mini

Good Things, Small Package: Rolls-Royce to Outfit Special Edition Minis

Conventional wisdom used to be that bigger cars got bigger luxury, and smaller cars did without. But as premium buyers have been migrating to smaller cars for easier access to city streets and a lower environmental impact, automakers have been learning that they expect their luxuries to come with them, just in a smaller package.

Aston Martin is planning an exclusive city car based on the Toyota iQ, and now, about half a year after rumors first surfaced, BMW has reportedly confirmed that its two British subsidiaries Mini and Rolls-Royce will be collaborating on an exclusive line of luxury hatchbacks.

Starting off with the Mini Cooper, the Rolls-Royce factory in Goodwood would then outfit the retro-hatch with all manner of top-of-the-line leather and wood veneer trim. The premium Minis would be made to order individually according to each customer's specifications, with public confirmation expected to come some time next year.

Tags: mini, mini rolls-royce, MiniRolls-royce, rolls-royce, rolls-royce mini, Rolls-royceMini

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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Mini Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Coupé Concept

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Today is the Mini's 50th birthday. Half a century ago, the original Mini was unveiled, and to mark the occasion, BMW, the company responsible for its revival as a premium brand, has unveiled the Mini Coupé Concept. Based on the iconic hatchback, the Mini Coupé Concept cuts a strikingly slick silhouette with room for two inside. At the moment it's purely a show car, to be unveiled at the Frankfurt show next month, but word on the street is that they could put it into production. The Coupé Concept is also likely to spawn a convertible Roadster version, with a swept-back windshield and a more sporty attitude than the existing Mini Convertible.

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Tags: frankfurt, frankfurt 2009, frankfurt auto show, frankfurt motor show, Frankfurt2009, FrankfurtAutoShow, FrankfurtMotorShow, mini, mini coupe, mini coupe concept, MiniCoupe, MiniCoupeConcept, spas-awards

The Blonds Outfit Special Mini Cabrio for 2009 Life Ball

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Charity, Celebrity Design

Automakers have plenty of reasons to create special editions. Sometimes they're celebrating an anniversary, sometimes a monumental race victory, or sometimes they're just looking to boost sales. Mini, on the other hand, creates a special edition of its retro hatchback every year to raise money for HIV/AIDS. The cars are always styled by a different designer, and sold in conjunction with the Life Ball, Europe's premier HIV/AIDS fundraiser, to raise money for the charity. Following previous editions outfitted by Versace, Diesel and Agent Provocateur, this year's Mini Life Ball special was designed by The Blonds, known in Hollywood for clothing pop stars. Their inspiration for the pink leopard print design was Katy Perry, the pop sensation famous for the hit song "I Kissed A Girl", who will be performing at this year's gala in Vienna on May 17. The one-of-a-kind Mini will be raffled off at the event.

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Tags: i kissed a girl, IKissedAGirl, katy perry, KatyPerry, life ball, life ball mini, LifeBall, LifeBallMini, mini, mini cabrio, mini life ball, MiniCabrio, MiniLifeBall, the blonds, TheBlonds

Orbita Sparta Mini Watch Winder For Women

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Apparently watch winders were too masculine and needed a more feminine touch for the female watch lover. North Carolina based Orbita has just released a line of women oriented single watch winders, of course available in an array of colors. Unlike the more complex men's watch winder units, the Sparta Mini is 'plug and plug' with no settings to fiddle with - merely a once every 10 minutes rotation. The release marks the first time I am aware of that a company has catered to female owners of mechanical watches. The prior concept being that most women's watches were quartz (or hand-wound to a lesser degree). An apparently growing population of automatic mechanical watch owners who are female has spurred this new Orbita Sparta Mini line into existence.

Available colors on the wall-plug-in (as opposed to battery operated) device are crème, red, blue, pink and white. Each in faux lizard skin on plastic. Orbita promises that the device will not harm or over-wind any mechanical watch. Placing a watch in the unit is pretty straight forward by removing a foam cushion, placing on the watch on the cushion, and then returning the cushion to the device. Retail price is $295.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Orbita Sparta Mini Watch Winders

Tags: lady, mini, Orbita, sparta, watch, winder, womans, women

MINI Mercedes?

by Erin Mays (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Platform sharing has been around for almost as long as cars have been around, so it comes as no surprise that Mercedes is looking to collaborate with another automaker to cut costs in producing its next A- and B-class vehicles. We're just a little surprised that it may work with arch rival BMW in getting it done.

BMW's MINI, the cult classic it took over in 1994 in a package deal with Rover, could be the basis for a new small Mercedes vehicle, while MINI might borrow SMART's DNA for a smaller version of the already-tiny MINI. The collaboration would save Mercedes some money and help BMW expand its MINI line.

Check this space in September -- a partnership may be announced at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

[Source: Autocar]

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Tags: a-class, b-class, bmw, c-class, frankfurt motor show, FrankfurtMotorShow, mercedes, mini, smart

Small, Savvy, Single-Serve Wine?

