Autoblog Canada http://ca.autoblog.com Autoblog Canada http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog Canada http://ca.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Review: 2012 Mini Cooper S Countryman ALL4]]>http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/06/12/2012-mini-s-all4-countryman/http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/06/12/2012-mini-s-all4-countryman/http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/06/12/2012-mini-s-all4-countryman/#comments

Mini drivers are a unique bunch. Typically they are style conscious, funky, prefer the finer things in life and enjoy driving their cars with great gusto. At least that's how I see it. Every time I notice someone driving a Mini, they look thoroughly pleased with themselves and life in general.

Now, Mini offers the chance to experience this feeling of being one with your vehicle in all types of road and weather conditions. And in a four-door SUV-like vehicle to boot. With the Mini Cooper S Countryman ALL4, it appears you can have your cake and eat it to. In fact, why not have a full outdoor picnic in a remote desert location where lesser cars would never dare to tread. Look who's smiling all over again!

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2012 Mini Cooper S Countryman ALL4 originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Tue, 12 Jun 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012ALL4CountrymanCountryman ALL4MiniMini CooperMini Cooper Countrymanmini cooper sMini Snew carnew MinireviewTest MiniText DriveTue, 12 Jun 2012 11:57:00 EST<![CDATA[First Drive: 2012 Mini John Cooper Works Coupé Red Bull roadtrip]]>http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/05/10/2012-mini-john-cooper-works-coupe/http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/05/10/2012-mini-john-cooper-works-coupe/http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/05/10/2012-mini-john-cooper-works-coupe/#comments

John Newton Cooper was not your average auto aficionado. Racing was never a leisurely pastime for him. It was his passion; some may even say his destiny. A freethinking race enthusiast with a mechanic for a father, he pioneered the first rear-engine race cars that soon became the gold standard in Formula 1 and Indy Car design.

At a time when names such as Ferrari, Maserati and others ruled the sport, the Cooper Car Company dominated the 1959 and 1960 F1 racing season by winning both the Constructors' and Drivers' World Championships. In fact, Cooper's design was so successful; by 1962 all Formula 1 teams employed his rear engine design forever changing the sport.

Leaving an indomitable mark on the sport, he turned his attention to transforming the docile Classic Mini into a rally winning race car. The Classic Mini Cooper won the Monte Carlo Rally in 1964, 1965 and 1967. They also placed in all top three positions in 1966, but were disqualified for a slight rules infraction by the judges. To say racing is at the centre of all things Mini these days is to understate the obvious.

Read on after the jump.

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2012 Mini John Cooper Works Coupé Red Bull roadtrip originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Thu, 10 May 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20122012 mini john cooper works coupecanadaCooperformula 1jcwjcw coupeJohn CooperJohn Cooper Worksminired bullTurboThu, 10 May 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[First Drive: VW Golf R gets sideways at the arctic circle]]>http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/03/26/vw-golf-r-gets-sideways-at-the-arctic-circle/http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/03/26/vw-golf-r-gets-sideways-at-the-arctic-circle/http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/03/26/vw-golf-r-gets-sideways-at-the-arctic-circle/#comments

"It's going to be freezing cold in Sweden, temperatures are expected to reach -42˚C, so be sure to bring plenty of warm clothes," explained our host at Volkswagen Canada. When someone tells us there is a strong possibility of experiencing extreme sub-zero temperatures for long periods of time, we take note. Many of the new vehicle launch events we attend take place in a setting somewhere on the shores of the Mediterranean or a California coastline but here we would be testing the "brand new for Canada" Volkswagen Golf R in a vastly different and uniquely northern setting.

Packing thick socks, gloves, extra layers and, of course, a real Canadian toque, we were ready for almost anything. It didn't hurt we were also supplied with a genuine Canada Goose winter coat rated for temperatures as low as -50˚C. This would be an adventure that we were fully prepared to enjoy!

It's not every day that automotive journalists are encouraged by the automaker to spend as much time driving sideways in their vehicles as going forward. But such were our instructions as we exited the twin-prop plane and boarded a bus enroute to the remote location of Arjeplog, Sweden. Here, we would participate in the Volkswagen Driving Experience on the frozen lakes in and around this small town. Happiness is doing circles over and over again at full speed within a short dogsled ride distance of the Arctic Circle.

Click for full story and video navigating the snow circuit at night after the jump.

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VW Golf R gets sideways at the arctic circle originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Mon, 26 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20122012 volkswagen golf rGolf Rice racingrallyvolkswagenwinter drivingMon, 26 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST