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2012 MINI Cooper Bayswater news, pictures, and information | ||
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New city slickers: The MINI Baker Street and MINI Bayswater. Olympic host city and style capital London provides fresh design inspiration for MINI special editions. New models boast exclusive equipment and tradition-laced titles.
With just months to go before the Olympic Games get under way in the capital city of the brand's home country, MINI introduces two new special-edition models to spread contemporary London style around the world. The latest takes on the MINI character – the MINI Baker Street and MINI Bayswater – will go on sale in spring 2012. Expressive design features and exclusive equipment inject the cars' exterior appearance, interior ambience and hallmark driving fun wîth their own distinctive flavours. The MINI Baker Street embodies the youthful, fresh and innovative trend-setting style of the brand, while the MINI Bayswater focuses primarily on the sporting verve and agile handling for which MINI is renowned.Both special-edition models will be produced over a limited period and offered for sale worldwide. The MINI Baker Street can be ordered in MINI One, MINI Cooper, MINI One D and MINI Cooper D guise, while the MINI Bayswater is available as a MINI Cooper, MINI Cooper S, MINI Cooper D and MINI Cooper SD.
MINI Baker Street: an individualist wîth a taste for extravagance.
New exterior and interior design details developed exclusively for the
MINI Baker Street mark out this special-edition model. The Rooftop Grey metallic exterior paint shade combines wîth special bonnet stripes whose basic colour black is given extra character by a subtle V-shape design. 16-inch 6-Star twin-spoke light-alloy wheels painted in high-gloss black along wîth matching black exterior mirror caps present an attractive contrast to the bold, contemporary appearance of the new exterior paintwork.
The MINI Baker Street can also be ordered as an option in the body shades Pepper White and Midnight Black. In MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper D trim the roof is painted black, while 'Baker Street' lettering on the side scuttles framing the side indicators points to the exclusive character of this special-edition model.
In the interior a fresh interpretation of the cloth/leather seats available for the standard MINI teams up wîth exclusive interior surfaces to create an unmistakable ambience. In traditional British style, the surfaces of the new seat variant in Cross Check Rooftop Grey light feature a diamond pattern. Cross Check Rooftop Grey light is also used for the surfaces of the cockpit and door trim and is combined wîth a Rooftop Grey light Colour Line. Light grey contrast stitching for the floor mats, gearshift/selector lever as well as the handbrake gaiters and seat tags which, like the door sills, bear 'Baker Street' lettering, round off the array of bespoke interior features. The Chrome Line Interior package adds further lustre.
The equipment list for the MINI Baker Street also includes the Pepper Pack, which brings wîth it air conditioning, an on-board computer, a leather §teering wheel, the Chrome Line Exterior package, front foglamps, a lighting package and height adjustment for the front passenger seat. The range of optional equipment, meanwhile, offers a host of other items wîth which customers can tailor their car to their personal requirements. The range of available engine variants for the MINI Baker Street spans the MINI One (72 kW/98 hp), MINI Cooper (90 kW/122 hp), MINI One D (66 kW/90 hp) and MINI Cooper D (82 kW/112 hp). All the engines channel their power through a six-speed manual gearbox as standard or an optional six-speed automatic.
For visitors to London and locals alike, the MINI Baker Street's name will be synonymous wîth the address of a certain fictional hero. It is 125 years since Sherlock Holmes author Arthur Conan Doyle released his first story wîth the master detective in the title role. Today, the Sherlock Holmes Museum and Madame Tussauds waxworks museum can both be found just a stone's throw from Baker Street underground station.
MINI Bayswater: the extrovert sportsman.
The MINI Bayswater wears its inherent sporting élan and extrovert style very much on its sleeve. The Kite Blue metallic exterior paintwork was created exclusively for the special-edition model, as was the interior design and 17-inch light-alloy Sandblast wheels wîth high-gloss black surfaces and bright machined rim and spoke edges. Midnight Black metallic and Eclipse Grey metallic paint shades can be ordered for the MINI Cooper S and MINI Cooper SD as an alternative to the new, radiant Blue finish. The sporty appearance of the MINI Bayswater is emphasised by the black contrasting roof and the likewise newly created Sport Stripes for the bonnet, which streak dynamically towards the windscreen. The exterior mirror caps carry an identical stripe design – blue on the right-hand side of the car, grey on the left.
