As well as unveiling its unique MINIversity themed stand - complete with its own DJ - MINI UK also drew the crowds at this year's British International Motor Show by offering the public its first tantalising glimpse of the John Cooper Works car in the flesh on home soil. Not only that, but the very first UK JCW owner, an IT consultant from Buckinghamshire, was there to receive the keys to his new Dark Silver car parked in the show's underground car park. Incredibly, having first seen a picture of it at the Geneva Show he contacted MINI High Wycombe the day the car went on sale. Two days later the order was confirmed, and just a few weeks prior to the Motor Show he was told by MINI that he was to become the first UK owner to take delivery. The lucky new custodian told MM that he had always liked the Works styling and had considered a GP - but dismissed it because he needed a four-seater. AC Schnitzer's stand also provided plenty of interest for MINI fans with its stunning Pepper White Cooper S featuring its 226bhp engine upgrade, sports exhaust, racing suspension, front strut brace and 18in alloys. Needless to say, despite a screen price of £30,096.86 - the car sold within two hours of the show opening. Never the less, we will be testing a similarly specced AC Schnitzer prepared car very soon - so watch this space!

With increasing oil prices, and changes to the way in which cars are taxed to use the roads, it's no surprise that manufacturers are increasingly looking towards alternatives to fuel their cars. MINI included. The BMW Group has announced that 'several hundred' MINIs are being prepared for tests by the BMW Group to determine whether electric power will be the way to go. The cars, built in the Oxford plant, will be modified accordingly in Munich and fitted out for trials. Said Dr Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of prize MINI Martyn Pearson, Brembo HPK's UK Sales Manager visited Lohen's Eccleshall premises to confirm the selection and go some way to explaining the reasons for choosing Lohen: "We have worked closely with Lohen over the last couple of years and are impressed with their knowledge and setup. We feel it's necessary to tie in with people at the top of their game because we know they will offer the type of quality and customer service inherent in everything Brembo puts its name to. We've recognised Lohen's passion and interest in MINIs and are pleased to be associated with their work."Management of BMW AG: "Our task here is to combine the ultimate driving experience with an efficient electrified drive with practically no emissions." The tests on alternative drives in a MINI body will be used over the next 12-18 months to refine the technology. Details about the drive concept will be published towards the end of the year.

Get your CV typed up and join MINIversity, MINIs themed stand at this year's British International Motor Show. Between 22 July and 3 August, MINI owners will have access to 'The Union', an area to meet others in the MINI community, while future customers can take a walk through the 'Faculty of Engineering' and discover the millions of ways to personalise a new MINI. The stand will also incorporate a quadrangle-style area on which the entire MINI range will be displayed. The most recent 'graduate' from MINI plant in Oxford is sure to draw crowds - it's the new MINI John Cooper Works (which we featured in April MM) which will be shown to the public for the first time on British soil. The fastest production MINI ever will be joined by the greenest MINI, in its Cooper D guise. British show visitors faced with the threat of CO2 emissions-related road use taxation, spiralling fuel costs and the often catastrophic losses made in selling-on nearly new cars should make a bee-line for the Institute of MINImalism, where technologies fitted to the Cooper D and other MINI cars are explained. Andy Hearn, General Manager for MINI UK, said: "MINI has a habit of turning heads and it will be the same story at this year's show. MINIversity is a great concept as our stand will not only present MINI's personality, but also educate visitors on MINI's green credentials. MINI will show it's entirely possible to own a car that's clean, green and good fun to drive. "It's also a great way to remind people that British manufacturing is alive and well at MINI Plant Oxford." We only hope MINI has remembered to include the most important location of all on any campus - the student bar!

While the show season for 2008 has barely got under way, there are already many mutterings about next year's 50th anniversary celebrations for Mini, which will include a home-based MINI United event. While there have been no official announcements as yet, it is believed that MINI is in discussions with various parties to set a date that does not clash with other key events in the UK motoring calendar, such as the British F1 Grand Prix and Goodwood Festival of Speed. In addition, the International Mini Meet will also take place at some point in the summer, probably at Longbridge, and United organisers will be keen to avoid a clash with this major gathering as well. MINI Challenge has its own special weekend in August each year, and it could be this occasion that forms the basis of MINI United 2009, as Donington is tipped as one of the likely venues. Silverstone is the other probable location for the meeting, and is sure to be the favourite in many people's eyes because of its facilities, central location and proximity to Plant Oxford. A source within MINI confirmed that Donington and Silverstone were the top two sites being considered but a final decision has yet to be made. Both of these circuits would be a great match to Zandvoort in Holland, which hosted last year's memorable MINI United.

One of the largest Mini meets in the motoring calendar is expected to feature even more new MINIs this year, as organiser the British Mini Club is trying to gather the biggest selection of John Cooper Works GP Specials. At time of writing, the BMC's Himley Hall Mini Day on Sunday 11 May had over 30 GPs signed up to be at the event, and assisting those efforts is GP owner Mick Walsh, who helped bring together a similar selection at Bingley Hall at the start of the year (pictured above). But it's not all about GPs - it is also hoped that many new MINIs will venture to the picturesque grounds of Himley Hall in Dudley to put on a proud display alongside the classics. There will also be an area to sell your Mini, so there might even be a chance to pick up a bargain. The Sunday also features a Premiership Concours competition, with prizes for modern MINIs. There was a strong display of show and shiners at Bingley this year, while the modern metal also did us proud at Sandon Hall and the Great Mini Showdown at Shakespeare County Raceway last summer. Aside from that, there are over 20 clubs signed up, and each of them is bound to put on a wacky and imaginative display, with an eclectic mix of Minis to inspire you. And of course we'll be there so you can peruse some back issues you may be missing, sign up for a subscription or simply come and talk to us about your car and give us feedback on the magazine - it'll be great to see you there. There is no advanced ticket purchase, but prices are competitive, at just £6 per person on the day, with a reduction of £2 for BMC members - we think that's excellent value for a day out. Himley Hall is in Himley Park in Dudley, just off the A449 between Kidderminster and Wolverhampton. Punch DY3 4DF into your sat nav and we'll see you there! If you have a GP and want to form part of the display, call the BMC on 01384 897779 or Mick Walsh on 07773 180980, and for further details, visit www.britishminiclub.co.uk.

The brand appears to be going from strength to strength here in the UK, with MINI boasting year on year increases and achieving its best ever full month of sales in March. With 12,338 cars shifted so far in 2008, MINI also achieved 8,858 registrations in March alone, beating the previous best in September 2007 and representing a 12 per cent improvement over March 2007. In addition to strong sales performance, the company also scooped numerous media awards at the start of the year. BusinessCar awarded the brand 'Best Supermini', while Top Gear gave its 'Best Small Car' prize for the second year in a row. The Cooper S scooped What Car?'s 'Best Hot Hatch' gong and, finally, Parker's presented the accolade of 'Britain's Slowest Depreciating Car', a title MINI won previously in 2005.

MM reader, Kal Heer, got in touch to inform us of some lowlife who's nicked his glorious Hartge Cooper S. Kal bought the MINI for his wife's 30th birthday last year and it features a Hartge remap, 18-inch alloys, Eibach lowering springs, Janspeed cat back exhaust and Pipercross air filter. It was stolen from Birmingham at the end of March. If anyone has any details on the whereabouts of this beautiful MINI, call Rose Rd Police Station on 0845 113 5000.

