Author: Serkadis

Bruce V. Bigelow wrote:

Former T. Boone Pickens protégés David H. Batchelder and Ralph V. Whitworth co-founded San Diego-based Relational Investors in 1996, and their privately owned asset management firm now serves some of the largest pension funds in the world. Whitworth, a lawyer who was president of the Washington D.C.-based United Shareholders Association before joining Batchelder in San Diego, is also viewed as a prominent authority on corporate governance. He has combined that expertise with Relational’s clout as a major investor to improve the operations of poorly performing and undervalued companies—and to encourage boardroom reforms.

As an example, Whitworth was sharply critical of Robert Nardelli’s compensation package as CEO of Home Depot, and in 2006 Relational launched a campaign questioning Nardelli’s leadership. After Nardelli orchestrated an imperious shareholder meeting, Relational called for Nardelli’s ouster—and the CEO was dismissed in January 2007 (with an estimated $210 million severance package).

Whitworth and Relational instigated similar changes at Sprint Nextel, Mattel, and J.C. Penney. In late 2008, he and his firm (which currently manages a total of $6.5 billion) set their collective sights on turning around Genzyme, eventually acquiring a 4 percent stake in the ailing Cambridge, MA-based biotech. Earlier this month, Relational demonstrated its willingness to work with Genzyme’s management by calling a cease-fire in the form of a “mutual cooperation agreement.”

Whitworth agreed to answer some Genzyme-related questions when I caught up with him this week.

Xconomy: Why Genzyme? Can you describe the criteria or the general process that Relational uses when it decides to take a stake in a company?

Ralph Whitworth: We look for companies that are trading at discounts to their intrinsic value—despite the fact that they have low financial leverage, strong defensible core businesses, and growing cash flows. Invariably this discount exists because investors do not expect management to effectively reinvest the projected profits. This negative expectation is typically caused by a poor history of investment outside of the core franchise and/or from chasing growth within the core franchise in the face of maturing industry conditions.

X: Does Relational prepare a playbook for change before it begins to acquire shares? As Relational accumulates shares, is there a threshold for contacting the company to recommend operational or management changes?

RW: Yes, we map out an engagement program prior to making our initial investment. We try to gauge the likelihood of change and potential upside. Typically before we meet with management, we’ll buy some sort of toe-hold in the company. Before presenting recommendations for change we typically invest from 15 to 25 percent of our targeted long-term investment level. For example, if we had planned to invest $400 million over a number of years, we’d initially invest $60 million to $100 million before continuing forward. That’s just an example. We step into an investment over time as a risk-management tool.

X: Are there any other technology or life sciences technology companies that you believe are trading at a discount to their intrinsic value?

RW: I’m sure there are others. But …Next Page »

Google is always looking for ways to serve better ads, so it can make more money, in the search engine, on YouTube, on other sites even in Gmail. Most people hardly even notice the ads in Gmail, except when they’re horribly out of place, but they’re there nonetheless. Now Google is making some changes to serve more relevan… (read more)

With the covers off the facelifted BMW 3 Series coupe and convertible for a couple of days now, nothing new seemed to be on the table from the German carmaker in the very near future. Still, BMWblog found on BMW’s US website, the first photos of the 335is, perhaps the most anticipated version of the new line.

As we told you last week, prior to the new 3 Series models being revealed, the 335is will pack a bit more punch than its siblings, meaning 335 horsepower at 5,900 rpm and 332 lb.-ft, wit… (read more)

Lotus F1 Team announced last week that they will unveil their 2010 challenger on February 12. And that’s a fact. However, during the same press release, the team also stated that the place where the launch will happen will be unveiled somewhere in the upcoming few weeks.

It now seems that the reporters from Finland’s Turun Sanomat found out where the launch will take place. Although they haven’t got the exact location of the launching event, it is believed it will happen in or near London. A… (read more)

German manufacturer Audi will halt production of its A3 in February, following poor sales results in Germany. The Ingolstadt, Germany facility will halt production for one week, autoobserver.com reported, with more than a half of the plant’s employees to be off work.

The reason behind Audi A3’s disappointing results is surely the German scrapping scheme which ended in December, thus reducing demand for the small car. Furthermore, Audi hasn’t refreshed the A3 for some time now, as the model wa… (read more)

The world’s largest general use car rental company, Hertz, has appointed Executive Vice President Michel Taride to President of Hertz International. He will be based at Hertz International Headquarters in Uxbridge (London), UK.

