With its design improved in an evolutionary process and with an even wider range of practical functions, the new MINI Cabrio is unmistakably MINI. Equipped with the most advanced and sophisticated suspension technology, even more powerful and efficient engines, and with optimised safety technology, the new version of the open-air four-seater MINI consistently raises its strengths and qualities to an even higher level. And all of this whilst maintaining superior agility and go-kart handling, typical of MINI.

There are 12 highly attractive colour variants as well as new equipment features that add an additional touch of style and class. Automatic air conditioning with Cabrio mode is available for the first time that serves to provide a consistent set temperature under the influence of wind when the roof is opened. Also available is the seamless integration of external music players, a USB port and Bluetooth hands-free telephone system, suitably compatible with the Apple iPhone. And last but certainly not least the MINI Cabrio combines a supreme blend of quality materials and finishes to enhance the unique position of the MINI Cabrio.

The occupants are safely protected from wind and weather in the new MINI Cabrio by the high-quality soft top with its integrated sliding roof function. Even while driving at a speed of up to 30 km/h, the soft top folds back fully automatically in a complete process within just 15 seconds, giving the new MINI Cabrio its true purpose and quality: This is a car simply begging for driving in the open air at any time of the year, symbolising this challenge to the driver through the optionally available, absolutely unique Always-Open Timer next to the rev counter.

This unprecedented instrument shows the driver and passengers the time they have spent driving with the roof down – motivating the driver to really enjoy the thrill of open-air motoring as frequently as possible.

• The new MINI Cabrio offers outstanding everyday driving qualities through the Easy-Load Function, the rear-seat backrest folding down individually on either side, as well as the unusually large through-loading between the luggage and passenger compartment. Luggage compartment capacity has increased to 125 litres (+5 litres) with the roof open, 170 litres (+5 litres) with the roof closed, and 660 litres (+55 litres) with the rear-seat backrest folded down.

This variability, quite unique in the Cabrio segment, is made possible by the innovative design and construction of the rollbar: The new MINI Cabrio comes with a single-piece rollbar behind the rear seats extending across the entire interior width of the car, not obstructing the driver’s line of visibility in any way when looking to the rear, and moving up automatically in just 150 milliseconds, in the event this safety feature is required.

The new MINI Cabrio will enter the market during the second quarter of 2009 with two engine variants. The MINI Cooper Cabrio offers sporting qualities right from the start with its 1.6-litre four-cylinder power unit featuring fully variable valve management for maximum output of 88 kW at 6,000 rpm.

The MINI Cooper S Cabrio is even more dynamic and performance-oriented, its 1.6-litre four-cylinder with a Twin-Scroll turbocharger and direct fuel injection delivering 128 kW at an engine speed of 5,500 rpm and thus providing a particularly refreshing feeling of power and dynamic performance.

Fuel consumption and CO2 emissions on the new MINI Cabrio are reduced by up to 19 per cent compared with the cars’ respective predecessors.

From the start the MINI Cooper S Cabrio and the MINI Cooper Cabrio are available with a six-speed manual gearbox featured as standard or optional six-speed automatic transmission. At the same time the new MINI Cabrio owes its fascinating handling to suspension technology significantly enhanced and upgraded over the former model. Indeed, thanks to sophisticated wheel suspension, extremely precise electromechanical power steering, the powerful brake system and DSC Dynamic Stability Control featured as standard, the open-air MINI combines supreme agility with equally exemplary safety all round.

Since arriving in March 2002, over 12,200 MINIs have delighted Australian fans with a blend of chic design, cheeky driving style and huge array of personalisation options.

The most recent ‘graduate’ from MINI Plant Oxford, the brand new MINI John Cooper Works, arrives in Australia next month.

In the first six months of 2008, MINI recorded a worldwide increase in sales of 17.9 per cent compared to last year delivering 126,810 vehicles. The introduction of the MINI Clubman has contributed greatly to this success every fifth MINI sold is a Clubman.

Oliver Zipse, Managing Director MINI Plant Oxford said: “Export is a key factor for the success and stability of our MINI Plant in Oxford. Since MINI was launched we have seen a significant increase in export from less than 60 per cent in 2001 to over 80 per cent this year. The high customer demand in almost 80 countries around the world, from Chile to China, has driven MINI’s success over the last seven years.”

Plant Oxford employs 4,700 associates who work a three shift pattern producing up to 800 MINIs a day, seven days a week. An additional 2,100 associates work at the MINI pressing plant in Swindon and engine plant in Hams Hall near Birmingham; the three plants together form the MINI production triangle in the UK.

The four-seat MINI Cabrio converted many enthusiasts to ownership status thanks to a three model range that comprised the best selling MINI Cooper Cabrio, the high-performance MINI Cooper S and John Cooper Works Cabrios and (not in Australia) the MINI One Cabrio.

