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Rumormill: Mini Rocketman headed for production

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hatchback, Mini, Rumormill

Mini Rocketman Concept

Mini Rocketman Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

This year’s Geneva Motor Show was as packed as ever with new concept cars that point the way forward for the world’s automakers. And with their debuts now behind us, reports are pouring in on their prospects for production.

First came word that the Alfa Romeo 4C Concept is destined for U.S. showrooms, then reports surfaced of Jaguar passing on Bertone’s design pitch. Now sources from across the pond are indicating that Mini plans to go ahead with production of its Rocketman concept.

The subcompact show car aimed to pacify purists who bemoan the enlargement of the modern Mini range, and the new model could bridge the gap between the original Mini and the contemporary iteration.

According to Autocar, Mini plans on producing the Rocketman based on the BMW Group’s new front-drive platform and i-initiative technologies. Rather than replace the existing three-door hatchback, however, the production Rocketman would slot in below it (at least in terms of size) in the company’s rapidly expanding range.

Gallery: Mini Rocketman Concept: Geneva 2011

Gallery: Mini Rocketman Concept

Mini Rocketman Concept

[Source: Autocar]

Rumormill: Mini Rocketman headed for production originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Mini gets reintroduction to rally racing

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Mini

mini countryman wrc

Mini Countryman WRC teaser clip – Click above to watch video after the jump

Mini is venturing back into the World Rally Championship fold. That’s right, we said “back into,” because in the 60’s, Mini decided to take its Cooper and go rallying. This wasn’t simply a half-cocked effort either; Mini won the Monte Carlo Rally in 1964, 1965 and 1967. Now the automaker is going full-tilt yet again by campaigning a Prodrive-prepared Countryman in the 2011 WRC season.

A teaser clip is in order to help get you psyched over Mini’s upcoming rally run. Thankfully, Mini has just such a clip and it’s available for your viewing pleasure after the jump.

[Source: YouTube via Inside Line]

Continue reading Video: Mini gets reintroduction to rally racing

Video: Mini gets reintroduction to rally racing originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Mar 2011 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2011: Mini Rocketman Concept misses the Earth so much, misses its wife

Filed under: Concept Cars, Geneva Motor Show, Hatchback, Mini

Mini Rocketman Concept

Mini Rocketman Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Mini’s new space-age Rocketman Concept previews what the future of urban mobility could look like for the BMW sub-brand. It’s slightly smaller than the current Cooper, and we’re big fans of the dual-hinged doors that pivot outwards, complete with the sills. In fact, the whole concept strikes us as totally cool, and is further proof that Mini’s cheekiness can be further evolved to new types of vehicles.

The Rocketman’s interior uses a space-efficient three-plus-one seating arrangement, and we’re told that the car is powered by a highly efficient powertrain capable of returning 78 miles per gallon on the U.S. cycle. Mini’s new Connected infotainment system is displayed via three-dimensional graphics on the interactive speedometer screen, and there’s even a steering wheel-mounted joystick to operate the whole slew of functions.

There’s a whole host of clever features found within the Rocketman, but above all, the concept’s design is what really stands out. See for yourself in the high-res image galleries below.

Gallery: Mini Rocketman Concept: Geneva 2011

Gallery: Mini Rocketman Concept

Mini Rocketman Concept

Geneva 2011: Mini Rocketman Concept misses the Earth so much, misses its wife originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 04:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Half Mini Cooper, half racing chair… all awesome

Filed under: Etc.

Most people probably describe themselves as casual gamers, but then there are the guys who stand in line for two days to buy a new title and call in sick for a week as they immerse themselves in it. If that’s you when it comes to racing games like Forza and Gran Turismo, this gaming chair probably fits your lifestyle.

Yes, it’s made from the front end of an old Mini Cooper. The super-seat features a racing wheel and three proper pedals, but that’s just the beginning. It also boasts a pair of speakers connected to an iPod dock and a 500-watt amp, a mini fridge, an under-seat vibration pad, and a smoke machine. Sick. But it doesn’t come cheap:the chair’s price tag is $13,000.

