Showing posts with label mini. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mini. Show all posts

Friday, November 8, 2013

Mini Clubman Bond Street

 
 
 
  •  Mini Clubman Bond Street, 2013

As a one-off in the premium small car segment, the MINI has cemented its place in the street scene of modern cities in inimitable style. And now the British brand is poised to unveil the MINI Clubman Bond Street design model - and deliver an eye-catching statement of signature charisma and premium quality in the process. Generously equipped and with a searching eye for detail, this is a MINI tailor-made for style-conscious customers of the particularly discerning variety. The MINI Clubman Bond Street will step out for the first time to a public audience at the International Geneva Motor Show in March 2013.

The MINI Clubman Bond Street bears the name of the most exclusive shopping street in London, a place steeped in the tradition of classical style, the British way of life and the appreciation of quality. Setting off for a shopping trip here, in the heart of the City of Westminster, therefore is an expression of fine taste. But the MINI Clubman Bond Street doesnt just cut a fine dash in terms of looks. Its Midnight Black metallic paintwork teams up with the Cool Champagne contrast colour for the roof, exterior mirror caps, lower sections of the C-pillars and bonnet stripes to provide a striking showcase for the MINI Clubmans dynamically flowing body lines and extended wheelbase. And, like the range of high-quality equipment provided, the bespoke interior colour and materials concept - which includes exclusively designed sports seats and a leather-covered instrument panel - makes the perfect fit for the generous levels of on-board spaciousness.

The new MINI design model will go on sale worldwide in March 2013 with shoppers able to browse a collection of up to four engine variants, depending on the market: the 90 kW/122 hp MINI Cooper Clubman and MINI Cooper D Clubman with 82 kW/112 hp jostle for attention alongside the MINI Cooper S Clubman (135 kW/184 hp) and MINI Cooper SD Clubman (105 kW/143 hp). All the engines link up as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox, while a six-speed automatic is available as an option.

Harmoniously coordinated design and equipment features for the exterior and interior allow the MINI Clubman Bond Street to stand out discreetly but unmistakably from the automotive crowd. The exclusive colour scheme for the exterior boasts the addition of special details which further accentuate the distinctive character of the MINI Clubman Bond Street. Its 17-inch light-alloy wheels in Twin Spoke Black design come with an exclusive trim ring in Cool Champagne, and the side indicator surrounds and door sill strips both display Bond Street lettering.

The other bespoke features of the design model are interior appointments including Lounge Leather sports seats in Carbon Black with piping and stitching in Deep Champagne, and a leather-covered instrument panel in Black/Carbon Black. These adornments blend in with interior surfaces in Deep Champagne, leather trim for the Colour Line and armrests with contrast stitching in Deep Champagne, floor mats with black piping and contrast stitching likewise in Deep Champagne, and the Chrome Line Interior package.

The stylish design of the exterior and interior is complemented by a particularly high-quality array of equipment. The MINI Clubman Bond Street will greet customers with features including front foglamps and the Chrome Line Exterior package, as well as an extra dose of driving fun and comfort thanks to options such as climate control, an onboard computer, the Sport Button, a rain sensor with automatic headlamp activation, a leather steering wheel with multifunction buttons and cruise control, and height adjustment for the front passenger seat. A storage package and lighting package are among the other items included in the exclusive specification list for the MINI Clubman Bond Street.
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Friday, October 25, 2013

Mini dumps rally driver due to budget issues

We were pretty surprised to find out just a few days ago that Minis new rally team had, for some reason, failed to sign up for next years World Rally Championship. "Inexplicable" is what we called it at the time, but the latest reports coming out of the UK where the team is based could serve to cast some light on the situation.

Not only has the outfit – run by the rally gurus at Prodrive (who have, in the past, run Subarus rally team, as well as Aston Martin and Ferrari works efforts at Le Mans) – missed the filing deadline, but theyll also reportedly let their best driver go. The reason? Funding, apparently. Although the team supposedly benefits from factory backing, a lack of sponsorship has reportedly left the team strapped for cash.

As a result, Northern Irish driver Kris Meeke – who was called up to the WRC team after claiming the 2009 title in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge – and his co-pilot have reportedly been released from their three-year contract after only one year. Meekes seat will reportedly be auctioned off to the highest bidder – that is, whoever comes with sponsorship dollars, pounds or euros already lined up. Former Citroën WRC driver Dani Sordo, however, will reportedly carry on with the team, assuming it can secure its entry for the upcoming season.

How a factory-backed team like Minis could find itself without enough funding has us scratching our heads, but our compatriots over at Autocar point to parent-company BMWs costly new entry into DTM next season as a potential answer.
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