Munich/Shanghai. The new MINI continues its worldwide triumph. At the 12th International Automobile & Manufacturing Technology Exhibition – or Auto Shanghai 2007 for short – the new MINI Cooper will be the central focus of the brand’s presentation. The new generation of the MINI is now causing a stir in Asia’s growth markets, thus again confirming the global popularity of the fascinating brand MINI. In the Chinese business metropolis of Shanghai, MINI also presents another facet of its characteristic combination of driving pleasure and youthful lifestyle from April 22nd to 28th: the MINI Cooper Convertible, the world’s only premium category vehicle to offer driving pleasure for four people under the open sky.
With its completely renewed design, which nonetheless represents an evolutionary development of its essential features, the new MINI Cooper will be presented to a Chinese public interested in both stylistic originality and pioneering technology in equal measure. The new MINI Cooper is powered by a completely newly developed 1.6 litre 4-cylinder engine with 88 kW/120 bhp. In conjunction with the 6-speed automatic transmission – which is standard on the Chinese market – it accelerates to 100 km/h in just 10.4 seconds and has a top speed of 197 km/h. Its average fuel consumption is 6.7 litres.
The second highlight at China’s most tradition-steeped international automobile fair is the presentation of the MINI Cooper Convertible, whose 4-cylinder engine delivers an output of 85 kW/115 bhp from a capacity of 1.6 litres. The MINI Cooper Convertible is supplied in China as standard with a continuously variable CVT automatic transmission. The open-top four-seater accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 11.2 seconds and achieves a maximum speed of 182 km/h. Its average fuel consumption is 7.6 litres per 100 kilometres.
With the new MINI Cooper and the MINI Cooper Convertible, two vehicles will be at the centre of attention in Shanghai which not only have fascinating charisma and uniquely agile handling to offer but also lasting value. The two models lead a ranking list published by the German automobile magazine “Auto Bild” based on the value retention of all motor vehicles available on the German automobile market. With an estimated resale value of 70 per cent and 69 per cent respectively after a period of three years, the MINI Cooper Convertible and the new MINI Cooper won the title of “World Champion 2007″.
Yes, a little plastic bubble of radio-controlled goodness arrived in the mail last night. It is my official MINI motorby keyfob which magickally controls the billboards across the nation, broadcasting custom messages to all who, well, motor by it! Here’s pics and details, direct from the ingenious minds at MINI and BSSP who created the campaign:
This is the box the motorby keyfob came in.
This is the box, opened.
This is the little instruction thingy that came with it.
Here’s a closeup image of the thingy with my MINI keychain (yeah, that’s a classic Mini Cooper keyfob from John Cooper garages in UK, and a Mini-sized pewter statue of Yoda ‘judge me by my size do you? size matters not!’ etc).
Rob (aka Califzeph) serves up a music video (no narration, just video b-roll and a nice tune in the background), from the 3-day Redwood Empire Mini Enthusiast’s “North Coast Lighthouse Tour” 2007. Enjoy!
Press the white ‘play’ triangle in the image below to view the movie. Please wait a few seconds for the stream to start!
Solely produced and narrated by Rob Saunders / The Electric Crayon for Miniology.com – background music “Far and Away” by Caron Vikre, is copyright by the respective owner(s) and used by permission.
Rob’s video, remixed and edited down with new music for your pleasure..
Rob “Califzeph” Saunders brings us his experience while at “A MINI Vacation in Vegas 4″ in Las Vegas, NV. Covering 5 days of activities, his AMVIV 4 video diary includes numerous activities that he attended, hundreds of MINI/Minis and tons of comradery.
Press the white ‘play’ triangle in the image below to view the movie. Please wait a few seconds for the stream to start! This is formatted for Video iPod but presented in Flash Video for online streaming.
Solely produced and narrated by Rob Saunders / The Electric Crayon, post-production editing by StarLord, for Miniology.com – background music (by iLife) is copyright by the respective owner(s) and used by permission.
A bit longer and well, edited different, Rob’s original AMVIV 4 video is here..
In addition to the videos here, Miniology will have live audio and video broadcasts throughout the AMVIV event.
Be sure to stop by the Redwood Empire Mini Enthusiasts (REME) club booth and say “hi!” as well pick-up information on the MMMT event this summer in San Francisco!
Miniology.com will definitely be there to cover the event.
Simon from River City MINI’s (http://www.rivercityminis.org) posts:
Hello from Virginia Beach.
Most of you probably know that the world record for the most MINI/Minis in convoy, and verified by Guinness, was broken recently in Blackpool England. They had 269.
On JUNE 10th 2007 three MINI/Mini clubs will come together to attempt to break that record and bring it to the US. We invite all to attend and encourage those who cannot to find some MINI/Minis to attend in their stead.
Se7en Cities MINI, HR Club MINI and River City MINIs from Richmond will host this attempt. All proceeds from this event will go to the Families of Fallen Navy Seals. MC2 is getting behind this as is Corporate MINI. We need all owners to get the word out and spread the info.
Our Goal is 300+ MINI/Minis. The event will start at 3pm on Sunday the 10th of JUNE. We will Rally at the Virginia Beach Amphitheatre. The Local Police will block our route and the Seals will assist in getting participant info, VIN#s etc required by Guinness at the start point. A local Irish Pub, Conklins Irish Rover, Family owned (owner is a retired Force Master Chief) will host the after event festivities and Entertainment is scheduled.
Any Help, Suggestions are welcome and we hope to see as many as possible attend. Info at,
Clubs from as far north as Pennsylvania are expected to participate. Let them know if you plan to join in so they can get somewhat of an idea before the record setting day!
RT @minipeabody: You're invited to our Poker Rally on Saturday, June 3! Registration begins at 8 a.m. and wheels up at 8:45 a.m.... http ... 12 hours ago
