To some, the above paint job would look like nothing more than a mess but to New York artist KR, it’s a work of art. Honestly though, this artistic style is what KR called Krink and Mini has let the artist perform said art style on one of their vehicles. The result? The KRINK MINI.

The KRINK MINI went on display in Hamberg last week and was met with positive reception which I don’t doubt because it looks damn cool.

When can you buy one of these? Most likely never.

via autoblog

Continue reading...

Recent reports have surfaced that BMW has a brand new 0 Series in the works based on the Mini platform. Seeing as the entire Mini lineup is, well, mini we’re going to guess that this new 0 Series will be a quite small one.

The need for such a series apparently came about by the demands of consumers looking for increasingly smaller vehicles. You know, the smaller the car, the better gas mileage? Yeah, that kind of thing. Further reports suggest that there will be several vehicles in the 0 Series lineup including a 3-door and 5-sdoor hatback along with some sort of convertible model.

As always, we’ll keep you posted.

via motoringfile

Continue reading...

It was recently made known that Mr. Bean will be making his first ‘live’ appearance at during the Goodwood Revival from September 18th-20th. He will be in attendance to help celebrate Mini’s 50th anniversary and do to so he will be driving his iconic pea green and black Mini around the Goodwood Motor Circuit while seated on the roof. According to the press release, this is a popular sketch from his TV comedy series.

If you live in the UK and are able to attend this event make sure you do because I mean come on, who doesn’t love Mr. Bean?

via Press

Continue reading...

What you see above is a concept sketch for a MINI roadster model entitled the MINI Speedster. As you can see, it has all of the iconic MINI features in addition to a convertible top. A physical version of the sketch is said to make its debut at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show which is right around the corner.

In terms of a release date, WorldCarFans have learned from an official that both the MINI Speedster and a MINI Coupe will enter into production for the 2011 model year and will be available everyone MINIs are currently offered.

Continue reading...

As part of the “What a birthday. It’s MINI” campaign, BMW is set to show off their new 50th anniversary Minis at the upcoming IAA Frankfurt Motor Show in September. The special edition 50 Mayfair and 50 Camden will be making their official debut at the show. For those of you who don’t know, the Mini will be turning 50 on August 26th.

“Participation in motor shows is an important feature in our communication activities directed at customers, the media and trade visitors,” BMW rep Thomas Murderlak said. “We are delighted that the 2009 IAA gives us the opportunity to build on our tradition of innovative motor show presences and this time to present all three brands under one roof – a first. A highlight for our visitors will be to experience our vehicles in motion: For the BMW brand, our presentation will implement the brand’s motto of ‘Sheer Driving Pleasure’ quite literally.”

Continue reading...

Mini has thought up a creative incentive to get buyers focused on their vehicles after utilizing the Cash for Clunkers program.

As you can see, if you buy a Mini with Cash for Clunkers credit you will be given a bumper sticker that says “My other car was demolished by the government.” Creative? Yes. Would I put it on my car? Probably not.

KickingTires reports that the cheapest Mini gets 28MPG in the city and 37 on the highway which means you’ll get the full $4,500 from Cash for Clunkers. I mean, you could probably sell the bumper sticker on eBay for a couple bucks in the future but will it really rake in more buyers?

Continue reading...

Arden MINI Cooper Equipe

German tuner Arden has turned its focus on the MINI Cooper, with the release of a special edition model called Equipe. The Arden MINI will be produced in a limited run of only 40 units that sport both mechanical and styling upgrades. On the exterior, a handmade stainless steel and chrome grille embellishes the front and rear-end while the new chrome tailpipes and the 18-inch lightweight (6.9kg or 15.2 lbs) Arden Gram aluminum wheels finish off the styling changes. 

Inside, the dashboard, seats, steering wheel and doors are wrapped in two-tone leather. Other finishing touches include custom made foot pedals and special floor mats. This Arden Mini also receives engine upgrades including an additional 40hp as well as sport suspension and high-performance 6-piston brakes at the front axle. Arden has not released pricing details yet.

Continue reading...

While other automakers are feeling the heat from the jumbled economy, BMW and MINI aren’t feeling the same — The automakers have recently annouced via a press statement that they will be adding 17 new U.S. dealerships expanding the overall network to 100 total.

The increase in dealerships is due to a spike in MINI sales which they hope to increase by expanding their United States’ presence.

The first dealership will open in Birmingham, Alaabama while all of the other dealerships are listed in the press release after the break.

(more…)

Continue reading...

