The 2007 North American International Auto Show has provided MINI the perfect opportunity of unveiling its new range of MINI vehicles -- starting off with the new MINI Cooper, the Cooper S and a new variant of the MINI Convertible, the Sidewalk.
The MINI Convertible has sold 26,000 units in the United States, making the US market as one of the largest market for MINI aside from Great Britain. The MINI Convertible Sidewalk will be available by mid-April and the automaker is confident that it will be selling like hotcakes again.
The demand for the MINI Cooper in the US has remained strong all throughout the six year cycle of the MINI and as a matter of fact, out of the 39,000 MINI vehicles delivered to the US, 52% are MINI Cooper S models which further implies that the US market is really an ideal market for the MINI. And if sales trend will continuously increase, the US market may become the MINI’s strongest global retail market.
New MINI vehicles are expected to arrive at MINI showrooms in the US by February 17, 2007. The new MINIs have aluminum alloy four cylinder engines which increase power and performance. The new MINI hardtops are also expected to make strong market statement with their 1.6Liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine is capable of delivering 118 horsepower and 114 ft. lbs. of torque at 4,250 rpm. This gives the MINI the power to reach 60 mph in just a matter of 8.5 seconds and reaching a top speed of 126mph.
The new MINI Cooper S is powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivers a whopping 172 horsepower and 177 ft. lbs. of torque ranging from 1,600 rpm to 5,000 rpm. The Cooper S can also reach 60 mph in 6.7 seconds and has a top speed of 139 mph.
MINI Cooper S is not only known for power and performance but even in terms of fuel-efficiency. The MINI Cooper with a manual transmission for instance is capable of achieving an amazing 40 miles per gallon in highway driving and that is according to the latest EPA testing.
MINI Cooper and Cooper S are available with a wide range of MINI parts, features and equipment. An example of such feature is the optional ambient interior illumination which can be changed to warm orange or to a cool blue, depending on the preference of the driver and the passengers.
The MINI Convertible Sidewalk on the other hand is a perfect car for those who love open-air driving. The Sidewalk Drop-top is going to be available in the US market in spring and will be offered as an exclusive package for both the MINI Cooper Convertible and the MINI Cooper S Convertible at a cost of $4,000.
The 2007 Los Angeles International Auto Show was the stage for the North American debut of BMW AG's 2008 MINI Clubman model. The 2008 MINI Clubman is the latest addition to MINI's product lineup here in the United States. The Clubman will go on sale in the U.S. market starting in February 2008 for the Cooper and a Cooper S models.
According to a MINI official press release, "The MINI Clubman paves the way into a totally-new market segment, offering new opportunities for the MINI brand and showcasing, yet again, MINI's leadership in the premium small car segment. With its hallmark design elements, the MINI Clubman is clearly a MINI from every angle. Yet it is the MINI Clubman's unique rear-end design and new proportions that distinguish it from other members of the MINI family and make it unlike anything else on the road today."
The 2008 MINI Clubman now comes with new features and revisions. The Clubman received an additional 9.45 inches in body length and 3.15 inches in the wheelbase. This allows the 2008 MINI Clubman to offer more interior space, especially on the rear legroom area. Like all other previous MINI Clubman models, the 2008 Clubman retains the innovative five door configuration. The "Clubdoor", which is located at the right side of the Clubman can swing open towards the main passenger door and can increase the access to the rear area. For safety purposes, the Clubdoor can be only opened when if the front door is also open. Another unique feature of the 2008 MINI Clubman is the split-rear doors. These doors can be opened and offer an easy and comfortable access to the special equipments and large packages.
MINI has also increased the comfort and flexibility of the rear seating area with more legroom. Rear seat passengers can now savor the additional 3.15 inches leg room on the 2008 MINI Clubman. The luggage compartment on the 2008 MINi Clubman can be extended through the flexible rear seat configuration.
For the U.S. market, MINI will offer the 2008 Clubman equipped with two powertrain packages. The 2008 MINI Cooper S Clubman will roll out in dealerships equipped with the 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine under its hood. This power unit can deliver 175 hp at an engine speed of 5,500 rpm, and features twin-scroll turbocharger and direct gasoline injection. For the MINI Cooper Clubman, MINI offers the fuel efficient 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with power output of 120 hp at 6,600 rpm. Fuel economy is achieved through the fully variable valve management.
The MINI Cooper Clubman will carry a base manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $20,600, while the MINI Cooper S Clubman is priced at $24,100. Watch out for the launch of other MINI and BMW models (like the X5 with quality BMW X5 Parts) soon.
Mini debuted the all-new Cooper and Cooper S at the recently held 2007 North American International Auto Show. These models feature an entirely different body design, interior and engines.
Though at first glance, the overall design of the Mini Cooper is still identical to its predecessors, the automaker confirmed that each body panel is different. Under the hood of the vehicle is a set of new engines that include the 1.6-liter four-cylinder which is capable of producing 120 horsepower. The Mini Cooper S, on the other hand, features an intercooled and turbocharged version of the same 1.6-liter engine that generates 175 units of horsepower. The automaker also claims a 0-62 time in just 7.1 seconds, and a top speed of 140 miles per hour.
Each body panel has been redesigned by the automaker. However, the vehicles still bear that distinguished look of Mini vehicles. Mini’s pool of designers made continuity and fluidity as their concept. Moreover, the concept also emphasized modern traditional designs and significant engineering features. The newly launched Minis are immediately recognizable both dynamically and visually.
The new vehicles retained some of its predecessors’ Mini Cooper parts accessories like short body overhangs, the popular wheel-at-each-corner stance, high shoulder line rising towards the rear, hexagonal radiator grille, and the huge, round headlights. Subtle changes are also made to new Mini Cooper parts to create a brand new aura. New Minis have become a bit bigger compared to the first generation. As a fact, the new MINI Cooper is 60mm longer than its predecessor while the new MINI Cooper S is longer by 61mm. To maintain proportions, Mini also increased the size of the rear portion by giving the vehicle more rounded contours.
The headlights of the vehicle are now stationary to the body. They are turned protruding to some extent to the outside to keep the geometry of the car from the front. The indicators are housed within the main headlight units. Also, the radiator grille is now composed of a closed, self-contained element inspired by the air intake scoop on the classic Mini.
The Mini Cooper S has a more prominent front end because of the featured bonnet that curves up by about approximately 20mm more to provide extra space for the turbocharged engine under the hood. The feature is also resorted to comply with the pedestrian impact regulations. The new Cooper S rises gently to the rear to accentuate the stance of the vehicle. Its shoulder line is made 18mm higher than the previous model. With regards the rear lights, they are made larger and now come with external surrounds.
Both the Mini Cooper and the Mini Cooper S feature vertical airflow edges on the C-pillars and individual spoilers at the rear end of the roof enhance the level of aerodynamics to an even higher standard than before. In addition, 0.33 is the current drag coefficient of the Mini Cooper.
Critics in the industry are saying that the Mini Cooper is dead because of the redesign. They added that from the moment the new Minis are displayed in the recent auto show they are pronounced DEAD. However, are they really dead and insensible? Enthusiasts say it is the other way around.
Now, Minis are open to a wide range of customization. It is given broad variety of paintwork and body colors, 7 of which are brand new.
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