2011 Detroit Motor Show: BMW Confirms MINI Paceman Concept for Production

At this year’s North American International Auto Show, MINI is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the brand’s revival and re-launch in the U.S. market. To mark the occasion, the automaker unveiled today the Paceman Concept, and also confirmed that it will spawn a production model in the very near future.
“I’m thrilled to tell you now, for the very first time, that there will be a seventh member of the MINI family – and we will base it on this concept”, said Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, during MINI’s press conference at the Detroit motorshow.
2010 was the most successful sales year in MINI’s history, with the British firm delivering some 234,000 units worldwide. Not surprisingly, the BMW Group-owned company wants to build on this success, by further expanding its model line-up.
Currently, the automaker offers four models (Hardtop, Convertible, Clubman and Countryman), which will be joined by the Coupe in late 2011, and the Roadster in 2012. The series-production Paceman will follow shortly after, essentially creating the first crossover coupe in the premium small car segment.
The concept model is based on the MINI Countryman and it uses the 211 hp 1.6-liter John Cooper Works turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Power is transferred to the wheels through a six-speed manual transmission and MINI's ALL4 all-wheel drive system.
“This car captures the typical MINI characteristics – unique design, clever functionality and signature driving fun - with a new level of agility. It combines an athletic, masculine coupé appearance with the dimensions of the MINI Countryman”, Mr. Robertson commented.
By Csaba Daradics




_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________


Source URL: https://nensycarblog.blogspot.com/search/label/MINI%20Concepts
Visit NENSY CAR BLOG for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

MINI Paceman Concept: Crossman Coupe Study Previewed Ahead of Detroit Show

In 2001, the BMW Group revived the concept of the original MINI creating a new brand from a single, three-door hatchback model. Fast forward to today, and the British automaker's range has exploded with the arrival of a number of models including the soft-top Convertible, the JCW specials, the Clubman estate and the Countryman crossover, while two two more vehicles, the Coupe and Speedster, which were shown in concept form last year, have already been confirmed for production.
But that doesn't seem to be enough for the BMW Group that has announced a new concept model called the MINI Paceman, which will make its debut at the Detroit motorshow in January, that will almost certainly spawn yet another production vehicle.

Based on the Countryman five-door crossover, the Paceman is described by the company as a Sports Activity Coupé. Think of it as something like a MINI flavored X6 with two doors.
“With the MINI Countryman having already opened up a fascinating new avenue in the expansion of the brand family, the designers are now tapping into the potential of its state-of-the-art drive technology and flexible space concept to develop additional market opportunities in a coupé sibling,” said Jochen Goller, MINI Director for BMW UK Ltd.
In typical MINI style, the conversion from five-door to three door entailed more than simply removing the rear doors. The Paceman comes with larger frameless front doors that have been extended in n length by 16 inches, while the blistered rear fenders feature a more dramatic styling. In addition, the car gets a sloping roofline and a unique rear end.
Measuring 4,110 mm in length, 1,789 mm in width and 1,541 mm in height, the Paceman is also 13mm longer and 20 mm lower than its five-door counterpart.
We only have a couple of renderings of the strictly four-seater interior, but from what we can tell, the Paceman will feature unique trim and a sportier ambience.
Being that the concept is based on the Countryman, it comes to no surprise that the concept is powered by the JCW 1.6-litre twin-scroll turbocharged four-pot with 211HP and 260Nm (192 lb-ft) of peak torque, the latter value having the capacity to reach 280 Nm (207 lb-ft) in overboost function.
Drive is channeled through a six-speed manual gearbox and MINI's ALL4 permanent all-wheel-drive system, which under normal conditions equally splits toque between the front and rear wheels, but can send up to 100 per cent to the rear axle in extreme conditions. MINI added that the Paceman can also make use of a front-wheel drive layout.
More details on MINI's new concept car will be released at the upcoming Detroit Motor Show.


_______________________________VIDEO_______________________________


_______________________________________________________________________



_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________




Source URL: https://nensycarblog.blogspot.com/search/label/MINI%20Concepts
Visit NENSY CAR BLOG for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

MINI Scooter E Concepts: First Official Photos

Just after Smart published the first real life pictures of its 'escooter' study, MINI went ahead and released official photos of its take on the pure electric scooter concept. To be precise, the BMW Group owned maker will display three individually colored and trimmed versions of its lithium-ion battery-powered scooter study at next week's Paris Motor Show.

