The MINI John Cooper Works Countryman is Ready for Anything

MINI is excited to announce that the MINI John Cooper Works Countryman will be available in the fall of 2012.  The John Cooper Works Countryman combines the ultimate sport racing components with all-wheel drive on the Countryman model.

Roaring to life with a new four-cylinder turbocharged engine, the John Cooper Works Countryman delivers 211 horsepower to the driver’s fingertips.  With MINI’s ALL4 all-wheel drive, the new MINI is ready to take on any terrain or weather element thrown its direction.  The John Cooper Works Countryman is the first John Cooper Works model to have an optional six-speed automatic transmission rather than the standard six-speed manual.

As drivers turn each corner and maneuver in the new Countryman, the suspension is ready to flow with every movement of the vehicle and give the great agility they are known for.  The John Cooper Works Countryman jumps off the line, going 0 to 62 mph in 7.1 seconds and early European fuel economy tests show that it will attain 39.2 mpg.  Chassis design on the new Countryman incorporates a front axle with MacPherson struts, central-arm rear axle, Electric Power Steering, and a high-performance braking system.

Stay tuned for more information as we approach fall 2012 with the release of the John Cooper Works Countryman.

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MINI United Gets Official for 2012

MINI United has officially been scheduled for May 11-13 in Le Castellet, France.  What is MINI United you ask?  Its only the largest MINI get together in the world!  MINI United is loaded with the best driving, music, and entertainment all in the name of MINI.

MINI United 2012 is one big festival with live music acts, stunt shows, driving events on the track, and plenty more.  You can see who is performing for the event at www.minispace.com.  MINI United is pushing US fans that are planning to attend to register at www.miniunited2012.com.  Registration is underway.  The weekend pass will run USA fans $50 but gets access to the welcome dinner with MINI USA execs, MINI USA hospitality area, shuttles back and forth, test-drives on the track, and hotel discounts.

Watch the teaser video for the event to see what the MINI United 2012 will be all about!

MINI Space Contest Giving Away a Free Trip to MINI United 2012 & More

MINI Space is an urban initiative by MINI designed to participate in creative events, projects, parties, get-togethers and more to help promote “Creative Use of Space”,  Along with meeting great, creative people along the way, MINI Space wants to connect MINI fanatics across the globe and help utilize resources.

With MINI United 2012 coming up, the largest MINI gathering of al-time, MINI Space decided to have a contest in honor of the event.  MINI Space is looking for the creative and talented fans out there to create a photo/illustration/design of how they would interpret the theme of All Together Now…

All entries must be 100% original work and no brand logos are allowed anywhere in the work.  Entries will be showcased in the background of www.minispace.com’s website.  There are plenty of prizes including:

• First Place:  All-Expenses Paid Trip to MINI United 2012 in France May 11-13, 2012
• Second Place:  iPhone 4S, 64GB
• Third Place:  Lytro 8GB Light Field Digital Camera
• Popular Vote Prize:  Apple iTunes Gift Card (Good for approximately100 songs)

Submit your entries here. Entries will be accepted through the end of March!  Good luck!

MINI & VICE take to Sweden for Next Installment of “All The Wrong Places”

In the fourth episode of “All The Wrong Places”, MINI and VICE take a trip to Sweden. The goal of the trip is to explore micronations, countries that aren’t recognized by any official countries.

First stop is Ladonia, a micronation started by an artist to protect a piece of art he had constructed on a nature reserve. The art piece is an amazing gigantic treehouse-like structure. The second micronation they visit is Jämtland, a republic formed in 1960 to protest again the rapid urbanization of Sweden.

MINI Ready to Take the States 2012 in July

The biggest MINI road rally is all scheduled and ready to rock and roll for 2012.  The bi-annual MINI Takes the States (MTTS) begins on Wednesday, July 4^th on the East Coast and goes all the way cross-country to the Pacific Ocean, ending on Sunday July 15^th.

The major road rally is gaining plenty of praise with MINI loyalists ready to bring in MINI USA’s 10^th year anniversary in style.  Some owners will go coast to coast while other owners will do certain sections of the trek, but one thing is for sure, the rally will be fun for all that come.

“MTTS is perhaps the brand’s greatest demonstration of our commitment to the MINI community,” said Jim McDowell, Vice President MINI USA. “During MTTS, MINI USA acts on its promise to deliver a motoring experience unlike any other brand, engaging owners and their families and ensuring they enjoy their MINI to the fullest extent possible.”

Registration will begin in April but interested owners can sign up for news updates here.  This event is for the true MINI driver so if you think you bleed MINI, this event is for you!