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine

Single serve wine isn't all cheap stuff, but it certainly has that reputation. That stereotype is on the way out, it seems, as more and more high end wine and champagne makers are coming up with and marketing creative 'minis' of their product lines. Methods that have been previously unheard of for classy brands, like wine in a carton or serving it with a straw, are now selling like hotcakes and becoming the next big thing. In fact, even though minis only account for 2% of the wine market today, they're expected to eventually outgrow traditional wine sales.

What do you think, yay or nay on the minis?

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Tags: champagne, individual, mini, minis, serve, serving, single, single serving, SingleServing, wine

Ford's Premiere Automotive Group Up For Grabs

by Erin Mays (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Ford Motor Company has begun shopping around its Premiere Automotive Group, consisting of Land Rover, Jaguar, Volvo and formerly Aston Martin. The news comes as no surprise as rumors floated about indicating Ford's interest in selling pretty much anything in its stable at the right price, though this time around, the rumors are accompanied by news that Ford has retained Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley to find a buyer.

Ford reportedly broke off talks with Fiat recently regarding the group, though now it appears that potential suitors include Renault, David Richards (new Aston owner), and David James, who acquired the rights to manufacture a car based on smart roadster components and designs.Rumors also abound regarding BMW's interest in Volvo as it seeks to add a fourth brand to its lineup, supplementing BMW, MINI and Rolls Royce.

[Source: AutoIndustry.co.uk]

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Tags: aston martin, AstonMartin, bmw, ford, jaguar, land rover, LandRover, mini, pag, smart, volvo

The Mini Inflatable Catamaran: The Ultimate in Boating Convenience

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets, Yachts & Sailing

When it comes to boating true luxury means of course an enormous yacht staffed with enough people to take of everything without bothering you for anything other than 'would you like another drink?' But sometimes it can be a real treat to do something on whim without all those other people around -- just you, the boat, and the water. And maybe a friend. Enter the Mini Inflatable Catamaran -- it fits in a bag and can easily be tossed in the backseat of your car!

This inflatable/unfoldable boat is one you can easily transport and handle yourself. It only weighs 40kg, sets up in about 30 minutes, supports up to 240kg, and can be used on lakes, rivers, or even the sea (although it's tiny so I'd be extra cautious on the open ocean!). $4500.

Via BornRich

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Tags: boat, boating, catamaran, inflatable, lake, lakes, mini, ocean, portable, river, rivers, travel, water

White Orbit Chandelier

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

Here's a chandelier that doesn't have many of the usual features you expect, like shimmering gold, glittering silver, or even just a sense of the traditional. It strikes me as industrial, and a little juvenile (like a science project), but somehow I still manage to like it. I'm a sucker for mini lights, and this White Orbit chandelier by Patrick Townsend is full of them in all different sizes. So although it may not be shimmering or glittery it definitely has "twinkly" in the bag, as well as apparently giving off "the BEST light." Originally created in 2003, it's currently available from Areaware -- but heads up it won't ship until September. 32"x32", $650.

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Tags: bulbs, chadelier, chandeleir, light, lighting, lights, mini, minilight, minilights, orbit, patrick townsend, PatrickTownsend, townsend, white, white orbit, WhiteOrbit

Bottega Veneta Mini Purse Key Ring, Handbag of the Day

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags

Possibly the tiniest functional purse I've see, this Mini Purse Key Ring from Bottega Veneta is worthy of Cute Overload. Attached to a 9-inch chain, the little purse is about 2" high and made of soft, supple leather. It has a tiny clasp at the top, opening the bag to slip in a few well-folded bills or a couple of coins, and comes in both white and green. The chain also has a keyring and a belt hook, making it easy to attach and carry around with you. Price: $200.

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Tags: bottega veneta, Handbag of the Day, HandbagOfTheDay, keyring, mini, miniature, purse, saks

Dior St. Germain Mini Flap Bag, Handbag of the Day

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags

The huge Dior logo plaque on the front of the St. Germain Mini Flap Bag reminds me of the large-buckled logo belts that we started to see a few months ago. The belts seemed to be primarily for men, so perhaps bags like this one are just fashion's way of keeping things even. This bag measures only 10" x 4.5" x 3" and is made of smooth, supple leather in either black or a golden tan. All the hardware, including the logo shield, is silver. The bag has a logo fabric lining, one zipped pocket and is secured with a magnetic snap that is hidden by the front flap. Price: $795.

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Tags: bag, christian dior, dior, flap bag, handbag, handbag of the day, logo, mini

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

Castagna Mini Tender

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Our siblings over at Autoblog already covered a couple of the Castagna modifications but I was particularly interested in this Mini modification. Classic Driver profiles the Tender, a mod of the Mini Cabrio that is designed for nautical types. The rear is lengthened and the car has a fixed-access compartment with anti-theft bars instead of normal doors. It has a teak-lined steel double bottom for towels and clothes plus a shower with a 30-liter tank of fresh water and a powerful stereo for beach parties. Other details include extra headlights for lighting those parties and a brightly-striped cloth top from Missoni. The seats are upholstered in neoprene so they won't be damaged in you hop in the car all salty from the sea. Other options include additional seats and four load hooks so that the Tender can be lifted up onto your yacht.

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Tags: castagna, mini, modifications, tender

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