Taride is the former President of Hertz Europe. His responsibilities have now been expanded to lead the company’s Asia and Pacific car rental and leasing business in addition to the ones in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Taride will also have to develop new joint … (read more)

We’ve talked in the past about some of the many rather innovative efforts by David Bowie to come up with new business models. He’s been a huge pioneer in embracing what new technologies allow — and also new markets and financial opportunities. Of course, most famously, many years ago he “securitized” himself with Bowie Bonds, that allowed him to cash out quickly, while letting others buy into his future earnings. It was actually quite a creatively done idea. But now, ChurchHatesTucker points us to an article by Evan Davis suggesting that David Bowie and his Bowie bonds are at the heart of the financial crisis. This is — let’s just say it — flat out ridiculous. Financial engineering and all sorts of derivatives were already coming into fashion, and in the unlikely event that Bowie’s setup inspired others to securitize mortgages, you can pretty much guarantee that someone else would have come up with the same idea before too long, anyway. Taking a future cash flow and turning it into a security isn’t an inherently bad idea, either. It has many good and useful attributes. The problem wasn’t securitizing the debt, but using that process (and further engineering) to hide the underlying assets and the true risk associated with the offering. That was not David Bowie’s fault by a long shot. It’s really too bad that an “economics editor” would confuse the basic concept of securitizing future cash flows with abusing that process to hide actual risk. And dragging David Bowie and his innovations down along with such a confusion doesn’t help anyone.

Permalink | Comments | Email This Story

There are only three days left until the online action of the GT Academy Time Trial ends on January 24, Nissan announced today. The holders of the twenty fastest times from each participating territory will battle each other in the National Final to qualify for their place at the GT Academy 2010.

The grand prize is, as we previously reported, an intensive driver training programme to qualify for an international race licence and a full race season in the European GT4 Cup driving a race-spec N… (read more)

German carmaker Audi announced today the launch of the Audi Tradition Parts online shop as a mean to "keep fine classic cars looking good in the future." The site is intended for dealers, members of Audi Club International customers alike.

At Audi Tradition, we’re glad that our modern online shop can now supply spare parts for older thoroughbreds and younger classics, Thomas Frank, Head of Tradition said.

We shall extend the range of items we offer step by step, but since AUDI … (read more)

¿Sabías que en 1916 el 55% de todos los coches existentes en el mundo eran Ford T ?

Related posts:

1. Rumor, nuevo Ford Capri en 2010
2. Ford confirma un nuevo coche policial para Estados Unidos
3. Ford Mustang Boss 302R

Nursery rhymes appear all over the globe and are sung by generations of children, the simple rhymes and easy verses tripping off youthful tongues without any understanding as to what they really mean or the often dark images they conjure up.

Three Blind Mice

---

^{Three blind mice, three blind mice,
See how they run, see how they run,
They all ran after the farmer’s wife,
Who cut off their tails with a carving knife,
Did you ever see such a thing in your life,
As three blind mice?}

Three blind rodents bent on revenge against the woman who mutilated and tortured them by hacking off their tails.  Sounds more like a modern horror film than a child’s rhyme.

In 1609 a version of this rhyme was published in Deuteromelia, making this an old tale as well as a grim one. Some people have attempted to portray the ditty as referring to Queen Mary of England blinding and executing three Protestant bishops, adding another layer of gore to an already morbid song.  In 1842 it made its way into children’s literature and was published by James Orchard Halliwell, who apparently had no problem teaching children about knife wielding farmers.

Rock a bye Baby

---

Rock-a-bye baby, on the treetop,
When the wind blows, the cradle will rock,
When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall,
And down will come baby, cradle and all.

This soothing lullaby starts off gently, but ends with the snapping of tree limbs and the wee baby crashing down to the ground in a tangle of broken cradle bits and shattered foliage. Hardly a restful image for anyone who has learned the words, it is still crooned to babies and baby dolls every day.

It is theorized that this darkly worded warning about hanging babies from branches is really a reference to the Glorious Revolution of 1688.  The baby is supposed to be the son of King James II, the “wind” that blows is the coming forces of political change and the “cradle” is the royal House of Stuart. If this is the case then not only is this rhyme full of grim imagery, but it’s the medieval equivalent of singing your infant to sleep with sound bites from CNN.

