MINI News
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Another day, another announcement in the series of carefully timed press releases on the 2011 Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric car. In this case, it's the news that GM's investment in the Detroit-Hamtramck plant where the Volt will be built totals $336 million. General Motors says that sum brings its total invested in Michigan on Volt-related projects to $700 million, over eight separate facilities. Battery packs will be assembled in Brownstown Township, tooling comes from Grand Blanc, engine parts are built in Bay City, and the 1.4-liter engine for the Volt's generator set is...
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Five Alternative Fuel Vehicles To Know This Thanksgiving
We’ve Done Small Cars, Features and Now Its Time For EVs
Jonathan McGrew -
Five Small Cars We Are Thankful For This Thanksgiving
Being Automotive By Nature, Our Thanks Have a Motorized Bend
Jonathan McGrew -
Ultra-Luxe Mini Planned With Rolls-Royce Trim, Bespoke Features
As European manufacturers get more serious about cutting emissions and attacking climate change, some very interesting small, fuel-efficient cars are starting to emerge. The latest news from Europe is that apparently there will be an ultra-luxury version of the Mini Cooper, to be trimmed out at the...
John Voelcker -
Newly Conscientious Consumers Say Modesty Is Cool For Luxury Cars
Well, this is encouraging. A new study of luxury car buyers commissioned by BMW finds that even luxury car buyers are beginning to reject conspicuous consumption, with more and more choosing their purchases for "social, political, or environmental reasons". BMW and Mini executives, in a...
John Voelcker -
Talking 50th Anniversary Edition MINI: A Little Car With A Lot Of Attitude
Every Celebration Needs a Mission Control, Right?
Jonathan McGrew -
Mini has been on a roll this year, with a new Coupe concept to celebrate its 50th birthday and the much-publicized U.S. release of 200 Mini E electric conversions. Now, 40 Britons will be able to drive the electric Mini E as well, 20 of them members of the public chosen from more than 500 applicants, to provide BMW with real-world data on how drivers actually use electric cars. Participants' driving patterns will be tracked using a data-logging device. RHD for U.K. drivers? Nope. Unfortunately, a look at the Mini E Field Trial FAQ points out a grievous flaw for British drivers: All of the...
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Electric Fiat 500 Closer Than We Think From Chrysler?
Much of the auto world is waiting eagerly for Wednesday, November 4. That's when Chrysler will release the detailed product and business plan that Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne promises will take the company to profitability within two years. Now comes the rumor that the two companies plan to build an...
John Voelcker -
Suzuki Swift Plug-In Hybrid Headed To Tokyo
Suzuki says that their cars are as much fun as their bikes. Now they're trying to make one model just as fuel efficient. The Japanese automaker plans to unveil a plug-in hybrid version of the Swift hatchback at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show. Suzuki's subcompact already has a loyal following in...
Robert Scardino -
VIDEO: Electric 1957 Porsche 356 Speedster Replica
Sure, Porsche is planning an electric vehicle, but it won't be in showrooms for years, and it probably won't ever be as charming as this 1957 Porsche 356 Speedster. If a carbon neutral vintage Porsche replica turns you on, check out this eBay listing posted by Jack Rickard. Jack is an EV...
Robert Scardino -
Infrastructure Hurdles Hinder Mini E Trial
Being a pioneer isn't easy. Just ask BMW North America CEO, Jim O'Donnell. As the German automaker continues to test 450 electric Minis (aptly called Mini Es) in New York, New Jersey and L.A., creating the charging network has proven challenging. "We are learning a heck of a lot just about the...
Robert Scardino -
Another Extreme from Mini: The MINI Roadster Debuts in Frankfurt
If the Mini Convertible Wasn’t Your Speed Maybe the Roadster Will Be
Jonathan McGrew -
While it may not evoke as much car lust as this past weekend's unveiling of the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept, BMW is rumored to be in negotiations with Toyota to borrow their iQ mini-car platform. In return, Toyota is reportedly interested in BMW's Mini division. Japan's largest automaker is especially fond of the Coupé and Roadster, both of which are set to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The collaboration could make sense for both car companies. By way of the iQ, BMW could employ an electric powertrain to compete with Daimler's Smart ED. There have also been whispers that BMW...
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Mini Coupe Concept Celebrates 50 Years of Minis, Targets Audi TT
On Wednesday, August 26, 1959, a new type of small car was unveiled in Austin and Morris dealerships across Britain. Many buyers didn't know quite what to make of the Morris Mini-Minor and Austin 7even (yep, that's what they called it--for a very short while). It had seats for four, it was just 10...
John Voelcker -
GM's 'Bare Necessities' Concept: How Little Car Do You Want?
Among the many vehicles shown, described, or teased at this morning's big General Motors press briefing was this unusual green concept from GM Labs, called 'Bare Necessities'. The two vehicles--a car and a truck--are meant to be maximally minimal. While the event itself focused on the next two...
John Voelcker -
MINI Comparison: Does an Extra 10 Inches Matter?
Does the Clubman Have the Edge Over the Standard MINI Cooper?
Jonathan McGrew -
Family Rivalry: MINI Cooper S Versus the High Tech MINI E
This Competition Is Being Kept In the Family
Jonathan McGrew -
The Green, The Bad And The Ugly: Our Least Favorite Green Cars
We like green cars, and we define the term loosely. Sure, the 2010 Toyota Prius is green. But so's the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid pickup truck, because a full-size truck that gets 20 miles per gallon is much easier on the planet when you need a pickup truck. But try as we might, there are a...
John Voelcker -
BMW recently began leasing the electric MINI to consumers in select areas of the US. The program entailed an application period of nearly 8 months and a detailed selection process that lands the electric car in the hands of a few select individuals. At nearly $850 a month, it's far from cheap. But the program is only considered a trial because the cars will be returned to BMW at the end of one year for evaluation. With the MINI E in the publics hands all is well, right? Not so says plug-in advocacy group Plug in America. They feel BMW may be exploiting a loophole in California's CARB...
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BMW's MINI E Program Will Lead to New BMW City Electric Car in 2012
BMW is currently leasing 450 electric MINIs outfitted with a 205 HP AC propulsion drivetrain and 35 kwh lithium-ion battery. This author is one of the "pioneers" involved in the field test. BMWs plan is to take back the cars at the end of the one-year lease and dismantle them to learn how they...
Lyle Dennis -
MINI E Update: We Get the Scoop On the Lease and What the Car Is Like
MINI E Could Hit A Home Run If It Can Make It To Market
Jonathan McGrew -
What it's Like to Lease and Drive the MINI E Electric Car
A few days ago I took delivery of MINI E #412 in New York. I will have the car for a 1-year close ended lease. As an electric car enthusiast and advocate, actually getting my own EV for full time use to charge and recharge is a dream come true. Though not traditionally a big MINI buff the fact that...
Lyle Dennis -
First Drive: Mini E Electric Vehicle Is Far From Ready For Primetime
BMW rarely screws up, but the 450 Mini E test cars now going to eager US drivers are markedly worse than prototypes from other makers
John Voelcker