Changes to the London Congestion Charge due to come into force from October this year will result in MINI Cooper D owners saving up to £2,040 a year. New emissions thresholds are being introduced, which see the deceptively named Congestion Charge rise to £25 per day for anyone driving into the city between 7am to 6pm on weekdays for vehicles emitting over 225 g/km of CO2. Any vehicle emitting below 120 g/km, however, will be exempt from the charge, thus making the Cooper D and Clubman Cooper D eligible for the zero rate alongside other BMW Group products, including the BMW 118d. For everyone else, the Congestion Charge will stay at £8 per day. The MD of BMW UK (who has recently announced he is leaving to take up a new role as President and Chief Operating Officer of BMW North America), Jim O’Donnell, said of products such as the Cooper D: “No other manufacturer comes close to BMW in terms of combining the benefits of good fuel economy and low emissions while at the same time offering improvements in output and performance. This position was backed up recently in Autocar, which stated that ‘BMW and MINI combined cut CO2 emissions in 2007 by nearly as much as all other manufacturers combined’. Indeed, independent research has revealed that BMW and MINI together managed to slash CO2 emissions by 48,496 tonnes in a 12-month period following the widespread introduction of EfficientDynamics measures on its cars, such as the automatic stop-start facility, which has been

Held over the Bank Holiday weekend (24-26 May), Continental Car Tours is staging a MINI tour to Amsterdam. With a pre-planned route which takes you through France and Belgium before heading into Holland, where a four-star hotel in Haarlem, with its own parking, will be the base for the weekend’s fun. Located approximately nine miles from the centre of Amsterdam, the hotel is perfectly placed to take advantage of the Dutch capital, with its canal boat rides, trams, shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. On the Saturday evening, there will be the customary Continental Car Tours get together in the hotel bar followed by an inclusive group meal in the hotel restaurant. Then on the Sunday morning there is a regional tour taking in the small town of Volendam (where clogs are still worn) and Edam to sample the local produce. On the Monday there will just be time to visit Den Haag or Antwerp on the return journey to Calais. There are still a few places available on this tour. Last year’s visit to the Ardennes proved to be a most enjoyable affair, and this year’s Dutch adventure looks set to build on that. So if you want to savour a magical driving experience to Northern Europe from a mere £179 per person, visit www.continentalcartours.co.uk, or call 01304 380244.

The hotly anticipated new generation JCW Challenge Racer had its first test at Silverstone on 2nd February. While it has been on show at a few occasions in the past few months, this was the first time entrants for the 2008 MINI Challenge could sample the all new car featuring a 210bhp turbocharged engine, complemented by uprated brakes, suspension and aerodynamics. Amongst those at the Northamptonshire circuit was former British Touring Car racewinner, Paul O’Neill, who was clearly pleased with the new machine: “The engine’s very powerful, the power comes in very smoothly and it feels a lot lighter than it looks.” O’Neill also praised the braking system, which retards the car from 62mph to standstill in just 3.1 seconds: “The ABS is fantastic. I don’t normally like ABS but it’s not intrusive and lets you really brake into the corner.” The new car not only sports 35bhp more than a standard Cooper S, but 280Nm of torque with overboost – 20Nm more than normal. With a 0-62mph time of 6.1 seconds and a top speed of 149mph, this is one thoroughbred machine. The engine comprises a redeveloped twin-scroll turbocharger, modified pistons, air filter, air intake passage, catalytic converter, exhaust components, electronic sensors and engine management system. New suspension from KW Automotive, Borbet 17- inch alloy wheels and Dunlop racing tyres complete the package. The 2008 UK MINI Challenge season gets underway at Brands Hatch over the weekend of 30 April to 3rd May. Sadly, however, the new R56 racer won’t debut in the UK, as there are not enough entries at this stage; so its race debut in the UK won’t happen now until 2009. Visit www.minichallenge.co.uk for full updates.

January is usually a great opportunity to break out of those post-Christmas blues by venturing to Birmingham’s NEC for some petrolhead action at Autosport International. This year’s event, which took place between the 10 and 13 January, was also partnered by the Pistonheads Show – the popular website hosted this new show for the first time, and visitors to either got into the other at no extra cost.

A former professional motorsport engineer and avid MINI fan has launched an independent MINI specialist operation in Worcestershire. Domini Delaney has started Do-Mini offering a range of services for MINI owners, from routine servicing, general maintenance, modifications and performance upgrades. Full diagnostic facilities are also available, while labour rates are competitive at just £35 an hour.

Ian Cook recently contacted the MM office to share with us his talent for producing artwork using remote controlled Minis – both classic and modern. Attaching paint and marker pens, Ian moves the remote controlled cars around large sheets of paper to create interesting images. Back in November last year, he was invited on to Phil Upton’s breakfast radio show on BBC WM in Birmingham to create an image of Pudsey Bear for Children in Need.

Despite being a household name in the world of tuning, particulary in Europe, AC Schnitzer has not officially imported to the UK its range of tuning accessories for the MINI. Until now, that is. A recent change in distributor means that MINI owners wishing to modify their car can do so via a UK dealer based in Kings Lynn, acting directly on behalf of AC Schnitzer in Germany. With a wide range of upgrades available for R50/R53 and the latest R56 MINI, there is something for everyone. Sports suspension is available, which can lower the MINI by up to 30mm, while still offering a usable every day suspension setup that is both firm yet comfortable for road use, the makers claim. A range of alloy wheels, available in a variety of finishes are also on offer, spanning from 17in rims to 22s. AC Schnitzer body styling accessories complete the modified look, comprising body-coloured side trim and wheelarches, plus deeper front and rear spoilers. A tailgate mounted, carbon AC Schnitzer MINI launches in the UK fibre spoiler is also available, which has benefited from being tested in a wind tunnel to ensure a genuine aerodynamic advantage. Well known in the BMW tuning market, it is hoped that, now with its official UK presence, AC Schintzer can build a similarly loyal following amongst MINI enthusiasts. With the wide choice of beautifully engineered products available, this ambition looks highly attainable. For further details, contact AC Schnitizer UK Ltd on 01485 542000, or visit www.ac-schnitzer.co.uk.

The E30 style of BMW 3-Series is still a popular car in Europe, with many now attracting a serious amount of modifying. In our sister title, Total BMW magazine, on sale now, there’s a fantastic example of a 318iS that features an Eaton M45 supercharger straight from an R53 Cooper S. Owned by Matt Appleyard, this four cylinder 1.8-litre 16 valve BMW powerplant now produces 205bhp thanks to the boost from the Cooper S blower. You can read more about this car in the latest issue (February 2008) of Total BMW, on sale now.

The official John Cooper Works engine upgrade kit that was announced last September is finally starting to make its impact down at dealer level. Demonstrators have been on fleet for many of the country’s dealers since the autumn, and it has seemingly helped demand for the Cooper S and those wishing to extract a bit more power from the 1.6-litre turbocharged engine, which, in standard guise, produces 175bhp. The £1700 engine upgrade boosts output to 192bhp and takes just four hours to install. Speaking with Nathan Hawky of Elms MINI Cambridge, he commented: “The JCW engine kit interests those people who are looking for a bit more power – it is definitely noticeable at the top end of the rev range. It’s great and the customers who go for a test drive seem to really appreciate it.” Initially, official JCW accessories consisted only of interior and exterior styling additions, but the engine upgrade has completed the range. If the popular Aerokit is specified along with a set of JCW 18-inch alloys (and there are many styles available), plus sports suspension and limited slip differential (advisable particularly if opting for the 192bhp upgrade) then the total cost of specifiying a full John Cooper Works Cooper S would be around £6000. Given that many Cooper Ss would also be ordered with other extra-cost options, it’s easy to see how a full-spec car could cost up to £25,000. For the time being, all of the JCW accessories are available only as dealer fit items, but expect a factory-built version to arrive in due course. In the meantime, to upgrade your Cooper S, or order one from new, pop into your local MINI dealer. Find your nearest at www.mini.co.uk.

BMW Group has every reason to feel buoyant after a phenomenal year in 2007, which saw no fewer than 99 new derivatives launched and sales up by 10 per cent overall across the group, which comprises BMW, Rolls-Royce and, of course, MINI. With the new R56 in its first full year of sale, MINI achieved a staggering 47,661 sales in the UK alone, a 25 per cent improvement over 2006. The hatch made up 38,053 of those sales, the most popular model being the Cooper with 17,173 sales – 20 per cent up on last year. Despite being the previous generation model, the Convertible continued to sell well, aided no doubt by the Sidewalk special editions. Just under 8,000 sales were achieved in 2007, making it the second best-selling soft-top in the UK. There was also considerable success on the approved used side, with MINI Cherished sales jumping by just over 20 per cent to 28,567, beating considerably the previous year’s record sales. General Manager of MINI UK, Andy Hearn, commented: “The MINI Cherished programme has helped more UK motorists get behind the wheel of used MINIs than ever before, with the assurance that they are buying a MINI in the best possible condition for their driving adventures.”

