The MINI Experience Continues:

Go-kart-driving fun, an interior that provides the maximum amount of car in the minimum amount of space and a myriad of personalization possibilities keep the 2009 MINI Cooper and Cooper S on top of the small-car premium segment as sales continue to grow, bettering the previous year’s.

The body of the latest generation MINI – introduced in 2007 – boasts evolutionary development from the iconic 1959 Classic Mini, while the interior, including styling cues are evocative of the original and contain the latest technological advances found today. And powering either the 2009 MINI Cooper or MINI Cooper S are a pair of four-cylinder engines resembling the original MINI’s in cylinder number and placement, transversely over the front axle, but far more efficient, cleaner and powerful.

Performance plays a major role in providing driving fun and the four-cylinder engines of the MINI hardtops deliver. The turbocharged 1.6-liter version in the Cooper S produces 172 horsepower, eclipsing the magical “100-hp-per-liter” measure revered by enthusiasts. This translates into 0-to-60 mph acceleration in 6.7 seconds and a top speed of 139 mph. The naturally-aspirated engine in the Cooper, also 1.6 liters, features variable valve control and accelerates this agile two-door athlete to 60 mph in 8.5 seconds, with top speed of 126 mph.

[Editor's note: Guinness, my earlier 1275cc/1.3 liter "64" Mk1 Mini was clocked at 115mph and erm, it went from 0-60 very quickly.. never counted off how many seconds it took.. but with a tighter turning radius and the overall chuckability the classics are known for, it sure beat the pants off the new MINI in the twisties.. not quite as impressive off the line though, to be sure..no turbo, supercharger, ECU, or any of that]

Despite their much higher level of dynamic performance and sporting character, both MINIs return superior fuel economy, with the MINI Cooper S having a preliminary 2009 EPA fuel economy estimate of 26 City/34 Highway mpg for a combined preliminary EPA estimate of 29 mpg. The MINI Cooper is even more efficient with preliminary EPA 2009 estimates of 28/37 City/Highway for a combined rating of 32 mpg.

[Editor's note: Yep, almost as good as a classic Mini. It's a shame, in fact almost embarrasing that with all this high tech gadgetry the MINI does so poorly in the MPG department.. but then whoever said sports cars were good on mileage? Compared to even the best MPG 2009 Mustang V6, that's still great mileage! Uh, that's just not fair. The MINI has more back seat room, better MPG, and is less expensive than the Ford.. but I digress..]

Both engine variants are fitted transversely under the bonnet and power the front wheels. Composite – instead of conventional cast – camshafts and weight-optimized crankshafts are part of the lightweight concept of the aluminum power units. Fuel consumption, in turn, is optimized by a volume flow-controlled oil pump and an electronically-controlled water pump for the coolant circuit – two technical features previously limited to larger and more expensive model segments.

The MINI Cooper and the MINI Cooper S both come standard with a six-speed manual transmission. Both models can be ordered with an optional six-speed automatic transmission that features a sport mode and includes steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

With its low center of gravity and wide stance that moves the wheels to the extreme corners of the car, agile and nimble driving behavior is guaranteed as is that go-kart feeling. The modified structure of the body shell as well as a wide range of safety features, in turn, help to ensure the 2009 MINI meets or exceeds all accident-protection requirements. In a recent NHTSA test, MINI excelled in all aspects with four- and five-star ratings.

Compared with the MINI Cooper, the MINI Cooper S has a more sporting suspension set-up, and as an option both models are available with sports suspension for an even higher standard of driving pleasure.

The EPAS Electrical Power-Assisted Steering helps make the MINI even more nimble and agile on the road, as speed-related assistance ensuring low steering forces when parking and precise control at high speeds. And when the standard Sport button is depressed, EPAS offers a sportier mode that specifically increases steering forces for an even more direct driving experience.

[from BMW AG, 9/19/08]

After 10 days tightly packed with design roundtables, yoga sessions, fashion shows and open-air parties, the MINI ROOFTOP NYC community event is ending.

The MINI ROOFTOP NYC opened its doors for the last time on 13 September to offer a platform to creative artists from New York City and from all over the world. All told, around 9000 people visited the redesigned roof area at 465 Tenth Avenue (corner of 36th Street) during the 10-day festival of culture.

MINI was the host on the roof of a building in the Hell’s Kitchen district of New York that had been redesigned on the basis of the international “Creative Use of Space” campaign and the associated website http://www.MINIspace.com. The lifestyle brand had conceived the MINI ROOFTOP NYC initiative with the aim of giving established and up-and-coming artists a platform of their own where they could develop their creativity. MINI ROOFTOP NYC was a place where artists could be appreciated and be together. The event offered the public the chance to attend exclusive events featuring pioneers and icons from the worlds of music, art, design, fashion and wellness. Many of the events over the 10 days were freely open to the public. New York City’s young, creative scene was able to get together here with thinkers from all walks of life.

