DSQUARED2 Unveil Life Ball MINI

Mini has worked with fashion designers Dsquared2 on a special edition Mini Cooper S for the Life Ball 2011 event, Europe’s biggest AIDS charity event, being held in Vienna. Even though we might not enjoy the brand as much as we used to a couple of years ago, we do like what they did with the car.

The DSQUARED2 MINI Cooper S is not only about looks. It has a raised chassis and deep-tread all-terrain tires.

On the inside is a compass and floormats made of aluminum sheeting. The DSQUARED maple-leaf logo is crested on the leather head restraints as well as on the outside of the doors too.

As many of us attempt to conceive how a fashion designer would approach a MINI Cooper S, a good deal of automotive enthusiasts would be taken by surprise by the direction taken by Dean and Dan Caten.

A one-off MINI has been created and sponsored by the BMW Group for the legendary Life Ball for the last 11 years. The ball is Europe's biggest AIDS charity event.




Press Release

DSQUARED² presents exclusive Life Ball MINI 2011. Creative car design for the benefit of Aids Life.

Munich/Vienna. Dean and Dan Caten, better known as the Canadian designer duo DSQUARED², today unveil their exclusive Life Ball MINI 2011 in Vienna. The twin brothers refashioned their MINI Cooper S to ensure that it would be armed for adventures of all kinds. Among its striking features are the front guard, rally headlamps, tinted side windows with grilles and the spare tyre on the tailgate. But that's not all: the vehicle's raised chassis and deep-tread all-terrain tyres instantly evoke a sense of adventure. When it came to the interior, our two designers similarly scrutinised every detail. If road signs are unclear, there's a compass to help you head in the right direction, while floormats made of structured aluminium sheeting protect the inside from dirt. The trademark DSQUARED2 maple leaf on the leather head restraints and the side doors rounds off the cabin of this robust MINI with a stylish flour. Dean and Dan are delighted with the result: "Our MINI ‘Red Mudder' is 100 per cent DSQUARED²." Tonight this one-off will be gliding along the red carpet at the legendary Life Ball.

This year sees carmaker MINI supporting Europe's biggest AIDS charity event for the 11th time. Each year a one-off MINI is created for the Life Ball, the proceeds of which support projects combating HIV/AIDS. Since 2001 more than half a million euros has been generated by these specially styled Life Ball MINI models on behalf of Aids Life. Gery Keszler, the founder and organiser of the Life Ball, is impressed by this longstanding collaboration: "MINI has been a partner of the Life Ball for 11 years and each year it demonstrates anew its creativity, enthusiasm and passion for this good cause. This year's Life Ball MINI designed by DSQUARED² provides further persuasive evidence of this." In previous years, designers such as Agent Provocateur, Donatella Versace, Diesel, Missoni and Gianfranco Ferré obliged with their own designs for a Life Ball MINI.

The social commitment of the BMW Group.

Worldwide measures to combat HIV/AIDS are one of the main elements of the corporate and social policy pursued by the BMW Group. The company's involvement in South Africa is particularly wide-ranging, covering a comprehensive workplace programme for employees and their families, plus a number of different projects in the local communities and further afield. The carmaker is also committed to fighting this pandemic in other affected countries, such as Thailand or China. Membership of the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS (GBC) underlines its long-term commitment at its various locations.

Volkswagen Transporter Sportline

VW is now offering a Sportline version of its Transporter van priced between £28,220 for the panel van and £30,100 for the kombi.

The 2011 Volkswagen Transporter Sportline extract power from a 2.0-litre BiTDI diesel engine which delivers 180 PS to the wheels via a standard 6-speed manual, or an optional 7-speed DSG transmission for an extra 1,400 GBP.

The car gets new blacked-out features on the exterior plus lots of chrome detailing which make it look cool and crisp. It also gets 18-inch ‘Sportline 5-spoke’ alloys also finished in black, new funky colors and smoked lights.

On the inside there’s two-tone leather upholstery, plus a generous equipment list that includes Bluetooth connectivity, a 7” touch screen with full European satellite navigation, electric windows and air conditioning.

2011 Vw Transporter Sportline will stars value at at Twenty eight,200 GBP at 30,100 GBP for the kombi.


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Press Release

STYLE AND SUBSTANCE AS VOLKSWAGEN LAUNCHES TRANSPORTER SPORTLINE

The versatile Transporter range is now available with even more style as ordering opens for the new Sportline models. Offering greater variation than ever before, the new Sportline specification is available on both panel van and kombi models, in both short- and long-wheelbase with prices starting from £28,220 (excluding VAT) for the panel van and £30,100 (excluding VAT) for the kombi.

All models are fitted with the refined and efficient 2.0-litre BiTDI 180 PS diesel engine, and are offered with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard. The seven-speed DSG transmission is available as an option on all models for a £1,400 premium.

The new models feature bold, sporty styling while retaining all of the practicality and functionality synonomous with the Transporter. At the front, a striking gloss black grille with chrome detailing is framed by revised headlights. Below this, the redesigned colour-coded bumper incorporates front fog lights which sit either side of the lower grille element.

Additional styling cues include polished stainless steel side bars and unique 18-inch ‘Sportline 5-spoke' alloys, finished in silver or satin black, while smoked rear light units and a rear roof spoiler further differentiate the Sportline models. The aggressive and purposeful look is complemented by the choice of stylish paint finishes: Reflex Silver metallic, Deep Black pearlescent or, the optional, Candy White with a contrasting gloss black roof .

Inside, the practical and comfortable interior of the Transporter cabin has been further enhanced with all Sportline models featuring exclusive two-tone leather upholstery.

As with the entire Transporter range, the new range-topping Sportline models feature class-leading levels of safety with ABS, ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme) and EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution).

In addition, all Sportline models are fitted with an extensive list of additional equipment including semi-automatic air conditioning, multimedia system including seven-inch colour touch screen with full European satellite navigation, rear parking sensors, built-in Bluetooth connectivity and electric windows