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[Video: Hyundai steps in for Porsche, offers to take on Mini at Road Atlanta]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/18/video-hyundai-steps-in-for-porsche-offers-to-take-on-mini-at-r/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/18/video-hyundai-steps-in-for-porsche-offers-to-take-on-mini-at-r/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/18/video-hyundai-steps-in-for-porsche-offers-to-take-on-mini-at-r/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


Turnabout Is Fair Play: Hyundai takes up Mini challenge - click above to watch the video after the jump

Mini can safely be considered the 800-pound gorilla of viral marketing in the automotive sector, but fresh from its big showing this year with its Assurance program and successful Super Bowl appearances, Hyundai is showing real pluck. Need more proof? The boys from Korea have just stepped up to stand in for Porsche, offering to take on Mini at its Road Atlanta Challenge.

In a smack-talk-tastic video response they've released to Mini USA head Jim McDowell, Hyundai says they're eager to bring their Genesis Coupe to Hotlanta raceway next month. What about Mini's planned June 21 event? Seems Hyundai race driver Rhys Millen is a bit busy getting ready to climb a certain mountain, so Hyundai is challenging Mini to a race in July.

As Hyundai spokesman Dan Bedore tells Autoblog, "Since we launched the Genesis Coupe, we've always said that we'll take on all-comers when it comes to comparison tests. And we've had some experience on the race track at Road Atlanta. We'd be happy to meet Mini on the race track."

To step in and offer to take a punch for someone you don't really even consider a buddy (read: Porsche) is either bold or downright crazy - or more than likely, some glorious combination of the two - but either way, it takes serious cojones. Will Mini step up to the challenge? Better still, might there be a three-way battle royale? Check out the video after the jump and stay tuned, everyone... this just got interesting.


Gallery: 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe: First Drive


Photos by Michael Harley / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Hyundai]

Continue reading Video: Hyundai steps in for Porsche, offers to take on Mini at Road Atlanta

Video: Hyundai steps in for Porsche, offers to take on Mini at Road Atlanta originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>billy corganBillyCorganbreakingbreaking newbreaking newsBreakingNewBreakingNewsepic lapEpicLapGenesisGenesis CoupeGenesisCoupeHyundai GenesisHyundaiGenesisminimini challengemini coopermini cooper sMiniChallengeMiniCooperMiniCooperSpikes peak hill climbPikesPeakHillClimbporscherhys millenRhysMillenroad atlantaRoadAtlantasmashing pumpkinsSmashingPumpkinsFri, 18 Jun 2010 16:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19522566/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/06/18/video-hyundai-steps-in-for-porsche-offers-to-take-on-mini-at-r/19522566/article-detail.xml 19522566 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/gene-mini-630-cap-2_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/gene-mini-630-cap-2.jpg <![CDATA[Followup: Porsche turns down Mini challenge at Road Atlanta [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/10/followup-porsche-turns-down-mini-challenge-at-road-atlanta-w-v/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/10/followup-porsche-turns-down-mini-challenge-at-road-atlanta-w-v/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/10/followup-porsche-turns-down-mini-challenge-at-road-atlanta-w-v/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Porsche says thanks, but no - Click above to watch video after the jump

Porsche has officially put the sad trombone treatment on a challenge Mini issued to the Stuttgart-based sportscar manufacturer. As you may recall, Mini USA head honcho (and former Porsche employee) Jim McDowell called out Porsche exec Detlev Von Platen in a hilarious video made just for Facebook. While the rules of the throwdown were a little vague, we did know that the Mini crew would be rocking a Cooper S while Porsche would bring along its own 911 Carrera S at some sort of battle royale to be held at Road Atlanta.

Since McDowell threw down the gauntlet, we have heard that the competition was going to be held in the track's paddock, not out on the actual tarmac, so who knows what Mini had up its sleeves. Either way, it doesn't matter much now. Von Platen has responded in an open letter to McDowel saying:
While your challenge seems like a fun and lighthearted campaign, we'll stick to racing the way we have over the decades. We welcome you at Sebring, Le Mans, Daytona or any other sanctioned race where there is more at stake than T-shirts and valet parking spaces.
Sick. Burn.