Ding Dong Dell

---

^{Ding, dong, bell,
Pussy’s in the well.
Who put her in?
Little Johnny Green.
Who pulled her out?
Little Tommy Stout.
What a naughty boy was that,
To try to drown poor pussy cat,
Who ne’er did him any harm,
But killed all the mice in the farmer’s barn.}

This song features a future serial killer practicing by trying to drown an innocent feline, or possibly trying to poison the village’s water supply.  The modern version first appeared in Mother Goose’s Melody around 1765, and in 1945 it was republished with new lyrics in an attempt to moderate the dark overtones, but the kindler and gentler version never really took off.

To add to the morbid element, it has been suggested that the origin of the song was the barbaric practice of “ducking”, a punishment often meted out to women who managed to become involved in scandalous behaviour. These women were often referred to as “pussies” and would be marched down to the well pond or village water source and repeated ducked under the water, sometimes resulting in their deaths.

Ladybug Ladybug/ Ladybird Ladybird

---

^{Ladybird, ladybird fly away home,
Your house is on fire and your children are gone,
All except one,
And her name is Ann,
And she hid under the baking pan.}

Told to little children by parents who want their babies to grow up to be pyromaniacs or pastry chefs, this nasty bit of verse has been in existence since at least 1744 when it appeared in a collection of nursery rhymes.  Traditionally it is chanted when one of these cute little spotted bugs lands on a person.  If a gentle shoo does not remove the insect, it was common to chant this morbid ditty and then blow on the bug to get it to “fly away home”.  Oddly, the ladybird itself is considered to be lucky, as is having one land on your person. The reasons this supposedly lucky bug is linked to a song about fiery loss and death are lost to antiquity.

Who Killed Cock Robin

---

^{Who killed Cock Robin?
I, said the Sparrow,
with my bow and arrow,
I killed Cock Robin.
Who saw him die?
I, said the Fly,
with my little eye,
I saw him die.
Who caught his blood?
I, said the Fish,
with my little dish,
I caught his blood.
Who’ll make the shroud?
I, said the Beetle,
with my thread and needle,
I’ll make the shroud.}

This list wouldn’t be complete without this gloomy bit of verse that details the gruesome murder of a sweet little red breasted bird.  From the murder’s confession to eye witness accounts of the deed, even the details of the burial are covered in this rhyme.

I cannot imagine the nightmares this inspired as children imagined tiny fish with dishes catch up the blood from a newly skewered robin as beetles swarm around the corpse stitching it into a tiny shroud.

Though the modern version was not published until the 18th century, many of the theories about its origins make it quite likely it is much older and it is so widely known around the globe that it is considered to be an archetype for murder. That’s right; this nursery rhyme is a template for murder. If that doesn’t qualify it as a horrifically grim thing to teach to children, I don’t know what does.

Goosey Goosey Gander

---

^{“Goosey goosey gander where shall I wander,
Upstairs, downstairs and in my lady’s chamber
There I met an old man who wouldn’t say his prayers,
I took him by the left leg and threw him down the stairs.”}

This rhyme starts out reasonably well, with an apparently bored child wandering around his home looking for something to pass the time. Then the verse takes a turn for the dark side as this aspiring member of the Spanish Inquisition sets his sights on a hapless old man and hurls him down a flight of stairs for his apparent lack of piety.  

The message to children here is unmistakably violent and seems to encourage acts of violence as a form of entertainment, along with trespassing and a heaping amount of disrespect for one’s elders.   The 1784 version of this ditty does not contain the last two lines, and it appears to have been blended with another vicious nursery rhyme sometime in the 1800’s to become the charming version our children learn today.

Ring Around the Rosie

---

On a slightly different note, I did find one nursery rhyme whose dark history has been proven to be false.

^{Ring Around the rosie,
A pocket full of Posies
Ashes, Ashes, we all fall down.}

Contrary to that email you have seen drifting around the internet, this rhyme is not about the plagues that swept across Europe during the dark ages, the ring around the mouth does not relate to the sores of plague victims, and the pocket full of posies do not refer to the bundles of herbs and flowers some used to “ward off” the plague. This song didn’t get published until 1881, over five centuries after the plagues had ended. It simply wasn’t in existence during the dark ages.  There are as many versions of this rhyme as there are theories as to what it really refers to, and many do not even contain the words that have attempted to link it to the plagues.