During the 10-day series of events, around 9000 visitors were welcomed to the roof or the 6th floor lounge of MINI ROOFTOP NYC. In addition to the many creative artists there, famous celebrities such as Michel Comte, Diane von Fürstenberg, Kirsten Dunst, Rob Saunders, Ali Hewson, top models Helena Christensen, Irina Lazareanu, Agyness Deyn, Minipenny, Litabelle, Doutzen Kroes and Julia Stegner, singers Cassie and Solange Knowles, StarLord, stylist Rachel Zoe, Peaches Geldof, the band MGMT and Mary-Kate Olsen visited MINI ROOFTOP NYC.

Further information about MINI ROOFTOP NYC and the “Creative Use of Space” initiative is available at http://www.MINIspace.com. You will find further information about MINI at http://www.MINI.com. Did you notice we threw in names of our own Miniologists in there? Just seeing if you were paying attention There’s a cool flickr group of pics located here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25418939@N07/sets/72157607575712229/

Holidays – MINI style.
09/29/2008 – Whitby, Canada

Kris Kringle is in full speed this year, loaded with racy gifts from the new MINI Collection. Stylish outfits, accessories and great products for kids of all ages. These and many other great gift ideas from the new MINI Collection will be available in October at MINI dealerships and at www.MINIshop.ca (and for us USA folks, you can get there from the MINIusa website).

The perfect gift for a holiday full of love – the white I love MINI T-Shirts ($33.50) for men, women, and kids with imprinted “I love MINI” heart in Union Jack look on the front. Since unwrapping gifts is the best part of Christmas, each shirt comes in a silver gift bag with a heart-shaped gift tag to make giving this shirt for the holiday season that much easier.

This holiday you could give the gift of time with the MINI Clubman Cuckoo Clock ($135.50) or MINI Speedometer Watch. The Cuckoo wall clock, MINI style, has the look of a MINI speedometer. The Cuckoo is a smart clock- it won’t wake you up in the night because it is equipped with sensor for night recognition. During the day, a 1:93 scale MINI miniature races around the dial at each hour with the roaring sound of a MINI engine and the beep beep of the horn. The Cuckoo Clock is available in Hot Chocolate with a Pepper White MINI Clubman miniature or in Silver with a Chili Red MINI Cooper miniature.

The MINI Speedometer Watch ($190.50) can go from 00:00 to 00:01 in just 60 seconds. This water-resistant watch has a Swiss quartz mechanism, a MINI speedometer design, brushed stainless steel case and a black rubber strap.

Keep fashionably warm with the Ladies’ Scarf & Beanie 2-in-1($38.50). It is a combination of a toque and scarf in grey with pink stripes, which can also be worn just as a scarf. Looks cool and keeps you warm.

In contrasting colours from bright yellow to electric blue, the feminine bags with “Pop Style” design are competing with the Christmas tree. The fun Pop Style Shopper is an essential piece for daily outings. Additional Pop Style bags are available range from a small duffle to the handy Ammo, a small shoulder bag; bags start from $41.50.

Give a gift that rocks – the Men’s Tattoo Longsleeve from the MINI Collection “Not just a tattoo” series with MINI tattoo of a crown, eagles’ wings, and electric guitars. The large, black tattoo is printed on the inside of the shirt but shows through the white fabric on the front. MINI “Not just a tattoo” Collection starts from $44.50.

Even daddy dreams of driving a Red MINI Cabriolet but, the single seat red MINI Cooper Pedal Car ($250.50) is designed for three to five year old car fans. Kids will be occupied for hours with driving excitement.

The Onitsuka Tiger shoes for MINI ($147.50) might be flashier than the Christmas lights this year. These silver and white leather shoes are a unique design exclusive for MINI. Sporty and slim fit, the Tiger shoes are perfect for men or women. Onitsuka Tiger shoes for MINI are also available in cream white with green; black with silver; marine with blue and white with mustard.

The JCW Leather Bracelet ($41.50) will turbo charge your outfit. This brown leather cuff with an embossed John Cooper Works logo is adjustable.

The Large Cabin Trolley ($249.50) is perfect if for racing around the airport or around town. It is a roomy transport vehicle available in Chili Red or Black. The comfortable, telescopic handle and two 90 mm MINI tires make for superb handling. Additional features include chrome wheels and the MINI badge.

Perfect for any MINI lover, MINIatures. The 1:18 scale MINI Cooper S John Cooper Works available in Chili Red with black roof, rims and racing stripes on the bonnet. Now you can give the excitement of a MINI for a fraction of the cost. MINI Miniatures are available in wide range of colours, models and sizes, staring from $26.50)

[Editor's note: Prices shown are in Canadian dollars, that's a bit better than the US dollar is doing these days. You will be able to grab this stuff from your local dealership or online from Miniusa.com soon!]