MINI – Page 8 – Automobiles Review

2014 MINI Countryman Black Knight SE Teased

MINI brand in the United States is going to release its first and very special version of a Countryman. It was announced that this edition will be “covered” with one of the most impressive paints in the BMW’s car range, namely the Frozen Black matt paint.

In addition it was also disclosed that the uniquely styled model is to carry the name “The Black Knight” and similarly to the Frozen Black Edition BMW E92 M3 it is to have a limited production of only 60 units.

Those interested in buying one of these sixty examples have to immediately register, because only the first 60 will be those lucky to be the future customers of the Black Night. MINI has also ensured that the vehicles will be full of versatile equipment. However, there will be some optional features such as the Two-Wheel or the All-Wheel-Drive (ALL4), and the choice of manual or automatic transmission.

Additional information on the 2014 MINI Countryman Black Knight Special Edition will be available near release. Until then, what is left to enjoy the two teaser images of the car that the brand has released.

Source: motoringfile

October 17, 2013

TEASER: Brand New MINI Model To Be Revealed In November

A brand new MINI model is going to be unveiled on 18th of November 2013. On this date will be celebrated 107 years since the birth of the man who started an automobile revolution, Sir Alec Issigonis.

The premiere will be hosted at MINI Plant Oxford and then the new model will be showcased in front of international audiences that same week, with an almost simultaneous reveal in Los Angeles and Tokyo.

The car will make its debut in Tokyo on 20th of November 2013, followed just hours later by the Los Angeles Motor Show in California. The new MINI will go on sale in the first quarter of 2014.

Similarly as its predecessor, the new MINI model will be produced in Oxford. The start of its production and the world premiere highlight additionally the jubilee year for the MINI Plant. In fact, in it automobiles have been built for more than 100 years.

Moreover, the world premiere will pay homage to MINI’s origins and to the father of the iconical vehicle. The first MINI was introduced back in the 1959. With this act Sir Alec Issigonis revolutionized the automobile industry. The car featured transversely mounted engine, front wheel drive, wheels set in all four corners and an advanced undercarriage.

The concepts Issigonis have created were later used as a foundation for many generations of small and compact cars. In their most modern form, those principals are still being utilized. However, the today’s models include new engines and chassis technologies, MINI Connected innovations and refined premium quality. They all contribute towards the continuation of the emblematic position that the car has in the automotive industry.

Source: MINI

August 7, 2013

MINI Vision – Design from the Future

MINI Vision showcases various elements of future MINI design. There are a lot of interesting features like Driving Experience Control, full LED headlights and MINI Click System.

MINI Vision is designed to preview the upcoming 2014 Cooper. The Vision boasts an aerodynamic bumper and a hexagonal grille that features integrated fog lights. Thea re also full-LED headlights with outer ring which works as DRL. Other highlights include organo metal accents, a tailgate-mounted spoiler and a center-mounted dual exhaust system.

The interior boasts a symmetrical design and a lot of different colors and textures. The lounge-like seats seem very comfortable and Union Jack-inspired elastic straps on the doors that hold magazines, drinks or mobile phones are very useful.

The unbeatable scope for personalisation and an extremely sporty and precise design make the MINI Vision the perfect partner for the road, tailored to the needs and preferences of the individual driver. This design vision demonstrates that MINI will continue to use intelligent variability, imagination-capturing technology and a compact sporting presence to deliver unrivalled driving fun over the years to come.

Source: MINI

July 26, 2013

AC Schnitzer MINI Color Concepts Go Beyond The Standard

AC Schnitzer MINI Color Concepts offer striking and individual visual attributes which enhance the expressive the unique appearance of the emblematic model. The tuning company AC Schnitzer has given the MINIs a combination of innovative technology with stylish and cheeky design.

In addition, they have equipped the vehicles with new AC Schnitzer sports wings with integrated fins. They convincingly stand out and in addition complement perfectly the paint scheme thus gathering more attention.