A new company has been launched that aims to provide fun, relaxed and good value track day experiences at some the country’s best circuits. Track Marques Ltd was launched officially at January’s Autosport International at the NEC in Birmingham, and will in time offer a range of track days catering for different types of car. First to be unveiled is Germantrack.com, which has its first track day on Monday 25th February at Snetterton in Norfolk, and is open to MINI owners. The day will include ARDS driver tuition if you want to learn more about track craft, while there will also be interesting cars to see on display and doing laps of the circuit, plus professional photographers will be there to capture the fun on the day. Established by freelance motoring journalist and photographers, Phil Royle and Dave Woodall, the pair commented: “We will be limiting numbers and running an open pit lane event structure – maximising track time – creating a relaxed, informal, safe environment to enjoy your car safely, on the limit – whether you’re a track day virgin, or seasoned hand.” Costing a competitive £149 for the whole day, this track experience should prove to be an excellent opportunity to put your MINI through its paces. For more information, or to book a place, visit www.germantrack.com, or call 07946 610193/07977 253065. And we’ll see there, too – so hopefully we can snap your car going round the circuit for inclusion in a feature to be published soon.

In what will be seen as a controversial move by some, the next new model to the MINI lineup, the recently announced SAV, will not be built at Plant Oxford. Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik has been selected by the BMW Group to work on final series development and carry out production at its Austrian plant in Graz. Magna Steyr is a known production partner for BMW, as it currently builds the X3 compact off-roader for the company. It also produces Chrysler 300C models for the European market. Utilising an existing facility such as this is a costeffective way of launching a new model without expensive infrastructure startup investment that would be needed were the company to either expand Plant Oxford still further, which is already at full capacity, or set up an entirely new factory. Plant Oxford will continue producing the R56 hatchback, the Clubman and the current Convertible, which will be replaced in 2008 by a new model. Production has already doubled from the originally planned 100,000 units a year in 2001, at the plant formerly known as Cowley, to 200,000 with additional plans to up this still further to 260,000 units a year to meet the staggering demand for the latest MINIs. While some may see this as a risky situation, the move to produce a MINI overseas isn’t without precedence – classic Minis were built in various overseas markets including Chile, Malta and Italy, to name but three. The recent announcement quashes any recent rumours that BMW was going to produce the MINI in the USA, expected to be the brand’s biggest market, especially with the Clubman and new SAV. Frank-Peter Arndt, Head of Production at BMW AG explains about the use of Magna Steyr’s facility: “By using Magna Steyr for production, we are able to give our own production network some breathing space to respond fully to market needs. This solution will also allow us to bring the MINI SAV to the market as quickly as possible.” Siegfried Wolf, co-CEO of Magna International is naturally delighted with the announcement, describing it as “huge recognition of the work that Magna Steyr has achieved so far through its partnership with BMW Group.” The Austrian facility hasn’t got it all its own way, however, as the next generation X3 will be built at BMW’s plant in Spartanburg in the USA, it was announced recently, thus freeing up the capacity needed to produce the new MINI SAV, thought to be called Colorado at least internally for now. While production is being outsourced, the majority of the drivetrain development will be carried out by BMW Group, while MINI’s design and engineering team have been entrusted with ensuring that the 4x4 MINI still drives with its famous go-kart like handling and sporty characteristics.

A Coventry-based company has developed pioneering finger-print recognition software, and a Croydon MINI enthusiast is piloting the system on his 2003 Cooper. Chander Bali got in touch recently, extolling the virtues of this high-tech security system developed by ATRD. Called the Biocode M10 Biometric Immobiliser, it comprises a small, dash-mounted scanner that simply takes a reading from the fingerprint of the owner; it can scan more than one fingerprint if you have multiple users of the car, and the system can be disabled if, for example, the car is in for a service. To prevent unscrupulous thieves chopping your pinkies off while you’re asleep at night,the system also detects a pulse, so a dismembered finger won’t unlock the system. Launched in January 2006, ATRD Ltd is a UKbased company that works within the OEM and various aftermarket automotive sectors to develop numerous high-tech solutions for vehicle security. For further details, visit www. atrd.co.uk, or call 024 7616 5044.

Another enthralling MINI Challenge Series drew to a close at the end of November with its annual award ceremony, where there were prizes for the winners of the S, Club and Ladies Cup Classes, the latter known as the Coupe des Dames. The Club and Ladies Cups were won by former Fiat Punto Champion, Jenny Ryan, who also scooped the overall championship thanks to a combination of consistency and fine driving skills. It was fitting with such a dominance of female talent at this year’s awards that Snettertonbased specialists, Advent Motorsport, announced that it will continue its support of the Coupe des Dames in 2008. After 2007, its inaugural year, the female trophy has undoubtedly proven to be a massive success, with many racers from Formula Woman making the transition from rear-wheel drive Caterhams to front-wheel drive Coopers. Racing MINIs, particularly in the Club Class, has shown to be a relatively affordable and accessible race series, where racers can learn race craft and track driving skills within a well organised series with all the necessary support. Dunlop’s backing of the MINI Challenge through its Great and British Series has given drivers tyre and technical support as well as a hospitality area in which drivers and teams can entertain guests and sponsors – this will continue in 2008. While Jenny Ryan took top spot, recognition should also be given to second-placed Michelle Nixon and Dawn Boyd, who took a creditable third in her debut season. With support from the likes of Advent Motorsport, it is hoped that even more girl racers will don their overalls and helmets in 2008. Places are still available, but early applications have already been made, so you’d better hurry if you’re interested. For further details, call Advent Motorsport 01842 824500, or visit www.adventmotorsport.co.uk.

Spotted recently at independent specialist Symes in Bournemouth was this MINI JCW GP, formerly owned by footballer Wayne Rooney. It’s unclear whether the England International and Manchester United star used the car, or his equally famous girlfriend Coleen McLoughlin. The GP has 6500 miles on the clock and is showing two owners from new, the first being Wayne Rooney, who got it September 2006 and disposed of it last month. More details and pics are available online at www. symesmini.co.uk

A stunning 2008 MINI Cooper Convertible has been raffled to raise funds for a leading UK cancer charity. Sutton Bespoke, a specialist division of Clive Sutton Premier Marques based in St Johns Wood in London, was commissioned by Cancerbackup UK to produce a one-off MINI to be raffled at the charity’s annual fund-raising dinner event, the Crystal Ball, held at the old Billingsgate Fish Market in Lower Thames Street in London. Clive Sutton transformed this MINI soft-top, working to a subtle yet sophisticated black and silver colour scheme inside and out. The Metallic Octagon Black example was shod with bespoke 17-inch Crystal alloys, with unique wheel centres and badging, plus Perspex sill tread plates with black and chrome inlays. Inside, Muirhead Black and Batani Metallic Silver leather was used on the seats complete with embroidered Sutton Bespoke logos; black Wilton carpets were used throughout, edged in Batani Silver leather and black stitching, plus tagged with Sutton Bespoke logos. The dash inlay was classic looking black piano wood veneer, while sat nav and iPod connectivity formed part of the interior equipment. The Cooper was well specified with automatic gearbox including paddle shift, air conditioning, chromeline interior, heated front seats, trip computer, multi-function steering wheel, electric folding mirrors, passenger height adjust, centre armrest and interior light pack. Cancerbackup UK is a charity whose mission is to give cancer patients and their families up-to-date information, practical advice and support to reduce the fear and uncertainty of cancer. It has a freephone hotline – on 0808 8001234 – and a comprehensive website at www.cancerbackup.org. The evening was a tremendous success and the raffle for the MINI Cooper Convertible Sutton Bespoke raised an impressive £23,600. For details of Sutton Bespoke and Clive Sutton Premier Marques, visit www.clivesutton.co.uk.

