THE 2010 MINI HARDTOPS - STILL A CLASS OF ONE MINI COOPER AND MINI COOPER S
09/16/2009
Mini
The MINI Experience Continues:
Go-kart-driving fun, an interior that provides the maximum amount of car in the minimum amount of space and a myriad of personalization possibilities keep the 2010 MINI Cooper and Cooper S Hardtops on top of the small-car premium segment as sales continue to be strong.
The body of the latest-generation MINI - introduced in 2007 - boasts evolutionary development from the iconic 1959 Classic Mini, while the interior includes styling cues that are evocative of the original and contain the latest technological advances found today. And powering the 2010 MINI Cooper Hardtop and MINI Cooper S Hardtop are a pair of 1.6 liter, four-cylinder engines resembling the original MINI's in cylinder number and placement, transversely over the front axle, but far more efficient, cleaner and powerful.
The turbocharged 1.6-liter version in the Cooper S produces 172 horsepower, which translates into 0-to-60 mph acceleration in 6.7 seconds and a top speed of 139 mph. The naturally-aspirated engine in the Cooper, also 1.6 liters, features fully-variable valve timing and control and accelerates to 60 mph in 8.5 seconds, with top speed of 126 mph.
Compared with the MINI Cooper Hardtop, the MINI Cooper S Hardtop has a more sporting suspension set-up, and as an option both models are available with a sport suspension for an even higher standard of driving pleasure.
Despite their much higher level of dynamic performance and sporting character, both MINIs return superior fuel economy, with the Cooper S Hardtop having a 2010 EPA fuel economy estimate of 26 City/34 Highway mpg for a combined EPA estimate of 29 mpg. The Cooper Hardtop is even more efficient with EPA 2010 estimates of 28/37 City/Highway for a combined rating of 32 mpg. Both fuel economy numbers are for models equipped with manual transmission.
The MINI Cooper and Cooper S Hardtops both come standard with a six-speed manual transmission. Both models can be ordered with an optional six-speed automatic transmission that features a sport mode and includes steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters on the Cooper S, allowing the driver to keep both hands on the wheel even during gearshifts.
The EPS Electric Power-assisted Steering helps make the MINI even more nimble and agile on the road, by delivering speed-related assistance ensuring low steering forces when parking and precise control at high speeds. And when the standard Sport button is depressed, EPAS offers a sportier mode that specifically increases steering forces for an even more direct driving experience.
MacPherson-style spring struts on the front axle ensure precise wheel guidance, keeping the steering almost entirely free of drive forces in fast bends, when accelerating and when applying the brakes. The multi-link rear axle, a concept unique in the MINI segment, ensures optimum tire contact with the road at all times through its kinematics.
Celebrating MINI Heritage - MINI 50 Mayfair and Camden.
In August 2009, MINI celebrated the brand's 50th birthday and marked the occasion with two anniversary packages for MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S Hardtops, the Camden and the Mayfair. Both anniversary vehicles offer unique interiors, mirror caps, side scuttles, grille badges, 17-inch alloy wheels and several other special features. They will be available for a limited time, beginning in September 2009 through July 2010.
The Mayfair package looks back proudly on half a century of motoring history.
As the name suggests, the MINI 50 Mayfair exudes the style and elegance expected from London's most traditional district - complete with astounding get-up-and-go.
The Camden looks forward eagerly to the next 50 years. Like its London namesake, the Camden is bursting with energy, spirit and an in-your-face attitude.
A unique feature included in the Camden package is Mission Control, an interface with the vehicle that enables the MINI to literally speak to the driver. The technology uses a variety of car condition and environmental information to provide the driver in a MINI typical, entertaining way, with situation related information and advises. This feature gives the Camden a real personality, and offers the driver a sense of direct interaction with the vehicle. Signals from the vehicle are used to create over and over again different situation related dialogs. In addition to the entertainment value, the functional benefit is that it can support the driver to interpret information from the vehicle correctly.
MINI Cooper and Cooper S Hardtop Design - Clear look and a friendly face.
"From the original to the original" - this was the philosophy in creating the body design of the second-generation modern MINI. The entire car was redesigned from the ground up, with many details and features being modified and enhanced in the process. But in its outer look, the MINI remains unmistakable, the radiator grill and large circular headlights characterizing the front end of the car and giving it the traditional, "bulldog," friendly appearance.
The front end and front design of the car also serves to distinguish the individual model variants. One significant difference setting the two variants apart is the more powerful and muscular looking hood, which includes an exclusive air-intake scoop on the Cooper S, is some 0.8-inches higher than that of the smooth one on the Cooper.