There are other theories, but the final word seems to be that there is no real meaning for this innocent collection of words, and it is nothing more than childish nonsense, which is after all, what a nursery rhyme should be.

While his teammate Fernando Alonso has returned to Maranello and is using the spare time to gather information on Ferrari’s 2010 challenger – while also doing his scheduled seat-fitting sessions in the process – Felipe Massa doesn’t plan to just sit around and do nothing until the testing season kicks off in early February.

Consequently, the Brazilian driver joined the Scuderia’s Corse Clienti department at the Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona, for the 3-day testing session of 7-time MotoG… (read more)

After the leaked pics of the new Mini crossover vehicle, the Mini Countryman, appeared on the internet, the company has moved fast to present the rest of the details and some more pics ahead of the 2010 Geneva Motor Show launch date. The Countryman is seen as an important model for the brand, bridging the gap between the classic retro appeal of the Mini and the current trend of SAV and SUV vehicles.

We can see the company was not yet ready to release details, with some confusion over the technical specs that will be available in Europe or the US. The press release after the jump is from the US, and so the technical specs are provisional, as the car will debut on that market a full year after its European appearance.

From what we can understand though, the Mini Countryman in Europe will be available with a range of five engines, in the different kits on offer. The Countryman One is equipped with a 1.6-litre aspirated engine with 98 hp, the Cooper will have the same engine but 24 hp more, while the Cooper S will have the 1.6-litre Twin-Scroll single turbine engine with Valvetronic technology and 184 hp. The diesels on offer include the One D with a 1.6-litre engine and 98 hp, and the Cooper D with 112 hp.

Mini Countryman official pics

Overall the Mini Countryman will have all wheel drive based on BMW’s xDrive system, called ALL4, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Dynamic Traction Control (DTC). Mini is selling hard on the “go-kart” driving feel with the added lifestyle appeal of a bigger, SUV job and we think they’ll probably pull this off. See all the official pics and the press release below.

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – January 20, 2010… A year ahead of its launch in the US, MINI Countryman is confirmed to expand the MINI lineup to four variants.

Note: U.S. product specifications are different from those announced in markets outside North America. All specifications presented in this press kit are provisional. The launch date for markets outside North America is fall 2010, and early 2011 for the U.S.

Meet The MINI Countryman
MINI is adding a fourth model to the family, opening up a new dimension of motoring with that unmistakable MINI exhilaration. The new MINI Countryman is a genuine crossover vehicle, and bridges the gap between the classic concept of the MINI and a modern Crossover. Boasting enhanced opportunities in urban mobility and beyond, the MINI Countryman offers that unique go-kart handling so typical of MINI, yet allows the brand to appeal to new target groups requiring extra space and flexibility.

As the first model in the MINI range with four doors and a wide-opening rear lid, the MINI Countryman provides even greater freedom of space for truly versatile use, a slightly elevated seating position, and optimized driving comfort. Full integration of the passengers within the vehicle creates that driving experience so typical of MINI. The MINI Countryman maintains that go-kart feeling likewise so characteristic of MINI, and optional ALL4 all-wheel-drive offers an additional highlight for motoring enthusiasts. In a nutshell, the MINI Countryman offers all the characteristic features of the brand in terms of design, premium quality, handling, efficiency and customization in a new, modern style.

The Countryman’s Look
The MINI Countryman carries on unique design characteristics such as superior style and quality, while combining new larger body dimensions, greater ground clearance and four doors. It also features short overhangs, a high window line, powerful stance on the wheels, and windows extending around the entire car create those unique proportions so typical of a MINI. At the same time, the MINI Countryman re-interprets the characteristic icons of a MINI such as the roofline, the hexagonal radiator grille element, the large headlights integrated in the engine lid with integrated side direction indicators, the prominent wheel arches and the upright rear light clusters.

Measuring 161.3 inches in length, with a wheelbase of 102.2 inches, the MINI Countryman features an interior that offers a new dimension of space and function. The four-door body of the car combines the proportions typical of the brand with extra ground clearance and an elevated seating position, the MINI Countryman thus bridging the gap between the classic Mini and a modern Crossover Vehicle. From the start, the design of the MINI Countryman emanates a unique feeling of independence, performance, robustness and versatility, particularly the clear structure of the front end giving the MINI Countryman a mature and most respectable look of class and style. But at the same time the new model naturally retains that unique charm and individual flair so typical of MINI.

Proceeding from the MINI design language, the MINI Countryman authentically visualizes the particular features of this very special car. Positioned almost upright, the front end bears out strong presence and serves to optimize pedestrian safety. The extra space within the car, in turn, is emphasized by extra-large windows and the individual shape of the roof. The particularly wide frame around the lower part of the body and the powerfully flared wheel arches highlight the robust character of the car and its all-wheel drive. With that typical MINI style now being conveyed to a new segment in absolute clarity and precision, the MINI Countryman stands out from the start as a brand-new, highly innovative model but is nevertheless clearly identifiable from the very beginning as a genuine MINI.

The new diagonal function line at the transition point from the front side panel to the door likewise serves to distinguish the MINI Countryman from its counterparts within the range. This particular feature – yet another re-interpretation of the body welding seam at the same point on the classic Mini – comprises both the side direction indicator and the air outlet on the MINI Countryman. Conceived and designed as a wide and very robust-looking band, this diagonal function line continues the course of the A-pillar towards the front wheel. Like the C-pillar facing towards the rear axle, this special line again emphasizes the impression of a powerful body resting strongly on its wheels.

The proportions and horizontal subdivision of the rear end also underlines the sporting character of the MINI Countryman, ensuring powerful presence also from this perspective. Broadening out in steps from top to bottom, the body structure emphasizes the stable stance of the car, the muscular shoulder line additionally highlighting the masculine character of the MINI Countryman. With its integrated, aerodynamically refined airflow contour, the roof appears to almost hover above the window areas. The chrome band extending round the entire car between the windows and the body, finally, forms yet another horizontal line as a further highlight in the design of the MINI Countryman.

Like all models in the MINI range, the MINI Countryman comes with upright rear light clusters forming a distinctive contrast to the otherwise horizontal lines at the rear. Highlighted by chrome surrounds, the rear light clusters stand out three-dimensionally from the body of the car. Positioned far to the outside, the rear lights emphasize the width of the MINI Countryman and bear clear reference to the generous interior space.

All light functions are integrated in the rear lights embedded like islands in the rear side panels. The inner structure of the lights is determined again in typical MINI style by full circles and circular sections also giving the car its unique night design.

For the first time the MINI logo at the rear has a specific function: Pressing the inner circle on the logo allows the MINI owner to release the rear lid that is hinged at the top. The rear license plate recess takes up the shape of the air intake in the front bumper, thus linking the front and rear ends through their clear symbiosis in design.

The rear air dam on the MINI Cooper S Countryman comes as a diffuser guiding the flow of air beneath the rear end of the car to optimize the aerodynamic qualities of this special model. The most powerful model in the range also stands out through its special roof spoiler, a twin-chamber exhaust system, as well as striking openings in the rear wheel arches.

The MINI Countryman is available with a choice of at least eleven body colors: five non-metallic, and six metallic. All models are available with the roof finished either in Black, White or as an alternative, body color.

Living In The Countryman
Within the interior, the MINI Countryman boasts innovative design and function elements throughout. The slightly elevated seating position guarantees comfort and pleasant and optimizes the driver’s all-round view. The Central Display and air vents are highlighted by colored rings. The most unique interior feature is its innovative Center Rail system, which extends from the front to the rear replacing a conventional center console. It opens up new, individual options for integrating all kinds of storage boxes, cupholders, external audio devices, mobile telephones and other comfort features. It offers flexible clip-in elements enabling the driver and passengers to subdivide the storage boxes individually as required, keeping travel utensils within easy reach, wherever they are required. At the same time the Center Rail forms an unconventional, visual and functional connection between the front seats and the rear passenger compartment.

The MINI Countryman offers superior comfort also on long distances, with generous legroom, headroom and shoulder freedom. The rear seats move fore-and-aft either individually and the backrests may be tilted for angle, increasing capacity in the luggage compartment from liters 12.2 –41.0 cu ft.