Furthermore, the cars also run on new wheels, namely the AC Schnitzer Mi2 alloys in 18-inch sizes. The mirror covers are also colored in the corresponding dye. The colourful styling is continued through vinyls in four fluorescent Color Line shades: Red, Yellow, Blue and Green.

At last to mention is the fact that the AC Schnitzer Color Line Decor Set comprises of films for driver and passenger sides, tailgate stickers and bonnet films. They go along with the vinyls for the vehicle roof and are available in four expressive colors. Of course, they can be combined individually with paintwork in any color.

Source: AC Schnitzer

June 13, 2013

MINI Countryman And MINI Paceman Updated For The Summer

MINI Countryman and MINI Paceman are getting ready for the summer because from July they will be equipped with new customization options and details. The new enhancements will be available starting from July.

For instance, the new sports options feature the John Cooper Works Exterior Package, the John Cooper Works Interior Package and the John Cooper Works Chili Package. There is also an optional storage package for the MINI Countryman which now includes a double cup holder at the rear.

Furthermore, it is promised that in the future, the Paceman model will be equipped with a rear centre console as standard. It will also feature integrated storage facilities and a 12-volt power socket, as well as two cup holders (optionally.

The permanent all-wheel drive system ALL4 can be selected in four model variants of both the MINI Countryman and the MINI Paceman. The top sports models – MINI John Cooper Works Countryman and MINI John Cooper Works Paceman will be fitted with the system as a standard.

In the MINI Cooper Countryman ALL4 and MINI Cooper Paceman ALL4 the power output is estimated at 90 kW (122 hp) and it is delivered by the 4-cylinder engine. The power is distributed between the front and rear wheels thus improving the traction on slippery surfaces as well as increasing the driving fun. The engine is mated to a six-speed manual transmission as a standard or to the optional six-speed automatic transmission.

For the summer there is also available the new John Cooper Works Exterior Package, which consists of sport suspension settings, 18-inch light alloy wheels in Twin Spoke Black Burnished Design and the John Cooper Works Aerodynamics Kit. To be more precise the latter comprises of a front apron with integrated air ducts for brake cooling, model-specific side sills and a rear bumper with diffuser.

Furthermore, the Dark Style package offers strips in black or white on the bonnet, exterior mirror caps and turn indicator surrounds in Black Checkered, anthracite-coloured roof rails and radiator grille ribs in anthracite.

To go inside the car, the John Cooper Works Interior Package includes sports seats Diagonal Track fabric in John Cooper Works Carbon Black, the John Cooper Works leather steering wheel with multifunction buttons, Sport Button, Dynamic Traction Control, John Cooper Works door sill finishers and an anthracite-coloured roof liner.

Next, the John Cooper Works Chili Package features all of the additions in the John Cooper Works Exterior Package and the John Cooper Works Interior Package along with the following: fog lamps, rain sensor, automatic air conditioning, on-board computer, lighting package, storage package, height adjustment for the passenger seat and velour floor mats.

In this package, another special feature is the Parallel Lines Light Tobacco fabric/leather combination for the MINI Countryman, and the Hot Cross Carbon Black fabric/leather combination for the MINI Paceman. The package also offers xenon headlights in the MINI Cooper S and MINI Cooper SD models.

New paintwork finishes also come to deliver some freshness to the summer. The Countryman and Paceman will be available from July in the exclusive Chili Red color, which was previously seen only on the MINI John Cooper Works Countryman and MINI John Cooper Works Paceman models.

Source: MINI

June 10, 2013

Classic MINI and Porsche 911 for 50th Anniversary

BMW has released a photo gallery showing a nice duo of a classic MINI and Porsche 911 celebrating its 50^th anniversary.

It may be the fundamental differences between the two cars (e.g. the Mini has its engine in the front, the 911 at the rear) that dominate at first glance. But there are also a number of factors – over and above their shared cult status – that lend particular empathy to MINI’s birthday greetings.

