Tag: mini

Mini Countryman rally car shown testing for WRC

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Europe, Hatchback, Mini, Racing

Mini Countryman WRC

The more we hear about Mini’s quest to run the Countryman in the World Rally Championship, the less and less it sounds like a publicity stunt. The company has just finished testing its prototype rally beater at Prodrive’s private test facility, putting the car through its paces over four days and multiple road surfaces. According to Mini, most of the abuse took place on a tarmac circuit, though the team did spend plenty of time getting the car situated on a few low-grip stages. The R&D was prep for an excursion to Portugal, where the team plans to put the Countryman through a full week of gravel testing.

Despite the psycho-swirly camo, Mini says that the racer is currently wearing “an interim body and aero package” while the minds at Prodrive concoct the final lines. It remains to be seen who the company will come up with to helm its high-riding missile. We’re just happy to see Mini back in the WRC. Hit the jump for the brief press release.

[Source: Mini]

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Mini Countryman rally car shown testing for WRC originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mini Countryman commercial makes mess of multiplication

Filed under: Videos, Crossover, Hatchback, Mini

The Mini Countryman is multiplying – Click above to watch video after the jump

Mini is continuing its advertising onslaught for the new Countryman, and in its latest spot, the company visualizes every potential path for the Countryman to run amok in the Italian countryside. The original car eventually multiplies into a fleet of over one hundred CG interpretations, all hopping curbs and harassing pedestrians in what we can only imagine is what the world would look like if a Mini exec ruled the globe. Eventually, the high-riding Countryman flings itself onto a ferry to escape into the sunset.

Mini also turned out a making-of video to document the action. If you’ve ever wondered exactly how filmmakers go about melding the physical world with the virtual, you’ll want to check out that clip, too. You can find both after the jump.

[Source: Mini]

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Mini Countryman commercial makes mess of multiplication originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Mini commences Countryman advertising barrage

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Crossover, Mini

2011 Mini Countryman – Click above for high-res image gallery

Mini has begun an all-out advertising assault for its new Countryman CUV. The pint-sized automaker has already churned out a handful of clever print ads as well as a few video spots showing off this new high-riding addition to the Mini stable doing what it does best – namely shuffling around up to four people. As we found out in our First Drive, the Countryman can hold its own against its smaller forbearers, so critics of the thyroid-happy car can rest easy.

Anyone who has ever had to fold their shins to fit into the back seat of a Cooper can tell you that a little extra leg room isn’t going to hurt the company’s reputation. Throw in all-wheel drive, America’s unquenchable thirst for CUVs and a few snappy ads and it’s only a matter of time before the Countryman works its way into the public’s heart.

We do have to wonder how much the company would charge us for our own personal sushi chef, though. Hit the jump for the videos.

Gallery: 2011 Mini Countryman Print Ads

Gallery: 2011 Mini Countryman: First Drive

2011 Mini Countryman2011 Mini Countryman2011 Mini Countryman2011 Mini Countryman2011 Mini Countryman

Photos by Steven J. Ewing / Copyright (C)2010 AOL

[Source: YouTube via Mini]

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Video: Mini commences Countryman advertising barrage originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 20:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2011 Mini Countryman

Filed under: Crossover, Mini, First Drive, Reviews

Yes, it’s a Mini. Yes, it’s a crossover. Yes, it makes sense.

2011 Mini Countryman – Click above for high-res image gallery

Whether we like it or not, even niche automakers are expanding their lineups to appeal to a broader range of shoppers. This may seem like automotive blasphemy, but think back a few years ago when Porsche introduced the Cayenne. We all threw temper tantrums and hugged our 911s, but now we begrudgingly accept that, as far as SUVs go, the Cayenne is pretty damn good and has been the brand’s #1 selling model since day one. So in comparison, adding the 2011 Countryman to the Mini lineup isn’t nearly as big of a culture shock.

In an effort to show Mini owners and enthusiasts that the Countryman is indeed worthy of a Cooper badge, the automaker brought a few of the new crossovers out on its 2010 Mini Takes The States cross-country road rally. Mini is wholly confident that people will be impressed with what the Countryman has to offer, not only with functionality, but with driving dynamics, as well. We saddled up to find out for ourselves.

Gallery: 2011 Mini Countryman: First Drive

2011 Mini Countryman2011 Mini Countryman2011 Mini Countryman2011 Mini Countryman2011 Mini Countryman

Photos copyright (C)2010 Steven J. Ewing / AOL

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First Drive: 2011 Mini Countryman originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Aug 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2011 Mini Countryman

Filed under: Crossover, Mini, First Drive, Reviews

Yes, it’s a Mini. Yes, it’s a crossover. Yes, it makes sense.

2011 Mini Countryman – Click above for high-res image gallery

Whether we like it or not, even niche automakers are expanding their lineups to appeal to a broader range of shoppers. This may seem like automotive blasphemy, but think back a few years ago when Porsche introduced the Cayenne. We all threw temper tantrums and hugged our 911s, but now we begrudgingly accept that, as far as SUVs go, the Cayenne is pretty damn good and has been the brand’s #1 selling model since day one. So in comparison, adding the 2011 Countryman to the Mini lineup isn’t nearly as big of a culture shock.

In an effort to show Mini owners and enthusiasts that the Countryman is indeed worthy of a Cooper badge, the automaker brought a few of the new crossovers out on its 2010 Mini Takes The States cross-country road rally. Mini is wholly confident that people will be impressed with what the Countryman has to offer, not only with functionality, but with driving dynamics, as well. We saddled up to find out for ourselves.

