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Hiya folks, we just updated our podcast feed to better support Apple’s iCloud (since the old .web / mobile me is going bye bye), there are several ways to subscribe, and I’ll list them here:

iTunes Store link (Apple web page)
http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/miniology/id490423184

iTunes subscribe URL (launch iTunes, go to Advanced -> Subscribe to Podcast…)

http://miniology.com/feed/podcast/

If you want to subscribe via an RSS reader or other software, just use the same link above!

The older podcast URL, which is titled “MINIOLOGY PODCASTs” will be decommissioned soon.

It’s that giving time of year again, and the search is on to find the right Christmas present for all the family. Happily, the new MINI Lifestyle Collection offers a colourful selection of original ideas for young and old. Order your gifts from the MINI Online Shop at www.MINI.com/shop and raise the excitement around the tree to new heights.

Original gift ideas for him.

Fans of eco-friendly transport will make particularly proud owners of the MINI Folding Bike. High-quality components, a lightweight aluminium frame and a clever folding mechanism ensure the two-wheeled MINI is the perfect companion for life on the move. Its exceptional design is headlined by a fine matt black finish and a neon yellow chain and bell. On a more urgent note, MINI has come up with the hot-heeled Snow Rocker to bring out your carefree youthful streak on the slopes. The compact sled, which has been classified with a downhill speed of over 100 km/h, takes even mogul fields in its brisk slalom stride. A Union Jack motif and Racing Stripes on the seat surface make it a genuine head-turner.

The Black Jack Watch from MINI is sure to get men’s hearts ticking over that much more quickly. The chunky analogue timepiece with grey/black Union Jack face delivers numerous hits of style and elegance per minute. Its square case is made of solid premium metal, while the multi-link strap features a practical folding clasp.

However, if your sights are trained on something truly luxurious, your local MINI dealer should be your first port of call. A suitably high-end present for those with exclusive tastes is the limited-run MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD. This special-edition model was created under the guiding eye of the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars design team, and extravagant adornments inside and out make it a guaranteed show-stealer. The lavish paintwork shimmers with its Diamond Black metallic finish, while inside their car owners will be greeted by exquisite materials such as nappa leather, lambswool, cashmere and walnut wood. Unadulterated luxury comes as standard.

Original gift ideas for her.

Alternatively, why not combine a Christmas present with a good cause in the shape of the Red Mudder Foulard by MINI & DSQUARED2 ? The print on this sumptuous scarf is based on the Canadian duo’s design for the Life Ball MINI 2011, creating an accessory that lends an individual touch to any outfit. A classy gift box further enhances the effect. Part of the proceeds from sales of the scarf will go to the organisation AIDS LIFE to support projects in the fight against the immune deficiency disease.

When it comes to a stylish travel companion for business or leisure, the MINI Rooftop Pilot is difficult to beat. The hard-shell trolley case comes in a pure-as-the-driven-snow white with black Racing Stripes. Features include a retractable telescopic handle, sturdy carry handle and easy-glide wheels. Inside, the various compartments include a special sleeve to keep your laptop separate. The MINI Club Bag in high-glam Union Jack design will rock any party outfit. Remove the handle and it switches roles to become a stylish clutch bag. Small but perfectly formed, it has space for everything a girl on the move could need, and is a must-have for the New Year’s knees-up.

The Ladies Black Jack Top is likewise primed to party. The long, sleeveless top boasts a black-and-white Union Jack photo print and can be combined with a wide selection of outfits. Then there’s the MINI Beat the Street Lapeer Hat in easy retro look, providing a stern adversary to wind and winter weather. A snug faux-fur lining makes this trapper-style headwear the go-to option when the mercury plunges. The embroidery on the “dog ears” adds a splash of fashion credibility.

Original gift ideas for the kids.

The MINI Baby Racer will give little’uns from 18 months to three years old endless fun as they take their first turns of the wheel. The racy kid’s car features impressive attention to detail, from the front and rear lights in authentic MINI design to the use of the original MINI colour shade Chili Red. Parents, meanwhile, will be relieved to find noise-cancelling rubber wheels on both axles. Moving up a gear, the replica MINI Convertible Cooper S will be at the top of the wish list for children aged three to five. The red runabout is fitted with low-noise rubber tyres, a gearshift lever and lights. The electronic motor powers the car up to 5 km/h. Elsewhere in the replica car range, a pull-back drive mechanism brings the MINI Countryman Light and Sound quickly up to speed. An authentic engine sound and illuminating front and rear lights let everyone know the 1:32 scale car is on its way. Opening the driver or front passenger door activates the horn.

