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The new MINI John Cooper Works Clubman will make its North American premiere this week at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The new 2017 MINI John Cooper Works Clubman, which will be fully accessorized for the crowd of over 60,000 automotive specialty products professionals expected at the show, is the first MINI to combine the latest version of John Cooper Works performance enhancements and new ALL4 all-wheel drive system. At the heart of the new MINI John Cooper Works Clubman sits a 2.0-liter MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology engine producing 228 hp, while the ALL4 all-wheel drive system helps deliver 258 lb-ft of torque, the most torque of any John Cooper Works model. In addition to the high-performance engine, powered by BMW Group engine technology and architecture, the new MINI John Cooper Works Clubman includes a sports exhaust, refined suspension technology, […]

The Rootes Group, although only achieving a 10-12 per cent market share, were the sixth largest British car manufacturer: more importantly, during the 1950s, more than half the cars they produced were exported. Rootes Cars of the 1950s, 1960s & 1970s – Hillman, Humber, Singer, Sunbeam & Talbot by David Rowe is a new reference to these cars. With every model produced from 1950 onwards featured in full colour and with detailed information – including colour schemes, optional equipment, technical specifications, plus other manufacturers’ cars built using Rootes components – this is the ultimate book for all Hillman, Humber, Singer and Sunbeam enthusiasts. Cars produced by Chrysler/Talbot and Peugeot after their acquisition of the Rootes Group are also included. This book includes hundreds of original photographs, taken by the author at many car shows over a number of years, and […]

MG is getting ready to officially launch the MG ZS at the Guangzhou motor show in China next month. With just a few more weeks to go, spy shots of the car have leaked online giving the world a glimpse of what will be seen at the auto expo. The images give us a complete overview of how the upcoming baby SUV would look like. The ZS will be officially available at the expo on November 18th. The version that is spotted in the spy shots are camouflaged and doesn’t show the best design elements of the car.

MG Jamboree 20 at the Magnuson Hotel Marina Cove in Saint Petersburg, FL and overlooks the Skyway Bridge on Tampa Bay. This laid-back, three-day, event is open to British vehicles and drivers of every make, model, and vintage in every condition. Hosted by the Florida Suncoast MG Car Club to celebrate the fellowship that is the British car community. Enjoy driving tours, tech sessions, picnics, vendor markets and, good food.  

The Key West British Car Club is holding its annual “Brits in Paradise” event in Key West April 25-29, 2017. This event coincides with the Conch Republic Independence Festival and our cars are featured in the Independence Parade down famous Duval Street. Other events include a Bocce Ball Tournament and a spirited Miniature Golf Tournament.

Aston Martin is today revealing full details of its new global certified pre-owned sports car programme: Timeless. Established to offer customers of pre-owned Aston Martin sports cars the very highest levels of quality, assurance and confidence, the new programme is being launched internationally across the brand’s 164-strong dealer network.

Tata Sons, the holding company for JLR parent company, Tata Motors, has ousted its CEO, Cyrus Mistry. Temporarily taking the reins will be Tata family insider, and former CEO Ratan Tata. The Indian conglomerate is conducting a four-month search to determine who will be next at the helm. Mistry, 48, was the sixth chairman in Tata’s 150-year history. The firm controls 100 companies worldwide, including Tetley Tea and Tata Steel. No information has been forthcoming as to the reason for Mistry’s exit, though rumors abound that there were questions regarding Mistry’s stewardship of the company. Some news outlets are reporting that Tata felt Mistry was selling off too much of he company holdings, and therefore not protecting the Tata “family jewels.” Mistry was also the first Tata CEO to not be a member of the Tata family.  

Note: This contest is now closed! So, our November contest? Well, think about this. We all have those stories, those used-to-haves or near misses. We all can tell tales of “the one that got away.” Sometimes they are cars that would now be worth wheel-barrows full of money. Sometimes they are cars that saw us through tough times or good times or were just near and dear to our hearts. There are cars that we had that we had to let go of due to growing families, or career changes, or simple changes in fortunes. There are other cars that we almost bought but that slipped through our fingers or were snatched from our grasp. I used to have a yellow Triumph TR250. Sure it needed work, but it was solid and fun. But this was 1987 when I was […]

For our video of the week, we have uncovered a great one. Sir Patrick Stewart hosts this documentary where he spends time with motorsports legend Sir Stirling Moss in order to discover and learn more about the great man and his life. Not much we can really add to this one other than if you are a Stirling Moss fan, and who isn’t, make sure to check out the new biography from Philip Porter, “Stirling Moss: A Definitive Biography – Volume 1“.

MINI USA introduced today the biggest, most adventurous MINI ever, the all-new 2017 MINI Countryman. Additionally, for the first time ever, a MINI model will be offered as a plug-in hybrid, combining the best of both worlds.  The MINI Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 will be powered by both a three-cylinder MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology gasoline engine and an electric hybrid synchronous motor. All three of the new MINI Countryman variants will make their World Premiere at the Los Angeles International Auto Show at a press conference on Wednesday, November 16th, at 11:50 am PDT. The all-new MINI Countryman has been completely redesigned and reengineered from the ground up, yet still is instantly identifiable as a MINI. Now incorporating BMW Group engine technology and vehicle architecture, the all-new MINI Countryman offers an all-turbocharged engine lineup with outstanding acceleration and the […]

Stirling Moss is one of the greatest sportsman of all time. He was successful in all forms of motor sport but most particularly in Grand Prix racing. The ‘Beckham of his era’, Moss not only dominated the back pages of the newspapers but regularly made the front pages with his glamorous, jet-setting lifestyle in the ’50s. He raced hard; he played hard. He was the James Bond of motorsport. This new work is, to say the least, a serious biography. Author Philip Porter, a personal friend of Sir Stirling, has composed a detailed history of the man. From his parents and their automotive exploits down to the registration numbers of various cars, this new book is encyclopedic in its coverage. But it is no dry account. Just as his life, book is spiced with humour, tragedy and period flavour with liberal […]

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal today visited the Bentley Motors headquarters in Crewe to open a new research and development centre – 25 Pyms Lane – which is home to more than 400 Bentley engineers. The new building covers 7,200 square metres over four storeys and was constructed in just seven months. The building marks the first stage of Bentley’s headquarter expansion which continues to develop the site as an industry-leading, modern, efficient manufacturing facility.

I got an email from reader Joanna Ellis this past weekend that intrigued me, so I asked her about her most recent adventure. First the initial email… I raced a 1965 TR4A in the late ’70’s and early ’80’s in the US at Bryar Motor Sports Park (now New Hampshire Motor Speedway), Lime Rock Park, Bridgehampton, and others. I still own my 1962 Triumph TR3B and a 1967 Triumph TR250. I just returned from the VTR National Convention in Texas where I was privileged to drive my brother’s ’62 TR3B. What fun!!! I’ve also raced a ’62 XKE and a nice AH Bugeye Sprite. Long time British car fan, Joanna Ellis With a history like that, how could I not ask for more?! Here are the details she sent us on the VTR National convention… I flew down (after driving my MINI […]

Over the weekend the MG Owners’ Club has been delighted and privileged to host two exclusive MG maintenance seminars for Club members hosted by John Twist the renowned MG expert from the United States. Anyone who has ever Googled an MG problem will be familiar with the over 300 YouTube videos on just about every aspect of classic MG tuning and maintenance presented by the charismatic John Twist the extremely knowledgeable engineer. Participants travelled from all over the country to the MGOC HQ in Swavesey near Cambridge, with one member even flying down from Scotland. John took the groups through the basic sequence of tuning an MGB with his tremendous enthusiasm, incredible detail and with his trademark humour. The programme for each day was a presentation in the boardroom and then down the fully equipped modern MGOC Workshop for a […]

Bentley Team Absolute has won the GT Asia Series teams’ title for the second consecutive year with its three Bentley Continental GT3s, straight off the back of a China GT double race-win last week. The Shanghai-based team went into the final round of the 12-race series at the Shanghai International Circuit with two goals in mind; to retain the teams’ title and win the drivers’ title, and it started well when Duncan Tappy recorded the fastest ever GT3 lap of the track in the first practice session.

Jaguar Land Rover showcased its latest Connected and Autonomous Vehicle technologies as part of the UK Autodrive demonstrations taking place at HORIBA MIRA. In a UK first, Jaguar Land Rover is working with Ford and Tata Motors European Technical Centre to test connected technologies that will allow cars to talk to each other as well as the roadside infrastructure, such as traffic lights, in the future. Connected and Autonomous Vehicle technologies are one of Jaguar Land Rover’s research priorities. It is creating a fleet of more than 100 research vehicles to develop and test a wide range of Connected and Autonomous Vehicle technologies over the next four years. Ultimately, these technologies will enhance the driving experience as well as making driving smarter, safer and even cleaner in the years to come. Tony Harper, Head of Research, Jaguar Land Rover, said: […]

Cruisin’ with your honey, surfer tunes playing, sunshine, top down. Bring back those heady days! You bring your memories and they’ll supply the venue to rekindle those memories! Join the Golden Gate Austin Healey Club for Monterey International Healey Week 2017 in Monterey, California, September 11-15, while we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of Big Healey production. In fact, that very car may be in attendance! Some of the events include: Car show commanding most of downtown Main Street, Pacific Grove Scenic drives Tech talks Funkhana Rocker cover racing Wine tasting Monterey Movie Tour Welcoming reception Banquet Awards Regalia items

MINI USA is proud to congratulate the MINI JCW Race Team and LAP Motorsports Team Owner Luis Perocarpi on completing their first full season of the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge series in the Street Tuner class. The first factory-supported race team for MINI in U.S. sports car racing had an amazing season, building on the momentum of the partial season last year that concluded with the #73 MINI JCW driven by Mat Pombo and Derek Jones on the podium with a second place finish at Road Atlanta. In true MINI fashion, the team was certainly the underdog among the fierce competition in a class that included well-funded race teams from Porsche, Honda, Audi, Mazda, Nissan and BMW. Under the direction of LAP Motorsports Team Owner Luis Perocarpi, the near-production MINI John Cooper Works Hardtops, three in total, lived up […]