Prodrive Impreza N2010 – Click above for high-res image gallery
Prodrive has had a number of clients over the years. They’ve raced Ferraris at Le Mans, racked up innumerable victories for Aston Martin, and even ran Honda‘s Formula One team until they took the reins themselves. But few associations have put the British racing consultancy on the map as much as its collaboration with Subaru in the World Rally Championship.
Unfortunately for David Richards and company, Subaru withdrew last year from the WRC. But that hasn’t kept Prodrive from tweaking out another rally-prepped Impreza, as if to show it still can. Homologated to production-based Group N specifications, the Impreza N2010 packs a twin-scroll-turbocharged two-liter boxer four with competition-spec fuel injectors, catalyst and ECU for an extra 20 horsepower over stock and a wider torque band. It’s also riding on an adjustable Ohlins suspension, with differentials front, center and rear, kept in check by AP Racing brakes and reinforced with an FIA-certified roll cage.
The result is what Prodrive claims is a more competitive package compared to a Super 2000-spec rally machine at about half the price – challengers can pick one up from £120,000 (about $195k), or lease one for two years. Details in the press release after the jump, photos in the gallery below.
2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 Sedan – Click above for high-res image gallery A November Nor’Easter had chewed its way up to New England, delivering a cataclysmic combination of rain and wind as we…
2011 Mazda5 – Click above for high-res image gallery The Mazda5 has been around since 2006, going about its microvan business in relative obscurity, yet rewarding buyers with a healthy dose…
Mini Countryman – Click above for high-res image gallery Following yesterday’s leaked images and teaser video, Mini has today officially opened the floodgates of pictures and information on…
Catalonia is a Mediterranean country
located on the northestern triangle of the Iberian Peninsula.
Historically, its location has turned it into a land of peace where
various peoples and cultures have come together.
Lookin’ a little naked there, Miranda. Miranda Kerr, the dimpled-cheeked Australian who has helped turned prancing around in your underpants an artform thanks to her work as a Victoria’s Secret Angel, smiles with her eyes and plays Peek-A-Boo with her naughty bits in this sizzling new layout for GQ’s February issue.
The 26-year-old supermodel is currently dating actor Orlando Bloom.
Vietnam convicted four democracy activists of trying to overthrow the communist government on Wednesday and sentenced them to up to 16 years in prison for promoting multiparty democracy. The most well known of the four defendants, U.S.-trained human rights attorney Le Cong Dinh, received a relatively light five-year sentence after judges at the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Court deliberated for just a half-hour. The court apparently showed leniency because Dinh acknowledged breaking the law during his testimony. "From the bottom of my heart, I myself and these three other defendants had no intention to overthrow the government," Dinh told the court. The stiffest sentence in the one-day trial was given to Tran Huynh Duy Thuc, an Internet entrepreneur who testified that he had sought ways to improve Vietnam’s political culture and root out corruption but insisted he had done nothing wrong. Dinh, Thuc and a third defendant could have been sentenced to death. Western diplomats and human rights groups slammed the verdict, saying the defendants had been punished for peacefully expressing their political views. The trial came as factions jockey for power in advance of next year’s Communist Party congress, and some observers have speculated that the current crackdown on dissent is connected to the upcoming political transition. Vietnam has convicted 10 other democracy activists in the last three months. None of them is better known than Dinh. In addition to handling high-profile human rights cases, he once represented Vietnamese fish farmers fighting an unfair trade complaint brought by U.S. catfish growers. During closing arguments at a 2007 human rights trial in Hanoi, Dinh made a highly unusual public plea for freedom of expression. A panel of judges found that the defendants had committed "an extremely serious" national security crime by joining the outlawed Democratic Party of Vietnam and collaborating with overseas Vietnamese groups dedicated to ousting the communists. But they said some of the defendants, including Dinh, had shown remorse and had good personal records. The court said it also took into account the fact that the defendants had been "coerced by hostile forces" from overseas who oppose Vietnam’s communist government. Dinh testified Wednesday that he had been influenced by Western ideas while studying in the United States. They were found guilty of violating Article 79 of Vietnam’s criminal code, which prohibits "carrying out activities aimed at overthrowing the people’s administration." Defendant Nguyen Tien Trung, who formed a student group called Viet Youth for Democracy in 2006 while studying information