tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35719212586085601362024-02-21T08:36:30.414-08:00Trendy Carcute and cool city car, concept carsatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14913871924506887022noreply@blogger.comBlogger295125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571921258608560136.post-63441397777021916392009-06-08T11:03:00.001-07:002009-06-08T11:03:27.662-07:00Like Father, Like Son: the Mini Source: Pistonheads.com Father’s Day is coming up, and so we’re celebrating automotive dads and their little sluggers that got all growed up. Today, we’re profiling a family of little cars that changed the world: the Mini! Like Father: The BMC Mini Although you probably already know this David and Goliath story, Alec Issigonis’ wildly unconventional little cars challenged the big boys at satohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14913871924506887022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571921258608560136.post-87850787270759471802009-06-08T10:55:00.001-07:002009-06-08T10:55:13.931-07:002009 Mini Cooper S Convertible adds open-air fun for a price 2009 Mini Cooper S Convertible - Back in 2001, BMW revived the Mini brand by unveiling a new Cooper model that updated the classic English design of the original while growing the car's trademark size just enough to fit the engineering, safety equipment and conveniences that modern drivers demand. It was a perfect play, and if Mini sales haven't exactly set the world on fire here in the U.S., satohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14913871924506887022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571921258608560136.post-52437994206310502672009-06-08T10:54:00.001-07:002009-06-08T10:54:25.951-07:00Motoczysz releases pics of E1pc electric superbike, complete with iPhone gauges! Motoczysz E1pc - Finally, speculation on the appearance of the Motoczysz E1pc can end as the fledgling American motorcycle maker has released official pictures of the machine that will take on the rest of the field at the upcoming TTXGP zero-emission eGrandPrix motorcycle race at the Isle of Man. Things are shaping up largely as we expected, with the E1pc sharing its basic layout and look - satohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14913871924506887022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571921258608560136.post-89852198115485233012009-06-08T10:50:00.001-07:002009-06-08T10:50:44.573-07:00Underwriters Lab holdup means some MINI Es will take all day to charge With MINI Es finally being delivered to the 450 test drivers in New York and California, a problem has cropped up that will limit the ability of many of those people to actually use the car. When MINI USA was taking applications for leases on the new EV, among the requirements were a garage with 220V electrical service. This was necessary in order to be able to charge the 35 kWh battery in satohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14913871924506887022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571921258608560136.post-56730455802974183732009-06-06T19:23:00.001-07:002009-06-06T19:23:59.703-07:00Tata confirms Nano U.S.-bound in around two years Tato Nano Europa Americans may have the opportunity to welcome the Tata Nano to their shores in just over two years, according to a confirmation from David Good, a U.S. rep for the Indian automaker. Before it arrives, Tata assures that the ultra-cheap compact with a base price of just $2500 will be configured to meet all emission and crash standards. If successful, we could see see versions satohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14913871924506887022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571921258608560136.post-42706840732894096802009-06-06T00:55:00.001-07:002009-06-06T00:55:42.415-07:00Top Gear destroy Mitsubishi EVO, Tata plans to bring Nano to the U.S. in 2 years It’s finally Friday and as we take a break from speeding around in our press vehicle of the week, the 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP, we’re taking some time out to bring you a few random findings from the egmCarTech editor’s desk (or the egmCarTech’s table at the local Starbucks if you will). Top Gear destroys a Mitsubishi EVO with the British Army: We’re pretty excited to see what Top Gear has in store satohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14913871924506887022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571921258608560136.post-55926706798508649302009-06-05T10:46:00.001-07:002009-06-05T10:46:14.903-07:00Mitsubishi i-MiEV Loves Lower Case “i”s, On Sale In Japan Soon Cute, but $50k cute? Mitsubishi’s innovative i-MiEV electric city car will go on sale this year in Japan, despite having an eye-watering price tag approaching $50,000 (dollars, not yen! 50,000 yen probably wouldn’t buy chewing gum). The little guy incorporates Mitsubishi’s MiEV system (did the name tip you off?), but confusingly, drops the in-wheel electric motors usually employed in MiEV carssatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14913871924506887022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571921258608560136.post-72447091744655700812009-06-05T10:43:00.001-07:002009-06-05T10:43:54.463-07:00Production Mitsubishi i-MiEV unveiled, sales begin in April 2010 In a very lengthy press release on World Environment Day (which we talked about yesterday), Mitsubishi finally unveiled the production version of its four-seater i MiEV electric-vehicle. The i MiEV will go on sale in Japan in late July of 2009 with a monthly lease process much like the Mini E Cooper. Starting April 2010, Mitsubishi will begin the official sales process to individuals and will satohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14913871924506887022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571921258608560136.post-92176628093610816842009-06-05T10:41:00.001-07:002009-06-05T10:41:19.501-07:00Fiat 500 to get more than 40 mpg in the U.S., Fiat engineers and execs in Detroit setting up launch We already know that the Fiat 500 will be the only Fiat badged model that will be sold at Chrysler dealerships when Chrysler is officially handed over the Italian automaker. According to people familiar with the plan, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne has been leading a team of several dozen engineers and executives in finalizing plans to cut costs on purchasing parts and to pave the way for the satohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14913871924506887022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571921258608560136.post-16784377578432138512009-06-05T10:40:00.003-07:002009-06-05T10:40:49.283-07:00More power, better looks: AC Schnitzer 2009 Mini Cooper S Convertible AC Schnitzer has just unveiled their new modifications package for the new 2009 Mini Cooper R57 Convertible. Visually, Schnitzer added a new front spoiler, a new rear skirt, various decals, chrome sports exhaust system, and a variety of wheel and tire combinations. Inside, AC Schnitzer is offering a set of aluminum pedals, velour floor mats and a aluminum gear knob. Performance wise, satohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14913871924506887022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571921258608560136.post-8263080278000206462009-06-05T10:40:00.001-07:002009-06-05T10:40:30.976-07:00Why you won’t see many Mini Coopers on the road tomorrow So tomorrow is World Environment Day 2009 (no really, it actually exists - check out the website) and to get its already ‘environmentally conscious’ consumers to do their part, Mini is asking its owners not to drive their Coopers tomorrow. In a campaign called ‘Let’s Not Motor Day,’ Mini is asking its owners to “buckle down, instead of up.” “Let’s have a day when we organize a walk pool,” satohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14913871924506887022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571921258608560136.post-4405966506426930552009-06-05T05:24:00.001-07:002009-06-05T05:24:31.749-07:00AC Schnitzer unveils their MINI Cooper R57 ConvertibleIt was just a matter of time until the German tuner AC Schnitzer would release their own version of the recently launched MINI Cooper Convertible. A new range of accessories are fitted on the new R57 Cabrio, from front spoilers and rear skirts which not only enhance the looks of the MINI but also offer aerodynamic advantages, to black or chrome/black finishes. Performance has been also raised satohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14913871924506887022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571921258608560136.post-20539728540052767012009-06-04T05:34:00.001-07:002009-06-04T05:34:50.006-07:00Ken Okuyama Design takes over at former Mercedes Advanced Design studio in Irvine  Anybody can start sketching cars in their basement and call themselves a design studio. Of course it helps if you've got the clout and experience that comes with having steered an established coachbuilder like Pininfarina. But if you're going to make a dent in the increasingly troubled independent automotive design community, you're going to need a fancy facility to make it all happen. satohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14913871924506887022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571921258608560136.post-14142358488387240462009-06-04T05:32:00.001-07:002009-06-04T05:32:40.017-07:00MINI “Roadster” to launch at Frankfurt Auto Show There are several reports coming from different trusted sources who speak of the imminent unveiling of a MINI Roadster Concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. The two-seater concept is expected to offer a sportier and more dynamic look than the current MINI Convertible and it will feature a steeply raked windshield  and soft top. It will use all the qualities that turned the satohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14913871924506887022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571921258608560136.post-13249434461949713022009-06-02T21:07:00.001-07:002009-06-02T21:07:34.438-07:00Near-production Mini Roadster concept coming to Frankfurt According to AutoCar, MINI will unveil a Roadster model in “a near-production concept” form at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show in September. The UK publication says that the car will be at two-seater and will offer a sportier-looking alternative to the Mini Cooper Cabriolet. The Mini Roadster will be based on the current-generation Mini Coopers but will have a lower roofline and a lower satohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14913871924506887022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571921258608560136.post-36078275190641978572009-06-02T20:58:00.001-07:002009-06-02T20:58:06.783-07:00Novitec takes a stab at the Alfa MiTo Alfa Romeo's spritely MiTo hatch may have been styled to look like the flagship 8C Competizione, but the performance gap between them is big enough to fit another entire model line. The MiTo GTA, previewed in concept form at this year's Geneva show, promises to close the distance some, but until it arrives, Novitec has come up with an answer of its own, and here it is. The heart of any good satohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14913871924506887022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571921258608560136.post-31972805348654527212009-06-01T19:54:00.001-07:002009-06-01T19:54:44.227-07:00Fiat 500 coming in 2011, will be the only Fiat badged car in