MINI Cooper S JCW
17:37
By
Mira
Showing posts with label Mini Cooper. Show all posts
Friday, 30 May 2014
Thursday, 29 May 2014
Thursday, 2 January 2014
Sunday, 7 July 2013
Spied: The F56 MINI Completely Without Camoflauge
Autoblog is the first site to pony-up for the photos but look for them elsewhere on the web eventually. While we won’t take the photos and post them out of respect for the photographer and Autoblog we do ask that you come back here to join the MINI-centric discussion at MotoringFile. Check out all 27 photos in hi-res at Autoblog.
Before we dive into the photos, there’s one important thing to keep in mind here. These are taken using extremely long zoom lenses, so the views we’re seeing here are going to have a lot of telescopic compression, in addition to being from a strange, high angle. So don’t take the exact shape of anything too seriously.
A couple of key things worth pointing out straight away. We’re finally seeing the full extent of the Rocketman Concept’s influence on the F56. As previously reported here on MotoringFile, the LED “halo” headlight surrounds will serve as fulltime running lights on the F56. Also Rocketman bred, the front grille is finally exposed in all its open-mouthed glory. The rear end is finally coming into focus as well.
The tail lights have grown, as we’d seen in the previous spy shots, but now we’re seeing the full trim. Gone are the “island” tail lights seen on the previous two generations of MINIs. The side scuttles, on the other hand, appear to have returned to their R50/R53 island configuration. As with the R56, the headlights pass through the still clamshell bonnet.
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Classic Minis Race at Brands Hatch
The 2013 MINI Festival at Brands Hatch presented MINI fans with first-rate racing action. The occasion: 50 years of the MINI Cooper S.
Exciting races, international stars, stunts, and a feast of entertainment at the iconic Brands Hatch Circuit: last weekend, the 2013 MINI Festival in the English county of Kent was the hub of the MINI universe. Brands Hatch was the site of spectacular scenes. The occasion: the 50th anniversary of the MINI Cooper S. And the 2013 MINI Festival also featured a true racing premiere, as the title “Champion of MINI Festival” was awarded for the first time.
And away from the racetrack? A packed fringe programme with modified MINI custom cars, stunt shows and hot show cars, like the MINI ALL4 Racing, with which eleven-time Rally Dakar winner Stéphane Peterhansel won the last two editions of the toughest endurance rally in the world for the Monster Energy X-raid team. And the weekend would not have been complete without Paddy Hopkirk’s classic Mini Cooper S, with which the living rally legend triumphed at the Rally Monte Carlo in 1964.
Wednesday, 26 June 2013
MINI Celebrates 10 years of Diesel in the UK
In markets outside the USA, MINI diesel power plants have offered buyers additional options when it comes to saving fuel. From the frugal MINI Cooper D, to the more sporting MINI Cooper SD, the oil burning versions of the MINI have been objects of desire for many a state-side MINI fan. Personally, some of the most fun I’ve ever had in a MINI was motoring up the German Autobahn in a MINI Cooper SD Clubman. All that torquey grunt in such a light, small car made for a very fun package.
Official release from MINI UK: One man, one engine, and no end of anniversaries: it was 120 years ago that Rudolf Diesel started developing the compression-ignition engine that was soon to be named after him. The very first prototype completed its test run in August of that same year. The first diesel engine factory was founded 115 years go. The engine invented by Diesel was used in ships for the first time 110 years ago, and it has been 90 years since the first diesel-powered truck went on the road. The MINI was first fitted with a diesel engine ten years ago. Each of these anniversaries is reason enough to celebrate the qualities of the diesel engine – and to commemorate its inventor, who died exactly 100 years ago.
Maximum efficiency was the driving force that inspired Rudolf Diesel to develop his novel engine. His design was based on heating the air in the combustion chamber by means of compression to such an extent that the fuel around it would ignite and release large amounts of energy. This is why the diesel engine has such a high level of efficiency. The fact that this principle also generates hallmark MINI driving fun was first demonstrated in the summer of 2003, when the MINI One D was presented as the first diesel model of the premium British small car brand. Its 1.4-litre all-aluminium turbodiesel with common rail direct injection had an output of 55 kW/75 bhp. It combined the characteristic MINI go-kart feeling with an average fuel consumption on the EU test cycle of 4.8 litres per 100 kilometres.