BMW Group reported a strong start to its final quarter for 2007, with sales up by 13.2 per cent. MINI delivered an incredible result in October with sales up 30.1 per cent compared with the same month last year – 17,989 units in October 2007 against 13,828 in October 2006. October 2006 was a runout month for the company, as the R56 had yet to be launched into showrooms until November; nevertheless the growth is impressive, especially when this year’s figures will not have taken into account Clubman sales, which started officially from 10 November. Up to the end of October, 182,999 MINIs have been delivered around the world, up 13.9 per cent on the same period in 2006, with forecast sales for the whole of 2007 being in excess of 220,000. The Clubman was launched into dealers across Europe at the start of November, with many of the UK dealer network staging their own ride and drive events and launch evenings, inviting existing and potential customers along to sample the new model. Over 4000 Clubmans had been ordered prior to the onsale, so demand is already high for the fresh addition to the lineup. At the annual BMW Group Media Dinner, BMW UK managing director, Jim O’Donnell, commented on Clubman saying: “I am convinced it will be a runaway success with demand outstripping supply... this is another home run for MINI.” He then added, “Furthermore, MINI will grow to include a series of additional models including a Sports Activity Vehicle.” Jim O’Donnell also confirmed plans to increase production output from Plant Oxford to 260,000 units per year in the “medium term.”

The 20th anniversary of the Carrera Panamericana in its modern format (it was a round of the World Sportscar Championship from 1950 to 1954), unleashed 95 cars from Oaxaca in southern Mexico on a 2,000 mile thrash up to Nuevo Laredo on the Texas border last October, writes Johnny Tipler. Lasting seven days, a posse of Federal police travelled with the entourage, closing off eight special stages each day as the pack headed north. Up until now, the PanAm has been for classic cars, but as a toe-in-the-water exercise the organisers introduced an Unlimited category this year, and in with a trio of Imprezas was a MINI Cooper, crewed by brothers Colin and Eric Herrick. After a day’s run out from Oaxaca they qualified 38th fastest, pitching them among classic Porsche 356s running in full race trim. The route rose through soaring hills, deep chasms and snow-capped volcanoes up to Tehuacan and Puebla, into Mexico City for a high-speed run on the city’s closed-off main highway, then on to Querétaro and a blast on the race circuit. The notoriously difficult Mil Cumbres section at Morelia was like an extended Nürburgring Nordschleife. After Aguascalientes the course climbed ever higher, culminating in the flat-out La Bufa stage through open prairie up and over a ridge of the Sierra Madre, with long straights where the big American cars reached 165mph, and unguarded drops of many hundred feet on some corners. The retinue reached Zacatecas with its winding cobbled streets and late-night shops and bars. Then, traversing endless prairie and cactus forests, the final run was 400 miles of straight-to-the-horizon blacktop to the finish. First car home was the Studebaker coupe of Pierre du Thoisy and Frederic Stoesser, narrowly beating the Oldsmobile 88 of Doug Mockett and Angélica Fuentes. As for the Herricks and their MINI, their aggregate time placed them 11th overall, though the Unlimited class wasn’t (as yet) eligible for points. A harbinger of things to come, though, as the organisers may well elect to stage a Panamericana for modern cars where, clearly, the new MINI has great potential.

Following on from the success of this year’s MINI United, Holland looks set to host more MINI action near year. In addition to the International Mini Meet that is due to take place between the 9 and 12 May, 2008 (visit www. continentalcartours.co.uk, or email admin@continentalcartours.co.uk.

The MINI Convertible, or Project R57 as it’s known internally, is progressing rapidly towards launch, which is scheduled for summer 2008, writes Keith Adams. Although there’s little initially to distinguish it from the current R52 model, expect the newer cabriolet to incorporate some clever tweaks under the skin, a more aggressive marketing campaign, and the inevitable further push upmarket. Although it’s been an open secret for some time that a convertible derivative of the MINI range is heading for the market, seeing it in action, and posting sub-10 minute laps on the 12.9-mile circuit clearly shows that the chassis engineers have honed the R57 into a very effective driver’s car. However, R57’s appeal isn’t principally about how quickly it can get from A-to-B, but how cool you look in it – and we hear that an all-new rollover arrangement is on the way. The new car looks set to ditch the signature hoops behind the rear seats, replacing them with 3-Series style pop-up system. Rear seat passengers should expect an easier ride, too – the additional room that comes from the slightly enlarged second-generation shell gives the MINI engineers a much larger envelope to play with. Given the premium pricing strategy that accompanies the Clubman, it’s a fair bet that the R57 will be comfortably more expensive than its predecessor. But this will be countered by improved dynamics, a more lifestyle-oriented marketing campaign, and a number of cool innovations, which one source promises will encourage owners to take the open-top experience ‘to the max’. The option of developing a folding hardtop roof, similar to those employed by most of MINI’s price rivals was never considered. Engineering and development on the R52’s hood has been carried over, almost intact. xpect the R57 to be sold in Cooper, S, and – for the first time – D variations, with the usual huge range of options on the tick list. The biggest seller of the lot is expected to be the standard Cooper, with owners deeply plundering that list – as has been the case with the highly successful R52. Enthusiasts should also be in no doubt about where the R57 will be built – a source has confirmed that BMW Plant Oxford will be the home to the MINI, with production volumes being upped to meet demand. It’s the models further on the horizon (see below) that will be assembled overseas. It’s not the first time, of course – classic Minis were built as far and wide as Belgium, South Africa, New Zealand and Chile.

The motor industry is facing its fair share of challenges around the world at present what with oversupply in some market sectors, burgeoning pensions obligations and the evertighter regulations regarding emissions and crash protection; but so far BMW has succeeded in defying the problems that have beset other global carmakers, particularly the bigger players of Ford and General Motors. However, this has not stopped the group announcing a strategic review that aims to tap six billion Euros in efficiency savings from the company, with targets set for 2012 and 2020, dubbed by BMW as Efficient Dyanmics. Crucially for MINI this means upping annual production to 260,000 units without any additional investment, but also introducing a fourth model line to the successful brand. Hot on the heels of the Clubman, MINI will build what BMW is calling a Sports Activity Vehicle. Think along the lines of the BMW X6 concept car that was unveiled at the recent Frankfurt Motor Show and you will not be far wrong. The MINI SAV will obviously be much smaller than the X6, but offer the same blend of rugged, off-road styling with excellent, sporting on-road handling.

Prepare for a race invasion, as MINI has just unveiled its new John Cooper Works Challenge model. This exiciting new racer gets its first public unveiling at the Frankfurt Motor Show in a couple of weeks time, with first orders being fulfilled in the Spring of 2008. Now boasting 210bhp, up from the standard road-car’s 175bhp, the track-racer special benefits from modified pistons, air filter, air intake passage, catalytic converter, exhaust, electronic sensors and engine management system. There is also a new suspension setup with adjustable dampers from KW Automotive, bespokre 17-inch front wheels made by Borbet and special Dunlop tyres. The JCW Aerokit was the starting point for the exterior styling, but it’s obviously more extreme, with a new adjustable rear spoiler, rear diffuser and front spoiler. There’s an uprated braking system, with four-pot calipers at the front and race-configured ABS system. The Challenge car is 30kg lighter and features a roll cage, bolted to which are Recaro bucket seats along with the HANS device as seen in Formula One cars. It will not be eligible for use on public roads. Expected to cost €49,900, the MINI John Cooper Works Challenge can be ordered via a downloadable form online at www.mini.com/challenge-car from 11 September. Race teams can expect their cars from March next year, with privateers eligible to receive theirs by the June. With the MINI Challenge race series taking off around the world, including a new series starting in Australia next year, the grids will certainly be livened up with this exciting track-exclusive newcomer.

Around two months prior to official onsale date, and two years after the first concept was unveiled, the MINI Clubman was introduced to hundreds of journalists and photographers from around the world, on Tuesday 11th September. BMW Group’s Dr Michael Ganal welcomed the new model, highlighting the innovative new model derivative with its clever homages to its classic predecessors, the Mini Countryman, Traveller and Clubman estate. With those examples as reference points, MINI has been able to introduce a ‘shooting brake’ version of its million-selling hatch but with unique features, such as the split rear doors and the Clubdoor on the right-hand side of the car. While from the front end, the styling is shared with the hatches, the stretched wheelbase, raised roofline (called the Dune Line) and extended rear end give the Clubman its own distinctive look. The model goes on sale in Europe from 10 November. Fresh information to come out of the show was that there will be a range of JCW accessories available for the Clubman, comprising features such as cross-drilled and inner-vented brake discs 18-inch alloys, as well as a host of interior upgrades.

