Mini has prepared a One-Off model to support the Life Ball charity gala in Vienna for the twelfth time. Mini has been involved in this project since its market launch in 2001 and during this time many celebrities have joined the cause by designing 11 unique cars, which has been auctioned at the event. The proceeds from the Life Ball Mini models go to charity combating HIV and AIDS: so far the amount collected has been more than 500.000 Euros.

This year One-Off will be based on the Mini Roadster, reinterpreted by Franca Sozzani, chief editor of Italian Vogue and UN Goodwill Ambassador for Fashion 4 Development. Sozzani described the Mini as “a beautiful woman who put a scarf on her head when she drives a Roadster.”

The car has been painted in Deepest Purple matt paint along with gold rally stripes on the bonnet and a floral design on the roof, as well as steel-coloured accents on the alloy wheels and doors’ mirrors. The car will be auctioned on the 19th May in Vienna during the AIDS Solidarity Gala.

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New videos and pictures dedicated to the new Mini Roadster have just been released. Just to remind you, the new Anglo-German spider will be available in four versions with different price tags: Mini Cooper Roadster (£18,015), Mini Cooper S Roadster (£20,900), Mini Cooper SD Roadster (£21,630) and Mini John Cooper Works Roadster (£24,850).

Mini Cooper Roadster:
Four-cylinder petrol engine with fully variable valve management.
Displacement: 1,598 cc, output: 90 kW/122 hp at 6,000 rpm, max. torque: 160 Nm/118 lb-ft at 4,250 rpm.
Acceleration 0–100 km/h (62 mph): 9.2 seconds, top speed: 199 km/h (124 mph).
Average fuel consumption according to EU: 5.7 litres/100 kilometres (49.6 mpg imp), CO2 emissions: 133 g/km.

Mini Cooper S Roadster:
Four-cylinder petrol engine with MINI Turbo technology.
Displacement: 1,598 cc, output: 135 kW/184 hp at 5,500 rpm, max. torque: 240 Nm/177 lb-ft at 1,600 – 5,000 rpm (260 Nm/192 lb-ft with Overboost at 1,730 – 4,500 rpm).
Acceleration 0–100 km/h (62 mph): 7.0 seconds, top speed: 227 km/h (141 mph).
Average fuel consumption according to EU: 6.0 litres/100 kilometres (47.1 mpg imp), CO2 emissions: 139 g/km.

More pictures, videos and technical specs after the jump.

Continue reading: Mini Roadster: technical specs, new pictures and videos

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BMW has released more official images of the new Mini Roadster, which was unveiled a few weeks ago at the 2012 NAIAS of Detroit. The model will be marketed in the usual Mini configurations: Cooper (122 hp and 160 Nm of torque), Cooper S (184 hp and 240 Nm), Cooper SD (143 hp and 305 Nm) and John Cooper Works (211 hp and 260 Nm). This JCW is the one sitting at the top of the Roadster range, credited with a 0-100 km/h (62 mph) sprint time of 6,5 seconds and a top speed of 237 km/h (137 mph).

The Mini Roadster comes with a manually operated fabric soft top, stainless steel roll-over bars and an active rear spoiler that automatically pops up when cruising speed crosses the 80 km/h (50 mph) threshold, just like the Coupe. As usual, Mini offers plenty of options for the customization of the car, including seven different types of alloys, three kinds of seats and a variety of colors for the exterior, namely Pepper White, Chili Red, White Silver, Lightning Blue, Midnight Black, British Racing Green, Spice Orange and Eclipse Grey. Besides, longitudinal sporty stripes can also be placed on the bonnet.

The overlong list of optional extras for the Mini Roadster also includes a 6 speed automatic transmission, bi-xenon head lights, leather upholstery, a Harman Kardon hi-fi loudspeaker system with USB audio interface, wind protection insert between the roll-over bars and then some.

View the full Mini Roadster new official pictures photo gallery

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Mini releases more official pictures starring the recently unveiled Mini Roadster. The model will come with three petrol and one diesel options: the same 1.6-litre 4-cylinder engine is available in three different versions for the Cooper (producing 122 hp and 160 Nm of torque), the Cooper S (184 hp and 240 Nm) and the John Cooper Works (211 hp and 260 Nm), while the SD Roadster is equipped with a turbocharged 2.0 diesel unit delivering 143 hp and 305 Nm of maximum torque. In terms of performance, the Cooper goes from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 9.2 seconds with 199 km/h (124 mph) of top speed, the Cooper S gets to the 100 km/h mark in 7.0 seconds with 227 km/h (141 mph) of top speed and the JCW burns the 0-100 km/h in just 6.5 seconds, with 237 km/h (147 mph) of maximum speed. The Cooper SD instead has a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 8.1 seconds, redlining at 212 km/h (132 mph).

Average fuel consumption for the Mini Roadster ranges between the 5.7 litres/100 km of the Cooper Roadster and the 7.3 l/100km of the JCW, while CO2 emission are between the 133 g/km of the former and the 169 g/km of the latter. The Cooper SD Roadster boasts a good fuel efficiency too, with average consumption rated at 4.5 l/100 km and CO2 emissions at 118 g/km.

View the full Mini Roadster new pics photo gallery

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Mini has brought quite a few models at the Cobo Hall, the chosen location for the 2012 NAIAS, but the undisputed star of the lot is definitely the new 2013 Mini Roadster, the latest two-seat soft-top addition to the family. The model looks like a Mini Cabriolet on steroids, with an overall more muscular design, a ride height that is 20mm lower and a diminutive, manually operated soft top roof.

