Introducing New Cars: MINI Countryman

Showing posts with label MINI Countryman. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Mini Countryman Wins the Dakar 2012, Peterhansel Records 10th Victory [Video]

3:01 PM Hell No comments

Despite not taking place in Africa anymore but in South America, the Dakar Rally remains a very tough race. To finish is in itself a unique experience but to win is a truly great achievement.

Imagine now how Stephane Peterhansel must have felt on January 15, after 38 hours, 44 minutes and 56 seconds and 4,000 competitive kilometers from Argentina’s Mar del Plata to Peru’s capital Lima.

Not only did he win what is probably the most demanding off-road endurance rally in the world but he also did it for a record 10th time, having won six times riding a motorbike and four driving a car.

BMW Group Recalling 235,000 Turbocharged MINI Models Worldwide

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The BMW Group announced a global recall of approximately 235,00 turbocharged Mini models because of an issue with the circuit board controlling the electric auxiliary water pump that cools the engine's turbocharger.

The company said that the circuit board might malfunction and overheat which could result in a vehicle fire adding, however, that there have been no reports of any injuries or accidents related to the glitch.

MINI Officially Launches WRC Team, Unveils Countryman Racers

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MINI's preparations for the brand's imminent return to the World Rally Championship have culminated with the official launch of the team less than a month ahead of its first WRC event, the Rally d'Italia Sardegna (May 5 - 8). At the company's plant in Oxford, England, the MINI WRC Team unveiled its two MINI John Cooper Works WRC cars, the driver/co-driver lineup and its plans for 2011.

AC Schnitzer Offers First Batch of Goodies for MINI Countryman

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German tuner AC Schnitzer has launched its first tuning package for the MINI Countryman . The focus is clearly on the wheels, as clients can choose between four different designs in two different sizes (18- or 19-inch) to go with the two-tone white and black exterior paint job. In fact, AC Schnitzer has just broken a personal record: in a company first, it has fitted a MINI with 19-inch rims. As for the interior, the tuning house offers an aluminum pedal set and gear knob or various knobs clad in leather with incorporated, digital gear display unit.

2011 Detroit Motor Show: BMW Confirms MINI Paceman Concept for Production

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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.

MINI Paceman Concept: Crossman Coupe Study Previewed Ahead of Detroit Show

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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.

MINI Beachcomber Concept Live from the Detroit Auto Show

10:57 AM Hell No comments

BMW Group's MINI brand brought along a new concept, or rather a new variant of the concept model that previews its forthcoming Crossover model, to the Detroit motor show. The all-wheel drive, open-body Beachcomber study was designed to capture the spirit of the original Mini Moke of the 1960s.

The Beachcomber gets a new all-wheel drive system called ALL4, as well as an elevated seating position with the British brand supporting that it can be driven without doors and a conventional roof. However, just to be on the safe side -in theory of course- it comes with a soft top and lightweight doors made out of plastic material.

The concept model is supposed to provide us with new clues about the MINI Crossover will be available in Europe later this year and in the US in early 2011. The Crossover will be the first production MINI to have all-wheel-drive, four doors, four full-size seats and measure around four meters in length.

MINI Beachcomber 4x4 Concept Heads to Detroit Auto Show [New Photos Added]

4:58 PM Hell No comments

Less than a year before the launch of MINI's new five-door crossover model in autumn 2010, the BMW Group-owned brand will display another take on the SUV theme with the Beachcomber Concept at the Detroit motor show in January 2010.

The door-less concept study is based on the firm's crossover model and according to MINI, "it projects the principle of the 1960's Mini Moke into the 21st century." While the Beachcomber Concept has very few -if any- chances to enter production, it's styling is supposed to hint at what MINI's crossover model will look like.

Measuring approximately four meters or about 157-inches in length, the Beachcomber Concept gets an open roof that can be covered with either a hardtop or a soft top that fold up into a compact unit.

As a further option for protection in bad weather, MINI says that there are fully functional doors made out of extra-light plastic material that connect to the A- and C-pillars.

Inside, the concept model's four independent seats are divided by a "multifunction fastening rail" borrowed from the MINI Crossover Concept.

Extending from the instrument panel all the way to the luggage compartment, the rail allows the driver and passengers to place / fasten individual elements and components such as external music players, armrests for the front and rear seats, storage boxes, shelves and holders of all sorts.

The British firm did not disclose any technical details about the concept other than the fact that it is equipped with the company's so-called "ALL4" all-wheel drive system.