U.S. Olympic Swimmer Janet Evans x BMW Performance

Five time U.S. Olympic gold medalist Janet Evans is making a come back. She’s got her eye on the podium of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, and she’s posting lap times in pool that indicate she might pull it off.  A lot has changed for Evans since she competed at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta — she is the mother of two and a savvy businesswoman. She’s also approaching her 40th birthday in August. Evans was in New York this week, to... Read More

Fiat 500c: First Drive

The Italians are known for their excellent treatment of bambinos. I experienced the national fascination with babies when I traveled with my then 6 month old to Italy two years ago. I also drove a Fiat on that trip, and gained an appreciation for it’s city-slicker attributes in mama mia land– the ability to squeeze and weave anywhere. Then presto — Fiat invests in Chrysler, and next thing you know, I’m driving the newest incubation... Read More

We want the MINI Scooter E Concept

We’d be remiss if we didn’t pause to reflect on the darling MINI Scooter E Concept that was unveiled at the Paris Motor show with Agyness Deyn doing the honors. We think this is an instant smash for MINI in big cities like Paris, London, Barcelona, and stateside in New York City. Zero emissions and fresh style — what more could a rider want? The MINI Scooter E Concept is powered by an electric drive train. MINI built three scooters... Read More

Revisting a Conversation with BMW Executive Jack Pitney

We were saddened to learn the news that BMW marketing executive Jack Pitney died last Thursday in a tractor accident. We spoke with him at the 2009 New York Auto Show. He was a dynamic person with personal candor. Jack Pitney has a clear idea of the perfect car. “It would be a convertible, a manual transmission. The world needs a bit more joy right now,” he said. “It would be a more avante garde color and a leather interior... Read More

The End of the Road: MINI Takes the States

MINI TAKES THE STATES 2010 is said and done with and in the books.  The entire gang of MINI owners parked their cars at the final stop at Infinity Park in Denver and relaxed under the Colorado Saturday night sky. Children played. Friends danced to the music. Couples held hands. Roads stories were shared and became the stuff of legend. People complained of belly aches from all the good laughter. Blues Traveler played a set of their hits with... Read More

Conversations with MINI USA VP Jim McDowell

Jim McDowell, head of MINI North America, blends in rather well with a cluster of MINI owners. Perhaps that’s because in many ways, he is one of them. He drives MINIs. His adult kids drive MINIs. He’s the kind of guy that will flag down on an ice cream truck in the middle of Indiana driving a 2011 MINI Countryman. Jim McDowell is the essence of cool MINI style. “MINI comes the closest to my personality from the perspective of... Read More

First Drive: 2011 MINI Countryman

Tamara Warren has an interesting gig — driving MINIs across the USA for MINI Takes the States, and then blogging about it. One of the perks of the journey was a first drive of the 2011 MINI Countryman. Here are her thoughts: After nearly 1000 miles of MINI driving across America, I have a solid grasp on the finer points of the zippy Clubman handling, which gives me comparative reference for the Countryman. I also have the unique perspective... Read More

MINI TAKES THE STATES: Road Rules

The road to Denver is paved with fun. The first exclamation point of the East coast dropped in at the Indiana Motor Speedway where Atlanta, New Jersey and Chicago became one on Monday. The MINI movement from three regions joined up for a massive mingling that transformed MINI Takes the States into a MINI takeover. In blazing midday heat, drivers lingered, taking refuge under tall trees, sipping water, getting massages. They patiently waited... Read More

MINI TAKES THE STATE: All My Purple Life

Tamara Warren is traveling with MINI this week on a cross-country roadtrip. Here’s the latest from her road diaries:“When I first met Scoopie, I knew she was one of a kind and she was mine,” Audrey Abernathy said with affection. She wasn’t referring to a pet, but to her 2006 MINI Cooper S. The name Scoopie, she explained, was derived from a play on the S Cooper. Clad in matching shades of purple from head to toe, Abernathy and Scoopie... Read More

Road Diaries: Mini Takes the States

Tamara Warren is traveling with Mini and company all week long for Mini Takes The States, documenting her journey, and contemplating the nature of Mini ownership,  as she makes the long distance trek from Brooklyn to Denver, by Mini Cooper. The excitement was palpable as MINIs lined up in anticipation for the launch of 2010 MINI Takes the States at BMW’s North American Headquarters in Wood Cliff, New Jersey on Friday morning. A lot of that... Read More