'Bayswater' lettering adorns the side indicator surrounds, door sills and seat tags. The Punch Leather seats come in the exclusive colour variant Rocklite Anthracite and include side bolsters sporting a metallic sheen and blue and grey contrast stitching. Two-tone contrast stitching also adorns the gearshift/selector lever and handbrake gaiters.
Other innovative design features in the interior include Piano Black cockpit trim strips, which continue the path set by the Sport Stripes over the bonnet, and the leather Colour Line elements in Rocklite Anthracite, whose classy character is emphasised by black stitching. The same leather variant is also used for the armrests, while the model-specific floor mats have anthracite-coloured edging and blue contrast stitching.
The MINI Bayswater also comes wîth stainless steel pedals and the Chrome Line Interior package, and includes the Pepper Pack in its range of equipment. Plus, the new special edition can likewise be specified wîth a wide variety of items from the optional equipment list if further individual touches are desired.
In keeping wîth its sporting charisma, the MINI Bayswater lines up for action wîth powerful engines at its fingertips. Customers can order their MINI Bayswater in MINI Cooper (90 kW/122 hp), MINI Cooper S (135 kW/184 hp), MINI Cooper D (82 kW/112 hp) or MINI Cooper SD (105 kW/143 hp) trim. The special-edition model is also delivered wîth a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, while a six-speed automatic features in the options range.
The MINI Bayswater takes its name from an extremely vibrant area of London. Located to the west of the city centre – halfway between the shopping hot spots of Knightsbridge and Notting Hill – Bayswater is best known for its unusually high density of bars and restaurants, not to mention the adjacent and no less famous Hyde Park. MINI is therefore returning to the London theme to further accentuate the link wîth both its home country and the fascination surrounding the London lifestyle. Indeed, both the MINI Bayswater and MINI Baker Street are following in the tyre tracks of a naming tradition begun by the classic Mini and reprised more recently wîth the MINI Camden, MINI Mayfair and MINI Clubman Hampton special editions.
Now the long period of waiting is finally coming to an end: A very special version of the MINI is making its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show, injecting a fresh breeze into the world of motoring – the new MINI Convertible. Introducing this versatile four-seater, MINI is combining the distinctive pleasure of driving an open car wîth the unique enjoyment you can only feel at the wheel of a genuine MINI.Combining supreme fun wîth practical value.
The MINI Convertible is a fully-fledged four-seater clearly standing out from the start as a genuine MINI regardless of whether the roof is up or down. For the design features and proportions so characteristic of the MINI have been consistently carried over to the MINI Convertible: The steeply raked windscreen and the optimum seating position enjoyed by the driver ensure an unforgettable open-air experience also when driving wîth the roof down. So the new model version leaves no doubt that motoring pleasure is an outstanding factor on all four seats of this uniquely popular cult car.
Clearly, the MINI Convertible boasts a clever all-round concept wîth supreme function and optimum use of space available.
Striking profile.
With its roof down, this classy convertible really looks at its best. The waistline gradually rising to the rear gives the car a strong and distinctive profile further accentuated by the chrome strip continuing along the complete window line. The steeply raked windscreen, complete absence of a B-pillar, the rollbars made of extra-strong aluminum pipes behind the rear-seat backrest, as well as the compact, folding roof all bear testimony to the unique style of a classic convertible.The new MINI Convertible is entering the market initially in the guise of the 66 kW/90 bhp MINI One and the 85 kW/115 bhp MINI Cooper. The top-of-the-range MINI Cooper S Convertible will be following later.
In standard trim the MINI Convertible comes on 15-inch steel or, respectively, light-alloy rims (MINI One/MINI Cooper) running on 175/65 R15 tyres. As an option, both models are available wîth attractive 16- and 17-inch light-alloy wheels, wîth the 17-inch five-star Bullet light-alloy wheels developed exclusively for the new open-air version.
A convertible wîth a sliding roof all in one.
The roof available in three colours opens up fully automatically within just 15 seconds: Pressing a button, you first open the integrated sliding roof, then the complete soft roof as such. With the soft roof folding to the rear, the roof columns are automatically retracted and the rear side windows move down at the same time. The intelligent Z-folding mechanism allows the complete roof to fold up in compact arrangement behind the rear seats, wîth no need for a tonneau cover. The sliding roof integrated in the soft top can be opened infinitely up to 40 cm or 15¾´´ while driving, up to a speed of 120 km/h or 75 mph. Clearly, a feature quite unprecedented in the convertible market.
