Just a few short weeks ago, the crew here at Vista MINI in Coconut Creek, Florida put the MINI Countryman, Countryman S and All4 to the test. The roads of Austin put the Countryman to the test as the drivers headed up steep hills and careened around sharp turns. Check out our picture montage of the weekend’s events.
MINI Connected is hitting the states soon, which is fantastic news for MINI owners interested in a truly integrated communications experience in their MINIs. MINI Connected is MINI’s offering to the smart-phone elite and the online generation. It will seamlessly integrate your online world into your MINI with apps like Web Radio, RSS News Reader and even Twitter client (complete with GPS location, time and temperature automatically-generated Tweets!).
Additionally, the US release will boast Google Local Search, Google Send to Car (the ability to make changes to in-car content from your desk or laptop), and a very interesting Dynamic Music Creator, which will mix and play appropriate music based on how you are driving and what you are doing – like cornering, braking, acceleration and etc.). At last, we can have a custom made soundtrack as we buzz around town – MINI Connecte will make us all feel like true action heroes.
The Web Radio is also fantastic. Relying on your smart-phone’s broadband connection, Web Radio will deliver thousands of web radio stations seamlessly into your car. iPod Out is also a fascinating offering- the Apple-created interface enables the MINI Connected system to display the contents of your iPod on the dash, in the same format you see it on the iPod. There’s no lag between selection and execution like in some automakers’ interface solutions, thanks in part to the symbiotic design of the interface.
All-in-all, MINI Connected is looking to be an absolutely great technology that has something for everyone. It’s an adaptable system that will allow for technological growth from the third-parties (such as newer, better versions of iPod and the like), permitting us to have the latest and greatest technologies in our MINI.
An interesting rumor surfaced over at MotoringFile about something mentioned by Dr. Klaus Draeger, who is in charge of development at BMW. The source was originally in German as part of an interview, but he eluded to BMW’s interest in building two-cylinder engines for MINIs and perhaps even small BMWs. Apparently two is enough to yield approximately 500cc per cylinder which, paired, could generate a horsepower grade of 80-100HP.
Interesting stuff, when you combine it with the new BMW carbon fiber plant now online in Washington state. Perhaps with the carbon fiber body builds on the horizon, a material able to make car chassis 10 times lighter than steel but also stronger, our need for a thrilling ride will only require 2-cylinders thanks to the immense weight reductions the carbon fiber designs will provide. This could be an answer to the demand for higher MPG gains without having to add a hybrid engine, which does not yield the same gains as they do in larger, heavier cars. And if the proper amount of horsepower is there to produce a true MINI thrill, who cares how many cylinders are firing under the hood?
Time will tell whether this is a viable opportunity for BMW and MINI, or even if it is anything more concrete than a rumor. Stay posted to our site, and we’ll reveal the facts as they are announced.
It’s WOBtoberfest time here in Coconut Creek, and Vista MINI is joining the fun! What is WOBtoberfest you may ask? WOBtoberfest is an annual outdoor beer and music festival, based from the idea of Oktoberfest, with live music, a world class selection of beer and food from some of the Promenade’s finest vendors.
Originating from the home state of our parent company, BMW, Bavaria has been home to Oktoberfest for over 200 years. The 16-18 day long festival starting on the first Sunday in October, is known for its copious amount of German food and of course, beer. In 2007, Oktoberfest visitors drank close to 7 million litres of beer alone.
Here at Vista MINI we have our own little October celebration, MotorTober, and we find it only fitting to celebrate with our neighbors at World of Beer, Coconut Creek. That’s why we will be at the WOBtoberfest with some of our favorite MINI Coopers, Clubmans and lots of great giveaways. So make sure to stop by and see us and help us celebrate WOBtoberfest, Motortober style!
Ready to be serenaded by traditional German bands while sipping on some of the finest beers from around the world? Admission is $10/day at the door, or $10 for both days in advance. Guten Tag, friends! Motor On!
This is an electric car that doesn’t need to be charged. Built by students at the Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences, the E-Quickie uses electric induction to pull energy straight from the road. The charging works just like the technology used in smart phone powermats – all it needs is contact with the electrical source to continue rolling, kind of like a slot car racer without the rails.
