Erotic MINI Clubman Designed by Lingerie Maker “Agent Provocateur”

This one-off MINI Clubman was created by the naughty lingerie specialist “Agent Provocateur” and it made its debut today (May 17) at Europe’s largest AIDS charity event “Life Ball” which took place at Vienna’s City Hall in Austria. Inspired from the classic English MINI police van, the lingerie maker dressed the Clubman in its signature pink and black colours complete with a pink flashing light.

However, it’s the Clubman’s interior that “Agent Provocateur” put its kinky work into full action. Apart from the fully reclining rear seats and ankle cuffs for forensic investigations of the third type, the erotic Clubman also gets saddle stitched leather seat and bespoke compartments for various tools of the job –if you get our drift. And as “Agent Provocateur’s” founder Joseph Corre says, “This is an interior you really would want to get banged up in!” -Continued

If you agree with Corre, then you’ll be happy to know that this unique MINI Clubman will be put up for auction on eBay from June 5 -15, 2008, with all proceeds being donated to Life Ball.

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MINI’s Sensual Photo Session for AIDS Charity Event

“Mama” BMW has released more images of its special edition MINI Clubman that was erotically re-designed by lingerie boffin “Agent Provocateur”. The relatively naughty pictures were shot at the Life Ball Aids charity event that took place in Austria on May 17. The unique MINI Clubman that features many erotic accessories will be auctioned on eBay from 5-15 June with all proceeds being donated to Life Ball. -Continued

To be frank, we can’t say that we were thrilled with the “lightly dressed” female models that took part in the photo session as all of them look like they skipped a few meals too many in order to take part in the event. As for “I don’t know if I’m a man or woman” Amanda Lepore that was included in the official images that BMW released, she’s one scary dude…

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MINI E: All-Electric Plug-In MINI Cooper with 204HP Revealed!

These are the first official photos of the MINI E, an all-electric version of the MINI Cooper that will make its first public appearance at the Los Angeles Auto Show in mid-November. What's so important about this MINI -aside from its technical specs- is that over the next year or so, BMW will produce around 500 units which will be leased to selected private and corporate customers in the U.S. states of California, New York and New Jersey, giving the Bavarian automaker the chance to evaluate the viability of a full-scale production EV. MINI said that it also considering the possibility of leasing the vehicle in Europe.

The MINI Es will be built at the firm's Oxford plant in the U.K. without engines and transmissions, then shipped to BMW's headquarters in Munich, Germany where they will be fitted with an electric powertrain. The electric motor is powered by a lithium-ion battery that has been placed in the position of the rear seat bench - yep, it's is a two-seater. -Continued

The battery can be fully charged through a standard outlet in about eight hours. However, MINI will offer each buyer a wallbox with higher amperage that will be installed in the customer's garage enabling a full recharge in just 2 1/2 hours. The MINI E also features a brake regeneration system that transforms kinetic energy to electricity replenishing the battery. According to BMW Group officials, the lithium battery offers the MINI E a driving range of more than 240km or 150 miles.

Weighing at 1,456 kg or 3,230 lbs, the MINI E is now lightweight champion. However, the electric motor compensates for the extra weight by producicng an impressive output of 204HP (150kW) and a peak torque of 220Nm which is good enough to accelerate the "electrifying MINI" from standstill to 100km/h (62mph) in 8,5 seconds. The vehicle's top speed is electronically limited to 152 km/h (95mph).

On the outside and apart from the absence of an exhaust pipe(s), the MINI E is distinguished by the bright yellow decals on the rooftop and a stylish logo depiciting an electric plug that makes its appearance on the hood, the roof, the fuel-cap which now hosts an electric socket, and on the rear door.

The two-tone grey-yellow color scheme is continued in the vehicle's interior. The only differences between the 'E' and its conventional siblings in the cabin is the battery level indicator behind the steering wheel that replaces the MINI's rev counter and the absence of the rear seat bench.

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Audi S5 Sportback with 3.0 Supercharged V6

Ingolstadt has whisked the covers off the sportiest version yet of the A5 Sportback, the S5 that will be displayed for the first time at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show in September. The S5 Sportback uses the same 3.0-liter supercharged V6 engine as the latest-generation S4 sedan that cranks out 333 horsepower and 440Nm (324.53 lb.-ft.) of torque between 2,900 and 5,300 rpm.

The 3.0 TSI engine is mated to a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission that puts power to all four wheels through Audi's a Quattro drivetrain while a sport differential, which variably distributes power on the rear axle between the rear wheels, will be offered as an option.

