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2011 Geneva Motor Show: The Premium Hatchbacks

While they may just be catching on here in America, across the ocean premium hatchbacks like the Audi A3 and Mini Cooper represent the way things are done. They offer the luxury of a larger sedan or SUV, but in a smaller, more economical and more urban-friendly form. And at this year's Geneva Motor Show, there was no shortage of automakers unveiling their new visions for the segment.

Mini came back with an even smaller concept, Infiniti and Saab threw their proverbial hats in the ring, Fiat showcase two new variants of its popular 500 model and its sister company Lancia joined with a new entry of its own. Follow the jump to see what they had to offer.

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Mini Goes Back to its Roots with the Rocketman Concept

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

When BMW resurrected the Mini from the annals of history, it made it bigger in more ways than one. Firstly, the new Mini went upscale to become a premium vehicle. Secondly, it got bigger in size. A lot bigger, especially when you compare the original with the latest Countryman model. But for the newest Mini concept car, the company has gone back to its roots.

The new Mini Rocketman concept car is smaller than the existing range, but a bit larger than the original. (After all, with all the modern safety standards, nothing could be as small as the original Mini.) It's also got a number of innovative design features to help make the most of the small shape, like outwards-pivoting doors and a three+one seating configuration, and the small shape also means exceptional fuel economy, projected at 78 miles per gallon by US standards. Purely for show at the moment, the Mini Rocketman will debut next week in Geneva.

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Tags: 2011 geneva motor show, concept, geneva, geneva 2011, geneva motor show, mini, Mini Rocketman Concept, rocketman

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

Mini Releases the Paceman Concept

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

The company that jump-started the premium hatchback market is unrelenting in its expansion, transforming its original model into a growing range. This is the latest.

Although billed as a concept car, the Mini Paceman could very well make it to production if demand proves sufficient. It's essentially a coupe version of the Countryman crossover model, and is set to debut at the upcoming Detroit Auto Show. Aside from chopping a couple of doors off the crossover, Mini has also given the Paceman a number of intriguing design touches, like leather pulls on the doors and gas cap, a wooden trim piece on the front fender and a rearward sloping roof.

Gallery: Mini Paceman concept

Tags: 2011 detroit auto show, detroit, detroit auto show, mini, Mini Paceman, MINI Paceman Concept, naias, north american international auto show, paceman

Mini Gifts can Make for a Big Christmas

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets, Luxury Cars & Autos

Mini drivers are known to love their Mini things, so the funky British brand has unleashed a bundle of holiday bounty to please. The limited edition Internet radio by German firm sonoro – a Mini-fied take on sonoro's 'elements W' radio – is a tiny box bedecked in Eclipse Gray metallic and "bonnet" stripes. The control is aluminum, the OLED display can be dimmed, and among the 18,000 stations it commands are four Mini Sounds channels: Space, United, International and Cross. It comes with a remote, an iPod dock, can receive media from a computer and, if you had more mundane uses in mind, yes, it can be an alarm clock with sleep and snooze.

The fiberglass and synthetic Mini Jet helmet with polycarbonate visor is probably not to be used when piloting your actual jet, but when you take control of your Piaggio this could save the day with more bonnet stripes and a Union Jack. When off the scooter you can don the Mini Badges Lapeer Hat with earflaps, and your other end gets to make do with Mini Countryman Boots.

Even though it can tell the difference between day and night, a chrome Mini cuckoo clock, even as cute as it is, will probably test the patience of any Mini-phile. And in the "I know you drive a Minis but I don't know anything else about you," there's a MINI Calendar by Wolfgang Block or an 8GB Mini USB stick. There's a passel of other gifts for various genders and ages in the photos below, or peep them all at www.MINI.com/shop.

Gallery: Mini for Christmas

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Tags: accessories, christmas, gifts, lifestyle, mini, sonoro

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

BMW To Sell Small Front-Drive Cars in the U.S.

by David Kiley (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

German automaker BMW will sell a family of small front-drive cars in the U.S., likely launching them in 2012. The report, first published in trade publication Automotive News, was confirmed to Luxist by company officials.

That the Bavarian car company was developing small front-drive cars was not a secret. But it was an open question as to whether the cars, to be built in Europe, would come to the U.S. BMW has long championed rear-drive cars for its BMW brand, leaving front-drive cars to its MINI brand. But BMW's desire for global sales growth, combined with the need to sell more smaller, fuel efficient cars to meet toughening fuel economy standards, forced the company's hand.