Porsche has also pointed Mini to a particular advertisement as a reminder of the company's intent. Click past the jump to see both the video and read the full letter for yourself.

With Porsche turning the invitation down, we have to wonder, will Mini still put on some sort of event, perhaps inviting privateers with Porsches of their own in a move not unlike General Motors' Cadillac CTS-V Challenge? Over to you, Mr. McDowell.

[Source: Porsche]

Continue reading Followup: Porsche turns down Mini challenge at Road Atlanta [w/video]

Followup: Porsche turns down Mini challenge at Road Atlanta [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Jun 2010 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>MiniMini ChallengeMini PorscheMini Porsche ChallengeMini vs PorscheMiniChallengeMiniPorscheMiniPorscheChallengeMiniVsPorschePorscheRoad AtlantaRoadAtlantaThu, 10 Jun 2010 15:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19511473/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/06/10/followup-porsche-turns-down-mini-challenge-at-road-atlanta-w-v/19511473/article-detail.xml 19511473 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/cooper-v--porsche-630-1276194975_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/cooper-v--porsche-630-1276194975.jpg <![CDATA[Mini crash during Australian race ends with car in crowd]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/03/mini-crash-during-australian-race-ends-with-car-in-crowd/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/03/mini-crash-during-australian-race-ends-with-car-in-crowd/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/03/mini-crash-during-australian-race-ends-with-car-in-crowd/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Mini Challenge crash in Australia - Click above to watch video after the jump

The red-and-white blur in the shot above is an upside-down Mini. The car, driven by Kain Magro in a Mini Challenge support race for a V8 Supercar round at Queensland Raceway in Australia, flipped over at high speed on the last lap of the race and cartwheeled numerous times through the sandtrap, over the fence and into the crowd.

Incredibly, no one was killed, and only two spectators and the driver were taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Follow the jump to watch the accident. Thanks to everyone who sent a tip.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Mini crash during Australian race ends with car in crowd

Mini crash during Australian race ends with car in crowd originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 May 2010 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mini challengemini crashMiniChallengeMiniCrashqueenslandv8 supercarsV8SupercarsMon, 03 May 2010 11:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19462031/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/05/03/mini-crash-during-australian-race-ends-with-car-in-crowd/19462031/article-detail.xml 19462031 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/screen-shot-2010-05-03-at-9.08.07-amopt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/screen-shot-2010-05-03-at-9.08.07-amopt.jpg <![CDATA[eBay Find of the Day: MINI John Cooper Works CHALLENGE racer]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/31/ebay-find-of-the-day-mini-john-cooper-works-challenge-racer/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/31/ebay-find-of-the-day-mini-john-cooper-works-challenge-racer/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/31/ebay-find-of-the-day-mini-john-cooper-works-challenge-racer/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for a hi-res gallery of the MINI JCW CHALLENGE racer on eBay

There are a lot of one-make racing series' being held around the world using exotic equipment like Porsche 911 GT3 Cups, Lamborghini Gallardo Super Trofeos and Ferrari F430 Challenges, but devastatingly fast as they are, none are as impossibly adorable as the MINI John Cooper Works CHALLENGE, rivaled only by the Fiat 500 Abarth Assetto Corse for go-fast cuteness. But while the series takes place in locations around the world, the U.S. series has yet to take off. For most American MINI racing enthusiasts, that will mean holding out a while longer to get their hands on the hottest MINI yet. But at least one sufficiently motivated buyer can have one now.

This solitary American example was privately imported by a buyer in California, who drove it for two hours around Infineon Raceway at Sears Point before deciding to put it up on eBay. The car's features a full race package, including 17" Borbet alloys, adjustable competition-spec suspension and aero kit, electronic telemetry system, AP Racing brakes, competition exhaust, fire suppression system, Recaro buckets with 6-point harnesses and more. Of course, the car is in no way street legal, but it can be had for a Buy-it-Now price of $64,900. Act fast, though... the auction ends today.

