BREAKING: MINI Officially Confirms Series-Production of Coupe and Speedster Models!

BREAKING: MINI Officially Confirms Series-Production of Coupe and Speedster Models!

We've yet to see the MINI Coupe Concept in the flesh - let alone it's Speedtser twin that has yet to be revealed, but parent company BMW officially confirmed today that both models will enter series production and that they are to be built at MINI's Oxford Plant in the UK. The important announcement was made by Dr.Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management, BMW AG, during his two-day visit to the firm's UK operations earlier this week.

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson commented: "The production of the two new MINI models is very good news for Oxford, and for the UK car industry. British drivers have had a long love affair with the MINI and I'm sure that this will continue for many years to come."

The company said that the start dates for the production of the two new sporty MINIs that will join the existing line of Hatch, Clubman and Convertible models, all of which are made at the Oxford plant, will be confirmed at a later date.

The two seater coupe and its drop-top sibling will most likely be available with the 1.6-liter turbocharged MINI John Cooper Works power train that pumps out 211HP and a peak torque of 260Nm (192 lb-ft) or 280Nm (206 lb-ft) with the overboost function.

However, we wouldn't be surprised if MINI also offers the standard MINI Cooper S' 175HP 1.6-liter turbocharged petrol while a high-performance diesel option should be considered a possibility.

Expect more details to be announced during the presentation of the two new MINIs at Frankfurt Motor Show on September 15.

MINI Roadster said to Debut at Frankfurt Show

MINI Roadster said to Debut at Frankfurt Show

This week's grapevine story concerns the possible unveiling of a near-to-production MINI Roadster study at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Britain's Autocar magazine joined the hype today corroborating an earlier report on the matter from French car mag, L'Automobile. The so-called MINI Roadster is said to be a sportier-looking two-seater version of the current 2+2 MINI Cabriolet featuring a steeply raked windshield and a retractable soft top. The reports also suggest that due to the lower gravity of the car, the MINI Roadster will offer improved handling over its Cabriolet counterpart.

Not surprisingly, the Roadster is said to be offered with a similar engine lineup as the standard MINI's including the John Cooper Work model's 1.6-litre twin scroll-turbocharged engine that produces 211 horsepower and up to 280 Nm peak torque with Overboost deployed.

The production version of the Roadster is slated to hit showrooms around the world as early as 2010.

However, what the reports don't say is where MINI plans to produce the Roadster model. As you may have already read before, the firm's Oxford plant is at peak capacity and due to this reason, MINI has made plans to assemble the forthcoming Crossman SUV, which will be revealed in production form at the Frankfurt Show, at the Magna Steyr plant in Austria.

Via: L'Automobile & Autocar

Restored 1960 Morris Mini to be Raffled at UK Classis Motor Show

Restored 1960 Morris Mini to be Raffled at UK Classis Motor Show

A fully restored 1960 Morris Mini with 56,600 miles on the clock will be raffled at the British Classic Motor Show to be held at Birmingham's NEC from 13th to 15th November 2009. The red Morris Minor was restored to its former glory live on stage at last year's classic motorshow by Edd China from TV's Wheeler Dealers programme. The car will be given away in a text-to-win competition where participants are asked to answer a rather lame question of the sort "Which anniversary is the classic Mini celebrating in 2009". For the record, the answer is 'Mini Golden'...

Next Generation MINI Cooper Prototype Scooped Uncovered?

Next Generation MINI Cooper Prototype Scooped Uncovered?

The current MINI hatchback, which is essentially an evolution of the previous model presented in 2001, has only been around with us since 2006, but according to a new set of spy shots from French car magazine L'Automobile, the British automaker is well ahead in the development of the next generation model.

The car depicted in the photos appears to be a clay model (notice the blacked out windshield) and it suggests that the new MINI is adopting many of the styling cues seen in last year's Crossover Concept like the larger grille and sweptback headlamps. If you head over to L'Automobile, you can also check out an early mock up (or proposal) of the car's dashboard.

While retaining the same design theme as the current MINI, the revamped dash features an even larger, but positioned lower, central dial that appears to be inspired from the Crossover Concept's so-called "Centre Globe" that controls the entertainment, telecommuniction and navigation systems.

Via: L'Automobile

MINI Clubman with Airstream Trailer Concept: First Official Photos

MINI Clubman with Airstream Trailer Concept: First Official Photos

These are the first official photos of a one-off concept of a specially modified MINI Cooper S Clubman and a 6.80-meter or 22-foot Airstream trailer that was created in collaboration with Danish furniture producers, Republic of Fritz Hansen. The design study will be unveiled to the public for the first time at the INTERNI Design Energies exhibition that takes place in Milan on 22 – 27 April 2009.

The concept behind the project is the creation of a mobile base for surfers and beachgoers alike. As such, the designers of Republic of Fritz Hansen kitted out both the American travel trailer and the MINI Clubman with unique features.

Design details include the use of what MINI describes as "surfer-dude wetsuit" neoprene, fresh colors and flower prints which are common on both the Clubman and the Aistream trailer.

The trailer comes with a waterproof interior that is outfitted with numerous chairs, a table and even two surfboards halves, which double up as shelving. A special feature of the trailer is that it fully opens on one side revealing a built-in sun-bathing bed.

In the Clubman, the designers of the Copenhagen-based Republic of Fritz Hansen removed the rear seat bench and stripped out the boot to fit four specially made securing shells with purpose-built mounts that can accommodate diving gear equipment, including flippers, a mask, wetsuit and oxygen tanks.