One of the Scooter E Concepts is themed after the MINI E electric car, the other is finished in a classic British Racing Green with a brown-colored leather seat and the last pays homage to the UK Mod subculture.

The MINI Scooter Es borrows some styling cues from the firm's automobile range including the headlamp and mirror designs.

Like Smart's scooter concept, the MINI models also utilize a smartphone that slots between the handlebars offering its service as a navigation system among other things.

More information on MINI's Scooter E concepts will be revealed at the Paris Auto Show.



Source URL: https://nensycarblog.blogspot.com/search/label/MINI%20Concepts
Visit NENSY CAR BLOG for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

MINI-E Testing Halfway Finished in the UK, Results And Pricing Look Promising

Just as Audi ramps up its A1 e-tron project, Mini UK will soon begin part two of the E's 12-month real-world test. Now that the first half of the test is complete, what are the results? Scroll down for some of Mini's findings.

Concerned that people may be driving differently than they usually would with the electric E, a control group was created using Mini Cooper and BMW 116i drivers.

The results speak for themselves: an average daily trip is 7.3 miles in the Cooper and 6.8 miles in the Bimmer, while the average E came in at 8.5 miles (the UK average is 8.6). The Mini E's average daily distance traveled (26.7 miles) also lands smack-dab in between the Mini Cooper (27 miles) and BMW 116i (26.1 miles).

So, apparently Mini E drivers didn't treat the vehicle too differently than other drivers when it came to worrying about range.

The only major issues detected with the Mini E include space (it's called a Mini for a reason) and cold weather performance. These are problems that are being looked at before BMW's Megacity debuts in 2013.

The provided charging boxes were a plus, with Mini E drivers finding them useful, adaptable, and necessary for a charge "every two to three days" for the most part. Also, many people got into the habit of charging overnight (they sleep, the car charges at a cheaper rate, and everybody wins). The clear majority of people (87.5%) would say that public charging stations would likely be needed and appreciated, although 75% said they wouldn't absolutely require them.

Mini UK director Jochen Goller says, "The early learning from this first stage of the MINI E trials has given us very positive feedback and pointers as to where we will need to improve...One has to remember that MINI E, despite being very thoroughly engineered for its task, is in the end a modified existing production MINI Hatch. An EV designed from the ground up will be able to address some of the criticism on packaging and driving range."

Goller continues, "We are very confident that the full 12 month trial under real road conditions with real people will help us greatly in producing an exciting and extremely efficient vehicle for the urban environments of the future."

And how about pricing? According to Mini UK, 44% of consumers say they would be willing to spend as much as 33% more for an electric Mini in the future. That would make it approximately £16,000 (about $24,800 US) in the UK. At that price, would YOU buy one?

By Phil Alex


Key findings from the first six months of the MINI-E's UK field trial:

- MINI E usage differs only marginally from a control group of MINI Cooper and BMW 116i drivers in terms of average journey distance, daily mileage and frequency of use.

- Before the trials began, users expected limitations in terms of range and charging times. In practice these have only proved to be barriers in a very few specific cases.

- Users felt reassured that both the MINI E itself and the charging process are completely safe.

- There was a very strong feeling from both private and fleet users that renewable energy should play an important role in future electricity generation. There was also a strong feeling that the battery of an electric vehicle (EV) should be charged using renewables to optimise the ecological advantages of an EV.

- The BMW Group is trusted to provide a technically mature solution to the challenges presented by EVs.

- Users reported a need for more interior space for journeys requiring more passengers and more storage capacity.

- Users felt strongly that public charging facilities for EVs were desirable and even essential. However, at the same time, the majority claimed that they coped without public charging facilities.

- In summary, users liked MINI E's lack of noise, the convenience of home charging, low off peak power charges, not having to go to a petrol station and queue, driving a zero emissions vehicle, MINI E's acceleration characteristics and regenerative braking.

- Drawbacks include current mileage range for certain journeys, limited carrying capacity and sub-optimal car performance during the extremely cold weather conditions in December 2009 and January 2010.



Source URL: https://nensycarblog.blogspot.com/search/label/MINI%20Concepts
Visit NENSY CAR BLOG for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection