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.

CoverEFX 2011 Mini Cooper JCW

CoverEFX has releases a new styling and performance package for the MINI Cooper JCW. The CoverEFX Mini Cooper JCW is covered in a black leather style, full body, foil wrap, with matt gold metallic accents. On the foil wrap of the CoverEFX Mini Cooper JCW, the tuners have glued, by hand, thousands of small gold accents.

The vehicle’s 1.6 liter turbocharged engine, which produces 211 hp and 280 Nm in stock form, can receive one of the company’s two kits. The first one brings a 2.5-inch exhaust system with a Milltek downpipe, a sports catalyst and a sports air filter, as well as an ECU remap, raising the output to 236 hp and 350 Nm. Stage two uses the same hardware mods, but includes a different ECU software, allowing the driver to play with 252 hp and 382 Nm. The company also offers a reduction for the gearshifter travel.

The wheels they’ve picked for this car are black and matte gold metallic OZ LM rims called Wave 7×17 ET37 with Toyo R888 84W tires 205/40 R17 complemented by stainless steel KW Variant 3 suspension.





Press Release

Mini Cooper Works by CoverEFX with 252 HP

It is highly gratifying to see what come up with different interpretations of the MINI the tuning industry is capable of. Each tuner highlights various key points, from adequate wheel / tire combinations and specific color schemes using different methods for engine performance optimization.

The well-known vehicle tuner, CoverEFX company from Erftstadt, combined both of the above "key points" and thus killed two birds with one stone.

There is a fully foil-finished body in black leather style and the imitation of the second rim coloring, also in matt gold metallic, gazes in wonder at CFC. The CFC premium foil with special adhesive technology from Erftstadt professionals ensures easy wrap with a bubble-free mounting and has an extremely long shelf life.

In addition, thousands of small gold specimens were glued individually by hand on the dark leather- style foil or foil with textured surface!

CoverEFX offers additional services to the engine of 211 hp / 280 Nm series in two stages: Stage 1 involves software optimization to 236 HP and 350 Nm, installation of 2.5-inch exhaust system with Milltek downpipe, sports catalyst and extra large sports air filter. Stage 2 provides again corrected software and no modifications in other "ingredients" with 252 hp and maximum torque of 382 Nm. The respective software adjustments relate to all involved components and passed the performance tests.
In addition, the features include reduction in shifter travel (Shifter in WorxRacing Position).

A wheel / tire combination of matte black and matte gold metallic OZ LM rims called Wave 7x17 ET37 with Toyo R888 84W tires 205/40 R17 and stainless steel KW Variant 3 suspension maintain the road adherence.

The wide-open door on the driver's side invites any viewers to sit down and - more or less - to turn round...

Mini Clubman Cooper S Streetworker

A new modification package targeting the MINI Clubman Cooper S is being previewed by Schmidt Revolution. The German company, which handles alloy rims as a core business, takes its time to release complete modification projects once in a while, with this kit, which uses the Streetworker name, being the newest offer of this kind.

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.

The body has been repainted and color coordinated in a way only people who live and breath neon lighting would understand. Then there’s the underpinnings. The engine now produces 200 horsepower and 250 NM of peak torque.

Under the hood, the turbocharged 1.6-liter engine has been tuned to produce 200 hp (149 kW / 203 PS) and 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) of torque. This enables the car to hit a top speed of 220 km/h (137 mph).





Press Release

The STREETWORKER from Schmidt Revolution

In a kind of competition from the Fiat 500, the Toyota IQ and others in its class, the Mini Cooper Clubman S prevailed with style and passion. In fact, the Schmidt Revolution, wheel manufacturer from Bad Segeberg, had taken on the task of providing a concept car with Urban Lifestyle tuning. With its Clubdoor, the engine and the concept of space, it is practically the perfect choice for this task.

The "genetically engineered" Mini, already equipped with a John Cooper Works Aerodynamic package, has been purchased in March 2010. With black xenon lamps including daytime running lights and after a performance increase to 200 hp and torque of 250 Nm - these two parameters allow the Clubman to reach a maximum speed of 220 km/h - the car is ready for city travel, at least for trips around the church tower.

