Detroit 2011: Mini Paceman Concept gets all the girls
Mini’s model line is expanding at an exponential rate, and according to BMW’s smallest division, the Paceman Concept will form the basis of its eighth production vehicle. Even if that’s the case, nothing resembling the Paceman is going to beat either the Mini Coupe or Roadster to market, which are expected to hit dealers in late 2011 and 2012, respectively.
What we have in the Paceman is basically a Countryman that’s been relieved of its two rear doors and granted a gradually sloping roofline. Yes, that will indeed limit the machine’s versatility, but it also adds a sporty vibe to the somewhat high-riding crossover.
Categories: Coupe, Crossover, Crossovers/CUVs, Detroit Auto Show, Mini Tags: Detroit Auto Show
First Drive: 2011 Mini Cooper Countryman S ALL4
Two questions: First, why is Mini building a four-door crossover? Second, does the 2011 Mini Cooper Countryman S ALL4 drive like a Mini? While the questions aren’t new (just ask Porsche), the answers are.
Our Countryman S test drive begins in Austin, Texas, billed as the live music capital of the world. Twenty minutes after touching down, we’re gripping a chunky three-spoke wheel and hustling the Austrian-built, ultra-compact crossover on autobahn-smooth roads, surrounded by green, hilly pastures and 1000-pound purebred longhorns.
Under the Countryman S’ stubby hood lives the 181-horsepower, 1.6-liter twin-scroll turbo four-cylinder found in the rest of the Mini lineup. Non-S models employ the naturally aspirated 1.6-liter mill making 121-horsepower. Regardless of trim, the 2011-spec engine deploys Valvetronic (a valve timing technology borrowed from parent company BMW), direct-injection, and electronically activated oil and water pumps.
Categories: Auto Review, Car Review, Mini Tags: Mini
First Drive: 2011 Mini Countryman
Whether we like it or not, even niche automakers are expanding their lineups to appeal to a broader range of shoppers. This may seem like automotive blasphemy, but think back a few years ago when Porsche introduced the Cayenne. We all threw temper tantrums and hugged our 911s, but now we begrudgingly accept that, as far as SUVs go, the Porshce Cayenne is pretty damn good and has been the brand’s #1 selling model since day one. So in comparison, adding the 2011 Countryman to the Mini lineup isn’t nearly as big of a culture shock.
In an effort to show Mini owners and enthusiasts that the Countryman is indeed worthy of a Cooper badge, the automaker brought a few of the new crossovers out on its 2010 Mini Takes The States cross-country road rally. Mini is wholly confident that people will be impressed with what the Countryman has to offer, not only with functionality, but with driving dynamics, as well. We saddled up to find out for ourselves.
Categories: Auto Review, Car Review, Crossover, Mini Tags: Mini
Geneva Motor Show 2010: Mini Countryman breaks cover
There were no surprises at the Mini press conference today in Geneva when the covers were lifted off the 2011 Countryman. We got our first look at the brand’s first crossover back in January, and we can now fill you in with the full details about the mini-ute. The Countryman is obviously Mini’s largest vehicle at just over four meters in length, and its optional ALL4 all-wheel drive system is a first for the brand as well.
Looking at the car in person, not too much has changed in the front of the cabin for the Countryman compared to its two-door counterparts. Aft of the front seats, however, the second set of doors opens up to two individual buckets that should be relatively hospitable for normal sized adults. Leg room doesn’t seem to be in abundance, but this is a Mini, of course. A variety of gas and diesel engines will be available in Europe, but American customers can expect the same 1.6-liter inline-fours available in the current Mini range.
Categories: Auto Show, Crossover, Geneva Motor Show, Mini Tags:
Detroit 2010: Mini Beachcomber Concept leaves the doors behind
The roof, too. That’s right folks, Mini rolled out a concept of a concept. The Beachcomber (see above) is based on the Mini Crossover. However, the Crossover is no longer just a concept, as it will be making its way to production soon. And it’s not alone, as Mini has also green lit the Coupe and Roadster. All three will be produced at Mini’s Oxford, UK plant.
Speaking of Mini, their sales were down six percent last year. Or should we say only six percent, as 2009 basically sucked as far as car sales go. In the U.S., however, Mini sales were down 16 percent, but the segment (small premium cars) was off a disheartening 40 percent. Nevertheless, the U.S. remains Mini’s largest market with currently 90 dealers and the brand is looking to increase that number with an additional 17 dealers over the next 18 months.
Categories: Auto Show, Concept Cars, Convertible, Detroit Auto Show, Mini Tags: Detroit Auto Show, Mini
LA Auto Show 2009: MINI Coupe & Roadster Concepts are so LA
Mini brought its birthday presents to itself out to the LA Auto Show for their North American debut today. The Cambden and Mayfair were there, but we spent a lot more time ogling the Coupe and Roadster. As you may recall, Mini created these two sports cars to celebrate its 50th anniversary and showed them off alongside the two special edition Coopers at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The changes are slightly less obvious on the open-top roadster, but you can definitely see that there’s no back seat and the windshield is laid back a claimed 16 degrees over the standard Cooper. The backwards baseball cap on the coupe is a bit odd looking in pics and the real world view doesn’t do much to change that impression.
None of the display vehicles sported any detail changes but it was still fun to see all of them packed into a booth the size of Toyota’s Venza section. Ian Robertson of BMW did share a few more details about the future of MINI, with the “R60″ 4-door-4-liter-4wd about to get a real name and even more models in the works.
Categories: Concept Cars, Convertible, Coupe, LA Auto Show, Los Angeles Auto Show, Mini Tags:
Verdict: 2009 Mini John Cooper Works Clubman
It’s a rare thing when one of an automaker’s most performance-oriented models is also one of its most practical. Our 2009 Mini John Cooper Works Clubman was such an example when it arrived on our doorstep in July 2008. Fresh from the Mini plant in Oxford, U.K., the unconventional five-door Clubman had barely hit U.S. showrooms when we took delivery, attracting plenty of attention on local Southern California roads.
It attracted plenty of attention around MT headquarters as well. With its extended wheelbase, quirky reverse-opening, single rear-passenger door, and twin side-hinged rear-cargo doors, our Clubman was one of the more unusual vehicles in our long-term fleet. Add Chili Red paint with black racing stripes and the sporty John Cooper Works package, and we had an absolute anomaly in our garage.
Categories: Auto Review, Car Review, Mini Tags: Mini