[Source: Gizmodo]

Half Mini Cooper, half racing chair… all awesome originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 26 Feb 2011 18:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Videos: Mini Rocketman Concept detailed from every angle

Filed under: Concept Cars, Geneva Motor Show, Videos, Mini, Design/Style

Mini Rocketman Concept

Mini Rocketman Concept detailed from all angles – Click above to watch the videos after the jump

The Mini Rocketman Concept is set to make its debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, and we’re eager to get a look at this funky thing the flesh. Until that happens, we’ll have to be content with the slew of views Mini has provided.

Ready for your viewing pleasure after the jump are videos of b-roll footage, exterior and interior walkarounds and a clip showing the action of the cool dual-hinged doors. Additionally, Anders Warming, head of Mini design, stepped in to provide some insight into the development of the Rocketman concept. If you’re hungry for Rocketman information, this plethora of video footage will indeed satiate you.

Gallery: Mini Rocketman Concept

Mini Rocketman Concept

[Source: Mini]

Continue reading Videos: Mini Rocketman Concept detailed from every angle

Videos: Mini Rocketman Concept detailed from every angle originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mini Rocketman Concept takes off ahead of Geneva debut

Filed under: Concept Cars, Geneva Motor Show, Hatchback, Mini, Design/Style

Mini Rocketman concept

Mini Rocketman Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Mini’s latest production car – the Countryman – may be the automaker’s largest offering to date, but now the brand known for its pint-sized fighters is returning to its roots with its latest concept. But this isn’t a preview of the next-generation Cooper – oh no, no, no – it’s the Rocketman (cue Elton John). At just over 11 feet long, the bug-eyed little hatch is slightly shorter than a base Cooper hardtop and uses a unique three-plus-one interior seating arrangement. It isn’t gonna be a long, long time before we see the Rocketman in person, either – the concept makes its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show next week.

In creating the Rocketman, Mini’s main focus was to keep its petite body as light as possible. A carbon spaceframe makes up the main construction, and things like weight-saving wheels with an enclosed surface structure reduce drag to improve fuel economy. Speaking of economy, Mini says that the Rocketman is powered by “a drive system which combines further enhanced sprinting ability with average fuel consumption of just three liters per 100 kilometers (94 miles per gallon Imperial)” – about 78 mpg on the U.S. cycle. We don’t have details about what exactly powers the Mini concept, but we’d bet our bottom dollar that there’s some electrification involved.

The doors themselves are another bit of notable engineering. Upon opening, the doors pivot outwards complete with their sills, making ingress and egress to both the front and rear seats a breeze. From there, passengers are greeted with a three-plus-one seating concept, meaning that instead of a connectional bench seat in the rear, there is an individual chair behind the passenger seat. Behind the driver is a smaller seat where the backrest can be folded down to act as a storage surface. The interior is full of nifty, concept-spec LED lighting, and the latest in infotainment, including the auotmaker’s Mini Connected system with three-dimensional graphics and a steering wheel-mounted joystick for easy operation.

Mini’s Rocketman concept previews the future of small, urban mobility from the brand. This mini-Mini looks capable of retaining the automaker’s core values of driver involvement with seemingly endless personalization, and we encourage you to see all of its ins and outs for yourself in our high-res gallery below. Mini’s official press blast is available after the jump, as well.

Gallery: Mini Rocketman Concept

Mini Rocketman Concept

[Source: Mini]

Continue reading Mini Rocketman Concept takes off ahead of Geneva debut

Mini Rocketman Concept takes off ahead of Geneva debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Ford Mustang owners gather in Poland, create amazing mini movie

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Europe, Videos, Ford

Polish Mustang gathering

Polish Mustang gathering – Click above to watch video after the jump

It’s easy to dismiss the muscle-car phenomenon as a fluke of American excess. With our miles of open freeway and sinfully cheap gasoline, the inexpensive, high-horsepower V8 machine was a creation that could have only come from our neck of the woods. But that doesn’t meant the rest of the world doesn’t appreciate of our contribution to automotive history. Just look at the thriving Ford Mustang community in Poland.

That’s right, Poland.

A devoted group of pony car lovers recently got together for a little meet up and happened to cook up one of the best fan videos we’ve ever laid eyes on. There are plenty of special-edition Mustangs in the mix, including at least one Bullitt, a Shelby GT500 and even a P-51 Edition. But these horses aren’t all standing around in a parking lot somewhere. Oh, no. Instead, the owners set to sending their rear tires spinning in the best way possible, and there’s plenty of high-definition tire smoke to go around. Hit the jump to check the flick for yourself. Hat tips to Brent and Mateusz!

[Source: MotoFilm]

Continue reading Video: Ford Mustang owners gather in Poland, create amazing mini movie

Video: Ford Mustang owners gather in Poland, create amazing mini movie originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Mini Speedster on the prowl

Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertible, Mini

Mini Speedster spy shot

Spy Shots: Mini Speedster on the prowl – Click above for high-res image gallery

Spy lenses in Germany recently caught sight of the upcoming 2012 Mini Coupe, and now those same crafty photogs just trained their cameras on a quasi-camouflaged Mini Speedster.

Like its fixed-top sibling, we can clearly see a low-slung shape and a pop-up rear spoiler for some added sporty flair. We’re not sure what all that yellow swirliness is supposed to be covering, but we look forward to finding out, and to seeing this runabout with its top in the stowed position.

The two-door drop-top has been rumored to make an appearance for over a year now and it seems we’re getting closer to seeing a production version bathed by auto show stage lights. Since we don’t know when that will occur, the gallery below will have to do for now.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Mini Speedster on the prowl

Spy Shots: Mini Speedster on the prowl

[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: Mini Speedster on the prowl originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2012 Mini Coupe nears production

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Spy Photos, Coupe, Mini

2012 Mini Coupe

2012 Mini Coupe – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Mini Coupe is set to go on sale this Fall and that means testing of the hatchless Cooper has begun in earnest. Caught by our spies running around outside BMW headquarters in Germany, the 2012 Mini Coupe uses the Bavarians’ standard psychedelic camo, but it wasn’t able to hide a new retractable spoiler nestled within the trunk – something that wasn’t fitted to concept shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2009.

2012 Mini Cooper Coupe spy shot Power should come from Mini’s entire range of naturally aspirated and turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder mills, although our spies contend that the prototype you see here is a Works model, evidenced by the upgraded brakes that barely fit inside the wheels and red calipers fore and aft. We suspect the production version will make an appearance in Frankfurt this autumn, with sales beginning in Europe and the U.S. before the end of the year.

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2012 Mini Coupe

[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: 2012 Mini Coupe nears production originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Feb 2011 16:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You picked Autoblog’s long-term 2011 Mini Countryman, and the winner is…

Filed under: Crossover, Mini, Long-Term Garage

2011 Mini Countryman S All4

Autoblog’s long-term 2011 Mini Countryman – Click above for high-res image gallery

Last week, we presented you with four different 2011 Mini Countrymen and asked you to vote for the one that you want to see as the newest member of Autoblog’s long-term test fleet. The poll is now closed, the votes have been tallied, and we’ve officially sent in our order form to Mini USA. We’ll be adding a True Blue Countryman – option #3 for those of you who voted – to the long-term pool in the coming months.

As much as we’d like to say it was a close race, the truth is, Countryman #3 earned a staggering 7,907 votes – 42.7 percent of the 18,446 total votes. The Oxford Green Countryman (#4) came in second place, earning 24.2 percent of your votes, while the Bright Yellow car (#2) garnered 20.1 percent and the Surf Blue Countryman (#1) brought up the rear with 12.9 percent.

We’re looking forward to taking delivery of our 2011 Countryman, complete with the 181-horsepower turbocharged inline-four, a six-speed manual transmission and All4 all-wheel drive. We’ve also outfitted such amenities as the premium package, sport package with additional sport suspension setup and cold weather package – an absolute must for those of us who live in frigid climates.

We’ll be sure to post a formal introduction as soon as the vehicle arrives, and thanks to all who participated in the poll. You can see some screen captures of the winning Countryman in our high-resolution gallery below.

Gallery: Long-Term 2011 Mini Countryman Configurator Images

2011 Mini Countryman S All4

You picked Autoblog’s long-term 2011 Mini Countryman, and the winner is… originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Feb 2011 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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