It used to be that an R50 (with CVT no less) fit the bill.
But that’s when my family was younger and smaller. The kids were 4 and 2, so the miniature rear seat worked fine.
But the kids, as they do, got bigger. Luckily, so did the MINI.
The 2008 Mini Clubman served as my family transport vehicle last weekend, and guess what? My kids fit in it. Now they are 10 and 8, so like the Mini Clubman, they’re considerably bigger. But also like the original Mini, I’m not sure how long even the Clubman would work as a full-fledged family vehicle. With the driver’s seat adjusted for my 6-foot frame my eight-year-old daughter didn’t have a lot of room to spare. Pretty much the same situation existed for my 10-year-old son behind my wife.
Great write up over at Edmunds. Something to think about if you are struggling to make the MINI your family car.
Mini USA vice-president Jim McDowell took some time this week to talk to the guys at NextAutos.com, the new site by Windingroad.com. Much of the information here was covered in the Fox News interview we posted earlier this month. There are some new nuggets here as well.
Recent word of 500 electric Minis coming to the U.S. is accurate (but the announcement caught them “by surprise”) and plans are to have cars in the hands of actual customers “about this time next year.” That said,it isn’t clear whether these cars will be sold, leased, or otherwise disbursed. It is also undetermined whether these cars will be offered outside of California.
MF Exclusive: A MINI Diesel is Coming to the US Market but it’s not the Cooper D some might expect. Instead MINI has been working on a new model designed from the ground up with an engine that will comply with laws in all 50 states. You know it as the R60, the public will know is as the MINI crossover.
The diesel powered R60 could use a new BMW derived 4 cylinder engine and will feature an urea injection system similar to the one seen on BMWs. The R60 is expected to launch worldwide in late 2009 as a 2010 model in a range of petrol engines (including the new JCW 1.6L turbo) and we would expect the diesel to be at least six months behind that schedule.
For all those waiting to see pricing for the 2009 model year, wait no longer. First off all models will increase $750 but will now include dynamic stability control. And as reported a few months back the package structures have changed slightly as well. But one package related item to note is that the sport package will now include not only DSC but DTC - dynamic traction control - the same technology that replaces LSD on the John Cooper Works MINI.
Autoblog, via Automotive News, has some interesting information about the upcoming ‘15 MINI that is to be built in conjuction with Fiat.
It’s unclear whether the C-Evo architecture will underpin the MINI AWD compact utility vehicle, but according to Automotive News, the platform will be capable of housing both front-wheel- and all-wheel-drive powertrains, and will serve as the platform for the new Alfa Romeo 147, which will be released sometime next year.
We talked about BMW and fiat joining forces on some components last week. This, I’m sure for some of you, is just a little more fuel for the fire.
This video could be considered a trailer for the just released MINI JCW. It features the same two cars that we’ve seen in much of the promotion footage so far.
Before I start, does anyone else think it’s weird when Todd does the intro? I’m just sayin’.
Todd and Gabe again with Gabe trying to get caught up on all of things that he wanted to talk about it. Mostly about the Clubman and the JCW. It’s great to have him back this week and this is a great show that I’m sure you will enjoy!
Todd and Gabe with news of the week from Motoringfile.com. Yes, you read that correctly. I wasn’t able to record this week so Gabe was nice enough to help out. Thanks! As you can imagine, they spend of good portion of the night talking about the new JCW MINI.
Sorry for the delay in getting this one posted. Everything is sorted out and there shouldn’t be any more delays.
This bit of information was part of the recent JCW press release from MINI UK but we felt it deserved it’s own published post. It’s a great way to take a look back at all the various JCW products throughout the years.
What’s in a name?
John Cooper Works under the ownership of BMW Group
The Cooper name originates from John Cooper, an engineering legend inextricably linked to the golden age of British motor racing throughout the 1960’s. With the introduction of new MINI in 2001, the Cooper name was reborn under the guidance of John’s son Mike, who began developing aftermarket tuning kits for the new MINI at the original John Cooper premises in East Preston, West Sussex.
The electric Minis are in production as we speak and have been for the previous 6 or 7 weeks. They are assembled as pretty much normal cars, then shipped out to Munich to have the electric motors fitted. Once completely in Munich, BMW plans to ship 490 to California.
The Electric MINI’s will be able to be spotted by their exclusive Interchange Yellow roofs and mirror caps.
When the R57 goes on sale next spring it will receive an exclusive color much like the launch of the R52 convertibles in the latter half of 2004. Like the R52 the MINI convertible will get two new colors to call its own; one metallic and one a non-metallic. The non-metallic addition to the line-up will be called Interchange Yellow.
It’s a non-metallic yellow/green that’s almost the same color as a hi-liter pen but not quite so luminous. Also something to note, it’s the same color that will be used on the upcoming electric MINI’s mirror caps and roof.
MINI UK Press Release: Since production began in 2001 Plant Oxford has seen over one million MINIs leave the plant destined for customers abroad. The one millionth MINI for export has now left Plant Oxford.
More than 80 per cent of MINI production is currently exported to almost 80 countries worldwide with the largest export market being the USA. The most recent sales figures have been the best in MINI USA’s history. In the first half of the year, MINI USA has reported sales of 26,400 cars, an increase of 33.6 per cent. The increase in MINI sales is indicative of the structural shift taking place in the USA, with MINI dealers reporting many customers moving out of their large cars like SUV’s and trucks into MINIs.
Technical features of the new MINI John Cooper Works
MINI UK Press Release: Motorsport is the single greatest influence in the development of the MINI John Cooper Works. In fact, the four-cylinder, common rail direct injection unit found in the standard MINI Cooper S has received the same modifications as the MINI CHALLENGE car, which is a model only licensed for track use.
Engine tuning
The 2008 International Engine of the Year (1.4-1.8-litre category) found in the MINI Cooper S was a strong base unit on which to begin John Cooper Works tuning. The basic structure of the engine - a pressure die-cast aluminium crankcase with grey cast-iron liners and bed plate - has not received any modifications. Nor has the forged crankshaft or conrods.
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1st Gen MINI R50: One & MC Coupe R52: All 1st Gen MINI Convt. R53: MCS Coupe 2nd Gen MINI R55: Clubman R56: One/MC/MCS Coupe R57: One/MC/MCS Convt. R60: MINI SUV
Sections: In the Press, R55 Jul 24th, 2008 6 Comments 
Before I start, does anyone else think it’s weird when Todd does the intro? I’m just sayin’.
