New Cut-Price MINI First with 75HP 1.4-Liter Petrol Engine

MINI's UK division is lowering the bar once again with the release of a new entry-level gasoline model called 'First' that is priced at £10,950 OTR or £1,395 less than the MINI One. Available only in three-door hatch form, the First is equipped with a detuned version of the 95HP 1.4-litre petrol engine currently found in the One that produces 75 horsepower and is linked to a six-speed manual gearbox.

The MINI First can accelerate from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 13.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 109mph or 175km/h while returning a combined fuel economy of 53.3mpg UK (5.3lt/100km or 44.3mpg US).

Even though the whole point of the First is its low price, nevertheless MINI does offer a variety of special packages that you can check out in detail below.

Available Packages for MINI First

Design Package

£525.00

• 3-Spoke Sport Leather Steering Wheel
  
• Heated Mirrors and Windscreen Washer Jets
  
• Mirror Caps in Body Colour
  
• Chrome Line Interior
  
• Chrome Line Exterior
  

Tech Package

£855.00

• Multi-function for steering wheel
  
• 3-Spoke Sport Leather Steering Wheel
  
• Passenger Airbag Deactivation Switch
  
• Radio BOOST CD
  
• CD Preparation
  
• Basic Bluetooth with USB Audio
  

Salt Package

£390.00

• Floor Mats in velour
  
• Passenger Seat Height Adjustment
  
• Storage Compartment Pack
  
• Front Fog Lights
  
• On Board Computer
  
• Interior Lights Pack

2010 MINI One D: New Diesel Model Returns 60.3mpg - 3.9lt/100km

A new entry-level diesel model is going to join the MINI hatchback's European range from September 2009. The MINI One D uses a detuned version of the Cooper D's 110HP 1.6-liter common rail turbo diesel producing 90 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 215Nm or 159 lb-ft from 1,750 rpm. With this engine that is linked to a 6-speed manual gearbox, the MINI completes the sprint from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in 11.5 seconds and achieves a top speed of 182 km/h or 113 mph.

As with other models from the BMW Group, the MINI One D features numerous fuel efficiency-enhancing measures including a Brake Energy Regeneration system that concentrates power generation for the on-board power supply when the car is braking and coasting, and the Auto Start Stop Function.

The result is an average fuel consumption of just 3.9 lt/100km or 60.3mpg US in the EU test cycle, with corresponding CO2 emissions of at 104 grams per kilometer.

Like its MINI One petrol sibling, the base diesel model is distinguished by its roof in body color along with the black mirror caps and a black boot lid handle.

Arden MINI Cooper Equipe: Production Limited to 40 Units

Best known for its Jaguar and Land Rover conversions, German tuner Arden has now turned its focus on another British model, the MINI Cooper, with the release of a special edition model called Equipe. The Arden-prepped MINI that will be produced in a strictly limited run of only 40 units features both mechanical and styling upgrades.

On the outside, handmade stainless steel and chrome grille adorn the front and rear-end of Arden's smallest model to date while the new chromed tailpipes and the 18-inch lightweight (6.9kg or 15.2 lbs) Arden Gram aluminum wheels round off the styling changes.

Arden paid more attention to the MINI Cooper's cabin as the dashboard, seats, steering wheel and doors are enclosed in a two-tone leather scheme. Other touches include custom made foot pedals and specific floor mats.

Underneath the hood, the tuner of British hardware said that it has revised the engine electronics and added a new intercooler plus a complete stainless steel exhaust system with racing catalytic converters to give the MINI a performance gain of around 40 horsepower and 36.8-lb/ft or 50Nm of torque.

Arden somehow forgot to mention in its press release which MINI version it is talking about but we gather that the tuning firm is referring to the Cooper S that leaves the factory with a 1.6-liter turbocharged four producing 172HP.

The engine upgrades are complemented by a sport suspension that lowers the vehicle's height about 30mm or 1.2-in. and high-performance 6-piston brakes at the front axle. Arden did not release pricing.

BMW to Expand MINI's U.S. Dealerships by 20 Percent by 2011

In anticipation of the introduction of a new range of models including MINI's first ever SUV/Crossover model, the Crossman, and quite possibly, a two-seater roadster that will help boost the brand's sales in the U.S., the BMW Group has announced that it will increase its American MINI dealer network by 20 percent, from 83 dealerships today, to a total of 100 outlets during the next 18 months. MINI stated that most of the additional dealerships will be located in cities or areas that will be new markets for the brand.

