Mini FIRST For Sale

Mini (BMW) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search For the original Mini produced by the British Motor Corporation, see Mini. For other uses of "Mini", see Mini (disambiguation). Mini Type Automotive brand Owner BMW Group Markets Global Website MINI.com Mini (styled as MINI) is a British automotive brand specialised in small cars owned by the BMW Group. Mini originated as one specific vehicle, a small car originally known as the Morris Mini-Minor, launched by the British Motor Corporation in 1959, and developed into a brand encompassing a range of small cars, including the Clubman, Traveller and Moke.[1] The original Mini continued in production until 2000. Development of a successor began in 1995 and the new generation car (styled as MINI to differentiate it from its predecessor), was launched in 2001. There are currently four body variants available: Hardtop, Convertible, Clubman (estate) and Countryman (crossover). Minis are assembled at Plant Oxford in Cowley, United Kingdom, where around 4,700 people are employed.[2] Engines for Mini cars are produced at the Hams Hall Plant near Birmingham, United Kingdom, which has around 800 employees.[3] Mini sub-assemblies and pressings such as doors are supplied by a plant in Swindon, United Kingdom, where around 1,000 people are employed.[4] Around 217,000 Mini's were sold worldwide in 2009.[5] The Mini brand has had a number of owners during its history. In 1966 the British Motor Corporation became part of British Motor Holdings and in 1968 British Motor Holdings itself merged with Leyland Motors to form British Leyland.[1] In the 1980s British Leyland was broken-up and in 1988 Rover Group, including Mini, was acquired by British Aerospace.[1] In 1994 Rover Group was acquired by BMW. In 2000 Rover Group was broken-up by BMW, with BMW retaining the Mini brand.[6] Contents 1 Overview 2 First generation (2001-2006) 2.1 Mini Hardtop 2.2 Mini Convertible 2.3 Mini John Cooper Works GP 2.4 Mk I prototype and concept cars 2.4.1 Beer-can exhaust 2.4.2 Alternative fuel versions 2.4.3 Additional concepts 3 Second generation (2007 - present) 3.1 Mini Hardtop 3.2 Mini Clubman 3.3 Mini John Cooper Works Challenge (2008-) 3.4 Mini Convertible 3.5 Mini John Cooper Works (2009-) 3.6 Mini John Cooper Works World Championship 50 (2009) 3.7 Mini First (2009-) 3.8 Mini E 3.8.1 Electric conversion options 3.9 Mini Countryman (2010) 3.10 Mini Countryman WRC 3.11 Mk II concept cars 3.11.1 Mini Crossover (2008) 3.11.2 Mini Coupé (2009) 3.11.3 Mini Beachcomber (2009) 3.12 Body type summary 3.13 Engine summary 4 Internal designations 5 Production 6 Reliability 7 Criticism 8 Marketing 9 Awards and popularity 10 Racing 11 References 12 External links 12.1 Video clips [edit] Overview The car, whose first generation was designed by Frank Stephenson,[7] draws inspiration from the original Mini, which was manufactured by the British Motor Corporation and its successors from 1959 to 2000. The name of the car's brand, MINI, is all-capitalised to distinguish it from its predecessor.[8] Development of the first generation had been done between 1995 and 2001 by Rover Group in Gaydon, United Kingdom and BMW AG in Munich, Germany. During this development phase, there was continual contention between the two design groups, especially concerning the positioning of the car; Rover wanted a straight economy car, whilst BMW supported a small, sporting car. Ultimately, BMW prevailed, and in 1999, they assumed control over the entire project following the departure of BMW's CEO, Bernd Pischetsrieder.[9] When BMW divested itself of Rover in 2000, BMW elected to retain the Mini project, and to move the planned production site of the car from Rover's Longbridge plant,[9] to BMW's Oxford plant in Cowley, Oxford, United Kingdom. Back in its early years, the traditional Mini had been made at both Cowley and Longbridge. In time production was rationalised to just Longbridge and so this was where the last of the cars where made, making Longbridge the "natural home" for the new Mini prior to BMW splitting up the company. BMW's "plant Oxford" in Cowley is on the site of what was historically the Pressed Steel Company body plant - next door to what was historically the Morris factory.[10] The vehicles produced during the 2001 to 2006 model years (unofficially, the "Mk I Mini") included four hatchback models (referred to by Mini as the Cooper Hardtop): the basic "Mini One", the diesel-engined "Mini One/D", the sportier "Mini Cooper" and the supercharged "Mini Cooper S"; in 2005, a convertible roof option was added to the Mk I line-up. In November 2006, BMW released a re-engineered version of the Mini Hardtop (unofficially the "Mk II Mini") as a 2007 model-year vehicle.[11] The Mk II is currently[update] available in the original Hardtop and Convertible body styles (the latter being introduced as a 2009 model). A third Mk II body style, an estate called the Clubman, was introduced as a 2008 model. [edit] First generation (2001-2006) [edit] Mini Hardtop First generation Production 2001-2006 (Mk I Hardtop) 2005-2008 (Mk I Convertible) Class Compact Body style(s) 3-door hatchback 2-door convertible Engine(s) 1.4L Tritec I4 (One) 1.4L Toyota 1ND-TV diesel (D) 1.6L Tritec I4 (One, Cooper) 1.6L Tritec supercharged I4 (S) Transmission(s) CVT 5-speed manual 6-speed automatic and manual Wheelbase 97.1 in (2,470 mm) Length 2002-03 Base: 142.8 in (3,630 mm) 2004-06 Base & Convertible: 143.1 in (3,630 mm) S Hardtop & Convertible: 143.9 in (3,660 mm) Width 66.5 in (1,690 mm) Height 2002-03 Base: 55.9 in (1,420 mm) 2002-03 S: 56.2 in (1,430 mm) 2004-06 Base: 55.4 in (1,410 mm) 2004-06 S: 55.8 in (1,420 mm) 2004-06 Convertible: 55.5 in (1,410 mm) Kerb weight 2,496 lb (1,132 kg) The first Mini was introduced in 2001. In Portugal and Greece, the Mini One was powered by a 1.4 litre I4 version of the Tritec engine but all other petrol powered Minis used the 1.6 litre I4 version.[12][13] Since 2005, a soft-top convertible option has been available across the entire range. There are numerous styling and badging differences between the models, perhaps the most obvious being that the Cooper S has a distinctive scoop cut into the bonnet. The Cooper S also has twin exhausts which exit under the centre of the rear valance. The (non-S) Cooper has more chrome parts than the Mini One and has a single exhaust. The Mini One D has no visible exhaust pipes at all. In some markets, such as Australia and the U.S., only the Mini Cooper and Cooper S are offered because the Mini One's engine was considered inadequate to deliver sufficient power to run an air conditioner — a necessary feature in those markets. Almost fifty percent of all Minis sold in Australia and about seventy percent of those sold in the U.S. are the more-powerful Cooper S model. Other models of note, sold in varying markets around the world, are the Mini Seven, Mini Park Lane, Mini Check Mate, and Mini Monte Carlo. The names Cooper and Cooper S echo the names used for the sportier version of the classic Mini, which in turn come from the involvement of John Cooper and the Cooper Car Company. The Cooper heritage is further emphasised with the John Cooper Works (JCW) range of tuning options that are available with the Mini. John Cooper also created a one-off racing model of the Mini Cooper S named the Mini Cooper S Works. This car features many extras which help to improve performance, such as a racing exhaust and air filter as well as uprated suspension. The car also has one-of-a-kind 17-inch (430 mm) racing wheels.[14] A 2006 Mini Cooper S Checkmate. The Mk I Mini One, Cooper and Cooper S used some version of the reliable, Brazilian-built Tritec engine, co-developed by Chrysler & BMW; the Mini One D used a Toyota-built diesel engine. In August 2006, BMW announced that future engines would be built in the UK, making the car essentially British-built again; final assembly took place at Oxford, and the body pressings were made in nearby Swindon at BMW's Swindon Pressings Ltd subsidiary. All models used a transversely-mounted four-cylinder engine driving the front wheels. All four wheels are pushed to the corners of the body to improve handling. The styling of the car, like that of the Volkswagen's New Beetle, is a retro design that is deliberately reminiscent of the original Mini. The retro styling is further enhanced by retaining other classic Mini touches such as contrasting roof colours, optional bonnet stripes, optional rally lights, and black trim around the wheel arches and rocker panels that mimic the wide wheel flares found on many classic Minis.[7] The Mini One and Mini Cooper were available with a ZF VT1F continuously variable transmission or with a conventional Midlands five-speed manual transmission (model years 2001-2004); the latter was replaced with a Getrag five-speed unit for the remainder of the Mk I production (2005–2006). The Cooper S came with a six-speed Getrag manual or (starting with the 2005 model year) a fully automatic transmission with paddle shifters. As standard, the Mini had a drive by wire electronic throttle, electronic brakeforce distribution, cornering brake control and electronic stability control (standard or optional, depending on model and region) to improve control and handling in adverse conditions.[15] The addition of a supercharger to the Mk I Cooper S required that the battery be relocated into the rear of the car — leaving no room for a spare tyre; hence this model comes with run-flat tyres as standard. [edit] Mini Convertible Mini Cooper S convertible, top-up Mini Cooper Convertible, interior At the 2004 Salon International de l'Auto, Mini introduced a convertible model which was released in the 2005 model year and available in One, Cooper and Cooper S versions. The convertible roof is fully automatic — an unusual feature in such a small car — and can be opened partially to act as a sunroof whilst the car is driving at speed. The convertible model forsakes the rear hatchback of the Hardtop Mini, replacing it with a drop down 'tailgate' that is reminiscent of the classic Mini — it incorporates similarly prominent external hinges, and with the roof in the closed position, the rear roof section and luggage shelf can be raised with two handles, semi-tailgate style, to access the luggage space easier. The convertible also adds two small power windows for the rear seat passengers which are lowered automatically when the roof opens. The roof is made from a heavy cloth, with many layers of insulation; the rear window is glass with an integral heater/defroster, but no washer or wiper. At the 2007 North American International Auto Show, Mini introduced the limited edition Mini Cooper S Sidewalk Convertible. It had a top speed of 215 km/h (134 mph) and accelerates from 0 to 100 kilometres per hour (0 to 62 mph) in 7.9 seconds. The engine provides 168 hp (125 kW) and 220 N·m (160 ft·lbf) of torque. [edit] Mini John Cooper Works GP The last Mk I variant to be produced using the Tritec engine was the Mini Cooper S with John Cooper Works GP Kit: a light-weight, quasi-race-prepped John Cooper Works model. Hand-finished by Bertone in Italy, it was offered as a limited-production run of 2000 cars during the 2006 model year, with 444 of those originally intended for the UK market (although ultimately, 459 were sold). The GP features more bolstered front seats but had no rear seats, which along with reduced sound-deadening, removal of the rear wash-wipe system, optional air-conditioning, and other weight-reduction steps, resulted in a weight saving of around 40 kg (88 lb) compared to a Cooper S. Additionally, the car had enhanced braking, suspension, a smooth under-body and 218 hp (163 kW) from the John Cooper Works engine modification package. In place of the rear seats there is additional body stiffening and below-floor storage areas. The car also offered many unique styling points, such as the red door mirrors, a carbon fiber rear spoiler, unique body kit, bespoke (2 kg lighter) 4-spoke alloy wheels, and specialised badging. Available in just one colour scheme (Thunder Blue with a Pure Silver roof), each car was individually numbered and featured a decal on the roof along with a plaque on the dashboard. The last of the supercharged Minis and a genuine Limited Edition model, there is a high potential for the Mini Cooper S with John Cooper Works GP Kit to become a collector's item. [edit] Mk I prototype and concept cars This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (December 2008) Mini Traveller concept car at the 2006 Detroit Auto Show Mini Traveller rear view Rover first showed the Mini as the ACV30 concept car in 1997.[9] This looked very different from the production Mini due to its circular headlamps, huge wheel flares and a much more rounded overall appearance when compared to the eventual production design. Before the first sales of the new Mini, prototype versions were shown at the 2000 Paris Auto Show. These were essentially identical to the version that was finally sold except that the colours used ('Candy Blue' and 'Flamenco Orange') have never been used in production. [edit] Beer-can exhaust The team of designers working on the 2001 Mini had finished the full-sized clay mock-up of the Mini in plenty of time for a presentation to the board of directors. However, the chief designer, Frank Stephenson, realised that the model did not have an exhaust pipe. His short-term solution was to pick up an empty beer can, punch a hole in it, strip off the paint and push it into the clay at the back of the car, which took just a few minutes. The overall design for the mock-up was so good that the board members told him not to change a thing, resulting in the distinctive exhaust tip seen in production cars.[7] [edit] Alternative fuel versions BMW demonstrated a hydrogen-powered internal combustion technology in some of their concept cars in 2000 and 2001, and Mini showcased a hydrogen-powered concept car in 2001 at the Frankfurt Auto Show. The car differs from electric-motor hydrogen concepts, such as the Honda FCX in that it uses a cylinder-based internal combustion engine. An all-electric Mini is in use at the British Embassy in Mexico that uses around 200 kilograms (440 lb) of Lithium Ion batteries. Three electric Minis were also made for use in some subway scenes in the 2003 movie The Italian Job to satisfy the subway authorities concerns over possible carbon monoxide poisoning. PML Flightlink developed a prototype series-hybrid conversion, called "Mini QED", replacing the drivetrain with an 160 bhp (120 kW) electric motor in each wheel and an efficient on-board petrol generator.