BMW has studied the problem for years. At one time, it considered buying Swedish car company Volvo, the vehicles of which are front-drive. But BMW, stung by a disastrous and costly acquisition of the British automaker Rover MG in the 1990s, was gun-shy about acquiring another company.

Pricing of the cars in the U.S. would be expected to be around $28,000 and up.

Initial sales projections of the front-drive small cars, which will be powered by four cylinder engines, is about 100,000 worldwide. But that number will surely grow once BMW gets comfortable selling the line in different markets.

BMW already has a 1-Series lineup that is built on its smallest rear-drive chassis. The name of the small front-wheel-drive lineup has not been divulged and may not have even been decided yet.

Tags: BMW, BMW front-drive, MINI, Volvo

Mini Rolls Out Rooftop, Black Jack and Shout Luggage Collections

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) —

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

Until now, one of the biggest conundrums a Mini owner has faced is how to find a range of luggage that's as insouciant and brash-with-a-smirk as the car they stow it in. No longer. Mini has finally addressed the needs of the hip traveling hordes by coming up with three luggage collections called Shout, Black Jack and Rooftop.

The Rooftop set comprises two rolling hardshell cases called Cabin Trolley and Pilot. The Cabin Trolley comes in Union Jack or black-with-white-racing-stripes motifs, and bears a telescoping handle and two carry handles, a nameplate and integrated lock. Inside is a main compartment fitted with packing belts, a net divider and two side pockets. The Pilot is a smaller affair with compartments for clothes, documents and gadgets, and it swallows a Mini laptop case perfectly.

The Black Jack collection is dressed in – wait for it – all black and adorned with the Union Jack. There are seven options in the range: trolley, cabin trolley, duffle, briefcase, ammo bag, wallet, and toiletries bag. The Shout does just that be bearing large vintage prints of the original Mini and the slogan, "Swinging London." We suppose a "Yeah, baby!" should go here... They'll be available from the Mini shop and select dealers as of next month.

Gallery: Mini Black Jack, Rooftop and Shout Luggage Collections

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Tags: luggage, mini, mini black jack, mini blackjack, mini rooftop, mini shout, travel

BMW Launches Special Editions for Japan

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

If you're looking to get your hands on the latest special edition BMWs, you're going to need to move to Japan, because these limited-production specials are dedicated exclusively to the Japanese Domestic Market.

The latest to join the catalog is the 120i Performance Unlimited, which comes equipped with the 170-horsepower 2-liter four with a six-speed automatic and a variety of M-Sport components, from the bumpers and blacked-out grille to the 18-inch split-five-spoke rims and carbon fiber spoiler and wing mirror housings, along with an upgraded interior. Only 30 examples will be made, each carrying a ¥4,350,000 ($50k) price tag and available exclusively in white or blue.

The special 1 Series follows in the footsteps of the BMW X6 Performance Unlimited and the Mini Savile Row edition announced a few weeks ago. The special X6 is powered by the company's twin-turbo 3-liter hybrid inline-six with an eight-speed transmission, complimented by special aero package, wheels and interior. Available exclusively in silver in a limited run of 20 examples with a ¥9,450,000 ($107k) price tag.

Finally the Mini Savile Row pays homage to London's famous tailoring quarter in jet black with chrome wheels and trim and an array of optional extras thrown in as standard for ¥3,100,000 ($35k), of which 100 examples will be offered.

Gallery: BMW JDM Special Editions

Tags: 1 series, bmw, BMW 120i, BMW 120i Performance Unlimited, bmw japan, bmw jdm, BMW X6, bmw x6 performance unlimited, japan, japanese domestic market, jdm, mini, mini savile row, x6

Kenneth Cole, Diane von Furstenberg and Calvin Klein Create Special Minis for Life Ball 2010

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions, Charity

Every year the rich and famous of the fashion world gather in Vienna for the Life Ball. The charity event is the largest HIV/AIDS fundraiser of the year, and has been supported for the past ten years running by Mini. Over the course of their decade of collaboration, the BMW subsidiary has enlisted the talents of such noted designers as Diesel, Versace and Agent Provocateur, and the unique hatchbacks they've created have raised half a million euros for the cause.