The colors still harbored some problems in it, should the Mini yet actually be equipped with chrome foil. Rethinking was not easy for the men from A4M in Wuppertal; the BMW sprout has a matt blue car wrap, and then they returned back to immaculacy.
Street workers usually go a lot, so the "feet" and "shoes" require special attention The Cirrus wheels were decorated with colored multiplex material, so this fun car is never left unattended in city traffic. The really impressive 8Jx18H2 Cirrus rims have any of 3D-shaped multiplex patterns in matte blue; any tint of body color, from bright red to carbon black is possible at any style.

Cheap tires, causing annoying road noise, were changed with recapped 215/35R18 Conti tires, and the tire problem was solved. To allow for changing "obstacles" while impressive driving in city traffic, the concept car has a Streetec air suspension with press buttons which enables to adjust the height and make it 60 mm lower or 40 mm higher than the serial cars. The goal was to run over thresholds better and to park the Clubman easier.

Finally, it should also be mentioned that the spectacular rims are completely washable and thus are suitable for daily use.


So, that beautiful Urban Lifestyle can be a street worker...

X-Raid MINI ALL4 Racing revealed for Dakar

The German off-road X-raid Team has just announced it will run the new MINI All4 Racing car in the annual Dakar Rally, which now runs in South America, rather than on the traditional continent of Africa, due to security concerns.

The project was first discussed in 2009 and the competitive debut of MINI All4 Racing will be in the hands of the French rally crew of Guerlain Chicherit and co-driver Michel Périn in January’s 33rd Personal Dakar Argentina-Chile.

The new Dakar racer is powered by the same twin-turbo diesel engine as in the 2011-specification BMW X3 CC, developing 315 PS (232 kW) and 710 Nm of torque. The MINI All4 will replace an outgoing 2010 BMW X3CC.

The Mini benefits from larger air intakes, a one-piece bonnet and a revised and improved ventilation system using a front air intake and a roof intake. Visibility inside the Mini All4 Racing is not on a par with the BMW X3 CC and entry and exit of the vehicle for the occupants is slightly more difficult, but Quandt is delighted with general improvements nonetheless.

The skin of the Mini, for example, can be changed within less than 30 minutes. The BMW X3 CC was developed over a period of five years and all this development has been utilised by the "Mini All4 Racing". The new car runs fully within the 2010 regulations and should be competitive from the outset.


Press Release

MONSTER ENERGY X-RAID TEAM UNVEILS MINI ALL4 RACING FOR WORLD DEBUT ON GRUELLING 2011 DAKAR RALLY IN SOUTH AMERICA

• New MINI All4 Racing unveiled after 90 days from start of project

• Chicherit and Périn set to drive new MINI All4 Racing

• Magna-Steyr, Heggemann and Faster boost MINI project

• TÜV Rheinland to support Monster Energy X-raid Team

TREBUR (Germany) - The X-raid Team unveiled an exciting new cross-country motor sport programme to run and develop the MINI All4 Racing in international competition.

The project was first discussed in the summer of 2009 and the competitive debut of the new MINI All4 Racing will be in the hands of the French rally crew of Guerlain Chicherit and co-driver Michel Périn in January's 33rd Personal Dakar Argentina-Chile. The event starts in Buenos Aires on New Year's Day and finishes in the Argentine capital on Sunday, January 16th, 2011.

The new MINI All4 Racing will form part of X-raid's seven-car Dakar team - the largest ever entered by a team in the 33-year history of the world's most famous off-road rally - and the third of three vehicles running on the event under the Monster Energy X-raid Team banner.

X-raid team director Sven Quandt began looking at the feasibility of the project in 2009 and held initial discussions with automotive engineering and manufacturing company Magna Steyr and BMW to see whether the new model was a realistic replacement for the BMW/MINI X3 CC - which has earned the

Trebur-based team three successive FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rally titles since 2008.