[16] [edit] Additional concepts With the higher-output engines, the standard front wheel drive Mini tends to naturally suffer from a high level of wheel spin; four wheel drive would be a natural solution to that problem, and Getrag demonstrated a four wheel drive version of the Mini in 2004. At the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2005, Mini revealed a retro version of the classic "Mini Traveller" estate car. The Traveller had a stretched wheelbase, two side-hinged rear doors, and separate rear seats replacing the split bench seat of the standard Mini. At the Tokyo Auto Show, the same basic concept reappeared with some fanciful additions — a circular roof section that could be removed to form a picnic table with four folding chairs. The rear side windows were replaced with fold-down storage containers containing cutlery, cups and plates. In Detroit, a further version was presented without the table and chairs — but with a radically restyled interior. Ultimately, a production version of the Traveller concept vehicle would appear during the 2008 model year as the Mini Clubman. [edit] Second generation (2007 - present) [edit] Mini Hardtop Second generation Production 2007-present (Mk II Hardtop) 2007-present (Mk II Clubman) 2009-present (Mk II Convertible) Class Compact Body style(s) 3-door hatchback 5-door estate 2-door convertible 5-door SUV Engine(s) 1.4L Prince I4 (One) 1.6L Prince I4 (Cooper) 1.6L Peugeot DV6 diesel I4 (Cooper D and One D) 1.6L Prince turbocharged I4 (Cooper S) Transmission(s) 6-speed automatic and manual Wheelbase Hardtop & Convertible: 97.1 in (2466 mm) Clubman: 100.3 in (2547.6 mm) Length Hardtop: 145.6 in (3698 mm) Hardtop S: 146.2 in (3713 mm) Clubman: 155 in (3937 mm) Clubman S:155.8 in (3957 mm) Convertible: 143.1 in (3635 mm) Convertible S: 143.9 in (3655 mm) Width Hardtop: 66.3 in (1684 mm) Clubman: 66.3 in (1684 mm) Convertible: 66.5 in (1689 mm) Height Hardtop: 55.4 in (1407 mm) Clubman: 56.1 in (1425 mm) S:56.4 in (1433 mm) Convertible: 55.5 in (1410 mm) Mini introduced an all-new, second generation of the car for the 2007 model year, the Mk II Mini, on a re-engineered platform that incorporated many stylistic and engineering changes. The architecture of the Prince engine is shared with PSA Peugeot Citroën and is intended to be more cost-effective and fuel-efficient, it is manufactured at the BMW Hams Hall (Warwickshire) engine plant. The engineering was done in the United Kingdom by BMW Group UK Engineering; in Munich, Germany at BMW Group headquarters; and with external third parties. Mini Cooper S (2007+) The so-called "Mk II Mini" (echoing the 'mark number' naming convention associated with the classic Mini) was introduced in November 2006 as a Hardtop (internally, the R56) model, in the Cooper and Cooper S trim levels; the range was completed in 2007 with the Mk II Mini One. For the first time, there was a diesel-powered Cooper, available from April 2007, and badged as the Cooper D. Though the Mk II has a familiar look, every panel on the new car has been changed from the old model. New safety requirements mean that the overall length has increased by 60 mm (2.4 in), the front end raised and the indicators have been repositioned inside the headlight housings. The headlights themselves are now fixed to the front quarter panels rather than being integrated with the bonnet, so that they are not raised up with it when the bonnet opens. The car features a restyled grille and larger rear light clusters. The Cooper S retains the bonnet scoop in order to keep an association with the outgoing model — although the relocation of the intercooler to the front of the engine means that the scoop is now purely decorative. In addition, the Cooper S no longer has the battery located under the boot floor, instead being found in the more conventional location under the bonnet. The C-pillars are no longer encased in glass and have been shaped to improve aerodynamics and to reduce the tendency for dirt to accumulate on the back of the car. Much criticised for the lack of rear legroom, Mini added more space for rear passengers by creating sculpted cut-outs in the rear of the front seats. An engine start button replaces the conventional ignition key and, with the optional 'Comfort Access', the car unlocks itself automatically when the key is brought close to the car. The Cooper and Cooper S models offer a new rear axle and aluminium components to reduce the car's weight; and a Sports kit option comprising harder springs, damper and anti-roll bars is offered with both variants. Another key difference is the introduction of an upgraded electric power steering system, the sharpness of which can be increased by pressing a "Sport" button in front of the gear lever (both auto and manual); additionally, the "Sport" button adjusts the response of the accelerator, and in conjunction with automatic transmission, also allows the engine to rev almost to the redline before changing gear. Mini III Cooper D As for engines, the Tritec engine has been replaced in the Cooper model with a 120 metric horsepower (88 kW) 1.6-litre Prince engine incorporating BMW's Valvetronic infinitely variable valve timing, developed on and with Peugeot's core engine. It is reported in early road tests that this takes the car from 0–100 km/h in a claimed 9.1 seconds (0-60 mph: 8.5 seconds)[17] and has a top speed of 125 mph (201 km/h). Fuel economy of 48.7 miles per imperial gallon (5.80 L/100 km; 40.6 mpg-US) on the combined cycle is nearly 8 miles per imperial gallon (6.7 mpg-US) better. The more powerful 175 metric horsepower (129 kW) Cooper S replaces the supercharger with a new twin scroll turbocharger in the interests of efficiency, and features gasoline direct injection; consequently, this engine version does not feature Valvetronic. This engine also has an "overboost" function which temporarily raises the torque by 20 newton metres (15 ft·lbf) under hard acceleration. As a result, 0–100 km/h is covered in a claimed 7.1 seconds (0-60 mph: 6.7 seconds),[17] and top speed is 140 mph (230 km/h). It achieves similar improvements in fuel economy to the Cooper, returning 40.9 miles per imperial gallon (6.91 L/100 km; 34.1 mpg-US) combined. Both engines may be mated to either a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox. The turbocharged engine is the same (although with some French engineering modifications) as the one in the Peugeot 207 GTi/RC. From 2008, all non-U.S. Mini models are equipped with BMW's Efficient Dynamics fuel-saving technology. This includes a start-stop feature that shuts off the engine when the car is stationary; when the clutch pedal is depressed, the engine is restarted with electricity generated from Brake Energy Regeneration. The Cooper D model attains 74.0 miles per imperial gallon (3.82 L/100 km; 61.6 mpg-US) and emits 104 g of carbon dioxide per 100 kilometres. A Mini One D is available in Europe since 2009, attaining the same fuel efficiency and emissions of greenhouse gases as the Cooper D, which is itself quite comparable to the Toyota Prius for fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions (potentially better than the Prius at higher rpm). With the widespread use of its Efficient Dynamics feature, Mini is the first automotive brand to have all models in its range classified as mild hybrids (Mini's parent, BMW, is still in the process of implementing Efficient Dynamics across its older models). All models of the Mk II with optional dynamic stability control (DSC) also include "Hill Assist", a feature which prevents the car from rolling backwards on an incline by holding the brakes for 2 seconds after the driver releases the brake pedal, allowing the driver time to engage the accelerator pedal without the vehicle drifting. Also included with DSC is hydraulic EBA (Emergency Brake Assist) as opposed to the mechanical system on Minis without DSC. DSC is standard on all Minis since September 2008. The interior of the Mk II echoes the style of the earlier model, but is in fact a complete redesign. The boot of the new car has an additional 10 litres of load space. Other changes in design - both visible and otherwise - have contributed to the Mini's recently awarded 5 stars in the Euro NCAP tests. One example is the higher front bonnet, which now complies with the European pedestrian collision regulations. The old tradition of producing special, limited-edition Minis was also continued with the new Mini. For example, the Mini Monte Carlo,[18] recently launched in Singapore, is a tribute to the old Mini Cooper Monte Carlo, itself a limited edition Mini to celebrate Paddy Hopkirk's return to the Monte Carlo Rally 30 years after his original win. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Mini brand, 2 models have been released. The Mini 50 Mayfair is available in chocolate brown (hero colour) midnight black, and pepper white. It comes with a special 'toffee' lining and lounge leather. The Mini 50 Camden is available in white silver (hero colour), midnight black and horizon blue. The Camden is silver white on the inside, with Silver Lining interior surfaces combining with a colour line in tech white for the knee roll and arm rest in the door. The most striking feature, however, are the extremely limited edition black bi-xenon headlight reflectors and the 'Mission Control' previously seen only in the Countryman. The Mk II Mini is built by Mini's Production Triangle: Plant Swindon (body panels), Plant Hams Hall (engine) and finally Plant Oxford, where final assembly work is completed.[19] [edit] Mini Clubman Mini Clubman. The Mini Clubman is an estate car, introduced for the 2008 model year and available in One, Cooper, Cooper S, and Cooper D variations. While identical to the Hardtop from the B-pillars forward, the Clubman is 240 mm (9.4 in) longer overall, with a correspondingly stretched wheelbase that is 80 mm (3.1 in) longer; this provides more rear-seat leg room and substantially increased cargo space when compared to the Hardtop — 160 mm (6.3 in) longer, giving 260 litres (9.2 cubic feet) of space. It has twin "barn doors," alternately referred to as "the Splitdoor," enclosing the boot instead of a pull-up hatch, and also features a "Clubdoor" on the right-hand side for more convenient access to the rear seats. Engine and transmission selections are identical to those used in the Hardtop model, except the 66 kW (90 PS; 89 hp) One Diesel; and the rear suspension set-up shares many of the same designs features as that used in the Hardtop. For example, the rear trailing arms are the same, as are the anti-roll bars. The use of the name "Clubman" for the Mini estate van was a break with classic Mini tradition. "Clubman" was originally the name given to the 1970s face-lift of the classic Mini, which mostly resulted in a squared-off front end, whereas the classic Mini estates had traditionally been named "Traveller" or "Countryman". However, BMW did not initially purchase the rights to use those names. [edit] Mini John Cooper Works Challenge (2008-) The Mini John Cooper Works Challenge is a purpose-built race car, based on the R56 Hardtop, and manufactured in the BMW Motorsport factory located in Munich. The BMW Motorsport factory has been responsible for the construction of Formula One and European touring cars for many years. The R56 Challenge features a 6-speed manual transmission; 17-inch Borbet wheels with Dunlop control slick racing tyres; John Cooper Works aerodynamic kit including front splitter, rear diffuser, and high-downforce, adjustable rear wing; race-specific AP Racing ABS braking system; KW suspension rebound; height- and camber-adjustable coilover suspension; full roll cage; Recaro bucket seat with 6-point safety belt; HANS device; Sparco racing steering wheel; air jack system; and a fully-electronic fire extinguishing system. The car features a 1.6-litre, twin-scroll turbocharged engine that produces 155 kW (211 PS; 208 hp) at 6000 RPM, along with 261 N·m (193 lb·ft) of torque. Acceleration from 0–100 km/h (60 mph) is claimed at 6.1 seconds, and braking time from 100–0 km/h is just 3.1 seconds. It has MSRP of €49,900. The R56 Challenge was unveiled in 2008 at the IAA Motor Show.[20] [edit] Mini Convertible Please help improve this article by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page. (December 2008) 2009 Mini Cooper S convertible The Mk II Mini Cooper Convertible was unveiled at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show[21] and the 2009 Geneva International Motor Show[22] as a 2009 model-year vehicle (first available for sale on 28 March 2009[23]). One of its unique, "Mini-esque" features is an "Openometer", which records precisely — down to the minute — how long the vehicle has been enjoyed with the roof down. Available variants and corresponding powertrain selections are the same as in the other Mk II Cooper models, with the exception of the diesel engines, which are not available for the Cabrio. [edit] Mini John Cooper Works (2009-) Loosely based on the John Cooper Works (JCW) Challenge car, these are essentially Mk II Cooper S vehicles with a higher-output engine; a low-back-pressure exhaust system; a stiffer sport suspension; 17-inch light alloy rims with low-profile, performance tyres; Brembo performance brakes; and BMW's dynamic stability control (DSC) and Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) with Electronic Differential Lock Control (EDLC) as standard equipment. All JCW models are only available with a specific 6-speed Getrag manual transmission, and come with distinctive "John Cooper Works" badging in place of the normal "Cooper S" badging. The JCW vehicles are also factory-built, which further distinguishes them from earlier Mk II Cooper S models with any of the available John Cooper Works accessories (engine and suspension upgrades, aerodynamics kit, etc.) that are dealer-installed. The available JCW body styles are referred to as "John Cooper Works Hardtop," "John Cooper Works Clubman," or "John Cooper Works Convertible," reflecting the corresponding Cooper S body styles. All JCW models achieve the same EPA fuel economy ratings as their Cooper S counterparts.[24] The engine is rated at 211 PS (155 kW; 208 hp) and 261 N·m (193 lb·ft); under heavy acceleration, the engine automatically boosts torque output to a peak of 279 N·m (206 lb·ft). These figures are achieved by reducing compression ratio to 10.0:1, and increasing boost from 0.9 bar (13 psi) to 1.3 bar (19 psi) when compared to the turbocharged engine used in the Cooper S.[25] According to Mini, the JCW Hardtop will sprint to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 6.2 seconds, with the JCW Clubman clocking in at 6.5 seconds; both vehicles top out at 147 mph (237 km/h). The JCW variants were unveiled in 2008 at the Geneva Auto Show, as 2009 model-year vehicles.[26] [edit] Mini John Cooper Works World Championship 50 (2009) This is a limited-edition (originally planned to be 250 units, then subsequently increased to 500) of the John Cooper Works Hardtop. It commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the Formula One World Championship title won by John Cooper (builder) and Jack Brabham (driver). The production vehicle was inspired by John Cooper's son, Mike. It includes the John Cooper Works aerodynamics package; John Cooper Works Cross Spoke Challenge light-alloy wheels in Jet Black; specific body paint colours (Connaught Green body with Pepper White roof and bonnet stripes), carbon fibre bonnet scoop, rear diffuser, exterior mirror caps and tailgate handle; and specific interior colour scheme (Carbon Black interior with red knee-rolls, armrests and red stitching on the floor mats, gearshift & handbrake gaiters). The John Cooper signature was provided by "John" Michael Cooper. The car was unveiled in 2009 Mini United Festival in Silverstone.[27] [edit] Mini First (2009-) This is a sub-variant model sold in the UK market. The engine was adapted from that in the Mini One, but de-rated to 75 PS (55 kW; 74 hp), mated to the only transmission choice (a 6-speed manual). It incorporates Minimalism technologies, including Auto Start-Stop, Brake Energy Regeneration, Variable Valve Technology and Shift Point Display. Aside from the powertrain, the only other real difference between a basic Mini One and the Mini First (when first made available) is the manual air conditioning (standard on Mini One, optional on Mini First). The vehicle has a base MSRP of £10,950.