The small car builder Mini made a name for itself on the Alpine stages of classic rally championships, and it rumored to be making a comeback in the much depleted WRC for 2011 and should be unveiled in March at the Geneva Motor Show. Similar to the Beachcomber Concept, the new Mini Countryman is a slightly larger Cooper wearing the same headlights and fog lamps, however the front end is specific to the future model especially with its unique grill and Pepper White paint scheme topped off with a black roof.
The Countryman will be offered with a choice of three petrol and two diesel engines, with power ranging from 90 hp in the MINI One D Countryman to 184 hp in the MINI Cooper S Countryman. The 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine in the top model comes for the first time not only with a twin-scroll turbocharger and direct fuel injection, but also with fully variable valve management.
Underneath the four door Countryman Mini will utilize their new ALL4 drive, an electrohydraulic differential positioned directly on the final drive varying the distribution from front to rear in an infinite process.
Sales will begin at the end of 2010.
Updated 01/21/10: Mini revealed today the official video of the Countryman. Check them out and you will see the small SUV in action!
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The iconic British automaker Mini unveiled the One Minimalism line, consisting of two special edition versions of the compact Cooper for the 21st century, focusing on minimizing costly fuel consumption as well as reducing harmful CO2 emissions. The new cars are based on either the 75 HP version of the One or the 96 HP variant, and they both achieve a CO2 emission of 119 g/km. While here in the U.S. that might sound about as foreign as Mandarin, in Europe these CO2 numbers are a very important factor when it comes to new car shopping, that is because across the pond they are taxed on what comes out of their tailpipe.
The new Minimalism line is distinguished by a few new aerodynamically developed bits like the streamlined wheels that will create less power robbing turbulence. At the same time the cars will get exclusive Pepper White highlights, with matching accents on the grill and mirror caps as well as a Minimalism specific badges. The less powerful 75 HP One will be able to accelerate from 0 to 60 MPH in 13 seconds and reach a top speed of 108 MPH thanks to a six speed manual gearbox.
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The small car manufacturer Mini has unveiled an all new drop top version of their most efficient model with the One Convertible. The small scale soft top comes with a long list of standard amenities like electromechanical steering for even more MPG as well as a DSC stability control system and four airbags to ensure the safest ride possible. Customers will be able to choose any color from Mini’s paint book for the exterior as well as being able to individualize the interior and cloth top colors. Powered by a low consumption four cylinder gas burning engine producing a maximum output of 98 HP while emitting very little in the way of emissions with sales slated to begin in March. The new Mini One Convertible takes 11.3 seconds to get from 0 to 60 MPH and has a top speed of 122 MPH, however you probably won’t even get that high up on the speedometer with all the wind in your face fun you will be having.
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No one does special edition vehicles quite like the British automaker Mini, this time the unique take on the Cooper is based upon the more spacious Clubman model. Named after London’s Soho district in the city’s West End, an area known for its vibrant and dynamic cosmopolitan lifestyle. The special edition Mini Cooper Soho will be available with any of the Mini’s power train packages ranging from the entry level Mini One, to the Cooper and diesel powered Cooper D all the way up to the top of the line turbocharged Cooper S version.
The special edition Soho Mini is available in five distinct exterior colors including: Horizon Blue, Midnight Black, Pepper White, Dark Silver and White Silver. Unlike ordinary Minis, every Soho’s roof is always painted black. Further distinguishing the special edition Mini from ordinary Coopers by its blacked out bi-xenon headlamps, cleared out turn signals, chrome exhaust tips and Black Star Bullet alloys measuring 17 inches in diameter. On the inside the Soho comes standard with creature comforts like air conditioning as well as a few luxurious touches like a leather wrapped steering wheel and sports seats. Prices start at just €19,900 for the special edition Clumban One powered by a 95 HP engine, €26,600 for the Cooper D with a 1.6 Liter diesel making 110 HP and €28,900 for the Cooper S and its 1.6 Liter turbocharged four cylinder making 175 HP. So whatever your packaging requirements may be, Mini has a Soho for you.
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The Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong is one of the most expensive and luxurious hotels in the world and it seems fitting that in celebrating its 81st anniversary, the hotel is bequeathed with a classy and elegant present – or two.
To celebrate the hotel’s momentous occasion, MINI has given the Peninsula Hotel two special-edition Cooper S Clubmans to add to the hotel’s already world-famous car fleet.