"Starting in 2011, our aim is to raise MINI sales by a 'double-digit' percentage compared with last year's total of 54,077 cars delivered and this will correspond with a substantial expansion of our network coverage," said MINI USA Vice President Jim McDowell.

The first of the 17 new outlets to operate this year is in Birmingham, Alabama. The other planned dealerships are located in the following cities: Pensacola, Florida; Alexandria, Virginia; Austin, Texas; Seattle, Washington; Fort Myers, Florida; El Paso, Texas; Ontario, California; Louisville, Kentucky; Raleigh, North Carolina; Knoxville, Tennessee; Loveland, Colorado; Madison, Wisconsin; Mount Laurel, New Jersey; Allentown, Pennsylvania; San Diego, California and Tempe, Arizona.

Chatenet CH26: Weird MINI - Alfa Romeo Like Micro Car from France

The first thought that leaped into mind upon seeing the CH26 was something like - "oh, another MINI - Alfa Romeo Mito potpourri baked in China". We could be wrong, but from what we gather, China has nothing to do with the tiny city car that is the work of a French company called Chatenet. Measuring just over 3 meters (3,065mm to be precise), the CH26 is 370mm or about 4-inches longer than the second generation Smart Fortwo.

We're not sure if it's a typo or not, but the French company says on its 'Spartan' website that the two-seater micro car is powered by a 523cc two-cylinder diesel engine that 'spits out' a mere 5.4 horsepower at 3,200 rpm. The CH26 is said to weigh in at 349kg or 769 pounds and according to Chatenet, it can reach a top speed of 45km/h or 28 mph with an average fuel consumption of 3.15 lt/100km or 75mpg US allowing to travel around 500 km (310 miles) on a single tank of fuel.

Chatenet did not release prices on its website, but from a quick search that we performed on the net we found new examples of the CH26 being offered for sale in France at the ridiculous price of €13,600 that comes to around $19,000 at the current exchange rates.

Via: Motorpassion , Source: Chatenet

MINI Continues to Celebrate 50th Anniversary with Special Collections

This is one birthday-party that doesn't seem to end. Not content with the unveiling of the Mayden 50, Camden 50 and the John Cooper Works WC50 specials, MINI has now released a new line of clothing and accessories to profit from celebrate the brand's fiftieth anniversary. Called '50 Years Collection', the lineup includes among other products, a modern rendition of the classic M51 Fishtail design parka (unisex), three 50Y Shopper bags in a retro look and the 50Y Camden brown-colored and Mayfair gray-colored sneakers.

Link: Mini Shop

Officially-Official: Limited Edition MINI JCW World Championship 50

Revealed for the first time at the 2009 MINI United Festival in Silverstone, the MINI John Cooper Works World Championship 50 is yet another special edition model built to commemorate the Cooper racing team's first Formula One World Championship title with Jack Brabham at the wheel in 1959. The car that will be produced in a strictly limited run of 250 units is based on the MINI JCW and driven by the same 1.6-liter twin-turbocharged engine that pumps out 211HP. It accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h (62mph) in 6.5 seconds going on to a top speed of 238 km/h or 148mph.

All cars are finished exclusively in a new color named 'Connaught Green' that harkens back to the British race cars of the 1950s and 60s era. It is combined with the roof and bonnet stripes in 'Pepper White' while the 17-inch cross-spoke alloy wheels are finished in 'Jet Black'.

Other exterior features includes the JCW aerodynamics package, a plethora of carbon fibre parts, among them the bonnet scoop on the bonnet, rear diffuser, exterior mirror caps and tailgate handle along with the special insignias.

The 'World Championship 50's' interior has been upgraded with carbon fibre trim overlaid by red touches, black leather seats with contrasting red piping. The red theme is also used on the knee-rolls, armrests and the stitching on the floor mats, gearshift and handbrake gaiters. The look is rounded off with a new sports steering wheel with an Alcantara rim.

Prices for the special edition MINI John Cooper Works model have yet to be confirmed.