All surfaces come in a new, even more striking, textured grain that harmonizes perfectly with the powerful look of the car. The instrument panel in the MINI Countryman is characterized by concave shapes and a sporting, functional impression. Extra-large air vents at the side emphasize the particular style of the interior in its modern class and function. Like the center air vents, the center speedo and the gearshift lever, the air vents are highlighted by white surrounds in a contrasting color. A further color highlight is provided by the side surrounds on the center console appearing to actually support and hold up the dashboard. The center console itself, through its matt-black color in conjunction with a chrome ring for the climate controls, is particularly stylish and sophisticated in its looks. Apart from the control units for the air conditioning and CD player, the toggle switches for various car functions typical of MINI are also housed within the center console.

Newly designed door panels underline the specific shape of the body and the extra space the MINI Countryman has to offer. The ellipsoid frame around the door armrests and door handles, again so typical of the brand, is for the first time positioned in the middle, encompassing in its design also the B-pillars and emphasizing the length of the interior through its stretched contours.

The MINI Countryman comes with supportive bucket seats specific to this particular model. Sports seats are featured as standard on the MINI Cooper S Countryman (optional on the Cooper) and offer two different combinations of cloth/leather seating as well as various choices of all-leather upholstery as an option. A particular highlight is the top-of-the-line Lounge Leather upholstery that is reminiscent of classy leather seats with piping in a classic British car.

The rear bucket seats featured at the rear move fore-and-aft 5.1inches independently of one another. Even with the seats in their upright position, the MINI Countryman is able to meet additional transport requirements as the rear seat backrests may be moved to a cargo position increasing luggage space from 12.2–15.4 cubic feet. With the rear seats folded down, cargo capacity increases to a commodious 41.0 cubic feet, enough for two mountain bikes with their front wheels removed. And for those that need more options to carry their adventure items, a standard low-profile roof rail system allows Motorers the ability to add a full line of MINI Accessory.

MINI Center Rail: Unique Storage Concept
Instead of a conventional center console between the seats, the MINI Countryman comes with an innovative rail system, the unique MINI Center Rail enabling the driver and passengers to keep their personal belongings and odds and ends exactly where they need them at any point in time. At the same time the MINI Center Rail forms a visual and functional connection between the front and rear seats.

The Center Rail extends through the entire passenger compartment all the way to the rear seat backrests. Specially developed and easy-to-use clip-in fixtures allow the driver and passengers to use the MINI Center Rail individually as required, hanging on various bins and storage units. As an example, the MINI Center Rail may be fitted with holders for entertainment and telecommunication devices, cupholders, a case for sunglasses in genuine MINI design, as well as center armrests held safely and comfortably in position. The holders and storage bins placed on the Center Rail may then be moved forwards and backwards to any desired position. And whenever the users place electronic devices such as a mobile phone or an MP3 player on the Center Rail, the integrated cable system automatically connects the respective device to the car’s on-board network and ensures full and convenient integration into the MINI Countryman’s entertainment system.

Ambient lighting, which is part of the standard light package, sets a particular highlight within the interior of the MINI Countryman. Providing an indirect lighting effect, ambient lightning creates special color highlights throughout the entire door panel in night design, thus giving the interior a truly unique atmosphere. Using a toggle switch, the driver and passengers may vary the color of the light generated steplessly from a warm orange to a sporting blue. Light rods also provide the color desired on the MINI Center Rail from one end to the other. This makes it easier to find objects attached to the Center Rail.

The optional interior color lines provide further opportunities to customize the car, creating different color effects along the door panels within their ellipsoid frame, on the center armrest side panels, the lower section of the B-pillar covers, and the inserts on the Center Rail itself. The colors available in this case are Carbon Black, Polar Beige, Pure Red, and Dark Tobacco, as well as powerful Surf Blue exclusive to the MINI Cooper S Countryman. Trim bars for the cockpit as well as a Chrome Package adding discreet gloss to the air vents, the central instrument, the rev counter and the surrounds on the gearshift lever, provide an even more intense touch of color and style.

Countryman Power
The MINI Countryman is entering the US market with a choice of two engines, each coming in the new generation of power units developed with masterful engineering and naturally, comply with ULEV II emission standards. The rev-happy 1.6-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine in the Cooper offers fuel efficiency and performance with fully variable valve timing and lift via VALVETRONIC technology. The Cooper S adds a twin-scroll turbocharger and direct fuel injection. It also features fully-variable valve management offering the best balance of engine power and fuel consumption in its class. And as an alternative to the standard six-speed manual gearbox, both Cooper and Cooper S models are also available with a six-speed automatic transmission complete with manual control.

