Jalopnik: Mini Cooper

How I Won The World's Most Famous Rally By (Accidentally) Cheating

Matt Bubbers, Autos.Sympatico.ca — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST

Rauno Aaltonen drove a Mini Cooper S to the model's last victory in the 1967 Monte Carlo Rally. It was a stunning victory, but Aaltonen's been harboring a secret. How he actually won. Here, he shares that secret with Autos.Sympatico.ca's Matt Bubbers. —Ed. More »

Mini joins the B-Spec class that will save auto racing

Mike Spinelli — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 10:30:00 EST

If you haven't heard about B-Spec racing yet, you will. Every major racing sanctioning body in the U.S. — SCCA, Grand Am, NASA and World Challenge — will host B-Spec races in 2012. Honda, Mazda, Kia and Fiat are already in. And now, so is Mini. More »

Race a Mini on the streets of anywhere

Mike Spinelli — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 13:30:00 EDT

Even if you never wanted to design an urban racecourse and share it with a network of like-minded urban-racecourse designers, you can still play Mini Maps, Mini's new Google Maps-fed Facebook game. Just putter around Sheboygan, Wisconsin in a chocolate-brown Mini S with a Swiss flag on its roof. That's what I did. More »

The off-roader Mini should have built

Mike Spinelli — Mon, 23 May 2011 13:30:00 EDT

Canadian design team and part-time human mirror Dean and Dan Caten had the rugged MINI "Red Mudder" built for the AIDS event Life Ball, held in Vienna this past weekend. The duo, known as DSQUARED², will auction the dirt-ready Mini for charity. More »

Mini Rocketman thinks it's gonna be a really short, short time

Mike Spinelli — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 17:30:00 EST

It's the Mini of the Future, if the future is smaller and lighter than the present, and only seats three. Actually, it's the mini of the past too, since it's only a few centimeters off of the 1959 original. More »

Watch the jet-powered Mini Cooper take off

Justin Hyde — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 13:30:00 EST

When your car modification involves creating a special sliding roof so that the exhaust from your rear-mounted jet engine can burp fire, you reached the carbuilder's Valhalla. Meet the Mini Jet, a 650-hp, dual-engined rocket. More »

Mini Cooper S, brought to you by the letter D

Mike Spinelli — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 09:50:00 EST

The diesel engine has been around since 1893, the Mini Cooper S arrived in 1963. Now the two are in a May-December romance for the ages. It's called the Mini Cooper SD. But will anyone understand their special love? More »

Man Gets Penis Tattooed For Free Mini Cooper

Mike Spinelli — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 08:30:00 EST

A 39-year-old German man had his penis tattooed with the word "Mini" to win a new Mini Cooper in a radio contest. Naturally, he did It on the air, accompanied by his screaming in agony. What a cock. More »

2012 Fiat 500: First Drive

Justin Hyde — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 12:30:00 EST

The Fiat 500 set to invade American shores after a several-decade hiatus isn't the same car that's caught on in Europe. It's better, with more engine, revised suspension and upgraded safety. The Mini Cooper just got pwned. More »

Small Car, Small Mistake

Sam Smith — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 08:30:00 EDT

The ex-Paddy Hopkirk 1965 Mini Cooper S works rally car being driven — and offed — in anger at last weekend's Goodwood Festival of Speed. Adorable. Rallying needs to be adorable again. Photo Credit: Richebetspics/Flickr More »

Mini Equipped With 11-Ton V18 Diesel Engine

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 16:30:00 EDT

The Cummins V18 diesel, typically found in earth-moving equipment, produces over 10,000 lb-ft of torque in this elongated Mini. That may be enough power to move its 11-ton heft, but doing so would likely crush the car. [Diariomotor (Translated)] More »

16-Year-Old Racer Wants To Be First Woman To Win Indy 500

Ben Wojdyla — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 14:00:00 EDT

Sixteen-year-old Savannah Rickli has been racing go-karts since she was seven, and she currently competes in a modified Mini Cooper. She just finished the dangerous Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and wants to win the Indy 500 next. More »

Bait-And-Switch Badvertising Ruined Mini vs. Porsche

Sam Smith — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 12:30:00 EDT

Mini wanted to race Porsche at Road Atlanta; Porsche said no. Hyundai stepped up, everyone shrugged, and then Mini revealed the track. Turns out it's not really Road Atlanta. It's a parking lot. We're supposed to get excited about this? More »

Mini Taunts Porsche With Hilarious Rocky IV Spoof

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 16:30:00 EDT

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Mini challenges Porsche to a race. Porsche says no. Mini says oh, c'mon!. Porsche says nothing. And now the people at Mini make the 911 out to be Ivan Drago in this hilarious Rocky IV spoof. 80's montage FTW! More »

What If KITT Had Been A Mini Cooper?

