Thanks to US regulations governing rear seat width, MINI will be forced to exclude the rear bench establish option for the US market. In its place will be two individual seats (something replicating the front seats as we saw in the Beachcomber concept) that move fore and abaft up to 13 inches. The upside is that this gives the MINI crossover one of the most comfortable mansion seating layouts on the market. It also standardizes the center rail which we think will be united of the best attributes of the MINI crossover inward. The downside of course is, if you’re in the US market, your limited to a seating containing power of sole four.

Tags: mini, Seat, the, us

There has been a lot of debate in regards to how many seats the upcoming MINI Countryman (R60) indispensably or will have. While the official answer will change depending on the market you’re in, we can confirm that MINI intends to allow both four and five seats in the new crossover. The optional five seat set-up have a mind item three over in the back much like the current BMW 1 series hatch. So that instrument instead of mounting the third girdle on the house like the optional set-up on the Clubman (available outside the US), MINI will mount it on the top of the seat itself.

Tags: Bmw, change, guess, la, mini, new, Seat, the, us

Official Release:: Today, MINI USA celebrates the Grand Opening of its support dealership in Washington, as the brand continues to grow its U.S. presence and expand its dealer network by 20 percent compared to 2008.

“The Seattle primate area is one of MINI’s largest markets, and this ability decision reinforce the brand’s presence and support additional sales growth in a market where MINI is widely known and successful,” aforesaid Jim McDowell, Vice President MINI USA. “MINI has established a solid base for the dealer network around the country, and we are now positioning additional facilities in existing markets with the most growth potential.”

Tags: Bmw, cars, mini, new, philosophy, photos, Seat, seattle, support, the, university, usa, washington

The NSFW Seat Altea print ad campaign — Click in heaven for high-res image gallery

Seat wants to make sure that people in the U.K. don’t equate a subdivision of an order car by being boring, and what more valuable more Latin way to do it than by using happy naked people? The print campaign for the Seat Altea features two “parents” hopping through of their Seat and frolicking on their way to a emaciated dipping session. This kind of behavior is apparently called “Seattitude,” and you’ll be brimming with it if you own an Altea (Spanish models not included).

Tags: car, family, kids, life, new, people, running, Seat, the, way, work

When the Audi Q3 compact CUV hits the streets in 2011, its assembly testament be handled by the workers at VW’sitting Spanish division, SEAT. In preparation for the crossover’s arrival SEAT is building an all-new body shop at its Martorell manufactory. Like other modern body shops, the 322,000 square-foot facility will be heavily automated by over 300 robots handling most of the welding and stamp manipulation.

Tags: Audi, Seat, Volkswagen

Above the Audi pits – Click above for a high-res image gallery

We’ve been bouncing all over the track since late yesterday morning, but a little after 2 AM we found our new favorite spectator spot – directly above the Audi pits. The speed, skill and – in typical German fashion – efficiency of the Audi crew is unmatched at Le Mans, but lighting quick fuel stops and expert tire swaps are only part of the equation. And Audi is having a difficult interval filling in the numbers.

Tags: Audi, Peugeot, Porsche, Seat

Let this be a warning to those of you who tint your car windows (at least in Gainesville, FL): If you die in the back seat, it may be a while before you’re found. A man from Gainesville, FL went missing on February 11 and was found this past Monday deceased in the hindmost passenger-side seat of his 2001 BMW 330i. The car had apparently been parked illegally and was ticketed seven times – SEVEN TIMES! – before anyone noticed its owner sitting dead in the back seat.

Tags: Bmw, Seat

Click above for high-res gallery of the Mazda CX-9

Nearly 31,000 Mazda CX-9 crossovers are being recalled to repair an issue with the driver’s seat. Models affected were built during the 2007-2009 model years. According to Mazda North American Operations, improper routing of wires under the driver’s seat cushion be able to lead to a short-circuit that activates the power-adjustment mechanism. This could outstrip to an inadvertent change in the seating position, height setting to rights, or seat back recline while the vehicle is in motion. According to Mazda, dealers will be able to fix the potential problem by cable ties and replacement parts. If you are a late-model CX-9 owner, check your mailbox after the notices go out on March 9.

Tags: Mazda, Seat

Danica Patrick just might make it into Formula One after all. The sensational IndyCar driver/Sports Illustrated swimsuit model was previously linked to a potential seat with Honda’s F1 team, but those prospects were all but completely dashed when the squad closed up shop. But now the people behind the upcoming USF1 team could give Danica the ticket she deserves.

Tags: Honda, Renault, Seat

Click on the images to view the 2009 SEAT Leon (below right) and Altea (above) in high resolution

For more time now, it has seemed like the badges on cars are getting bigger and bigger. SEAT has certainly played its part in this trend, but the automaker’s S badge is getting downsized again on the latest Leon and Altea.

The badges are part of mild facelift packages being given to the two SEAT models, that also get revised grilles, lamps and a tailgate with full-width glass. Supposedly steered by SEAT’s new “Arrow” design language, you’d be hard-pressed to tell the difference visually, although its easier to see changes inside where there is an updated cabin.

Tags: Audi, mini, Seat, Volkswagen