The German firm cites a 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) sprint time of 5.4 seconds (S4 Sedan: 5.1 seconds) and an electronically governed top speed of 250 km/h or 155mph.

Audi says that the S5 Sportback returns a combined fuel economy figure of 9.7 liters per 100 km which is the U.S. equivalent of 24.25 mpg.

In typical Audi fashion, a subtle body kit that includes a deeper front bumper, aluminum-look exterior mirror housings, side skirts, specific grille and a small boot lid spoiler plus 18-inch alloys shod in 245/40 tires distinguish the S5 from its lesser A5 siblings.

Inside, a three-spoke leather steering wheel with contrasting stitching, the aluminum trim, gray dials and of course the sport seats covered with Silk Nappa leather let you know you're behind the wheel of a special A5.

Sales of the Audi S5 Sportback are pegged to start in Spring 2010 with prices set to start in Germany from €57,900.

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First Teaser Photo of BMW's Green Sports Car Concept

What you're looking at above is the rear quarter of BMW's Frankfurt Motor Show bound, Vision EfficientDynamics sports car concept. The teaser photo comes only two days after the release of a short video clip that shows driving images of the concept from an externally mounted camera. We're still in the dark about the details but the new photo pretty much confirms that the Vision EfficientDynamics is an entirely different concept than the four-door coupe that was spied a couple of weeks ago.

BMW said on its official IAA Frankfurt Show blog that it will release more information on the green sports car concept that's supposed to demonstrate "how efficient a sports car can be", on Sunday, August 30.

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VIDEO: 2010 Hyundai ix35 / Tucson iX in Motion

The all-new 2010 Hyundai ix35 or as it will be named in South Korea, the Tucson ix, doesn't make its world debut until the 2009 Frankfurt motorshow in September, but in addition to the first batch of official photos (see here), Hyundai has now released a promotional video showing the Tucson SUV's replacement on the road. You can watch the film right after the jump, but just so you know, Britney Spears haters might want to lower the volume before clicking on play....

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2010 Saab 9-5 Sedan: Officially - Official Photos and Info, gets 1.6-Liter Turbo and AWD

No thanks to an online leak back in July, Saab failed to surprise us today with the official release of its new 9-5 flagship sedan that will have its public debut at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in mid September. Nevertheless, aside from the new photo album, the Swedish automaker also confirmed details behind the 9-5 that will compete in the premium saloon segment when it goes on sale in early 2010.

"This car is the start of a new era for our brand," said Jan-Ake Jonsson, Saab Automobile's Managing Director. "We have created an advanced and very distinctive product by leveraging the power of our roots in key areas, such as progressive Scandinavian design, sporty driving and responsible performance. The new 9-5 delivers in all these respects, as will every future product from Saab."

The 9-5's exterior styling has been inspired by the Aero X concept car while the windshield and roof are reminiscent of the classic 900 model. If you want our personal opinion, which by the way, is not final as we haven't seen the car up close yet, we can't say that we're thrilled by the 9-5' somewhat generic (in a 2000-ish Saab sort of way) face with the dominant grille but we do like the modern and sleek design of the rear-end.

Inside, Saab owners will feel right at home with the traditional, driver-focused cockpit that features an aircraft-inspired head-up information display. The Swedish maker promises that the choice of materials, the fit and finish and the perceived quality of the controls all reflect the new 9-5's premium character.

Furthermore, Saab says that compared to the 9-5's predecessor that was revealed back in 1997, legroom and shoulder width are increased both front and rear, while rear legroom has also been improved.

Underneath its metal skin, the new 9-5 shares GM's Epsilon 2 platform with the Buick LaCrosse and Opel Insignia, though the Saab has a longer wheelbase. At launch, the new 9-5 will be offered with two gasoline engines, a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder unit with 220 HP and a 2.8-liter V6 turbo that makes 300 HP, and a 2.0-liter turbo diesel producing 160 HP. below

Shortly after launch, Saab will add a 1.6-litre gasoline turbo with 180 horsepower together with a 2.0-litre BioPower E85 four-cylinder unit (see details here ->).

All engines are linked to 6-speed manual or automatic transmissions while as an option, the 2.0-liter gas and Biopower models will be available with the Haldex all-wheel drive system that comes as standard on the 2.8 V6 Turbo.

Finally, Saab claims that the 9-5 is the most technically advanced car it has made to date boasting many 'high-tech' features such as adaptive chassis control with driver settings selected through Saab DriveSense, Bi-Xenon Smart Beam adaptive headlights and adaptive cruise control.

More details are to be released at the forthcoming Frankfurt Motor Show.

New Photo Album

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