Category Archives: Media Coverage

Audio & Video, Cool MINI Ads, Media Coverage, Modern MINI

MINI Motorby Proposal!

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Last night, my MINI buddy Scottie used the MINI Motorby program in a most unique and AWESOME way. He used it to propose to his girlfriend, Marle for all to see. And DID they all see!! You see, not only did MINIUSA help out Scottie to arrange the customized Motorby message, they also arranged for local TV crews to cover the most memorable event! Complete with TV helicopters circling overhead, Marle said yes! Check out the video and local news coverage at the links below. UPDATE: Scottie and Luis provided some photos of the event and the MINI USA Swag that was sent to the happy couple, including a letter signed by the MINI USA staff, including Jim McDowell. Check the gallery link below for more!

MINI Motorby Marriage Proposal - Scottie and Marle

I personally want to send out a HUGE congratulations to such a great couple. Motor on!

[ Woman Says ‘Yes’ To Drive-By Marriage Proposal ]
[ MINI Motorby Marriage Proposal Video ]
[ MINI Motorby Proposal Photo Gallery ]

Media Coverage, Modern MINI

Auto Express Previews The MINI Clubman

Auto Express posted up some nice shots of the new MINI Clubman which really look sharp. While the full story is in their latest magazine that was released yesterday, the did have this to say:

With no direct rivals, the Clubman will have to compete against quirky MPVs like Skodaís Roomster and premium hatchbacks such as Audiís A3 Sportback and BMWís 1-Series. Prices are £14,235 for the entry-level Cooper, £15,400 for the Cooper D and £17,210 for the range-topping Cooper S. Sales start in November.

I will say that the new BMW 1 Series is also looking quite attractive now that it is coming to the US. All I can say is I want my test drive!

[ Clubman Opens up ]

Media Coverage, Modern MINI

BMW, DaimlerChrysler, GM Hybrid Venture

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MSNBC had a good article about BMW’s goal in “building a greener Bimmer”. They discuss the fuel efficiency gains achieved across the BMW model lineup (including MINI) that give hybrids like the Prius a run for their money. They also touch on BMW’s hydrogen research and the joint venture on a hybrid engine with DaimlerChrysler and GM.

If hydrogen doesn’t become the green fuel of choice in the future, or if global warming accelerates, BMW may have to switch gears. To hedge its bets, it’s investing $130 million to develop hybrid engines in a two-year-old joint venture with DaimlerChrysler and General Motors. The first hybrid Bimmer will be launched in 2009 ó though the company won’t say which model it will debut.

[ Building a greener Bimmer @ MSNBC]

Media Coverage, Modern MINI

Forbes Covers The Clubman

Last week, Forbes.com posted an article on the MINI Clubman. Nothing really new was presented in the article, but it is cool for Forbes to take notice. Here is an excerpt from the article (full version available at the link below):

The Clubman is aimed at consumers who find the current Mini Cooper too small. ìWeíre looking at the type of person who wants a Mini but also wants to surf, for example,î Cutler said. ìItís more adaptable to someone who does that ó or someone who needs space for a dog or a mountain bike.î

Cutler said that the Clubmanís larger interior and cargo capacity will cut down on the need to contort items in order to get them into the car, as may be necessary with the current Mini Cooper.

[ Mini Stretches Out @ Forbes.com ]

Media Coverage

Top 10 Memorable Movie Cars: Italian Job MINI

Cars.com posted it’s Top 10 Memorable Movie Cars list and for the second year in a row, the MINI Cooper S from the Italian Job took the 10th spot. Interestingly enough, 2 of my favorite movie cars took the first and tenth spot.

10: 2003 Mini Cooper S, “The Italian Job”
9: 1959 Cadillac Ambulance, “Ghostbusters”
8: 1974 Dodge Monaco, “The Blues Brothers”
7: 1932 Ford coupe, “American Graffiti”
6: 1976 AMC Pacer, “Wayne’s World”
5: 1968 Ford Mustang GT 390, “Bullitt”
4: 1964 Aston Martin DB5, “Goldfinger”
3: 1961 Ferrari 250 GT, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”
2: 1977 Pontiac Trans Am, “Smokey and the Bandit”
1: 1981 DeLorean DMC-12, “Back to the Future”

[ Top 10 Most Memorable Movie Cars @ Cars.com ]

Media Coverage, Modern MINI

Tritec Factory Shuts Down

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MINI2.com is reporting about a story from Just-Auto.com that the Tritec factory in Brazil has produced its last MINI engine and closed its doors. The question was raised about the engines for the rest of the MINI Convertibles that still need to be produced. They posed the question to MINI and are awaiting a reply.

