Sometimes, the key to a good lap time is to drive in such a way as to not lose the hard-fought momentum you've already gained. Such is the case when you don't have a lot of power underhood and you've got more road-holding grip than horsepower. For an excellent demonstration of this technique, we turn to Achim Korden, owner of the so-called Ringmini. This 1971 Mini Clubman Estate is powered by a 1.6-litre Honda four-cylinder engine from a fourth-generation Civic ED7. Suffice it to say, it's a revver that likes to spin as fast as you're willing to push it. Click past the break to see ... Read More

0

Review: 2010 MINI Cooper S Clubman Road Test Review 1288599240

A Bigger Box Ever since they decided to revive the tiny box called the MINI, BMW has manufactured well over one-and-a-half million of the distinctive small cars in its Oxford, Hams Hall and Swindon UK plants. Last year, the company marked its fiftieth year as a brand. MINI is sold in eighty countries, the latest being Brazil. I spent a week ...
0

First Drive: 2011 Mini Countryman 1281548160

Yes, it's a Mini. Yes, it's a crossover. Yes, it makes sense. Whether we like it or not, even niche automakers are expanding their lineups to appeal to a broader range of shoppers. This may seem like automotive blasphemy, but think back a few years ago when Porsche introduced the Cayenne. We all threw temper tantrums and hugged our 911s, but now we ...
0

Review: 2011 Mini Cooper Clubman 1262354220

Turns out, you don't really need the turbo "Eww, it's not the "S"? The turbo one"? A friend had spotted the Mini Cooper Clubman tester parked outside the coffee shop, and noticed that it was missing the "S" badge and hood scoop fitted to the higher-performance Cooper S Clubman models. "It must be slow". After a boring lesson in power to weight ...