Gallery: MINI JCW CHALLENGE racer on eBay


[Source: eBay via MotoringFile]

eBay Find of the Day: MINI John Cooper Works CHALLENGE racer originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Dec 2008 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>minimini challengemini coopermini cooper challengemini jcwmini jcw challengemini john cooper works challengemini worksMiniChallengeMiniCooperMiniCooperChallengeMiniJcwMiniJcwChallengeMiniJohnCooperWorksChallengeMiniWorksWed, 31 Dec 2008 07:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1413195/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/12/31/ebay-find-of-the-day-mini-john-cooper-works-challenge-racer/1413195/article-detail.xml 1413195 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/12/minichallenge-ebay_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/12/minichallenge-ebay.jpg <![CDATA[2008 MINI Challenge Series Clubman safety car, fastest Clubman to date]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/05/2008-mini-challenge-series-clubman-safety-car-fastest-clubman-t/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/05/2008-mini-challenge-series-clubman-safety-car-fastest-clubman-t/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/05/2008-mini-challenge-series-clubman-safety-car-fastest-clubman-t/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Our main-MINI-man Gabe over at MotoringFile procured a handful of shots showing the safety car for the 2008 MINI Challenge, and the series' organizers have commissioned a one-off Clubman S to be built with a host of modifications to make it track worthy. Although there's no mention of what changes were made under the hood, according to the site, a John Cooper Works (JCW) exhaust is fitted and the new rear spoiler will be an option for the Clubman come 2008. The obvious changes to ride height would imply that some serious suspension tweaks were in order, while the new front and rear diffuser could foretell the future of JCW-equipped Clubmans.

You can read over our previous posts about the MINI JCW Challenge racer here and here, and check out more shots of the Clubman safety car here.

[Source: MotoringFile]

2008 MINI Challenge Series Clubman safety car, fastest Clubman to date originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Oct 2007 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>clubmanclubman sclubman safety carClubmanSClubmanSafetyCarjcwjcw clubmanJcwClubmanjohn cooper worksjohn cooper works clubmanJohnCooperWorksJohnCooperWorksClubmanminimini challengemini clubmanmini clubman sMiniChallengeMiniClubmanMiniClubmanSsafety carSafetyCarFri, 05 Oct 2007 16:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1006226/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2007/10/05/2008-mini-challenge-series-clubman-safety-car-fastest-clubman-t/1006226/article-detail.xml 1006226 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/10/clubman_safety_car_6_450_op_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/10/clubman_safety_car_6_450_op.jpg <![CDATA[BMW planning "extreme" next-generation MINI racecar]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/27/bmw-planning-extreme-next-generation-mini-racecar/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/27/bmw-planning-extreme-next-generation-mini-racecar/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/27/bmw-planning-extreme-next-generation-mini-racecar/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

An all new MINI Mk2 racecar is reported to be under development by BMW for a new one-design racing series to start in 2008. 4Car reports that the new racer will be "more extreme" than the racing versions of the current MINI Cooper S, and built strictly for racing.

The Mk2 racecar sounds like it will follow in the wheeltracks of BMW's other factory racers, like the BMW 120d and Z4 M Coupe, with more sophisticated aerodynamics, including a rear diffuser. The car will not be street-legal, with the interior completely stripped down to seat, instruments and a roll cage. Like BMW's other customer racecars, the car will be ready to race, complete with a fire control system and car-to-pit radio system. We're guessing that the racecar will use a version of the 1.6-liter turbocharged engine from the new Cooper S.

Good news for U.S. racers - BMW will be setting up a MINI motorsports division in the U.S. to provide organized support for customers interested in racing the new MINI.

The racing MINI is intended to compete in a new BMW-sponsored international one-design series, with championships planned for Asia and North America.

[Source: 4Car]

BMW planning "extreme" next-generation MINI racecar originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Jul 2006 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mini challengemini mk 2mini mk2mini racecarmini racermini racingMiniMk2Thu, 27 Jul 2006 17:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/647691/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2006/07/27/bmw-planning-extreme-next-generation-mini-racecar/647691/article-detail.xml 647691 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/07/minmk2-2_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/07/minmk2-2.jpg -1 2