The 2008 MINI Challenge race car was shown at the show for the first time, having been only teased out at MINI United in June. It coincided with the announcement of the new JCW upgrade package for the Cooper S; in addition to the styling kits, which have been available for a while, customers can now choose an engine upgrade that ups power from 175bhp to 192bhp

The introduction of a third model line at Plant Oxford will see output this year reach a new high. Following the recent £200m investment at Plants Oxford, Swindon and Hams Hall, MINI is now capable of producing up to 240,000 units annually in the medium term. By the end of this year, MINI looks set to have shifted over 220,000 MINIs, beating 2005’s previous best and up 17 per cent on 2006. The recent expansion has resulted in 200 new jobs at Plant Oxford and a further 250 at Hams Hall.

Industry experts EurotaxGlass has conducted an exhaustive survey of over 6,000 different models, aged three years. Seemingly, the influencing factors for determining the strength of resale value are a desirable nameplate, a small and/or frugal engine and, ideally, a coupe or convertible bodyshape. Models also depreciate less, EurotaxGlass has found, if the car in question was not sold based on a massive discount when new, and retains good dealer support. Consequently, it’s clear why MINI has topped this survey. The brand is certainly desirable, which has meant that there has been minimal need for any sort of promotion or discounted offers. At the same time, schemes such as TLC have kept pre-owned versions in good health, while the Cherished Approved Used Scheme gives a great forum for used purchases.

A recent survey commissioned by MINI suggests that buyers have been won over by the concept of hybrid vehicles, such as the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic Hybrid. Of the 2,018 people surveyed in the YouGov Plc poll, 25 per cent believed the Honda Civic Hybrid to the cleanest car in terms of CO2, while only two per cent believed the new MINI Cooper D to be the lowest emitting vehicle out of a range of five cars, which comprised the Honda Civic Hybrid, Toyota Prius, MINI Cooper D, Ford Focus 1.6 Duratorq TDCi and Citroen C4 1.6 HDi. Thanks to the series of enhancements introduced from August 2007 build cars, such as auto stop-start, brake regeneration and in-car gear indicator, the Cooper D boasts the same CO2 figure as the Toyota Prius of 104g/km, five g/km lower than the highly rated Honda.

As part of the Great British Festival at Donington at the start of August, 271 Minis – old and new – took to the track in a thrilling display that would see the official world record for the number of Minis in a parade broken by a mere two cars. The previous record was only established back in March up in Blackpool, when 269 cars convened for a charity event. A similar attempt in the USA was also made recently but has not been registered as official, so, for now at least, the Donington attempt has been successful. As part of an overall weekend of fun and racing (see p58), it was a memorable event. If you were there, you can see whether your car was photographed. There are hundreds of parade pics online at www.minichallenge.co.uk. If you were there, we’d be delighted to hear from you. Drop us a line at mm.ed@kelsey.co.uk.

MINI UK recorded its best ever sales in the month of March since the new model was launched in 2001, with an impressive 7869 cars shifted to mark the 07 registration plate change. This tally is even more creditable when you consider that the One and Cooper D were not available at this time. These two additions to the lineup arrived in mid-April, which probably explains why MINI also went on to enjoy their best ever April and May sales, with 3729 and 3776 registrations respectively. The healthy sales performance wasn’t just restricted to new car sales, either. This year has seen MINI focus more on the excellent Cherish Approved Used Scheme, boosted no doubt by some of the best residuals of any car maker in the country. A nationwide Cherished Weekend, held in the first weekend of June helped secure 764 orders for pre-owned examples.

The MINI Challenge in the UK is always a fabulous spectacle, but the adrenaline is expected to reach even greater levels over the first weekend of August, as several key racing series come together in conjunction with a gathering of roadgoing Minis to produce the Dunlop Great & British Mini Festival. Part of this fun-filled weekend will also include an audacious attempt to achieve the world record for the number of Minis on track at the same time. Classic and new Minis are hoped for at Donington on Sunday 5th August. They will take to the track on Sunday lunchtime. Any Mini owner can take part in the parade, along with their passengers, and everyone will get a Dunlop winners cap. There will also be dedicated Mini parking, dealer stands and competitions throughout the weekend to make the event more than just racing. So clear your diary for the weekend of the 4/5 August. Donington Park is easily accessible off the M1 in Leicestershire and, if you turn up in a Mini, you can qualify for a two for one ticket offer, available online at www.minichallenge.co.uk.

Modified motor specialist, Alta Performance Group, has relocated to a new head office in Hillsboro, Oregon, USA. To see the vast array of high quality modifications offered by Alta for the MINI, visit www.altaminiperformance.com.

With the continued runaway success of the MIN brand around the world and the imminent lanch of the clubman, speculation continues over the possible introduction of new derivatives to strengthen the lineup. Hotly talked about is the new SUV model featuring a rugged exterior, possibly based on the Clubman bodyshell, and intelligent all-wheel drive, which engages all four wheels when conditions require. Models such as the Fiat Panda 4x4 and Suzuki SX4 show that there is demand for a compact SUV in Europe, but the likely takeup for such a model is bound to be mostly from the US. This to some extent explains the rumours that the new SUV model could be built outside the UK, possibly in the US where BMW currently builds the X3 off-roader. Although MINI does not comment on future model plans, the fact there is so much speculation about possible new derivatives is a sure sign that demand and enthusiasm for the brand shows no signs of abating. How BMW fulfils that appetite remains to be seen, but the Clubman, on sale at the end of this year, is the first step down the tricky road of range expansion of an iconic car.

MINI has teamed up with leading fashion photographer, Mario Testino, to raise money for the charity Life Ball. A one-off MINI, with an exterior designed by Testino was unveiled at Europe’s largest charity event in Vienna, which helps towards the fight against HIV and AIDS. Hollywood films stars including Sharon Stone and Adam Brody turned out on 26 May for the event where the MINI was unveiled, with over 40,000 revellers outside Vienna’s Hotel Imperial in support. MINI has supported Life Ball for the past five years. Last year a Convertible designed by Diesel was auctioned for £25,908, while the year before, a Donatella Versace Convertible raised a staggering £81,618. Bidding for this year’s Cooper closed on the 10 June and raised £18,000, adding to the £159,255 already raised for this very worthwhile cause.

Eleven people crammed into a latest generation Cooper recently in the Scottish city of Dundee, as part of a record attempt organized by local radio station, Tay FM. We’re sure it wasn’t entirely practical for a long journey, but it proves

Technological revisions to be introduced later this year by the BMW Group should result in even better engine efficiency, according to a recent press release. When the revisions come on stream in August, the Cooper D will be able to achieve a claimed 72.4mpg and 104 g/km of CO2 emissions. Technology such as Brake Energy Regeneration, Auto Start-Stop Function and Switch Point Display is responsible for the impressive improvements. Brake Energy Regeneration uses what BMW is calling an Intelligent Alternator Control (IAC) and an Absorbent Glass Mat battery to recycle previously lost energy. The IAC reduces drag on the engine by only engaging when required to charge the battery. In addition, the energy generated when going down hill or under braking is now returned to the battery. The Auto Stop-Start Function available on manual transmission models only, switches the engine off automatically when the vehicle is stationary and the driver puts the car into neutral. To restart the driver needs only to engage the clutch. The system can be deactivated at the touch of a button. Switch Point Display analyses the optimum gear to be in for the most efficient running in manual transmission models, displaying the recommended ratio in a readout on the dash. MINI is also celebrating another bumper sales performance, recording 3729 sales in the month of April alone, up nearly 1000 on the same period last year.

