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.

By Csaba Daradics

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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.

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

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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.

Unfortunately, the AWD Mini Countryman-based rally car will only be taking part in six of the thirteen 2011 events in what Prodrive founder David Richards is calling a "preparatory year"; don't worry, 2012 will be a full season for the retro racer as it goes for the title.

Under the hood is a BMW Motorsport-tuned 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that uses direct injection and meets all FIA S2000 regulations (meaning the WRC is just the first of its many possible applications). Also, it's hooked up the an Xtrac 6-speed sequential transmission. What we do know is that Mini says the car has undergone a "baptism of fire" at the Prodrive rally track and has gained a Prodrive-developed roll cage.

BMW's Ian Robertson says:

"The Paris Motor Show is the perfect stage on which to launch our MINI WRC. The response to our announcement that MINI will return to the world of rallying next year was very positive. The FIA World Rally Championship is the pinnacle of rallying, making it the ideal platform for demonstrating the competitive spirit of our brand. The development of the car is running on schedule, and the preparations for the world championship are in full swing. The MINI Countryman production model provided the ideal basis for our new world championship challenger."

By Phil Alex

First Videos of MINI's Countryman WRC Testing in Portugal!

Thanks to a tip from Carscoop reader Rafael, we can now share with you the first video footage of MINI's new Countryman WRC prototype, which was caught testing earlier today (Tuesday) at Ponte de Lima in Portugal.

The Prodrive developed and built World Rallying Championship version of the Mini Countryman is powered by a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder turbo-charged engine from BMW Motorsport to comply with the new Super2000 regulations. Like the road-going model, it also gets four-wheel drive.

According to MINI, the Countryman WRC will be ready to compete at selected rounds of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) before completing the full series in 2012.

Hat tip to Rafael!

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...

The new MINI Countryman will be offered in Europe with a choice of five engines, including a 90HP 1.6-liter diesel for the One D, a 112HP 1.6-liter diesel for the Cooper D, a 98HP 1.6-liter petrol for the One, a 122HP 1.6-liter petrol for the Cooper and a 184HP 1.6-liter turbo for the Cooper S.

Only the Cooper S and Cooper D variants of the Countryman crossover will be available with MINI's new all-wheel drive system.

GERMAN PRICING:

MINI One Countryman 98HP --------------- 20,200 Euro

MINI Cooper Countryman 122HP ---------- 22,500 Euro

MINI Cooper S Countryman 184HP -------- 26,300 Euro

MINI Cooper S Countryman ALL4 184HP --- 27,900 Euro

MINI One D Countryman 90HP ------------ 22,000 Euro

MINI Cooper D Countryman 112HP -------- 24,200 Euro

MINI Cooper D Countryman ALL4 112HP ---25,900 Euro