technology in France, received a seven-year sentence. The last defendant, Le Thang Long, who was tried as an accomplice, received a five-year sentence. All of them received from three to five years of probation. Dinh said he had broken the letter of the law but had never intended to overthrow the government. "The Democratic Party of Vietnam called for a multiparty system and political pluralism, and my participation in this group constitutes a violation of Article 79," Dinh said. Dinh, the former vice chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Bar Association, studied law at Tulane University in Louisiana on a Fulbright scholarship. "During my studies overseas, I was influenced by Western attitudes toward democracy, freedom and human rights," Dinh testified. Trung showed remorse during his testimony, saying he regretted joining the Democratic Party of Vietnam and founding his student democracy group. "My actions violated Vietnamese law," said Trung, 26. "I was immature and made a mistake." The other two defendants denied wrongdoing and said they had only signed confessions under duress. Thuc, 43, acknowledged organizing something called the Chan Study Group, which prosecutors say was committed to undermining the government. But Thuc said the group was simply formed to do research and make policy suggestions to Vietnamese leaders. Le Thang Long, 42, acknowledged joining the study group, but said it was lawful. "I’m innocent," Long said, testifying that he had been subjected to "psychological terrorism" by the security police. Foreign reporters and diplomats watched the trial in a separate room at the court on a closed-circuit television that was sometimes inaudible. They were prohibited from bringing cameras or recording devices. Ken Fairfax, the U.S. consul general in Ho Chi Minh City, expressed disappointment with the verdict. "We would like to reiterate our deep concern over the arrest and conviction of persons for the peaceful expression of their beliefs, political and otherwise, by the government of Vietnam" he said. New York-based Human Rights Watch condemned the proceedings. "Vietnam’s hostility toward freedom of expression and peaceful dissent is becoming increasingly flagrant in the run-up to next year’s party congress," said Brad Adams, the organization’s Asia director :bash: :ohno: http://www.comcast.net/articles/news…sidents.Trial/
By BEN STOCKING, AP
The S8000 Integrale cooled mirror hygrometer provides highly reliable, drift-free dew-point measurements in vacuums as low as 0.05 mbar, making it unique in its category. It is ideal for applications, such as oil refilling of transformers, which involve vacuum pumping.
Many high voltage transformers, especially those switching many thousands of kVA (such as the types found in power plant sub-stations), are filled completely with a refined mineral oil. This serves several purposes; most importantly the oil must act as a main part of the transformer’s insulation, though it also serves to cool the transformer.
Moisture inside transformers adversely affects the dielectric and insulating properties of the oil. Vacuum pumping the transformer enclosure is a common practice in the industry, with the sole purpose of minimizing the total moisture content prior to oil filling.
Optimal dryness is desirable at this critical stage and a reliable, accurate dew point measurement enables users to monitor the process and ensure that moisture is eliminated as much as possible. Together with its low-pressure capability, the S8000 can measure dew-points as low as -60°C with 0.1°C accuracy. Its fundamental chilled-mirror technology is drift-free so measurements are reliable over time. The design of the sensor head allows for excellent sealing both in high-pressure as well as in low pressure and vacuum applications, making it a highly versatile instrument.
The Gentech SCR Combined Sensors utilized in the DEF/AdBlue® tanks of diesel powered commercial vehicles with SCR emissions systems can now measure both urea solution level and qualty. The quality sensor, has been integrated into Gentech’s level sensor which is mounted in the top of the DEF/AdBlue® tanks on commercial vehicles. The development will be advantageous to OEM’s as they will be able buy a combined module that will handle DEF/AdBlue® tank quality and level requirements.
SCR
Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) is an exhaust after treatment method used with diesel engines to reduce NOx emissions. The SCR system relies on the injection of an aqueous urea solution into the exhaust stream in order to facilitate the reduction of NOx emissions. This aqueous urea solution (32.5% urea and 67.5% demineralised water by weight) is called Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) in North America and is called AdBlue® in other parts of the world. The quality of DEF and AdBlue® is strictly defined by ISO and DIN standards.
At ATX 2010, taking place in Anaheim, California, from February 9-11, Renishaw will focus on its latest range of motion control products, including a true absolute optical encoder for rotary and linear applications, a unique track-mounted linear encoder scale system, and magnetic encoder chip.
