Often time you may think that in order to survive the cold winters of Suman Prairie and Aldergrove, British Columbia you need a large SUV or all terrain type vehicle. Nothing can be further from the truth when you consider the offerings from MINI. Considered a sporty smaller cousin of its parent company, BMW, the MINI has grown into a line of 9 versatile and durable type vehicles.
Ranging in price between $20,990 CAD to $38,400 CAD, the MINI has launched into its third generation with more cubic centimeters, more of a footprint and more road security. According to a Car and Driver magazine review, the MINI may have added some girth but remains the same sporty get about that excites every driver who owns one. Here is some information about the history of this car, the new line of MINI offerings and how this car is both little and big for your British Columbia driving needs.
The History of the MINI
The MINI was born from the mind and drawings of British engineer Sir Alec Issigonis. Born in 1907, Issigonis conceived the idea for the MINI while working as a designer for the British Motor Corporation. Created out of necessity in the wake of the ongoing Suez Canal crisis and the need for a smaller, fuel efficient offering, the Austin Seven began life in August 1959. The name changed to the Austin MINI in 1961 and by 1967 MINI became its own distinct brand.
The MINI became the best-selling British car of all time with 5.3 million units being built and sold from 1959 until its retirement in the year 2000. Between this period, the MINI would pass through three owners before the Rover Group, the predecessor manufacturer, was acquired by BMW in 1994. This began the redesign process for the car with the release of its second generation MINI in 2000. Changes to the interior and exterior sides, sportier look and a four-wheel drive Crossover model in 2010 has continued to push the boundary of what we believe the MINI is and what the MINI has become, a durable and rugged roadster for all seasons.
The New MINI Types
The MINI has come a long way, from the iconic smaller body types that first drove off the assembly line in 1959 and starring in the 1969 adventure film “The Italian Job.” The 8 models offer something different for different drivers. The New MINI, built to coincide with what would have been the 107th birthday of creator Issigonis and a year before the iconic car’s 55th birthday, features over 1,000 liters of cargo space, top speed of 210 Km/h and the ability to reach 0-100 Km/h in 7.9 seconds.
Families looking for a bigger offering form MINI to meet their Suman Prairie and Aldergrove driving needs may also look at the MINI Clubman (priced starting at $24,950). The Clubman has a 4 cylinder, 16 valve engine in its standard, S class and John Cooper Works models with turbo in both the S and Works class models. Higher end acceleration of 7 seconds from 0-100 Km/h is found in the John Cooper Works and each vehicle’s 50 liter gas tank gives you from around 6.6 to 7.0 Km/l per 100 kilometers of combined city and highway driving. Consider the MINI offerings as your car of choice and affordable next new car option.
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