Fancy a blast through the some of Scotland’s best roads? Then the Mini Cooper Register’s Minis to Ecosse might be the event for you. Taking place between the 16 and 21 September this year, it follows in the footsteps of successful runs down to Monte Carlo, also organised by the club. The run will entail around 1100 miles of the finest roads and wonderful scenery. All accommodation and most evening meals are covered within the £1275 per car entry fee. Starting from Perth, the route will take in Fort William, Inverness and then back round to Perth. Further details can be found from the Mini Cooper Register on 01252 793775, or by visiting www.minicooper.org.

Road Atlanta, Braselton, Georgia USA – “If you want to see what the new MINI is all about, head over to the autocross between turns six and seven and try a new MINI courtesy of MINI USA!” The announcement came through loud and clear in the calm between races at the “2007 Walter Mitty Challenge” vintage event, writes Bruce Sweetman. Now in its 30th year, this thrilling ontrack event took place at the end of April, organised by Historic Sportscar Racing Ltd. Aside from Mazda, which is the title sponsor, MINI USA also supports this exciting event. A sizable queue of folks formed alongside the concrete barriers that bordered the course: couples – young and middle-aged, and singles – mostly young men. It was MINI’s target demographic looking to sample the ‘07 MINI – the car with which BMW hopes to continue winning over America’s heart. Sadly, the previously announced autocross demonstrator lap of the latest MINI was scuppered due to a ‘check engine’ light, so anyone who was there to see the new R56 being put through its paces was left disappointed. Owners who brought their own MINI left happy, however. They got to run the autocross, and – for a few extra bucks – they toured the Road Atlanta circuit at speed. As for MINI USA’s participation, “Next year,” said regional rep Mike Barrett, “we’ll get it right!”

If you were looking for a vehicle to reach out to a wide cross section of the community to promote a clean-living lifestyle and educate people on a wide range of health issues, which car would you choose? A MINI of course! That’s precisely what the South Central Ambulance Service has done. The Hampshirebased NHS Trust, in partnership with the Portsmouth City Primary Care Trust, has commissioned a tailor-made Cooper S to act as a solo response vehicle (SRV), operating within the local community – reaching out to patients, businesses and other local organisations alike. A new team of staff, known as Community Health Practitioners (CHPs), has been formed. Aside from being visible in Portsmouth, educating on accident and illness prevention the Cooper S SRV will also act as a solo response vehicle for emergency incidents. Work on the SRV was carried out over an eight-week period by MacNeillies, a Walsallbased company that specialises in armoured vehicles and the preparation of police and ambulance emergency vehicles. The CHP project has been funded by a group of local organisations and businesses including main dealer, Snows MINI, based in Portsmouth. The rear seats of this Cooper S have been removed to make room for a comprehensive array of Cooper S to the rescue paramedic equipment, while the SRV will also carry a library of information literature to educate the public on a range of health issues, including alcohol consumption, drug abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, smoking cessation, diabetes, mental illness and many more. For further details visit www.saferportsmouth. org.uk. We will feature this very public-spirited MINI Cooper in more detail in a forthcoming issue of Modern MINI.

Over 1,000 modified vehicles, 152 owners clubs, 264 companies and 102,000 visitors crammed into the Tuning World Bodensee Show in Friedrichshafen in Germany at the beginning of May. Amongst the many different modified machines was the Hamann MINI, complete with its new lineup of styling bits for the R56, including a range of 17- and 18- inch alloy wheels, new bodykit accessories, upgraded heightadjustable coilover suspension, sports air filter and twinpipe rear silencer. Inside, aluminium gearknob and handbrake lever and retrimmed door matts and fascia panels produce an individual look. Aside from the glamorous metal was an array of gorgeous girls, as 268 contestants lined up for Miss Tuning 2007. The competition was won by 22-year-old Silvia Hauten. Pity she drives a Honda Civic! Next year’s Tuning World Show is scheduled to take place between the 1 and 4 May, 2008. For more information and pictures, visit the official site at www.tuningworldbodensee.de

The new generation MINI has just had its Euro NCAP crash test results published – and it’s passed with the highest possible score. Achieving five stars, the MINI Cooper scored 13 out of 16 points for the head-on collision test and 16 out of a possible 18 from the side-on and pillar collision test. Child safety testing also produced excellent results, according to MINI GB, while in the offset frontal crash test – one of the toughest in the industry – the passenger cell remained intact.Being 60mm longer and featuring a slightly higher bonnet line than the previous generation model, the new MINI meets pedestrian impact legislation, while 4,000 individual welding points in the bodyshell optimise structural safety.In addition to passive safety, the new MINI also crams in plenty of active safety features, such as Brake Assist, Cornering Brake Control and Electronic Brake Force Distribution, while ASC+T and Dynamic Stability Control are also available.

It’s even easier to get behind the wheel of a brand new MINI, thanks to the recent introduction of the entry-level One model and some tempting finance deals.The 1.4-litre One, 95bhp petrol derivative can be bought with just a £1,556.05 deposit, a first month’s payment of £275, followed by an additional 35 monthly instalments of just £175. Bolt on the £150 tlc pack, and you’ll also benefit from five years servicing. After the three-year repayment term, buyers can either return the car with nothing to pay, upgrade the car for another model and renew the finance agreement, or re-finance or clear the £6,637.33 that is left to pay.For further details of this and other offers, see your local main dealer, or visit

Following the Spring Cup preview round over the weekend of the 14 and 15 April, the MINI Challenge 2007 opening rounds took place over an action-packed weekend at the end of April at Snetterton in Norfolk. Thirty-six racers took part, including some family rivalry with Graham Parsons on track against daughter Sarah (as featured in last month’s Modern MINI) and Josh Waddington going against sister Laura.The MINI Challenge is now in its seventh year and looks set to be even stronger in 2007. Similar series have also sprung up in six other nations, including Germany, New Zealand and the USA.For more information, see The Vibe, p57, and visit www.minichallenge.co.uk

Earlier than originally expected, the one millionth MINI rolled off the production line at Plant Oxford at the start of April, less than six years since production began at the revitalised factory.Back then, with a July 2001 launch date scheduled, expected annual demand was no more than 100,000 units. Spurred on by huge success, BMW Group has invested £380 million in new plant technology to increase production capacity to 240,000 per year, with shifts working pretty much round the clock throughout the week. Initally, a single shift was working to build 300 cars per day, while now two 11-hour shifts work to produce up to 700 MINIs daily.

The now legendary Fireballed Racing team, based in California, recently unveiled its most extreme MINI ever. Dubbed ‘The Widow’, it features a host of modifications borne out of Fireballed Racing’s track development work. At the centre of the upgrades is the Fireballed Mad Mod V Turbo Conversion Kit, which produces almost 500bhp and features specially designed pistons, CNC Stage 2 race head and engine management upgrades.Read more about the company’s crazy antics at www.fireballed.com.

A web-based car buying and management company, Smartycars.com, has been announced as the headline sponsor for the 2007 Scottish MINI Cooper Cup. Separate for the MINI Challenge, which runs in England, the MINI Cooper Cup was launched in 2003 and will this year take in eight rounds with approximately 20 cars competing each race, staged at circuits such as Knockhill in Fife, Kirkistown in Northern Ireland and Oulton Park, near Manchester.

As the sales success of MINI continues in the UK, main dealers in the country have been investing £21 million in 2006 alone in improving premises and facilities.One such dealer was Robert Stern, who has just been named MINI Dealer of the Year, 2006. Robert Stern MINI moved to new premises in 2005 after a £1.5 million investment and, having been judged amongst the other 149 dealers on a variety of performance indicators, Robert Stern was awarded the prestigious prize in 2005 and has now made it a double in 2006.

While it might sound like a far-fetched claim from a spam email, it appears that if you want to improving your dating skills, one of the best ways is by owning a MINI. Research carried out by social networking website, wannaflirt.com, revealed that the best car that women think a man should drive is a MINI Cooper S, ideally in blue; while for men, they think women look best also in Cooper S, but ideally in white.

We went to the Geneva Motorshow for the unveiling of the new Cooper D and One, see here for a detailed report of our findings on the car.