Chrysler dealerships Stepping away from all the GM related news pouring out this morning, Fiat has confirmed that it sell its 500 minicar at Chrysler dealerships by early 2011. The Fiat 500 will be the only Fiat-derived vehicle that will be sold at Chrysler dealerships badges as a Fiat. “The Fiat 500 — we see that, like the Mini, as a sort of boutique car that we think we can sell in good numbers on the East and satohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14913871924506887022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571921258608560136.post-35671389613958405272009-06-01T19:52:00.001-07:002009-06-01T19:52:38.501-07:00Production Kia Soul’ster could arrive in 2010 Earlier this year, Kia unveiled the Kia Soul’ster Concept at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. At the time Kia said that the response to the show car was very strong and overwhelming. It was said that the executives at Kia are studying the concept for production. While Kia is remaining very quiet about any series production plans for the Soul’ster, sources have told once Korean magazine that the satohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14913871924506887022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571921258608560136.post-75674347742680081522009-06-01T06:33:00.001-07:002009-06-01T06:33:45.281-07:00PSA to decide on GTbyCitroen production within four weeks When Citroen collaborated with the people behind Sony Playstation's hit Gran Turismo game franchise on the show-stopping - if clumsily named - GTbyCitroen for last year's Paris Motor Show, few thought it would see the light of day. That includes the French automaker itself, but as we reported back in March, demand has picked up enough to prompt Citroen to consider the GT's creation. The latest satohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14913871924506887022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571921258608560136.post-65670968747415884282009-05-29T19:06:00.001-07:002009-05-29T19:06:38.381-07:00GM announces plans to build new small car in U.S. As reported earlier this morning, GM no longer plans on importing subcompact cars from China. The Detroit automaker said that it will build up to 160,000 units of subcompacts per year at an existing U.S. facility. GM has now released a statement saying that it plans to build a future small car in the United States utilizing an idled UAW-GM facility. While GM didn’t specify which vehicle it satohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14913871924506887022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571921258608560136.post-3901298803861726632009-05-29T07:22:00.001-07:002009-05-29T07:23:05.963-07:00Concept car flashback: Ford 021c (1999)(Credit: Ford Motor Company) Way back in 1999, Ford put Marc Newson, a furniture designer who'd never designed a car before, in charge of developing a concept for the Tokyo Motor Show. The resulting vehicle, the 021c Concept, was hated by all. It was just too quirky, too unlike satohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14913871924506887022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571921258608560136.post-10255559384088227972009-05-29T07:19:00.001-07:002009-05-29T07:19:25.240-07:00First 2009 Mini E delivered to venture capitalist in California Peter Trepp, a venture capitalist focusing on the green industry, has become the first owner/customer to get the new 2009 MINI E. BMW is leasing a total of 500 units of the electric Mini Cooper for about $850 a month. Trepp, owner of number 111, has no idea why he was picked as the first one to receive the MINI E; however, having a blog about his electrical experience with the MINI E probably satohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14913871924506887022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571921258608560136.post-35838885296148691082009-05-29T07:07:00.001-07:002009-05-29T07:07:54.793-07:00MINI United Festival receives 25,000 fans from around the globeThe 50th annual MINI United Festival took place last week at the famous Silverstone race track on England. Every year, a large crowd of MINI fans and not only, attend the event with many participants bringing their MINIs from as far afield as Russia, the USA and South Africa. This year, there were over 25,000 MINI loyal fans present at the festival who spent their time in racing activities, satohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14913871924506887022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571921258608560136.post-7707392830255265122009-05-28T06:37:00.001-07:002009-05-28T06:37:47.292-07:00Ford to revive Capri as a three-door hatchback Ford recently celebrated the 40th Anniversary of the Ford Capri, at which point we wondered if Ford would ever visit the iconic coupe. According to AutoExpress, the Capri will make a comeback in 2010 as a hatchback and will be a new 3-door version of the Ford Focus. Hoping to compete with the likes of the Volkswagen Scirocco, Ford is reinventing the Capri into a stylis hatchback. Think of it satohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14913871924506887022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571921258608560136.post-36856628892130342842009-05-25T10:10:00.001-07:002009-05-25T10:10:02.781-07:002009 MINI Cooper Clubman The 2009 MINI Cooper Clubman made its debut for 2008 essentially as a new body style of the MINI Cooper, with dual swing-out rear doors, that coincided with a redesign of the MINI Cooper line. With the new design come new engines, a better ride, and a richer interior. Likes Decent ride quality Maneuverability Sharp responses Turbo thrust (S) Dislikes satohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14913871924506887022noreply@blogger.com0