Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Minis on Top tackles the Mt. Washington Auto Road, we tag along for the drive]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/24/minis-on-top-tackles-the-mt-washington-auto-road-we-tag-along-f/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/24/minis-on-top-tackles-the-mt-washington-auto-road-we-tag-along-f/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/24/minis-on-top-tackles-the-mt-washington-auto-road-we-tag-along-f/#commentsFiled under: ,

minis on top 2011 mt washington staging lot
Minis on Top 2011 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Driving the Mt. Washington Auto Road is an eight-mile journey that invokes a range of emotions. The start of the ascent fills one with excitement, while the first views into the distant New England surroundings move you to a sense of awe. Transition from tarmac to dirt, however, and awe gives way to trepidation. This is a narrow road with two directions of traffic, no protective barriers and a long drop-off that sits uncomfortably close to your car's tires.

Still, this a must-drive road, and we were delighted when Mini reached out with an invitation to join them on a trip to the top. Our ride was a 2011 Mini Cooper Clubman with fresh rubber and a manual transmission, and our expectations for the experience climbed into the clouds. Would the compact Clubman prove to be an ideal chariot for this New Hampshire ascension adventure?

Continue reading Minis on Top tackles the Mt. Washington Auto Road, we tag along for the drive

Minis on Top tackles the Mt. Washington Auto Road, we tag along for the drive originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto rdauto roadclubmancooper clubmanfeaturedminimini clubmanmini coopermini usaminis on topminis on top 2011mount washingtonmt washingtonmt washington auto roadFri, 24 Jun 2011 15:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19972956/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/06/24/minis-on-top-tackles-the-mt-washington-auto-road-we-tag-along-f/19972956/article-detail.xml 19972956 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/minis-on-top-2011-lead-2_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/minis-on-top-2011-lead-2.jpg <![CDATA[Spy Shots: Minor facelift for 2011 Mini Cooper and Clubman spotted]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/07/spy-shots-minor-facelift-for-2011-mini-cooper-and-clubman-spott/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/07/spy-shots-minor-facelift-for-2011-mini-cooper-and-clubman-spott/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/07/spy-shots-minor-facelift-for-2011-mini-cooper-and-clubman-spott/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2011 Mini Cooper and Clubman spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery

The next-generation Mini Cooper isn't slated to arrive until 2012, but judging by this latest set of spy shots, it looks like parent company BMW is working on a very, very minor facelift for the 2011 model year Cooper and Clubman hatches. The slight tweaks include things like a new front bumper with revised air intakes (similar to those on the Countryman crossover), a revised rear bumper and restyled taillights with LEDs.

Our spies also indicate that some of these prototypes were sporting some interior cladding, meaning that a slightly revised dash and instrument cluster could be on tap for 2011. The Mini's interior is growing a bit long in the tooth, especially the oversized speedometer - a kitschy feature that is rapidly losing its cuteness.

It isn't much, but these slight upgrades should be plenty in order to keep the Minis fresh until an all-new model launches. Look for the updated Minis to appear at this year's Paris Motor Show, and click through the gallery below to see the spy shots for yourself.


Gallery: Spy Shots: 2011 Mini Cooper and Clubman Facelift


[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: Minor facelift for 2011 Mini Cooper and Clubman spotted originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 May 2010 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 paris motor show2010ParisMotorShow2011 mini clubman2011 mini cooper2011MiniClubman2011MiniCooperClubmanCoopercooper clubmanCooperClubmanminiMINI Clubmanmini cooperMini Cooper Clubmanmini cooper smini spy shotsMiniClubmanMiniCooperMiniCooperClubmanMiniCooperSMiniSpyShotsparis motor showparis motor show 2010ParisMotorShowParisMotorShow2010spy photosspy picsspy shotsSpyPhotosSpyPicsSpyShotsFri, 07 May 2010 12:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19468365/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/05/07/spy-shots-minor-facelift-for-2011-mini-cooper-and-clubman-spott/19468365/article-detail.xml 19468365 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/mini-cooper-s-face-2opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/mini-cooper-s-face-2opt.jpg <![CDATA[Review: 2009 MINI Clubman John Cooper Works]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/09/in-the-autoblog-garage-2009-mini-clubman-john-cooper-works/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/09/in-the-autoblog-garage-2009-mini-clubman-john-cooper-works/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/09/in-the-autoblog-garage-2009-mini-clubman-john-cooper-works/#commentsFiled under: ,


2009 MINI Clubman John Cooper Works - Click above for high-res image gallery

The names MINI and John Cooper have been intertwined for more than 40 years and now they are closer than ever. When British race car and engine builder Cooper prepped the original MINIs for the Monte Carlo rally back in the 1960s, he helped cement the iconic status of the little car. When the MINI was reborn as a product of BMW earlier this decade, the Cooper model was a standard element of the lineup. A semi-official tuned John Cooper works edition was also available for the hard-core addicts. Earlier this year, BMW announced that the John Cooper Works MINI would become an official factory product analogous to M models from its parent company BMW.

The JCW edition is available on both the standard MINI hardtop and the extra-length Clubman. Having a JCW MINI means you have opted for the fastest factory MINI ever built. We spent a week with a John Cooper Works MINI Clubman in the Autoblog Garage just as winter weather clamped down on Michigan. Find out how this maximum fared in wintry Motown after the jump.


Gallery: Review: 2009 MINI Clubman John Cooper Works


Photos Copyright (C)2008 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Review: 2009 MINI Clubman John Cooper Works

Review: 2009 MINI Clubman John Cooper Works originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>clubmancooper clubmanCooperClubmanfeaturedin the autoblog garageInTheAutoblogGaragejohn cooper worksjohn cooper works clubmanjohn cooper works miniJohnCooperWorksJohnCooperWorksClubmanJohnCooperWorksMiniminimini cooper clubmanMiniCooperClubmanreviewTue, 09 Dec 2008 12:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1395111/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/12/09/in-the-autoblog-garage-2009-mini-clubman-john-cooper-works/1395111/article-detail.xml 1395111 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/12/mini-clubman-jcw-35_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/12/mini-clubman-jcw-35_opt.jpg -1 2