Both models made their name with an eye-catching turn of speed. At the end of the austere 1950s Mini was the ground-breaking new kid on the block, generating sales figures that mimicked the upward curve of its acceleration. The 911, as the successor to the Porsche 356, was born with speed in its blood.

Only a handful of cars can claim to have endured over such lengthy time spans, retaining their unmistakable identities despite all the nips, tucks and updates along the way.

It’s tempting to wonder how different history would have been without the creators of these two successful cars. Neither Sir Alec Issigonis nor Ferdinand Alexander Porsche had any inkling that their designs would come to be considered immortal icons of modern times. Indeed, you would have needed a very clear crystal ball to see that Porsche had just dreamt up the most successful sports car of all time and Issigonis the “world’s only cool small car”.

Source: BMW

June 6, 2013

MINI Extends The Range of All-Wheel Models

MINI will offer its all-wheel drive system ALL4 in two new more morels: in the MINI Cooper Countryman and the MINI Cooper Paceman. The new vehicles will be available from July this year, thus increasing the number of all-wheel versions within the MINI model range to ten models.

The new MINIs will be also equipped with six-speed manual transmission as standard, and the customers will have the choice of six-speed automatic transmission as an option. Through the introduction of ALL4, these models will now have enhanced traction and driving stability on snow, sand or slippery surfaces, and extra grip on twisty roads.

As a matter of fact, the ALL4 technology is based on an electromagnetic centre differential and distributes drive force at continuously variable levels between the front and rear axle. The electronic control system that it includes is integrated directly in the Stability Control (DSC) control unit.

The all-wheel drive system distributes the power of the 1.6-litre 4-cylinder engine between the front and rear wheels. The unit generates 122 hp (90 kW) and has a torque of 160 Nm (118 lb-ft) at an engine speed of 4,250 rpm.

The result is that the for instance the MINI Cooper Countryman ALL4 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 12 seconds on its way to a top speed of 184 km/h. In addition this model has an average fuel consumption of 6.9 litres per 100 kilometres and CO2 emissions of 167 grams per kilometre.

On the other hand, the new MINI Cooper Paceman ALL4 needs only 11.8 seconds for the same sprint from standstill to 100 km/h. It has a Vmax of 185 km/h and a fuel consumption and CO2 emission levels the same as those of the MINI Cooper Countryman ALL4.

Source: MINI

June 3, 2013

2013 Life Ball: MINI Paceman by Roberto Cavalli

2013-MINI-Paceman-by-Roberto-Cavalli-THUMB One of the biggest charity events has just happened this weekend and as we are familiar MINI brand is a big part of its history. The partnership began in 2001 and since then 13 one-of-a-kind MINI models have been designed and produced.

They were of course all auctioned with proceeds of more than half a million Euros flowing into projects dedicated to the battle against AIDS. This year, the designer under the lights was Roberto Cavalli who created a unique and classy MINI Paceman.

The Italian designer transformed the newest model in the brand family in his highly distinctive style. It is all adorned by gold elements inside and out, iridescent paintwork that shimmers from black to brown depending on the angle of light and the use of his hallmark animal prints.

In other words, this Paceman is a true work of art and few hours before its premiere, it was auctioned for a record price of 150,000 euros. Besides Roberto Cavalli, a whole line-up of iconic designers rendered their own MINI for this good cause. Among them are Dean and Dan Caten of DSQUARED, Renzo Rosso for Diesel and Donatella Versace.

2013 Life Ball went under the motto 1001 Nights” bringing together many celebrities, including Sir Elton John, Hilary Swank, Melanie Griffith, Barbara Eden, Carmen Electra, Bill Clinton, Anna Netrebko, Erwin Schrott and Fergie. They were all gathered around the mission to raise the awareness of the HI virus and its consequences.

