Autoblog

Mini announces engine enhancements ahead of 2011 redesign

Dan Roth — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Hatchback, BMW, Mini

2010 Mini Cooper - Click for high-res gallery

Over in Europe, Mini has rolled out a thing or two to keep its offerings fresh. There's some model jiggering and new colors, but the biggest news is under that peewee hood. The four-cylinder engine is receiving a displacement bump from 1.4- to 1.6-liters. In naturally aspirated and turbocharged configurations, the engine is now torquier and more efficient. Output ranges between 75 and 184 horsepower, and carbon emissions are improved; Mini is calling it "more poke with less smoke."

Turbocharged versions get a new twin-scroll huffer with an overboost function, while all versions of the engine are equipped with a Valvetronic-derived system that aids the engine's better torque delivery and reduced fuel consumption. Delving deeper inside the crankcase, there are polished main bearings to reduce friction, and the camshaft bearings follow suit. The oil pump, vacuum pump, and water pump are computer controlled and can now be pulsed to save energy and reduce drag. It all adds up to a tiny engine that makes the most of its muscle and delivers gains in fuel economy and emissions. The best detail about the whole shooting match is the absence of a price increase.

As you can see from the photo above, there are some new paint colors available as well, including a series of "Rainbow" finishes that include Sunlight Metallic, Asteroid Metallic and Nightlife Metallic. Neat-o. The brand may be called Mini, but in typical German fashion, there's a massive press release posted after the jump with the full rundown of EU-market changes.

Gallery: 2010 Mini Cooper

[Source: Mini]

Continue reading Mini announces engine enhancements ahead of 2011 redesign

Mini announces engine enhancements ahead of 2011 redesign originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Jan 2010 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Low-spec MINI One Clubman set for Geneva debut

Noah Joseph — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Mini, UK

Click on the image above to view a high-res gallery of the MINI One Clubman

It's exciting for us when we get to report on a new, more powerful version of a much-loved car, but this isn't one of those moments. Thankfully, we also like it when a much-loved car becomes available in a less expensive formula. What you see here is the soon-to-be minted entry-level version of the MINI Clubman.

The stretched version of BMW's MINI has until now been offered only in Cooper guises: The standard Cooper with 120 horsepower, the sportier Cooper S with 175hp and the diesel Cooper D with 110hp. The MINI One Clubman makes do with lower levels of equipment and a less powerful 95hp 1.4-liter four, mated to the buyer's choice of a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. Despite the lower content, it also includes such green touches as regenerative braking and start-stop engine management, giving the One the second best fuel economy and emissions figures in the range, trailing only the Cooper D.

Naturally, the decontented Clubman will come in as the cheapest version of the MINI wagon, retailing in the UK for £13,290 (approximately $19,250). That's a comparable price to the smaller but more powerful MINI Cooper hatchback (£13,715), about a grand more than the MINI One hatchback, but more than a grand less than the Cooper Clubman. MINI will continue to offer the North American market the Cooper, Cooper S and JCW versions, while the MINI One Clubman makes its debut in Geneva this coming March. Details in the press release after the jump and plainly superimposed high-resolution photos in the gallery below.

Gallery: MINI One Clubman

[Source: MINI]

Continue reading Low-spec MINI One Clubman set for Geneva debut

Low-spec MINI One Clubman set for Geneva debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Jan 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Super-frugal MINI Cooper D and inexpensive MINI One debuting in Geneva

John Neff — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: Geneva Motor Show, Hatchback, Mini

click on image to view 25 pics in our high-resolution gallery

While the new MINI is already bombing around Europe and the U.S. in standard and Cooper S trim, Europeans have had to wait for new versions of their popular MINI One and MINI Cooper D. MINI has announced both models will debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, each with their own upgrades. Aside from the new sheetmetal, the MINI One will feature a smaller version of the new MINI motor developed in conjunction with PSA. The 1.4-liter four-cylinder produces 95-hp at 6,000 rpm and 103 ft-lbs. of torque at 4,000 rpm, aided by a version of BMW's variable valve timing technology called VALVETRONIC. The MINI One will return a fairly frugal 49.6 mpg (miles per imperial gallon, mind you) in Britain's combined urban and extra-urban cycles.