It has now been officially announced that MINI United will return in 2007! Taking place between the 22nd and 24th June, the event is set to be held in Zandvoort, near Amsterdam in the Netherlands. It looks set to be a fantastic experience for MINI owners, and clubs and individuals from all over Europe are busy planning their trip to MINI United. If you’re thinking of attending, you need to book accommodation sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment. Full details and a complete schedule for the weekend event are yet to be released, but if the previous event in 2005 is anything to go by it will be an occasion to remember. Held in Misano in Italy, the 2005 MINI United saw more than 6,000 Minis – old and new – from all over the world gather for the three-day event, which is the only one of its kind to be officially organised by MINI. Visit the official website: www.miniunited.com

A main dealer in Bedford has announced its sponsorship of local sporting personality, Gail Emms. Born in Bedford, Gail is the all-England badminton champion and is world number one at mixed doubles.As part of the year-long sponsorship deal, Gail received a brand new Cooper, emblazoned with “Gold Medallist Seeks Perfect Shuttle. Finds Elms MINI. The End”. MINI manager at Elms Bedford, Ross Kilroy, said of the deal: “Gail is already a well known name throughout the region due to her phenomenal international success in the badminton world, and we are sure her new Elms MINI will help drive her success in the future.” To follow more of Gail’s MINI adventure, visit www.emmsminiadventure.co.uk.

As if the MINI Challenge race series couldn’t get any more exciting, a new thrilling twist has arisen with the announcement that a brother-sister duo will be competing this season. For the brother, Josh Waddington, who turns 16 three weeks before the start of the season, it makes him the youngest driver ever to compete in the series. Sister Laura will be 18 when the lights go out in the first race.The first round of the MINI Challenge is at Snetterton on the 28 and 29 April. For further details, visit www.minichallenge.co.uk.

Following the successful collaboration between the BMW Group and PSA Peugeot Citroen, which led to a new family of 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre petrol engines, the two car companies have announced that further co-operation will occur following an initial feasibility study. The two companies will jointly conduct the survey concerning a new family of engines with advanced technology features aimed at delivering excellent power and torque characteristics combined with reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. If the study confirms the expected technological, industrial and financial benefits, the two companies intend to enter into a joint development project.

The new generation MINI lineup is strengthened in March with the unveiling of the entry-level One and sporty Cooper diesel. These crucial new additions will be shown at the Geneva Motor Show in March and come hot on the heels of the Cooper and Cooper S R56 MINIs that went on sale in the UK in November.The entry-level One drops the old 1.6-litre, 90bhp, petrol unit and replaces it with a smaller, but more powerful and even more fuel-efficient engine. Generating 95bhp, 140Nm of torque the new 1.4-litre petrol is 15 per cent better on fuel than the previous One, with an average fuel economy figure of 49.6mpg – up from 41.5mpg. CO2 emissions are also improved, at just 138g/km, down from 164g/km.The One diesel is no more, replaced now by the Cooper D, which boasts 110bhp at 4,000rpm and as much torque as the Cooper S – 260Nm at 2,000rpm, when the special Overboost facility is employed. ‘Normal’ torque is 240Nm, developed between 1,750rpm and 2,000rpm.Even more tempting, though, is that, at just 118g/km CO2, the Vehicle Excise Duty band into which the Cooper D falls is ‘B’, resulting in an annual road tax bill of just £50.The One’s on-the-road price is a competitive £11,595, while the Cooper D will retail at £14,190. Both models hit UK showrooms in April.

While sales were down slightly as a result of a reorganisation of plant infrastructure, 39,000 of the 188,000 sales in 2006 were from the US, and that has given Jim McDowell, MINI’s North American Vice President (pictured), an eye for greater things. “The US has the potential to become the number one retail market for MINI,” he commented.There appears to be a huge demand for MINI in the States, one that cannot be satisfied with current production capacity. “There will never be enough production available for us to see what the ultimate demand for the car will be,” Jim states. Consequently, MINI in the US has never had to offer any form of customer incentive or deals in the past five years.

How do you fancy an adventure into mainland Europe this summer? Well, Continental Car Tours has announced a run through Belgium exclusively for MINI owners. The South Ardennes Mountain Trail will take place between 2 June and 4 June inclusive (Saturday through to Monday). Rally-goers will stay in a magnificent medieval castle for two nights, with a welcome dinner included on the first evening. On day two, the route will take in the mountain roads of the Forest des Ardennes, following a spectacular route. It then travels north along the River Meuse to Givet, with breathtaking scenery and twisting roads through the mountains.The price for this is just £179 per person (based on two sharing), which includes the hotel, Dover-Calais ferry and route instructions; you cross the Channel by Euro-Tunnel for a £50 premium, and other ferry routes are available. For further details, contact Continental Car Tours on 01302 380244, email admin@continentalcartours.co.uk or visit www.continentalcartours.co.uk.

The new generation MINI has been out for barely two months but that hasn’t stopped German bespoke tuner, Hamann, introducing its stunning range of upgrade styling packs for it. The Hamann aerodynamics kit includes a front spoiler, a pair of side sills with integrated, brushed aluminum doorsills, and a two-piece rear diffuser. You can also add Hamann’s own flag design, available in silver, anthracite or white. There are three alloy wheel designs to complement the new styling kit. The five-spoke HM4 is a 17-inch one-piece rim finished in silver. The multi-piece 18-inch PG4 is a five-spoke design with a polished rim. Finally, there’s the 18-inch Anniversary 1 wheel with its silver finish and stainless steel rim that is easily replaced in the event of kerbing damage.For further information, visit Hamann’s website www.HAMANN-MOTORSPORT.de.

Despite a general downturn in UK car sales throughout 2006, MINI ended the year on a high, thanks to record orders for the new model. The supermini sector as a whole enjoyed a good month, but, according to the latest SMMT figures, the MINI posted 3,427 sales for both the new hatchback and current generation convertibles, beating the Peugeot 207 and Volkswagen Polo, but trailing the Fiesta and Corsa in its sector, which boasted an impressive 5,464 and 5,644 respectively.

We’ve heard reports that a small, early batch of new generation Cooper S models have been identified with an electronic fault, leading to a delay on some deliveries. The problem was spotted and rectified before any cars left the factory, but it has inevitably resulted in a holdup in early production. Accounts vary, but some customers are reporting having to wait until March to collect their Cooper S. So far, over 7,000 orders have been placed for the Cooper and Cooper S MINIs.

An exciting new range of special edition MINI Convertibles are unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next week (6th January). Along the same lines as the One Seven, Cooper Park Lane and Cooper S Checkmate special editions launched in autumn 2005, the Sidewalk Convertibles, available in One, Cooper and Cooper S spec will offer a raft of luxurious design enhancements. The models will offer a choice of four exterior paint colours, Malt Brown English Leather Interior, 17-inch Night Spoke light alloys, bi-colour leather steering wheel and gear knob and bespoke Sidewalk interior trim, including floor mats, badges and door inserts. The One Sidewalk is expected to cost £16,910, the Cooper Sidewalk £17,960, while the Cooper S Sidewalk will retail at £20,235. All three models should be in showrooms by April.

The phenomenal sales success of the MINI brand looks set to continue into the new year. The one millionth MINI is scheduled to roll off the line at Plant Oxford in April, as production of the new generation model ramps up. By then the new hatchback range will be established with the addition of the diesel-engined derivative and 1.4-litre petrol entry-level One.

The Italian Job charity rally rolled into Brighton at the start of November after a thrilling drive down to Italy. The nine-day run involved over 60 Minis – old and new – registering at the Venice start point before heading off the following day along specially prepared rally stages through the Italian countryside. This included circuit time at both Adria race circuit and the legendary Monza. The rally concluded in Turin, before the party headed back to the UK via an overnight stop in Dijon. The event in 2007 takes place between the 27th October and 3rd November. For further details, keep an eye on www.italianjob.com, or call 01273 418100.

Following on from one of the best executed publicity campaigns, the new generation MINI was finally unveiled in showrooms up and down the country in mid-November. Approximately 4,000 orders had already been taken by the time of the dealer launch, equalling the number achieved in the lead up to the introduction of the first generation new MINI in July 2001.

