MINI E Joins Government announcement

April 16 2009, Ian Robertson, Sales and Marketing Director of BMW Group AG, today joined Business Secretary Peter Mandelson and Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon in Scotland as they launched the Government’s vision for ultra-low carbon transport in the UK.

Both ministers drove a MINI E electric car at the event as they announced plans to support motorists by providing help worth £2000-£5000 towards buying their first electric or plug-in hybrid car when they hit the showrooms.

BMW Group has announced that MINI E will go on a twelve-month field trial in Germany and the USA this year, to evaluate the technical and social aspects of living with an all-electric vehicle in a real world environment and plans to include the UK in this programme... Ian Robertson said, “We believe the MINI E is an excellent vehicle for trialling this alternative form of sustainable mobility. And what better time to do this than in the year we celebrate the 50th birthday of MINI. We look forward to extending our German and American trials to the UK.

To see more on this story and a video on the launch of the MINI E please visit our website at www.britishminiclub.co.uk

Arden tune their first MINI Cooper S

The well known and renowned German Tuners who specialise in tuning British Cars have finally turned there attention to the MINI Cooper S.

The car is expected to have over 200bhp at the wheel plus high quality interior modifications. For more details check out www.fancytuning.com or feel free to visit there main website at www.arden.de

Himley Hall 2009 Tickets details on-line

Full ticket details for the British Mini Clubs British Mini Day at Himley Hall on the 10th May 2009 are now on www.britishminiclub.co.uk he information includes how British Mini Club members can claim an exclusive discount to this fantastic event.

Himley Hall is, like all our events, open to everyone with simple payment on the gate as always. One of the biggest events on the Mini calendar to celebrate Mini 50, Himley Hall is one not to miss. Full Premier Concours, Trade stands, auto jumble, club stands and much more for the whole family.

For ticket details and show information visit our website at www.britishminiclub.co.uk

We look forward to seeing all of you at Himley Hall 2009

MINI Speedster?

We are sure we saw this a idea a few years ago in Auto Express. A two seater MINI Speedster with a fabric roof. Apparantly now it is possible this may go into production after it has been approved by MINI.

A two seater MINI with a steeply raked windscreen what would Jeremy Clarkson make of that

See more on this story on www.leftlanenews.com

2009 MINI Convertible, whats the verdict

The recently introduced all new MINI Convertible has caused quite a stir in the motoring world. Is it just a revamp off the original convertible or a totally different animal?

We, of course, love it especially how they have redesigned the boot to allow easier access.

The Car Connection web site has consulted the top writers in the motor industry and collated there comments. Certainly makes interesting reading.

Check out the article her www.thecarconnection.com

Paul Weller to headline MINI United

British music icon Paul Weller will top the entertainment bill at MINI United 2009, which is being held at Silverstone race circuit from 22-24 May. Calvin Harris, Chris Thompson, Raygun and Twisted Wheel complete the line-up of outstanding British musicians, DJs and bands brought together to celebrate MINI’s 50th birthday.

The MINI United festival, which in previous years has attracted MINI fans from around the world to events in Misano, Italy and Zandvoort, Holland, is coming home in 2009. An all-British entertainment programme worthy of such a significant milestone in the life of MINI is set to light up the greatest birthday party of 2009.

Friday 22 May
Artist, remixer and producer Calvin Harris is kicking off the weekend playing a full live set with his band. Calvin is one of the most in-demand DJs in the world, has collaborated with the likes of Kylie Minogue and recently scored a massive chart number one hit in the UK; with Dizzee Rascal on the track “Dance Wiv Me”. Calvin has also specially curated a bill to DJ in support of him.

Saturday 23 May
Chris Thompson, former lead singer of Manfred Mann’s Earth Band, will open the night with a special guest appearance. He will be followed by the band Raygun, who were selected by US superstar Pink to support her on her current European tour.

