THE MOST LUXURIOUS MINI EVER MADE

MINI inspired by Goodwood limited edition at world’s most famous store

The MINI Inspired by Goodwood is the most ambitious and luxurious special edition model the brand has ever launched. To celebrate delivery of the first customer cars, a single example is going on display in prime position at Harrods, the world’s most aspirational shopping destination.

The MINI which takes inspiration from the design team at Rolls Royce Motor Cars, forms part of a specially created window display. It is also visible from inside the iconic Knightsbridge store, allowing shoppers, pedestrians and drivers on the busy Brompton Road to see it.

The window features a beautiful manor house and gates, providing a quintessentially British backdrop to showcase the MINI. Inside Harrods, display screens provide information about the car, with a selection of swatches and samples of the premium interior trims used in the cabin. A member of staff from MINI’s flagship Park Lane showroom will be on hand so customers can find out more or even place an order.

Highlighting the exclusive and limited edition nature of the MINI Inspired by Goodwood, the MINI logo and the words ‘1 of 1000’ will be projected on to the pavement outside the window every night. The scene will be on display for two weeks starting from Easter Sunday, 8 April.

Guy Cheston, Harrods Director of Media Sale commented, “Harrods is delighted to be showcasing such an iconic British brand. The store attracts an average of 42,000 visitors every day from over 130 different countries every month. What better place than Harrods to showcase the most luxurious production MINI has ever built to a truly global audience.”

The MINI Inspired by Goodwood is a special edition model like no other. Announced at last April’s Shanghai Motor Show, it brings together the unparalleled fun and character of MINI with the outstanding quality of materials and bespoke workmanship that come as standard with any Rolls-Royce Motor Car

The dashboard, centre console, air vents, carpets, heated leather seats, roof lining, doors and interior cladding are all finished in the exclusive Rolls-Royce colour Cornsilk. The dashboard and door handle surfaces are of Walnut Burr, a premium wood trim bespoke to Rolls-Royce.

No expense or attention to detail has been spared on the car. The roof linings, sun visors and rear storage tray are all made of luxurious cashmere, with deep-pile lambs wool used to make the floor mats.

Power comes from MINI’s acclaimed l.6-litre 135 kW/184 hp four-cylinder petrol engine with Twin Scroll turbocharger, direct petrol injection and variable valve control. The unit, which also powers the MINI Cooper S, is the most efficient in its displacement class.

The exterior of the MINI Inspired by Goodwood is finished in the exclusive Rolls-Royce colour Diamond Black metallic, and the car rides on 17-inch light alloy multi-spoke wheels. It is only available in MINI Hatch body style.

Standard equipment includes Bi-Xenon Adaptive Headlights, Park Distance Control, automatic air conditioning, an onboard computer, MINI Navigation and the MINI Radio Visual Boost audio system, which includes a Harman Kardon hi-fi speaker system.

Source: BMW Group

Coming soon!

New Mini – The Essential Buyer's Guide

By Martyn Collins

Having this book in your pocket is just like having a real marque expert by your side. Benefit from the author’s years of Mini ownership , learn how to spot a bad car quickly, and how to assess a promising one like a professional. Get the right car at the right price!

More info

THE NEW BMW 3 SERIES SALOON

The 3 Series Saloon is the heart of the BMW brand, responsible for one-fifth of the company’s global sales. The latest, sixth-generation of 3 Series builds on the previous model’s position as the ultimate drivers’ car in its sector. But it is also the most logical business proposition, thanks to new powertrains and additional EfficientDynamics fuel-saving, emissions-reducing technologies.

The new BMW 3 Series Saloon is a car of contradictions: larger and more spacious than the model it replaces, but lighter; quicker in many cases, but more fuel-efficient; and more nimble and agile while even safer. There have been big steps forward in style, quality, comfort and specification for only a minimal price increase.

Source: BMW

Forthcoming!

BMW E30 3 Series 1981 to 1996 - The Essential Buyer's Guide
Your marque expert: Ralph Hosier

Having this book in your pocket is just like having a real marque expert at your side. Benefit from Ralph Hosier’s years of BMW experience, learn how to spot a bad car quickly, and how to assess a promising one like a true professional. Get the right car at the right price!

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BEAULIEU CUSTOM MOTORCYCLE SHOW 2012

Lucky Buck Mantis

Sickboyz Besame

Shaw Nascafe Racer
Following a successful inaugural Custom Motorcycle Show, held in Bournemouth earlier this year, Ocean Events is delighted to announce that from 2012, the show will be held annually at Beaulieu, home of the world famous National Motor Museum, in the heart of the New Forest.

The 2012 show will be held in the Beaulieu parkland on the 16th and 17th June, when visitors will not only be able to enjoy The Custom Motorcycle Show, but also the established annual Hot Rod & Custom Car Festival plus all the other attractions that Beaulieu has to offer.

Hundreds of world class custom motorcycles will also be on show, with over 70 bikes entering the AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building (as part of the UK Affiliate rounds). There will be several categories for the bike builders including Freestyle, Modified Harley, Period Chopper, Daily Rider and Streetfighter/Performance Custom.

There will be hundreds of exhibitors including custom bike dealers, custom accessories and hard parts, plus the Vendors and Merchandise Village.