The “Beat the Street” Be MINI Baby Setwith romper suit and bib makes the perfect party wardrobe for kids aged six to 12 months, and the matching Be MINI Baby Socks guarantee a warm pair of feet. The anti-slip soles with Union Jack design add a layer of reassurance for those taking their first tentative steps.

Meanwhile, kids of all ages can cuddle and snuggle their way to a merry Christmas with the Bulldog Soft Toy and Bulldog Plush Cushion . This cute cuddly toy for young dog lovers wears a black shirt and MINI collar. The British bulldog also features on the extra-soft cuddly cushion.

RIP Steve Jobs. The things you made… made us look good.

Steve Jobs 1955-2011

You’ve seen the pics, you’ve watched the video, now gear up for the full report with more of the same, another Miniology first for the site created for enthusiasts, by enthusiasts. Special thanks to Emma Chalcroft and Sarah Heaney over at MINI UK for giving us this massive report of all things Mini (Coupe!) We have about 40 NEW pictures for you to drool over, at the end of the article (scroll WAY down!)

First, for those who’ve been living in a cave the past 3 months (like our editor Christopher ‘StarLord’ has, hehe, man cave perhaps!) Also, this data comes from the UK. They like to say tires with a y like ‘tyres’ and might pronounce the letter zee as zed, call the hood of a car a bonnet, the trunk of a car a boot, and stuff like that, but you already knew that because you’re a fellow Miniologist. If you didn’t know that, well, now you’re in the know. Therefore, this article is going to have UK prices and measurements and things like OTR that us yanks across the pond may not be familiar with, but who cares? It’s a wicked awesome amount of data so deal with it, hehe. Now here we go..

Click here to read more.. »

Yeah, the original working title they wanted to use was “BMW North America announces agency selections for multicultural and diversity marketing.”

That of itself smells like a boat load of marketing fluff doesn’t it? We thought so too. Anyway, kidding over the verbiage aside, yesterday, in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, BMW announced Sanders\Wingo Advertising in Austin, TX has been appointed to support all the diversity marketing activities for MINI USA.

Jim McDowell, VP of MINI USA (remember, our gal interviewed him a short time ago?) said, “MINI’s customer base is becoming increasingly diverse as our vehicle lineup expands, and Sanders/Wingo Advertising clearly understands the multicultural audiences that are key for us. As we continue to grow the brand, Sanders/Wingo’s impressive capabilities in the areas of strategic planning and market research within multicultural segments will be crucial for increasing awareness of MINI’s distinctive design, go-kart handling and extremely high level of customization.”

We’re sure the marketing folks gave him a few pointers on what to say, because really, as cool as marketing people are, nobody really talks that way in normal conversation, and we should know.. we spout a lot of marketing fluff ourselves for our podcasts. Nonetheless, that’s a very cool and MINI spirit sort of thing to do, concentrate some efforts towards multicultural diversity, which, as you know, Minis have been all over that since the first car rolled off the production line in 1959.

Yay, multiculturalism and diversity! We look forward to seeing some of the new stuff coming from this agency and will report more whenever we get juicy tidbits (or more marketing fluff) to share with all our miniologists — that means you

[Source: BMW Group, Sept. 5 2011, Edited a bit for us]

Wow can you believe it’s been a year already? Yep, we like to post the latest tidbits from the big motor shows, and just got wind from Frankfurt about MINI’s presence in this years show. Ready to hear all the juicy details? Here we go..

First up, we gotta mention the MINI Coupe. It’s going to be quite a thing because people often shorten the word “Cooper” and say “Mini Coop” so we we’ll be scratching our heads if their ride isn’t near by, when people now say, “Hey, I’ve picked up a new MINI Coupe!” Though we can still say “well, congrats, that’s sweet!” and mean essentially the same thing.

The 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show will host the world premiere of the MINI Coupe.

Sure, if you are French you can yell at me for not including the little accent over the letter “e” there, but for those that like adding them, it could be there.

The first two-seater in the current model range sees MINI deliver another injection of engaging variety into the small car segment – and, at the same time, introduce a particularly focused brand of driving fun. The sporting character of the MINI Coupe is reflected not only in its design, but also in the range of engines available to customers. The most powerful petrol and diesel engines in the MINI line-up join forces with a bespoke suspension set-up, harmonious weight distribution, a rigid body structure and optimised aerodynamics to deliver the customary MINI go-kart feeling at its most intense. A contrasting paint finish for the MINI Coupe’s roof (included as standard) emphasises its distinctive form, while the 280-litre luggage compartment behind the high-opening tailgate reveals impressive functionality.