The final support act is Northern upstarts Twisted Wheel, already a rising force in the UK. The band has a reputation as one of the most driven and ferocious live bands around, and has earned prime support slots with mega-acts including Paul Weller, The Enemy, Kasabian and Oasis.

Headlining MINI United 2009 is none other than Paul Weller. Former lead singer of The Jam and The Style Council, and a massively successful solo artist, Paul is a music icon and a fitting headliner for such a special event.

Paul said: “As a lifelong MINI driver, I am really happy to be taking part in its 50th anniversary celebrations.”

As a special treat, Twisted Wheel will be performing one of Paul Weller’s classic songs as a tribute on the night. This unique version of the track will then be made available online at www.mini.com after the event.

Tickets for the full three day programme cost just £35 each and may be purchased online now at www.miniunited.com Admission for children under 14 is free. As well as an array of high-profile musical talent, MINI has prepared a multitude of activities guaranteed to keep visitors’ adrenalin pumping.

Thousands of MINI owners and fans from across the globe are expected to descend upon the Northamptonshire site for the festival. Guests will have the opportunity to drive laps on the Silverstone track in their own MINI or as a passenger with a MINI CHALLENGE competitor, as well as watching the third and fourth races of the popular MINI CHALLENGE Clubsport series.

The Mini Seven Racing Club will be staging a race in which up to 40 classic models will compete on the Silverstone circuit. A comprehensive exhibition will guide fans through the rich and fascinating heritage of the brand. Stunt shows, go-kart racing, driver training activities and much more add to the exciting activities on offer to everyone at MINI United.

All visitors will be well catered for, with numerous lounge areas, bars and restaurants placed around the Silverstone site. A children’s area will provide entertainment for the little ones with ‘Bobby-Car’ racing, climbing, face painting and much more.

In true festival style, a camping area for up to 10,000 tents will be set up just a ten minute walk from the site at nearby Whittlebury Park. Further information regarding festival accommodation is also available at www.miniunited.com

Silverstone is situated just 35 miles from Oxford, the home of MINI. For fans who want to experience MINI production first hand, plant tours will be offered. As places are limited, MINI United visitors should contact oxford.plant-tours@mini.com at the earliest opportunity to request a tour.

Top Gear cancel Italian Job remake

A proposed recreation of the last scene in The Italian Job has been cancelled by Top Gear producers due to costs.

The BBC said that the team were "disappointed" but the cash needed to recreate the stunt could "go further elsewhere", reports PA.

The film's cliffhanger ending involves the robbers at one end of the perilously tipped coach with their gold balanced at the other, followed by Charlie Croker's line: "Hang on a minute lads. I've got a great idea."

The idea apparently came about after James May heard that the Royal Society Of Chemistry was asking members of the public to help solve the mystery of saving the gold and the lives of those in the bus as part of a competition.

A corporation spokesperson said: "We thought it would be brilliant to recreate The Italian Job scene, so we were disappointed when, having spent a lot of time researching all the options thoroughly with the Royal Society of Chemistry, we found that the cost of the stunt was massively prohibitive for one short film in one programme.

"We've got a set budget and we think we can make that money go further elsewhere."

The Society said in a statement that it was shocked that "a team of self-proclaimed petrol-heads" had missed a "great opportunity" to celebrate the film.

We think the BBC have missed a massive opportunity to celebrate Mini 50 and also increase the number of viewers to this already popular world wide show. It would certainly have been interesting to see Clarkson, Hammond and May putting their ideas for how this great film should end. We even have a member who could have supplied exact replicas of the Mini's

MINI Clubman does a back flip!

Those clever advertising chaps at MINI have gone and done it again.

It can't be true.. can it. This new MINI viral shows a MINI Clubman on the Munich Autobahn performing some amazing stunts. This clever advert from MINI certainly gets you thinking.. Is it fake? Check out the video now to decide for yourself.. Follow the link to see the video in full

MINI Clubman does a back flip!