MINI Cooper

Fiat Hopes To Attract Luxe Buyers To $17,000 Fiat 500 With Style

Can a car priced between $15,500 and $17,500 be of much interest to the typical luxury buyer?

It can if it's Italian and will soon be offered as a convertible and electric vehicle.

The new car is the Fiat 500, and it will start showing up in Fiat "Studios" any day now, starting in Los Angeles, and extending to 130 dealerships by the end of the year. Fiat USA's website has a full list of dealer locations.

The 500, of course, is the U.S. version of the Fiat Cinquecento that is offered today in Europe. The car seats four, has a 1.4 liter multi-air engine and comes offered in ten exterior colors and ten interiors. If you want to have a totally unique Fiat 500 in your neighborhood even if you aren't the only one, then it will be more than possible.

The entry-level car, the 500 "Pop," comes with a manual transmission, as does the mid-level version, the 500 "Sport." if you must have the automatic transmission, then you'll have to go for the top of the line "Lounge" edition.

The automatic was perfectly adequate during Luxist's drive of the car around San Diego, CA. But the manual will provide more driving enjoyment for those who like and can drive with a clutch and shifter.

The 500's EPA ratings are 30 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on highway. That's for the manual.
Cars equipped with the six-speed self-shifter will only achieve 27/34 mpg.

Fiat is making its re-entry to the U.S. after a 27 year hiatus. The Italian automaker in 2009 took control of U.S. automaker Chrysler as part of the company's bailout from the U.S. government and subsequent bankruptcy reorganization. Fiat is leveraging the Chrysler dealer network to re-introduce Fiat to American consumers, though the Fiat studios are, in many cases, in separate buildings from the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep lineups.

Tags: alfa romeo, Chrysler, design icons, Ferrari, Fiat, Fiat 500, Lancia, Maserati, MINI Cooper

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Mini Cooper Mat Edition Exclusive to France

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Mini Cooper Mat Edition exclusive to France

If you're a fan of the Mini Cooper but don't care much for glossy paint jobs, and happen to live in France, your chariot may well have arrived. Mini has unveiled a special, limited edition of the premium hatchback called the Mat Edition. It can be ordered with any of three different engines (standard, turbo or diesel) and features a matte black vinyl wrap, along with special side vents and checkerboard wing mirrors for a unique look. Only 250 examples will be offered exclusively in France, carrying a €2,800 ($3,800) premium over the existing model.

Tags: cooper, france, mini, mini cooper, Mini Cooper Mat Edition, Mini Mat Edition

Auto Show: MINI Paceman Cuts Two Doors Off Countrymen

by David Kiley (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

It's not usual to think of a car priced between $23,000 and $32,000 with options as a luxe car, but MINI changes the rules a little for defining what premium means.

The British brand owned by BMW last year launched the Countryman, a four door design related to the iconic MINI Cooper. At this year's North American Auto Show, the company is showing a "concept" car for a two-door version of the car called the Paceman.

"MINI is certainly premium, if not luxury," says independent marketing consultant Dennis Keene. "What I find so fascinating about MINI as a brand is the way it remains aspirational and legitimate for the person for whom $20,000 or $25,000 is what they can afford, as well as for the Mercedes or BMW owner who just loves the design."

The Paceman, besides having just two doors to the Countryman's four has a gradually sloping roofline. It gives the bigger MINI a sportier look. Power for the Paceman concept comes from Mini's John Cooper Works: a 1.6-litre twin-scroll turbocharged engine that puts out 211 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque (207 with the "overboost.") It has MINI's ALL4 all-wheel drive system mated to either a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox.

MINI's next vehicles, the Coupe and Roadster, ill debt in 2012. The Paceman, assuming it gets brought to market would likely come after that.

Tags: Countryman, detroit auto show 2011, MINI, MINI Cooper, North American International Auto Show, Paceman

Peninsula Hotels Roll Out New Minis In New York and Chicago

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Luxury Cars & Autos

The Peninsula hotels in New York and Chicago are going Mini this season. The Peninsula New York and The Peninsula Chicago are each unveiling two customized Mini Cooper S Clubman vehicles. The shiny new vehicles will be a complimentary amenity to suite guests. On November 18, 2010, The Peninsula New York will reveal the Minis at UNICEF's annual Snowflake Lighting event in front of the hotel and offer complimentary rides from November 18-19, 2010. The Minis are finished in "Peninsula Green" and have mini refrigerators for drinks and iPod and iPhone connections so guests can play their own music. A storage box on the rooftop can hold purchases.

Chicago residents and visitors can see a float showcasing a replica of the customized Minis in the city's "Magnificent Mile Lights Festival presented by Harris" parade on November 20, 2010 and in Chicago's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 25, 2010. The Peninsula New York features a variety of holiday programs including children's gingerbread house decorating classes.

Guests who book a suite at each hotel will have access to a Mini for up to three hours per day during their stay. The chauffeured vehicles can be used for shopping excursions or sightseeing around Manhattan and Chicago. The Peninsula New York's Chef Concierge Frederick Bigler and The Peninsula Chicago's Chef Concierge Todd Nelson have developed a series of self-guided three-hour car tours for guests including a tour of famous Chicago movie locations or a shopping tour in New York City's Meatpacking District. An iPhone or iPad is also available for guests' use during their trip to provide directions and customized tips for the various excursions.

Tags: chicago peninsula hotel, hotel deals, mini, mini cooper, new york peninsula hotel

Mini Art Car by Paul Weller

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Few names are as synonymous with the Mod Rock lifestyle as Paul Weller and the Mini. The former was part of such bands as "The Jam" and "The Style Council" before going solo, and has now teamed up with Mini to design a special one-of-a-kind hatchback for a charity auction.