[28] Similar versions are available in other European countries, under the name of "MINI One Minimalism Edition". Alloy wheels are not available on this version, with bespoke wheel trims coming as standard instead. [edit] Mini E Main article: Mini E This is a front-wheel drive electric vehicle, unveiled in 2008 at the Los Angeles Auto Show,[29] with an electric motor rated 204 PS (150 kW; 201 hp) and 220 N·m (160 lb·ft), 380V 35 kilowatt-hours (130 MJ) lithium-ion battery with distance of 240 kilometres (150 mi). It has top speed of 152 km/h (94 mph). When it was officially announced, BMW Group planned to built 500 vehicles by the end of 2008. The pilot project began in the U.S. states of California, New York, and New Jersey, with Europe being considered. The vehicles are not sold to customers, but rather rented under one-year lease with an extension option. 1,800 people have reportedly signed up to lease the Mini E[citation needed], which costs $850/month.[30] The vehicle gliders are built in the Mini factory in Oxford, while batteries, electric drive and power electronics are manufactured in Munich. The components are then shipped to a specially-equipped manufacturing complex, situated on BMW plant premises where the electric motor, battery units, performance electronics and transmission can be integrated.[31] Eichiner hinted that there is a possibility that a fourth brand could be formed, but noting only if an advanced technology didn’t fit in a Rolls-Royce, BMW or Mini.[32] [edit] Electric conversion options Nevada’s Hybrid Technologies has started production of its all-lithium, electric-powered Mini Cooper model. The new electric Mini uses Hybrid Tech’s own proprietary advanced lithium management and battery-balancing system. Top speed is only around 80 mph (130 km/h) but driving at a slower speed preserves battery-life and means owners will be able to travel up to 120 miles (190 km) on a single charge.[33] EV Television (EVTV.ME) is publishing a series of videos documenting their conversion of a 2009 Mini Cooper Clubman to electric drive. The project uses a more powerful AC induction motor from MES-DEA and TIMS600 controller to provide 177 lb·ft (240 N·m) of torque. It uses 112 readily available Sky Energy 100Ah LiFePo4 cells to provide an energy storage of 40.3 kWh, a range of 125 miles (201 km), and a top speed of 120 mph (190 km/h). This is an open source project, using parts readily available to anyone from existing suppliers, and intended for those inclined to do their own conversion of an existing 2009 Mini Cooper Clubman. [edit] Mini Countryman (2010) Mini Countryman In January 2010, Mini unveiled the Countryman (internally, the R60), their first crossover SUV. The Mini Countryman will be sold as a 2011 model-year vehicle, and will have five doors; a longer wheelbase and more interior room than the Clubman; and higher ground clearance. The Countryman will make use of exactly the same engines as the other models, but will offer an optional all-wheel-drive powertrain (dubbed "ALL4") to allow minimal off-road and rugged terrain use.[34] In June, with preparation for the launch of the Countryman, Mini invited grammy award winner and country/pop singer Michelle Branch and urban pop producer Timbaland to collaborate on a new advertisement effort. Their new song, "Getaway", focuses on the idea of "urban meets country", and the music video premiered on June 8, 2010. The Countryman will be built in Austria at Magna Steyr (the former Steyr Puch factory), making it the first of the BMW Minis to be manufactured entirely outside the UK. In November 2010 Euro NCAP granted the Countryman a 5-star crash rating.[35] [edit] Mini Countryman WRC On 27 July 2010 Mini announced plans to enter the World Rally Championship.[36] The Countryman is the chosen donor model and Prodrive have been selected to prepare the Mini Countryman WRC. The factory team will compete in a reduced programme for the 2011 WRC season, before taking on the full calendar in 2012. [edit] Mk II concept cars [edit] Mini Crossover (2008) The Mini Crossover Concept was unveiled in 2008 at the Paris Motor Show.[37] It was over 4 metres (13 ft) long, with four-wheel drive, wide tyres, and a single piece rear door with a retractable rear window. Inside, it had a large glass ball in the centre of the instrument panel, called the 'Mini Centre Globe'; this system incorporated laser projection technology for 3D navigational routes and films. A production vehicle based on the Crossover Concept will be built in Austria, starting in late 2010, and produced as the "Mini Countryman". [edit] Mini Coupé (2009) This was a 2-seat concept vehicle, unveiled in 2009 at the Frankfurt Motor Show,[38] and inspired by the classic Mini. As its name suggests, it had a coupé body, used the engine from the John Cooper Works vehicles, and had the chrome radiator grille from the Cooper S (but with the inner sections of the grille finished in the body colour). It had a luggage capacity of 250 litres. BMW AG subsequently announced that a production version would be built in Oxford. Likely model year introduction would be 2011, with possible engine choices to include the 1.6-litre turbo from the John Cooper Works vehicles.[39] [edit] Mini Beachcomber (2009) Main article: MINI Beachcomber On 16 December 2009, Mini revealed the Beachcomber Concept, which drew heavily on the Moke styling while still being packed with modern equipment. The Beachcomber Concept was based on the forthcoming Countryman all-wheel drive platform, and made its public debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January 2010.[40] [edit] Body type summary Chassis codes R55 R56 R57 Body styles Clubman Hardtop Convertible Model Years First - 2009- - One - 2007- - Cooper 2008- 2007- 2009- Cooper S 2008- 2007- 2009- John Cooper Works 2009- 2009- 2009- John Cooper Works Challenge - 2008- - Cooper D 2008- 2008- 2008- E - 2009- - [edit] Engine summary Model Years Type Power, torque @ rpm Petrol engines First 2009- 1,397 cc (1.397 L; 85.3 cu in) I4 75 PS (55 kW; 74 hp) @ 4500, 120 N·m (89 lb·ft) @ 2500 One 2007- 1,397 cc (1.397 L; 85.3 cu in) I4 95 PS (70 kW; 94 hp) @ 6000, 140 N·m (100 lb·ft) @ 4000 One Convertible ? 1,598 cc (1.598 L; 97.5 cu in) I4 95 PS (70 kW; 94 hp) @ 5500 Cooper Hardtop Cooper Clubman Cooper Convertible 2007- 2008- 2009- 1,598 cc (1.598 L; 97.5 cu in) I4 120 PS (88 kW; 120 hp) @ 6000, 160 N·m (120 lb·ft) @ 4250 Cooper S Hardtop Cooper S Clubman Cooper S Convertible 2007- 2008- 2009- 1,598 cc (1.598 L; 97.5 cu in) I4 turbo 175 PS (129 kW; 173 hp) @ 5500, 240 N·m (180 lb·ft) @ 1600-5000 Overboost: 260 N·m (190 lb·ft) @ 1700-4500 John Cooper Works CHALLENGE John Cooper Works (all body styles) 2008- 2009- 1,598 cc (1.598 L; 97.5 cu in) I4 turbo 211 PS (155 kW; 208 hp) @ 6000, 261 N·m (193 lb·ft) @ 1850-5600 Overboost: 279 N·m (206 lb·ft) @ 2000 Diesel engines Cooper D 2008- 1,560 cc (1.56 L; 95 cu in) I4 turbo 110 PS (81 kW; 110 hp) @ 4000, 240 N·m (180 lb·ft) @ 1750-2000 Overboost: 260 N·m (190 lb·ft) One D 1.4 2007–2009 1,364 cc (1.364 L; 83.2 cu in) I4 turbo 88 PS (65 kW; 87 hp) @ 4000, 190 N·m (140 lb·ft) @ 1750 One D 2009- 1,560 cc (1.56 L; 95 cu in) I4 turbo 90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp) @ 4000,88 hp Electric motors E 2009- AC Propulsion 13000 rpm motor, 100A @ 13.5 V power supply 204 PS (150 kW; 201 hp) @ 6000-12000, 225 N·m (166 lb·ft) @ 0-5000 Regeneration: 115 N·m (85 lb·ft) Continuous: 68 PS (50 kW; 67 hp) [edit] Internal designations All Mini models have R-series model numbers assigned to them, a legacy of the Mini's original development within Rover Group. The following designations are known:[41] R50: "Mk I" Mini One (2001–2006) R52: "Mk I" Mini Convertible (2004–2008) R53: "Mk I" Mini Cooper S (2001–2006) R55: "Mk II"Mini Clubman and D (2007–present) R56: "Mk II"Mini Cooper S (2007–present) R57: "Mk II"Mini Convertible (2009–present) R60: "Mk II"Mini Countryman (2010-present) [edit] Production The Mini is currently assembled at Plant Oxford in Cowley, Oxfordshire, where 4,700 employees (referred to as 'associates') produce up to 800 cars each day (approximately 240,000 per year). The 16 country-specific variants of the three main 4 cylinder petrol engines are assembled at the Hams Hall Plant near Birmingham, where there are 1,000 employees. Mini sub-assemblies and pressings such as doors are supplied by the plant at Swindon, where 1,100 are employed and 280 pressed parts are produced using 135 welding robots. The bodyshop at Cowley holds 429 robots, assembling 425 body panels; the bodyshells are then moved to the neighbouring paint shop where paint robots apply the 14 exterior colour options and optional contrasting roof colours. Final assembly is performed at Cowley, which involves the fitting of 2,400 components to produce the numerous variants that may be ordered.[42] In November 2008, BMW announced to close its Oxford factory for four weeks to cut production as sales rapidly deteriorated. Sales of the Mini in Britain plunged 40 per cent in October against a fall of 23 per cent in the overall market.[43] [edit] Reliability Breakdown statistics reported by the German Automobile Club in May 2010 placed the BMW Mini at the top of the small car class in respect of the low break-down rates achieved for cars aged between 0 and 4 years,[44][45] narrowly beating the Ford Fusion and Mitsubishi Colt. [edit] Criticism Dr. Alex Moulton (designer of the suspension system for the classic Mini), spoke about the new Mini in an interview with MiniWorld magazine: "It's enormous - the original Mini was the best packaged car of all time - this is an example of how not to do it. It's huge on the outside and weighs the same as an Austin Maxi. The crash protection has been taken too far. I mean, what do you want, an armoured car? It is an irrelevance insofar as it has no part in the Mini story."[46] Critics[who?] of the new Mini also cite the fact that it is 60 cm (2 ft) longer, 30 cm (1 ft) wider and almost twice the weight of the classic car - yet it has less rear leg room and less luggage space. Much of this is to do with modern crash protection requirements and the desire to incorporate features such as air conditioning, a turbocharged engine, modern emissions controls and a higher level of front-seat comfort than the classic Mini was capable of. Mk I convertible owners frequently criticise the poor rear visibility in the convertible.[citation needed] With the roof up the wide areas of cloth down the sides of the car block visibility to the rear quarters and the lack of washer/wiper on the small rear window - combined with the tendency of all flat-backed cars to accumulate dirt on the rear - effectively eliminates all rear visibility. Even with the roof down, the large roll-protection bars above the back seats and the bunched up cloth of the folded roof tends to block a significant fraction of rearward visibility. In an attempt to counter this problem when reversing the car, the Mini convertible comes with rear-mounted proximity sensors as standard equipment (optional on the Hardtop Mini). In designing the second generation car, Mini responded to these issues by using pop up roll-bars, and a larger rear window. The rear (club) door of the Mini Clubman is on the right-hand side of the car, regardless of the intended market. This means that in right-hand drive markets (including the car's home market), the rear door is on the road side of the car, requiring rear passengers to exit into the road. Owners of Mk II Cooper S and John Cooper Works models have been complaining about "Cold Start Death Rattle".[47][48] BMW has acknowledged this as a fault with some timing chain tensioners, and has issued a Technical Service Bulletin SIM-11-02-07.[49] [edit] Marketing Mini paid for this Weekly World News story as a part of an advertising campaign in 2003 During the production of first generation Mini, as a joke and undoubtedly as a part of Mini's viral marketing approach, purchasers of the Mini convertible were asked to sign a "contract" promising that they would drive the car with the roof open at least 90% of the time. Mini also set up a telephone hotline (in the USA: 1-888-DO NOT CLOSE) which one may call to report convertible owners who are driving with the roof up inappropriately. The automated system offers such helpful advice as how to administer a wedgie to the offender. Butler, Shine, Stern & Partners, Mini's advertising agency, produced a video series called Hammer & Coop, directed by Todd Phillips as part of an ad campaign for the Mini.[50] Crispin Porter + Bogusky, Mini's advertising agency, produced a movie called Counterfeit Mini Coopers as part of the ad campaign.[51] To advertise Mini Clubman's introduction to Chinese market, Beijing Mini offered a Mini Rickshaw, which uses the rear half of Mini Clubman.[52] In New Zealand, Mini sponsored Mad Men, broadcast on Prime. Special spots were created; for the first season, these took the form of a satirical, sexist 60s-style television commercial. For the second season, the spot was a pastiche of Mad Men's opening credits, with a silhouette figure tumbling out of an office building, landing in the driver's seat of a Mini. [edit] Awards and popularity Mini owners were invited to bring their cars to the world premiere of The Italian Job Featured notably in the 2003 remake of The Italian Job, the Mini Cooper/Cooper S won the North American Car of the Year award for 2003.[53] In 2008 the green version of the Mini, the Mini Cooper D, was nominated for WhatGreenCar.com Car of the Year Awards. The judges highly commended the Cooper D for its EfficientDynamics stop-start and regenerative braking technology and were hugely impressed by the driving experience offered by the car. It reached the shortlist for the Green Car Awards, but eventually lost out to the Ford Focus ECOnetic. In 2009, the Mini was Britain's seventh best selling car - the first time the new Mini had appeared among the nation's top 10 selling cars.[54] It also was Britain's seventh best selling car in June 2010.[55] In April 2010 Kelley Blue Book included the Mini COOPER (gasoline) among its Top 10 Green Cars for 2010.[56][57] [edit] Racing An R56 Challenge vehicle was entered in the 2008 Mini Challenge.[58] The Mini Challenge Motorsport Category runs globally, with the categories in Germany, Australia, England, Spain, New Zealand, and Saudi Arabia commencing in 2010. RSR Motorsports has entered three Mini Coopers in the KONI Challenge Series Street Tuner class.[59] It is expected that Mini will reenter into the World Rally Championship in 2011 with backing from Prodrive[60] It has been confirmed that Mini is making a return to rallying, with the Mini Countryman WRC[61] [edit] References ^ a b c Reed, Chris (1994). 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Retrieved 2009-06-19.  ^ "F1 News: Prodrive rules out entering F1 in 2011". autosport.com. 2010-04-15. http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/82877. Retrieved 2010-05-13.  ^ "MINI is making a return to rallying, with the Countryman WRC joining the World Rally Championship in 2011.". www.green-car-guide.com. 2011-07-29. http://www.green-car-guide.com/articles/1106/1/MINI-Countryman-WRC-/Page1.html. 