We have seen that some production-ready prototypes of the Mini Cabrio released last year in July and some faintly camouflaged models showed early in 2006, however BMW has postponed the launch of the supreme second generation Mini series because of the continued sky-scraping sales of the older models.

Dutch magazine Autotelegraaf said that the production of the current first generation cars will end this year in July and BMW will leave a nice space to build up anticipations as well as pre-orders for new generation MINI Cabrio. Production should start March 2009 if the rumors are true.

The new Mini Cabrio will feature the same soft-top with multi-functional features which will open the upper part in order to give that feeling of sun roof plus the usual fully-folded solution, that we’ve been used with on Mini One, Cooper and Cooper S.

Are you an optimist or a pessimist? Following VW’s announcement that it would make a limited number of its 1-Liter 282 MPG car, BMW says that it will build 500 electric Mini Coopers for the Californian market. Now the optimist might say: “That’s great! They’re more likely to go from limited to full production than from nothing to production!”. The pessimist is probably thinking: “Ok, California has a mandate for automakers to make 7,500 zero-emissions cars by 2014. That’s probably why we’re seeing the Honda FCX hydrogen car in that state, and now BMW will pull a GM EV1 on us.”

Strong Demand for Electric Cars
Our 2 years old post about an unofficial electric Mini that could do 0-60 in 4.5 seconds is still getting traffic, so that’s probably a sign that there’s interest. And with small cars selling like hotcakes, hybrid supply not meeting demand, and rising fuel costs, we’re sure that if BMW wanted to be bold and make more than a handful of token electric cars, it would be a big hit.

Mini Cooper Equipe is a sharp two-tone color scheme with hand stitched leather seats, dashboard, and steering wheel. Arden also added equipment and tuning to the engine to increase the performance numbers.

For performance gains the electronics were tuned to accommodate a new intercooler, and a stainless steel exhaust system that also has racing catalytic converters. With these minor additions the performance numbers were increased by 40 PS and 50 Nm. Some extra parts installed are a high performance braking system with six piston calipers up front. Pricing information has not been released yet, however it should be noted that production of the Arden Mini Cooper Equipe has been limited to 40 units.

Well, it’s time. At the end of December the Motorby boards will come down. And we want to thank you for your participation and for your comments and feedback on the program. Through the technical hiccups, construction obstacles and random acts of lightning, your participation and enthusiasm never flagged. It is because of you that these innovative ideas are possible.

Unfortunately, due to these outside influences, MINI USA has decided not to roll out the Motorby program to all MINI Owners. So this makes you extra special. In the meantime, hang on to your key fobs, they make good key chains.

Here’s what some of you have said about the boards:

“Very cool. Took pictures of it and laughed for days.”

“When it worked it was really fun to drive by and see a personalized message. It was like being in on a secret and no one else on the road got it.”

“It was a fantastic idea. I got a little frustrated waiting for the San Francisco billboard to be relocated. But I really liked the new location. It was very suitable for picture taking with the sign.”

“Definitely fun. It makes owning a MINI a very special sort of thing, a special ‘club’ if you will. Apart from the car itself, this is the sort of thing that makes owning a MINI so cool! As more ‘premium small cars’ arrive in the marketplace, you’ll need to do more of this to keep your share.”

So once again, thank you. Stay tuned for more uniquely MINI ideas.

Mini Rocket roof concept puts a special light show. Union Jack British flag illuminated

glass ceiling section pressure to review the entire surface. Brackets, longitudinal,

horizontal and diagonal bright white porcelain If a light. Mini-missiles inside dark

filaments, the concept of indirect light, and gives all integrated, and as a result, the

better the night shows.

Brightly colored glass roof and cap rates - and thus attractive Bermuda (gray, white

body composition painted in the warm shade of porcelain. All visible carbon front door

and add a finishing touch on hunger.

Degree and integrated rear cargo carrier split rear doors;

Mini a creative design and innovative technology, open cargo area as well as new design

concept by using this option as a solution to rocket. The versatility of the space and

resources can be more efficient increases. Divided into two parts: one part that is

attached to the roof behind the door, and is open to too much, and the lower part, which

extends 350 mm body size is rocking. Down the stairs to open the door to see the further

development of the classic Mini. Theory goods, and travel accessories to make you a

room, even if the car were four passengers. Mini-rockets, and the concept is really

growing, when it’s time to start loading gear.

Transparent glass ceiling and lights as visitors back lighting.

Tail lights, rockets, small passenger trapezoidal design concept, the light coming

technology and the integration of all functions work. Summit Projects lamps behind,

brake light, turn indicators of the vehicle body. To increase production using the

concept of security to reflect the detachments with bright LED illumination intensity of

light flux must be obtained.

