Mini unveiled three special-edition models back in February 2022. Mini unveiled the Brick Lane Edition, a fourth model that takes inspiration from London’s East End and gives the Hardtop Cooper S two- and four-door versions more flair.
The Brick Lane Edition is visually different from the Hardtop with White Silver Metallic exterior paint. It features a Soul Blue roof panel and black door mirror caps. The hood features Mint, Frozen Blue and Soul Blue graphics. This adds a finishing touch and links the car to the bricks Brick Lane is named after. Mini also got black 17-inch wheels, decals above rocker panels, and edition-specific badges on each side. Although these changes are minor, they give the Mini an interesting look.
The cabin features leather-upholstered and heated front sports seats. A panoramic moonroof, piano-black interior trim, dual-zone automatic climate control, and Harman Kardon surround-sound system are just a few of the standard features.
The engine bay is free from bricks and blue accents. The engine bay is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine from Cooper S. It’s turbocharged to produce 189 horsepower and 297 lb-ft of torque. The engine spins the front wheels using a six-speed manual transmission. However, a seven speed dual-clutch automatic linked with a pair shift paddles and a seven-speed dual clutch automatic are also available.
The Hardtop Brick Lane Edition will be available to mini dealers all over the country starting in March 2022. The two-door model starts at $36,525 and the four-door model at $37,525. There is an $850 destination fee.
It’s not the first time a British brand has unveiled a special-edition model that is inspired by London’s East End. Triumph’s Street Twin EC1 Special Edition was born in late 2021. It is a tribute to the vibrant, custom-classic motorcycle culture that London’s East End has created.
Toyota and Yamaha will develop a hydrogen-powered V8 motor
The history of Toyota and Yamaha collaborating to create an engine is proof of this. The Lexus LFA’s V10 engine was developed jointly by the two. It is still considered to be the most powerful and well-recorded production engine ever produced. Today’s news is about another engine that was developed by Toyota and Yamaha. It runs on hydrogen.
Yes, it’s weird. This engine is a V8 of 5.0 liters that can run on hydrogen and not gasoline. Yamaha’s engine is based on the 5.0-liter V8 used in Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance, RC F, and other models. Yamaha then makes modifications to the injectors and cylinder heads, intake manifold, “and other” parts.
This hydrogen-powered engine has power comparable to what Lexus can achieve with regular gasoline. Yamaha claims 455 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 398 pound-feet torque at 3,600 rpm when running on hydrogen.
This project is a continuation of a joint announcement by Toyota, Yamaha Kawasaki Subaru, Mazda, Subaru, and Subaru that they would “begin conversations for collaborative research into possible avenues to expand the range fuel options for internal combustion engine in the pursuit for carbon neutrality.”
Toyota Yamaha V8
Yoshihiro Hidaka, Yamaha Motor President, stated that hydrogen engines have the potential to be carbon neutral while still keeping Yamaha Motor’s passion for internal combustion engines alive. We want to be the leader in the future by collaborating with companies from different cultures and areas.
Yamaha believes that a hydrogen powered gasoline engine can keep all the exciting parts of a gasoline engine’s sound, power, and feel alive while remaining carbon neutral. A future hydrogen-powered V8 will be able to produce a “harmonic high frequency exhaust note” thanks to a unique 8-into-1 header.
Takeshi Yamada, Yamaha’s Technical Research & Development Center’s Automotive Development Section says that “I began to see that engines using hydrogen as fuel actually had very fun and easy-to use performance characteristics.” “Hydrogen engines are friendly and easy to use, even without the need for electronic driving aids. The prototype car was a test drive for everyone who went along. They were initially skeptical but ended up smiling big at the end. This made me realize that hydrogen engines have a lot more potential than just being a gasoline substitute.
