2012 Mini Cooper Coupe JCW

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Mini, First Drives

Fun, Form And Function... In That Order



Human beings can be a fickle bunch, especially Americans. Case in point: The five-door hatchback is unarguably one of the best arrangements for an automobile, providing ample room for adult-size occupants and their random detritus without being so large as to significantly impact fuel efficiency or make it difficult to fit into tight places.

And yet we consistently flock to ever-larger vehicles with the biggest, most powerful engines available. We opt for SUVs and crossovers in lieu of wagons and hatches; we ogle over sloping rear greenhouses, high beltlines and severely raked windshields. In short, our decisions are often dictated more by style and perception than the realities of daily life.

But we're not here to condemn style-conscious consumers. We're equally as enamored with the latest fashion-forward trends as the next red-blooded enthusiast. But we still have to wonder how far the ooh-it's-pretty attention spans of car buyers will go before a lack of usability begins to hinder purchase decisions. To help answer that question, we took to the roads in and around Nashville, Tennessee in the 2012 Mini Cooper Coupe.

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2012 Mini Cooper Coupe JCW originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Prodrive working on WRC-inspired Mini Countryman

Filed under: Performance, Crossover, Mini, UK

Autocar reports that Mini may be working on a more sinister version of Countryman. The hotter crossover would receive the once-over by the rally kings at Prodrive using lessons learned from the Mini WRC effort. Dave Richards, the head honcho at Prodrive, has made it clear that road-going versions of the Countryman WRC are a possibility, and Autocar was able to snag a few photos an aggressive Countryman wearing a fixed carbon fiber wing and custom alloy wheels. The report dishes on further details by saying that the vehicle will pack a Prodrive Milltek exhaust and a more potent version of the turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder currently available in the Mini Cooper S.

That's interesting and all, but we hear word that Prodrive is focusing its efforts on creating a powerful version of the three-door Paceman. Is it possible that Mini and Prodrive are currently working on more than one model? Hoping certainly doesn't cost us anything at this point. Head over to Autocar to check out the photos for yourself.

Prodrive working on WRC-inspired Mini Countryman originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Oct 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/19/prodrive-working-on-wrc-inspired-mini-countryman/

The all new BMW 3 Series Sedan 2012. A closer look.

	The all new BMW 3 Series Sedan 2012. A closer look. Keep informed: http://www.BMW.com/3SeriesUpdate . The BMW 3 Series is the heart of the brand BMW. For the first time, BMW presents the sixth generation of the BMW 3 Series Sedan. You're invited to have a closer look at the car. The Vice President Brand Communication BMW, Andreas-Christoph Hofmann, the exterior designer of the BMW 3 Series Sedan, Christopher Weil and the Interior designer of the BMW 3 Series Sedan Christian Bauer will show you the car in detail.	From:BMW Views:14502 218ratings
	Time:01:20	More inAutos & Vehicles

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJXlGECfWOg&feature=youtube_gdata