This year, however, they've brought in three big name designers – Kenneth Cole, Diane von Furstenberg and Calvin Klein creative director Francisco Costa – to customize special Minis for the event. Each is featured in the image gallery below and will be auctioned off at the gala in Vienna on July 17 to kick off the 18th International AIDS Conference.

Gallery: Mini Life Ball 2010

Tags: aids, amfar, calvin klein, diane von furstenberg, francisco costa, Hillary Clinton, hiv aids, kenneth cole, life ball, life ball mini, mini, mini life ball

2010 Geneva Motor Show: The Anglo File

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

You'll have to search long and hard to find a British automaker that's still owned by Brits these days. Bentley? Volkswagen. Mini? BMW. Lotus? Malaysian state carmaker Proton. Land Rover, Jaguar? Indian automaker Tata. But don't think, not even for one minute, that the industry isn't still alive and striving in the UK. In fact some of our favorite automobiles come from there, even if the cashflow is traversing overseas.

With the major motor shows in the UK paling in comparison to the scope of Geneva, the annual Swiss auto salon is – much like it is for the other European carmaking nations – Britain's chance to show the world what they've got. And show us they did. Follow the jump to see how.

Tags: 2010 geneva motor show, aston, aston martin, aston martin cygnet, bentley, bentley continental, Bentley Continental GT, bentley continental supersports, bentley continental supersports convertible, bentley flying star, carrozzeria touring, carrozzeria touring superleggera, carrozzeria touring supperlegera, carrozzeria touring supperlegera flying star, countryman, cygnet, elise, evora, evora 414e hybrid, flying star, geneva, Geneva Motor Show, hybrid, jaguar xkr special edition, lotus, lotus elise, lotus evora, lotus evora 414e, lotus evora 414e hybrid, mini, mini countryman, shooting brake, supersports, touring, xkr

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Mini Shows Quirky Beachcomber Concept at Detroit Show

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

The Mini line-up is getting bigger. While the original came as a diminutive hatchback, the Mini has since been joined by convertible, wagon, coupe, roadster and soon a sport-utility version. But BMW's premium compact division isn't about to stop there, and to that end unveiled the Beachcomber Concept you see here at the Detroit auto show.

The Beachcomber gives another preview at what we can expect the upcoming Crossover to look like, only with some decidedly fantastical (and impractical) modifications. The roof and doors, for one, have been removed, replaced by removable fabric ones, placing this concept somewhere in between the Mini Cooper and a Jeep Wrangler. For better or worse, this strictly remains a concept car for the time being, but you can check it out in the gallery below.

Gallery: Mini Beachcomber Concept

Tags: 2010 naias, detroit, detroit 2010, detroit auto show, mini, mini beachcomber, mini beachcomber concept, mini concept, mini crossman, mini crossover, MiniBeachcomber, MiniBeachcomberConcept, MiniConcept, MiniCrossman, MiniCrossover, naias, north american international auto show

Casio G-Shock Mini Deco-G Watch Is Easy Holiday Splurge

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

For any active minded woman who likes a little attention, it is hard to admit you don't like this watch. Yes, it is true that blingy Casio watches are a hot item of choice among Hip Hop elite, but there is a certain charm and allure to them that is hard to explain. I feel as though it is the gilding of an object that you would easily wear without the gilding.

Here is a relatively inexpensive way to get a nice looking wintry watch from Casio with a little "extra" on it. In addition to the famous Baby-G line of watches, there is also the G-Shock Mini collection of watches for women (don't ask me the differences between the two, cause I don't rightly know). This G-Shock Mini Deco-G Watch is covered in a mask of hand-selected Swarovski crystals, against a white case and strap, with a metallic pink dial. The case design is much more refined and chic than many of the visually more complex women's G-Shock watches out there, but it still retains all the functions you'd expect.

Displayed right on the dial is the time and date, as well is indicators for things like day light saving, alarm, and more. Other functions include a 48 city world timer, stopwatch, countdown timer, 5 daily alarms, and an awesome backlight. The watch is also 100 meters water resistant, and highly shock resistant. If you want one, each will only cost you $200, but they are only available at Bloomingdale's in Manhattan. For more information visit gshockmini.com.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: bloomingdales, casio, deco-g, g-shock, GMN690-7B, mini, swarovski, white