The MINI Cabrio is already being hailed as a classic. It was the first model derivative to follow the MINI hardtop into the new generation, and it came equipped with many innovations, such as the sliding sunroof section which could be opened even at high speed, as well as the Easy-Load-System which made accessing the luggage bay that much easier for bulky items.

The very last MINI Cabrio for the R52 generation rolled off the line this week. It was a MINI Cooper S Cabrio Sidewalk finished in metallic White Silver. It was snapped up by a keen MINI fan from the USA.

American buyers were the second largest market for the MINI Cabrio after the UK, where the snug fitting weather-resistant hood proved more than a match for the English summer (and winter, though we’re not sure which is wetter or gloomier).

MINI Cabrio was popular in all markets where it was sold. Fans of open air MINI motoring in the UK, USA Germany, Italy and Japan were the most ardent and willing with their cheque books.

Australia and Canada also rank among the model’s top ten markets.

Funnily enough, in chilly Scandinavia almost twice as many people purchased MINI Cabrios as fair-weathered Greece; in Austria, there are at least five-times as many MINI Cabrio drivers as in sunny Portugal.

With the conclusion of production of the R52, Plant Oxford can now give its total attention to the MINI hardtop and the MINI Clubman.

The MINI Cooper Cabrio accounted for 79,500 of the total sales with the MINI Cooper S Cabrio (and John Cooper Works versions) selling around 56,500 units. The remainder were MINI One Cabrio models, (never offered in Australia).

The MINI Cabrio inspires fashion designers and Hollywood stars.

Right from the start, the MINI Cabrio established itself as a guarantor for driving enjoyment that evokes desire and inspires imagination. At the market launch of the new MINI in 2001, many fans were already longing for an open-top model, which at this time was already being very carefully developed under the aegis of the BMW Group, to be launched just three years later.

The new body variant added a further facet to the unique MINI feeling. The brand’s typical sporty handling was now successfully combined with stylish open-air driving enjoyment. The aura of the MINI Cabrio also inspired the fashion industry. At the sales launch, designers of the Italian lifestyle label Bisazza had the idea to enrobe the MINI Cabrio in a dress of tesserae. More than 30,000 glass stones were used for this purpose. The result was radiant and unique design specimens.

In the following years, further lifestyle and fashion labels created special designs as a result of the inspiration of the MINI Cabrio. Just one year ago, the MINI Cabrio even became a Hollywood star. In the comedy “The Heartbreak Kid”, the leading roles, played by Malin Akerman and Ben Stiller, took it on honeymoon.

A very special MINI, an extraordinary Cabrio.

The two-door vehicle secures its position as a very special MINI and an extraordinary Cabrio with numerous unique features. Thanks to an integrated sliding roof function, the soft top can be opened 40 cm wide, even while driving up to a speed of 120 km/h. In just 15 seconds, the soft top can be completely folded up behind the back seat.

Under the tailgate of the MINI Cabrio, when the roof is closed, 165 litres of storage space is available. Its load capacity is an impressive 400 kg. And with the Easy-Load-System, even bulky luggage can be effortlessly stored by folding up the back part of the top and using the large opening to the luggage compartment to pass through the luggage. In conjunction with the fold-down back seats, the storage space can even be expanded to up to 605 litres.

The mixture of driving enjoyment, cleverly devised details, premium quality and expressive design have given the MINI Cabrio a lead in the popularity stakes, which remained constant up until the end of its production period and will not wane even afterwards.

The assessments of independent market experts, which give the MINI Cabrio an unusually stable value rating, already indicate this. Back in 2007, the MINI Cabrio was already dubbed the “value master” of all classes by the industry magazine “Auto Bild”. This was based on the pre-calculated residual value of 70 percent of the new price after three years. In the current ranking for 2008, the value stability of the MINI Cabrio is only surpassed by one “competitor” from its own brand: the current MINI Cooper hardtop.

The sports version of the world’s favourite premium small car gains an additional power boost, adding yet more wicked smiles per mile to MINI Cooper S ownership.

The John Cooper Works Tuning Kit for the MINI Cooper S spikes the 1.6-litre twin scroll turbo engine’s output to an impressive 141 kW (or 192 bhp), a 10 percent increase.

Maximum torque also rises from 240 Nm to 250 Nm between 1,700 and 5,000 rpm while for sling-shot bursts of overtaking nirvana, the turbo engine Overboost function spirals the torque briefly to a heady 270 Nm between 1,750 and 4,500 rpm.

The resulting acceleration improvement over the standard 2007 MINI Cooper S is significant.

The 0-100 km/h time for the six-speed manual transmission model drops from a brisk 7.1 seconds to a rapid-fire 6.8 seconds, while in-gear acceleration is also improved.

A MINI Cooper S equipped with the John Cooper Works Tuning Kit will rush from 80-120 km/h in just 5.3 seconds in fourth gear (5.5 seconds in a standard MINI Cooper S). The same 80-120 km/h acceleration takes 6.6 seconds in fifth gear (7.0 standard car) and 7.6 seconds in sixth gear (8.0), underlining the low and mid-range boost the new turbocharged engine delivers.

