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Mini recalling 92k vehicles over airbag flaw

An issue with the airbags on Mini hatchbacks and convertibles has prompted BMW of North America and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to issue a recall for an estimated 91,800 vehicles. The problem, according to the notice below, stems from the occupant detection mat for the front passenger seat, which may fail to detect a passenger present and therefor fail to deploy the airbag in the event of a crash. The specific models affected by the recall are the Mini Cooper and Cooper S hardtops from the 2005 and 2006 model years and manufactured between January 5, 2005, and November 28, 2006, as well as the Mini Cooper Convertible and Cooper S Convertible from the 2005 to 2008 model years, manufactured between January 5, 2005, and July 31, 2008. To address the issue, Mini dealers will be replacing the front passenger seat occupant detection mat, with recalls set to commence on May 1. Related Video: RECALL Subject : Front Passenger Seat Occupant Detection Mat Report Receipt Date: APR 06, 2015 NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V205000 Component(s): AIR BAGS Potential Number of Units Affected: 91,800 Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC SUMMARY: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2006 MINI Cooper and Cooper S vehicles manufactured January 5, 2005, to November 28, 2006, and 2005-2008 MINI Cooper Convertible and Cooper S Convertible vehicles manufactured January 5, 2005, to July 31, 2008. Due to manufacturing, installation, and exposure issues, the front passenger seat occupant detection mat may not function properly and, as a result, the front passenger air bag may not deploy in a crash. CONSEQUENCE: An improperly functioning mat may cause the passenger frontal air bag to be inactive when the seat is occupied, and in the event of a crash, the air bag will not deploy, increasing the passenger's risk of injury. REMEDY: MINI will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat occupant detection mat, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 1, 2015. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525. NOTES: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

David Brown Automotive remasters classic Mini at maxi price

Just days ago, we reported that the British small-scale maker of luxurious, Aston Martin inspired coupes, David Brown Automotive, was about to introduce a new, cheaper vehicle positioned under its exquisitely priced Speedback GT model. Since the Jaguar-based Speedback GT costs a significant $753,000, there's quite a bit of room underneath it to introduce a more modest means of transport, without cheapening out. Now, details of the car, dubbed "Project 2," have surfaced, and it's quite a surprise. What David Brown Automotive has come up with is a "remastered," rethought classic Mini. While the car looks just like a Mini at a passing glance, the body panels along with the chassis are new, and the car has been given a smoothening. All the body seams that were commonplace on the classic original have been rounded off, and the interior is a custom job complete with plentiful leather and Pioneer touchscreen. The new dashboard is a little closer to Japanese retro cars than either the classic Mini or the current, BMW-made equivalent. The drivetrain remains the trusted 1,275cc original along with a four-speed gearbox; both are reconditioned units instead of box-fresh ones, but they feature brand-new parts. There's 79 horsepower on offer, which is plenty of poke for a Mini. Each of the cars will take about 1,000 hours to make, by hand. The plan is to build 100-200 of these Mini re-creations per year, at David Brown's new facility in Silverstone, England. In two years, only 11 Speedbacks have been built, so the Mini should create a bit more buzz at the workshop. But the price? Starting from $62,000 at current rates, going all the way to $86,000 if you want one with all the trimmings. A lot for a Mini, but it's going to be special. Related Video:

Mini previews an electric crossover to be revealed soon

In a dense press release about its upcoming design language (called "Charismatic Simplicity"), Mini provided an odd-looking but somewhat useful teaser of a new electric crossover SUV. It didn't name it, and all it said specifically about it was that it's "the concept study of a – fully electrically powered – crossover model for the premium small-car segment." That fits the description of one of two new crossovers that will be sold alongside the next-generation Countryman. The photo provides a silhouette of the crossover from the front three-quarter perspective, as well as the uncovered front fender of the same vehicle in the corner. It does have the familiar boxy Mini shape, and it seems to have some sort of roof platform fitted. The mirrors look like little rounded rectangles, which matches what we've seen in spy photos of the Countryman. That exposed fender seems to reveal the most about the crossover. The flares have a sort of trapezoidal shape, which is continued into the sheetmetal. The actual wheel openings are a little more rounded. The crisper angles also show up in the way the headlight fits to the fender. While the press release that accompanied this teaser is full of fluffy language, there are some more specific and helpful details about what we will see in this model and other new Minis. On the outside, the Union Jack taillights will remain a key feature. Inside, Mini is focusing on more sustainable materials, so it's dropping real leather and aiming to eliminate as much chrome as possible. It will also feature a circular display in the middle for infotainment, though some physical switch gear will remain. This crossover will be revealed next month. It will also showcase the new platform that Mini designed with electric powertrains in mind, unlike the current Mini Cooper SE Hardtop, which adapts a battery and motor to fit an older internal combustion car. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.