Gert Hildebrand, head of MINI Design, was on-hand for the presentation of the two cars, which happened at the hotel’s world-renowned anniversary gala “Grande Dame of the Far East”. Accepting the cars on behalf of the Peninsula Hotel was Sir Michael Kadoorie, chairman of The Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels Ltd. – the corporation that owns and operates the Peninsula Hotel Hong Kong.
In line with the hotel’s theme, the two MINI Cooper S Clubmans were given a Brewster Peninsula Green paintwork with custom specific lettering on the doors and illuminated door sills. The Cooper S Clubmans also come with a roof rail, which allows the hotel guests to have extra space for their extended shopping binges in Hong Kong.
The two cars now join Peninsula’s exclusive car fleet that already includes 14 Rolls-Royce Phantom Extended Wheelbase cars and a classic Rolls-Royce Phantom II that was built way back in 1934.
Even if its winter in most of the countries, Mini revealed today the first images of a concept car that is perfect for the summer days. The Beachcomber Concept will have its official debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January 2010, and as you expected it will never go into production. But it features the same ALL4 all-wheel drive system and the engine that will be used in the next Crossover. The production model was announced for autumn 2010.
The MINI Beachcomber Concept naturally comes with design elements typical of the brand: hexagon radiator grille, large, three-dimensional headlight units integrated in the engine compartment lid, large air intake at the bottom and foglamps moved far to the outside, rear light clusters fitting like islands into the side panels, while the rear end is dominated by horizontal lines interacting with the muscular wheel arches to emphasize the sheer width of the car and its powerful stance on the road.
Mini gave no details on the Beachcomber’s technical specification, but we expect to have them soon.
Press release after the jump.
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Next to the Mini Coupe Concept, the English automaker Mini has also revealed their Roadster Concept today at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The Roadster Concept is a two-seated model, with a tight-fitting soft cloth roof and innovative design.
The Roadster concept is powered by a 1.6 Liter twin scroll turbocharged engine, the same power plant that is used in the MINI Cooper S; boasting go fast goodies like direct gasoline injection, the boosted mill generates a maximum output of 175 HP and peak torque of 177 lb-ft that can be briefly increased thanks to the car’s Overboost function, which nets 192 lb-ft of torque.
The new two-seater measures 3.714 millimeters in length and 1.683 millimetres in width. Height of the car is 1.356 millimeters. Up front the Mini Roadster Concept features a hexagonal shaped radiator grille and a pair of large round headlights, that compliment the large diameter wheels and a very racy pair of stripes extending the length of the vehicle.
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In order to celebrate its 50th anniversary Mini has revealed the Coupe Concept - a model that redefines the Mini’s design language. Set to become MINI’s new flagship coupe for the future, the concept will make its first public appearance at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
The Coupe Concept will be powered by a 1.6-liter twin-scroll turbocharged power unit carried over from the MINI John Cooper Works. The engine delivers 211 hp and a peak torque of 192 lb-ft.
With a total length of 3,714 millimeters and a width of 1,683 millimeters, the concept comes with a refreshed look with the windshield laid back giving the car a less-boxy appearance. In addition to that, the honeycomb grille – another MINI staple – has been replaced by three three horizontal slits painted in the same decaled color-way as the rest of the car. You’ll also notice that the racing stripes do not run the entire length of the car in the same color.
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Mini added today a new entry level to its Mini One family. The new Mini One D will go on sale in September and will be powered by the 1.6-litre diesel engine from the MINI Cooper D.
The engine delivers 90 hp at 4,000 rpm and a0 peak torque of 215 Nm from as low down as 1, 750 rpm and is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. The car sprints from 0 to 62 mph in 11.5 seconds and hits a top speed of 113 mph.
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Mini’s factory tuner, John Cooper Works has just revealed another special edition of the attractive little people mover with the heritage of a thoroughbred. The Mini World Championship 50 pays homage to the trio of victories at the Monte Carlo Rally that earned the compact competitor the earned the Mini its status as a giant killer. Based on the current JCW Mini, the special edition is painted in Connaught Green and is signed by John Michael Cooper, offspring of the man himself, John Cooper.
The Mini WC 50 is powered by a 1.6 Liter turbocharged four cylinder tuned by JCW to produce 211 HP, resulting in an outstanding power per liter ratio. The 50 rides on 17 inch cross-spoke alloy wheels, and is dressed up by carbon trim pieces throughout the vehicle.
Like all of Mini’s special editions, the World Championship 50 will come in limited supply, making each one of the 250 examples worldwide, an instantaneous collector’s item.
Press release after the jump.
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