Modified Cars Blog » Mini

Mini goes JDM with the Mini Saville Row? WTF?

Brett — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 02:41:35 +0000

As if the Japanese don’t have enough vehicles from their own manufacturers, BMW decides to go and throw in a Mini just for the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM)! The Mini in question is the special limited edition 2010 Mini Saville Row that will be available in a Midnight Black finish with tinted windows, chrome 17-inch wheels, a chrome gas filler cap, chrome mirrors and chrome trim inside and outside the car.

The Mini Saville Row will also feature Bi-xenon headlights, white turn signal indicator, and a Saville Row logo. Only 100 Mini Saville Row will be built and will be powered by a 1.6-Liter four-cylinder engine that will drive the front-wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. The car will retail at ¥3,100,000 .

2010 Peugeot 308 RC Z

Brett — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 07:16:03 +0000

Peugeot are currently putting the finishing touches on the new Peugeot 308 RC Z, which will be available for sale from the third quarter of 2010. The 308 RC Z was first displayed in concept form at the Frankfurt Motor Show back in 2007 and is based on the same platform as the Peugeot 308 hatch. Like the concept car, the 2010 Peugeot 308 RC Z is a 2+2 coupe and will make its debut at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

Although the 308 RC Z is based on the same platform as the Peugeot 308 hatch, it is expected to have wider tracks, a tweaked suspension and steering system, and larger brakes to improve the coupe’s handling. Power for the 308 RC Z will come from a 218 bhp version of the 1.6-liter turbo engine that Peugeot developed in partnership with BMW, and that is also used in the Mini Cooper JCW. The engine will be mated to a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. The production car will feature the double-bubble rear screen and roof panel that graced the concept car, but production version will be less curvaceous.

BMW Z2 at Frankfurt

Brett — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 21:47:46 +0000

According to Auto Bild, BMW are preparing the Z2 for debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. The Z2 fall under BMW’s Project i and the Efficient Dynamics program, a program for greater cost savings by relying on a modular build structure for greater parts sharing across a range of small car models. Possible models under Project i includes the next generation 1-Series, the next Mini, and the Z2.

The Z2 itself is the flagship of Project i and is a radical new design that will be available as a rear-wheel drive two-seater, two-door coupe and a two-seater, two-door roadster with a front mounted engine. There will be three different engines: an all-electric engine with lithium-ion batteries from AC Propulsion Systems; a hybrid drive with range extender petrol engine; and a 1.6-Liter 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. The 1.6-Liter engine will feature direct injection engine and will develop 204 bhp, while the petrol engine in the hybrid drive will charge the battery to extend its range!

The BMW Z2 is expected to go on sale in Europe in 2013, although the next Mini will be available a year earlier.

[Source: AutoBild.de]

2009 MINI Cooper S John Cooper Works Convertible to Debut at Geneva

Brett — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 07:25:22 +0000

Latest auto rumors have it that a new convertible version of the MINI Cooper S John Cooper Works will be debuted in March at this year’s Geneva Motor Show! But the MINI doesn’t just gain a soft-top; it also gains more power! Apparently the MINI Cooper S JCW Convertible’s 1.6-Liter twin-scroll turbo engine has been refined to produce a maximum of 211 bhp, that’s an increase of 29 bhp over the standard engine! Maximum torque has also been increased from 177 lb-ft to 192 lb-ft from 1,850 rpm to 5,600 rpm. An overboost boost function will increase maximum torque to 207 lb-ft for a quick burst of acceleration.

The MINI Cooper S JCW Convertible will also feature an upgraded brake and suspension package, as well as some external upgrades, which includes the John Cooper Works styling with a revised front fascia, a subtle aero kit, a set of 17-inch alloy wheels and JWC badging inside and out. 18-inch alloy wheels will be available as an optional.

The 2009 Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA

Brett — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 07:40:34 +0000

Alfa Romeo is to debut a high-performance version of its new MiTo hatchback, the Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA in March at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. The base Alfa Romeo MiTo, with its 8C Competizione styling is powered by a 1.4-Liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with ‘overboost’ feature that produces a maximum of 153 bhp and 169 lb ft of torque. However, the MiTo GTA will be powered by a 1.8-Liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with variable valve timing and direct injection that produces a maximum of 230 bhp and 169 lb ft of torque, which according to Luca De Meo, the CEO of Alfa Romeo, makes the MiTo GTA will be the fastest car in its class! And it’s not hard to see why, only the 211 bhp Mini Cooper S JCW come close in terms of power, while the 197 bhp Renault Clio RS and the 192 bhp Opel Corsa OPC are a long way off!

In the MiTo GTA, power will be transferred to the front wheels via Alfa Romeo’s Q2 electronic limited-slip differential system that provides better traction and improved handling. The 230 bhp MiTo GTA should be able to sprint from 0 to 62 mph in under 6 ½ seconds and is expected to make its way to the show room floors in Europe by the end of 2009. And given the Fiat group’s new partnership with Chrysler, the MiTo GTA may be coming to North America!