BMW of North America, LLC announced that they are recalling certain models of the Mini Cooper S. BMW says on certain convertible vehicles, they fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard NO. 110 ‘Tire Selection and Rims.’ The standard requires that the tire size and corresponding tire pressure be indicated on the label and the label does not correspond to the actual tire mounted on the vehicle.As a result, incorrect tire pressure can cause premature wear and tire damage which could lead to unfavorable driving conditions increasing the risk of a crash. Owners will be provided with new tire information placards and installation instructions. At the customers option, a dealer can install the label for them. The recall covers Mini S’s with the manufacturer dates of 3.2.07 thru 8/13/07. Owners may contact Mini Cooper at 1-866-275-6464. 

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The Mini is a small car that was produced by the British Motor Corporation (BMC) and its successors from 1959 to 2000. The most popular British-made car, it has since been replaced by the New

MINI which was launched in 2001. The original is considered an icon of the 1960s,[2][3][4] and its space-saving front-wheel-drive layout influenced a generation of car-makers. In the international poll for the award of the world’s most influential car of the twentieth century the Mini came second only to the Ford Model T.
This revolutionary and distinctive two-door car was designed for BMC by Sir Alec Issigonis.[5][6] It was manufactured at the Longbridge and Cowley plants in the United Kingdom, and later also in Spain (Authi), Australia, Belgium, Chile, Italy, Portugal, South Africa, Uruguay, Venezuela and Yugoslavia. The Mini Mk I had three major updates: the Mk II, the Clubman and the Mk III. Within these was a series of variations including an estate car, a pickup truck, a van and the Mini Moke — a jeep-like buggy. The Mini Cooper and Cooper “S” were sportier versions that were successful as rally cars, winning the Monte Carlo Rally three times.

Source: Wikipedia

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by Jonathon Ramsey

The market for MINIs is huge, affirmed today as MINI announced the production of its one-millionth car, a Cooper S hatchback, at BMW’s Plant Oxford.

When the MINI first went on sale in 2001, predictions were for 100,000 per year to find new owners. By 2005 there were more than 200,000 zipping off of dealer lots, and last month, March, a record 7,854 MINIs were sold. The seven-figure MINI, made-to-order for BMW’s Mobile Tradition heritage division, wore a pepper white paint job and a custom color for the roof called almond green, with matching interior leather. A special graphic on the hood keeps everyone aware of the milestone.

With the new Clubman coming, MINI sales are expected to reach 240,000 per year – enough to keep Plant Oxford’s 4,700 workers going round-the-clock building 700 cars per day. For BMW, that means the future looks small, but bright.

[Source: Just Auto]

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by Damon Lavrinc

Early last year, while sitting in the passenger seat of cab on the Las Vegas strip, I caught a brief glimpse of a mutant MINI in the adjacent lane. The ‘lil hatch had undergone serious suspension surgery, having been jacked up a few inches and then outfitted with a set of aftermarket wheels, wrapped in knobby rubber. While enduring both the cab ride over and a performance of “O”, daydreams of the owner relentlessly flogging the MINI, far away from the neon halo of Sin City, bounced around in my mind.

The idea of an off-roading MINI was a novelty then, but back in November, AutoExpress caught wind of a rumor that BMW was currently developing some manner of all-wheel-drive system to fit within the tight confines of their retro-hatch.

Now, Gabe over at MotoringFile has revealed that such a beast is under development and is being referred to internally as the Colorado.

This next spin-off of the brand will likely be based off an SUV version of the 1-series and may be manufactured at BMW’s highly flexible Spartanburg, SC plant or Magna Steyr, since BMW’s other production centers are at capacity.

Although the MINI faithful will surely view this as a dilution of the marque, if the Colorado can combine some light off-road capabilities, while still maintaining the MINI’s iconic chuckability, we’re all for it.

[Source: Motoring File]

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by Frank Filipponio

Fifth Gear recently took advantage of having a MINI GP to run their own mini GP. That is a race between a MINI GP and the fastest tiny vehicle they could find that might be a real challenge to the MINI. After thinking through the list of would be competitors for this 218 hp, lightened and stiffened MINI, they landed on the perfect match; an R/C car. Seriously. They found Andy Moore who happens to be an R/C touring car champion. They pitted Vicki and him against each other on a full size track. You won’t believe the outcome. Click through to see the video for yourself.

[Source: Fifth Gear via TechEBlog]

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Posted Oct 28th 2006 8:41PM by Damon Lavrinc

The man from our favorite kind of road received the new MINI’s pricing from a Deep Throat within the automaker. The pricing is printed below, but the short-and-sweet version is simple: a $700 increase on the Cooper and a $400 increase on ‘S’ models. That’s not entirely out of line, considering the upgraded interior and extra performance of the new model.

Current Cooper (2006) – Base MSRP: $17,450 + $550 D&H = $18,000
New Cooper (2007) –Base MSRP: $18,050 + $650 D&H = $18,700

Current Cooper S (2006) –Base MSRP: $20,900 + $550 D&H = $21,450
New Cooper S (2007) –Base MSRP: $21,200 + $650 D&H = $21,850

No word yet on how much the JCW package will set you back, but don’t expect it before 2008. You’ll probably see a press release soon.

[Source: Winding Road]

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