Auto Design

Giancarlo Perini (c)

After proposing a series of concepts and teasers, Mini is now ready to launch on the market its sixth member of its range: the Mini Roadster. The charming kid is the first open-top two-seater in the brand history and to so me extent it links to the British tradition of open sports cars, with a light and simple manual soft-top roof. Read the rest of this entry »

By Giancarlo Perini ©

Can you concentrate all the luxury of a most aristocratic Rolls-Royce into a compact Mini?

Probably not. Yet you can go a very long way with the help of the Rolls-Royce design team led by Ian Camerun. Just look at the very plush and British interior of the Mini Inspired by Goodwood to be unveiled for the first time at Auto Shanghai next week and you may agree that a compact city car can be very seriously luxurious, filled with the finest material, soft leather and quite a bit of traditional walnut veneer. Read the rest of this entry »

By Giancarlo Perini ©

MINI is far from being tired of launching newer and sexier ideas in spectacular show-cars. In Geneva they will we unveiling their shortest and possibly lightest (for the millenium) Mini so far. It will be also the fastest from zero to 100 thanks to its hybrid technology since, according to a company statement “it is designed to allow the integration of a drive system which combines further enhanced sprinting ability with average fuel consumption of just three liters per 100 kilometers (94 mpg imp).” Read the rest of this entry »

by Giancarlo Perini (c)

You can look back at the Paris Motor Show, the latest top-ranking of the season from many different perspectives: business as usual or new perspective, sexy style or strict functionality, economic status or talks between car-makers to discuss new alliance and even a show within the show. Indeed this is what tiny British carmaker Lotus has done in Paris. By presenting as many as 5 new concept-cars and mock-ups (Elise, Elan and Esprit, Elite and Eterne) the company has attracted a lot of attention from the media and caused a series of serious of questions now waiting for an answer.

Read the rest of this entry »

With most new concept cars actually relying on hybrid technology or Electric drive only, there were three traditional concepts cars. The first was a dream car, the Mazda MX-5 (Miata) Super Light. The other two came both from Mini: the Mini Coupé and Roadster, both previewing the spirited design that will set the next Mini “Twin” models apart. Read the rest of this entry »

PEUGEOT RCZ

Back from holidays, I am facing great difficulties sitting back to my desk and go through the news to report, possibly in a sensible order. The sun is hot, the wind is fresh,  the sky is blue, the air is clean. Outside. What am I doing in my hole with a keypad and a monitor challenging me?

In addition, there is too much to report but nothing new to make “the news”. It is business as usual. Read the rest of this entry »

It looks funny and you are right in asking yourself how such a small car can pull such a big Trailer with the iconic look and brand such as Airstream. You need not to worry though. On one side the Mini Cooper S Clubman is small but has muscles enough to deliver 172 HP, the Airstream trailer is not that big, and it is all-aluminium, lighter than you may think of. Read the rest of this entry »

It is imperative: the new Mini 2009 Cabrio must be driven “Always Open”. Otherwise where is the reason to choose it. Sure it has a very efficient soft roof that you can open or close in 15 seconds but it is a lot more fun to drive the car with the sky above your head. Read the rest of this entry »

MINI has released official pictures of the success of the current Cabriolet due to make its first public appearance at the Detroit Motor Show next month. It is good to hear that the BMW Group is sticking to their long term program and will be in Detroit with their little jewel offering open-roof motoring for up to four car enthusiasts. Here is the second generation Cabriolet of the Mini of the third millennium giving us the desire of bright and sunny days, for ourselves and for the car industry. Read the rest of this entry »

The Official Calendar is a must for MINI fans.

A friend of mine has sent a memo to remind of the 50^th Anniversary of MINI next years and sent the images of the Official Calendar published with the co-operation of MINI and their Designers.

Here is the news, as I have received them. Read the rest of this entry »