MINI Cooper D zooms away with Fun Green Car award at the What Car? Green Awards

The MINI Cooper D was named What Car?’s ‘Fun Green Car’ at the publication’s 2011 Green Awards.

Thanks to its MINIMALISM technology MINI is ranked within the top five motoring manufacturers for its low CO2 emissions throughout its whole range. The MINI Cooper D offers drivers the legendary ‘go-kart’ handling and iconic design, as well as a bundle of economical and environmentally friendly benefits such as being exempt from the London Congestion Charge.

Chas Hallett, What Car? Editor in Chief said; “What Car? has long been a fan of the British-built MINI. The MINI 1.6D Cooper proves that being green does not mean you have to wave goodbye to driving enjoyment. It has very low running costs, because it emits just 99g/km of CO2 and does 74.3mpg. The Cooper D is without question the most fun way to go green and keep a bit more cash in your pocket.”

MINI sets the fashion pace under the slogan “Beat the Street”. The latest clothing collection is worthy of the catwalk and the sidewalk alike.

[Source: BMW AG, Munich.] For ten years, MINI has been wowing the public not just with its legendary cars, but with its authentic fashion, accessories and luggage collections as well. The brand delivers its own interpretation of the latest trends while simultaneously celebrating its passion for British fashion. Now, for the first time, the new range has taken the bold leap onto the catwalk with a special show at the Pavillon 21 MINI Opera Space in Munich.

MINI creates fashion for all those whose heart beats to the rhythm of the street. This anything but run-of-the-mill collection bristles with hallmark British details like the Union Jack, badges etc., and offers unconventional outfits that lend themselves to casual, business or clubbing wear.

Fashion classics from Great Britain.

There are only a few types of clothing that remain timeless and ever trendy, and the trench coat is right up there among the front-runners. The casual Trench Coat by MINI, available for men and women, is intriguing with its fine detailing. The lining of the coat and its outer pockets feature an abstract Union Jack pattern, while a key pocket and a zipped pocket on the inside left of the trench coat offer practical storage possibilities. The cuffs, meanwhile, sport a discreetly embroidered MINI logo.

Multitalents in denim look.

The Men’s Denim Business Shirt and Ladies’ Denim Business Blouse are stylish companions that love to be combined. Dark blue and with discreet MINI lettering on the chest, they lend themselves to both a sporty-elegant and a more casual look. After work, simply roll up the sleeves up and let the Union Jack lining draw approving glances down at the club.

For the ladies, MINI also has a feminine Denim Dress with ruffles lined up in the wardrobe. Other fine details include an authentic Union Jack badge on the left chest and a “Beat the Street” print on the inside collar. This item can be worn as a dress or as a tunic in combination with leggings.

College outfits with retro flair.

The new his and hers Hoodie Sweat Jackets are right in with the trendy campus look. These comfortable hooded jackets are guaranteed to up the feel-good factor and come with an eye-catching print on the back and a zip at the front. Made of top-grade cotton and with cuffs on the sleeves and the bottom hem, they are certain to keep its wearers fleecy-warm. Colours are in the traditional mould – red for the ladies, blue for the men.

To match the Hoodie Sweat Jackets, MINI has two casual Street Longsleeves on offer. The white men’s item is striking with its blue “Beat the Street” print, making for a cool vintage look. The grey ladies’ long-sleeved shirt has a feminine V-neck and a shiny silver motif on the front.

Fashionable combination accessories.

Scarves are indispensable trend accessories and bestow any outfit with an individual touch. The light Union Jack Scarf from MINI appeals with its fashionable rendition of the British Union Jack, and is open to a wide range of combinations. This artistic design in red, blue and white makes this unisex scarf a colourful eye-catcher.

When it came to the Beat the Street Belt, MINI took inspiration from its automotive competence. This belt has a surprise element in the shape of a silver fastening designed like seatbelt buckle. Other details include the lettering “Beat the Street” embossed on the buckle and the MINI logo on the belt itself.

In addition to these highlights, the MINI Lifestyle Collection presents numerous other outfits and accessories. The complete collections will be available from September 2011 on the internet at www.MINI.de/shop and through select MINI Dealers.

Here’s some pics of what’s available, no word yet on the new collection for North America, but hey, that’s what Internet shopping is for eh? :)

MINI @ Red Bull Art of Motion 2011: MINI Teams with Red Bull to Celebrate “Art of Motion”

Source: Uploaded by MINI on Jul 28, 2011

‘Free running’ or ‘parkour’ is an art form for the concrete jungle. MINI has teamed up with Red Bull to bring you “Art of Motion”, a worldwide tour of the sport. Get a glimpse of the first event from London this past March. Five more stops to come worldwide, so stay tuned. The next is in Yokohama, Japan!

New Jersey PD Adds Mini To Patrol Fleet

We’ve seen plenty of special police cars in the past, including a Lamborghini Gallardo, Porsche 911 and even an impounded Dodge Viper, but the latest is just too cute to ignore. BMW has this week presented the Woodcliff Lake police department in New Jersey with a brand new MINI Cooper.

The car is emblazoned with the message ‘DON’T TXT & DRIVE’, highlighting a local initiative to stop drivers using their mobile phones while behind the wheel.

“This vehicle drives home a critical point,” said Woodcliff Lake police chief Anthony Jannicelli. “A driver taking his eyes off the road for five seconds at 60 mph to just read a text message travels the length of football field essentially with his eyes closed.”

No other major modifications have been made to the car. It will essentially be used to drive home the message, carrying it wherever it goes and acting as a powerful reminder of what is certainly a serious issue.

MINI Countryman Wanderlust: Colby Elrick’s Fixed-Gear Crew Rolls to Gilroy’s Wheeltalk Compound

Biking world icon Colby Elrick takes his MINI Countryman Wanderlust event and SKYLMT team off-road to shoot a fixie film in the wilderness 200 miles from downtown San Francisco (not far from where StarLord used to live in the Richmond and Laura LaRue’s current digs!) Bay area peeps will recognize the route and much of the driving roads from earlier Miniology podcasts hehe..!

More at: http://bit.ly/MINI-Wanderlust-SF

MINI Countryman Wanderlust: Chad Marshall Beach Party

Wow this must have been inspired by MIniology and some of the runs we’ve gone on eh? Is that Rob’s dog in the video?

Swipe a MINI from Grey Eagle Casino

Win a MINI at Grey Eagle Casino (Calgary, Alberta)Great, just when we think the Winter is over and Spring has finally arrived, down dumps about another 20cm of the white stuff upon us, but hey, if you venture out in the cold smushy stuff you could up your chances of grabbing a MINI thanks to Grey Eagle Casino and the local Calgary MINI dealership (aka Crowfoot).

Yeah, all you have to do is walk up to the front desk and swipe your Grey Eagle casino card — if you don’t have one yet, they are free, and you get a few perks o’course for joining.

If you’re not into gaming bingo or gambling, they have a nice all you can eat buffet, gift shops, and one of the few area bars to serve such tasty heavy non-Canadian brews I like, such as Guinness (yay, Grey Eagle Casino!)

Nope, neither Crowfoot or the casino are a sponsor of Miniology, but they sure as heck should be ;-)

Grey Eagle Casino is located at 3777 Grey Eagle Drive in Calgary, that’s about where Glenmore Trail SW meets 37 street SW, and MINI Crowfoot is located at 650 Crowfoot Crescent NW, that’s just off .. well, North of 1, West of QE2, if you need directions and don’t have a GPS or what-not handy, just call them at (403) 275-6464.