Agent Provocateur's hot hot Clubman!

The Agent Provocateur MINI Clubman. Not a totally new topic, and maybe even a bit over-covered (and under-dressed), but hey- still tres chic in my opinion... (click photos for larger view)

(Photos courtesy Jalopnik.com and LifeBall.org)

"The Agent Provocateur Clubman was built as the Life Ball 2008 MINI. As in the years before MINI chose a trendy designer to create a unique MINI to be auctioned off on eBay to raise funds for Europe's largest AIDS charity from the 5th of June. The auction ends on Sunday 15th June at www.ebay.at."

Visit the any of the 200+ articles for a thorough review, and even more racy photos...

Related links:

• AgentProvocateur.com
• LifeBall.org

MINI CHALLENGE Series For Sale?

What the what?!?!?! Okay, not exactly...

Specifically, today I read that Motorsport Event Management (MEM), the agency contracted to run the Australian MINI CHALLENGE, has been put up for sale by its current owner.


While one of the fastest growing iterations of the MINI CHALLENGE (they speak English y'know!), the Australian automotive blog site, ausmotive.com reports that this sale is actually a result of the MEM owner's desire to focus on his own "multiple racing teams". I'll accept that! (how one finances, "multiple racing teams" is a different story altogether!)

"MINI is confident that any sale of MEM will be to a suitable purchaser who will continue to manage the increasingly popular MINI CHALLENGE series..."

--- BMW Group Australia, MINI National Manager, Justin Hocevar

For the full story check out ausmotive.com, one of my new favorite sites!

Related links:

• ausmotive.com
• minichallenge.com.au
• sherrinmotorsport.com.au

AC Schnitzer's 226-hp MINI Cooper Clubman S

AC Schnitzer does have a pretty good reputation at tuning MINIs. So I don't know why I didn't think I was going to be as excited about AC Schnitzer's tuned MINI Cooper Clubman S as I was.

Some specs:

• 226-hp
• 17 or 18-inch alloy wheels
• spoiler treatments
• diesel option(s)

And it looks, oh so sweet!

photos borrowed from egmcartech.com

The price? Well, if you have to ask... (€ 39.035)

Read the full story at egmcartech.com

MINI of Charleston Team Picks Up Track Record

Found at the Post and Courier (from Charleston, SC):

While unable to claim wins last month in Virginia, the Mini of Charleston racing team did pick up a track record, with Robbie Davis averaging 84.692 miles per hour in a 2005 Mini Cooper S. Davis took two second places in the weekend races at the 3.27 mile Virginia International Raceway in Danville. The track record came on a lap in the Sunday race. The team returns to action in May 17-18 at Summit Point Raceway in Summit Point, W. Va.

Read the full story at: http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/may/10/whe40358/

(oh wait, that was the full story!?)

Related links:

• Charleston Post and Courier
• Mini of Charleston
• Summit Point Raceway
• Virginia International Raceway - www.virclub.com

MINI Turbo engine to power BMW 1-series?

MotorTrend reports BMW plans to outfit (non-U.S.) 1-Series' with the turbo four-cylinder from the Mini Cooper S. Yeah, we never get the good stuff:

(Image courtesy of MotorTrend.com)

In an interview with Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer said the Munich company will include both normal and turbo versions of the 1.6-liter four-cylinder in the next-generation 1 Series, though whether they will be available across the model lineup or just on specific cars remains to be seen. Both the turbo and 118 horsepower base engine are currently available in the second-generation Mini, as well as versions of the Peugeot 207 hatchback, wagon, and hardtop convertible.

Oh yeah, and some jazz about a 7-Series hybrid. But, who can afford a 7-Series in the first place?

Read the full story at Motortrend.com (http://wot.motortrend.com/6246143/auto-news/bmw-1-series-will-get-mini-engine-hints-at-7-series-hybrid/index.html)