Just like the Coupe model it basically derives from, the Mini Roadster will come in three petrol and one diesel versions: the same 1.6-litre 4-cylinder engine is used in different power steps on the Cooper (122 hp and 160 Nm of torque), the Cooper S (184 hp and 240 Nm) and the John Cooper Works (211 hp and 260 Nm), while the SD Roadster is equipped with a turbocharged 2.0 diesel unit delivering 143 hp and no less than 305 Nm of maximum torque. In terms of sheer performance, the Cooper goes from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 9.2 seconds with 199 km/h (124 mph) of top speed, the Cooper S gets to the 100 km/h mark in 7.0 seconds with 227 km/h (141 mph) of top speed and the JCW burns the 0-100 km/h in just 6.5 seconds, with 237 km/h (147 mph) of maximum speed. The Cooper SD instead has a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 8.1 seconds, redlining at 212 km/h (132 mph).

As for its impact on the environment, the average fuel consumption varies between the 5.7 litres/100 km of the Cooper Roadster and the 7.3 l/100km of the JCW, while CO2 emission are between the 133 g/km of the former and the 169 g/km of the latter. The Cooper SD Roadster also boasts a good fuel efficiency, with average consumption rated at 4.5 l/100 km and CO2 emissions of 118 g/km. To get all the details about the 2013 Mini Roadster, check out the official Press Release after the jump.

View the full Mini Roadster at the 2012 NAIAS photo gallery
View the full Mini Roadster official photo gallery

Continue reading: 2013 Mini Roadster at 2012 NAIAS in Detroit

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More official videos starring the new Mini Roadster have been released by the English/German manufacturer. The car will enter the markets in early 2012 and can be considered a convertible version of the Mini Coupe.

The latest addition to the Mini range measures 3.73 meters in length, 1.68 meters in width and 1.39 meters in height, and will be available with 122, 184 and 211 hp petrol engines and a 143 hp diesel unit. The car will be officially unveiled at the next North American International Auto Show in Detroit (January 9-22). To see all the videos, click on the ‘Continue reading’ link below.

Videos | Autoblog.it

Continue reading: Mini Roadster: more official videos released

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The first official video starring the upcoming Mini Roadster is now available. The half-minute long promo-clip features the new convertible two-seater from the English/German manufacturer strolling around the streets of Istanbul, showcasing many of its most significant details in the process.

As reported in our previous post, the car will be officially unveiled at the next North American International Auto Show in Detroit (January 9-22) and will then hit the showrooms in early 2012 with an engine range featuring 122, 184 and 211 hp petrol units as well as a 143 hp diesel. Click here to check Mini Roadster’s official photo gallery.

Video | Autoblog.it

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Mini will introduce in 2012 a Roadster range equipped with its classic engine line-up: 122, 184 and 211 hp petrol and 143 hp diesel. The Mini Roadster will maintain the Coupe aesthetics with the obvious exception of the hard top, a change that required a different windscreen design: it is now 13° steeper and 3 cm shorter then the one of the Convertible version. The cabin can host 2 people only and the trunk boasts a capacity of 240 litres.

The whole Roadster line uses a manual folding soft top, stainless steel roll-over bars and a rear spoiler that extends automatically at 80 km/h. The engine range is made of four units, three of which are based on the same naturally aspirated 1.6. The entry level version delivers 122 hp and 160 Nm of maximum torque, pushing the Mini Roadster from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.2 seconds. The average fuel consumption of this unit is 5.7 litres/100 km, while CO2 emission is 133 g/km. The Mini Cooper S Roadster instead has an output of 184 hp and 240 Nm, goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7 seconds flat and boasts 227 km/h of top speed. This engine configuration uses 6 litres of petrol every 100 km, and has a CO2 emission level of 139 g/km.

The Mini John Cooper Works Roadster uses the most powerful version of the engine, the 1.6 TwinPower Turbo delivering 211 hp and 260 Nm of peak torque. This unit provides the Mini with a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 6.5 seconds and 237 km/h of top speed. Average fuel consumption for this one is 7.3 l/100km while CO2 emission is 169 g/km. The Mini Cooper SD Roadster is powered by a 2.0 diesel engine delivering 143 hp and 305 Nm of maximum torque that pushes the car from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.1 seconds with 212 km/h of top speed. For this engine, fuel consumption is 4.5 l/100km and CO2 emission is 118 g/km. The Mini Roadster will be presented at the next North American International Auto Show in Detroit (January 9-22).

View the full Mini Roadster photo gallery

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According to Mini US chief Jim McDowell, the Mini Coupé and Roadster models first seen at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, will be ready for release in the next two years. The models were originally concept cars but with the interest and success from the show, they were set for production early in the piece.

The Mini Coupé would be the first to appear in August 2011, with the Mini Roadster following in February 2012. The debut date was originally reported as earlier, but the company is giving some space to consolidate the first sales of the Mini Countryman this year. The Coupé, in concept form, is equipped with a 1.6.-litre turbocharged engine with 211 hp, which represents the JCW version.

The Mini Coupé should also appear as a Cooper S 184 hp model, and it’s possible we could also see the standard 122 hp model engine appear at a later date. The Roadster is likely to have the same engine line-up, and both models will be produced at Mini facilities in Oxford.

Source | MotorAuthority

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