Autoblog UK

Last week in Hamburg, the well-known New York street artist Craig 'KR' Costello gave a Mini a paint job in his so-called 'Krink' style. This involves applying the paint in such a way that it runs down the surface, looking as if it has been laid on too thickly. In the case of the Mini seen below, the silver streaks appears to trickle down the bodywork plus the rear and side windows. KR Costello made a name for himself in the 90s with his distinctive signature style. Ultimately, this led to the Krink brand name and line of products. You can find examples of his work in all the major metropolises of the world, in vestibules, on walls or in underground railway stations.

Autoblog's Will Powell reports from the Frankfurt Motor Show

Mini has wowed the crowds on the first day of the Frankfurt motorshow with its stunning two-seat Roadster - a Mazda MX-5 rival that looks certain to dramatically broaden the brand's appeal.

The Mini Roadster is based on the recently revealed Mini Coupe, itself a re-engineered version of the standard hatchback with a lower roofline and sleeker, sportier proportions. But the difference here is that the Roadster has a lightweight, canvas roof and a steeply raked screen creating sharp styling that seems certain to shake up the value end of the sports car market when it goes on sale in 2011.

Unlike the Mini Coupe - which is powered by JCW Mini's 208bhp turbo engine - the Roadster will come with the smoother and more refined 175bhp version of the 1.6-litre petrol turbo. It'll be built in Britain, at Mini's Oxford plant.

"Its significantly lower, slimmer and more dynamic than the regular production models," said Mini design chiefs, but the interior takes cues from high fashion with designs, patterns and textiles intended to make the Mini Roadster a desirable accessory as well as a sharp driving sports car.

Mini is still some way from confirming prices for the new models, but we expect the range to start at around £25k - pricing that's competitive against rivals likes the Mazda MX-5 and Audi TT Roadster.

If Mini gets the look, price point and driving dynamics right (and there's every reason to believe that it will) then we expect the Mini Roadster to be a massive seller come 2011.

Autoblog's James Baggott reports from the Frankfurt Motor Show

MINI bosses confirmed that its two smart Frankfurt concept cars WILL go into production at its Oxford plant.

BMW board member Ian Robertson said: 'The best news for MINI fans is that we will produce both of these cars.'

Robertson was referring to the Roadster two-seater and Coupe concept cars that wowed crowds at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

'I can't give out full details, but they will both be built at Oxford,' said Robertson. 'The MINI product family will now grow to six!'

The concepts are based on a platform that is ready to be integrated at the MINI Plant in the UK now – meaning production will be easy to ramp up when the final detail of the new cars is in place.

The Coupe features MINI's most powerful engine – the 1.6-litre turbocharged unit from the John Cooper Works model – and the Roadster will come with the powerplant out of the Cooper S. Both are said to have startling performance and handling.

BMW intends manufacturing two new Mini models at its factory near Oxford. Chief Executive Norbert Reithofer said in an interview with the Financial Times, that a coupe version of the Mini and another new model are to roll off the production line in the British factory. New jobs would be created and money invested. Reithofer didn't reveal any definite figures or any time frame. Around 3,500 staff are currently employed at the factory, which, according to the newspaper, is working almost at full capacity with a yearly output of 200,000 – 220,000 vehicles. We might expect the second model to be the roadster, which will also be launched at the IAA in Frankfurt.

Exactly 50 years ago on 26th August 1959, the classic Mini first saw the light of day. The IAA in Frankfurt now presents the latest development – a prototype of the Mini Coupe Concept. This two-seater is 3.71 metres long, 1.68 metres wide and just 1.35 metres tall. Of lightweight construction, it has an aluminium roof which brings down the overall weight and optimises the vehicle's centre of gravity. It has a four-cylinder engine delivering 211 horsepower and presents the same face to the world as the four-door version. The only slight change is the flatter inclined windscreen. By dispensing with a rear bench seat, the designers have increased luggage capacity to a respectable 250 litres. So that owners can make best use of this space, there is a decent-sized tailgate that opens wide. The same goes for a further prototype due to go on show at Frankfurt – the Mini Roadster Concept. We will follow developments with interest...

The Mini is simultaneously celebrating its 50th birthday and its transformation into a vehicle fit for the age of CO2-free mobility. The Mini E is powered by an electric motor with an output of 150 kilowatts (204 horsepower) and a maximum torque of 220 newton metres. This virtually noiseless and emission-free powerplant drives the front wheels via a single-stage spur gear. The Mini E accelerates from 0 to 62mph in a respectable 8.5 seconds; its top speed is electronically limited to 93mph.

The Mini E as an everyday runabout is part of the BMW Group's overall long-term strategy. Under the working title of 'project i', the German parent company is developing innovative forms of mobility to satisfy the traffic requirements of major conurbations. A globally unprecedented pilot project in the USA and two community projects in Germany involve the use of 500 electric Minis manufactured at the main works in Oxford and in Munich.

Mini United is the title of the festival that has just been held for the third year running at Silverstone in Northamptonshire. It turned out to be a mega birthday party for the ultra-compact vehicle celebrating its first half-century this year. Designed by Alec Issigonis, the Mini made its market debut in 1959 as an affordable car and went on to revolutionise urban traffic in the ensuing decades.

The guest list at Silverstone included the whole management team, from CEO to Head of Design, and rally legends Rauno Aaltonen and Paddy Hopkirk who both won Rally Monte Carlo in a Mini, as well as musician Paul Weller. The true stars, of course, were the 7,000 Minis in which the fans arrived at Silverstone. There were some splendid examples on show of flights of fancy and loving attention to detail.

Like the VW Beetle and a select few other cars, the Mini has become a legend on wheels. Now the British classic is turning 50. Last year, BMW sold a record 232,000 Minis. To mark this anniversary, two special models will be unveiled during the Mini United Party at Silverstone. 15,000 visitors are expected; twice as many as at the last Mini United Festival held two years ago in the Dutch town of Zandvoort.

The two new models are the Mini 50 Mayfair, a special edition in Hot Chocolate metallic, with interior colours and fabrics reminiscent of the past 50 years. The Mini 50 Camden looks to the future: White Silver in colour, with 17" wheels and the new 'Mission Control'. So now we even have a 'talking' Mini.

George Harrison was not just a member of the Beatles but also enjoyed a successful solo career with hits such as 'My Sweet Lord'. When it came to cars, he had a soft spot for the Mini, and the memory of this pop idol lives on here too. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the badge, Mini have come up with a reinterpretation of the extravagantly decorated George Harrison model. This one-off edition will be presented to George's widow, Olivia, at the 2009 MINI United Festival. She will accept the Mini on behalf of the Material World Charitable Foundation which was founded by George Harrison in 1973. Some time during the next twelve months, the car will be auctioned, with the proceeds going to support the work of the charity.

In 1966, Beatles manager Brian Epstein presented each member of the mop-headed group with a Mini Cooper S. Consistent with the spirit of the era, the band's lead guitarist decorated his model with psychedelic motifs such as yantras and Sanskrit mantras. This compact runabout then appeared in the Beatles' film 'Magical Mystery Tour'. On the occasion of the marque's first half century, Mini are now dedicating a modern interpretation of this vehicle to the late superstar. The car was designed to meet the specification of Olivia Harrison and is true to the style of the iconic original.