Mini Crossover Concept Trademark Applications Reveal Potential New Part Names

BMW has filed for new trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Two of the trademarks seem to relate to the MINI Countryman, a crossover SUV set for a 2010 launch.

Thanks to tipster JordoWeasel for the heads-up.

BMW filed for a trademark on the name "All4" in July, 2009. The designation gives BMW the approval to exclusively use the term as it relates to "Motor vehicles and parts," as well as "Miniatures of motor vehicles." They also filed for "MINI Center Rail" several months earlier. This would give BMW the right to use the term as it relates to "Structural parts of automobiles."

Several features were announced with the MINI Crossover Concept's unveiling at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. The precursor to the Countryman included a system that passes torque to the wheels via a new all-wheel-drive. The crossover was also shown with a "universal, multifunction fastening rail," that is supposed to provide innovative storage space, while allowing front passengers to pass items to rear passengers.

In a press release, the automaker referred to this as the "MINI Center Rail." Recent reports have also suggested that the "All4" term would be used to describe MINI's AWD. We should find out for sure at the MINI Countryman's expected unveiling in Geneva next March.

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MINI Coupe Concept and Roadster Concept

If you'll please forgive us our one tired cliché of the day... BMW has big plans in store for its smallest brand. In this case, quite literally as the next model that comes from Mini will reportedly be the long-expected Countryman crossover, which we can expect to hit the market in the first quarter of 2010. All-wheel drive will make an appearance on the soft-road 'ute, and we hear that a diesel engine is under consideration for the U.S. market.

On the concept car front, BimmerFile reports that Mini is working up a Moke revival that will be shown at an undetermined auto show sometime next year that's described as a small Jeep Wrangler and known internally as the SpaceBox. We're also told to expect a more mainstream concept built off the four-door R60 Countryman platform that would theoretically go up against such respected players as the Volkswagen GTI hatchback. The last concept that is rumored to be in development would share its inspiration with the BMW Vision Concept and feature technology from the automaker's eco-friendly Project i initiative.

Finally, the crystal ball tells us that the well-liked Coupe Concept and Roadster Concept seen earlier this year at the Frankfurt Motor Show have been green-lighted for a hopeful 2012 debut. One year later, the stalwart Cooper hatchback is scheduled for its second major redesign since the Mini brand was first launched back in 2001, very possibly getting a new range of powerplants that will include three-cylinders for the very first time.










[Source: BimmerFile]

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Husqvarna opened a new R & D facility

The Husqvarna brand will enter a new phase of life under the BMW group as the German automaker’s fourth brand. There’s even a new Husqvarna section in BMW’s Pressclub site alongside the BMW, MINI and Motorrad brands now. We’ll probably see much more from them from now on – the first step is to develop new appealing products, right?

It recently opened a new R&D and administrative building, which will provide product development with the best possible support and permit optimum integration of all the functional units involved in the manufacturing processes for the entire range of Husqvarna products.

The new building has three floors and has been built as an addition to the company’s head office at Via Nino Bixio 8. The ground floor houses the engine R&D department and roller dyno facilities, along with the prototype workshop, the racing division and a technical training centre.

The first floor is where the R&D department is located, although the purchasing and market research departments are also on this floor. This is intentional – the people from all three departments have to meet often to meet a balance between functionality, quality and cost, both within the company and with suppliers.

The building is also ‘green’ in the sense htat energy for the hot water supply is provided by the solar panels fitted to the building’s roof. This is all part of BMW’s EfficientDynamics plan. There is also a public area in the front of the new building which has a Husqvarna showroom.

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MINI Coupe and Roadster Concepts Teaser 2 - 'Two Untamed .Same'

Here is the second teaser video promised by MINI in the Two Untamed campaign it will be launching on September 15 on the first press day of the Frankfurt motor show.

In this video we see what appears to be a set of twins (likely the same from the first video) - two very attractive young women. The girls, both wearing black bikinis, say in unison and in a strangely unerotic robotic voice, "They made us both the same." Except one of them is wearing some freaky helmet and then she shatters a glass with some kind of heavy, blunt instrument.

Ok. One is supposed to be wilder than the other? Is this a reference to the new MINI Roadster Concept being more of an untamed beast than the Coupe that was previously unveiled? But the title says they are two (meaning both) untamed. It's a little confusing.

We will probably understand this better when we see the whole thing.

MINI says there will be another teaser video before the debut on the 15th.

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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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