The hugely successful MINI Challenge Series should get more of the ladies’ touch next season thanks to a new Cup organised and supported by Advent Motorsport. The MINI Challenge ‘Coupe des Dames’ will be awarded to the highest point-scoring female racer at the end of the 2007 season, be it from the Club or S Class. For more details, visit www.minichallenge.co.uk, or contact Advent Motorsport on 01732 887474, or log on to www.adventmotorsport.co.uk.

The latest generation of MINI will not spawn an electric hybrid model, as popularised by the Toyota Prius, but that hasn’t ruled out an alternative fuelled version entirely. Asked about electric hybrids at the UK media launch of R56, a BMW spokesperson stated that “it’s not the way we’re heading at the moment.” BMW has recently unveiled the world’s first hydrogen-drive car. The BMW Hydrogen 7, based on the existing 7 Series, is powered by a 191kW/260hp 12 cylinder hydrogen combustion engine. Although the technology is relatively new, it is therefore clear that BMW Group sees hydrogen propulsion as the way forward, therefore ruling in the prospect of a hydrogen-fuelled MINI.

Further proof of the marque’s development surfaced recently when MINI revealed that there are plans to open more bespoke dealerships, as opposed to sites contained within existing BMW franchises. Thanks to continuing strong sales for MINI, it is hoped that by 2009, the brand will have 150 bespoke dealer sites, up 100 per cent from the current tally of 75.

As part of the build-up to the launch of the new generation MINI, Plant Oxford hosted a series of preview events throughout October for clubs and VIPs, including ten winners of the competition that we ran in the November 2006 issue.The preview event also included a tour of the factory, where both current and new generation models are currently being produced.

Star of last month’s Modern MINI, Freddy Nordstrom, clinched the 2006 Cooper S Class Championship at the season finale at Donington. The Surrey 17-year-old needed just one point from the final two races to secure the title. Starting from fourth on the grid in race one, he slipped back to sixth but managed to claw his way back up the field throughout the 15-minute sprint; arch rival Arthur Forster enjoyed a thrilling race to cross the line in first but was later demoted with a 30 second penalty following an incident with Dave Shepherd. This promoted Freddy to third place, thus securing enough points to scoop the title.

For more details on the championship, including race reports, visitwww.minichallenge.co.uk

With MINI going from strength to strength, rumours persist that the brand could set up production overseas in a move to meet increasing demand, provide scope for additional models and overcome the dangers of currency fluctuations. Sources in the industry claim that MINI production in the USA at BMW’s Spartanburg plant, where the X5 is produced, is a distinct possibility. The MINI operation needs more volume and further models to sustain its existing dealer network, especially in the USA, and long-term plans for the marque are for it to become increasingly independent of parent company, BMW. A weak dollar to strong pound over the past 18 months has posed a problem for some UK-based car producers. Having cars built in the USA – a strong market for the brand – would alleviate this situation for MINI and give the company greater production flexibility, too. Although the company has confirmed the ‘Clubman’ estate version will be entering production to sit alongside the hatchback and cabriolet versions, BMW engineers are currently planning a new-generation chassis, which will be even easier and cheaper to build.

Paul Webster of MINI specialists 1320autos.com has been out on track again in his seriously uprated MINI One. This time he took his nitrous red One to Santa Pod for the BMW ‘Run What Ya Brung’ day at the end of September. Competing in the four cylinder, street legal class, he posted a 12.625 second quarter mile time, passing the speed trap at 110.26mph, taking top honours. Not resting on his laurels, Paul then popped some slick tyres on his MINI for an afternoon run in class E and won that as well. He made the quarter mile dash in 12.467 seconds at 113.05mph.

After much pre-publicity, the next generation MINI finally had its first official unveiling at the Paris Motor Show. At 2pm on 28th September, the new car, code-named R56, was launched to a mass of journalists and photographers. With over 875,000 MINIs sold so far around the world, this new model represents a crucial next step in what is hoped to be the ongoing success of the model as it matures into a brand in its own right. Dr Michael Ganal from BMW declared to the press at the unveiling that “MINI today is an entirely modern brand. Customers can expect this premium brand to come up with something new time and again – concerning product substance, technological innovations and safety features.” It was at this juncture that Dr Ganal also confirmed the company’s intention to diversify with new models. “According to our plans, the new MINI will serve as the starting point for further derivatives and models, the “germ cell” so to say. We are convinced that it offers the ideal foundation for the expansion of the MINI family. So MINI can be expected to deliver further product innovations and extraordinary activities in the future.”

While all eyes are on the next generation MINI, the new hatchback is just the first in an expanded lineup of models that will ultimately include a three-door ‘utility’ estate car, tipped to be called the Traveller and possibly an exciting two-seater Speedster model. MINI confirmed a production version of the Traveller concept, revealed late last year, will make it into production. The long wheelbase MINI with the possible addition of Mazda RX8 style rear doors is still unnamed, but the Traveller and Countryman tags look favourite, if the rights ownership issue can be sorted out. However, the expansion of the MINI brand could well go further than the interesting new ‘estate’ version. According to our source in the USA, plans for an R56-based MINI Speedster have been on the cards for some time, and although there were a number of studies as to whether the car could be badged ‘Triumph’, if the car makes it into production, it will be a MINI. Beyond the Speedster concept, there’s also the possibility of an intriguing MINI-maxi model – a Volkswagen Golf-sized five-door MINI.

With the start of proper production of the next generation MINI on 13th September, BMW’s Chairman of the board of management, Dr Norbert Reithofer, joined the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown, at Plant Oxford to herald over £200 million worth of investment by the BMW group.

It’s official – the MINI is the UK’s best all-round used car proposition. A survey, carried out by Warranty Direct, involving the nation’s motoring media revealed that 65 per cent thought the MINI was the best, making not only the top of its particular segment, but also the whole survey, pipping the Maxda MX-5.

MINI has revealed the next generation Cooper and Cooper S, boasting targeted improvements all round without changing the fundamentally successful formula of the current generation car, which has proved a huge hit around the world. The styling has remained largely untouched, even though every panel is new and the car is 60mm longer. There are exciting new 1.6-litre four cylinder engines, to be built at the Hams Hall factory in Birmingham. The Cooper S will now be turbocharged and intercooled as opposed to supercharged. Power outputs are up on both models (120bhp for Cooper and 175bhp for Cooper S) and, crucially, fuel economy and CO2 emissions are massively improved. The Cooper now boasts 48.7mpg on the combined cycle (compared with 40.9mpg before) and the new Cooper S achieves 40.9mpg (formerly 32.8mpg). CO2 levels for Cooper and Cooper S models are 139g/km and 164g/km respectively. The Cooper and Cooper S models are expected to be on sale before the end of the year, priced at £12,995 and £15,995 respectively. They will be joined by a 95bhp 1.4-litre One model and a sophisticated turbodiesel variant in the first half of 2007, with the petrol-powered One expected to retail at £11,595.

The British International Motor Show saw the first MINI GP customer, Paul Baker, collect his dream car from Mike Cooper. Paul had registered his interest with local dealer, North Oxford Garage, when rumours of the fastest production MINI started to appear in January 2005. .

The latest round of the MINI Challenge took place at Thruxton at the start of August, with Northern Irelands Gareth Nixon scooping two wins, thus consolidating his lead at the top of the table. Meanwhile, Cooper S championship leader, Freddy Nordstrom also maintained his position at the top of the table after a thrilling two races. The next round is at Croft in North Yorkshire on the 9 and 10 September. Also at Croft that weekend will be the second Dunlop Great and British Mini Festival. On Friday 8 September, Heritage Trackdays is organising a trackday at Croft for £69 with 20 minute sessions throughout the day. For further details on this trackday, contact Heritage Trackdays on 01508 536271 or visit www.driversknow.co.uk . For full race reports and the points tables, visit www.minichallenge.co.uk .

While celebrations for the MINI’s fifth birthday continued apace at the British Motor Show in London at the end of July, two entrepreneurial dealerships clubbed together for a birthday run of their own. Stratstone of Hull and Doncaster grouped together their normal annual birthday celebrations to form one big one at Normanby Hall in Scunthorpe..