Archive for the 'Mini Cooper' Category

BMW gets back into the leaning trike thing with SIMPLE concept [w/VIDEO]

Published on October 9, 2009 in 3 Series, 5 Series, Bimmer, BMW, BMW CLEVER, BMW Museum, BMW Simple, BmwClever, BmwMuseum, BmwSimple, clever concept, CleverConcept, CNG, CNG bike, CngBike, commuter, commuting, hybrid, Mini Cooper, Motorcycle, Simple concept, SimpleConcept and trike. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .



BMW has been rumored as of late to be pursuing everything from a so-called “0 Series” range of cars to a revival of its Isetta microcar brand, but the Bavarian automaker remains essentially mum on plans to diversify into the microcar market. Stoking the fires, however, is the new Simple concept, a leaning trike that is geared toward the “professional commuter” – that is, an urban dweller who travels alone.

From the start, the SIMPLE (which stands for: “Sustainable and Innovative Mobility Product for Low Energy consumption”) was designed to minimize resources both in use and in production. The leaning concept is tall as a 5 Series, yet shorter than a Mini Cooper, and it offers seating space similar to that of a 3 Series coupe.

That tidy footprint and a slick drag coefficient of just 0.18 means that the Simple figures to be around 450 kilograms (under 1,000 pounds), so it only needs a small internal-combustion engine and an electric motor to power it. BMW says the Simple is capable of hitting 100 km/h – 62 mph – in under ten seconds and it tops out at over 200 km/h (124 mph), yet it needs a miserly 2 liters of gas over 100 km (62 miles), or around 118 mpg.

This isn’t the first time BMW has investigated thrifty trikes – it actually began working on its CLEVER (“Compact Low Emission Vehicle for Urban Transport”) concept back in 2002 in conjunction with the Berlin’s Technical University, a project that took the form of a compressed natural gas trike with a CVT.

While there are no plans for production of either the SIMPLE or the CLEVER, BMW’s expertise in motorcycles and its increasingly prominent Efficient Dynamics initiative doesn’t have us ruling out a similar vehicle sometime down the road. In the meantime, you’ll have to make the pilgrimage to the BMW Museum to check out BMW’s SIMPLE and CLEVER contraptions. Check out the high-res gallery below and a video and press release after the jump.

Limited Edition MINI JCW World Championship 50

Published on June 11, 2009 in Mini Cooper. 0 Comments Tags: .
Revealed for the first time at the 2009 MINI United Festival in Silverstone, the MINI John Cooper Works World Championship 50 is yet another special edition model built to commemorate the Cooper racing team’s first Formula One World Championship title with Jack Brabham at the wheel in 1959. The car that will be produced in a strictly limited run of 250 units is based on the MINI JCW and driven by the same 1.6-liter twin-turbocharged engine that pumps out 211HP. It accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h (62mph) in 6.5 seconds going on to a top speed of 238 km/h or 148mph.

All cars are finished exclusively in a new color named ‘Connaught Green’ that harkens back to the British race cars of the 1950s and 60s era. It is combined with the roof and bonnet stripes in ‘Pepper White’ while the 17-inch cross-spoke alloy wheels are finished in ‘Jet Black’.

Other exterior features includes the JCW aerodynamics package, a plethora of carbon fibre parts, among them the bonnet scoop on the bonnet, rear diffuser, exterior mirror caps and tailgate handle along with the special insignias.

The ‘World Championship 50′s’ interior has been upgraded with carbon fibre trim overlaid by red touches, black leather seats with contrasting red piping. The red theme is also used on the knee-rolls, armrests and the stitching on the floor mats, gearshift and handbrake gaiters. The look is rounded off with a new sports steering wheel with an Alcantara rim.

Prices for the special edition MINI John Cooper Works model have yet to be confirmed.

MINI One 1.4

Published on September 17, 2008 in Mini Cooper. 0 Comments Tags: .

As they’re small, lightweight and fitted with fuel-efficient engines, superminis are the ideal choice for drivers on a budget. Still, you might be surprised to learn that, according to our calculations, the cheapest of the lot is a MINI. Billed as a premium model, the British-built hatch has always been much pricier to buy than traditional rivals, yet less practical.

Running the entry-level One, however, costs a mere 23.7 pence per mile. That means it undercuts a lot of talented competition, such as the Vauxhall Corsa, Ford Fiesta and Mazda 2.

The MINI’s low running costs aren’t down to a bargain screen price, though. At £11,295, the 1.4-litre petrol variant is only £955 cheaper than the much larger and better-equipped Skoda Octavia.

So how does it manage to cost only four pence more a mile more than the Smart, the cheapest car here? It’s largely due to excellent residuals. By the time it’s three years old, the MINI will still be worth more than £7,000 – that’s an incredible 65 per cent of its original price. Adding further to the appeal, the servicing package is a bargain.

For a total of £150, the company will carry out all routine maintenance on the vehicle for five years. The tlc scheme continues to set the standard.

