Paris 2010: Mini Countryman WRC looks the part

When Mini first announced it was taking the Countryman to tango with the rest of the brawlers in the World Rally Championship, we had our doubts about the crossover's ability to keep the pace. But judging by the look of the Prodrive-prepped machine, the Countryman WRC should have no problem locking horns with the big boys on the world stage. Mini gave the rally racer an official unveil at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, but the company is keeping the drivetrain details to itself for now.

Not too long ago, the internets enjoyed a rash of videos showing a Countryman WRC prototype busting through the hills of Portugal, so we have some notion of the car's capabilities off tarmac. Will Prodrive's expertise be enough to help Mini keep its head above water in the WRC? Something tells us that all depends on who they stick in the cockpit.

El Cajon car cruise got off to a late start for the car show season, here are some cool new things that caught my eye

Minor updates to Mini Cooper leaked

If loose lips truly sank ships, the interwebs would be at the bottom of the Pacific. A few shots of the 2011 Mini Cooper and Cooper S have hit the web courtesy of the keen-eyed crew at MotoringFile. As you might expect, Mini isn't exactly walking away from the iconic shape that has dominated the brand since it hit the scene a few short years ago. Instead, it looks like we'll be seeing (very) slightly reworked front fascias with something of a smiley face treatment and a host of LED lighting.

From what we can tell from these few leaked brochure photos, it looks like we can expect a few new colors to hit the Cooper pallete as well. The base Cooper will be available dipped in Spice Orange and the Cooper S will boast a powder blue hue in addition to the spectrum already available for the car. So far, we're not quite sure what to expect in terms of power or drivetrain additions, but our guess is things will continue to stay pretty much the same for 2011.


[Source: MotoringFile]

MINI Coupe Concept Car Pictures

Check out these cool Mini Coupe concept car pictures. It has been exactly 50 years since the first MINI was introduced to the public on August 26, 1959. To celebrate MINI’s birthday, BMW has unveiled this sporty MINI Coupé Concept.

Limited to two seats, the car is designed to accommodate even the most powerful engine currently available in the MINI – and with the 1.6-litre twin-scroll turbocharged power unit, MINI Coupé promises to offer truly outstanding performance.

MINI Coupé Concept will be demonstrated at the Frankfurt Motor Show from the 17th to the 27th of September 2009

MINI Coupe Concept Car Pictures

Check out these cool Mini Coupe concept car pictures. It has been exactly 50 years since the first MINI was introduced to the public on August 26, 1959. To celebrate MINI’s birthday, BMW has unveiled this sporty MINI Coupé Concept.

Limited to two seats, the car is designed to accommodate even the most powerful engine currently available in the MINI – and with the 1.6-litre twin-scroll turbocharged power unit, MINI Coupé promises to offer truly outstanding performance.

MINI Coupé Concept will be demonstrated at the Frankfurt Motor Show from the 17th to the 27th of September 2009