AC Schnitzer Offers First Batch of Goodies for MINI Countryman

German tuner AC Schnitzer has launched its first tuning package for the MINI Countryman . The focus is clearly on the wheels, as clients can choose between four different designs in two different sizes (18- or 19-inch) to go with the two-tone white and black exterior paint job. In fact, AC Schnitzer has just broken a personal record: in a company first, it has fitted a MINI with 19-inch rims. As for the interior, the tuning house offers an aluminum pedal set and gear knob or various knobs clad in leather with incorporated, digital gear display unit.

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AC Schnitzer Offers First Batch of Goodies for MINI Countryman

German tuner AC Schnitzer has launched its first tuning package for the MINI Countryman . The focus is clearly on the wheels, as clients can choose between four different designs in two different sizes (18- or 19-inch) to go with the two-tone white and black exterior paint job. In fact, AC Schnitzer has just broken a personal record: in a company first, it has fitted a MINI with 19-inch rims. As for the interior, the tuning house offers an aluminum pedal set and gear knob or various knobs clad in leather with incorporated, digital gear display unit.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Read more »

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Paris Show: Mini Unveils Countryman WRC in Preparation for 2011 S2000 Rally Season

Working with Prodrive, Mini has officially re-entered the World Rally Championship after a decades-long hiatus. With its Countryman WRC, which made its world premiere in Paris today, Mini will be ready to compete in the 2011 season with a car driven by Kris Meeke.

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MINI Announces Prices for Countryman Crossover, Starts from €20,200 in Germany

The first ever crossover model from the MINI brand, the all-new Countryman, will go on sale in Germany in September with prices ranging from €20,200 for the entry-level FWD One to €27,900 for the range-topping Cooper S model with all-wheel drive, the company announced today.

That comes to around US$27,800 -$38,300 at today's exchange rates, but keep in mind that German-market prices cannot be used to calculate or compare prices in other countries for a number of reasons, one being that they include 19% tax.

For example, a BMW M3 Coupe costs €68,350 or US$93,900 in Germany, but "only" US$60,575 or €44,100 (negotiable MSRP including destination & handling fees, and gas guzzler tax) in the States...

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VIDEO: First Look at the 2011 MINI Countryman Crossover

After details and first shots of the MINI Countryman crossover were released prior to its world premiere at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show in March, the British automaker has now followed up with a pair of videos showing off its latest creation.

The fourth addition to MINI's range after the regular three-door hatch, the Convertible and the Clubman, comes with a more rugged appearance, increased ride height, four doors, four individual seats (or a three-seat bench) and an available all-wheel drive system for the range-topping Cooper S and Cooper D versions. Check out the videos after the jump.

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MINI Countryman Crossover: Official Details and 57 High-Res Photos

After yesterday's leak there was no point in keeping the new Countryman under wraps so MINI went ahead and released initial details and a full gallery of its first-ever crossover model. Bear in mind that the BMW Group owned automaker noted that the car may not be named Countryman in certain markets without giving out any further details.

The Countryman is not only the British firm's first-ever crossover, it's also the first modern MINI to have four doors, an available all-wheel-drive system, four full-size seats and to measure around four meters in length.

The styling inside and out is unmistakably MINI, with the Countryman trying to stand out from the rest of the range with its chunkier nose job, raised ride height and some unique styling cues such as the headlamps and the alloy wheel designs.

The company said that driver gets a slightly elevated seating position while a new feature inside is the MINI Center Rail that extends from front to rear allowing anything from a cupholder and sunglasses to audio devices and an armrest to be attached and slid wherever they are required.

The Countryman comes as standard with four seats, but a three-seat bench is available as a no-cost option.

According to MINI, the rear seats can move fore-and-aft either individually or in a 60 : 40 (three-seat bench) split, the backrests may be tilted for angle either individually or in a 40 : 20 : 40 (three-seat bench) arrangement, increasing capacity in the luggage compartment from 350 to 1,170 liters (12.2–41.0 cu ft).

When the Countryman goes on sale in Europe this fall (North America in early 2011), it will enter the market with a choice of three petrol and two diesel engines, extending from the 90HP turbo diesel in the One D to a 184HP 1.6-liter four-cylinder petrol with a twin-scroll turbocharger and direct fuel injection in the rang-topping Cooper S.

All versions will come equipped with Brake Energy Regeneration, Auto Start Stop system and a gearshift point indicator.

MINI said that as an alternative to the six-speed manual gearbox featured as standard, the petrol engine models will also be available with six-speed automatic tranmission.

As an option, the Cooper S and Cooper D models will be available with MINI's ALL4 permanent all-wheel drive system that uses an electrohydraulic differential positioned directly on the final drive varying the distribution from front to rear.

Under normal driving conditions, the system sends up to 50 per cent of the engine's power to each axle, but in more extreme situations, up to 100 per cent can be sent to the rear wheels.

As with the rest of the MINI models, the Countryman will be offered with a wide range of customisation and equipment options on both the exterior and interior including an extra-large Panorama roof.

The official presentation of the Countryman will take place at the Geneva Salon in March, 2010.

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