Compared with the standard MINI Cooper S, top speed is now 232 km/h (145 mph), up from 225 km/h (where legal).

Fuel consumption and emissions are unchanged from the standard MINI Cooper S according to the European composite cycle test. The John Cooper Works equipped MINI Cooper S will return 6.9 l/100 km on the test cycle and emit just 164 g/km of CO2.

The John Cooper Works Tuning Kit for the MINI Cooper S consists of a freer-flowing twin pipe sports exhaust system; a sports high-flow air filter and intake box; and an electronic engine management system optimised for greater power efficiency. The resulting package fires the MINI Cooper S to new performance peaks and even greater driving fun.

The air box that comes with the John Cooper Works Tuning Kit features a larger aperture to allow more fresh air to enter though a special low restriction filter element. In addition to dramatically increasing the airflow, the new air box creates a more powerful induction sound that compliments the impressive growl from the new performance exhaust.

The enhanced Electronic Control Unit (ECU) programming has been recalibrated to optimise power output and driveability, resulting in lively throttle response and increased acceleration in the mid-range torque band. The reprogramming optimises the power output by managing all engine control functions including airflow, combustion, fuel delivery and spark advance.

The stainless steel Sport Exhaust System is a parallel-flow, low backpressure system with superb interior and exterior noise quality. The system adds a throatier, more powerful exhaust note, and has distinctive-looking twin chrome exhaust tips engraved with the John Cooper Works logos.

To warn potential rivals, there’s a discrete John Cooper Works badge for the front grille and the tailgate, while under the bonnet there’s a John Cooper works logo on the top of the airbox.

As with the previous generation car, the John Cooper Works Tuning Kit is only available via the nationwide network of MINI Garages. Fitting time is approximately half a day, a shorter time frame because there is no cylinder head exchange this time.

The 2007 MINI Cooper S John Cooper Works kit is available from $3,800 including GST, but not including fitting, which must be done at a MINI Garage.

The Tuning Kit can also be fitted to the six-speed automatic transmission MINI Cooper S.

The Tuning Kit was jointly designed by BMW and The Cooper Car Company Ltd. There are no plans to fit this kit at the factory at Oxford.

Putting motor racing passion into every drive is an accompanying range of authentic John Cooper Works accessories, both cosmetic and mechanical, all of which allow owners to build their most exciting cars yet.

These pulse-quickening features include a sports chassis, front perforated brake discs and 18-inch light alloy wheels. These options can be ideally combined with numerous other features from the John Cooper Works accessory range which equally enhance the car’s sporting spirit: with body-coloured aerodynamics packages, John Cooper Works sports seats, John Cooper Works sports steering wheel and selected carbon-fibre interior fittings.

The John Cooper Works Tuning Kit for the MINI Cooper S includes race-bred components. This most powerful version of the new MINI thus carries on a tradition which dates back to the legendary racing success of MINI and John Cooper Works in the 1960s.

And the sporty look of the new MINI Cooper S can be further refined with the appropriate ingredients from the John Cooper Works collection.

The sports chassis not only ensures even more agile handling but also lowers the suspension by 10 mm. In keeping with this, John Cooper Works provides a colour-coded aerodynamic body kit which consists of a front and rear apron and side sills as well as a selection of 18-inch light allow wheels – the “Double Spoke” design has a particularly agile look.

The largest wheel authorised for the new MINI (dimensions 7J x 18) has low-profile run-flat safety tyres sized at 205/40/18.

The perforated brake discs are also borrowed from classic racing technology.

Carbon-fibre exterior treatments extend to trim panels for the front air inlet, exterior mirrors and tailgate handle, the latter items also suitable for the MINI Cooper models.

A John Cooper Works roof spoiler in carbon fibre is also available for the new MINI, while inside there are sports seats that not only look great but also provide improved lateral support for dynamic driving.

A new feature offered with the R56 generation cars is the John Cooper Works sports steering wheel. It is available either with leather or alcantara wrapping, allowing the driver to choose between looks or functionality or both.

In addition, the range of custom features available to MINI buyers continues to expand. In addition to extra driving lamps, and illuminated sill covers, owners can have the rear view mirror back and door mirror backs finished in Union jacks or chequered flag designs, as well as for the door handle trims.

Finally the roof decal list grows to include a handy helicopter landing pad motif (owners are advised to take care when parking at the airport).

MINI-specific roof and rear carrier systems enable the safe transport of bicycles, skis, snowboards or roof boxes. The especially useful options also include high-quality textile floor mats, a rear protective cover, a luggage compartment tub and folding sun blinds.

“The new MINI Cooper S with the John Cooper Works Tuning Kit will give our most ardent performance fans a boost,” said Justin Hocevar, National Manager, MINI.

“The turbocharged performance of the standard 128 kW MINI Cooper S, especially with Overboost is a joy to drive quickly, but the acceleration in cars fitted with the John Cooper Works Tuning Kit moves to another level.

“The kit also further reinforces the extra mid-range grunt, especially in fourth gear, that the turbocharged engine delivers.

“The John Cooper Works kit turns a fast car into a real flier. And now with the kit’s more affordable price point I am sure we will experience a high level of demand from our owners,” Justin said.

The Mini Clubman

With its exciting and imaginative design, the MINI Clubman stands out. It’s clearly a MINI from every angle, yet its proportions and dimensions immediately secure rapt attention due to the fresh approach to the design of the rear. Authentic MINI design cues are given a fresh new twist.

The ultimate MINI Clubman advantage is that just sitting behind the wheel, or even behind the driver, occupants will enjoy the purest fun on four wheels, unfiltered, undiluted, as in every MINI.

And then there’s the Clubdoor. No other passenger car has one.

Open the driver’s door, then open the rear-hinged Clubdoor, to enter a new world of MINI accommodation, boasting greater legroom and headroom for rear occupants.

Behind this remarkable rear seating comfort lies a significantly increased and very flexible load space that caters to diverse needs.

The MINI Clubman will be ideal for fashionable folk who wish to mix their active or outdoor lifestyle pursuits with a small, prestige car that can be specified to a very high degree.

Clearly MINI, irresistibly innovative. The unique character of the MINI Clubman makes it instantly recognisable, even with a new muscular roofline that extends beyond the rear doors to form an integral spoiler, adding a further dash of zest to the overall profile.

Viewed from the rear the MINI Clubman has a striking look, defined by the vertically split doors complete with chromed handles and equipped with a wiper apiece to ensure rearward visibility in all weather. The wide-opening doors ensure easy rear-entry loading.

The upper section of the C pillar cover is swathed in a shield of contrasting trim, to further amplify the heritage link, while vertically stacked taillights offer another authentic nod to past glories.

Unlike any other car, the MINI Clubman provides an up-to-date interpretation of traditional shooting brake concepts; a sporty two-door car with a practical luggage area.

All this makes the MINI Clubman the modern successor to three legendary classics, the Morris Mini Traveller, the Austin Mini Countryman, and the Mini Clubman Estate. It is the ideal partner to the grandson of the original compact car, the New MINI Hardtop.

Three motors on debut in Europe.

The new MINI Clubman goes on sale in Germany on 10 November, exactly 51 weeks after the introduction of the R56 MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S Hardtop.

It will be powered by the same engines offered in the R56 MINI Hardtop.

Equipped with a twin-scroll turbocharger and direct petrol injection producing a maximum output of 128 kW at 5,500 rpm, and 240 Nm of torque between 1,600-5,000 rpm (260 Nm with Overboost), the MINI Cooper S Clubman is the most powerful.

The MINI Cooper S Clubman offers not only impressive performance, but also an exceptionally good balance of driving pleasure and economy.

The MINI Cooper Clubman features fully variable valve control developed from BMW Group’s VALVETRONIC technology, for spirited performance and amazing economy under all engine loads. Its naturally aspirated engine produces 88 kW at 6,000 rpm and maximum torque of 160 Nm at 4,250 rpm.

All MINI engines represent the most advanced state-of-the-art in engine technology based on the outstanding competence in development of the BMW Group.

In their performance as well as fuel economy and emission management, both the MINI Hardtop and the MINI Clubman are virtually equal.

As with all MINI vehicles, engine power reaches the road via the front wheels. All MINI Clubman models feature a standard six-speed manual gearbox or an optional six-speed automatic transmission. The automatic transmission has a manual mode whereby the driver may select gears via steering wheel mounted paddle shifts.

Bold design and five doors in brand-new shape.

The new MINI Clubman is the ideal vehicle for a driver who enjoys not only sporty performance but also revels in unique design features.

The new generation of the MINI is the world’s only compact premium car to combine ingenious design with incomparably agile driving characteristics, high quality and acclaimed safety features and standards, as well as a wide range of customisation options, all delivered with truly outstanding efficiency. The MINI Hardtop has been awarded Five Stars in EuroNCAP testing, underlining its inherent occupant safety characteristics.

And now the MINI Clubman adds further room for enjoyment.

There’s 240 mm more MINI to love in overall length, comprising an 80 mm greater wheelbase, all of it dedicated to enhancing rear passenger accommodation.

The new MINI Clubman is instantly recognisable by its more muscular roofline and its rear vertically-split doors.

In profile, on the right-hand side (driver’s side in Australia) the extended design is highlighted by the innovative Clubdoor concept.

The Clubdoor turns the MINI Clubman from a four-door to a five-door, though thanks to the deft touch of inspired design, there is no external handle to interrupt the smooth flow of the coachwork.

Both front doors remain exactly as there are in the MINI Hardtop; in fact the MINI Clubman and MINI Hardtop are identical as far back as the B pillar.

