MINI to Debut...Mini Concept at Geneva Motor Show

Carscoop has learned that Mini will lift the covers off a brand new concept model at the Geneva Motor Show in the beginning of March. The three-door design study is said to hark back to the classic Mini in terms of its exterior dimensions while keeping up with the times in terms of safety requirements and occupant space.

The concept will measure a little over 3.4 meters in length, essentially splitting the difference between the current three-door hatchback (3,723 mm) and the original 1959 Mini (3,050 mm).

We also learned that Mini's study will sport a 3+1 seat configuration similar to that of the Toyota iQ and that its design and tech features, including a variety of weight saving tricks and components, will be applied to the next generation of Mini models.

It remains to be seen if the BMW Group bosses give the green light for a production version of the small city car concept from Mini.

READ MORE - MINI to Debut...Mini Concept at Geneva Motor Show

MINI to Debut...Mini Concept at Geneva Motor Show

Carscoop has learned that Mini will lift the covers off a brand new concept model at the Geneva Motor Show in the beginning of March. The three-door design study is said to hark back to the classic Mini in terms of its exterior dimensions while keeping up with the times in terms of safety requirements and occupant space.

The concept will measure a little over 3.4 meters in length, essentially splitting the difference between the current three-door hatchback (3,723 mm) and the original 1959 Mini (3,050 mm).

We also learned that Mini's study will sport a 3+1 seat configuration similar to that of the Toyota iQ and that its design and tech features, including a variety of weight saving tricks and components, will be applied to the next generation of Mini models.

Read more »

READ MORE - MINI to Debut...Mini Concept at Geneva Motor Show

German Tuner Thinks Louis Vuitton-esque MINI JCW with up to 252HP Looks Kewl

We're no luxury handbag experts, but the first thought that comes to mind upon seeing CoverEFX's MINI John Cooper Works [JCW] tuning proposal is a....Louis Vuitton bag on wheels. For obvious reasons, the monogram canvas is different than the one found on the products of the famous French design house, but its styling as well as the colors and the leathery texture of the special foil wrap all point to an inspiration that come from Louis Vuitton.

The new look is complemented by a set of matching matte black and matte gold metallic 17-inch OZ LM alloy wheels surrounded by Toyo R888 205/40 R17 84W tires.

In the performance department, CoverEFX says it offers two stages of tune for the 1.6-liter twin-scroll turbo engine. The first adds an ECU upgrade along with a 2.5-inch exhaust system with Milltek downpipe, sports catalyst and extra large sports air filter to lift output from 211HP and 280Nm to 236HP and 350Nm. The second stage includes a more aggressive software tune pushing output to 252HP and a maximum torque of 382 Nm.

A short shift kit for the gearbox and a stainless steel KW Variant 3 suspension round off the performance upgrades.

READ MORE - German Tuner Thinks Louis Vuitton-esque MINI JCW with up to 252HP Looks Kewl

German Tuner Thinks Louis Vuitton-esque MINI JCW with up to 252HP Looks Kewl

We're no luxury handbag experts, but the first thought that comes to mind upon seeing CoverEFX's MINI John Cooper Works [JCW] tuning proposal is a....Louis Vuitton bag on wheels. For obvious reasons, the monogram canvas is different than the one found on the products of the famous French design house, but its styling as well as the colors and the leathery texture of the special foil wrap all point to an inspiration that come from Louis Vuitton.

Read more »

READ MORE - German Tuner Thinks Louis Vuitton-esque MINI JCW with up to 252HP Looks Kewl

New Cut-Price MINI First with 75HP 1.4-Liter Petrol Engine

MINI's UK division is lowering the bar once again with the release of a new entry-level gasoline model called 'First' that is priced at £10,950 OTR or £1,395 less than the MINI One. Available only in three-door hatch form, the First is equipped with a detuned version of the 95HP 1.4-litre petrol engine currently found in the One that produces 75 horsepower and is linked to a six-speed manual gearbox.

The MINI First can accelerate from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 13.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 109mph or 175km/h while returning a combined fuel economy of 53.3mpg UK (5.3lt/100km or 44.3mpg US).

Even though the whole point of the First is its low price, nevertheless MINI does offer a variety of special packages that you can check out in detail below.

Available Packages for MINI First

Design Package

£525.00

• 3-Spoke Sport Leather Steering Wheel
  
• Heated Mirrors and Windscreen Washer Jets
  
• Mirror Caps in Body Colour
  
• Chrome Line Interior
  
• Chrome Line Exterior
  

Tech Package

£855.00

• Multi-function for steering wheel
  
• 3-Spoke Sport Leather Steering Wheel
  
• Passenger Airbag Deactivation Switch
  
• Radio BOOST CD
  
• CD Preparation
  
• Basic Bluetooth with USB Audio
  

Salt Package

£390.00

• Floor Mats in velour
  
• Passenger Seat Height Adjustment
  
• Storage Compartment Pack
  
• Front Fog Lights
  
• On Board Computer
  
• Interior Lights Pack

READ MORE - New Cut-Price MINI First with 75HP 1.4-Liter Petrol Engine

New Mini Cooper SD gets 2.0-liter Turbo Diesel with 143HP and up to 65.7 UK MPG

MINI has introduced the most power diesel variant yet in its line-up in the form of the new Cooper SD which is powered by a new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder oil-burner that makes 143-horses at 4,000 rpm and an impressive 305 Nm (225 lb-ft) of peak torque, available between 1,750 and 2,700 rpm. The Cooper SD trim is offered in the three-door hatch, the Clubman, the Convertible and the Countryman crossover.

The four-pot diesel is loosely based on the 1.6-litre units fitted in the MINI One D and Cooper D models, and is linked to a standard six-speed manual gearbox with a six speed automatic transmission being offered from launch as an option.

To improve fuel economy and reduce CO2 emissions, all Cooper SD models will come fitted as standard with a Brake Energy Regeneration system, Auto Start/Stop function, Shift Point Display, Electric Power Steering and the need-based operation of ancillary components plus a diesel particulate filter and an oxidation catalytic converter.

In terms of performance, the three-door Cooper SD completes the 0-100km/h (62mph) in 8.1 seconds en route to a top speed of 215 km/h (134 mph), while returning an average fuel consumption of 4.3 lt/100km (65.7 mpg UK or 54.7 mpg US) and CO2 emissions of 114 g/km.

The new Cooper SD Clubman reaches 100 km/h (62 mph) from a standstill in 8.6 seconds and also has a top speed of 215 km/h (134 mph). Its average fuel economy is 4.4 lt/100 km (64.2 mpg UK), while CO2 emissions stand at 115 g/km.

The respective numbers for the Cooper SD Convertible are: 8.7 seconds, 210 km/h (130 mph), 4.5lt/100 km (62.8 mpg UK) and 118g/km of CO2.

In the Countryman the new diesel can be teamed up either with front-wheel drive or the all-wheel-drive system MINI ALL4. The FWD Cooper SD Countryman sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 9.3 seconds, the AWD in 9.4 seconds, on the way to top speeds of 198 and 195 km/h (123/121 mph) respectively. The front-wheel-drive model has fuel economy of 4.6lt/100km, the all-wheel-drive variant achieves 4.9 lt/100 km. CO2 emissions are 122 and 130 g/km respectively.

The new MINI Cooper SD models will get their world premiere at next month's Geneva Salon, with sales set to start across Europe in Spring.

READ MORE - New Mini Cooper SD gets 2.0-liter Turbo Diesel with 143HP and up to 65.7 UK MPG