One of our family favourites was the Mini Countryman. This was the stretched estate version of the classic salon shape. It also had the later 1275 Clubman style front. A lot of changes from the original, but it still somehow looked like a Mini.
Did we love our old Countryman because it was a nice looking car? Well, no not really. We loved it because unlike the saloon version, we could get some luggage in it and go away for the weekend in relative comfort.
The Managing director of BMW UK has stated that the group have seen both BMW and MINI brands outperforming the market this year on the back of a strong new product and a successful market introduction of the BMW 5 series, Scotland has been involved heavily with promotion and sales of the saloon as well as Touring models, the X1 and the MINI Countryman.
One of our family favourites was the Mini Countryman. This was the stretched estate version of the classic salon shape. It also had the later 1275 Clubman style front. A lot of changes from the original, but it still somehow looked like a Mini.
Did we love our old Countryman because it was a nice looking car? Well, no not really. We loved it because unlike the saloon version, we could get some luggage in it and go away for the weekend in relative comfort.
The Managing director of BMW UK has stated that the group have seen both BMW and MINI brands outperforming the market this year on the back of a strong new product and a successful market introduction of the BMW 5 series, Scotland has been involved heavily with promotion and sales of the saloon as well as Touring models, the X1 and the MINI Countryman.
I have always had a soft spot for the original design Mini. It played a part in my childhood and also my youth. Back in the 80's and 90's it seemed like almost everyone had one. Cheap, fun and good-looking little machines. I'd love to add reliable to that list, but they had various issues.
BMW Groups position within UK sales figures looks strong with further models coming into the mix and the increasing popularity of mini car deals, Scotland is adding massively to the sales figures and the BMW Group will be fulfilling their market demand in the lead up to the UK VAT change in January.
I have always had a soft spot for the original design Mini. It played a part in my childhood and also my youth. Back in the 80's and 90's it seemed like almost everyone had one. Cheap, fun and good-looking little machines. I'd love to add reliable to that list, but they had various issues.
BMW Groups position within UK sales figures looks strong with further models coming into the mix and the increasing popularity of mini car deals, Scotland is adding massively to the sales figures and the BMW Group will be fulfilling their market demand in the lead up to the UK VAT change in January.
At this year’s North American International Auto Show, MINI is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the brand’s revival and re-launch in the U.S. market. To mark the occasion, the automaker unveiled today the Paceman Concept, and also confirmed that it will spawn a production model in the very near future.
“I’m thrilled to tell you now, for the very first time, that there will be a seventh member of the MINI family – and we will base it on this concept”, said Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, during MINI’s press conference at the Detroit motorshow.
2010 was the most successful sales year in MINI’s history, with the British firm delivering some 234,000 units worldwide. Not surprisingly, the BMW Group-owned company wants to build on this success, by further expanding its model line-up.
Currently, the automaker offers four models (Hardtop, Convertible, Clubman and Countryman), which will be joined by the Coupe in late 2011, and the Roadster in 2012. The series-production Paceman will follow shortly after, essentially creating the first crossover coupe in the premium small car segment.
The concept model is based on the MINI Countryman and it uses the 211 hp 1.6-liter John Cooper Works turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Power is transferred to the wheels through a six-speed manual transmission and MINI's ALL4 all-wheel drive system.
“This car captures the typical MINI characteristics – unique design, clever functionality and signature driving fun - with a new level of agility. It combines an athletic, masculine coupé appearance with the dimensions of the MINI Countryman”, Mr. Robertson commented.
Schmidt Revolution, a German-based company that primarily specializes in alloy wheels but occasionally presents fully tuned projects, has unveiled its latest creation, a conceptual version of the MINI Clubman Cooper S called the "Streetworker".
The focus point of the tune is of course the German firm's new Cirrus alloy wheel series, seen here in an 18-inch version. The funky looking rims can be ordered in any color ranging from the matte blue on this tune to any other tint including carbon black. On the MINI Clubman project car the alloy wheels are shod in 215/35R18 Continental rubber.
Having solved the alloy wheel riddle, Schmidt Revolution went ahead and covered the MINI Clubman in a matte blue foil wrap and a contrasting matte black roof finish and trim detailing.
The concept car's low-rider appearance is achieved by the Streetec air suspension, which allows the driver to lower the ride height by 60 mm or increase it by 40 mm over the stock model.
The tune is finished off with an engine kit that lifts output to 200HP and 250Nm of peak torque.
For those of you enjoying the city of Milan in Italy, MINI's double-decker lifestyle bus will be making a short three-day stop at the Corso Vercelli shopping district from Wednesday, December 22 to Friday, December 24. The specially modified double-decker bus is a mobile play station that includes a shop for MINI's Lifestyle accessories, open from 10 am to 9 pm. More photos of MINI's tricked out London bus after the break.
In 2001, the BMW Group revived the concept of the original MINI creating a new brand from a single, three-door hatchback model. Fast forward to today, and the British automaker's range has exploded with the arrival of a number of models including the soft-top Convertible, the JCW specials, the Clubman estate and the Countryman crossover, while two two more vehicles, the Coupe and Speedster, which were shown in concept form last year, have already been confirmed for production.
But that doesn't seem to be enough for the BMW Group that has announced a new concept model called the MINI Paceman, which will make its debut at the Detroit motorshow in January, that will almost certainly spawn yet another production vehicle.
Based on the Countryman five-door crossover, the Paceman is described by the company as a Sports Activity Coupé. Think of it as something like a MINI flavored X6 with two doors.
“With the MINI Countryman having already opened up a fascinating new avenue in the expansion of the brand family, the designers are now tapping into the potential of its state-of-the-art drive technology and flexible space concept to develop additional market opportunities in a coupé sibling,” said Jochen Goller, MINI Director for BMW UK Ltd.
In typical MINI style, the conversion from five-door to three door entailed more than simply removing the rear doors. The Paceman comes with larger frameless front doors that have been extended in n length by 16 inches, while the blistered rear fenders feature a more dramatic styling. In addition, the car gets a sloping roofline and a unique rear end.
Measuring 4,110 mm in length, 1,789 mm in width and 1,541 mm in height, the Paceman is also 13mm longer and 20 mm lower than its five-door counterpart.
We only have a couple of renderings of the strictly four-seater interior, but from what we can tell, the Paceman will feature unique trim and a sportier ambience.
Being that the concept is based on the Countryman, it comes to no surprise that the concept is powered by the JCW 1.6-litre twin-scroll turbocharged four-pot with 211HP and 260Nm (192 lb-ft) of peak torque, the latter value having the capacity to reach 280 Nm (207 lb-ft) in overboost function.
Drive is channeled through a six-speed manual gearbox and MINI's ALL4 permanent all-wheel-drive system, which under normal conditions equally splits toque between the front and rear wheels, but can send up to 100 per cent to the rear axle in extreme conditions. MINI added that the Paceman can also make use of a front-wheel drive layout.
More details on MINI's new concept car will be released at the upcoming Detroit Motor Show.