Quandt received the green light for the new project from BMW in June 2010 and Magna Steyr gave their full approval on September 24th. Initial plans for the new project were discussed at length throughout October in Graz, Austria.

The MINI Design team and Magna have managed the design of the vehicle. Quandt and engineer Martin Ertl, a former X-raid staff engineer who also manages a Formula 3 racing team, have overseen the new project on behalf of X-raid.

Construction of the new MINI All4 Racing cross-country rally car began in November and has continued into December. The car will be put through a first series of tests in France on December 13/14th. It will then be transported by airfreight to South America for final preparations for scrutineering in Buenos Aires at the end of the month.

The MINI will be powered by variable twin-turbo diesel engine that is fitted to the 2011-specification BMW X3 CC and built in Steyr the same place as the MINI and BMW diesel engines are made. The power unit delivers in the region of 315hp and 710Nm of torque. This is an increase compared to the output of the 2010-specification BMW X3 CCs used on the Dakar Rally to seal fourth and fifth places last January.

"This is a major development in cross-country rallying and something of which we are very excited," admitted Quandt. "There has been a very short time between the decision to go ahead and the roll out for the next Dakar, but we are confident that the new MINI All4 Racing will be competitive out of the ‘box.
www.x-raid.de
"Compared to the BMW X3CC, the MINI will be characterised by improved handling as the overall length is shorter and it is lower. We have also been able to improve on many other smaller details, such as the relocation of smaller components to lower the centre of gravity."

The MINI benefits from larger air intakes, a one-piece bonnet and a revised and improved ventilation system using a front air intake and a roof intake. Visibility inside the MINI All4 Racing is not on a par with the BMW X3 CC and entry and exit of the vehicle for the occupants is slightly more difficult, but Quandt is delighted with general improvements nonetheless.

Quandt confirms that the MINI All4 Racing is 10 cm shorter than the BMW X3 CC, about 3 cm lower than its predecessor and has a 10 cm reduced rear overhang when compared to the BMW.

Magna Steyr under the project lead of Hermann Pecnik has been responsible for concept design, the technical drawings and calculations, as well as the production data and compliance with stringent FIA regulations governing cross-country motor sport

The frame and chassis components were designed by Büren-based Heggemann Autosport GmbH and Faster worked on the complete carbon-kevlar body and provided Magna-Steyr with assistance on the construction of the MINI.

Quandt reckons that the MINI All4 Racing is more service friendly than the X3 CC, as all the body panels can be removed within minutes to give easier access to important mechanical components. The skin of the MINI, for example, can be changed within less than 30 minutes.

The BMW X3 CC was developed over a period of five years and all this development has been utilised by the MINI All4 Racing. The new car runs fully within the 2010 regulations and should be competitive from the outset.

The X-raid team has also confirmed that TÜV Rheinland is to support the three-car Monster Energy X-raid Team entries for Chicherit, Stéphane Peterhansel and Portugal's Ricardo Leal De Santos on the 33rd Personal Dakar Argentina-Chile. Colognebased TÜV Rheinland is a leading global provider of technical, testing and assessment services, has 490 locations in 61 countries and a workforce of 14,500. The company has a long history in the automotive industry and is further leading in automobile inspection, a service provided as well in Germany as in Chile, Argentina, Spain, France and Lituvia.

"The X-raid concept of the MINI fits very good to TÜV Rheinland, therefore we are glad to support the team in the 2011 Dakar. A lot of our 2,000 staff members in South America are highly interested in the Dakar", says Caio da Silva, TÜV Rheinland Chief Regional Officer South America.

The BMW X-raid team's vast array of equipment is now making its way to South America to arrive in good time for scrutineering and documentation in Buenos Aires on December 30th-31st.

Seven race cars, two race trucks (one MAN and a Kamaz), eight service trucks, six assistance vehicles, two press cars and a team of around 80 people make X-raid's challenge for honours in the 2011 Dakar Rally the biggest in the team's history.

MINI E Police Car

The AC Schnitzer Mini Cooper Police is based on the MINI E - the electric version of the model - and was premiered at the 2010 Essen Motor Show.