And the One is as impressive on the road as it is on paper. Under the snub nose sits a smooth-revving 1.4-litre petrol motor, giving the MINI a decent turn of speed. Unlike our other penny-pinching contenders, there’s also a six-speed gearbox as standard – although the shift action can be clunky.

Another strong point is the application of owner BMW’s EfficientDynamics eco technology, giving optimum economy. Features such as the Auto Start-Stop function and regenerative braking help boost combined fuel returns to 53.3mpg, while slashing CO2 output to 128g/km. What’s more, driving an environmentally friendly car has never been this much fun. Thanks to the sharp steering and agile chassis, the MINI serves up genuine hot hatch thrills when you head along a twisty road.

There are downsides to the MINI experience, though. You don’t get a huge amount of standard equipment on the entry-level variant – air-conditioning, smart alloy wheels and a leather-trimmed steering wheel are all on the options list. Add funky body stripes and a white roof as we had on the Cooper D model in our pictures, and the price rises still further.

It’s not the most versatile small car, either. While those sitting in the front get plenty of space, back seat passengers will find conditions cramped. They’ll probably have to leave their luggage at home, too, as the boot provides only 160 litres with the rear bench in place.

This needn’t detract from the MINI’s appeal, though. As long as you choose your options carefully, you’ll have a car that proves you don’t have to dig deep to have fun behind the wheel.

2008 Mini Cooper Performance Upgrades by Hamann

Published on August 8, 2008 in Mini Cooper. 1 Comment Tags: .
Already since 1986, HAMANN-Motorsport develops and manufactures products for the individualisation of BMW automobiles. Therefore, it is only consistent that the technicians of the Laupheim-based company also focus on the “small relative” in the BMW family and develop an extensive tuning programme for the MINI. The result: a powerful performance increase, road holding aerodynamics components, striking 18-inch light alloy rims and noble interior modifications in aluminium and carbon.

For both, the MINI COOPER S and the MINI COOPER D, HAMANN offers powerful performance increase components by re-programming the serial Motronic. According to the ignition map optimisation, the Diesel-aggregate has 136 hp / 100 kW at 4,000 r.p.m. and a maximum torque of 300 Nm at 1,750 – 2,000 r.p.m. This equals an increase of 26 hp / 20 kW. The HAMANN technicians achieved an even larger performance boost with the petrol version. Instead of 175 hp / 128 kW, the COOPER S then has sappy 204 hp/ 150 kW at 5,500 r.p.m. and a torque of 300 Nm at 1,600 – 5,000 r.p.m. Accordingly also the acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h improves by half a second. The maximum speed is approx. 5 km/h faster than with a serial motor. But there is another, significantly greater performance increase for the trendy buggy. This is reserved to the COOPER S and is called SPORTKIT CS 230. And the name says it all: After tuning the car with a modified serial Motronic, a new supercharged air cooler and by using a HAMANN sport muffler, the MINI offers 230 PS / 169 kW at 6,050 r.p.m. and 330 Nm torque at 3,860 r.p.m. The top speed spurts to 238 km/h. But the enormous agile response behaviour and the improved high-revving character of the optimised engine are even more important for everyday use.

The lifestyle design of the HAMANN aerodynamics kit also presents itself strikingly racy. The serial front skirt does not only profit from its optic enhancement, but at the same time, the lifting forces are reduced, leading to an increased stability mainly at high speeds. The entire HAMANN front skirt is an alternative. It produces output at the front axle and supplies the air cooler and the front breaks with even more fresh air. The HAMANN side sills give the MINI a more elongated and lowered look. A rear diffuser which was especially developed for COOPER S models extends the serial skirt downwards and turns the two end pipes of the HAMANN sport exhaust system skilfully into focus.

The HAMANN rim programme takes the individual wishes of the MINI clientele into account. No matter if the customer seeks a strikingly sportive or noble and elegant version – HAMANN offers a variety of wheel designs in many sizes. One of the technical highlights is the one-piece 18-inch wheel HM EVO. The modern style is emphasised with a black-lacquered finish, a diamond grinded rim star and the discreet indent.

Five elongated and vaulted triple spokes prove optical and technical finesse. The recommended wheel-tyre combination is 7.5Jx18 inches for the front and back axle with tyres measuring 225/35ZR18. HAMANN uses high performance wheels type S1 EVO of its technology partner HANKOOK.

The chassis suspension which lowers the MINI´s centre of gravity by 30 mm also sets new highlights. HAMANN offers a height-adjustable sport coilover kit as an ideal solution for the different requirements on the racetrack and for everyday use. The set consists of four sport anti-shocks and four progressively coiled sport springs. With these, the chassis can be lowered by up to 50 mm and offers numerous possibilities for an individual adjustment.

Supplementary to the existing serial interior features, HAMANN offers high-quality aluminium accessories. Hand brake handles, sport gear shifts and pedals render a motorsports ambience and complement the lifestyle package with the HAMANN interior set made of visible carbon structures. You name it, we have it – from personalised car mats to complete leather furnishings – everything is produced with precise craftsmanship.