Autoblog

My wife is a great driver, (of course you are, honey!) but that doesn't mean that I can't suggest improvements now and then. However, the folks at MINI know I don't like sleeping on the couch, and they're willing to take the heat on this one.

On their Web site they're offering a handy "Drive Like A Pro" section full of useful tips to improve your driving. Anyone who has ever driven autocross will recognize many of them like sitting up straight, keeping things smooth, proper cornering technique and the best way to shift (again, smooth). There's even a basic heel-and-toe primer.

And, thanks to the MINI's lessons, my wife now admits her husband is right that her hands should be at 9 and 3 on the wheel, not 10 and 2.

She says I can get off the couch as soon as I admit her driving would improve even more if I bought her a new Clubman. I wonder how much change is under this cushion.

[Source: MINI]

For the eighth year running, a designer MINI will be auctioned off to raise money for the cause of AIDS. The annual charitable event is organized by Life Ball, Europe's largest AIDS fundraiser event. Previous years saw MINIs designed by fashion houses like Missoni, Versace and Diesel, but this year's designer is the tits (so to speak): lingerie brand Agent Provocateur.

The one-of-a-kind MINI Clubman is treated to a uniquely kinky police-style paint scheme that would make Max Mosley weak at the knees. Pink police stripes run down the side over the black paint job, with a fishnet stocking pattern on the roof, a mirrored rear window, prison bars on the side windows and a tantalizing black leather interior. The car, which once again redefines the term "auto erotic", will be sold on eBay from June 5-15.

[Source: MINI]

Click above for a high-res gallery of the JCW MINI

The intrepid (and trustworthy) scribes over at MotoringFile have confirmed with their sources that the softest available suspension tuning in the brand's lineup will be standard on the high-performance John Cooper Works model, while a sport suspension or a dealer-installed JCW suspension kit will be optional equipment. MINI cites the fact that it wants the JCW to appeal to as many potential buyers as possible as the real reason for the decision, though it's a choice that's causing some ire among diehard MINI fans. Some are going so far as to suggest the brand should drop the car's brake upgrade in favor of an actual sport suspension as standard equipment.

[Source: MotoringFile]

Seemingly a rolling contradiction in terms, the upcoming MINI SUV model, previously (but probably not officially) known as the Crossman, has been seen out in the wild again. Like before, the little SUV wears very little clothing, leaving almost all of its altered-bits out in the open. After looking at the previous set of spy shots and the newest one here, we just can't see the not-a-Crossman doing any off-roading. Soft-roading... maybe, but we honestly think this is a vehicle that will never see anything worse than bad weather.

Naming and classification reservations aside, MINI may not have much trouble moving curb-busting Coopers off of dealers' lots, as many enthusiasts will likely be drawn to the availability of all-wheel drive on a MINI for the first time. Not only that, this vehicle could be one of the most fuel-efficient all-wheel-drive vehicles on the market in the U.S., save for hte Suzuki SX-5, and there's something to be said for that.

[Source: Autoweek]

The March Men's Vogue recently asked if the Smart fortwo is manly enough, and while we're not exactly lining up to buy one, we also wouldn't rip a friend (too much) for picking up the fuel-sipping two-seater. If our pal's fortwo had a Windup Key, however, all bets are off, and a Charley Horse or three may be in order. The Windup Key is a 22-by-10 inch faux windup key made of powder-coated 6061 aluminum, and it can be customized with different shapes, colors or even chrome coating. If you really want to attract stamp collectors, Star Trek fans and adults with authentic Lord of the Rings costumes, opt for the 12v motor, which makes the Windup Key actually spin when the vehicle is in motion.

The Windup Key is also compatible with the Scion xB, PT Cruiser, New Beetle (shown), and MINI Cooper, among other cute-mobiles, and prices start around $100. Amazingly, the Windup Key is currently on back-order, which means there is actually demand for these ridiculous little gadgets. The sad thing is that while Virginia wants to ban Truck Nuts, the testosterone-free Windup Key will likely be accepted with open arms.


[Source: Windup Key via Smartcarofamerica]

Click above for live high-res images of the JCW Minis from Geneva

Car-obsessed readers of Autoblog may not have any problem thinking of their car as a social expression of who they are, but that's not necessarily true for the majority of the population of the world. Many people consider their car a necessary appliance, something required in life that they care little about. But recently, stylish, trendy and lovable vehicles are causing more people to form a personal attachment to their car, one that they would like to share with others. A look at social networking sites such as Facebook shows that people are interested in getting to know other drivers with the same type of car.

