. Each is [...]
January 20, 2012
· admin · 80 Comments
News : Detroit motor show gallery
Words: Keith Adams Photography: Newspress/HeadlineAuto The Brits were less in evidence at Detroit as they have been in recent years – an understandable situation given our amazing 2011. Last year was most definitely the year of the concept, with Jaguar Land Rover basking in the limelight of the C-X16 and DC100 concepts, and 2012 will [...]
January 13, 2012
· Keith Adams · 16 Comments
News : MINI Roadster unveiled
The MINI family is expanding again. Hot on the wheels of the Coupé comes the launch of the sixth model in the line-up, the all-new MINI Roadster. This is the first open-topped two-seater in the company’s history. And being built at Cowley means MINI is claiming it to be a spiritual successor to the traditional [...]
October 31, 2011
· admin · 47 Comments
