MINI Starts Accepting Applications for All-Electric MINI E, Monthly Lease Set at $850

We just received an e-mail from MINI USA informing us that the company has opened the application phase for the all-electric MINI E field trial. Unfortunately none of us could apply as we don't live in the designated New York City, New Jersey or LA Metro areas. But even if we did, you'd have to be extremely lucky to be among the 500 people that MINI will hand-pick to lease the vehicle for a year. For those of you that meet the criteria and would like to participate, we must warn you that MINI says the application form is relatively long and could take at least an hour to complete. If chosen, MINI will ask you to sign a closed-end 1-year, $850 per month lease.Click here for more information and pictures of the 204HP all-electric MINI E that made its debut at the LA Auto Show.

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2009 MINI One Clubman: New Entry-Level Model to Debut in Geneva

MINI is one of the first automakers to reveal details on the cars they plan to introduce at the forthcoming Geneva Motor Show on March 3, 2009. BMW Group's subsidiary will reveal a new entry-level model in the Clubman range called One. Like the MINI One hatchback, the more practical Clubman One is powered by a 1.4-litre, four cylinder petrol engine producing 95HP. A short-shifting 6-speed manual transmission is standard, while buyers can also opt for a 6-speed auto with manual-shift capability.

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2009 MINI Cooper S Convertible John Cooper Works Set for Geneva Debut

Fans of the new MINI Convertible will be excited to learn that according to Carscoop's sources, the British firm will launch the all-new John Cooper Works version of the drop-top model in Geneva. Like its hardtop sibling, the JCW MINI Cooper S Convertible's 1.6 litre twin-scroll turbo engine receives a power increase to 211 hp, from the standard unit's 172 hp. Maximum torque is also extended from 240 Nm to 260 Nm (192 lb-ft) and is available from 1,850 rpm to 5,600 rpm. By means of overboost the torque can be increased to 280 Nm (207 lb-ft).

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Geneva Preview: MINI John Cooper Works Convertible 211HP

The hottest drop-top variant of the new MINI Cooper has been officially revealed ahead its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in the beginning of March. Not surprisingly, the MINI John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible features the same performance engineering and chassis modifications as the hatch model including a more powerful version of the 1.6-litre twin scroll-turbocharged engine that produces 211 hp and up to 280 Nm peak torque with Overboost deployed. The engine is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox which has been strengthened to handle the extra available power. The MINI JCW Convertible goes from zero to 60 (96 km/h) in 6.9 sec or 0.4 sec slower than the hatch, and onto a top speed of 146 mph (235 km/h) while returning a combined 39.8 mpg UK that translates to 33.2 mpg US and 7.1 lt / 100km.

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2010 Chrysler 300 - Official Images and Details

Along with the forth-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee, Chrysler LLC's official document on the firm's new viability plan also included a computer generated image (GCI) of the 2010 Chrysler 300 sedan. The rendering suggests that the new 300 will retain the most characteristic design cues of the current model like the "gangster"-style roofline and Bentley-like eggcrate grille. Furthermore, Chrysler LLC's document reveals that aside from the V8 Hemi, the 2010 300's powertrain options will include an "all-new fuel-efficient six-cylinder engine"

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Alfa Romeo Giulia Photoshoped on Chrysler 200C RWD Concept

In the world of Photoshop, there are no boundaries other than one's imagination. Take this proposal for the Alfa Romeo's 159 successor called Giulia for example; the guys over at CWW Automotive Design based the chop on Chrysler's latest concept car, the mid-size 200C study that was presented at this year's Detroit Show.

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Deja Vu: Chrysler Brings Detroit Show EV Concepts to Geneva

To the surprise of no one, cash-strapped Chrysler LLC won't be performing any global premieres at next week's Geneva Motor Show. Instead, the American automaker will showcase its electric vehicle future (that is, if it makes it through the economic crisis) with the European premieres of the Chrysler 200C EV concept vehicle and Dodge Circuit EV prototype, both of which made their debut at January's Detroit Auto Show.

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Chrysler: A Roller-Coaster Tale of Corporate Hits and Misses

The 1980's: Chrysler's heyday. Lee Iacocca said, "If you can find a better car, buy it." Nowadays that's one hell of a dangerous ad campaign to try. Counting the number of manufacturers presently building cars better than Chrysler involves counting toes... not a good sign. Chrysler; My God, what happened? For the past thirty years the smallest of the Big Three has endured a roller-coaster ride of successes and failures. Looking at the Cerberus-owned Chrysler of today and the Chrysler of 1979, not much has changed.

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