Ray Wert — Tue, 18 May 2010 09:30:00 EDT

Automobile associate editor and former Jalopnik intern Eric Tingwall changes the voice on the very-limited-edition 2010 Mini Cooper Camden's gimmicky "Mission Control" feature, turning it into KITT from Knight Rider. Don't touch that non-existent turbo boost, Tingwall! More »

Mini Cooper Racer Crashes Into Crowd

Matt Hardigree — Mon, 03 May 2010 10:00:00 EDT

This amazing and scary video shows a mango farmer's Mini Cooper S tumbling end-over-end into the crowd at a Mini Challenge race at Queensland Raceway in Ipswich, Australia this weekend. Amazingly, no one was seriously injured. More »

MINI Countryman Dons Ghillie Suit, Sniping Chinese Hipsters

Ben Wojdyla — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 10:00:00 EDT

Why this MINI Countryman was hiding in sniper camouflage, we don't know. But, judging by the wacky-haired Chinese hipster kids nonchalantly hanging out around the hidden car, it's got a good chance at taking a few out. More »

Bacon Still Tastes Better Than Airbags

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 11:45:00 EDT

Just like bacon and Americans, airbags are causing cars to get bigger. On a plus note, editor emeritus Mike Spinelli tells us bacon has the same effect on your body as cocaine. No more airbags, but more bacon please.[TheSmokingTire] More »

Urban Camo Is Not A Fresh, New Or Provocative Look For Your Car

Ben Wojdyla — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 13:30:00 EST

Urban camouflage had a brief moment of inexplicable popularity during the early part of this century. It's now relegated to pant patterns for faux tough-guy types and now, apparently, all matter of vehicles. This is all the Germans fault. More »

Mini Countryman Crossover: First Photos

Matt Hardigree — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 11:15:00 EST

Someone leaked shots of what is clearly the new MINI Cooper crossover and they show off everything about the new car — except whether its called the Mini Countryman or Mini Crossman. More pics of the biggest Mini below. More »

Mini Ad: You Might Be A Mini Driver If...

Ben Wojdyla — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:40:00 EST

We know you were expecting a MINI next ad campaign to go something like "car driving picturesque road, details on competitive features, then price," but such is not the case. Instead, they're defining MINI drivers by their hipsterish actions. [Automarket] More »

Mini Owner Says "Screw You" To BMW Run-Flat Tires

Matt Hardigree — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 13:00:00 EST

This accessory is cleverly designed to provide a full-sized spare and hatch-access for the Mini Cooper driver who believes BMW run-flat rubber zaps pleasure faster than four layers of Trojans. [CarGuyDad] More »

And What Did Mini Claus Leave Under Your Tree, Sven?

Matt Hardigree — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 14:30:00 EST

This Ikea-like box for a Mini Cooper tossed on an Amsterdam curb just after Christmas is a clever piece of viral advertising. Until, of course, you remember Ikea furniture is poorly constructed, cheap and easily destroyed. More »

It's Not A Mini Cooper

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 10:00:00 EST

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We've seen a number of modified name plates, including the Ford SpRinto and Ford Taurus SeX, but nothing tops this disgusting little Mini. (Hat tip to Evvster!) More »

Mini E's Range Shrinks In Cold Weather, Insists Batteries Were "In The Pool"

Sam Smith — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 13:40:00 EST

Winter brings cold temperatures. Cold slows down chemical reactions and can play hell with the performance of healthy batteries. As expected, Mini E drivers in the Northeast are seeing much-decreased range from their lithium-ion packs. Laws of physics FTW, y'all. More »

Four-Seater Baby Pram for $18,500!

graverobber — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:30:00 EDT

The 1980s Mini replacement was called the Metro. Nice Price or Crack Pipe thinks that's kind of ironic as today's Mini convertible is kind of metro- sexual that is. More »

In Honor Of Battle Of Hastings, 2005 Mini Cooper S Gets 1066 BS Penalty Laps In Texas