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Category:Industry in the United Kingdom || Mini From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia   (Redirected from Austin Mini) Jump to: navigation, search For the BMW MINI range produced since 2001, see Mini (BMW). For other uses, see Mini (disambiguation). Mini Manufacturer BMC to MG Rover, and Innocenti, Authi Production 1959–2000 Class Compact, City car Layout FF layout Engine(s) A-series, 850–1275 cc I4 Transmission(s) 4-speed manual 4-speed automatic 5-speed manual (optional extra on some later models) Wheelbase 2.04 m (80.3 in) (saloon) 2.14 m (84.3 in) (estate and commercials) Length 3.05 m (120.1 in) (saloon)[1] 3.40 m (133.9 in) (estate and commercials) 3.30 m (129.9 in) (Wolseley Hornet/Riley Elf)[2] Width 1.40 m (55.1 in) Height 1.35 m (53.1 in) Kerb weight 617 to 686 kg (1,360 to 1,512 lb) Designer Sir Alec Issigonis The Mini is a small car that was made by the British Motor Corporation (BMC) and its successors from 1959 until 2000. The original is considered a British icon of the 1960s,[3][4][5] and its space-saving front-wheel-drive layout (that allowed 80% of the area of the car's floorpan to be used for passengers and luggage) influenced a generation of car-makers.[6] The vehicle is in some ways considered the British equivalent to its German contemporary, the Volkswagen Beetle, which enjoyed similar popularity in North America. In 1999 the Mini was voted the second most influential car of the 20th Century, behind the Ford Model T.[7][8] This distinctive two-door car was designed for BMC by Sir Alec Issigonis.[9][10] It was manufactured at the Longbridge and Cowley plants in England, the Victoria Park / Zetland British Motor Corporation (Australia) factory in Sydney, Australia, and later also in Spain (Authi), Belgium, Chile, Italy (Innocenti), Portugal, South Africa, Uruguay, Venezuela and Yugoslavia. The Mini Mark I had three major UK updates: the Mark II, the Clubman and the Mark III. Within these was a series of variations including an estate car, a pickup truck, a van and the Mini Moke—a jeep-like buggy. The Mini Cooper and Cooper "S" were sportier versions that were successful as rally cars, winning the Monte Carlo Rally four times from 1964 through to 1967, although in 1966 the Mini was disqualified after the finish, along with six other British entrants, which included the first four cars to finish, under a questionable ruling that the cars had used an illegal combination of headlamps and spotlights.[11] Initially Minis were marketed under the Austin and Morris names, as the Austin Seven and Morris Mini Minor, until Mini became a marque in its own right in 1969.[12][13] The Mini was again marketed under the Austin name in the 1980s. Contents 1 Design and development 2 Mark I Mini: 1959–1967 3 Mark II Mini: 1967–1973 4 Variants 4.1 Wolseley Hornet and Riley Elf (1961–1969) 4.2 Morris Mini Traveller and Austin Mini Countryman (1961–1969) 4.3 Mini Van (1960–1982) 4.4 Mini Moke (1964–1989) 4.5 Mini Pick-up (1961–1982) 4.6 Morris Mini K (March 1969 – August 1971, Australia only) 5 Mini Cooper and Cooper S: 1961–2000 6 Mini Clubman and 1275GT: 1969–1980 6.1 The Clubman in Australia 7 Mark III and onwards: 1970–2000 8 End of production 9 Timeline 10 Limited editions 11 Concepts and unproduced prototypes 12 Exotic Minis and celebrities 13 Kit cars and customisation 14 Awards 15 Minis in the United States 16 Popularity 17 Safety 18 New MINI 19 See also 20 References 21 External links [edit] Design and development Designed as project ADO15 (Austin Drawing Office project number 15), the Mini came about because of a fuel shortage caused by the 1956 Suez Crisis.[14] Petrol was once again rationed in the UK, sales of large cars slumped, the market for German Bubble cars boomed. Leonard Lord, the somewhat autocratic head of BMC, reportedly detested these cars so much that he vowed to rid the streets of them and design a 'proper miniature car'.[15] He laid down some basic design requirements: the car should be contained within a box that measured 10 × 4 × 4 ft (3 × 1.2 × 1.2 m); and the passenger accommodation should occupy 6 ft (1.8 m) of the 10 ft (3 m) length; and the engine, for reasons of cost, should be an existing unit. Issigonis, who had been working for Alvis, had been recruited back to BMC in 1955 and, with his skills in designing small cars, was a natural for the task. The team that designed the Mini was remarkably small: as well as Issigonis, there was Jack Daniels (who had worked with him on the Morris Minor), Chris Kingham (who had been with him at Alvis), two engineering students and four draughtsmen. Together, by October 1957, they had designed and built the original prototype, which was affectionately named "The Orange Box" because of its colour.[3] The ADO15 used a conventional BMC A-Series four-cylinder water-cooled engine,[16] but departed from tradition by mounting it transversely, with the engine-oil-lubricated, four-speed transmission in the sump, and by employing front-wheel drive. Almost all small front-wheel-drive cars developed since have used a similar configuration, except with the transmission usually separately enclosed rather than using the engine oil. The radiator was mounted at the left side of the car so that the engine-mounted fan could be retained, but with reversed pitch so that it blew air into the natural low pressure area under the front wing. This location saved precious vehicle length, but had the disadvantage of feeding the radiator with air that had been heated by passing over the engine. It also exposed the entire ignition system to the direct ingress of rainwater through the grille. 1959 Morris Mini-Minor interior The suspension system, designed by Issigonis's friend Dr. Alex Moulton at Moulton Developments Limited, used compact rubber cones instead of conventional springs. This ingenious space-saving design also featured rising progressive-rate springing of the cones, and provided some natural damping. Built into the subframes, the rubber cone system gave a raw and bumpy ride which was accentuated by the woven-webbing seats, but the rigidity of the rubber cones, together with the wheels being pushed out to the corners of the car, gave the Mini go kart-like handling that would become famous. Initially an interconnected fluid system was planned—similar to the one that Alec Issigonis and Alex Moulton were working on in the mid-1950s at Alvis. They had assessed the mechanically interconnected Citroen 2CV suspension at that time (according to an interview by Moulton with CAR magazine in the late 1990s), which inspired the design of the Hydrolastic suspension system for the Mini and Morris/Austin 1100, to try to keep the benefits of the 2CV system (ride comfort, body levelling, keeping the roadwheel under good control and the tyre in contact with the road), but with added roll stiffness that the 2CV was very much lacking. The short development time of the car meant this was not ready in time for the Mini's launch. The system intended for the Mini was further developed and the hydrolastic system was first used on the Morris 1100, launched in 1962; the Mini gained the system later in 1964. Ten-inch (254 mm) wheels were specified, so new tyres had to be developed, the initial contract going to Dunlop. Issigonis went to Dunlop stating that he wanted even smaller, 8 in (203 mm) wheels (even though he had already settled on ten-inch). An agreement was made on the ten-inch size, after Dunlop choked on the eight-inch proposition. Sliding windows allowed storage pockets in the hollow doors; reportedly Issigonis sized them to fit a bottle of Gordon's Gin.[9] The boot lid was hinged at the bottom so that the car could be driven with it open to increase luggage space. On early cars the number plate was hinged at the top so that it could swing down to remain visible when the boot lid was open. This feature was later discontinued after it was discovered that exhaust gases could leak into the cockpit when the boot was open. The Mini was designed as a monocoque shell with welded seams visible on the outside of the car running down the A and C pillars, and between the body and the floor pan. To further simplify construction, the hinges for the doors and boot lid were mounted externally. Cross-section shows how Mini maximizes passenger space Production models differed from the prototypes by the addition of front and rear subframes to the unibody to take the suspension loads, and by having the engine mounted the other way round, with the carburettor at the back rather than at the front. This layout required an extra gear between engine and transmission to reverse the direction of rotation at the input to the transmission. Having the carburettor behind the engine reduced carburettor icing, but the distributor was then exposed to water coming in through the grille. The engine size was reduced from 948 cc to 848 cc; this, in conjunction with a small increase in the car's width, cut the top speed from 90 mph (145 km/h) to a more reasonable (for the time) 72 mph (116 km/h). Despite its utilitarian origins, the classic Mini shape had become so well known that by the 1990s, Rover Group—the heirs to BMC—were able to register its design as a trade mark in its own right.[17] [edit] Mark I Mini: 1959–1967 The first Morris Mini-Minor sold in Texas being delivered to a family in Arlington, Texas in 1959. See also: Mark I Mini The production version of the Mini was demonstrated to the press in April 1959, and by August several thousand cars had been produced ready for the first sales.[18] The name Mini did not appear by itself immediately—the first models being marketed under two of BMC's brand names, Austin and Morris. The name Austin Seven (sometimes written as SE7EN in early publicity material) recalled the popular small Austin 7 of the 1920s and 1930s. The other name used until 1967 in the United Kingdom (and in Commonwealth countries such as Australia), Morris Mini-Minor, seems to have been a play on words. The Morris Minor was a well known and successful car, with the word minor being Latin for "lesser"; so an abbreviation of the Latin word for "least"—minimus—was used for the new even smaller car. It was originally going to be called the Austin Newmarket. 1963 Austin Mini 850 Mark I One of the very first examples from 1959 is now on display at the National Motor Museum in Hampshire.[19] The very first example, with the now iconic registration place "621 AOK", is on display at the Heritage Motor Centre in Warwickshire.[20] Until 1962, the cars appeared as the Austin 850 and Morris 850 in North America and France, and in Denmark as the Austin Partner (until 1964) and Morris Mascot (until 1981). The name Mini was first used domestically by BMC for Austin's version in 1961, when the Austin Seven was rebranded as the Austin Mini,[21] somewhat to the surprise of the Sharps Commercials car company (later known as Bond Cars Ltd) who had been using the name Minicar for their three-wheeled vehicles since 1949. However, legal action was somehow averted,[22] and BMC used the name Mini thereafter.[23] In 1964, the suspension of the cars was replaced by another Moulton design, the hydrolastic system. The new suspension gave a softer ride but it also increased weight and production cost and, in the minds of many enthusiasts, spoiled the handling characteristics for which the Mini was so famous. In 1971, the original rubber suspension reappeared and was retained for the remaining life of the Mini. Austin Mini Van, The Automobile Association livery From October 1965 the option of an Automotive Products (AP) designed four-speed automatic transmission became available. Cars fitted with this became the Mini-Matic Slow at the outset, Mark I sales strengthened across most of the model lines in the 1960s, and production totalled 1,190,000.[24] Sold at almost below cost, the basic Mini made very little money for its owners. However, it still did make a small profit. Ford once took a Mini away and completely dismantled it, possibly to see if they could offer an alternative. It was their opinion though, that they could not sell it at BMC's price. Ford determined that the BMC must have been losing around 30 pounds per car, and so decided to produce a larger car - the Cortina, launched in 1962 - as its competitor in the budget market. BMC insisted that the way company overheads were shared out, the Mini always made money.[25] Larger profits came from the popular De Luxe models and from optional extras such as seat belts, door mirrors, a heater and a radio, which would be considered necessities on modern cars, as well as the various "Cooper" and "Cooper S" models, to be discussed later. The Mini etched its place into popular culture in the 1960s with well-publicised purchases by film and music stars.[26] [edit] Mark II Mini: 1967–1973 Mark II Also called Morris Mini Austin Mini Production 1967–1973 Assembly Longbridge, Birmingham, West Midlands, England, Cowley, Oxfordshire, England Pamplona, Spain Seneffe, Belgium Arica, Chile Setúbal, Portugal Cape Town, South Africa, Petone, New Zealand Body style(s) 2-door saloon 2-door estate 2-door van 2-door truck Engine(s) 1275 cc I4 998 cc I4 850 cc 14 The Mark II Mini featured a redesigned grille which remained with the car from that point on. Also, a larger rear window and numerous cosmetic changes were introduced. 429,000 Mark II Minis were made.[24][27][28] A bewildering variety of Mini types were made in Pamplona, Spain, by the Authi company from 1968 onwards, mostly under the Morris name. The Mini was arguably the star of the 1969 film The Italian Job, which features a car chase in which a gang of thieves drive three Minis down staircases, through storm drains, over buildings and finally into the back of a moving bus. This film was remade in 2003 using the new MINI. 1968 Mark III Riley Elf. [edit] Variants The popularity of the original Mini spawned many models that targeted different markets. [edit] Wolseley Hornet and Riley Elf (1961–1969) Built as more luxurious versions of the Mini, both the Wolseley Hornet and the Riley Elf had longer, slightly finned rear wings and larger boots that gave the cars a more traditional three-box design. Front-end treatment, which incorporated each marque's traditional upright grille design, also contributed to a less utilitarian appearance. The cars had larger-diameter chrome hubcaps than the Austin and Morris Minis, and additional chrome accents, bumper overriders and wood-veneer dashboards. The Riley was the more expensive of the two cars.[29] The name "Wolseley Hornet" was first used on a 1930s sports car, while the name "Elf" recalled the Riley Sprite and Imp sports cars, also of the 1930s. The full-width dashboard was a differentiator between the Elf and Hornet. This better dashboard was the idea of Christopher Milner the Sales Manager for Riley. Both cars went through three versions. Initially, they used the 848 cc engine, changing to a single carburettor version of the Cooper's 998 cc power unit in the Mark II in 1963. The MKIII facelift of 1966 brought wind-up windows and fresh-air fascia vents; also concealed door hinges two years before these were seen on the mainstream Mini. 30,912 Riley Elfs and 28,455 Wolseley Hornets were built.[24] Mark II Austin Mini Countryman [edit] Morris Mini Traveller and Austin Mini Countryman (1961–1969) Two-door estate cars with double "barn"-style rear doors. Both were built on a slightly longer chassis of 84 inch (2.14 m) compared to 80.25 inch (2.04 m) for the saloon. The luxury models had decorative, non-structural wood inserts in the rear body which gave the car a similar appearance to the larger Morris Minor estate which had some of the look of an American-style 1950s Woodie. Approximately 108,000 Austin Mini Countrymen and 99,000 Morris Mini Travellers were built.