MINI Cooper Info

MINI Confirms New John Cooper Works GP

Steve — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 19:24:07 +0000

From MotorTrend… The Mini John Cooper Works GP might be one of the most celebrated of the last-generation models, so it shouldn’t be too surprising that Mini will bring a successor to the high-performance, low-volume model – known as the John Cooper Works GP II – to market.

The original Mini GP was a stripped-out and tarted-up version of the 2006 Mini Cooper S, the swansong of the first-generation new Mini. The GP was based on the John Cooper Works Mini Cooper S, but Mini engineers retuned the engine for more power, stripped out the rear seats, and installed a more aggressive aerodynamic kit and performance-rated rolling stock. The result was 215 horsepower, improved handling, and a dramatic look. Mini only sold 2000 GPs worldwide, and only 500 of those were shipped to customers in the United States.

In the years since, the Mini Cooper S transitioned from a supercharged I-4 to a turbocharged one, and John Cooper Works kits have been added to every model and variant from the Roadster to the Countryman. There was little to no mention of a GP successor, until spies recently caught a high-performance Mini testing and predicted it would be the new limited edition model.

That prediction proved to be correct. Mini’s worldwide brand manager Dr. Kay Segler announced at the 2012 New York auto show that there will be a new hi-po, low-volume model, and it will be called the Mini GP II. The car will be unveiled next month at Mini United, a three-day owners festival that will also feature concerts by Martin Solveig and Iggy and the Stooges.

Details are scarce, but we expect that it will match or top the most powerful John Cooper Works Mini Cooper model — the Countryman — and make at least 211 horsepower. Mini fans should also expect the GP II to have an aggressive aero kit and wheels as before. The GP will probably be the current-generation Mini’s swansong, too: we expect the new Mini Cooper family to launch next year.

MINI Honored by J.D. Power

Steve — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 13:24:07 +0000

MINI Honored by J.D. Power for Improvement in Providing an Outstanding Customer Experience

MINI Recognized As Most Improved Among Mass Market Brands

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – April 4, 2012… During the opening ceremonies at the New York Auto Show today, J.D. Power and Associates recognized MINI for the most improvement in customer experience among mass market brands for their vehicle and dealership experience during the past three years.

“MINI strives to deliver an exceptional owner experience in every aspect of our business, from the online car configurator to the sales and service interaction in our dealerships, as well as in the design of our vehicles and with owner engagement initiatives such as MINI TAKES THE STATES,” said Jim McDowell, Vice President MINI USA. “We are honored that J.D. Power and Associates has presented MINI with this award, reinforcing that the significant efforts implemented over the last several years are making a difference in the owner community’s overall brand experience.”

The recognition is based on the rate of improvement that the MINI brand has made during the past three years in J.D. Power and Associates’ five core U.S. automotive quality and satisfaction studies: Initial Quality Study (IQS); Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS); Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout (APEAL) Study; Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) Study; and Customer Service Index (CSI) Study. While all automotive brands are showing improvement, MINI has improved more than other mass market brands during the turbulence the industry has experienced since 2009.

“This honor recognizes MINI’s dedication to continually improving the quality, dependability, and appeal of their models,” according to J.D. Power and Associates.

MINI Tops J.D. Power Repair Service Cust Sat List

Steve — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 20:47:12 +0000

(from our friends at MotoringFile.com) For the second year in a row, MINI has been named the top service experience by J.D. Power. When it comes to getting your car worked on, MINI takes the best care of you, according to JDP. The experience customers had with their service advisor at MINI dealerships was apparently just that little bit better.
“Among mass market brands, MINI ranks highest for a second consecutive year with a score of 809. MINI performs particularly well in four of the five measures: service quality, service advisor, service facility and vehicle pick-up. Also among the top five brands in the mass market segment are Buick (805); GMC (803); Chevrolet (801); and Hyundai (791). Of mass market brands, Nissan (which gains 43 points) and Toyota (gains 31 points) achieve the greatest improvements from 2011.”
JDP goes on to make three recommendations that automotive service providers should consider to optimize customer satisfaction:

1.     Promote online scheduling of service appointments.
2.     Review the technician inspection report with all service customers.
3.     Consider the benefits of implementing complimentary maintenance programs.