All engines featured in the MINI Countryman come with fully variable valve management. This technology for masterminding engine load without requiring a throttle to control engine output is quite unique within the segment of this new MINI and is based on the VALVETRONIC valve management system featured in BMW power units. This optimizes engine response and serves to significantly reduce both fuel consumption and emissions.

Valve management adjusts the lift and duration of the intake valves within fractions of a second to the respective level of power required. The intake camshaft acts on the valves through an additional intermediate lever, and not directly through the follower arm. The rotating point of this additional lever is adjusted infinitely by an eccentric shaft controlled by an electric motor.

MINI Cooper Countryman: Four-cylinder gasoline engine with fully-variable valve management based on the BMW Group’s VALVETRONIC technology.
Capacity: 1,598 cc
Max output: at least 120 hp at 6,000 rpm,
Max torque: at least 118 lb-ft at 4,250 rpm.
Acceleration 0–100 km/h in 10.5 seconds, top speed 190 km/h (118 mph)
Average fuel consumption: TBD

MINI Cooper S Countryman: Four-cylinder gasoline engine with twin-scroll turbocharger, direct fuel injection and fully-variable valve management based on the BMW Group’s VALVETRONIC technology.
Capacity: 1,598 cc
Max output: at least 180 hp at 5,500 rpm
Max torque: at least 177 lb-ft at 1,600 rpm (at least 192 lb-ft with Overboost).
Acceleration 0–100 km/h: in 7.6 seconds
Top speed: 205 km/h (128 mph)
Average fuel consumption: TBD

ALL4 –Performance and Safety
The MINI Cooper S Countryman is the first MINI to offer a permanent all-wheel-drive system known as MINI ALL4. Utilizing an electro-hydraulic differential, positioned directly on the transmission’s final drive, varies the power distribution from front to rear in an infinitely-variable process. Under normal driving conditions, up to 50 percent of the engine’s power goes to the rear wheels and under extreme conditions up to 100 percent, offering a new, high-traction rendition of the agile handling so typical of MINI. This superior traction and drivetrain technology is based on the top-end suspension of the MINI including features such as the front axle with MacPherson spring struts and forged lower control arms, the multi-link rear axle and EPS (Electric Power Steering.)

On the Cooper S Countryman with ALL4, a specific driveline setup is used. Together with the elaborate mounting for the final drive and individual driveshafts, a vibration damper is fitted is within the rear driveshaft giving the ALL4 version of the MINI Countryman the same high standard of acoustic and dynamic comfort as on the models with front-wheel drive.

Designed for optimum safety in the event of a collision, the body structure, with its precisely defined load paths and deformation zones, ensures passive safety of the highest caliber. A total of six airbags are standard, with frontal and side airbags as well as side curtain airbags for both front and rear occupants. Three-point inertia-reel seat belts are present on all four seats and belt latch tensioners and belt force limiters at the front, as well as LATCH child seat fastenings at the rear all come as standard. Yet another standard feature is the Tire Pressure Monitor.

In terms of crash behavior, there is no compromise between the front-wheel and all-wheel drive versions of the MINI Countryman. To ensure this equality, the car comes with an innovative drive shaft made up of two elements giving way within one another in the event of a collision to absorb impact energy. The body structure of the MINI Countryman is also designed to offer maximum occupant safety in the event of a collision, high-load-resistant bearer structures, precisely defined deformation zones and an extremely stable passenger cell serving to keep impact forces away from the passengers.

The MINI Countryman furthermore comes standard with DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) and DTC (Dynamic Traction Control) is an option that also features an electronic limited-slip function for the front axle differential. All Countryman models comes standard with 205/50 R17 runflat tires for supreme safety and performance in all situations. Available optionally are 18’’ alloy wheels with runflat tires and 19” wheels can be ordered as a dealer-installed accessory.

