Funny, I'm in Sao Paulo right now for work (and some pleasure too ), and I have yet to see one new Mini down here? I've seen a few old-school ones...

Ironic that they make the engines here in Brasil, but don't sell the cars here... Tho with the horrible roads in some parts of Sao Paulo, I can understand.

After driving down here a few times (it scared the s%^t out of me), the rental Fiat 1.3L Palio weekend makes me miss my 1.6L supercharged
This is the older model, I can see why Fiat is in trouble, the Palio is a crappy car...

 

I think Brazil requires all cars to run on a high alcohol ratio fuel in order to reduce foreign trade deficits. The fuel has more water in it, and the corrosive effects require a different fuel system. Most car manufacturers do not wish to convert their cars to run on this mixture, so many cars available in the world can not be sold in Brazil. But when gas is more expensive to buy than alcohol in first world countries - they will have the technology proven and ready.

 

I just checked the MINI international website and the car is officially sold in the following South American countries:

Argentina
Chile
Venezuela

The classic Minis you saw there in Sao Paulo, were likely "Mini Cords". Those Minis have fiberglass bodies instead of steel ones and were manufactured mainly in Venezuela and Chile in the 1990's under license from Rover. It is very difficult to import a Mini Cord into the USA, but if I ever were to get a classic, the Mini Cord would be it due to the lightweight fiberglass body shell.

 

Our rental Fiat POS has dual fuel capability, gasolina and alchool... Alcohol gas is about $.35/liter. Gas is closer to $.70/liter. The rental car seems to have a bit less power (and on a 1.3L, oh GOD) on alcohol, but seems to run fine nonetheless...

Not all cars here are dual fuel, but this is some sort of tax credit and the fuel is cheaper. I drove again (only to the supermarket), wasn't too bad on a Sunday in this part of town. It was all of 1 mile :smile:

Fiberglass old-skool Mini? Can you say LIGHT

 

Matt,


Hope your Sao Paulo trip lasts for a couple of weeks, that way you could buy some tix to the F1 race (from the scalpers no doubt) and get to see some really fast cars drive around the Interlagos track. Might be worth putting off the return just to see the Ferraris run.

 

dude... why you even looking at cars in Brazil? LOL you should be on the beach looking at the lovely "sights" Get your priorities straight.....

 

I wish I could go to the beach, worked most of this weekend This audit here is becoming pure hell Working 14 hours per day, plus weekends
Tho I've been getting out and partying a little. I'm enjoying the scenery quite a bit here when I can

F1 tix are pricey, good seats are going for 500Reais (about $175). Primo seats are running $300