These are three mainstays of MINI service already, so it’s no surprise that MINI is scoring well. In my experience, having your MINI worked on at the dealership, especially when that dealership shares a facility with a BMW dealership, is an experience that definitely benefits from parent company BMW’s influence. MINI is one of the few mass-market brands where you get a more luxury car-like customer experience. That definitely plays to MINI’s favor in studies like this. Furthermore, having a Service Advisor that you can get to know never hurts either.

Kiplinger 12 Best Resale Cars – 2012

Steve — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 19:05:31 +0000

An important measure of a vehicle’s value — and appeal — is what it’s expected to be worth three and five years down the road. These figures are the estimated price a dealer would pay if you traded in the vehicle, expressed as a percentage of the original sticker price.

Resale values come from a complex set of calculations based in part on historical data and economic predictions, as well as competition in each automotive segment, how strong a car’s brand is, and supply (including fleet and leasing sales) versus demand.

To win best-resale plaudits, the model must first be selected as one of the top 25 vehicles in its category. Then we pick the vehicle with the highest three-year resale value. No model is eligible for the award if another trim level of the same model has won Best Resale in a lower-price category.

Here is what they said about the MINI Countryman “With a short-SUV-style body reminiscent of a Scion xB or Kia Soul, but with the Mini’s characteristically rounded features, the Countryman’s introduction last year has helped reinvigorate the brand. The biggest Mini also has the highest resale value of any vehicle in our rankings this year — worth a stunning 69% of the original price after three years. ” Also in the top 12 the brand new Coupe. Full article here.

Long-Term Car: Cooper S Coupe At Sno*Drift Rally

Steve — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:58:10 +0000

From our friends over at Winding Road

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKJstitlNU4

MINI Clubvan Concept

Steve — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 22:04:50 +0000

Stand-out-from-the-crowd style can also be amazingly practical – and practicality surprisingly attractive. The MINI Clubvan Concept brings apparently conflicting profiles together into a single package, paving the way for an innovative vehicle concept without parallel in the premium small car segment. The MINI Clubman-based concept car, scheduled for its world premiere at the Geneva International Motor Show 2012, combines the driving fun for which MINI is renowned with increased load-carrying capability. The MINI experience will therefore find its way into new areas of life, the brand’s distinctive character gaining new popularity among target groups not previously on the MINI radar.

The closed-off load area behind the front seats and the opaque rear side windows of the new concept set it apart most strikingly from the MINI Clubman. The MINI Clubvan Concept uses its broader skill-set to open up new usage possibilities – both business and leisure. Where a business’s customers, product range and operating environment demand a particular style for its vehicles, a premium model can make the perfect delivery solution. For example, a car in the mould of the MINI Clubvan Concept would fit excellently into the fleet of a fashion designer, art gallery owner or event caterer. And its abilities as an all-rounder also tick the right boxes for a photographer with a stack of camera, tripod and lighting equipment to ferry around during the week – and bulky sports and leisure gear to pile on board at the weekend. Full press release here.

Winding Road Cooper S Coupe First Impressions

Steve — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:52:48 +0000

After our first driving experience with the new Mini Coupe, you can probably imagine our delight when we found out we’d be able to get a Cooper S Coupe in for a long-term test. Historically our long-term coverage of cars has lead to better and deeper understanding of the models (no surprise there), and I don’t know that we’ve ever had anything as interesting to drive and as controversial to our audience as the Coupe for the long haul. Our year with Mini should prove to be filled with debate, at the very least.

To get the ball rolling with the Coupe, three of our Michigan-based editors took turns with a week in the car, to firm up our baseline of driving impressions. (As the months roll on, we’ll make an effort to get some seat time for those folks in our Texas offices, too.) Don’t be surprised to see the LT Coupe end up in further Winding Road features, comparison tests, and video content before the year is out. Full review here

MotorTrend Shootout – Guess who WON

Steve — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 21:03:04 +0000

MotorTrend recently tested the MINI against some pretty stiff competition. Head to head against the Scion tC, Honda CR-Z, Volkswagen Beetle, Hyundai Veloster and the Fiat 500. Their verdict – The MINI took first prize. You can read the full article here

MINI USA/Red Bull Crashed Ice World Championship Sweepstakes

Steve — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:13:18 +0000

MINI USA’s Facebook page has launched a competition with a prize so cool it will literally take the winner’s breath away.