The Modfather, as Weller is known, gave the Mini a unique pink-striped paint scheme, and is auctioning it off for the benefit of the War Child and Nordoff Robins charities. Bidding is open for about another month, so if you're interested, follow the link to the auction site to place your bid.

Gallery: Mini art car by Paul "The Modfather" Weller

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Tags: charity, charity auction, mini, mini cooper, Nordoff Robins, paul weller, the modfather, war child

2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: Mini Coupe and Roadster Concepts

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

It may be Mini's 50th anniversary – marking the date that the famous British engineer Sir Alec Issigonis launched the original back in 1959 – but it's only been eight years since BMW relaunched the badge in its own image. And since then, the Mini line-up has expanded dramatically: the original hatch has since been joined by a convertible and the Clubman extended wagon, and there's a crossover utility version on its way. But in Frankfurt this year, Mini unveiled a pair of new concepts that have now been confirmed for production.

With a sportier, more aggressive profile than the iconic Minis on which they're based, the Coupe Concept and Roadster Concept hint at a pair of more performance-oriented two-seaters that will join the Mini range in the near future. The engines and mechanicals will likely carry over from the existing models, as will the lower halves of the bodies. But above the belt, it's all business, with more steeply raked windshields and a sloping roofline for the Coupe and a speedster-style rear deck for the Roadster. Production is already gearing up at the factory in Oxford, England, but it'll likely take a little while before these premium pocket rockets hit the market. In the meantime, we invite you to peruse our gallery of high-resolution photographs taken at the duo's unveiling in Frankfurt.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Mini Coupe and Roadster Concepts

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Review: 2009 MINI Cooper Convertible

by Sam Abuelsamid (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

2009 MINI Cooper Convertible - click above for a high res image gallery

In these troubling economic times, the 2009 MINI Cooper Convertible could be viewed in a couple of different ways. Loaded up with lots of goodies, it could be seen as an entry point into the world of luxury open-top motoring. Alternatively, when times are tough it could be seen as a way to be more financially responsible without giving up all of the amenities you might have come to expect. Either way, the MINI is designed to put a smile on the face of those who drive one.

If your brand is going to be called MINI, you would certainly expect the products to have diminutive dimensions. BMW's British outpost is dedicated to building cars sized commensurate with the brand's name. This August marks the 50th anniversary of the debut of iconic original and while MINIs today are much larger than the originals, they are still among the smallest cars on the road. The second generation of the modern MINI convertible debuted in January at the Detroit Auto Show and went on sale in the spring. We had the opportunity to spend a week in a trimmed out MINI. Read on to find out if it inspires smiles or frowns.

Gallery: Review: 2009 MINI Cooper Convertible

Tags: feature, featured, featured stories, featuredstories, features, mini cooper, mini cooper cabrio, mini cooper convertible, MiniCooper, MiniCooperCabrio, MiniCooperConvertible, review

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Will Rolls-Royce Make An Electric Phantom?

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Green

It looks very likely that in the near future Rolls fans will have the option of owning an all-electric version of the Rolls-Royce Phantom. Tom Purves, the Rolls-Royce CEO, has revealed that he'd not only like to build an electric Phantom but thinks it would fit in perfectly with what a lot of Rolls customers are looking for. Thanks to the technology used in the new BMW Mini-E the hard part of developing an electric engine that measures up is already done -- it's really just about refinement and tweaking a few technology details.

No word yet on when an electric Phantom can be expected but it sounds like it could be as soon as the next few years.

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Tags: auto, autos, bmw, car, cars, eco-friendly, electric, electric car, ElectricCar, green, mini cooper, mini e, MiniCooper, MiniE, phantom, rolls royce, rolls royce phantom, rolls-royce, RollsRoyce, RollsRoycePhantom, wheels

Mini Cooper S Limo, Complete with Pool

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

This Mini Cooper S Limo doesn't have the traditional "classy" look that most limos do, but it more than makes up for it with unique features and "cute" appeal. Wouldn't it be fun to go cruising around town in a Mini Cooper but get to take more than just 1 or 2 squished friends with you? Some features included inside are leather (a given in any limo), seats for 6, a retractable flat screen TV with DVD player, and a swimming pool.

Yes, that's right. Now they are really using the term "swimming pool" loosely here, but sure enough there is a pool/whirlpool tub thing built right into the rear of the vehicle big enough to fit two adults. Just don't take any fast turns or your guests might slosh right out.

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Tags: auto, car, cooper, limo, mini cooper, Mini Cooper S Limo, MiniCooper, MiniCooperSLimo, pool, swimming, wheels, whirlpool

A MINI Fridge

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Cars & Autos

Fans of MINI Coopers should be jumping at the chance to get their hands one of these Smeg FAB28MCS refrigerators. The Italian company Smeg partnered with MINI to make these limited edition pieces, painted in a laser blue that matches one of the colors available on the 2007 MINI Cooper. It even has matching white stripes. Only 250 units will be produced - of the refrigerator, not the car - so it seems prudent to try to get one quickly if you want to coordinate your kitchen with your car.

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Tags: car, cars, mini, mini cooper, refrigerator, smeg

Paul Smith Mini Car Messenger Bag, Handbag of the Day

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags

As though to prove that fun bags aren't just for women, Paul Smith has released this bright, funky men's Mini Car Messenger Bag. The bag is made of canvas with leather trim and features a photo screen print of a multi-striped Mini Cooper in front of a lively casino. Bright colors aren't limited to the exterior of the bag, either. The lining of the messenger is a rich purple cotton canvas. It has one slot and one zip pocket to organize all your things the next time you are making a trip out to Las Vegas or down to Atlantic City for the day. It measures a roomy 19 x 12 x 4.75-inches. Price: $400.