Electrical conductors are embedded in the road, allowing the E-Quickie to power up as it travels. Though small and only capable of 31 MPH, it is a design that shows promise. Tests are continuing to make it lighter, faster and more efficient, and could prove to be a solution to clean transportation should the continued research pan out.
24 Hours of LeMons is an unusual racing outfit. It is endurance racing for $500 cars. Essentially, you can bring out any vehicle priced under $500 and race it, endurance style, against other $500 cars. The only thing reliable in these vehicles is the safety equipment, which does not factor into the $500. If the vehicles don’t just quit and die on their own, you have a host of other dangers with which to contend.
Though not a contact sport, there is a lot of bumping and paint-trading. Then, there’s always the chance of rounding a corner and seeing the dead, smoking Pinto in your lane. Even if you survive that, there’s always the chance that your vehicle will be elected to be singled-out and demolished by the event judges and their steamroller. And let’s say you run this gauntlet, take the lead and win the race. You’ll get your $1500 prize money in nickels.
Some of you might be wondering, “well, how would they know if I cheated and brought in a more expensive car”? You can try, but they have rules to beat that. Their panel of judges will fine you one lap for every $10 over $500 they believe you have spent. Also, since it is a “claiming race”, any organizer reserves the right to purchase your car from you for $500 at the finish. So, that sneaky $3000 you put under the hood will be forever lost.
Ah, the desperate, ongoing quest to find a suitable parking spot. MINI feels your pain. This just-released commercial is all about our determination, craftiness and desire to secure the best (or in this case, only) spot so we can proceed with our day. It’s the first-released MINI commercial for 2011, and while it isn’t their best yet, it is certainly full of the typical quirky, tongue-in-cheek styles that MINI often loves in their media.
Check it out, and we’ll post more of them as they are released.
Photo and scoop courtesy of motoringfile.com.
Sketches leaked suggest MINI is about to reveal a MINI-brand scooter design at the Paris Motor Show this month. The scooter will be a plug-in electric design driven by a lithium-ion battery charged by a standard outlet. It has been designed to appeal to those need an ultra-efficient form of urban transportation. The oval mirrors, oversized speedometer and the copious amounts of chrome are all unmistakably MINI, and the retractable power cable built into it is also a nice touch.
Interested parties need only wait until the official reveal later this month at the Paris Motor Show, but I suspect these things will sell like hotcakes if they ever see a production run.
MINI feels your pain.
Looks like we have the dates for the two most anticipated cars in MINI’s upcoming line-up – the MINI Coupe and the MINI Roadster. These vehicles promise to have both a sportier look and even sportier performance, and both should be arriving within the year.
First to arrive will be the MINI Coupe. This two-seat, turbo-charged MINI is fitted with a powerful engine and powerful styling. It will prove to be small and economical, and give an enormous amount of driving pleasure to enthusiasts, and it will be arriving in August of 2011. Rumors suggest there may even be a JCW variant of it in the works.
This will be followed by the MINI Roadster, also a two-seat power horse with a convertible top. These will arrive around March of 2012 and will certainly be popular thanks to the sharp looks and slant toward performance and sport. Stay posted to our site for the latest news regarding these upcoming MINIs and the full current line-up.
Well that’s because it’s not intended to be, per say. BMW’s initial target for the MINI Countryman was families. With 4 REAL seats, and lots of cargo space, it’s easy to see that BMW has hit the mark to resolve the complaints of those 2 + in familial number. Furthermore, the MINI Countryman has provided owners of the spacious new Countryman with 4-wheel drive capability. Countryman is everything that Cooper isn’t, while still defining the essence of MINI- and that’s ok. We love both models equally, but they clearly serve different purposes.
The sporty Countryman is still very MINI, have dogs, kids or just a lot of stuff, this is it for you. All of the unique styling, power, precision and handling all stuffed into a fuel efficient, environmentally friendly package that fits you, and your life. And when you want to leave all of that at home for a night out with your friends, you can take the Countryman. It fits four full sized adults comfortably, REALLY! Don’t believe us, check out this photo from our MINI Takes The States Rally.
If you want some really interesting retro-chic knowledge to wow your friends with at dinner (after you wiped the drool off of your hot new Countryman) casually mention that your car is named after a MINI station wagon from the 1960’s- that’s practically VINTAGE!
So get ready MINI fans, the Countryman is scheduled to hit showrooms in January 2010, Let’s Motor!
