This isn't MINI.. but...Spyshot 2014 BMW X5

The other day, as I was driving along the streets of Hollywood, I spotted a large SUV with camouflage. At first, the angel-eye and the snout with pig-nose (kidney grill for those who are in denial) told me it's a BMW with customized camo paint-job, but as it got closer to me, I recognized it as non other than 2014 BMW X5 (code named F15)! So I made a U-turn and followed it a little capturing it on my phone. It certainly looked a bit bigger than the chaser car (current X5 diesel) and whatever engine it had in its engine bay, it did feature Start-Stop. Design-wise, it had shark-nose front profile, sculpted side surfaces, and now familiar BMW signature headlight and tail lamp treatment. With order sheeting floating around the internet, I'd imagine the official debut is quite imminent. Rolling shot after the jump.

MINI Sales Figures April 2013

MINI USA reported sales of 5,786 automobiles in April, an increase of 1.0 percent from the 5,731 sold in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date, MINI sales in the U.S. are down 0.4 percent on volume of 19,841 compared to 19,911 in the first four months of 2012.

MINIprofile #006 :: Jeremy's 2012 MINI Countryman S ALL4

CountrymanMotoring's sixth installment of MINIprofile looks into Jeremy's 2012 Countryman S ALL4, Supa Coopa. Jeremy, an owner of a restaurant in beautiful Smithers, British Columbia, Canada, took the delivery of his CM last November and has been enjoying the new MINI smell. I think we can all agree that his ALL4 looks very natural posing for a camera in snow covered surroundings, as shown above. We find more about Jeremy's Supa Coopa after the jump.

MINI Sales Figures March 2013

MINI USA reported sales of 6,071 automobiles in March, an increase of 3.5 percent from the 5,866 sold in the same month a year ago.  Year-to-date, MINI sales in the U.S. are down 0.9 percent on volume of 14,055 compared to 14,180 in the first three months of 2012.

MINI Countryman continues to sell briskly as a second large volume model at 1,761 units sold, increase of 11.5% compared to same month last year. The new Paceman set its first month sales figure at 169 units. It will be interesting to see how Paceman performs in terms of sales and compared to other MINI models, especially Countryman. However, I think any cannibalization from Countryman will be relatively small as buyers like Countryman for its size and functionality of 4 doors. Also, Paceman is a niche model and will ultimately help MINI to increase its overall sales numbers rather than taking much sales from any other model.    

This is the 2014 (2015) MINI Cooper (F56) Interior!

This is it: Almost fully revealed Instrument Panel (IP) of the next generation core MINI models, code named F56 internally, in its base form. While this pre-production testing model features BMW steering wheel and non-textured interior panels, this image, taken by Reddit member, finally reveals the overall look of the IP for F56 MINI that will be unveiled at the upcoming Frankfurt Auto Show. As previously revealed, the two biggest changes are the elimination of huge center speedometer and circular air vents in the center area. New infortainment unit fills the center ring (lower version shown above, higher spec will feature TFT screen)  along with new supposed ambient lighting along the outer housing. Analogue speedometer moves to on top of steering column, just like the R50/R53 model with navigation. Separate half circle left of the speedometer will house the tacometer. Personally, I'd rather have the tachometer in the middle with digital speedometer. More sporty. From what can be seen and predicted, the material quality of the interior will certainly improve over the current generation of MINIs. One gripe for me is the dismissal of the circular vents in the middle. For me, those rectangular, albeit 3D, vents do not work with the rest of the interior. How will they put Chrome-Line interior trim option on that!

MINI Countryman was the 204th best selling car in the world in 2012

The other day, as I was sharing the image above with one of my colleague, he complained that MINI has 'lost' its edge, producing such a big, un-MINI-like, pointless car: The MINI Countryman. He's even more weary of the new Paceman. We've all heard this countless times, though. While I, of course, defended MINI's position on its behalf with countless sound reasons, I understood that rejecting something new that disturbs one's perception is only a natural human reaction. (It is noteworthy, however, that he has never driven any MINI!)  Regardless of those naysayers, however, MINI has been enjoying quite a success with the Countryman, celebrating it 250,00th production only few weeks ago. And it was 204th best selling car in the whole world in 2012 with 102,250 units sold! (including Paceman) While the 204th place ranking may not be that impressive to you, when you place it in a comparison with MINI hardtop/clubman and other variants numbers, ranking at #104 with 199,276 units sold, it gets interesting. Basically in just 2.5 years since its introduction, 1 in 3 MINIs sold worldwide is now the 'bigger' MINI - Countryman & Paceman. US market also reflects that as Countryman takes roughly 38% MINIs sold year-to-date. Remember Nissan Juke? The car the journalists around the world love to put against MINI Countryman due to its relatively similar price, concept, and appeal? It ranks at respective #85 with 232,128 units sold.

VIDEO :: The New MINI Paceman: Street Attitude

MINI Paceman is undoubtedly a very intriguing vehicle for us, the MINI fans. While there are plenty of haters saying it is a pointless car, its charming, unique look combined with more utility than Hardtop and more 'sport' than Countryman with higher dynamic driving experience, can simply be irresistible, especially in its launching color/trim - Starlight Blue with White Roof/Mirror & 19" Y-Spoke wheels. Need a proof? Watch the "Street Attitude" ads MINI has been promoting with two different endings after the jump!