Seen from the side, the MINI is firm, taut and striking, resting powerfully on its wheels in a look well-known to friends and aficionados of the brand as the "stance on the wheels." Another characteristic is the seemingly uninterrupted "flow" of windows around the car, adorning the new MINI with a visual of having a, 360-degree band of glass.
The distinct "shoulders" at the rear of the new MINI form a counter-element to the longer front end of the car. The well-known MINI proportions are maintained and are faithful to the original Classic Mini.
Iconic center speedometer and toggle switches.
Combined with the horizontal geometry of the interior and, in particular, the dashboard, the instrument displays in their purist, round design characterize the overall design theme of the cockpit. The central element is the MINI-signature center speedometer, which for 2010 features a new maximum speed of 160 mph. The displays and controls for the entertainment systems as well as the display for the optional navigation systems are integrated in the speedometer, while the tachometer remains a separate unit positioned, as befits a sporting car, behind the steering wheel in the driver's line of sight.
A round transmitter finished in typical MINI style replaces the conventional door and ignition key, with the driver controlling engine operation with a start/stop button. All instruments and controls are very smooth and easy to operate, positioned at the right point for optimum ergonomics.
Background illumination in multiple colors.
The interior lighting reflects typical MINI style and class, with the addition of ambient lighting which can be varied in stages from warm orange to sporting blue. Serving as discreet "waterfall illumination" from above and as indirect illumination of the roof lining, the door storage bins and the door handle recesses, this illumination scheme creates a unique atmosphere inside the 2010 MINI.
Natural wood, hand-sewn leather, and chrome as special interior options.
The 2010 MINI continues to offer a wide range of options and special equipment to meet the demands and personal preferences of virtually any buyer. Wood, leather, various trim-and-color combinations mean the interior can be tailored for an "exact" customer fit.
The 2010 MINI is offered in 11 body colors with eight metallics available on the Cooper and Cooper S. The external look is further customizable thanks to additional color and graphic options for the roof and mirror caps. Optionally, both the MINI Cooper S and the MINI Cooper are available with Chrome line interior and exterior options.
Complete range of safety equipment.
The modified structure of the body shell, as well as a wide range of safety features, in turn, help to ensure the 2010 MINI meets or exceeds all accident-protection requirements. In a recent NHTSA test, MINI excelled in all aspects with four- and five-star ratings.
Reflecting the premium standard of the MINI, both models come with a wide range of safety equipment, including six standard airbags to enhance occupant safety. Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) is standard on all models and Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) is optional on both models. DTC also includes an EDLC (Electronic Differential Lock Control) function that controls wheelspin on the drive wheels during acceleration by using front brake force to manage the speed and torque differential between the wheels.
Active safety is enhanced in critical driving situations by the standard Anti-lock Brakes System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Cornering Brake Control (CBC)
Brake Assist on both models detects emergency operation of the brakes and builds up maximum brake pressure very quickly. Hill Assist start-off assistance, in conjunction with DSC, maintains brake pressure for up to 3 seconds after the brake pedal has been released and before the clutch has been engaged, to prevent the car from rolling back when setting off on an uphill gradient.
Runflat tires standard on the MINI Cooper S.
The MINI Cooper comes standard with 15-inch light-alloy rims and 175/65 R 15 tires. The MINI Cooper S, in turn, is equipped with 16-inch light-alloy rims and 195/55 R 16 tires. Even larger 17-inch rims running on 205/45 R 17 tires are optionally available.
The MINI Cooper S boasts runflat tires as yet another standard feature, modified in this case to reflect the suspension set-up of the MINI. Thanks to their failsafe running characteristics, these tires allow the driver to go on motoring even when a tire is completely flat, covering a distance of up to 90 miles at a maximum speed of 50 mph.
And every 2010 MINI is equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring system (TPM) that permanently monitors air pressure and informs the driver in the event of an emergency.
Entertainment and Navigation system
Cutting-edge entertainment and navigation systems can be specified by the MINI buyer. The optional navigation system features a 6.5-inch TFT color display housed within the center speedometer; the corners on the monitor are rounded off and thus adjusted to the circular shape of the center speedometer.
TFT monitor technology provides an easy-to-read display, free of glare even in bright sunlight; display brightness is driver adjustable. In the dark, background illumination ensures optimum clarity and readability. And the presentation of navigation graphics also reflects the MINI style in both its configuration and color scheme.
The optional navigation system comes complete with a CD player positioned above the removable control panel that houses the DVD drive for the navigation disc. A joystick on the center console, enables the driver to easily and conveniently control navigation, entertainment and communications functions in conjunction with menus displayed on the screen.