Murilee Martin — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EDT

When we saw that Team Union Jack Racing would be bringing a 2005 Mini Cooper to the Yeehaw It's Texas 24 Hours Of LeMons, we figured we'd be seeing a Corolla-based "Mini." Nope! More »

"Motor-Tober" Campaign Hopes To Scare Up Mini Sales

Ben Wojdyla — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:30:00 EDT

Mini's rolling out a campaign dubbed "Motor-Tober" to drum up interest in the lineup. The fall-theme includes the above ad and others, open houses at dealers, auto-cross events and the like. Wonder if there'll be a mini-pumpkin carving contest? [Twitpic] More »

50 Years Young: The Five Best Minis Ever

John Krewson — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:45:00 EDT

The little Mini Coupé Concept heralded the start of today's 50th Anniversary of the Mini in all its myriad forms. Now, in honor of this brilliant little car's first half century, we're listing these five all-time best. More »

IIHS: Only Smart Fortwo Gets "Good" Roof Strength Rating

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 10:30:00 EDT

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, never short of tests, put six mini/microcars to the roof strength test. The result? If you have to, you might be better off rolling a Smart Fortwo than flipping an Aveo. More »

MINI's Snarky Cash For Clunkers Bumper Sticker Is Awesome

Ray Wert — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 10:30:00 EDT

This isn't a photoshop. It's an actual bumper sticker MINI's offering to dealers responding to the "Cash For Clunkers" program. Each dealer allowed to decide on their own if it works for them. Somehow we expect they'll use 'em. More »

MINI Broadspeed May Be MINI Coupe Moniker

Ben Wojdyla — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 10:30:00 EDT

MotoringFile is reporting the just-greenlit MINI coupe may get the name "Broadspeed" after the successful racing team which eventually built their own coupes back in the day. Look for the concept debut at Frankfurt. [MotoringFile via Autoblog] More »

Tony Danza Shows Porsche Who's The Boss With MINI Door

Ray Wert — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 08:30:00 EDT

Climbing into his MINI Cooper yesterday, Tony Danza dinged the passenger side rear quarter-panel of a Porsche Boxster with his door. Not news, but it begs the question — should he have left a note? Also, baseball pants? Really? [TMZ] More »

IIHS: Small Cars Are Big On Damage In Low-Speed Collisions

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 10:30:00 EDT

Microcars are often chosen for urban driving because they're affordable, fuel efficient and easy to park. With fender-benders the largest urban driving hazard, the IIHS tested bumpers on seven popular microcars, None earned top marks and five were rated "Poor." More »

AC Schnitzer Tweaks Mini Cooper S Convertible

Ben Wojdyla — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 15:00:00 EDT

German tuner AC Schnitzer has plied its craft upon the Mini Cooper S Convertible, adding fender flares, more "powah," a limited-slip differential and adjustable suspension. Basically it's a JCW Mini in extravagant duds. More »

2012 MINI Cooper i-MegaCity Spied, Maybe

The Auto Insider — Fri, 29 May 2009 12:30:00 EDT

Last week we showed you a clear front shot of what could be the 2012 MINI Cooper, or i-MegaCity. Today, behold the may-be-Mini showing off its profile and new rump. UDPATE: It's a fake! More »

MINIs Unite For Large, Tiny Celebration

Matt Hardigree — Tue, 26 May 2009 15:30:00 EDT

More than 10,000 MINIs descended on the Silverstone Formula One track in England this weekend for the third annual MINI United Festival, including a few strange models. More »

211 HP JCW MINI F1 Special Edition

The Auto Insider — Fri, 22 May 2009 13:45:00 EDT

Not content with releasing just two special edition MINIs in celebration of its 50th anniversary; the 211 HP MINI John Cooper Works F1 also made its debut at the Silverstone MINI United Festival this week. More »

MINI 50 Mayfair, Camden Launch With "Mission Control"

The Auto Insider — Fri, 22 May 2009 12:30:00 EDT

MINI released two new special editions today at the MINI United Festival at Silverstone to celebrate fifty years of motoring. They're called the MINI 50 Mayfair and MINI 50 Camden. But what's this Mission Control thing? More »

2012 MINI Cooper i-MegaCity?

The Auto Insider — Thu, 14 May 2009 10:30:00 EDT

According to French magazine, L'Automobile, this is an early prototype of the upcoming 2012 MINI Cooper or the i-MegaCity, featuring MINI Crossover Concept-inspired headlights and a much smaller, non-clamshell hood. Sacrilege! More »