Each year millions of people are being infected with the HIV. Since AIDS was recognized as a clinical disease on 1st of December 1981, many advances have been made in terms of research and prevention. However, the virus is still one of the biggest challenges for the human health.

Source: MINI

May 28, 2013

2013 MINI Paceman by Roberto Cavalli Supports the Life Ball in Vienna

The Life Ball 2013 in Vienna is just around the corner and hence we are very pleased to see the latest design on a MINI model, which will support this charity event. The mission of the Life Ball is to raise awareness of AIDS and pleads for tolerance, education and solidarity.

As a matter of fact, MINI will participate in the Ball for the 13th time in succession by donating one of its models. A particular MINI model will be given a makeover by an internationally renowned designer before being auctioned at the ball.

The proceeds will go to projects dedicated prevention of HIV and AIDS. Another interesting fact is that so far the Life Ball MINI auctions have raised total proceeds in excess of half a million Euros.

For this year, a Paceman, the youngest and seventh model in the MINI family, will be transformed by the famous fashion designer Roberto Cavalli. With this particular model, the designer encounters the first stylish, urban Sports Activity Coupé. Its sporty design and striking coupé silhouette will perfectly complement Cavalli’s unconventional style.

To be more precise, the exterior design features iridescent paintwork that shimmers from black to brown depending on the incidence of light. In addition, there are dynamically stretched lines that accentuate even further the agility of this two-door coupé. Of course, Roberto Cavalli’s expressive logo can be seen on the car – on its roof.

2013 MINI Paceman by Roberto Cavalli will be formally unveiled during the official opening of the new Cavalli store in Vienna’s “Goldenes Quart1er” on 24th of May. Then the model will be auctioned in the Hall of Ceremonies at Vienna’s Hofburg palace as part of the AIDS Solidarity Gala on 25th of May.

Source: MINI

May 9, 2013

MINI KAPOOOW! Installation At The Salone del Mobile 2013

MINI Design Team led by Anders Warming has created an installation – a MINI Paceman as a dynamic structure, which is currently being exhibited during the Salone del Mobile. The installation is set up in an authentic MINI realm of experience – the MINI Paceman Garage.

During the exhibit, MINI KAPOOOW! @MINI Paceman Garage will act as a launch pad and platform for creative exchanges among artists and designers while offering a wide range of events.

But to be more precise, the installation was inspired by the many and different assets of the Sports Activity Coupé. It tries to highlight MINI’s emotional essence and highly distinctive personality.

The first phase of the installation shows the rear end of the MINI Paceman as a dynamic sculpture. When one looks at it feels like it is going to undergo very soon a metamorphosis.

The individual vehicle components seem to fly apart, the colorful threads emanating from it representing this highly energy-charged process. In addition, an interesting element is that the MINI is connected with the people whose profiles can be seen at the front end.

The second step of the installation is where the Paceman crosses a boundary in the middle of the room. This phase offers and interesting new view of the car. It leaves its original form and the front end becomes an idea made of paper.

Only the general, the lines are kept and through numerous bits of paper and colored tabs the MINI Paceman manifest into a new physical form. As a matter of fact, the utilization of paper symbolizes the “prototyping” of a creative process.

The end goal of this interesting project is to present a colourful “wall of fame” displaying not only successful MINI models but also well-known film and cult personalities. To be your own hero – this is the motto which stays behind this unique artistic journey of MINI’s.

Source: MINI

April 10, 2013

2013 MINI Paceman – UK Price £18,970

MINI has announced the all-new Paceman, which boasts a sporty exterior design, lowered suspension for a dynamic ride and an exciting reinterpretation of the familiar interior. The car is essentially a coupe version of the Countryman.

There will be five models available from launch including the MINI Cooper S Paceman. The seventh unique member of the family, it sells alongside the Hatch, Clubman, Convertible,

With a contemporary and expressive body shape, the Paceman has been created to appeal to a new type of design-conscious customer. The prominent horizontal lines and dynamic curved surfaces give the promise of sporting performance, yet there is an elegant simplicity to the overall form of the car.