Optimum utilisation of space available.
Folding out to the back, the rear lid is held in position when open by two steel cables wîth a spring-mounted retractor system. This allows use of the rear lid wîth its hinges facing to the outside as a practical loading panel able to carry a weight of up to 80 kg or 176 lb.The MINI Convertible is able to carry a maximum of 400 kg or 882 lb, and the luggage compartment accommodates 165 litres wîth the roof closed. And even wîth the roof down, driving in the open air, luggage compartment capacity remains a substantial 120 litres.
The Easy Load system offers generous through-loading capacity: With the roof closed, all you do is turn two levers in the luggage compartment to fold up the bottom section of the cover fastened on a tightening bracket and attach it in position. Then, wîth the rear lid open, you have very convenient access to the luggage compartment through a large opening able to accommodate even bulky objects. And in conjunction wîth the rear seat backrests folding forward and fastened securely in position, luggage compartment capacity can be increased to no less than 605 litres.
Boasting features such as its highly functional roof, the variable luggage compartment even wîth the roof open, an ultra-strong and stiff bodyshell, as well as the chassis wîth its multi-arm rear axle, the MINI Convertible sets the standard in its market §egmènt in many other other respects too.
That go-kart feeling so typical of the MINI.
Combining a very stiff bodyshell wîth superior chassis and suspension features, the open-air models, like their fixed-roof counterparts, once again offer a unique symbiosis of superior agility and handling. The drive concept as such, the long wheelbase, a low centre of gravity, wide track, the multi-arm rear axle and the direct, electrohydraulic power §teering all go together to provide the foundation for the excellent driving behaviour and go-kart feeling so typical of the MINI Convertible.Sporting performance wherever you go.
 | Vital Stats |
6-speed Manual, 6-speed Automatic | |
Maximum output of 85 kW/115 bhp gives the MINI Cooper Convertible a top speed of 193 km/h or 120 mph. Acceleration to 100 km/h from a standstill comes in just 9.8 seconds, fuel consumption in the EÚ cycle is 7.3 litres/100 km, equal to 38.7 mpg Imp.
High standard of safety.
Benefitting from its stiff body structure and restraint system comprising, inter alia, two 'intelligent' frontal airbags and two seat-integrated head/thorax side airbags as standard, the MINI Convertible naturally complies wîth the world's strictest crash standards required by law. A wide range of constructional improvements and features ensures a particularly high standard of torsional stiffness preventing the door-sills from bending in in the event of a head-on collision and offering the occupants optimum protection in an impact from the side.
Should the MINI Convertible ever be involved in a rollover, the A-pillars encompassing a tube made of ultra-strong steel guarantee a strong load-bearing function. And at the rear double rollbars made of high-strength aluminium tubes, complete wîth integrated headrests, afford superior passenger safety.
A high standard of active safety is ensured, inter alia, by four disc brakes, four-sensor ABS, Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), as well as Cornering Brake Control (CBC). Available as an option, Automatic Stability and Traction Control (ASC+T) as well as Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) help to provide superior driving and tracking stability in an extreme situation.
MINI in colour.
The MINI Convertible is available in 10 exterior colours, two of which are reserved exclusively to this open-air model: Hot Orange and, to provide a particular effect, Cool Blue. And while the MINI One Convertible comes only wîth a black roof, the roof of the open-air MINI Cooper is available in Black, Blue, and Green. The exterior mirror housings, in turn, are again finished in Black on the 'basic' model and come in body colour on the MINI Cooper Convertible.
High-quality textile materials and surfaces give the interior special harmony and balance. The dashboard and door linings are available in Silver and Anthracite and also come as a further choice in wood and aluminium trim.
The seat upholstery is available in 3 different types of cloth, 3 combinations of cloth and leather, and wîth three different choices of all-leather upholstery.
Everything goes.
The wide range of standard equipment featured from the start on the new Convertible comprises, inter alia, an electrically operated roof complete wîth sliding roof function, a heated glass rear window, two frontal and two head/thorax side airbags, four-sensor ABS, Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Cornering Brake Control (CBC), BMW's Tyre Defect Indicator (TDI), electrically operated rear-view mirrors and window lifts, power §teering, Park Distance Control (PDC), a rev counter, height adjustment on the both driver's seat and §teering column, as well as central locking wîth remote control plus comfort opening.