Not sure they are prepared to build these engines at another location. I suppose MINI might have placed advanced orders for a bunch of engines and have them stockpiled. It will be interesting to see what happens.

[ Tritec Factory Shuts Down ]

Images, Media Coverage, Modern MINI

Official MINI Clubman Photos Leaked

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Take a look at the following link for the first real photos of the MINI Clubman without any tape hiding details of the car. I have to say – the back end of the car is not bad. I like it much better than the R56 back end actually. The split exhaust looks very sharp. The only thing I am not so sure about is the silver down the sides of the back end. I wonder if you will be able to get that part of the car in body color, while still being able to get a contrasting roof. We will have to wait and see.

[ MINI Clubman Photos @ Carscoop ]

Media Coverage, Modern MINI, Track Talk

R56 MINI Challenge Series Announced In Australia

According to Fullboost, it looks like the R56 will be making its debut in the Australian MINI Challenge in 2008.

Testosterone levels will reach critical as MINI Challenge visits eight of the most exciting tracks across all Australian States and Territories.

The Confederation of Australian Motor Sport has given the go-ahead for the MINI Challenge one make series to kick off in Australia in 2008, when the brand new R56 generation MINI Challenge race cars will have their international motorsport debut.

The MINI Challenge category manager is now in discussion with V8 Supercars Australia with a view to the Series running on the V8 Supercars calendar.

Australiaís MINI Challenge cars will be built to a global racing specification in Germany in late 2007 and will feature a fully integrated roll-cage, race seat, and FIA-spec safety equipment.

Powering each MINI Challenge racer is an identical highly-charged twin scroll turbocharged 1.6-litre MINI engine, blessed with the very latest John Cooper Works magic.

[ Australian MINI Challenge @ Fullboost ]

Images, Media Coverage, Modern MINI

MINI Clubman Spotted at Zandvoort (Hmmm…)

Those attending MINI United may just get the first look at the new MINI Clubman. According to MINI2.com, Autovisie.nl snapped some great shots of a fleet of MINI Clubman at Zandvoort where MINI United is set to take place:

Autovisie have some great shots of the MINI Clubman on the website, taken at the Zandvoort Circuit in the Netherlands where, apparently, MINI employees were getting familiar with the ìOther MINIî ahead of itís full launch to the media and public later this year.

Zandvoort was also the location of the Driving Dynamics Workshop held by MINI in July last year for a select group of Motoring Journalists where MINI2 took footage for several photo and video exclusives of the second generation MINI.

This weekend Zandvoort also plays host to MINI United, however according to Autovisie the cars where taken back to Munich on a trailer when play time was over. Full report and photographs are available on the Autovisie website here.

Now how much you want to bet they left one or two Clubman’s around Zandvoort for some MINI United happenings?? Hmmm…

[ MINI2.com ]
[ Autovisie.nl ]

Media Coverage, MINI Events

MC2 Magazine At MINI United

Hey everyone, get ready for Zandvoort and MINI United this weekend! Several weeks ago while preparing our Rob Marshall for his editorial coverage of MINI United we had to talk with MINI United staff in Munich. Well, one conversation led to another that week and we rented a 5×5 meter tent at MINI United complete with some furniture and tables for our T-shirts and magazines. We will have ourselves a party with about 10,000 other MINIacs at Zandvoort Raceway, outside of Amsterdam, Holland!

We have all our ducks in a row, Rob and his buddy Neil are on their way Thursday, and our online editor, Peter DuPre’s, working behind the website’s homepage to take the exclusive editorials Rob will send several times this weekend, put them into our website, and tell everyone in photos and insights about who, what and why it is this is the party of the year for MINI owners.

So, click onto www.mc2magazine.com any time starting Thursday afternoon PST and read what our guys at MINI United are up to with insights into MINI owners from lands far away. It’s required reading, as we might one day have a party in the USA like it!

[ MC2Magazine.com ]