Chatenet CH26

Apparently, the French have joined the Chinese automakers that rip off vehicle designs and may be giving them a run for their money. The French Chatenet CH26 that rips off both MINI and the Alfa Romeo Mito.

This two seater is powered by a 523cc two-cylinder diesel engine that generates 5.4 hp, and it claims to weigh a mere 769 pounds. Top speed for the Chatenet is 28mph and it assures a fuel efficiency of 75mpg. It still costs $19,000. Maybe the Chinese made knockoffs are a better value!?!

Continue reading...

2009 George Harrison Mini Cooper S

The Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein gave each of the Fab Four a Mini Cooper S as a gift back in 1966. Lead guitarist George had his car painted with psychedelic images such as Sanskrit mantras and yantras. In 1967 this famed Mini starred in The Beatles’ film Magical Mystery Tour. To coincide with its latest anniversary, MINI is dedicating a modern-day interpretation of George’s car to the man himself.

The MINI has been fashioned according to the wishes of Olivia Harrison and rekindles the look of George’s original. “George was a huge MINI fan and he would have enjoyed creating this new version. The fact that MINI’s anniversary celebrations will also benefit our Foundation has made it an enjoyable as well as meaningful collaboration.” says Olivia Harrison.

Continue reading...

Fiat is planning to bring an AWD version of its acclaimed 500 minicar to market in an attempt to compete with the batch of recently launched and approaching models from Mini. The Italian carmaker will release a car next year with a decided wagon-like appearance. Part of the reason for launching a bigger version of the 500 is because of the release of Mini’s Clubman, which the 500 Giardinetta hopes to take sales away from.

The new AWD variation, based on the Giardinetta, will go up against Mini’s own upcoming crossover. This AWD Fiat 500 will use the same 4WD system applied in the Panda 4×4 hatch, with which the 500 already shares its platform. This ought to help keep development costs down, and this in turn will mean a better deal for customers when it appears in showrooms later next year.

Continue reading...

Mini Mayfair & Camden Editions

Mini has added a pair of special editions in celebration of its 50th year of production. The two new models were chosen for London boroughs: Mayfair and Camden. Both cars are avaialble with a choice of two gasoline engines or a diesel and both can also be ordered with either six-speed automatics or six-speed manuals.

Each of these cars get special paintwork, special interior materials, unique alloy rims, and a range of colors tailored to each car as well as a special placard mounted to each car, noting them as limited-run models. An exclusive HiFi system with USB support and ‘Mission Control’ which is a system that processes and evaluates a wide range of vehicle and driving signals that provide the driver with safety notifications and comfort settings will be found on both models.

Continue reading...

MINI Speedster

There have been rumors of a two-seater convertible Mini for some time, and now latest reports say the car has been given the go- ahead for production. By making the car a strict two-seater, BMW can use the same platform that the Mini Cooper Cabrio currently sits on and BMW will be able to easily mix and match parts from its current stock for the eventual Speedster lineup.

The speedster will be much sportier than the current range of Mini models and will likely be wider and lower than current four-seaters and will definitely be the more aggressive Mini in the family. Additionally, the car will most likely have a soft-top to keep weight down, but a removable hard-top could also be available. Under the hood, expect to see the range of engines that are currently seen in the MINI Cooper. BMW is yet to affirm its production, a launch date for the car is reported to be sometime in 2011.

Continue reading...

First Mini

May 8, 2009, marks 50 years since the first Mini rolled out at Plant Oxford, formerly known as Cowley. The Mini has made it through half a century of nearly continuous production in spite of passing through many different hands. The British Motor Corporation, the original producers of the Mini, were ultimately overtaken by the unease of the late 1960s and early 1970s and eventually became part of British Leyland. Plant Oxford built 602,817 Minis from 1959 to 1968, before production was relocated to Longbridge.

Since 2001 more than 1.4 million new MINIs have been built at the production facility and in total, more than six million classic and new MINIs have been sold since the car initially went on sale in 1959. Currently, Mini is working on a special-edition F1 JCW car to celebrate the 50th anniversary of John Cooper’s first F1 car.

Continue reading...

2010 MINI Crossman

The 2010 Mini Crossman is a somewhat taller and tougher version of the standard model. The spy photos of the Crossman prototypes support that will offer all-wheel drive hardware. It won’t be an genuine off-roader however. The addition of all-wheel drive and a new suspension doesn’t seem like a huge undertaking, but don’t not expect to see this Mini start production until sometime next year.

The Crossman will be built for MINI by the Austrian contract manufacturer, Magna Steyr, as the established factory in Cowley, England does not have adequate capacity to handle the production.

Continue reading...