BMW Recalls Mini Vehicles for Fire Risk

BMW of North America is recalling 88,911 Mini Cooper vehicles with turbocharged engines in the U.S. Affected vehicles were built from Nov. 14, 2006 through Jan. 18, 2011. “The electric auxiliary water pump that cools the turbocharger has an electronic circuit board that can malfunction and overheat,” the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports. “The circuit board may smolder which could result in a vehicle fire.” Recalled models include: 2007-2011 Mini Cooper S 2008-2011 Mini Cooper S Clubman ... continue reading»

Tags: Model News, Mini Cooper S, Mini Cooper S Clubman, Mini Cooper S Convertible, Mini Cooper S Countryman, Mini John Cooper Works, Mini John Cooper Works Clubman, Mini John Cooper Works Convertible

2012 FIAT 500 Abarth to Start at $22,000

When the 2012 FIAT 500 went on sale in 2011, car reviewers thought the 500 was pretty fun to drive for a small car, but agreed that it couldn’t match the Mini Cooper’s agility and power. Those opinions could change when the 2012 FIAT 500 Abarth goes on sale this year. Compared with the base FIAT 500, which has a 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine making 101 horsepower, the Abarth edition takes things up a notch with its 160-horsepower ... continue reading»

Tags: MINI Cooper, Fiat 500, Model News, Mini Cooper S, FIAT 500 Abarth

Mini Cooper Investigated for Engine Fires

The federal government’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Office of Defects Investigation has opened a preliminary evaluation of Mini Cooper S vehicles from the 2007 and 2008 model years. The models under investigation include the 2007 and 2008 Mini Cooper S, Cooper S Clubman, Cooper S Convertible and 2008 Cooper Clubman S. The ODI says it has received 12 complaints of engine compartment fires, with five complaints of “engulfing fires resulting in a total vehicle loss.” Of the 12 ... continue reading»

Tags: MINI Cooper, Model News, Mini Cooper S