MINI loses race against Porsche 911 in PR challenge [video]

MINI you can be quiet now

A Porsche 911 (commissioned by MINI) has triumphed over a MINI Cooper in a marketing-fueled challenge event at Road Atlanta.

Despite rigging the course, by staging it in the confined infield, the 911 beat the Cooper by two seconds. Undeterred by the loss, MINI pointed out the two seconds are worth $38,000 each, in reference to the price difference between the two cars.

Despite MINI's back tracking bravado, hopefully this will put an end to MINI's dubious attempt to grab headlines. Over the past few weeks, the company has done everything from challenge Porsche in the New York Times to rent a plane with a banner reading "Dear Porsche, Bring it! Love, MINI."

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Edison

So when you are paying the $38,000 premium for a 911, you are really just paying for getting to your destination 2 seconds quicker. It proves nothing and they should fire the PR people responsible for wasting advertising money. Epic fail MINI.

June 22, 2010 8:06 am

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3 replies

clash_189

At least they attract our attention and that is the whole purpose. Sometimes meaningless is worthy there on marketing campaign.

June 22, 2010 8:24 am

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rnsaza

I suspect that there is more to this than what meets the eye. Remember there is a new MINI Coupe on the horizon. MINIvs911.2 ANYONE? :D

June 22, 2010 12:35 pm

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freeway

but this kind of PR movement could backfire... even if succeeded to attract attention, but the comparison is stupid... I won't buy a Porsche because it's 2 seconds faster than Mini and because it's so powerful, but because I'm madly in love with this brand and I will never buy a MINI (BTW - pointless car, although successful) even if it will cost ten times less than a Porsche... Damn... I'm upset now so I won't continue with this comment...

June 23, 2010 10:33 am

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-Matt-

So you can buy also a second hand car for a couple of grand and you would be still quicker then the mini. Then you can point out, that your time with the car is "$15.000 better" ... wow -.-'

June 22, 2010 8:44 am

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stylovale

Interesting idea to compare cost with performance. But in our world is still victory that counts. Nobody wants to be second.

June 22, 2010 9:03 am

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droid_dtm

how stupid is Mini... They should have at least used a Cooper S, or a JCW edition. It's a no brainer that the Cooper having about 1/3 of the 911's power would have lost

June 22, 2010 9:23 am

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alessandro

It is a slow time for car news despite stronger markets. Problems are hidden behind of the modern economy behaviour which is pauperizing entire car culture in my opinion.

June 22, 2010 9:52 am

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Zonda Addict

A porsche with carefully deigned airo dinamics, high performance engines and it`s a lightweight was only 2 seconds faster than a mini?!?!?!

June 22, 2010 11:03 am

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MTC

EPICFAIL They challenged Porsche for a race and lost Now this just prove nothing other than the fact they embarrass themselves for having too much ego

June 22, 2010 11:21 am

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ricer8

the whole thing is rediculous. 2 very different cars. When I had a Works mini I took it to Sebring, trying to threshhold brake or corner at 100mph you could feel the suspensions bushings were totally at their limit. I imagine the 911 would just be getting into its sweet spot. Hey Zonda addict, after reading your comments I imagine you hit the "Z" key by accident rather than the "H"key

June 22, 2010 12:13 pm

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THERENAISSANCEMAN

two seconds....i wouldn't classify that as epic failure at all . it is Porsche who should feel embarrassed by this meager outcome , granting the 911 has a much stronger engine displacement than the Mini . perhaps , if the Mini was also powered on equal terms then the result would have been quite different since it would possess a much better power to weight ratio .

June 22, 2010 12:36 pm

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2 replies

contact_edward

People, in racing 2 seconds is HUGE! Get a clue! It's especially huge considering they were racing on such a short, tight track for such a short amount of time. This was a good ol' fashion butt whoopin'. Period. Also, I don't have the time to explain here, but you're grossly oversimplifying the whole "power to weight ratio" subject.

June 22, 2010 1:10 pm

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Fourie_00

It should also be noted this track is suited to the mini, as Porsche stated previously they would like to take mini on in one of the many races they normally take place in. it wouldnt be 2 seconds, it would be 10 seconds per lap

June 22, 2010 3:27 pm

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THERENAISSANCEMAN

power to weight ratio is simply that , it doesen't need further technical blahs to complicate it . read law of physics . and what is stopping you from further elaborating on this topic? your faculty of thought automatically shifted to hibernation mode ?

June 22, 2010 1:27 pm

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2 replies

contact_edward

Please... don't humor me with your "read laws of physics" statement. Explain to me the Nissan GTR. You also neglected to address my main point that 2 seconds is not a "meager outcome," as you put it.

June 22, 2010 2:31 pm

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4rings

So, according to you, a bicycle with a small 2hp motor should be able to embarrass the Mini and the Porsche, right? "Power to weight ratio" is what you're saying, no? Without needing "further technical blahs", is that correct? Bottom line is they made their own track to benefit their own car, and still lost. That's like Jeep challenging Ferrari on an off-road track...and losing! Oh, wait, according to you, the Ferrari's superior "power to weight" should take it straight to victory, regardless of the "track" they are on.

June 22, 2010 4:36 pm

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Fourie_00

maybe MINI should have done an "off camera" trial run first haha... it really is a fail. even if they rigged it and got a boosted mini with some slicks just to make people think HANGON!!?? i mean its just publicity, who really thought this would go the other way lol

June 22, 2010 3:29 pm

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4rings

"If you ain't first, you're last!" - Ricky Bobby ...Second place is the first loser!

June 22, 2010 4:06 pm

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1 reply

THERENAISSANCEMAN

wow that ! you have Hollywood comedians to back up your automotive dissertation... I CAN'T STOP LAUGHING !

June 23, 2010 5:16 am

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bob6600

mini knew she would lose ... it's just marketing, regardless of winning or not. We are talking about: Bravo mini!

June 22, 2010 4:57 pm

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911_Turbo

Spelling mistake in sub heading: quiet written quite :)

June 22, 2010 10:43 pm

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1 reply

BrianWCF

Thanks!

June 23, 2010 1:32 pm

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THERENAISSANCEMAN

@contact edward : you must be living out of this planet not to governed by the laws of physics . i believe it is you who had conveniently eluded explaining the subject of power to weight ratio as you have contested earlier . and that is not humorous .

June 23, 2010 5:01 am

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THERENAISSANCEMAN

well 4rings... a 2hp - engined mountain bike would easily outpace/outmaneuver either a Porsche or a Mini on a forested bike trail if that is what worries you .

June 23, 2010 5:29 am

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1 reply

contact_edward

4rings -- 2hp bicycle -- LMAO!!! Well stated. Renaissanceman, look, this is all I'm saying: There are many factors that make a car faster than another on a track. Yes, power-to-weight ratio is one of them. But it's not the only one. There are many other factors that make a car fast--just look at the GTR, which has a poor power-to-weight ratio compared to other cars in its class. Like I said earlier, I'm not going to start explaining everything here--you're a smart person. Saying you can make one car faster than another just by adding power is an over simplification of the subject. That's all I'm saying.

June 23, 2010 1:09 pm

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Sourek

I'm surprised no1's asked what kind of 911 that is...Its obviously 997.2 but is that a regular Carrera or an S. Is it a 4? You can't really tell in the video. It also looks like that car is equipped with Turbo II wheels if that makes any difference?

June 24, 2010 8:54 am

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9TNine

Yes, thats $38,000 / second very well spent!

June 24, 2010 2:32 pm

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