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.

MINI Clubman Cooper S Streetworker from Schmidt Revolution

Schmidt Revolution, a German-based company that primarily specializes in alloy wheels but occasionally presents fully tuned projects, has unveiled its latest creation, a conceptual version of the MINI Clubman Cooper S called the "Streetworker".

The focus point of the tune is of course the German firm's new Cirrus alloy wheel series, seen here in an 18-inch version. The funky looking rims can be ordered in any color ranging from the matte blue on this tune to any other tint including carbon black. On the MINI Clubman project car the alloy wheels are shod in 215/35R18 Continental rubber.

Having solved the alloy wheel riddle, Schmidt Revolution went ahead and covered the MINI Clubman in a matte blue foil wrap and a contrasting matte black roof finish and trim detailing.

The concept car's low-rider appearance is achieved by the Streetec air suspension, which allows the driver to lower the ride height by 60 mm or increase it by 40 mm over the stock model.

The tune is finished off with an engine kit that lifts output to 200HP and 250Nm of peak torque.

MINI Continues to Celebrate 50th Anniversary with Special Collections

This is one birthday-party that doesn't seem to end. Not content with the unveiling of the Mayden 50, Camden 50 and the John Cooper Works WC50 specials, MINI has now released a new line of clothing and accessories to profit from celebrate the brand's fiftieth anniversary. Called '50 Years Collection', the lineup includes among other products, a modern rendition of the classic M51 Fishtail design parka (unisex), three 50Y Shopper bags in a retro look and the 50Y Camden brown-colored and Mayfair gray-colored sneakers.

MINI Flavored Double-Decker Bus Hits the Streets of Milan

For those of you enjoying the city of Milan in Italy, MINI's double-decker lifestyle bus will be making a short three-day stop at the Corso Vercelli shopping district from Wednesday, December 22 to Friday, December 24. The specially modified double-decker bus is a mobile play station that includes a shop for MINI's Lifestyle accessories, open from 10 am to 9 pm. More photos of MINI's tricked out London bus after the break.

Officially-Official: Limited Edition MINI JCW World Championship 50

Revealed for the first time at the 2009 MINI United Festival in Silverstone, the MINI John Cooper Works World Championship 50 is yet another special edition model built to commemorate the Cooper racing team's first Formula One World Championship title with Jack Brabham at the wheel in 1959. The car that will be produced in a strictly limited run of 250 units is based on the MINI JCW and driven by the same 1.6-liter twin-turbocharged engine that pumps out 211HP. It accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h (62mph) in 6.5 seconds going on to a top speed of 238 km/h or 148mph.

All cars are finished exclusively in a new color named 'Connaught Green' that harkens back to the British race cars of the 1950s and 60s era. It is combined with the roof and bonnet stripes in 'Pepper White' while the 17-inch cross-spoke alloy wheels are finished in 'Jet Black'.

Other exterior features includes the JCW aerodynamics package, a plethora of carbon fibre parts, among them the bonnet scoop on the bonnet, rear diffuser, exterior mirror caps and tailgate handle along with the special insignias.

The 'World Championship 50's' interior has been upgraded with carbon fibre trim overlaid by red touches, black leather seats with contrasting red piping. The red theme is also used on the knee-rolls, armrests and the stitching on the floor mats, gearshift and handbrake gaiters. The look is rounded off with a new sports steering wheel with an Alcantara rim.

Prices for the special edition MINI John Cooper Works model have yet to be confirmed.