Also shown will be the new QC20-W wireless ballbar which assesses machine tool positioning and servo control performance, and now includes a volumetric testing capability, plus a range of new touch probes and probe software that increase machine tool automation and improve process control. For visitors sourcing off-line measurement products, there will also be the opportunity to discuss Renishaw’s new retrofit service for co-ordinate measuring machines (CMMs), including MODUS™ the company’s first metrology software.
True absolute optical encoder
RESOLUTE™ is a true absolute optical encoder system that has excellent dirt immunity, and an impressive specification that breaks new ground in position feedback. Visitors to ATX 2010 will see that it gives an astonishing market-leading resolution of just 1 nanometer at 100 meters per second for both linear encoder and angle encoder applications. Absolute position is acquired immediately at system switch-on, so the exact orientation of axis and motor commutation angle are known without the need for a reference (datum) return. Large set-up tolerances also enable easy installation and high reliability, whilst low jitter and SDE (Sub-Divisional Error) meet the demands of high precision stages.
Linear encoder track scale
FASTRACK™ is a revolutionary track-mounted linear encoder scale system that combines ±5 µm/m accuracy, with the ruggedness of stainless steel, and the quick and easy installation of a carrier-type encoder system. Designed for applications that demand high accuracy and easily removable scale, ATX visitors will see that the FASTRACK scale system consists of two miniature guide rails that securely retain Renishaw’s new low-profile scales and allow them to freely expand at their own thermal expansion coefficient with almost zero hysteresis. If damaged, the scale can be pulled out of the guide rails and quickly replaced, even where access is limited, thus reducing machine downtime.
Magnetic encoder chip
Renishaw’s new AM4096 magnetic encoder IC developed by its associate company RLS d.o.o. provides UVW outputs with 16 poles (8 pole pairs), incremental, absolute, linear (potentiometer), tacho generator and sinusoidal outputs. Resolution is to 12-bit (4096 steps per turn) with a programmable zero position and it is capable of high speed operation to 30,000 rpm. Typical applications for the new on-chip magnetic encoder include commutation and high-speed motor control, position and velocity control, potentiometer replacement and optical encoder replacement.
MIG/MAG welding torches from Fronius offer the advanced technology and quality that let you concentrate on the job in hand, whatever it might be, rather than the equipment. All welding torches are designed to the last detail to guarantee precise results and ease of use.
Design also plays a key role. The ergonomically perfected handle means the torch sits comfortably and firmly in the hand, making it easy to use.
All Fronius torches are optimally matched to the entire welding system. Whether air or water-cooled, manual or automated or robotic operations.
Now available, a 1.0X C-Mount Camera Coupler for microscopes with a standard 38mm ISO photoport. This new coupler provides a Clear Aperture (CA) of more than 20mm thereby allowing use of larger CCD arrays in the latest Scientific and Industrial imaging cameras.
The magnification factor of the CC-1X is 1.0X. The CC-1X provides a clear aperture of more than 20mm, larger than most similar products, providing both increased field-of-view and light transmission of the microscope image to the camera.
The Model CC-1X (0535-0012) is available from Tower Optical Corp. for $89.00 USD. Reseller pricing is available starting at a 30% discount. Camera Couplers are available from stock. For more information visit www.TowerOptical.com or contact the Tower Sales Department via email at [email protected].
Inspect – Record Sounds – Store Information – Manage Data
The Ultraprobe 10,000 brings Ultrasound Inspection technology to a whole new level. With this one system, inspectors can perform condition analysis, record sounds, store and manage data.
The Ultraprobe 10,000 Has On-board Sound Recording
With the push of a button, it is now possible to record a sound sample directly into the instrument and link it to one of 400 record files stored in the Ultraprobe.
With The Ultraprobe 10,000 System, Test The Way You Want
– Specialized Application Screens
– Adjustable On/Off Features
– Connect to External Devices
– Flexible Reporting Options
Utilizing just two controls: User friendly Spin and Click Technology of the Ultraprobe 10,000 simplifies sound recording, data collection, system customization and data entry.
ULTRAPROBE® 10,000 is a Complete Ultrasonic Asset Management System
Something for Everybody: Whatever you’re going to test, the Ultraprobe 10,000 has application-specific software for you. With the “click” of a button you can select an Application with Specialized fields for accurate reporting and analysis.