The interior has been designed specifically for this model. Its highlight is the innovative rear seat, which has been styled around a lounge concept. Two individual seats provide generous levels of head, shoulder and knee room with outstanding comfort and support. Armrests have been integrated into the rear trim. A two-section version of the MINI Centre Rail storage and attachment system – first seen in the Countryman – comes as standard. A full-length variant is available as an option.

The engine range includes a 1.6 liter four-cylinder with 122HP (90 kW). 0-100 km/h in 10.4 seconds and fuel economy of 47.1mpg with CO₂ emissions of 140 g/km. The 1.6 liter turbocharged petrol has 184HP (135 kW). 0-100 km/h in 7.5 seconds and fuel economy of 46.3mpg and emissions are 143g/km.

The diesel variants are a 1.6 liter with 112HP (82 kW) offering a frugal 64.2mpg fuel economy and 115g/km emissions. 0-100 km/h in 10.8 seconds, which is good enough. The powerful SD Paceman has a 2.0 liter with 143HP (105 kW). 0-100 km/h in 9.2 seconds and a fuel economy of 61.4mpg with an emissions figure of 122g/km.

The MINI Cooper Paceman starts at just £18,970 on the road.

Source: MINI

March 21, 2013

EXCLUSIVE: 2013 MINI John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4 Dakar

2013 MINI John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4 Dakar is a limited-run special edition vehicle, an all-wheel-drive performance machine which has an exclusive, partly hand-built design and equipment inspired by Stéphane Peterhansel and Jean-Paul Cottret’s victorious MINI ALL4 Racing machine.

The launch of this special-edition MINI is happening in order to celebrate their triumph in the Dakar Rally 2013. The duo of Stéphane Peterhansel and Jean-Paul Cottret were piloting their MINI ALL4 Racing and made it to the number one place at the world’s toughest rally event for the second year in a row.

This model is a limited-edition tribute to its rally inspiration and only eleven examples of the car will be built. 2013 MINI John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4 Dakar has exclusive design and equipment features which contribute towards the increase of the thrill and the euphoria around the model.

As a basis for the new model served the MINI John Cooper Works Countryman. The latter is MINI’s first model which has included a race-bred powertrain and chassis technology with the all-wheel-drive system. In addition, the ALL4 serves up optimum traction and directional stability in all weather and under-wheel conditions. It also provides a noticeable increase in agility through dynamically taken corners.

As a matter of fact, the all-wheel-drive system channels the power from the 160 kW (218 hp) turbocharged four-cylinder engine to the all four wheels. The exterior color was inspired by the one off the Dakar-taming MINI ALL4 Racing which is matt black. IN addition, there are some special bright green design accents for the exterior and interior.

To go even further into details, some of them include Sport Stripes, which bear both the Dakar Rally winner’s logo and the signature of victorious driver Peterhansel on the bonnet. In addition, the green stripes along the car’s flanks feature “MINI ALL4 Racing” lettering, while the driver and front passenger doors display the car number 302 and the names of the victorious pairing.

Dakar winner’s logo can also be spotted next to the John Cooper Works badge at the rear of the car MINI. The interior in the cabin includes a green contrast stitching for the gearshift lever gaiter and floor mats, and the green embroidered winner’s logo on the head restraints. These green accents are complemented by green stripes for the black interior trim strip on the centre console.

On the interior trim strip above the glove compartment can also be seen a special-edition logo with serial number. The sports steering wheel and Gravity Black leather sports seats also feed into the cockpit’s evocative sports car ambience.

At last, for more sproty and spirited appearance, to the car were added auxiliary spotlights, bespoke side indicator surrounds and 19-inch light-alloy wheels in Cross-Spoke Crusher design. They all add the final touches to the exclusive 2013 MINI John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4 Dakar.

Source: MINI

March 4, 2013

Tag: MINI