The MINI Cooper D, however, is the car for which we here at Autoblog pine. The D, of course, stands for diesel, and the new model will use a 1.6-liter turbodiesel that producs 110 hp at 4,000 rpm and between 177 and 191 ft-lbs. of torque at a low 2,000 rpm. It'll hit 62 mph in under 10 seconds, and reward a light foot with 64.2 mpg (again, imperial gallons) in Britain's cycle. Both cars come standard with six-speed manual transmissions, or one can opt for a six-speed auto with paddle shifters and a sport mode. Starting April, about a month after each car debuts in Geneva, Brits will be able to buy the MINI One beginning at £11,595 ($22,740 USD) and the MINI Cooper D starting at £14,190 ($27,829 USD).

Click here to see our full high-resolution gallery and check out the full press release after the jump.

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading Super-frugal MINI Cooper D and inexpensive MINI One debuting in Geneva

Super-frugal MINI Cooper D and inexpensive MINI One debuting in Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Jan 2007 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MINI almost out of Ones

John Neff — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 13:08:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, Mini

We in the U.S. are not privy to every grade of MINI that's sold in Europe. It's particularly unfortunate that we lose out on the MINI One and One D, entry-level models of the diminutive Cooper that are sold below the standard Cooper's price and get exemplary fuel-economy thanks to smaller, more fuel-efficient engines (the D gets a diesel, obviously). It turns out, however, that the U.K. will soon feel our pain as the supply of 2006 MINI Ones will run out any day now. WhatCar? reports that there are less than 100 MINI Ones left, and the real kicker is that the all-new 2007 MINI One won't go on sale until April of next year. Any Brit desperately desiring a MINI One will soon have no choice but to opt up for the more expensive Cooper or Cooper S models, which are at least £1,400 more than the One.

This news is just the latest in a series of supply trouble for MINI, which has hardly ever been able to keep up with the public's demand for its iconic cars very well. We were recently taken on a tour of the brand's Oxford plant, the last stop in MINI's new production triangle, thanks to Paul Tan. Hopefully MINI has ironed out the wrinkles in production that kept it from selling every car it could the first time around, though we suppose that problem is better than not being able to sell every car you built.

[Source: WhatCar?]

MINI almost out of Ones originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Oct 2006 13:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Happy Birthday! MINI Turns 5

Alex Nunez — Mon, 03 Jul 2006 14:28:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Hatchback, Mini

On July 7, 2001, MINI was born.

Now, five years later, the automaker has sold 800,000 cars worldwide in what has been an astounding success story.

With British charm backed by German engineering, the BMW-owned MINI brand has struck a chord with just about everyone from suburban moms to Dale Jr. himself. MINI's minions are a diverse bunch, indeed.

Globally, eight models are currently available: MINI One, MINI One D, MINI Cooper, MINI Cooper S, MINI One Convertible, MINI Cooper Convertible, MINI Cooper S Convertible and MINI Cooper S with John Cooper Works GP Kit. Obviously, not all models are available in all markets.

For the North Americans scratching their heads right about now wondering, "What's a MINI One?" it's a MINI with a smaller, more economical powerplant and gaudy fuel economy numbers. (Note to BMW: there's probably a healthy market for the MINI One in the States.)

With so many legitimately different vehicles housed in the same tidy, attractive little package, it's no wonder that 800,000 have been sold. If the MINI's configuration works for you (for some, it's admittedly too small), then they probably have a car that will suit your driving needs perfectly. Best of all, whether your're going for economy or performance, you never have to compromise your sense of style.

(Press release after the jump)

[Source: MINI]

Continue reading Happy Birthday! MINI Turns 5

Happy Birthday! MINI Turns 5 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Jul 2006 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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