MiniCooper

2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: Mini Coupe and Roadster Concepts

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

Source

Tags: 2009 frankfurt, 2009 frankfurt auto show, 2009 frankfurt motor show, 2009Frankfurt, 2009FrankfurtAutoShow, 2009FrankfurtMotorShow, frankfurt, frankfurt 2009, frankfurt auto show, frankfurt mini, frankfurt motor show, Frankfurt2009, FrankfurtAutoShow, FrankfurtMini, FrankfurtMotorShow, mini, mini cooper, mini coupe, mini coupe concept, mini frankfurt, mini roadster, mini roadster concept, MiniCooper, MiniCoupe, MiniCoupeConcept, MiniFrankfurt, MiniRoadster, MiniRoadsterConcept

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

Continue reading “Review: 2009 MINI Cooper Convertible”

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.

Source

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.

Source

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