On the driver’s side, access to the rear is supplemented by an additional rear-hinged door, the Clubdoor. For safety reasons, this can only be opened by the internally mounted handle, when the driver’s door is opened.

The Clubdoor offers comfortable and convenient access to the rear, which in some markets will be offered with an optional three-seat bench.

At the rear of the MINI Clubman, the twin doors open wide to allow easy loading for bulky goods, the load bay swallowing 260-litres with the rear seats up. With the seats folded forward a significant 960-litres of space is available for loading.

The rear seat backrest is divided 50/50. When folded and teamed with an optional folding floor section, it provides a long flat load bed. Thanks to a generous load height in the rear, plenty of sporting equipment can be carried inside, including a mountain bike with the front wheel removed.

As an option there is also a safety net separating the luggage area from the passenger compartment. And to ensure clear visibility to the rear at all times, each rear door comes with a separate windscreen wiper.

Modern interpretation of a classic concept.

In its split-door configuration, the MINI Clubman recalls the Austin Mini Countryman, the Morris Mini Traveller, and the Mini Clubman Estate sold in great numbers between 1960 and 1982.

These classic models were the source of inspiration for the 21st century iteration which is now known as the MINI Clubman.

The great potential offered by a modern interpretation of this kind of vehicle was clearly proven by the four MINI concept cars (MINI Concept Geneva, MINI Concept Frankfurt, MINI Concept Tokyo and MINI Concept Detroit). Now the most important highlights are available on the production version; the new MINI Clubman.

But an additional surprise and delight feature is the Clubdoor, which unlike the split rear doors, was not previewed by the MINI Concept cars.

The MINI Clubman is reminiscent of its classic forerunners also in terms of design, taking up and re-interpreting unique features of the classic models rendered in authentic up-to-date design language and with modern function.

Where once a wooden frame and exposed hinges characterised the rear end of the car, the door surfaces now merge smoothly and aerodynamically into the C-pillars to form one large, harmonious area.

The colour scheme also takes up the particular flair and look of the classic rear-door concept, the C-pillars on the MINI Clubman accentuated together with the bumper by contrasting paintwork and thus forming a truly striking door surround.

The colour of this rear door surround matches the roof colour. On the MINI Clubman this is a choice between Silver (in place of white) and Black.

As an option the MINI Clubman is also available with the roof finished in body colour, in which case only the C-pillars including the upper section of the bumpers are finished in contrasting Silver or Black paintwork, thus maintaining the striking look of the rear door frame on all versions of the MINI Clubman.

The individual model variants are designated at the rear by their names “Cooper” and “Cooper S”, while the additional name “Clubman” is to be seen in the right-hand door sill strip.

A typically MINI driving experience.

MINI has developed the new MINI Clubman for the active and passionate customer who wants instantly recognisable and individualistic transport imbued with agile, sporting prowess with an extra dash of practicality.

Despite its longer wheelbase and rear overhang, the MINI Clubman retains the classic MINI bulldog stance. Driving characteristics are truly agile, with legendary MINI go-kart handling a highlight.

The MINI Clubman boast sympathetically retuned suspension that lacks nothing in composure or grip; the chassis and suspension developed for the new generation of MINI guarantees superior handling safe and sporting at all times.

At the front, MacPherson spring struts ensure excellent wheel guidance, keeping the steering smooth and responsive at all times, unaffected by engine torque both on winding roads and when accelerating or applying the brakes.

The central-arm rear axle also benefits from the full competence of the BMW Group in state-of-the-art development. This advanced design is unique in the MINI segment, offering optimum road contact at all times thanks to its elaborate, sophisticated kinematics.

Aluminium longitudinal arms help to optimise the car’s weight, while anti-roll bars additionally promote the safe handling of the MINI Clubman.

Reflecting the extra power and its enhanced performance, the suspension set-up on the MINI Cooper S Clubman is even more sporting and dynamic than the sports-oriented suspension of the MINI Cooper Clubman. All models retain substantial safety reserves even when driven hard.

In Europe, the new MINI Cooper Clubman will fetaure15-inch light alloy wheels, while the MINI Cooper S Clubman has 16-inch light alloy rims with runflat safety tyres which remove the inconvenience and safety risks of changing a punctured tyre at the roadside.

MINI Clubman models on runflat safety tyres may be driven a considerable distance even when one or even all four tyres are completely flat or punctured.

Electrical Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) gives the driver exact feedback, the steering remaining sporty and direct at all times, with power assistance geared to road speed.

A further advantage of Electrical Power Assisted Steering is it weights much less than a conventional steering system. The steering function is also geared to actual demands in order to save energy. The servo motor is used only when power assistance is required by the driver.

The sports-oriented suspension of the MINI Clubman is supported by a highly efficient and powerful brake system featuring highlights such as anti-lock control (ABS), Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Cornering Brake Control (CBC) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) including hill start-off assistance all coming as standard.

The Brake Assistant on the new MINI recognises emergency application of the brakes and immediately builds up maximum brake pressure whenever required to keep stopping distances as short as possible.

Details, Details.

More than 40 exterior colour combinations.

Driving a MINI is more than just getting from A to B it is an expression of driving pleasure and the joy of powerful, trendsetting design.

The new MINI Clubman offers the enthusiast customer the choice of more than 40 combinations for the exterior paintwork alone. This amazing array of choice is further enhanced by a wide range of accessories and a great selection of options and special equipment geared specifically to the MINI Clubman.

Hot Chocolate, a particularly attractive metallic colour, is reserved exclusively for the MINI Clubman. Hot Chocolate works exceedingly well with the new Silver roof colour and the frame around the rear doors.

The MINI Clubman is available in no less than 12 body colours the three non-metallic colours Chilli Red, Pepper White and Mellow Yellow, as well as the additional metallic colours Astro Black, Sparkling Silver, British Racing Green, Pure Silver, Lightning Blue, Nightfire Red, Dark Silver, and Laser Blue as well as the new Hot Chocolate.

Everybody is an artist freedom in interior design.

All MINI Clubman customers may choose their very own individual interior design, combining four interior colours and five Colour Line variants.

Seats are available in cloth upholstery, a cloth/leather combination, full leather or the premium Leather Lounge, complete with contrasting piping and fluted panels. Cloth/leather and full leather comes in a wide variety of colours.

A wide range of trim options helps to underline the premium character of the MINI Clubman, for example through optional English Oak or glistening Piano Black paint. If the huge individual choice is too much there are two standard trim options as well as Fluid Silver and Brushed Alloy as further optional selections.

Unique, authentic, innovative. The new MINI Clubman.

The new MINI Clubman is unique which is part of what makes it a MINI.

The MINI Clubman reinterprets for the 21st century the concept of a sporting shooting brake, yet refers authentically to the standout design features of its predecessor MINI models.

But like the new generation MINI, the MINI Clubman is engineered to meet the needs of customers in all areas, safety, economy, emissions as well as lifestyle demands.

Given its unique features and highly functional layout, the MINI Clubman paves the way into a brand-new segment in the market, while the MINI premium brand, introducing this avant-garde innovation, once again underlines its leadership in the small car segment in terms of vehicle concepts, technical and design features.

Available in supercharged 1.6-litre MINI Cooper S guise with 125 kW on tap, or the sporty naturally-aspirated MINI Cooper, the Sidewalk is packed with exclusive features that will ensure it is the most sought-after drop-head for sophisticated small car sun-lovers.

Equipped like no other MINI Cabrio before it, the Sidewalk model, which is available in 5-speed manual or CVT automatic for the Cooper, and six-speed manual or six-speed automatic for the Cooper S, provides a treasure trove of goodies unavailable on any other four-seater convertible in Australia.

Sidewalk features a new Malt brown leather interior as standard with fluted seat facings and contrasting silver piping in a traditional, decadent style. The leather accents spill over to the armrests, the two-tone multi-function sport steering wheel as well as the gear-shifter.

A high gloss finish to the dashboard facings and door surrounds is backed up by a bespoke “Sidewalk” entry plaque in the door aperture as well as an interior lights package and Chrome Line Interior.

Outside there is the choice of a distinctive special order White Silver paint scheme or Sparkling Silver, British Racing Green or Astro Black hues, while eye-catching Night Spoke 17-inch light alloy wheels in silver and anthracite ensure the Sidewalk is instantly identifiable.

Mirror caps finished in body colour are joined by a special Sidewalk badge adorning the front guards.

All Sidewalk models feature standard Automatic Stability Control + Traction, front fog lights, sport seats with manual height adjustment, Cockpit Chrono Pack, and automatic air conditioning. There’s also a storage package, on board computer and specially finished gunmetal grey floor mats.

On the MINI Cooper S model, Satellite navigation and Xenon headlamps are also included.

As with all MINI Cabrio models, the folding roof slips back in a swift 15 seconds, and the sunroof section above the front passengers can be opened 400 mm at speeds of up to 120 km/h (where legal).

Adding to the chill-out factor is the MINI Cabrio’s unique bottom-hinged boot lid that allows two small people to sit back and watch the sunset.

The MINI Cooper Sidewalk is priced from $42,100 (manual) and the MINI Cooper S Sidewalk is priced from $51,100 (manual) and both models are available immediately at MINI Garages nationwide.

“MINI Cabrio offers the highest degree of customisation of any convertible in its price range and beyond,” said Justin Hocevar, National Manager MINI.

“Now we add a further layer of exclusivity to MINI Cabrio ownership with the arrival of the Sidewalk model.

“Since it went on sale in January 2005, the MINI Cabrio has been a hit with buyers looking for a fast, stylish and superbly agile convertible that is as much at home cruising the bay-side boulevards as it is blasting through the hills.