[24] [edit] Mini Van (1960–1982) A commercial panel van rated at ¼-ton load capacity. Built on the longer Traveller chassis but without side windows, it proved popular in 1960s Britain as a cheaper alternative to the car: it was classed as a commercial vehicle and as such carried no sales tax. A set of simple stamped steel slots served in place of a more costly chrome grille. The Mini Van was renamed as the Mini 95 in 1978, the number representing the gross vehicle weight of 0.95 tons. 521,494 were built.[24] Despite this renaming, the motoring public continued to call it the Mini Van, as a result of which[citation needed] the class of vehicles known as minivans in other countries are referred to in Britain as MPVs. [edit] Mini Moke (1964–1989) Main article: Mini Moke A utility vehicle intended for the British Army, for whom a few twin-engined 4-wheel-drive versions were also built. Although the 4WD Moke could climb a 1:2 gradient, it lacked enough ground clearance for military use.[30] The single-engined front-wheel-drive Moke enjoyed some popularity in civilian production. About 50,000 were made in total,[24] from 1964 to 1968 in the UK, 1966 to 1982 in Australia and 1983 to 1989 in Portugal.[31] The car featured in the cult 1967 TV series The Prisoner, and is popular in holiday locations such as Barbados and Macau, where Mokes were used as police cars. Mokes were also available to rent there as recently as March 2006. "Moke" is archaic British slang for a donkey. A Mini Pickup. [edit] Mini Pick-up (1961–1982) A pick-up truck, 11 ft (3.4 m) from nose to tail, built on the longer Mini Van platform, with an open-top rear cargo area and a tailgate. The factory specified the weight of the Pickup as less than 1,500 lb (680 kg) with a full 6 imperial gallons (27 L; 7 US gal) of fuel. As with the Van, the Pickup did not have a costly chrome grille. Instead, a simple set of stamped metal slots allowed airflow into the engine compartment. The Pickup was spartan in basic form, although the factory brochure informed prospective buyers that "[a] fully equipped Mini Pick-up is also available which includes a recirculatory heater." Passenger-side sun visor, seat belts, laminated windscreen, tilt tubes and cover were available at extra cost.[32] Like the van, the Pickup was renamed as the Mini 95 in 1978. A total of 58,179 Mini Pickups were built.[24] [edit] Morris Mini K (March 1969 – August 1971, Australia only) Built in the Australian British Motor Corporation factory at Zetland, NSW using 80% local content, the Morris Mini K was advertised as the "great leap forward".[33] The Mini K ('K' standing for Kangaroo) had a 1098 cc engine and was the last round-nose model to be produced in Australia, originally priced at $1780 (AUD). [edit] Mini Cooper and Cooper S: 1961–2000 Issigonis' friend John Cooper, owner of the Cooper Car Company and designer and builder of Formula One and rally cars, saw the potential of the Mini for competition. Issigonis was initially reluctant to see the Mini in the role of a performance car, but after John Cooper appealed to BMC management, the two men collaborated to create the Mini Cooper, a nimble, economical and inexpensive car. The Austin Mini Cooper and Morris Mini Cooper debuted in 1961.[9][34] The original 848 cc engine from the Morris Mini-Minor was given a longer stroke to increase capacity to 997 cc, boosting power from 34 bhp to 55 bhp (25 to 41 kW).[16] The car featured a racing-tuned engine, twin SU carburettors, a closer-ratio gearbox and front disc brakes, uncommon at the time in a small car. One thousand units of this version were commissioned by management, intended for and designed to meet the homologation rules of Group 2 rally racing. The 997 cc engine was replaced by a shorter stroke 998 cc unit in 1964. 1963 Austin Mini Cooper S A more powerful Mini Cooper, dubbed the "S", was developed in tandem and released in 1963. Featuring a 1071 cc engine with a 70.61 mm bore and nitrided steel crankshaft and strengthened bottom end to allow further tuning; and larger servo-assisted disc brakes, 4,030 Cooper S cars were produced and sold until the model was updated in August 1964. Cooper also produced two S models specifically for circuit racing in the under 1000cc and under 1300cc classes respectively, rated at 970 cc and a 1275 cc, both with the 70.61mm bore and both of which were also offered to the public. The smaller-engine model was not well received, and only 963 had been built when the model was discontinued in 1965. The 1275 cc Cooper S models continued in production until 1971. Sales of the Mini Cooper were as follows: 64,000 Mark I Coopers with 997 cc or 998 cc engines; 19,000 Mark I Cooper S with 970 cc, 1071 cc or 1275 cc engines; 16,000 Mark II Coopers with 998 cc engines; 6,300 Mark II Cooper S with 1275 cc engines. There were no Mark III Coopers and just 1,570 Mark III Cooper S's. The Mini Cooper S earned acclaim with Monte Carlo Rally victories in 1964, 1965 and 1967.[35] Minis were initially placed first, second and third in the 1966 rally as well, but were disqualified after a controversial decision by the French judges. The disqualification related to the use of a variable resistance headlamp dimming circuit in place of a dual-filament lamp.[36] It should be noted that the Citroën DS that was eventually awarded first place had illegal white headlamps but escaped disqualification.[37] The driver of the Citroën, Pauli Toivonen, was reluctant to accept the trophy and vowed that he would never race for Citroën again.[38] BMC probably received more publicity from the disqualification than they would have gained from a victory.[39] 1965 Monte Carlo Rally winner: 1964 Morris Mini Cooper S Monte Carlo Rally Results for Mini.[35] Year Driver Co-Driver Result 1962 Pat Moss Ann Wisdom Ladies' Award 1963 Rauno Aaltonen Tony Ambrose 3rd Place 1964 Paddy Hopkirk Henry Liddon Winner Timo Mäkinen Patrick Vanson 4th Place 1965 Timo Mäkinen Paul Easter Winner 1966 Timo Mäkinen Paul Easter (disqualified) Rauno Aaltonen Tony Ambrose (disqualified) Paddy Hopkirk Henry Liddon (disqualified) 1967 Rauno Aaltonen Henry Liddon Winner 1968 Rauno Aaltonen Henry Liddon 3rd Place Tony Fall Mike Wood 4th Place Paddy Hopkirk Ron Crellin 5th Place In 1971, the Mini Cooper design was licensed in Italy by Innocenti and in 1973 to Spain by Authi (Automoviles de Turismo Hispano-Ingleses), which began to produce the Innocenti Mini Cooper 1300 and the Authi Mini Cooper 1300, respectively. The Cooper name disappeared from the UK Mini range at this time, as British Leyland (as it was by then) supposedly did not want to pay John Cooper royalties for the use of his name, so it was not seen again on Minis for nearly 20 years! A new Mini Cooper named the RSP (Rover Special Products) was briefly relaunched in 1990-1991, with slightly lower performance than the 1960s Cooper. It proved so popular that the new Cooper-marked Mini went into full production in late 1991. From 1992, Coopers were fitted with a fuel-injected version of the 1275 cc engine, and in 1997 a multi-point fuel injected engine was introduced, along with a front-mounted radiator and various safety improvements.[40] [edit] Mini Clubman and 1275GT: 1969–1980 Mini Clubman Production 1969–1980 Assembly Longbridge, Birmingham, West Midlands, England Setúbal, Portugal, Porirua, New Zealand Body style(s) 2-door estate Engine(s) .1098 cc I4 998 cc I4 In 1969, under the ownership of British Leyland, the Mini was given a facelift by stylist Roy Haynes, who had previously worked for Ford. The restyled version was called the Mini Clubman, and has a squarer frontal look, using the same indicator/sidelight assembly as the Austin Maxi. The Mini Clubman was intended to replace the upmarket Riley and Wolseley versions. A new model, dubbed the 1275GT, was slated as the replacement for the 998 cc Mini Cooper (the 1275 cc Mini Cooper S continued alongside the 1275GT for two years until 1971). The Clubman Estate took over where the Countryman and Traveller left off. However, British Leyland continued to produce the classic 1959 "round-front" design, alongside the newer Clubman and 1275GT models (which were replaced in 1980 by the new hatchback Austin Metro, while production of the original "round-front" Mini design continued for another 20 years.) Production of the Clubman and 1275GT got off to a slow start because the cars incorporated "lots of production changes" including the relocation of tooling from the manufacturer's Cowley plant to the Longbridge plant: very few cars were handed over to customers before the early months of 1970.[41] Early domestic market Clubmans were still delivered on cross-ply tyres despite the fact that by 1970 radials had become the norm for the car's mainstream competitors.[41] By 1973 new Minis were, by default, being shipped with radial tyres, though cross-plies could be specified by special order, giving British buyers a price saving of £8.[42] The 1275GT is often incorrectly described as the "Mini Clubman 1275GT". The official name was always just the "Mini 1275GT", and it was a separate, distinct model from the Clubman (albeit, it shared the same frontal treatment as the Mini Clubman, and was launched at the same time). In 1971, the 1275 cc Mini Cooper S was discontinued in the UK, leaving the Mini 1275GT as the only sporting Mini on sale for the rest of the decade. Innocenti in Italy, however, continued making their own version of the Mini Cooper for some time. While the UK built 1275GT was not nearly as quick as a 1275 Mini Cooper S, it was cheaper to buy, run, and insure. It was the first Mini to be equipped with a tachometer. It also featured a standard-fit close-ratio gearbox. Performance of the 1275GT was lively for the time, achieving 0–60 mph (97 km/h) in 12.9 seconds, and the excellent midrange torque offered a 30–50 mph (48–80 km/h) time in top gear of only nine seconds. The bluff front, however, meant that the model struggled to reach 90 mph (140 km/h). The 1275 cc A-series engine could be cheaply and easily tuned, though the cheap purchase price and prominent "sidewinder" door stripes meant that this model developed a reputation as something of a "boy-racer special" during the 1970s and into the 1980s. The Mini Clubman and 1275GT were responsible for two motoring "firsts": they were the first vehicles to use a flexi printed-circuit board behind the dash instruments (universal nowadays, but technically advanced for 1969). Secondly, the 1275GT was the first vehicle to be offered with run-flat tyres; from 1974 this model could be ordered with optional Dunlop Denovo tyres on 12-inch (300 mm) diameter rims. In the event of a puncture, the Dunlop Denovo tyre would not burst and quickly deflate, but could continue to be used safely at speeds of up to 50 mph (80 km/h). This was a useful safety feature, although the increased road noise and relatively poor grip of this tyre meant that many 1275GT buyers ignored this option. Throughout the 1970s, British Leyland continued to produce the classic 1959 "round-front" design, alongside the newer Clubman and 1275GT models. The long-nose Clubman and 1275GT offered better crash safety, were better equipped, and had vastly better under-bonnet access, but they were more expensive and aerodynamically inferior to the original 1959 design. The Mini Clubman and 1275GT were replaced in 1980 by the new hatchback Austin Metro, while production of the original "round-front" Mini design continued for another 20 years. At the end of Clubman and 1275GT production, 275,583 Clubman saloons, 197,606 Clubman Estates and 110,673 1275GTs had been made.[24] [edit] The Clubman in Australia The Leyland Mini LS was produced by Leyland Australia from 1977 to 1978. For the Australian market, all Minis including the Van gained the Clubman front in 1971 although the car was still basically a Mk I behind the A-Pillar.[43] The Australian van thus became the only Clubman Van produced anywhere in the world.[43] From mid 1971 to the end of 1972, a Clubman GT version of the sedan was produced.[44] This was essentially a Cooper S in Clubman body, equipped with the same 7.5-inch (190 mm) disc brakes, twin fuel tanks, and twin-carb Cooper S 1275 cc engine. Australian Clubman sedans were marketed under the Morris Mini Clubman name when introduced in August 1971,[45] and as the Leyland Mini, without the Clubman name, from February 1973.[46] To end Mini production in Australia, a limited edition runout model was produced − the 1275LS. Originally created as a top end model, when the decision was made to end production, it became the runout model. Fitted with a pollution control 1275cc engine sourced from Europe, the LS had a single 1.5 inch carburettor and 8.4 inch disk brakes. It was available in Nugget Gold and Hi-Ho Silver only with interior trim to match. Production of this model commenced in July 1978 and concluded in October 1978 with an approximate total of 800 vehicles produced. [edit] Mark III and onwards: 1970–2000 Mk III Production 1970–1975 Assembly Pamplona, Spain Longbridge, Birmingham, West Midlands, England Zetland, New South Wales, Australia Seneffe, Belgium Arica, Chile Setúbal, Portugal Cape Town, South Africa, Petone, New Zealand Body style(s) 2-door saloon 2-door van 2-door truck Engine(s) 1275 cc I4 998 cc I4 850 cc 14 Mk IV Production 1976–1983 Assembly Pamplona, Spain Longbridge, Birmingham, West Midlands, England Zetland, New South Wales, Australia Seneffe, Belgium Arica, Chile Setúbal, Portugal Cape Town, South Africa, Petone, New Zealand Body style(s) 2-door saloon 2-door van 2-door truck Engine(s) 1275 cc I4 998 cc I4 1100 cc 14 The Mark III Mini had a modified bodyshell with enough alterations to see the factory code change from ADO15 to ADO20 (which it shared with the Clubman). The most obvious changes were larger doors with concealed hinges. Customer demand led to the sliding windows being replaced with winding windows—although some Australian-manufactured Mark I Minis had adopted this feature in 1965 (with opening quarterlight windows). The suspension reverted from Hydrolastic to rubber cones[47] as a cost-saving measure.[48] (The 1275 GT and Clubman would retain the hydrolastic system until June 1971 when they, too, switched to the rubber cone suspension of the original Minis.[47]) Production at the Cowley plant was ended, and the simple name Mini completely replaced the separate Austin and Morris brands.