Gallery: 2011 Mini Countryman: First Drive

2011 Mini Countryman2011 Mini Countryman2011 Mini Countryman2011 Mini Countryman2011 Mini Countryman

Photos copyright (C)2010 Steven J. Ewing / AOL

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Mini Countryman

First Drive: 2011 Mini Countryman originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Aug 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog hits the road with Mini Takes The States 2010

Filed under: Convertible, Hatchback, Mini

Mini Takes The States 2010 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Of all the automakers in the United States, perhaps the one with the largest enthusiast following is Mini. Sure, brands like Porsche, BMW and even Subaru have their own clubs and cult followings, but when it comes to eccentricity and personality, no one does it like Mini.

In that spirit, the pint-sized automaker is once again embarking on its Mini Takes The States cross-country road rally, an event that first occurred in 2006 and then again in 2008. This time, Mini is gathering its owners to celebrate the launch of the 2011 Countryman crossover, and we’ve been asked to tag along. We’ll be scoring some seat time in the Countryman as well, so stay tuned for our initial impressions.

Our trip started in New York and will take us to Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Columbus and finally Indianapolis before we hop a plane back home. Many of the other participants will head all the way out to Denver, where they will meet up with other groups doing similar drive routes in different parts of the country. Mini has a full host of festivities planned for the Denver crew, and many other local Mini enthusiast clubs are providing some entertainment along the way.

Mini has provided us with a Cooper S Camden Edition for the trip, which means we’ll experience turbocharged small car thrills along the highways of America. We already spent a considerable amount of time with the Camden-ized Cooper, and we’ve been getting many a thumbs-up from Mini owners out on the road. (We’ve opted to leave the Camden’s Mission Control system in the “off” position.)

Keep your eyes peeled for caravans of Coopers and Clubmans, folks. This not-so-mini road rally is taking America by storm. Want to vicariously join in on the fun? Follow the trip’s progress on Mini’s Facebook page.

Gallery: Mini Takes The States 2010

Photos copyright (C)2010 Steven J. Ewing / AOL

Autoblog hits the road with Mini Takes The States 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Aug 2010 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: BMW to build 9-2 on Mini chassis for Saab

Filed under: Coupe, Budget, Europe, Hatchback, Saab, Design/Style, Luxury

Feast your eyes on the newest bit of rumor from the creative crew at AutoExpress. The site claims that BMW and Saab are looking to shack up for the production of a new 9-2 based on – you guessed it – the Mini Cooper. The idea is to create a new compact Saab that can go toe-to-toe with Audi’s new teacup fighter, the A1, while lessening the burden of development costs for Saab’s parent company, Spyker. According to AE, the news came to light during an interview with Saab head honcho Victor Muller, though the direct quote merely suggests that the company will look outside of itself for a little help with chassis development.

The idea of a Mini-based 9-2 doesn’t hurt our feelings one bit, and it would seem to make sense for BMW to want to reduce the cost of developing the next-generation Cooper/1 Series by joining forces with another company, and this isn’t the first time we’ve gotten word of such a partnership. But until we hear something a little more substantial from either Saab or BMW, we’d suggest downing this one with a hefty grain of salt. Head over to Auto Express for a look at two renderings.

[Source: Auto Express]

Report: BMW to build 9-2 on Mini chassis for Saab originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Aug 2010 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Mini Countryman to enter Rally Italy in 2011

Filed under: Motorsports, Budget, Europe, Crossover, Hatchback, Mini, Rumormill, Racing

Mini Countryman – Click above for high-res image gallery

Rally and the original Mini went together like sugar and grits. That pint-sized Brit made a habit of showing up at stages, mopping the floor with the competition and motoring home with trophies in tow. The wringability of the little hatches helped catapult them into the storied halls of motorsports lore – something that the new generation of Mini machines has been quick to capitalize on. Now that the brand is set to introduce the Countryman, there’s some concern as to whether or not the high-riding CUV can adhere to the brand’s ethos of punching above its weight.

We’ve heard repeated murmurings in the past about a collaboration between the rally gurus at Prodrive and Mini that could result in the honkin’ Countryman doing battle in the most grueling rally arena of them all – the WRC. A new report says that the two companies will announce something pertinent to their work together later this week. We’re hoping that means a first look at the rally beater, but since we haven’t heard word one from Mini just yet, it’s hard telling. Autocar seems to think that the announcement may have more to do with the team’s schedule than anything else, saying that it expects Mini to hit the WRC by the time Rally Italy rolls around in May of 2011.

Gallery: 2011 Mini Countryman

[Source: Autocar]

Report: Mini Countryman to enter Rally Italy in 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Three-door Mini Countryman to gun for Land Rover Evoque?

Filed under: Coupe, Budget, Crossover, Mini, Rumormill

It looks like Land Rover may have accidentally kicked over a hive of hornets by rolling out its new two-door Evoque. We recently heard all about BMW musing as to whether or not to build an X4 to compete with the crossover, and now Auto Express is reporting that Mini may be game to take on the newcomer as well. We’re not talking about the Countryman here, either. The site claims that the head honchos at Mini are mulling bringing a two-door version of the high-rider to life, and that it will be called the Canyon when it arrives.

Auto Express doesn’t cite any sources or point to any hard evidence of this decision (no surprise there). Instead, the site has chosen to rely on the fact that the company has been kicking around the idea of a vehicle like the Canyon since 2005. Now that the Countryman is headed for production, the logic is that it wouldn’t take too much effort to slim the platform, throw on two doors and bolt up one very coupe-looking roof. Thing is, until we hear word from Mini itself, we’re going to have to approach this one with a whole heap of skepticism.

[Source: Auto Express]

Rumormill: Three-door Mini Countryman to gun for Land Rover Evoque? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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