True You-ification and Technology, Countryman Style
The wide range of customization options on both the exterior and interior again so typical of MINI are supplemented by new, model-specific features exclusive to the MINI Countryman. New combinations in the range of interior colors, trim strips and upholstery enable even the most discerning customer to create his – or her – very special car with truly unique character. The wide range of standard features boasted by the MINI Countryman includes highlights such a multi-function steering wheel with cruise control, the MINI Center Rail, and a premium six-speaker audio system complete with a CD player and AUX IN. The equally wide range of options and special equipment tailored to each model comes with features such as high-end audio and navigation systems as well as mobile telephone interfaces including the option to completely integrate an Apple iPhone® and other smartphones in the car. Further options are the dual-pane Panoramic sunroof, Adaptive Headlights in combination with the optional Xenon headlight units, lightweight-alloy wheels ranging in size from 17 to 18 inches, sports suspension (which lowers the car by 10 millimeters or almost 0.4″), as well as the wide range of John Cooper Works Performance Components.

The Countryman Cometh
For the US, the Countryman’s three versions – Cooper Countryman, Cooper S Countryman and Cooper S Countryman ALL4 – will be offered for sale in early 2011. Pricing will be announced at a later date.

As the fourth model within the MINI range and the first premium car of its kind, the MINI Countryman is a pioneer in many respects. It opens up that characteristic MINI feeling for new target groups and at the same time transfers individual design and the unique fun of motoring into a segment with greater demands in terms of space available, diversity and motoring comfort, thus opening up new perspectives for the MINI brand as a whole.

Through this extension of the model range, the MINI brand once again proves its ability to grow with the demands of its fans and followers, while remaining true to its particular character.

Con sus 367 CV y un precio de 140.000 euros, se presenta el nuevo Morgan . Un deportivo británico fabricado de forma artesanal y cuya cadena de producción empezará el presente Año 2010.

Morgan se presenta con un diseño totalmente innovador pero conservando el espíritu de la marca inglesa. Con 4.12 metros de longitud, 1,77 de ancho y 1.250 kg de peso el Aero SuperSports dispone de un techo rígido de aluminio desmontable y cuya carrocería está fabricada en aluminio.

El motor es un 4.8 V8 atmosférico de 367CV de origen BMW y con tracción trasera. El adinerado “Gentleman” que adquiera esta joya de superlujo podrá elegir entre una caja de cambios manual  o automática secuencial ambas de 6 velocidades. Las prestaciones oficiales apuntan a una aceleración de 0 a 100 km/h de 4,2 segundos y una velocidad máxima de 273 km/h, el par motor que es capaz de entregar es de 490 Nm (49,98 mkg).

El interior destaca por su salpicadero con una estética retro minimalista combinada con acabamos en madera y cuero. En palabras de Charles Morgan, “El Morgan Aero SuperSports  es un lujoso deportivo que es fiel a la filosofía de la simplicidad minimalista que caracteriza a Morgan. Es una celebración de nuestra pasión por los coches y el romance y es un modelo que cuyo anunciamiento encaja con el centenario de la marca.”

Related posts:

1. Fotos espía del Bentley Continental Supersport
2. Paquete deportivo para los Volvo DRIVe
3. Shelvy nos deja sin noticias del Ultimate Aero EV

The Barrett-Jackson Car Auction in Scottsdale is these days witnessing the presentation of the new Coulomb Technologies ChargePoint Networked Charging Stations, presented by Green Fuel Technologies. The ChargePoint, which will hit the market later this year, are at the event to catch the eye of retail venues, restaurants, malls, parking structures and municipal buildings in the metro-Phoenix area.

"As the newest electric vehicle models emerge this year, we want to educate consumers on ho… (read more)

Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide (QTWW) announced that it has entered into a letter of intent with Fisker Automotive for the exclusive supply of Q-Drive Plug-In Hybrid components and control systems for the Fisker Karma Program. Quantum would also receive a ‘royalty payment’ on each Karma sold that incorporates Quantum’s Q-Drive.

"We are gearing up for the Karma production phase and are excited about bringing our innovative Q-Drive PHEV control systems to market. Fisker has a… (read more)

Ford has just announced that Donna Inch was appointed chairman and CEO of Ford Land, "the real estate and wholly owned subsidiary of Ford," as the company said in a release. She will thus take the place of Phil Horlock, who announced his decision to retire in December last year.

Serving as chairman as CEO of Ford Land will bring Inch several responsibilities, as she’ll be in charge of real estate, construction and facility services for Ford Motor Company, which includes manufacturin… (read more)