From 9.30am on both days of the show, there will be a Ride-In, with all riders of custom motorcycles invited into the event to show off their bikes.

Lorne Cheetham, director of Ocean Events said: “Beaulieu is a perfect venue for our event. With all the custom bikes, cafe racers and streetfighters sharing the magnificent showgrounds with hot rods and custom cars, the whole weekend is going to be one fantastic festival of motoring modification and customisation!

“We are delighted to be working with Beaulieu on this show and hope to make the whole event the biggest of its kind in the UK.”

For further information visit www.thecustomshow.com or www.beaulieuevents.co.uk

New! BMW Custom Motorcycles: Choppers, Cruisers, Bobbers, Trikes & Quads By Ulrich Cloesen.
Customising BMWs - does it work? This book, the first of its kind solely devoted to the BMW custom bike scene, proves it does! Features stunning images of customised BMW singles, twins and fours from contributors around the globe, many complemented by owner's stories and technical descriptions. More info.

Forthcoming in 2012! Italian Custom Motorcycles – The Italian Chop – Choppers, Cruisers, Bobbers, Trikes & Quads. By Uli Cloesen.
Many books have been published about Italian motorcycles, but none has focused exclusively on the Italian motorcycle-based chopper, bobber, trike, and quad custom bike scene ... until now. Featuring stunning photography, this is a great book for Italian bike fans, and fans of the custom bike scene in general. More info.

AUTO HEADLINES

MINI Frankfurt show stars confirmed for production at Plant Oxford

Dr. Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management, BMW AG has announced that two new MINI models are to be built at MINI Plant Oxford.

Reithofer confirmed the production plan during his two-day visit to BMW Group UK operations earlier this week.

One of the models is based on the MINI Coupé Concept and a concept of the second vehicle will be unveiled for the first time to global media at Frankfurt Motor Show on 15 September.

Images of the stunning MINI Coupé Concept were issued to press on 26 August 2009, exactly fifty years after the first classic Mini was presented to the public.

Likely to feature the impressive 1.6-litre turbocharged MINI John Cooper Works power train, the MINI Coupé Concept is designed to be the most dynamic and agile MINI ever built. Strictly a two-seater, the low roof line, compact dimensions, perfect axle load distribution and lightweight construction are all trademarks of a genuine sports car.

Details of the second model have not yet been announced.

The two new models will join the existing Hatch, Clubman and Convertibles on the production line at Plant Oxford, where all derivatives are produced seamlessly just-in-time and just-in-sequence.

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said: “The production of the two new MINI models is very good news for Oxford, and for the UK car industry. It is a demonstration of BMW’s long term commitment to the UK as it celebrates its 50th birthday this year.

“British drivers have had a long love affair with the MINI and I’m sure that this will continue for many years to come.”

Dr. Juergen Hedrich, Managing Director of MINI Plant Oxford, said: “The fact that Plant Oxford will be building these exciting new models shows the high level of flexibility of the plant and its associates. The MINI family has a bright future.”

Start dates for these two new models to enter production will be confirmed in due course. (Source:www.press.bmwgroup.com)

BMW to build two new models in the UK

BMW plans to build two new models at its Oxford plant, in a vote of confidence in UK manufacturing and a significant boost for Britain’s hard-pressed motor industry.

The move will result in new jobs and investment at the factory, which is operating close to its capacity of 200,000-220,000 cars a year, according to BMW chief executive Norbert Reithofer.

The carmaker will unveil concept versions of a Mini coupe and a second, as yet undisclosed car, at the Frankfurt Motor Show later this month.

Mr Reithofer said: “I am pleased to announce the Mini coupe concept car and another new Mini model will both be built at Oxford.”

The factory employs about 3,500 people. However, Mr Reithofer would not comment on potential job increases or a production timetable for the new Minis. Speculation that 1,000 jobs could be created has been described as premature by a BMW spokeswoman.

Meanwhile, Mr Reithofer has declared that BMW intends to continue as one of just two big independent luxury car producers now left in the world.

He ruled out a tie-up with a mass-market carmaker, and believes that the German manufacturer’s production volume of 1.5 million to two million cars a year will be enough to allow it to survive using limited ‘intelligent co-operations’ with other carmakers. (Financial Times: September 3).

Revised driving theory test set for introduction

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) will start to introduce case studies into the driving theory test later this month.

From September 28, one case study will be included in the exam for car drivers, moped and motorcycle riders.

As part of the multiple choice section of the test, the case study will assess candidates’ understanding of driving theory, whilst the multiple choice questions will continue to assess their knowledge of the subject.

The introductory theory test case study will take the form of a scenario, or short story, on which five questions will be based. Candidates will answer the questions in the same way as they do now, using either the touch screen or mouse.

The DSA’s director of driver education and learning Jill Lewis said: “Case studies are widely used in education to put learning into context and test comprehension of a subject, so many candidates will have encountered this type of question before.

“Initially we are introducing one case study based on existing questions in the theory test question bank, to get candidates used to the concept. It will also allow us to monitor any impact on the theory test. Over time, we plan to introduce more case studies into the theory test to assess candidates’ understanding of what they have learned.”

Changes to the theory test are part of Learning to Drive, a long-term programme of major reforms that will progressively strengthen the way that people learn to drive and are tested.