The MINI is instantly recognized by its distinct looks. The original MINI motorcar was produced by the British Motor Corporation (BMC) in England in 1959. The objective of the brand was to produce small, agile, lightweight four-passenger car that occupied minimum space and offered excellent fuel-efficiency. England was subject to fuel rationing as a result of the Suez Canal crisis and optimum fuel-efficiency was crucial for car buyers. This led to the creation of a car that went on to symbolize a small, stylish vehicle at a low cost and the very essence of the youthful '60s. The car was initially sold under BMC's Austin and Morris brands. With just 34 horsepower, the MINI was the perfect urban car in crowded European cities. In 1961, MINI fell into the hands of British racing legend John Cooper and the result was the ferocious MINI Cooper. His Cooper S model with 76 horsepower was soon outracing the larger and more powerful sedans of the day. The MINI chalked up several international race wins, including four, at the Monte Carlo Rally in a row (1964-67).

The '60s was the decade of the MINI motorcar. New variations on the car's theme came with the introduction of vehicles, such as the Mini Pickup and the Mini Moke. The MINI arrived in America in 1962. In 1968, the MINI was pulled out of the United States in the wake of strict new emissions regulations. By 1977, MINI had sold over four million cars across the world. By the mid '80s, more than five million MINIs were built worldwide. In 1994, the brand was acquired by the BMW Group. The marque was brought back to America in 2002 with the launch of the entry-level MINI Cooper hatchback. Today, there are over one million MINI owners throughout the world. The MINI is modern in every way now; all MINI vehicles have air-conditioned glove boxes, advanced electronic distribution system and multi-link rear suspension. The MINI still wins awards and accolades for its distinctive design, performance and custom options. The MINI Cooper S was named the 2007 International Engine of the Year in the 1.4-1.8 liter category. With so many personalization options available, there are over 150 trillion possible configurations on the MINI.

MINI Cooper
The MINI Cooper (starting at $18,700) is a four-passenger stylish, affordable vehicle, with its trademark go-kart handling. It is available in two body styles - a hatchback coupe and a convertible. Both body styles are available in Cooper and Cooper S trim levels but with completely different powertrains. The Cooper hatchback comes with a more refined and efficient 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 118 horsepower, while the Cooper S hatchback features a turbocharged version of the same engine that produces 172 horsepower. The Cooper convertible base engine generates 115 horsepower, while the Cooper S is motivated by a supercharged 1.6-liter that produces 168 horsepower. The primary difference between the Cooper convertibles and the coupes is that the former offers a power-retractable soft top with a sunroof function and rear-parking sensors.

MINI Cooper Clubman
All-new for 2008, the MINI Cooper Clubman (starting at $20,600) is based on the regular Cooper, but with more versatility. The Cooper Clubman is a fun-to-drive vehicle that offers responsive handling and superb fuel economy. The two-door, four-seater hatchback is available in the same trim levels - the base Cooper and Cooper S - along with their respective engine choices. The base Cooper Clubman is powered by a 118-horsepower, 1.6-liter inline-4 engine, while the Cooper S is packed with a turbocharged version of the base four-cylinder that makes 172 horsepower. The Clubman features a longer wheelbase for more interior space, a passenger-side access door and a vertically split rear cargo door. It provides larger cargo space than the regular Cooper. With the rear seats down, 32.8 cubic feet of trunk space is available.