“MINI is already unique in its customisation options for Cabrio and Hardtop models, but the Sidewalk not only combines some of the most attractive options, but delivers them in an exclusive paintwork and wheel package.

“The Sidewalk will turn heads on pavements across Australia,” Justin said.

The first official appearance of the unique car that’s fizzing with fun was spectacular: Testino himself drove his MINI through a guard of honour of 40,000 people across the Life Ball’s red carpet in front of the Rathausplatz and shared the glory with a host of glittering VIPs. From stars like the No Angels and Anja Platzer, soon to be voted “Germany’s Next Top Model”, through the Scissor Sisters and Grammy-winner Mya up to Hollywood greats like Sharon Stone and O.C. California star Adam Brody they had all come to visit this spectacular event in Vienna.

Auction in aid of LifeBall on ebay.at from 31 May to 10 June 2007

The unique Life Ball MINI will once again be auctioned on eBay, as it is every year. The auction starts on Thursday, 31 May and then MINI fans all over the world have the opportunity to buy this uniquely fiery vehicle. The deadline for all those who want to purchase the Testino MINI is thus 10 June. The proceeds from the auction will be given to Life Ball, as always.

The 15th Life Ball was a festival of superlatives. The gods looked favourably on the Life Ball this year and pampered the often sparsely clad visitors with a delightfully warm summer night. After the stunning two-hour opening show at Vienna’s Rathausplatz, the 4,000 people who had managed to obtain tickets to the Life Ball itself carried on celebrating into the early morning hours inside the City Hall.

The celebrations had actually started the evening before in “Le Meridien”, the official Life Ball Hotel. Gery Keszler was able to welcome top model Nadja Auermann, Mario Testino, colourful designer duo Heatherette, “Playmate of the Century” Gitta Saxx, comedian Dirk Bach, Hubertus von Hohenlohe, swimming star Markus Rogan, and Austrian actress Doris Schretzmayer and her US colleague Alan Cumming.

For all those MINI fans who couldn’t be there in person, there was plenty going on at Josef-Meinrad-Platz too: the “Double D”, a 1961 double-decker bus that has been converted into a lifestyle/event bus, was parked opposite the “Red Ribbon”, captivating the hearts of MINI fans and curious passers by. Inside the legendary double-decker, visitors could admire and purchase accessories and essentials from the current MINI Collection.

There was also a fairy-tale atmosphere and plenty happening on the Fairytale Stage. In line with the Life Ball motto of “Once upon a time”, MINI fans, passers by and visitors were able to take on the role of fabulous fairy-tale figures and immortalise themselves in a MINI picture.

The Life Ball MINI 2007 is being auctioned worldwide on eBay (www.ebay.at) from 31 May to 10 June 2007.

They flocked in from as far afield as Australia, Japan and Thailand, let alone the USA and all over Europe.

Now MINI UNITED returns for a second European celebration, this time at the beachside suburb of Zandvoort near Amsterdam, Holland’s fun capital, over the weekend of 22-24 June, 2007

The internationally famous former Formula 1 Zandvoort race circuit will be home to on-track action as the MINI faithful descend in huge numbers.

The theme is Friends. Festival. Challenge.

The weekend-long party includes music and dance from some of the hottest European club acts and chart stars, including DJs from one of the world’s most famous music and entertainment lifestyle brands: Hed Kandi.

On track the red-hot door-to-door action comes courtesy of the German MINI Challenge championship which is sure to keep the crowds focussed on their high-octane, high-speed, hi-jinks.

But MINI enthusiasts won’t be content to just sit back and soak up the atmosphere, so there is a galaxy of fun participation activities on hand from dune buggy driving to karts, mind-blowing exhibitions and the chance to even drive your own car on the race track.

Zandvoort is not only a well-known venue for major motor racing, but it is the beach resort of choice for Amsterdam’s hottest and hippest groovers.

Thus, it is also home to Europe’s biggest party scene, and one of its epicentres of design and style and the ideal setting for MINI UNITED 2007 and MINI fans from around the world.

At the first MINI UNITED Festival in Misano, Italy in October 2005 around 6,000 MINI enthusiasts from 40 countries enjoyed the unique mixture of party and spectacle, motor racing excitement and community experience.

The success of the event immediately sparked the urgent desire among the MINI community for a re-run. Now the time has come. There is no doubt MINI UNITED 2007 will be the biggest spectacle the MINI world has ever seen!

Team MINI race driver Grant Denyer took part in a celebrity MINI Challenge race at the Misano event, battling such former F1 drivers as Alex Zanardi, Christian Danner and Marc Surer. Grant finished 6th overall, ahead of all the F1 drivers except Zanardi (who won the 16-lapper).

Denyer recently finished in the top 20 at the Targa Tasmania Rally in a MINI Cooper S John Cooper Works.

Check out the MINI UNITED website at www.MINI.com/MINIUNITED

What’s on At MINI UNITED Zandvoort:

Tent area.