Mini Rocket roof concept puts a special light show. Union Jack British flag illuminated

glass ceiling section pressure to review the entire surface. Brackets, longitudinal,

horizontal and diagonal bright white porcelain If a light. Mini-missiles inside dark

filaments, the concept of indirect light, and gives all integrated, and as a result, the

better the night shows.

Automotive Design & Door Mon, length on the one hand, and especially door access system

so that the important innovations in the concept of mini-rockets everywhere during

provide a convenient range. The border with you, the whole key to open the door, driver

and front passenger seat next to her and the rest just stand allows. Behind the very

concept of car seats easier to use than the door is not uncommon. , Carbon, body side

sill protection with high torsional rigidity of the main structure of the building

allows the body to be very high stiffness system.

Also, the system is very difficult to access the park easily machine complex opening. To

keep the door twice a big hole that allows angle when space is limited stop ordinary.

This aspect of building the new format is clear when you close the door, and released

carbon from the rest of the body form is simple and depends on the color. Concept, mini

rocket classic Mini, which depends on the external doors are fitted to the left, as he

takes the style of the selected tag.

Even the rear seats have ample room for comfortable journeys. BMW has it well-planned where you are able to dictate several factors for personalization of the interior. You can choose between an impressive array of options for accent panels, trim panels, ambient lighting, electronics, striping kits and upholstery materials/colors.

As in 2008, the 2009 Cooper is available as a 2-door hatchback (called the hardtop), a convertible and the MINI John Cooper Work. There’s also a MINI Cooper with an extended wheelbase known as the Clubman. Of course, the trim levels haven’t changed. The Cooper and the higher-performing Cooper S are still the only ones available.
The MINI company has always been about minimalism. The original MINI Cooper concept dates back to the early 1950s. Today, with a global oil crisis in full swing and a planetary desire for conservation, the MINI fits in better than ever. The newest designs for the MINI Cooper are sleek - racy looking.

Pricing for the base 2009 Cooper starts at $19,200 and the John Cooper Clubman starts at $31,450 and climbs with optional packages and features added. The basic warranty for all MINI Coopers stays in effect for 4 years or 50,000 miles. The MINI also earned a respectable 4-star safety rating from the NHTSA for frontal crash tests.

The first modern MINI hit the pavement in 2001. The new car was styled MINI, in all capital letters, to distinguish it from the original. The Clubman came along with the second generation of MINIs, and was introduced in America in the 2008 model year.

The Clubman is the estate car, or as it is known in America, the station wagon, of the MINI line. It’s similar to the hatchback, but with several significant differences. For one thing, it’s longer than the hatchback. Also, there are two rear cargo area doors, which open outward in butterfly style and it has a rear passenger door in the right side (only) .

The Clubman did break with the original Mini tradition in one regard. Mini station wagons were named either Traveller or Countryman. The Clubman name was originally given to one of the non-station wagon models in the 1970s. But BMW doesn’t own the rights to the original station wagon names, and Clubman was chosen as a substitute.

The newest Clubman comes in three trims: Base, S and John Cooper Works. The engine depends on the trim. They are all 1.6 liter, I4 models, but the Base gets 118 horsepower, the S gets 172 horsepower and the Works gets 208 horsepower.

The Original Minis were made from 1959 until 2000, though most popular and best known in the 1960s. Rover Group and BMW became interested in reviving the car as a joint venture even before the original finished production, and when Rover pulled out BMW forged ahead alone.

The first modern MINI hit the pavement in 2001. The new car was styled MINI, in all capital letters, to distinguish it from the original. The Clubman came along with the second generation of MINIs, and was introduced in America in the 2008 model year.

The Clubman is the estate car, or as it is known in America, the station wagon, of the MINI line. It’s similar to the hatchback, but with several significant differences. For one thing, it’s longer than the hatchback. Also, there are two rear cargo area doors, which open outward in butterfly style and it has a rear passenger door in the right side (only) .

The Clubman did break with the original Mini tradition in one regard. Mini station wagons were named either Traveller or Countryman. The Clubman name was originally given to one of the non-station wagon models in the 1970s. But BMW doesn’t own the rights to the original station wagon names, and Clubman was chosen as a substitute.

The newest Clubman comes in three trims: Base, S and John Cooper Works. The engine depends on the trim. They are all 1.6 liter, I4 models, but the Base gets 118 horsepower, the S gets 172 horsepower and the Works gets 208 horsepower.

The two lower trims come with a choice of a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission, either with overdrive. The Works, the performance version of the Clubman, comes only with the manual transmission.

The best fuel economy, as you would expect, comes with the Base model with the manual transmission, where you get 28 miles per gallon city and 37 miles per gallon on the highway. But all the Clubman engines get good fuel economy.

One other area where the MINI Cooper Clubman remains true to the originals is that it keeps the price under control. The base price of the Base model is just $20,000.

Newer Posts »