[49] In the late 1970s, Innocenti introduced the Innocenti 90 and 120, Bertone-designed hatchbacks based on the Mini platform. Bertone also created a Mini Cooper equivalent, christened the Innocenti De Tomaso, that sported a 1275 cc engine similar to the MG Metro engine but with a 11 stud head, a special inlet manifold and used the "A" clutch instead of the "Verto" type. The most important feature was the utilization of homokinetic shafts, avoiding the rubber couplings. By this stage, the Mini was still hugely popular in Britain, but it was looking increasingly outdated in the face of newer and more practical rivals including the Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Chevette, Chrysler Sunbeam, Fiat 127, Volkswagen Polo and Peugeot 104. Since the late 1960s, plans had been in place for a newer and more practical supermini to replace it, though the Mini was still the only car of this size built by British Leyland for the home market. Reports of the Mini's imminent demise surfaced again in 1980 with the launch of the Austin Mini-Metro (badging with the word mini in all lowercase). In New Zealand in 1981, the Mini starred in a road trip movie directed by Geoff Murphy called Goodbye Pork Pie. The Mini was beginning to fall out of favour in many export markets, with the South African, Australian, and New Zealand markets all stopping production around this time. Although the Mini continued after the Metro's launch, production volumes were reduced as British Leyland and successor combine Rover Group concentrated on the Metro as its key supermini. Indeed, 1981 was the Mini's last year in the top ten of Britain's top selling cars, as it came ninth and the Metro was fifth. Mark III (introduced in November 1969) had wind up windows with internal door hinges except for the van and pickup models. The boot lid lost the original hinged number plate and its recess shape and a large rear colour coded lamp was fitted in its place, along with larger rear side windows. Mark IV (introduced in 1976) had a front rubber mounted subframe with single tower bolts and the rear frame had some larger bushes introduced. Twin stalk indicators were introduced with larger foot pedals. From 1977 onwards, the rear indicator lamps had the reverse lights incorporated in them. Mark V (from 1984): all cars had 8.4-inch (210 mm) brake discs and plastic wheel arches (mini special arches) but retained the same Mark IV body shell shape. Mark VI (from 1990): the engine mounting points were moved forward to take 1275 cc power units, and includes the HIF carb version, plus the single point fuel injected car which came out in 1991. The 998 cc power units were discontinued. Internal bonnet release were fitted from 1992. Mark VII was the final twin point injection with front mounted radiator. Mk V Production 1984–1989 Assembly Longbridge, Birmingham, West Midlands, England Body style(s) 2-door saloon Engine(s) 1275 cc I4 998 cc I4 Mk VI Production 1990–1995 Assembly Longbridge, Birmingham, West Midlands, England Body style(s) 2-door saloon Engine(s) 1275 cc I4 Mk VII Production 1996–2000 Assembly Longbridge, Birmingham, West Midlands, England Body style(s) 2-door saloon Engine(s) 1275 cc I4 [edit] End of production Throughout the 1980s and 1990s the British market enjoyed numerous "special editions" of the Mini, which shifted the car from a mass-market item into a fashionable icon. It was this image that perhaps helped the Mini become such an asset for BMW, which later bought the remnants of BMC as the Rover Group. It was even more popular in Japan, where it was seen as a retro-cool icon, and inspired many imitators. The ERA Mini Turbo was particularly popular with Japanese buyers. In 1994, under Bernd Pischetsrieder, a first cousin once removed of Issigonis, BMW took control of the Rover Group, which included the Mini, fitting an airbag to comply with European legislation. By March 2000, Rover was still suffering massive losses, and BMW decided to dispose of most of the companies. The sell-off was completed in May that year. MG and Rover went to Phoenix, a new British consortium; and Land Rover was sold to Ford Motor Company. BMW retained the Mini name and the planned new model, granting Rover temporary rights to the brand and allowing it to manufacture and sell the run-out model of the old Mini. By April 2000, the range consisted of four versions: the Mini Classic Seven, the Mini Classic Cooper, the Mini Classic Cooper Sport and—for overseas European markets—the Mini Knightsbridge. The last Mini (a red Cooper Sport) was built on 4 October 2000 and presented to the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust in December of that year.[3] A total of 5,387,862 cars had been manufactured.[24] After the last of the Mini production had been sold, the 'Mini' name reverted to BMW ownership. The new 'BMW' MINI is technically unrelated to the old car but retains the classic transverse 4-cylinder, front-wheel-drive configuration and iconic "bulldog" stance of the original. Minis lined up on Brighton seafront after a London-to-Brighton rally [edit] Timeline August 1959: Introduction of the Austin Seven, Morris Mini-Minor and Morris Mini-Minor DL 2-door saloons, all with transversely mounted 848 cc engine and 4-speed manual gearbox. 1960: Introduction of the Austin Seven Countryman and Morris Mini-Minor Traveller 3-door estates, both with 848 cc engine from the saloon models. 1961: Introduction of the Austin Seven Super and Morris Mini-Minor Super 2-door saloons. 1961: Introduction of the Austin Mini Cooper and Morris Mini Cooper 2-door saloon, both with larger 997 cc 55 bhp (41 kW) engine. January 1962: All former Austin Seven models now officially called Austin Mini. March 1962: pvc seat covers replaced cloth upholstery on entry level model ("basic Mini").[50] 1962: "De Luxe" and "Super" designations discontinued. "Super de Luxe" designation introduced. Modified instrument panel now included oil pressure and water temperature gauges.[50] March 1963: Introduction of the Austin Mini Cooper 1071 S and Morris Mini Cooper 1071 S 2-door saloons, both with larger 1071 cc 70 bhp (52 kW) engine. 1964: Introduction of the Mini Moke. April 1964: Introduction of the Austin and Morris Mini-Cooper 998, Mini-Cooper 970 S and Mini-Cooper 1275 S. 1275 S models have 1275 cc 76 bhp (57 kW) engine. Automatic transmission available as an option for the 998 cc Austin Mini-Cooper 998 and 1275 S. Previous Mini-Cooper 997 and 1071 S models dropped. 1965: Mini Cooper 970 S discontinued. October 1965: Automatic transmission now available as an option on standard Austin/Morris Mini and Morris Mini SDL. October 1967: Mark 2 range launched with facelift and upgraded equipment. Austin Mini range as follows: 850, 1000, Cooper 998 and Cooper 1275 S 2-door saloons and 1000 Countryman 3-door estate. Morris Mini range as follows: 850, 850 SDL, 1000 SDL, Cooper 998 and Cooper 1275 S 2-door saloons and 1000 Traveller 3-door estate. Optional automatic transmission available on all Austin models (except 850) and Morris Mini 1000 SDL saloon. September 1968: Manual four speed gear box with synchromesh on all four forward ratios introduced.[47] March 1969: Launch of the Morris Mini K an Australian-only model manufactured in the Australian British Motor Corporation factory at Zetland NSW using 80% local content October 1969: Separate Austin and Morris badging now merged into Mini 850/Mini 1000 badging. Range reduced to: 850, 1000, Clubman, Cooper S and 1275 GT 2-door coupes and Clubman 3-door estate. Optional automatic transmission available on all except 1275 GT. April 1974: A heater became standard equipment on the entry level Mini 850 (having now already been included in the standard specification of the other models for some time).[47] [edit] Limited editions Main article: List of Mini limited editions From the Mark IV onward, many special limited-production editions of the Mini were offered. These included models that were created to commemorate racing victories or to celebrate an anniversary of the Mini marque. Limited editions generally came equipped with a unique combination of interior and exterior trim and special decals. Examples include Mini 1100 Special, Mini Rio, Mini Mayfair, Mini Park Lane, Mini Italian Job, Mini Cooper RSP, Mini Flame, Mini Racing and the Mini Monza which is considered to be one of the most desirable limited edition ever. [edit] Concepts and unproduced prototypes From 1967 to 1979, Issigonis had been designing a replacement for the Mini in the form of an experimental model called the 9X.[9] It was longer and more powerful than the Mini, but due to politicking inside British Leyland (which had now been formed by the merger of BMC's parent company British Motor Holdings and the Leyland Motor Corporation), the car did not reach production. It was an intriguing "might-have-been"; the car was technologically advanced, and many believe it would have been competitive up until the 1980s. A number of prototypes produced for vehicles based on the Mini but which never saw production are held and sometimes displayed at the British Heritage Motor Centre museum at Gaydon, Warwickshire. These included the Twini, a re-engineered four-wheel-drive Moke with two engines—one at the front and another at the back; the Austin Ant, a second attempt to produce a four-wheel-drive vehicle, this time using a transfer case; and a two-seater convertible MG edition of the Mini, cancelled due to it being perceived as competition for the MG Midget. In 1992, a project considering possible improvements to the Mini was started. Codenamed Minki ("Mini" plus K-Series engine), it included a redesigned dashboard, a two-piece tailgate instead of a boot, fold down rear seats, Hydragas suspension and a 3-cylinder version of the K-Series engine with a 5-speed gearbox.[51] However, the project was cancelled by management within Rover, who decided that the cost of engineering the changes, and achieving compliance with modern crash testing standards, was too great for the production volumes that could be expected of an updated Mini. In 1995 the idea to update the Mini again surfaced but this time with BMW management. As part of the process of deciding how to replace the Mini, a vehicle representing what the current Mini could have become, if it had been developed further over its production history, was commissioned.[51] This resulted in the Minki-II, designed to house the 1.4L MPI K-Series engine with an extensive redesign inside, but without the original Minki's tailgate. The car had to be widened by 50mm and lengthened by 50mm to accommodate the new engine and gearbox, with Hydragas suspension and dashboard from a Rover 100. The Minki-II was used for Hydragas development work, this suspension being considered at the time for the R59 project, later to become the BMW MINI. [edit] Exotic Minis and celebrities The Mini was a cultural icon and shows up in movies such as The Italian Job (1969), in which 3 Mark I Austin Mini Cooper S cars are used in a gold bullion robbery; in The Bourne Identity (2002) as a beat-up but surprisingly capable vehicle for a car chase; Goodbye Pork Pie (1981) where a yellow Mini 1000 is used to travel the length of New Zealand, or in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001) as a collectible fashion icon garaged alongside other classic sports cars. It has also featured in television shows such as Mr. Bean and (as the Mini Moke) in The Prisoner. Madeline Zimmer, in Jean-Luc Godard's Masculin féminin (1966), said she hoped her new single would be a big hit so she can buy a Morris Cooper. In the 1960s and 1970s, the Mini also became a veritable "fashion statement". Many celebrities of that era drove Minis that had been customised by famous British coachbuilders. Examples include Peter Sellers' wicker side-panelled Mini built by Hooper (the Rolls-Royce coachbuilder)[52][53] which appeared in his movie A Shot in the Dark. Ringo Starr's hatchback designed by Radford, who also built a Mini de Ville for Britt Ekland, Peter Sellers' wife, with a special rear estate wagon door.[54] Radford also built Mini de Villes for John Lennon, Marianne Faithfull and a psychedelic version that appeared in the Beatles movie Magical Mystery Tour owned by George Harrison who maintained it through the years and had it restored, including the art, prior to making an appearance with it at Goodwood as late as June 1998.[55] Marianne Faithfull drove her duo-tone de Ville to the Law Courts to hear Mick Jagger's appeal of his drug conviction in 1967.[55] The same year John Lennon drove his de Ville hatchback to Apple studios after hearing of Brian Epstein's death. At around the same time, Radford also extensively customised a 1275 Mini-Cooper S for Monkey Michael Nesmith which gave dramatically improved performance combined with luxury and silence.[55] Coachbuilders Wood & Pickett also made special versions called the Margrave and Margrave SE,[53][56] sold by Mayfair dealerships in mod London and elsewhere. Marc Bolan famously died when the Mini 1275GT in which he was a passenger hit a Tree in Barnes, London on the 16th September 1977. The site is now Officially Recognised by the English Tourist Board as Bolan's Rock Shrine [57] In the 1980s a very exclusive mini was available with only 3 being made. This was the BAC-M30 mini. The BAC-M30 featured a 1380 avonbar modified engine, was fitted with Recaro seats and a custom dashboard, one was most noticeably owned by Bernie Ecclestone and recently auctioned off.[58] [edit] Kit cars and customisation One of three Outspan Orange Minis, photographed on Madeira Drive in Brighton. Main article: List of Mini based cars The cheapness, simplicity and easy availability of used Minis make it an ideal candidate for body replacement. There are over 120 Mini-based kit cars from various small companies and individual enthusiasts. There are also numerous dramatically modified Minis such as a set of three street-legal cars made up to look like giant oranges as a promotion for the Outspan company, a Mini that was made to look like a half-timbered cottage, complete with thatched roof and windows with curtains. Some enthusiasts have drastically shortened or lowered their cars to make them yet smaller. There is also a "sprint shell" which has a lower roof and a small body chop, which dramatically reduces drag. Others make small versions of stretched limos, double-decker busses, monster trucks, motor homes and many other kinds of vehicles from used Minis. Years after the Mini finally ended its production run, there are still ample third-party parts—both spares for restoration and performance parts for race tuning.[59][60][61][62][63] Given the low weight and good handling of the Mini it is also popular to do an engine swap putting in a modern, high performance engine like the Rover K Series, a Honda VTEC B16A2, a Suzuki Swift GTi, a rear mounted Yamaha R1 motorbike engine, or the Vauxhall 16v 2 litre c20 XE "red top" engine, amongst various alternatives.[64] [edit] Awards The Mini has won many awards over the years, perhaps the most notable include: "Car of the Century" (Autocar magazine 1995), "Number One Classic Car of All Time" (Classic & Sports Car magazine 1996) and "European Car of the Century" in a worldwide Internet poll run by the prestigious Global Automotive Elections Foundation in 1999. The Mini managed second place (behind the Model T Ford) for "Global Car of the Century" in that same poll. In the end 5.3 million Minis were sold, making it by far the most popular British car ever made. Thousands of these are still on the road, with the remaining pre-1980s versions being firmly established as collectors' items. [edit] Minis in the United States A typical meeting of the Mini Owners of Texas club in Grapevine, Texas. Between 1960 and 1967, BMC exported approximately 10,000 left-hand drive BMC Minis to the United States. Sales were discontinued when stricter federal safety standards were imposed in 1968; the Mini's wheelbase was too short to comply. The 'A'-series engine, contrary to popular belief, was fully compliant with federal and state emissions standards, as shown by the Austin America which was sold in the United States until 1972. As this was a larger car, the minimum wheelbase legislation did not affect its saleability. Despite this, a small band of enthusiasts keep the legacy of the original car alive in the US, where cars more than 25 years old are generally exempt from emissions regulations. Minis that were originally sold in the US are becoming hard to find, so most of the restored Minis now running in the US have been imported by individual enthusiasts—typically from Australia or New Zealand where the climate has limited the amount of rust formation and cars are available for relatively low prices. There is increasing difficulty in finding cars that are old enough to meet the 25 year emissions exemption and yet are still in a reasonable condition. This has led some importers to place the vehicle identification number (VIN) plates from older cars onto Minis that are less than 25 years old—claiming that the car was "repaired" by replacing every single part with the exception of the VIN plate. Such vehicles are termed "re-VINs" and are surprisingly common.