We like that, they describe luggage capacity in litres. You can practically drink that up like a good British or German ale. Hmm, I wonder if we took the great Barvarian minds in BMW Munich and mixed them with the MINI team at plant oxford, and came up with a new beer, what it would taste like? Anyway, for those without a calculator handy, 280 liters (or litres, depending how you spell it, no funny accent over the e in either spelling) that comes to about 10 cubic feet. I say about because I don’t think many people are going to be measuring to the hundred-millionth decimal point, so let’s just say 9.89 cubic feet and be done with it. That’s less room than the 2008 smart ForTwo which holds 12 cubic feet. I could fit four spare tires and a suitcase in there and still have room for a speaker box, so hey, 10 cubic feet will be just fine for two people, and MINI already has a cool line-up of custom luggage (see our earlier post on that), but who cares about that when you got a 211 HP monster under the hood? You’ll want to dump all your stuff out at the hotel for track day anyway, hehe!

Next up, High in exclusivity: the MINI Yours range.

MINI is also using the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show to showcase vehicle customization at its most exclusive. The MINI Yours range offers exclusive options for the exterior and interior design which have been developed as the perfect complement to the unmistakable character of the MINI brand. MINI Yours offers customers everything from special exterior paint finishes
MINI and trim elements, upholstery variants and interior colours, to stylishly composed equipment packages and limited-run special-edition models. The inimitable MINI Yours style is modelled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show by a brace of exceptional vehicles: the MINI Clubman Hampton and the MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD, which was created under the expert eye of the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars design team. (We did a post about that earlier too, and if you happened to be at the Pebble Beach concourse earlier, then you got to take a peek at the Goodwood MINI, ah she was a beauty!

Need we say more about customization? Of course! The press has said recently, “customers looking for the antithesis of an off the peg car should make MINI their first port of call. The British brand goes further than any other carmaker to offer its customers the freedom to tailor their car precisely to their own personal style. A range now comprising five models, plus a large selection of optional equipment, exterior paint finishes and interior design configurations, along with the Original MINI Accessories range, create unrivalled scope to turn each and every MINI into a one-off car exuding the style of its owner.” Yeah, but we know that. And they’ve just made the array of products in the Original MINI Accessories range even larger than ever. In addition to exterior and interior design options, customers can also choose from a wealth of clever transportation solutions to enhance the car’s functionality as well as the John Cooper Works Tuning products geared to providing driving fun of the ultra-sporty variety, all under one roof at their local dealership or MINI website — and then there’s the aftermarket companies like TwistyBitz, Mini Motoring Gear, OutMotoring, Mini Mania, Seven Enterprises, and such.. classic or new Mini, you’ve got options to make your ride uniquely yours, and in more ways than any other car marker or tuning firm does for their customers, except perhaps Harley Davidson, hehe, but I’d bet the options and cult following of Mini fans is fairly close, woot!

MINI has come out with another special edition model, this one to showcase some of the You-if-i-cation potential of MINI Yours and MINI accessories, the MINI Hampton model. Yeah, if BMW gave us photos and video footage then we’d be showing you that now, but for now, you’ll just have to dream until they release it to the public.

If you attend Frankfurt 2011, be sure to drop us a line with some pics, otherwise we’ll give you the usual wrap-up after the show, and Cheers!

Miniology TV was on hand as Niello Mini previewed the all new 2012 Mini Coupe.

Music my Laura LaRue!

Yes the list of major sponsors for MINI WRC grows again! What do rally teams need? Tires, fuel. Awesome to hear BP is doing this!

(announced from Munich, 29th July, 2011.) The MINI WRC Team is proud of being associated with premium brands, so its sponsorship from BP Ultimate fuels fits perfectly into this category. As the two MINI John Cooper Works WRCs compete on day two of Neste Oil Rally Finland, the distinctive logos can be seen prominently displayed above the front wheel arches of car number 37 driven by Dani Sordo (ES) and Carlos del Barrio (ES) and number 52 driven by Kris Meeke (GB) and Paul Nagle (IR).

“Our association with BP joins two great British brands as the MINI WRC Team builds its portfolio of like-minded, top level partners. We look forward to working with BP, whose Ultimate products are recommended by MINI Motorsport,” said David Richards, Team Principal.

“BP is delighted to sponsor the MINI WRC Team and is looking forward to the remaining rallies in 2011, and the full slate of rallies in 2012,” said Michael Ulmer, BP Global Account Manager MINI.

Stay tuned to Miniology.com for more continuous coverage of MINI WRC! You read it here first