External music systems such as an MP3 player are easy to connect to the audio system through the standard AUX IN port, allowing the driver and passengers to enjoy their personal music archives in the MINI at any time. A specific USB-enabled adapter for an Apple iPod is optional, providing convenient control of the player via the MINI's entertainment system.
Accessories - Unique Features for the Individualist.
Supplementing the car's standard equipment as well as the options offered by the factory, the new MINI may be further personalized through a wide range of Genuine MINI Accessories. All of these items provide a perfect match for the 2010 MINI and meet the quality and safety standards of the BMW Group.
Sporting highlights from John Cooper Works Tuning.
Components from John Cooper Works provide the latest road-going MINI with classic motorsport technology. The wide range of Works Accessories named after the legendary Formula 1 car maker and MINI tuner includes enhancements like the 12.4-inch, cross-drilled front-brake discs for the MINI Cooper S. To match these larger brakes, John Cooper Works offers 18-inch double-spoke light-alloy wheels, the largest wheels approved for MINI (7J x 18), mounting 205/40X18 low-profile, tires (and featuring runflat technology). The Dealer installed John Cooper Works Tuning Kit available for manual and automatic transmission raises the output of the MINI Cooper S to 189hp and the maximum torque to 185 lb-ft (with the over boost function temporary to 200 lb-ft). The kit enables the car to accelerate from 0-60mph in 6.5sec.
Another highlight of the John Cooper Works accessory line is the Aerodynamic Kit with the front and rear air dam, an all-black hood grille and new side skirts, providing a sporty and aggressive look to the MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S. This aero kit can also be supplemented by two roof spoilers: The John Cooper Works roof spoiler with a carbon surface approved for both the MINI Cooper S and MINI Cooper; and the single-piece roof spoiler finished on request in body color. The youthful appearance of the package is enhanced by multi-spoke 17-inch light-alloy wheels carrying 205/45X17 tires.
Roof Graphics and Exterior components made of carbon-fiber.
By tradition, special roof graphics and mirror caps play an important role in customizing the MINI. The 2010 MINI offers the Union Jack, Checkered Flag and the letters "MINI" amongst its roof graphics.
Mirror caps and door handle trim with the Union Jack and Checkered Flag motifs highlight the British heritage and sporting DNA of the MINI. And to add to this, the 2010 MINI is also available with exterior components from the John Cooper Works Tuning Range made by hand from carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic. These include panels for the front air scoop, the exterior mirrors, and the grab handle on the tailgate.
Production - Tradition and Quality, Made in England:
The modern MINI's sales success is mirrored by its production triumph. The original plan launched in 2000 called for an annual output of 100,000 units, but demand by 2005 had doubled that number.
Growth of this magnitude demanded the utmost performance and great flexibility on the part of the production plants as well as the suppliers. To facilitate this, the new generation of MINI is built by three British plants of the BMW Group production network in Oxford, Swindon, and Hams Hall. These three plants form a closely-knit production system, a highly integrated structure further enhanced in recent years by the BMW Group investing some 200 million pounds Sterling (approximately Euro 290 million) in the expansion and modernization of plant facilities.
Together, all three plants currently employ some 5,700 associates, with a maximum production capacity of up to 240,000 MINIs a year.
The three plants comply with the production and quality standards of the BMW Group and are certified for environmental management to ISO 14001. Together with the BMW Research and Innovation Center (FIZ) in Munich, Germany, the Quality and Engineering Center (QEC) in Oxford played a decisive role in the ongoing technical development of the MINI. And now the QEC consistently monitors production quality by means of advanced and sophisticated inspection methods.
Flexible, customer-oriented production.
The Mobile Standard Production Cells (Mobi-Cells) developed by the BMW Group, a significant innovation employed in the 15,000-square-meter body shop, increase production flexibly and quickly whenever required. This makes production of the new MINI highly flexible, reflecting the standards of the BMW Group's Customer-Oriented Sales and Production Process (KOVP). This flexibility allows the customer to change the configuration of his or her car up to six days prior to the start of assembly, despite a choice of more than 370 features and options in the interior, more than 300 variants on the exterior, and the approximately 2,000 components which go into every MINI.
Strict quality standards also applied to suppliers.
A number of suppliers have located in the vicinity of the BMW Group Plants in Oxford, Swindon, and Hams Hall, creating hundreds of jobs in the region. Such close contact with manufacturers of components including seats and cockpit modules guarantees optimum, on-time management of production processes.