The MINI USA/Red Bull Crashed Ice World Championship Sweepstakes will give the lucky winner and his or her companion two VIP tickets to the opening event of the 2012 Championship in Saint Paul, Minnesota, on January 14. Entries can be submitted at www.facebook.com/MINIUSA.

This will be the first USA-based event in the world series for Ice Cross Downhill – a sport in which some of the world’s toughest ice-hockey players, downhill skiers, and speed skaters race on a steep downhill course. Jostling shoulder-to-shoulder at speeds of up to 45 mph, they have to negotiate chicanes, jumps, rollers and hairpin bends.

The chance to witness this icy sporting spectacle will include two round-trip plane tickets, hotel accommodation, meal costs, and VIP access to the Red Bull Energy Station and Red Bull After Party. But thrill-seekers who hope to enter will have to get their skates on as the sweepstakes closes at 4.00 PM EST on January 3.

The winner will be selected at random, with no purchase necessary. Entrants must be aged 18 or over; full competition rules can be found at www.facebook.com/MINIUSA.

MINI is the official partner of the Red Bull Crashed Ice World Championship 2012 and will present the Rookie Award at each of the series’ four events. After appearing at Cathedral of Saint Paul in Saint Paul, MN, on January 12-14, competitors move on to Valkenburg, Netherlands (February 2-4); Aare, Sweden (February 16-18); and Quebec City, Canada (March 15-17).

For more information on Red Bull Crashed Ice, please visit www.redbullcrashedice.com.

MINI and Banana Republic team up – win a MINI

Steve — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:21:02 +0000

Woodcliff Lake, NJ– November 30, 2011 — Today MINI USA and Banana Republic announced the launch of “Gifts come in all Sizes,” a campaign that is not only fun for shoppers, but also gives back to local communities this holiday season. As part of the campaign, Banana Republic customers will have the opportunity to win one of five MINI Coupe vehicles (five one-year leases) and donate toys to the Boys and Girls Club of America that MINI Coupes will deliver from select Banana Republic locations. On December 1, 150 Banana Republic stores across the USA will celebrate the launch of the campaign with holiday parties for customers. During the parties, attendees will receive instant game pieces. Once opened, the game piece will reveal either a winning discount or a one-year lease of a MINI Coupe.

As part of both companies’ commitment to give back to those in need this season, four stores will be collecting toys for the Boys and Girls Club of America. From December 1 through December 15th, residents in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and the Bay Area can donate at the following Banana Republic locations: The Grove (Los Angeles), Rockefeller Center (New York), Woodfield Mall (Chicago) and Corte Madera (Bay Area). An extension of the campaign continues on Banana Republic’s Facebook page with a “Gifts Come in All Sizes” game, which will be live from December 2 – 24, 2011.

Fans are encouraged to play the game daily for a chance to win a year-long lease for a MINI Coupe, Virgin America flights, Banana Republic shopping cards and donations to the Boys and Girls Club Of America under the fan’s name. Every day is a new chance to win a gift from Banana Republic and MINI USA this holiday season. “This partnership with Banana Republic is another example of MINI taking a different approach to our marketing efforts,” said Tom Salkowsky, Manager of MINI USA Marketing. “It allows us to engage in helping our community, and extend that opportunity to customers and fans alike. It also ensures MINI is visible in some of the highest traffic retails locations this time of year, building brand awareness and introducing our newest model.” “Banana Republic is excited to be partnering with MINI this holiday. Our ‘Gifts Come in all Sizes’ campaign is an extension of the community service our associates already do in stores, bringing joy to those who need it most,” said Chris Nicklo, Vice President of Marketing, Banana Republic.