The BMW MINI E is an all-electric car that is powered by an electric motor with 204 hp with 162 lb-ft of torque. The battery can be fully charged through a standard outlet in about eight hours. But there is also a higher amperage charger available that will be installed in the customer’s garage enabling a full recharge in just 2.5 hours. BMW claims that the lithium-ion battery has an estimated driving range of 150 miles, and that is plenty to get around town all day. In acceleration, the MINI E can sprint from 0-62 mph in 8.5 seconds and has a limited top speed of 95 mph.

The vehicle is part of the Verband Deutscher Automobil Tuner’s. (VDAT) TUNE IT SAFE! project, being the sixth release of the campaign, which aims to combine high tuning standards with a maximum safety level.

Dressed up in police guise, the car features modified fascias, aerodynamic side skirts, a ventilated hood, and 18-inch alloy wheels with Hankook tires. Inside, the cabin boasts blue trim, aluminum pedals and custom floor mats.

Interior upgrades includes traditional AC Schnitzer aluminum pedals, footrest and e-brake handle. All of these modifications are currently (or soon-to-be) available for any of the MINI models.




Press Release

Two strong partners for the future: the Electric MINI and AC Schnitzer

MINI Tuning Specialist supports the initiative: "TUNE IT! SAFE!" by the VDAT by kitting out the emission-free concept car

The TUNE IT! SAFE! initiative by the Verband Deutscher Automobil Tuner e.V. (VDAT) impressively shows the future of tuning with its sixth campaign vehicle - an electric MINI in Police Look. Every year since 2004, a special concept car has been presented which meets both the high demands of tuning fans and maximum safety standards.

The campaign, supported by the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development, shows that the yearning for individualisation can continue to be met in the future.

AC Schnitzer, more than almost any other tuning specialist for the MINI brand, stands for individuality and safety. Consequently, the Aachen-based company has largely taken responsibility for the MINI and provided a uniquely spectacular campaign vehicle. The MINI E in Police Look was presented for the first time at the Essen Motor Show 2010 and has since appeared as a symbolic vehicle at numerous shows and tuning events.

The BMW Group is the first manufacturer to apply the latest state of lithium ion technology in a totally electric powered vehicle. So the MINI E lives up to its name - "minimalism" - in terms of drive technology too, thanks to a totally emission-free vehicle. New drive systems have been equipped with complex elements, so the use of safe and reliable products is particularly important here. But there's no lack of sporting performance either, thanks to the tuning package from

AC Schnitzer. The racing suspension takes the MINI perfectly through corners, and the front and rear skirts and bonnet vents both optimise road holding and enhance the styling of the concept car.

The "Police Look" is provided by the latest signalling system from Hella on the roof, and the blue paintwork by AC Schnitzer in conjunction with special stickering from Foliatec.

The Hankook tyres have been given an extra touch by the specialists at AC Schnitzer: in combination with the AC Schnitzer alloy wheels "MI 2" (7.5J x 18"), they transfer the 204 electric HP of the MINI safely to the road.
To enjoy unrestricted driving comfort while being prepared for every situation: this ambition is achieved by the high performance brake system from AC Schnitzer with 4-pot fixed calipers on the front axle. The slotted, internally vented brake discs respond promptly and with precision. At the same time, the high performance brake system is characterised by excellent deceleration values after sustained use, in extreme heat and in the pouring rain. The generously dimensioned discs at 328 x 28 millimetres energetically scrub off the speed with a stable pressure point even after the twentieth downhill hairpin.

AC Schnitzer also shows that safe driving can be combined with individual styling in its design of the interior equipment. The interior is decorated with a pedal set, foot rest and handbrake handle of aluminium. Here, as in all other areas, extracts from AC Schnitzer's wide product range are demonstrated. All the AC Schnitzer accessories are available immediately with TÜV certification, even though the MINI E is not yet available commercially but is well on the way to series production. This almost goes without saying for specialists who have long since made the safe future of tuning their corporate objective.