Mini announces SUV model, the Countryman
Mini has tried to extend its range while it was under British ownership, but it seems, as with so many things automotive, the Germans have been more successful. BMW has announced that the regular Mini hatch, the Mini convertible and the Mini Clubman will be joined by the five-door Mini Countryman, a taller SUV-style model […]
BMW previews its Detroit show stars
BMW has previewed the models it will show at Detroit (the North American International Auto Show) later this month. The Z4 sDrive35is will receive its American début—BMW emphasizes it can do 26·1 mpg (US), while hitting 100 km/h in 4·8 seconds. (The regular sDrive35i that Lucire tested managed a respectable 29 mpg touring.) BMW […]
Electric Mini Es hit UK streets
BMW has announced that 20 prototype Mini E electric cars will be on British roads from next month, as part of a research project. They will be driven by successful online applicants, as part of a six-month leasing programme that begins in December. A second round of applications will be accepted in mid-2010, with Mini […]
Chic runs from Petone to Paris
Douglas Rimington On the main part of the Lucire site today is a special travel promotion on Petone, a place which really surprised us. The historical area on Jackson Street is full of surprises, and for Wellingtonians who hold on to decades’ old views about what Petone is like, cast aside your notions. Jackson Street, […]
Mini shows Coupé Concept for 50th anniversary
On August 26, 1959, the British Motor Corp. released the Mini—or, more accurately, the Austin Seven and Morris Mini-Minor. The British icon celebrates its 50th anniversary today, and BMW, the current owner of the Mini brand, shows a coupé concept. It’ll be shown in the metal at the IAA—the Frankfurt Motor Show—and there’s a chance […]
Elle drives a Fiat; Elyse remembers Michael Jackson
Remember that weekend after Michael Jackson died? It was a bit surreal, as Elyse Glickman discovered when she attended one of the BET Awards’ suites, specifically Rohn Padmore’s Red Carpet Suite—we feature her report today on the main part of the site. Meanwhile, we see that Elle Macpherson in fact drives a Fiat 500, and […]
Mini United celebrates 50 years of an icon
Last weekend, 25,000 enthusiasts from over 40 countries attended the Mini United Festival at Silverstone to celebrate the 50th anniversary of an automotive icon. It’s hard to believe that the Mini celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, having cemented itself as one of the 20th century’s most significant cars and a style icon in its […]
Mini celebrates 50th with unique model dedicated to George Harrison
Mini celebrates its 50th birthday this weekend at Silverstone, England. It has come up with a fresh interpretation of George Harrison’s extravagant original Mini to coincide with the event, using the latest R55 model as its base. The one-off model will be presented to Harrison’s widow, Olivia, at the Mini United event. She will […]
Lucire TV: Mini John Cooper Works tested
Yes, we know the title card needs a bit of tweaking, but Steve, our video editor–producer, is stuck in jury duty. But do enjoy our Mini John Cooper Works road test—you can catch the same in the next print edition and online here later today. Our photographs for the article, by Tanya Sooksombatisatian, were wonderful—we’ve […]
Mini E christens power-point for electric cars in Berlin
Another video that came during New York Fashion Week, but which we didn’t want to run as it would have got lost: the Mini E christening an electricity charging-point for cars in Berlin, Germany. For those who feel that plug-in electric cars would be problematic when they run out of juice, BMW and Vattenfall answer […]
