2014 Mini Cooper Fully Loaded Pkg 3k Low Mile Manual Nav Sunrf Clean Carfax on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Mini to offer a double-clutch transmission, but not in U.S.

Mini has padded next year's option sheet with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, so long as you're not buying in America. Available for the three-door, five-door, and convertible Mini models using "selected engine types," the DCT will provide a third transmission option after the standard six-speed manual and six-speed Steptronic automatic. Minis fitted the twin-clutch will be known by the meaty new gearshift lever that, BMW style, returns to its central position after the car's put into gear. A button at the top of the lever activates Park. Sensibly, you push the lever forward to downshift, and pull it back to upshift. When a buyer springs for navigation and the DCT, the transmission taps into map routing data and camera images to hone shift programming; the gearbox will downshift early when approaching a turn, or read a series of bends to know when to shift and when to hold steady. Fitted with a crawl function for ease of use in stop-and-go traffic, the DCT additionally supports stop/start, and coasting in Mid and Green driving modes for those times the driver takes his foot off the accelerator. For the time being, though, we're not invited to the party. Mini USA Communications Manager Mariella Kapsaskis told Motor1 that manufacturing the wet-clutch, dual-mass flywheel DCT "takes up lots of capacity." Which is the automaker equivalent of being told, "We're just not that into you right now." We expect that would change at some point; however, some of Mini's most sporting U.S. competitors also don't offer DCTs, so who knows. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2018 Mini Double-Clutch Transmission View 17 Photos Image Credit: Mini MINI Hatchback

2018 Mini Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 Drivers' Notes Review | Plug and play

The second-generation Mini Countryman debuted at the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show. In addition to the standard and S models, Mini added a new E Countryman plug-in hybrid model. That's what we have here, making our model's full name the Mini Cooper S E Countryman ALL4. It's distinguishable from other models by the green badges on the front and rear and on the charging port on the fender. There are a few changes inside, most notably a power gauge in place of the tachometer. The plug-in model combines a turbo inline-three cylinder engine with a 7.6-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The gas engine motivates the front wheels while two electric motors power the rear. Three drive modes — Max eDrive, Auto eDrive and Save — adjust the amount of battery pack usage, with Max using all battery and Save mode using the starter generator to keep the battery charge above 90 percent. The biggest Mini (for what that's worth) is still far smaller than nearly every other crossover in its class. It's three inches shorter than a Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class and four inches shy of an Audi Q3. As compact as it is, there's still a good bit of usable cargo space thanks to the wide hatch and flat-folding seats. Our tester rang up for exactly $40,000 and includes features like 18-inch wheels, keyless entry and ignition, Cooper S heated sport seats, a heads-up display and LED lighting. Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore: The only thing I don't like about this electrified Mini is its name: Mini Cooper S E Countryman ALL 4. That's a mouthful. You'd probably just say you bought a plug-in electric Mini Countryman and roll from there. And why would you spend time overthinking the name? The driving dynamics are razor sharp. Launches from stoplights with the electric fortification are brisk. Not in a cliched "this V6 Camry feels brisk" sort of way, but in a 29-degree February morning where the dog is walking too slow kind of way. I give Mini and its parent, BMW Group, a lot of credit for having the foresight to invest in electrification, adding performance and efficiency in a manner that's true to the character of Mini. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Then there's the traditional Mini goodness that shines through in the cornering and handling. I'm late for work. The light turns yellow. Am I stopping? Oh hell no. I'm not even slowing down. In this and all Minis, taking corners at full steam is expected.

Mini goes all Occulus Rift with Augmented Vision glasses [w/video]

If April Fools' Day hadn't already passed, this might have come off as a joke. For the upcoming Shanghai Motor Show, Mini has a prototype for an augmented reality system, and the tech looks absolutely bizarre. Developed in conjunction with Qualcomm, driver's don goggles that look like a cross between Google Glass and something a World War I aviator might wear, and being behind the wheel suddenly becomes almost like a video game. Called Augmented Vision, some of its features are similar to contemporary HUD systems, with displays of vehicle speed and navigation data, but this literally puts the info right in front of the driver's eye. There're sci-fi features too, like displaying floating arrows on the road to indicate where to turn to reach a destination, and perhaps coolest of all, the X-ray view lets you look through the car's doors and pillars to see outside. As a prototype, we wonder how much of this is nearly possible today and what's pure fantasy. See Mini's idea for the future of motoring for yourself in the clip below. Hopefully, we don't all have to wear such goofy looking glasses foe future tech, though. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. MINI AUGMENTED VISION: A REVOLUTIONARY DISPLAY CONCEPT OFFERING ENHANCED COMFORT AND SAFETY. Exclusive prototype of augmented reality eyewear underlines the innovative flair and creativity of the MINI brand. Munich, Germany, April 9, 2015. MINI is revealing the shape of things to come at the Auto Shanghai show with a pioneering innovation. "MINI Augmented Vision gives an insight into how intelligent connectivity between a MINI car and eyewear into which relevant content is projected might work in the future," explains Dr. Jorg Preissinger, project-manager MINI Augmented Vision, BMW Group research and technology. "Working with several Qualcomm companies, we have created an interlinked system and augmented reality eyewear with a characteristic MINI design that revolutionise the experience both in and outside the vehicle. This prototype with its customised, interactive functions succeeds in fusing augmented reality with the brand's trademark sense of lifestyle." Using see-through technology, the AR eyewear shows relevant information in the driver's direct field of vision but without concealing other road users, thereby serving to increase safety and comfort while driving.