But this was just the beginning of the diesel engine’s career in the MINI. Two years later the MINI One D was upgraded to 65 kW/88 bhp, and though its performance figures increased, fuel consumption remained constant. 2007 saw the launch of the next stage of development: the Geneva Motor Show was the setting for the world premiere of the MINI Cooper D. In this model, the new 1.6-litre turbodiesel now delivered 80 kW/110 bhp. The car’s fuel consumption was reduced yet again in spite of a 25 per cent increase in power output, while 4.4 litres per 100 kilometres once again put MINI ahead of the competition in terms of efficiency.
Thanks to MINIMALISM, however, this was still not the last word. The current MINI models with diesel engines are fitted with further refined injection technology, turbochargers with variable turbine geometry, auto start/stop function, shift point display, brake energy regeneration, on-demand operation of ancillary units, electromechanical steering and cutting-edge exhaust gas purification technology. The result: 120 years after Rudolf Diesel made his pioneering invention, the engine of the MINI Cooper D provides an impressive peak output of 82 kW/112 bhp, a maximum torque of 270 Newton metres at 1,750 rpm , a fuel consumption on the EU test cycle of 3.8 litres per 100 kilometres and CO2 emissions of 99 grams per kilometre.
As MINI diesel technology was consistently refined, the variety of engines which functioned according to this principle increased. There are now three diesel engines available to choose from for the MINI. Their common design features reflect the outstanding development expertise of the BMW Group in the field of engine technology. An aluminium crankcase, turbocharger with variable turbine geometry, common rail direct injection with solenoid-valve injectors and a powerful engine control system geared towards each specific model guarantee a level of efficiency which impressively confirms Rudolf Diesel’s vision of an “ideal thermal machine”.
The latest generation of the MINI One D is powered by a 1.6-litre engine which delivers 66 kW/90 bhp and a maximum torque of 215 Newton metres that goes on stream at 1,750 rpm. Fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are the same as those of the 82 kW/112 bhp MINI Cooper D. The entry-level diesel engine is also available in the models MINI Clubman and MINI Countryman, transferring its power via a 6-speed manual transmission in each case. For the MINI Cooper D there is also the option of a 6-speed automatic transmission which is combined with a 2.0-litre version of the 4-cylinder engine in each model version. The choice between the two variants applies to the MINI, MINI Clubman, MINI Convertible, MINI Countryman and MINI Paceman.
The latest and most powerful way to experience the kind of pulling power and efficiency so typical of a diesel engine is provided by the MINI Cooper SD. Also operating with a capacity of 2.0 litres, this 4-cylinder power unit generates a peak output of 105 kW/143 bhp and provides a maximum torque of 305 Newton metres between 1,750 and 2,700 rpm. And this engine offers exemplary economy as well as supreme power delivery. The MINI Cooper SD sprints from zero to 100 km/h in just 8.1 seconds, achieving a top speed of 215 km/h. Its average fuel consumption on the EU test cycle is 4.3 litres to 100 kilometres, with CO2 emissions of 114 grams per kilometre.
The most powerful diesel in the MINI engine portfolio is available for all seven models – the MINI, MINI Clubman, MINI Convertible, MINI Coupé, MINI Roadster, MINI Countryman and MINI Paceman. In each model it is combined as standard with a 6-speed manual transmission or else an optional 6-speed automatic transmission. Its power can also be optionally transmitted to all four wheels by means of the all-wheel drive system ALL4 in the MINI Cooper SD Countryman and the MINI Cooper SD Paceman.
As the range of variants has expanded, so the popularity of the diesel engine in MINI models has continuously increased. Despite the fact that the market for this engine type is largely focused within Europe, nearly one in four MINIs supplied to customers in 2012 was fitted with a diesel.
Saturday, 25 May 2013
Monday, 13 May 2013
New MINI spied
The most revealing pictures yet of the all-new Mk3 MINI Hatchback, ahead of its launch next year
This test mule shows that the design of the new MINI will be inspired by the Rocketman concept, revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in 2011.
The new car has a much larger, trapezoidal front grille as a result, and larger headlights with thicker chrome trim around their edges.
The more upright bonnet leads back to a slightly more angled-back windscreen, while the new MINI may also get the contrast-coloured section between the bonnet shut line and the leading edge of the front door, introduced with the Rocketman.
The sides of this Cooper model are slightly more sculpted than before, although the plastic wheelarch and side sill cladding remains, and the rear windscreen slope is more angled.