So, with that information established, what kind of car is most likely to attract attention? According to a recent survey by the U.K. "used car hypermarket" Carcraft shows that MINI owners are the most likely to reach out on the interwebs, with Honda Civic owners coming in at a distant second. Follow the break for Carcraft's list of the Top Ten "Friendliest" Cars, along with the accompanying press release.

[Source: Carcraft]

The Wienermobile is a marvel of American motoring, with 72 years in service and a design more memorable than any other. At 27 feet in length, the legendary frankfurter is also one of the bigger vehicles on the road, but that's all changed with the introduction of the MINI Cooper Wienermobile. At only 15 feet in length, the diminutive mystery meat machine is a more compact tribute to one of America's favorite foods, and its down-sized footprint is better for the environment, too. Oscar Mayer unveiled the Mini Wienermobile as part of a promotion celebrating the company's 125 years in business, though the company didn't say whether the MINI Cooper would remain in the Wienermobile fleet.

While it wouldn't be right for the MNI Cooper to replace the original Wienermobile altogether as the official transportation for the world's biggest hot dog, we think it's certainly capable enough to join the fleet, especially after we learned how dangerous the original can be on icy roads. Follow the jump to view some funny video of Super Bowl champion Michael Strahan checkin' out the MINI Wienermobile. He digs them chrome rims something fierce.

[Source: New York Times via AutoblogGreen]

Mini is readying its R56-based replacement for the current Cooper droptop, and it will retain its cloth roof. While there's been widespread adoption of retractable hardtops, the Coop is staying soft. That's good for weight and center of gravity, so the 'vert will still handle charmingly. True to the Cooper's retro mission, Senior VP of Brand Management, Kay Segler contends that the cloth roof offers an experience more true to classic alfresco motoring. The reasoning is that traditional convertible tops open wider than hardtops, so the skyward vistas are less impeded in the Cooper, which is why they pledge to never luxe up their car with metal origami. It could also be that there's no place to put the larger roof stack of a folding hardtop.

[Source: Inside Line]

click above for live high-res images of the JCW Minis from Geneva

MINI brought out their Works versions of the Cooper and Clubman in Geneva today. Using a fleet of R/C cars and rally legend Rauno Aaltonen (The Flying Finn), they hammered home the idea that MINI's are small on size but big on excitement. We had already seen a ton of press pics so there weren't any real surprises, just a healthy appreciation for these great small cars that now have John Cooper Garage's tuning prowess added to the mix. The JCW Cooper and JCW Cooper Clubman have indeed hit the bullseye for enthusiasts once again. Featuring performance upgrades and new interior appointments, these are the cars that will be used as the basis for the MINI CHALLENGE 2008 race cars.

In JCW trim, the turbocharged MINI 1.6L four now puts out 207 HP. The resulting 0-60 should now clock in at just under 6.5 seconds for the Cooper, while the ever so slightly portlier Clubman is likely to be a tick or two slower. Unique light alloy wheels, a new performance exhaust system, upgraded suspension, and a modified six-speed manual transmission are just some of the mechanical upgrades. Aesthetically, the John Cooper Works models stand out with their distinctive body kits and unique interiors, all for a not-so-mini base price of under $30,000.

Follow the jump for MINI's endless press release.

Click on the images to view in high resolution

Carrozzeria Castagna loves tinkering with little retro hatches. The Milanese design house has brought us wave after wave of unique creations – including MINI pickups and custom 500s – and is looking to continue its grand tradition of peculiarity at the Geneva Motor Show this week.

The MINI Woody Passion Kit (try saying that three times fast) is fairly straightforward because MINI already makes a wagon, so Castagna has put together a package of trim pieces for the Clubman in contrasting dark and light woodgrain effects. For the 500 WoodyWagon, however, Castagna had to take things a step further. About 50-60mm further, actually, as the coachbuilder has stretched the Cinquecento – only the rear overhang, it seems, with the wheelbase left intact) to create its interpretation of how a 500 wagon would look. The reports suggest that the 500 WoodyWagon will also come equipped with Castagna's supercharger kit, boosting power from 100 up to 155hp. Equally intriguing, however, is the suggestion that this is only a preview, as Fiat itself reportedly plans on making a 500 wagon by 2010 to be called the Giardiniera, which is news to us.

[Source: Italiaspeed]