[65] This may leave such importers open to accusations of a "Ship of Theseus" fraud such as befell the late Boyd Coddington from the State of California. [edit] Popularity An Almond Green Mark I Morris Mini Minor At its peak, the Mini was a strong seller in most of the countries where it was sold, with the United Kingdom inevitably receiving the highest volumes. It was a huge seller in the mini-car market, which it virtually monopolised until the arrival of the Hillman Imp in 1963. It comprehensively outsold the Imp, and it was 16 years before the Mini received a serious threat to its sales success. This threat came in the shape of the much more modern and practical Vauxhall Chevette of 1975, but the Mini continued to sell in huge volumes and was still very popular when its "replacement"—the Metro—arrived in 1980. By this time, the Mini's design had been overtaken by numerous more modern and practical efforts, but it still offered sheer driving fun that was almost unbeatable in this size of car. Although the Metro never actually replaced the Mini, production figures for the Mini dipped during the 1980s, and interest in the now-iconic design was not revived until the re-introduction of the famous Mini Cooper in 1989. This helped the car retain its desirability and driver appeal throughout the 1990s, right up to the end of production on 4 October 2000. Nearly a decade after its demise, the Mini is still a common sight on Britain's roads, and the many surviving pre-1980s models in particular are now widely regarded as collector's items. A total of 1,581,887 Minis were sold in Britain after its launch in 1959. The last new one to be registered was sold in 2004, some four years after the end of production.[66] [edit] Safety 1974 Mini Clubman Safety Research Vehicle—SRV4 Issigonis designed the Mini with an emphasis on active safety. Asked about the crash worthiness of the Mini he said "I make my cars with such good brakes, such good steering, that if people get into a crash it´s their own fault".[67] and "I don’t design my cars to have accidents".[68] It is generally acknowledged that the Mini was designed with excellent handling characteristics.[69] In July 1965 BMC announced that following "comments by safety experts" about the Mini's external doorhandles, these would be modified on new cars so that the gap between the handle and the door panel would be effectively closed.[70] Nicholas Faith states in his book that Murray Mackay, one of the UK's leading motor vehicle crash and safety researchers,[71] was critical of the pre-1967 Mini's passive safety features, including the protruding filler cap, the door latch, and the vulnerability of the passenger space to engine intrusion.[67] The Mini was withdrawn from the North American market because it could not meet the 1968 U.S. safety regulations[67][72] and more intense emission standards,[73] and was never updated to comply with those regulations.[72] Throughout its life, the Mini was modified in various ways to improve its safety. In 1974 a prototype Mini experimental safety vehicle was built (Mini Clubman SRV4) which featured a longer crumple zone, a "pedestrian friendly" front-end, run-flat tyres, strengthened door sills, extra internal padding and recessed door handles.[74] Jack Daniels, one of the original Issigonis team,[75] is stated to have been working on further safety improvements for the Mini when he retired in 1977.[67] Several times it was thought that safety regulations would stop Mini production[76] Safety improved in 1996, with the introduction of airbags and side impact bars.[77] The Mini, challenged by increasingly demanding European safety and pollution standards, was planned by British Aerospace to be taken out of production in 1996, but BMW chose to invest to keep the Mini legal until the launch of the BMW MINI.[78] In January 2007, the Which? magazine listed the Mini City in its "Ten worst cars for safety (since 1983)" list, alongside other economical, lightweight, fuel efficient cars like the Hyundai Pony 1.2L, Fiat Panda 900 Super, Suzuki Alto GL, Daihatsu Domino, Citroën AX 11 RE, Yugo 45 and 55, Peugeot 205 GL, and the Citroën 2CV6.[79] A UK Department for Transport statistics publication, presenting estimates of the risk of driver injury in two car injury collisions, based on reported road accident data, estimated that the 1990–2000 Mini was one of two small cars (the other being the Hyundai Atoz), which, with an estimated 84% of drivers likely to be injured, presented the greatest risk of driver injury. The average risk for the small car category was 76%.[80] [edit] New MINI 2003 BMW MINI Cooper S and Mark III classic Mini. Main article: Mini (BMW) When production of the classic Mini ceased in 2000, BMW (the new owner of the brand) announced the successor to the Mini. The brand name for the new car is MINI (written in capital letters),[81] and it is commonly called the "BMW MINI" or the "New MINI". The new MINI is much larger than the original Mini. It is around 58 centimetres (23 in) longer, 50 centimetres (20 in) wider, 7 centimetres (2.8 in) higher, and weighs around 1,144 kg (2,522 lb) rather than 650 kg (1,433 lb). It is now classified as compact car rather than city car.[82] On 3 April 2007, the one millionth MINI rolled out of the Oxford Plant after six years of production,[83] just one month longer than it took the classic Mini to reach the same total in March 1965. [edit] See also List of Mini based cars List of bestselling vehicle nameplates London to Brighton events List of Mini limited editions [edit] References ^ Table of Mini Facts[dead link] ^ Daily Express Motor Show Review 1969 on 1970 Cars (London: Daily Express Newspaper): Page 54 (Wolseley Hornet). October 1969.  ^ a b c Reed, Chris (2003). Complete Classic Mini 1959-2000. Orpington: Motor Racing. ISBN 1-899870-60-1.  ^ Reed, Chris (1994). Complete Mini: 35 Years Of Production History, Model Changes, Performance Data. Croydon: MRP. ISBN 0-947981-88-8.  ^ Clausager, Anders (1997). Essential Mini Cooper. Bideford, Devon: Bay View Books. ISBN 1-870979-86-9.  ^ Martin Buckley & Chris Rees (2006). Cars: An encyclopedia of the world's most fabulous automobiles. Hermes House. ISBN 1-84309-266-2. "The BMC Mini, launched in 1959, is Britain's most influential car ever. It defined a new genre. 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Mini Road Test Book: High Performance Minis Gold Portfolio 1960-73. Cobram, U.K.: Brooklands Books. ISBN 1-85520-317-0.  ^ "Riley Elf", Motorbase. Retrieved on 21 June 2008. ^ Kitcher, Nigel and Davy, Rick. "The Mini Moke", The Unmutual Prisoner Vehicle Guide. Retrieved on 20 June 2008. ^ Mini Road Test Book: Mini Moke Gold Portfolio 1964-94. ISBN 1-85520-240-9.  ^ “Dependable in service – Austin Mini van and pickup”, ‘’Mini Pick-up International’’. Retrieved on 21 June 2008. ^ "Scanned copy of the Mini K brochure". Aronline.co.uk. http://www.aronline.co.uk/index.htm?akaado15f.htm. Retrieved 2010-10-11.  ^ compiled by R. M. Clarke. (2005). Mini Road Test Book: Mini Cooper Gold Portfolio 1961–71. Cobram, U.K.: Brooklands Books. ISBN 1-85520-052-X.  ^ a b "Monte Carlo Automobile Club". Acm.mc. http://www.acm.mc. Retrieved 2010-10-11.  ^ Browning, Peter (1971). The Works Minis. Henley on Thames: Foulis. ISBN 0-85429-128-8.  ^ "BBC Future of Monte Carlo rally in doubt". BBC News. http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/january/21/newsid_2506000/2506863.stm. Retrieved 2010-10-11.  ^ "Henri Toivonen family connections". Thruxton.f9.co.uk. http://www.thruxton.f9.co.uk/henri/henri_family.htm. Retrieved 2010-10-11.  ^ "Legend of the Mini". Classic Motorsports (109): 8. 2004.  (Reprints available from BMW Group University/MINI Team) ^ Parnell, John (1993). Original Mini-Cooper: The Restorers Guide To All MKL, II, And III Models. Bideford: Bay View. ISBN 1-870979-32-X.  ^ a b "10,000 mile long-term report: Mini Clubman Estate". Autocar 134 (3907): 22–23. 11 February 1971.  ^ "Auto Test Mini 850". Autocar 138 (nbr 4012): 8–12. 19 April 1973.  ^ a b History of the Clubman GT Retrieved from miniexperience.com.au on 11 February 2010 ^ www.clubmangt.com.au ^ Green Book Price & Model Guide, July–August 1983, page 71 ^ Green Book Price & Model Guide, July–August 1983, page 60 ^ a b c d "Buying secondhand: Minis". Autocar 145 (4172): 74–77. 23 October 1976.  ^ Mini Gold Portfolio 1981-1997. ISBN 1-85520-385-5.  ^ "Mini - mk III (1969–2000) history, pictures". Histomobile.com. 2010-10-05. http://www.histomobile.com/1/Mini/1969/-_.htm?lan=1. Retrieved 2010-10-11.  ^ a b "Used Car Test: 1968 Morris Mini Mk I de luxe". Autocar 134 (3908): 51–53. 18 February 1971.  ^ a b "Austin Memories: Minki". www.austinmemories.com. http://www.austinmemories.com/page46/page46.html. Retrieved 2 February 2010.  ^ Š 1999 K.-J. Rossfeldt, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.. "Rolls Royce Hooper FAQ site". Rrab.com. http://www.rrab.com/faq.htm#q5. Retrieved 2010-10-11.  ^ a b The Mini Library[dead link] ^ "History on Radford website". Radfordmini.free-online.co.uk. http://www.radfordmini.free-online.co.uk/history.htm. Retrieved 2010-10-11.  ^ a b c "Films and celebs on Radford website". Radfordmini.free-online.co.uk. 1967-12-26. http://www.radfordmini.free-online.co.uk/films.htm. Retrieved 2010-10-11.  ^ "Wood and Pickett website". Woodandpickett.com. http://www.woodandpickett.com/. Retrieved 2010-10-11.  ^ uk2.net. "TAG's Marc Bolan & T-Rex Members Site". Marc-bolan.net. http://www.marc-bolan.net. Retrieved 2010-10-11.  ^ "Win Bernie Ecclestone's Mini! | Mini news". MiniWorld. 2008-12-12. http://www.miniworld.co.uk/news/news_stories/Win_Bernie_Ecclestones_Mini__Mini_news_article_273760.html. Retrieved 2010-12-05.  ^ Vizard, David (1987). How To Modify Your Mini. Tolworth, Surrey: Fountain Press. ISBN 0-86343-041-4.  ^ Vizard, David (2001). Tuning The A-Series Engine. Sparkford: Haynes. ISBN 1-85960-620-2.  ^ Porter, Lindsay (2002). Haynes Mini Restoration Manual. Sparkford, Yeovil, Somerset: Haynes Pub.. ISBN 1-85960-440-4.  ^ Mundy, Tim (2003). Mini Performance Manual (Haynes Performance Manual Series). Sparkford: Haynes. ISBN 1-85960-880-9.  ^ Parnell, John (2002). Original Mini-Cooper and Cooper S: The Restorers Guide. St. Paul, Minnesota: Bay View Books. ISBN 0-7603-1228-1.  ^ "www.16vminiclub.comHome Page". 16vminiclub.com. http://www.16vminiclub.com/index.php. Retrieved 2010-12-05.  ^ Strickland, Jonathan (2007-03-21). "howstuffworks.com". Auto.howstuffworks.com. http://auto.howstuffworks.com/mini-cooper.htm. Retrieved 2010-12-05.  ^ "icLiverpool - Recession-proof wise-buys revealed". Icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk. 2009-03-17. http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/motors/advice/tm_headline=recession-proof-wise-buys-revealed&method=full&objectid=23171460&siteid=63127-name_page.html. Retrieved 2010-12-05.  ^ a b c d Faith, Nicholas (1997). Crash: The limits of car safety. Boxtree. ISBN 0752211927.  ^ Professor Jack McLean (PDF). Road Safety – Better Cars, Better Roads or Just Better Drivers?. http://www.atse.org.au/uploads/McLean%20J.pdf.  ^ Gavin Conway (2005-03-31). "Ten Ways Your Car Can Save Your Life". Channel 4 Car. http://www.channel4.com/4car/ft/feature/feature/206/4.  ^ "News and Views: Safety changes to Minis". Autocar: Page 230. 30 July 1965.  ^ "Vehicle Technology Research: Automotive Safety". University of Birmingham. http://www.vtech.bham.ac.uk/basc/.  ^ a b Kevin Anderson (2002-06-21). "Mini mania big in US". BBC News. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/2052620.stm. Retrieved 2008-02-24.  ^ Strickland, Jonathan (2007-03-21). "HowStuffWorks "How the MINI Cooper Works"". Auto.howstuffworks.com. http://auto.howstuffworks.com/mini-cooper.htm. Retrieved 2010-12-05.  ^ "Safety First: the SSV/SRV cars". AROnline. http://www.austin-rover.co.uk/index.htm?researchsrvf.htm. Retrieved 2008-02-24.  ^ "Leading MG engineer dies at home". BBC News. 2004-11-30. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/oxfordshire/4055447.stm. Retrieved 2008-02-24.  ^ "History of the Mini". British Motor Heritage Limited. http://www.bmh-ltd.com/mini.htm.  ^ "Rover Mini Saloon (88-01)". Parker's. http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/Review.aspx?model=759&page=4.  ^ "Last Classic Mini Closes an Automotive Era". The New York Times. 2000-10-05. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B03E0DC1F3DF936A35753C1A9669C8B63&scp=2&sq=mini+issigonis+safety&st=nyt.  ^ "Car safety problems persist". Which?. 2007-01-04. http://www.which.co.uk/press/press_topics/product_news/which_magazine/car_safety040107_571_107212.jsp. Retrieved 2008-02-24. [dead link] ^ "Cars: Make and Model: The Risk of Driver Injury in Great Britain: 2000–2004". UK Department for Transport. http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/statistics/datatablespublications/vehicles/carsmmrisk/carsmakeandmodeltheriskofdri1800. Retrieved 2008-02-24. [dead link] ^ "BMW Operations and Production: Can you tell me more about the MINI?". BMW. http://www.bmweducation.co.uk/coFacts/view.asp?docID=17&topicID=3. Retrieved 2006-05-01.  ^ Hartman, Dennis. "Smart Car Vs. Mini". eHow. http://www.ehow.co.uk/about_5382690_smart-car-vs-mini.html. Retrieved 20 May 2010.  ^ "Millionth Mini produced in Oxford". BBC News. 2007-04-04. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6525601.stm. Retrieved 2010-12-05.  [edit] External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Mini vehicles Austin Memories—History of Austin and Longbridge Heritage Motor Centre—A collection of British heritage cars and artefacts, including many historic Minis, Mini prototypes, and an Issigonis collection. Autopedia entry for Austin Mini—Links repository Mini at the Open Directory Project [1] - Mini Minki I and II development history [2] Alex Moulton's Memoir v • d • e Mini · Cooper Car Company · BMW Mini · Mini Moke · vehicle timeline, 1959–present Model 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 Mini Mk I Mk II Mk III Cooper Mk I Cooper Mk II Cooper RSP Cooper Cooper S Mk I Cooper S Mk II Cooper S Mk III Cooper S ERA Innocenti Cooper Cooper 1300 Authi Mk II Cooper 1300 Clubman Clubman & 1275GT Hornet Wolseley Hornet Elf Riley Elf Moke Moke (UK) Moke (Australia) Moke (Portugal) Pickup Mini Pickup Mini 95 Van Mini Van Mini 95 Estate|Mini MPV Traveller & Countryman Mk II Clubman Mini (BMW) Mk I Mini Mk II Mini Cabrio Rover Cabrio Mk I Mini Cabrio Mk II Mini Cabrio Engines: A-Series engine · Tritec engine · Prince engine v • d • e British car industry – companies and marques Marque 1900s 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1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s v • d • e British Leyland – car companies and marques Marque 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s Jaguar SS Cars Jaguar Jaguar & Daimler BMH BLMC / British Leyland Jaguar & Daimler Ford PAG Tata Daimler Daimler BSA BSA Lanchester Lanchester Rover Rover Rover Rover Austin Rover Group & Land Rover Group (BL plc) Rover Group (BAe) Rover Group (BMW) MG Rover Group (PVH) Land Rover Ford PAG Alvis Alvis BAE Systems Standard Standard Standard Triumph Leyland Motors British Motor Heritage Triumph Dawson Triumph BMW Riley Riley Nuffield Organisation BMC BMH MG Morris Garages (MG) Rover Group (BMW) MG Rover Group (PVH) SAIC & NAC SAIC Morris Morris Morris Wolseley Wolseley Austin Austin Austin Vanden Plas Vanden Plas Mini Mini (BMW) Austin-Healey Austin (BMC) & Donald Healey Marque 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s v • d • e Automobiles made by BMC, BL and Rover Group companies, post-1945 Austin · Austin-Healey · British Leyland · Jaguar · Land Rover · Leyland · Mini · MG · Morris · Princess · Riley · Rover · MG Rover · Triumph · Vanden Plas · Wolseley Austin A40 · Cambridge · Westminster · A35 · Mini · Mini Moke · 1100 / 1300 · 1800 / 2200 · 3-Litre · Maxi · Allegro · Ambassador · Mini Metro · Maestro  · Montego · Lancer · Freeway · Tasman · Kimberley Austin-Healey 100 · 3000 · Sprite Jaguar XJ6 · XJ12 · XJS Land Rover Series I, II & III · Defender · Range Rover · Discovery · Freelander · Range Rover Sport Leyland Mini · Mini Moke · Marina · P76 MG Magnette · MGA · MGB · MGC · Midget · 1100/1300 · Metro · Maestro · Montego · RV8 · MG F / MG TF · MG ZR · MG ZS · MG ZT · XPower SV Mini 850 · 1000 · 1275GT · Clubman · Cooper · Moke Morris Minor · Oxford · Cowley · Mini · Mini Moke · 1100 / 1300 · 1800 / 2200 · Marina · Ital · Marshal · Major · 1500 · Nomad Princess 1700 / 1800 / 2000 / 2200 Riley Pathfinder · 2.6 · 1.5 · 4/68 · Elf · Kestrel Rover P3 · P4 · P5 · P6 · P6 Estoura · SD1 · 200 · 400 · 600 · 800 · Metro/100 · 25 · 45 · 75 · CityRover · Streetwise Triumph Herald · Spitfire · Vitesse · GT6 · Stag · TR2 · TR3 · TR4 · TR4A · TR5 · TR6 · TR7 · TR8 · Toledo · 1300 · 1500 · 2000 · 2.5 & 2500 · Dolomite · Acclaim Vanden Plas Princess Limousine · Princess 3-litre · Princess 4-litre "R" · 1100 / 1300 · 1500 / 1700 Wolseley Ten · 4/50 · Eight · 6/80 · 4/44 · 6/90 · 15/50 · 15/60 · 1500 · 16/60 · 6/99 · 6/110 · Hornet · 1100 / 1300 · 18/85 / Six · 24/80 v • d • e Cars manufactured by BL Austin Rover, BL Land Rover, Rover Group, MG Rover, NAC MG and MG Motor UK from 1980 onwards Type 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 Ownership BL plc / Rover Group British Aerospace BMW Phoenix Venture Holdings Nanjing Auto / SAIC Group name BL Cars Austin Rover Group / Land Rover Group Rover Group MG Rover NAC MG / MG Motor UK City car Mini Supermini Austin Metro Rover Metro Rover 100 CityRover Small family car Austin Allegro Austin Maestro MG ZR Triumph Acclaim Rover 200 (SD3) Rover 200 (R8) Rover 200 (R3) Rover 25 Mid-size car Morris Ital Austin Montego MG ZS Rover 400 (R8) Rover 400 (HH-R) Rover 45 Large Family Princess Austin Ambassador Rover 600 MG ZT Rover 75 Executive car Rover SD1 Rover 800 (XX) Rover 800 (R17) Coupé Rover 200 Coupé Sports car Triumph TR7 MG RV8 MG F MG TF MG TF MG SV Off-road and SUV Land Rover SIII Land Rover 90/110 Land Rover Defender (Land Rover acquired by Ford in 2000) Range Rover Land Rover Discovery Land Rover Freelander || LOGIN REGISTER NEWSLETTER Home NEWS REVIEWS PRODUCTS COMPARE CARS VIDEOS BUYING USED CARS NEW CARS MOTORSHOWS COMPETITIONS 6 ISSUES FOR £1 Search Car Reviews: You're in - News: Auto Express News VW Up! and Skoda Mini first pictures VW and Skoda’s new superminis captured hot weather testing in Death Valley. Auto Express Car Reviews By Tom Phillips27th August 2010 It takes two to tango! And our spies have snapped VW and Skoda’s first versions of the New Small Family (NSF) cars hot weather testing together in Death Valley in the US.Measuring 3.45-metres long, 1.63-metres wide and 1.5-metres high, the car is a little bigger than the current Toyota Aygo, Citroen C1 and Peugeot 107 family. And while these mules are heavily disguised, the high-level brake lights, short bonnet and wheel-at-each-corner stance are all recognisable from the original VW Up! concept shown at Frankfurt in 2007. Both VW and Skoda models feature the same design traits, indicating that styling tweaks to distinguish the cars between brands will be fairly minimal.The three-door supermini will have space for four adults and feature a range of downsized petrol and diesel engines. The base model will start from around £8,500 and get a 65bhp three-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol, while a 75bhp four-cylinder 1.2-litre diesel will also be offered.A range-topping 85bhp turbocharged 1.0-litre four-cylinder engine comes later in 2012, while a fully electric version is expected to arrive in 2013.VW, Skoda and SEAT will each launch versions of the three-door car. The VW version is due first, in late 2011, with the other brands following in early 2012. A larger five-door model will be added in summer 2012. VW will take responsibility for building the car at its plant in Bratislava, Slovakia from next year.VW has a history of giving its concept cars a name derived from an existing production model. For example, the Iroc concept became the current Scirocco, and the Up! concept is likely to follow suit by becoming the Lupo.Skoda may choose to adopt the Joyster name, taken from its previous small-car concept, while SEAT may elect to resurrect the Arosa name of its previous small car which was based on the last generation Lupo. What Next COMPARE CAR LOANS COMPARE CAR INSURANCE For more breaking car news and reviews, subscribe to Auto Express magazine. We'll give you 6 issues for £1 and a free gift! < Previous Next > 7 Comments i am expecting the range topper to be the VW lupo gti. not with an 85bhp 1.0. but with the 1.2tsi with 125bhp, matching the old power of the last lupo gti with the 125bhp 1.6 engine. if the engine bay has room for a 1.2 turbo diesel, there is room for the 1.2 turbo petrol. By beach05 on 27 August, 2010, 2:01pm http://www.gotopick.com ============= http://www.gotopick.com============= U G G boots: -130 G HD C H I CHD: -60 Jerseys: jordan air max oakland raiders --39; E d H ardy AF JUICY POLO Bikini ; Hand bags(Coach lv fendi d&g) Tshirts (Polo ,e d hardy,lacoste) Jean(True Religion,e d hardy,coogi) Sunglasses(Oakey,coach,g u c c i,Armaini) New era cap Bikini (E d hardy,polo) P a y p a l accept,delivery door to door free shipping ============= http://www.gotopick.com============= By gotopick on 30 August, 2010, 3:55pm Is Nobody Moderating These Pages? What's with these twats using these pages for advertising their products??!! Is no one going to do anything about them? These are pages for car enthusiasts not for use as a springboard for idiots to advertise their wares! Come on AE, what the hell are you doing about this?!? By nick7 on 31 August, 2010, 5:04pm This is the second one I've come across in less than an hour!!!!!! By nick7 on 31 August, 2010, 5:05pm i agree with nick7 what is it with spammers where are the moderators to control this sh*t. As for the Skoda who cares unless you really need a thimble size car.It will be solid very reliable erm thats it . By nickbsmooth on 1 September, 2010, 3:57pm Spammers Oi gotopick. I want a refund on a bikini!! About as useful as this Skoda will be. Reliable yes but from these spy picks looks bloody awful! By aarontp on 1 September, 2010, 7:45pm NFL Jerseys Wonderful. 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All rights reserved.Licensed by Felden || Home iPad Android HTC Motorola iPhone 4 Nokia Big in 2010 BROUGHT TO YOU BY VODAFONE RSS Mobile news Reviews Videos Features Tips & tricks Apps Home » Reviews, Top Story Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini — First-look review Written by Andrew on May 12, 2010 – 4:45 pm View Comments Tags: Android, review, Sony Ericsson, Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini The Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 is the smallest Android we’ve ever reviewed. Has it chucked-out all the best bits to reach those dinky dimensions? Read on to find out. Verdict: A tiny triumph for Sony Ericsson, and in many ways more desirable than the full-size X10. We love: Clever interface design, and cutesy hardware, all masking full smartphone skills. We hate: Divisive design that’ll mean few get to enjoy the X10’s refined delights. _____________________________________ It’s tempting to dismiss the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini as a cynical attempt to squeeze an extra USP out of Sony’s existing Android groundwork. There was a consensus at the X10 Mini’s unveiling at Mobile World Congress in February that it was simply a shrunken original Sony Ericsson Xperia X10. That consensus, however, was wrong, as we found within the first few hours of using a pre-production model of the Xperia X10 Mini. By “shrinking the original X10”, Sony Ericsson opened a Pandora’s box of problems. There’s the challenge of making Android’s interface finger friendly on its smallest screen ever – it’s only 2.55 inches across. Then there’s the task of squeezing the horsepower of a full-blown smartphone into a shell roughly half the size of its predecessor. No tall order, when the original X10 was so svelte, despite its huge screen. The result is a far cry from an exercise in miniaturisation. Sony Ericsson’s revised UX interface is a triumph, thanks to hot corners that provide one-touch shortcuts to common features, tucked handily in the corners of the screens. Those corners are easy to use, no matter how beefy your fingers, while the X10 Mini’s speed means you’re never left wondering whether you’ve tapped correctly or not. More after the break… Subtle tweaks elsewhere, such as simplified camera controls, a re-jig of Android’s homescreen widgets, and neatly pared-down menu buttons inside the X10 Mini’s web browser all combine to create a surprisingly stable, and simple, experience. The X10 Mini is one of the few Android phones that it’s genuinely possible to use with one hand. OK, so the design might put some off. It’s a small phone with a tiny screen, and that’s doubtless a barrier for some people. For others, however, the X10 Mini could represent the first time a true smartphone makes inroads into handbag and skinny jean territory. Sony Ericsson has created something special by shrinking its Android flagship, and successfully vaulted hurdles in interface and hardware design. The X10 Mini should be lauded as a success, and pushes Android further than it has ever gone before. YOU SHOULD READ – Android vs iPhone vs Symbian — which OS are you? Leave a comment! Click here to cancel reply » Add your comment below, or trackback from your own site. You can also subscribe to these comments via RSS. Be nice. Keep it clean. Stay on topic. No spam. Name (required) Mail (will not be published) (required) Website (optional) This is a Gravatar-enabled weblog. To get your own globally-recognized-avatar, please register at Gravatar. blog comments powered by Disqus Features Google Nexus S — is Android 2.3 a new direction for Google’s OS? Android 2.3 Gingerbread has been officially unveiled, but there remains an air of mystery around what it and the Google Nexus S signify for the future of Android. Continue reading More features Mobile news Real Racing 2 release date revealed — better than Gran Turismo 5? Publisher Firemint has revealed the release date of Real Racing 2. You’ll be able to put pedal to metal from 16 December. Continue reading More mobile news Reviews Nokia C7 review As just the second Symbian^3-powered angel to descend from the skies, can the Nokia C7 attract us away from rivals without it’s cousin’s, the Nokia N8’s, super-powered camera?  We find out in this Nokia C7 review. Continue reading More reviews Tips & tricks Windows Phone 7 tips and tricks Windows Phone 7 is a completely new beast. It has plenty of secrets we’re yet to uncover, but here are the tricks and tips we’ve learnt about the new platform so far. 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Google Nexus S — is Android 2.3 a new direction for Google’s OS? Sony Ericsson PlayStation Phone no good at gaming? Half as powerful as Google Nexus S Free Cut the Rope: Holiday Gift iPhone game released — free Christmas fun Apple’s top 10 iPad apps and games of 2010 Most Commented Win an HTC Desire in our Android 3.0 competitionWin a BlackBerry Torch — tell us why you love BlackBerrysThe Android App Factor – vote now and you could win an HTC Tattoo!WIN – A Google Nexus One!Android Donut update for HTC Magic rolls out October 19 Log in | Subscribe to RSS | Comments (RSS) | About | Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | © 2009 Republic Publishing Ltd. All Rights Reserved | UK Cloud Hosting by Hyve || You are here: Used Car Expert > Mini > Mini First You are not logged in. 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You can now find used Mini First cars for sale on Used Car Expert, from the most competitive Mini dealers across the UK. Scroll down to find links to: Reviews of the Mini First (and other related cars) Questions about the Mini First Mini First prices All the Mini First performance and specification information Mini First running costs calculator Mini First Car Reviews Read reviews of the Mini First to find out more about the car before you buy it! Alternatives to the Mini First are highlighted and you are able to make an informed decision about buying a used Mini First. (BMW) Mini Review - Car Review (2008 Jan) Review MINI Cooper Convertible - Car Review (2005 Aug) Review MINI Cooper Convertible - Car Review (2006 Sep) Review MINI Cooper - Car Review (2002 Nov) Review MINI Clubman Cooper - Car Review (2008 Apr) Review 12345...Last » Mini First Review - view all Mini First Articles We have an archive of news and Q&A articles from our buyer's forum. Search for an article that will help guide you in the purchase of your used Mini First. MINI First below £11,000 (2009 Jul) News Mini First Articles - view all Used Mini First Prices Used Car Expert enables you to check mileages and prices of used Mini Firsts based on REAL data (cars that have actually been sold in the UK over the past 3 months). You can see how much you should be expecting to pay for a car that matches the age and mileage of the Mini Firsts you're considering buying. Check Used Mini First Prices Used Mini First Fault Guide Before you buy a used Mini First you should be aware of the common faults or wear items specific to the Mini First that you should check for. Our research amongst the experts that work on the Mini First everyday has identified the essential engine checks, interior items that you need to ensure work, wear items to spot on the Mini First suspension, areas on the bodywork to inspect, and information about official recalls of the Mini First. Fault Guide for Mini First Faults and Checks Select your Mini First fault guide: Used Mini First Running Costs Want to know how much it costs to run the Mini First? You can access the following: MPG of the Mini First you want to buy A calculator to work out how much you'll spend over a year on fuel with the Mini First based on your use of the car Insurance Group figures and advice about how to get the best insurance deals for the Mini First Accurate Mini First depreciation costs - you won't find these anywhere else and could give you the biggest saving and help you avoid buying a car just before its value plummets (or we can help you find a bargain price for a used Mini First safe in the knowledge that it will hold its value well after you've bought it) Mini First Running Costs Calculator Mini First Specs & Stats Facts and features about the Mini First, including MPG, 0-60 figures, safety and environmental figures (including CO2 emissions) and standard equipment lists Mini First Stats & Specs Mini First mpg Mini First 0-60 times Mini First Insurance Group Mini First CO2 Emissions Mini First road tax Mini First depreciation Search by Type of Car: City Cars Small Cars Small Family Cars Large Family Cars Luxury Cars 4x4s Small MPVs Large MPVs Sports & GTs Vans Also of interest...? 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