Massage, Hairstyling, Internet café, Photo exhibition: How we got to MINI UNITED, Autograph Session with Rauno Aaltonen and Mike Cooper.

Kid’s area.

Huge array of play ground activities for the young (and young at heart), including junior racing cars.

Challenge yourself.

MINI Quiz, MINI obstacle, MINI-pull, MINI Pit-Stop.

Beachclub.

Speedminton /Blackminton, Beach Volleyball, Beach Ball, Catch Ball, Twist Ball.

Creativity centre.

MINI Cartoonist, Design Workshop, Poweriser Show, Open Market, Car Wash.

Driving activities.

Track drive, Taxi Drive, MINI Driver Training (additional cost), karting, Run-Flat Safety Tyres demo, Quadbiking, experience the MINI product family.

Motor sport.

German MINI Challenge, Stunt Show.

The UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP, was at BMW Group’s Oxford plant for the start of production of the new MINI, along with the recently appointed Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Dr Norbert Reithofer, and guests from UK industry.

During his visit to Plant Oxford Dr Reithofer said: “The MINI has been an outstanding, international success for the company and our investment will ensure that we can build on this success in the future. Our new MINI production triangle has established a lean, efficient and flexible production network and allows us to continue to offer MINI customers unrivalled built-to-order flexibility in the small car segment.

Since the start of the series production of MINI in 2001, growing demand worldwide has constantly surpassed the production capacity of Plant Oxford, despite continuous production increases. More than 850,000 built-to-order MINIs have rolled off the assembly line at the Oxford plant to date, 75 per cent of which having been exported to over 70 markets worldwide. Plant Hams Hall has received around £30 million to build a new, advanced family of petrol engines especially for MINI. As output at the Oxford plant reaches full capacity the total number of BMW and MINI engines being produced at the engine plant will increase from 180,000 to more than 300,000 units a year in the medium-term. Based on this production volume at least 250 new jobs will be created bringing the total employed at Hams Hall to 1,000.

Plant Oxford has received over 100 million to expand production capacity from 200,000 to 240,000 units a year in the medium-term. The plant has invested in the latest technology throughout the body shell production, paint and final assembly areas to increase capacity and prepare for the production of the new MINI. Up to 200 new jobs will be created at the plant as volumes increase towards the plant’s maximum capacity bringing the total workforce to 4,700.

The Swindon Plant has received £60 million for MINI body pressing and sub-assembly technologies. The facility, which employs 1,100 associates, has been through an extensive modernisation programme over the past three years and is now working with the very latest press and seam technology.

In addition to higher production capacities, the integration of the locations in the MINI production triangle with their efficient logistics networks also results in increased flexibility. All pressings and body components are delivered just-in-time from the Swindon plant directly to the body production facility at the Oxford plant. The engines from the Hams Hall plant are delivered just-in-sequence to the assembly lines in Oxford.

The sophisticated logistics concept furthermore enables a high degree of flexibility even after a customer has placed their order. Customer requests for changes can be taken into account regarding colour, engine type or options up to seven days before the start of assembly. The underlying “Customer Oriented Sales and Production Process” (COSP) is unique in this form within the automotive industry.

To enable the three plants to respond together to changes in demand and to customer requirements, flexible working and complementary shift patterns have been implemented across the three plants with up to seven day working and up to 140 hours production time per week.

As well as bringing a significant investment to BMW Group’s UK operations, the UK-based supply industry will also benefit with key, large-scale components, such as the seats and the cockpit known as modules being sourced from within the UK. Three major suppliers have relocated their operations to be within one hour of the Oxford plant investing £40 million and creating 750 new jobs. In total about 60 percent of components delivered to the Oxford plant are from UK-based suppliers.

An all-new power train with refined, high-tech, clean engines, lighter kerb weight, more standard features and even more personalisation options define the new car.

The Mark II mini is now completely re-engineered and it now shares its platform with PSA Peugeot Citroen. Although it is hard to tell the car apart from the first generation New Mini it has had a complete reskin and is in fact 60mm longer.

The engines are all new too, The new “Prince” engine was jointly developed with Peugeot unlike the old motor that was known as the Tritec engine that was a joint venture between BMW and Chrysler. The Tritec engine venture existed prior to Mercedes merger with Chrysler, and it’s fair to say BMW would be happy to see the end of their main rivals engine under the bonnet of the BMW Mini. The Prince engine is to be assembled in the UK from mainly French components unlike the Tritec that was built in Brazil.

Inside the new model has been redesigned and once again retains the familiar look of the Mark I. benefits to the interior redesign include improved rear legroom and an extra 10 litres boot space. The centre mounted speedo is still a striking feature of the Mini and will be featured on the Australian market versions for the first time. Previous Australian Mini’s had to have their speedo positioned on top of the steering column due to design rules. The Mark II sees the rev counter and speedo swap positions to the way they were meant to be.