To fulfill all kinds of individual and personal wishes, the MINI Convertible comes wîth an equally wide range of special equipment comprising features such as xenon headlights, a TV navigation system wîth a 16:9 colour display, high-quality HiFi audio systems, a heated rear window, automatic air conditioning, a wind deflector, a wide range of light-alloy wheels, a multifunction §teering wheel, a rain sensor, and the interior mirror complete wîth anti-dazzle function.
Successful and popular.
Apart from the MINI Convertible making its debut in Geneva, the four existing fixed-roof models already very successful in the market are naturally also to be admired at the Show: the MINI One, MINI One D, MINI Cooper, and MINI Cooper S. And 'popular' is indeed the right word to describe these successful models already delivered to more than 176,000 thrilled customers the world over.Source - MINI
A fuel shortage was occurring. German engineers quickly adapted and began producing fuel-efficient vehicles. Examples include the Volkswagen Beetle. Leonard Lord, Chairman of BMC and former head of Austin, commissioned Sir Alec Issigonis to design a vehicle to compete with the German-made vehicles.
Alec Issigonis was a graduate of Battersea Technical College. After graduation he worked as a draftsman for a plethora of engineering projects. Later, he joined Morris Motors where he was tasked with creating and fitting suspensions to the Morris vehicles.
Issigonis was outfitted with requirements to create a fuel-efficient, affordable, safe vehicle capable of carrying four individuals including luggage. To save on development costs, it was requested that an existing BMC engine be used. What he created was a vehicle that sat atop of 10 inch wheels. By using smaller wheels there was little need for wheel wells.
The car was expected to carry four individuals; the combined weight of the passengers being greater than the entire vehicle. A suspension was needed that could accept this pay-load. With his prior experience creating and working with suspensions, Issigonis designed a rubber cone suspension.
A 950 cc, four cylinder, BMC engine was selected. It was mounted in the front and expected to power the front wheels, a system that was revolutionary at the time. Instead of mounting the engine longitudinally, it was place transversely. The transmission was place under the engine due to space constraints.
When Issigonis presented his designs and recommendations to Lord in 1958, changes were requested. Instead of the 950 cc engine, a 34 horsepower, 848 cc engine would be used, making the vehicle slower but more importantly, more safe. The other request was to make the vehicle two inches wider.
There were two versions of the car when it was first introduced on August 26, 1959. The only difference between the 1959 Austin and Morris versions was their badges.
John Cooper had designed vehicles that successfully won the Formula One championships in 1959 and 1960.
He proposed a marriage between his 1000 cc Formula Junior engine with the Mini. Lord approved the idea and in 1961 the Mini Cooper was born. It was fitted with a 997 cc engine producing 55 horsepower. Later, the Cooper S came into being with the advent of the 970 cc and the 1275 cc engine - the latter capable of 76 horsepower.
From 1964 through 1967 the little car dominated the Monte Carlo Rally. The car easily achieved these victories using a 91 horsepower engine.
Minis became more than just a practical car, they became a fashion statement. This, combined with their practicality, fuel efficiency, and success on the race track, created an overwhelming demand for the little car.
In the 1980's, the Mini was starting to loose momentum. Rover tried to revitalize the Mini brand by creating special editions. In all, there were more than 40 different editions created between 1980 and 2000.
A merger with British Motor Corporation and another company produced the Britsh Leyland Company. Later, it became Rover Group. Currently, it is owned by BMW.
In 2001, BMW introduced the MINI. The MINI currently has three Cooper models. Their main differences being the size of the engine and the horsepower rating. A convertible has also been included to the line-up.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2007
 2012
MINI
models |
| MINI Clubman Hyde Park |
| MINI Clubvan Concept |
| MINI Convertible Highgate |
| MINI Cooper Baker Street |
| MINI Coupé |
| MINI John Cooper Works GP |
| MINI Roadster |
| Similar Vehicles | |
 | 2012 MINI Cooper Baker Street |
| Tags | |
| 17-inch, alloy wheels, Chrome, six-speed automatic, six-speed manual, 2012, 2012 MINI, Cooper Bayswater | |
| MINI: 2011-2020 |
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