The new car’s glazed area appears slightly narrower than before, although the roof appears to be more voluminous to ensure headroom remains generous.
The current car measures 3,723mm long, 1,683mm wide and 1,407mm high, but the new one is expected to grow in order to increase interior space, particularly in the rear.
The trademark central speedo is also set to be replaced with a new infotainment screen, although the design of this echoes the traditional speedometer.
When it debuts later this year, most likely at the Los Angeles Motor Show in November, the new MINI will be the first production car to use BMW’s new UKL1 front-wheel drive platform, and will get BMW’s new modular 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol and diesel engines.
The MINI will be built at its Plant Oxford factory, but the firm is looking to expand sales globally, and will add production at the VDL Nedcar factory in Holland from mid-2014.
Wednesday, 8 May 2013
Thursday, 2 May 2013
3D MINI Cooper flash game :-)
http://www.playgamekids.com/oyna/3d-mini-cooper.html
Fullscreen mode is available in Options-Resolution. Have fun! :-)
Tuesday, 30 April 2013
This 1966 Mini Cooper spent over 36 years locked in a garage
It's one of those stories: guy buys a nice little car, something comes up, the car is stored and never touched again. Not every car emerges from a 36-year slumber unscathed, but this green 1966 Mini Cooper isn't worse for wear – on the surface, at least.
As reported by The Daily Mail the Mini was owned by recently passed-away Brian Smith from Christchurch, Dorset. Mr. Smith bought this Cooper new in Portsmouth, Hampshire. He drove it until 1976, accumulating some 22,270 miles on the clock, but due to developing health issues he parked the car in his garage and didn't take it out since. As his relatives cleared the house earlier this year, the dusty Mini was unearthed from the garage. There's no word how the mechanicals fared, and according to the article in Daily Mail it doesn't start. Then again, as simple as Minis are, it should pose no large problems to get it going again, when the stagnant 1976 fuel is drained and the engine freed. A fresher battery wouldn't hurt, either.
As Mr. Smith's relatives aren't mechanically inclined, the low-mileage Cooper is being put up for auction. The car is expected to command something in the general ballpark of 12,000 GBP ($18,000 US). With a twin-carburetor 55-horsepower one-litre engine, the Cooper should provide lots of laughs when gotten back on the road again, after 36 years after being put away.
via The Daily Mail
Sunday, 28 April 2013
The Britalian Job
MINI pays homage to the 1969 classic, the Italian Job.
Directed by Phil Churchward, the lead director on BBC's Top Gear
Starring:
Jodie Kidd
Daley Thompson
James Cracknell
Jonathan Edwards
Matthew Pinsent
Saturday, 27 April 2013
A MINI ADDICTION
A MINI ADDICTION from Thomas Valente
An Automotive film about addictions in life.
The concept of this experimental video is about a passion for the automotive industry and how it isn't, at all, a bad addiction. Quite the contrary. Its an addiction you can be proud of. Some would say, anything that is an addiction is bad. I disagree. The passion for cars is more than a hobby. It becomes a lifestyle. Something to treasure.
This short experimental motion piece is the result of a 24h production timeframe.
In 2 days I came up with a storyline and were out and shooting all the scenes. The results are quite satisfying. The combination of my videography background and Pedro Freitas amazing photographic skills, we were able to create this video which was shot entirely in Madeira Island's beautiful mountains and we managed to get a mood and atmosphere across by capturing some stunning foggy scenery footage.
As one would expect, 24h isn't a lot of time to produce a video, therefore a lot of amendments were made in post-production using After Effects.
The editing and post-production stages took quite a while due to my MA Motion Graphics course (which I've have just finished). I was exceedingly busy and didn't have time to work on this project. A couple of days ago I decided to finish it off.
Last but not least I would like to thank everyone involved and that helped us during the process. Sandra Guerreiro and Fátima Neto for their presence in the video. Guilherme Mimoso and Gil Freitas for their production help and Pedro Freitas the 2º Director of Photography of this video. Check out his work at pedrofreitasphoto.com
Be sure to check thomasvalente.com to see some behind the scenes footage and some making-of's of the post-production work.
#########HD VERSION NOW AVAILABLE#########
Music: The Chemical Brothers - Container Park
Canon 600D + 5D MII
Editing: Premiere Pro
Post: After Effects
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