Select any of 6 applications: Generic, Leaks Valves, Bearings, Electrical or Steam and the Ultraprobe 10,000 automatically sets relevant fields for your data logging convenience. All stored data is easily downloaded to the Ultratrend DMS software.
Expand your inspections.
In addition to on-board data logging, the Ultraprobe 10,000 accepts and stores data from external devices such as thermometers and tachometers.
The portable modular design of this heavy duty remote control oscillator makes it easy to handle and setup. This compact unit increases productivity and improves weld quality by providing precise automation of welding applications. Mounted on a Kat travel carriage, the oscillator imparts pendulum, tangential or step motion to the welding gun with adjustable stroke widths, speeds and dwell times. Also a wide range of weld patterns can be produced.
Sherborne Sensors (www.sherbornesensors.com), a global leader in the design and manufacture of inclinometers, accelerometers, force transducers, load cells, rotary encoders, instrumentation and accessories for industrial, military and aerospace customers, has launched the new DTI series, a family of 5-digit, programmable digital panel meters, offering improved tilt measurement system versatility and performance.
The DTI series is designed to take an output from any Sherborne Sensors gravity referenced inclinometer, provide necessary trigonometric conversions, and display as an angle, with a resolution down to 0.001°. For seamless interface with a data acquisition system, two supplementary outputs, an analog voltage output and a RS422/485 serial output, are supplied. The enclosure is manufactured from recyclable and flame retardant (VO) materials, with front panel conformance to IP65: NEMA 4.
Because of its versatility, the DTI Series can be effectively implemented into simple, measurement-only applications, as well as those requiring digital communications, alarms and mathematical functions. The powerful menu-driven software, also supplied, enables fast and flexible set-up from the front panel or via serial communications link.
In addition, built-in, comprehensive alarm functions for the DTI Series makes them particularly suitable for monitoring, switching and control functions. The hysteresis facility prevents noisy signals from switching alarms erroneously, with high and low deviations facilitating control around a set point. On and off delay times can be set with individual alarms, configured as latching or non-latching, depending on user requirements.
The DTI Series is suitable for use with most Sherborne Sensors gravity-referenced inclinometers, as well as other manufacturers’ products. An integral 12 VDC power supply is intended to provide excitation voltage for MEMS- based inclinometers. Bi-polar voltage supplied inclinometers may be also powered via Sherborne Sensors XT-0102 or XT-0103 series power supply modules. For customer convenience, the DTI Series can also be supplied as a completely calibrated tilt monitoring system, including the inclinometer.
For additional details, drawings and specifications, please contact Sherborne Sensors toll-free (in the US & Canada) at (877) 486-1766 [email protected] or on +44 (0) 870 444 0728 [email protected] (rest of world), or by visiting www.sherbornesensors.com.
Le passeport biométrique délivré par 14 préfectures 6 consulats
Depuis le 7 janvier, le nouveau passeport biométrique marocain est délivré au niveau de 14 préfectures et 6 consulats.
Lancé le 15 décembre dernier, le passeport biométrique était déjà délivré à Skhirat, Témara et Salé ainsi qu’au consulat de Colombes (France).
Préfectures :
■ Rabat
■ Kénitra
■ Mohammedia
■ Sidi Kacem
■ Khémisset
■ Mediouna
■ Nouaceur
■ Benslimane
■ Sidi Bernoussi
■ Ben M’ssik
■ Ain Sebaa
■ Hay Mohammadi
■ Moulay Rachid
■ Chichaoua
■ Fahs Anjra
■ Salé
■ Skhirat
■ Témara
Consulats :
■ Paris (France)
■ Toulouse (France)
■ Colombes (France)
■ Utrecht (Pays Bas)
■ Liège (Belgique)
■ Palerme (Italie)
■ Bilbao (Espagne)
D’ici à fin mars 2010, le passeport biométrique devrait être généralisé à tout le Maroc ainsi qu’aux ambassades et consulats marocains dans le monde.
Bladi.net
Reste à savoir si l’on va être obliger de, tous, changer nos vieux passport.
et perso je changerai bien la couleur moi, du rouge ou du bleu je trouve que ce serait mieux , qu’on pensez-vous?
Celebrity Fit Club: Boot Camp premieres Monday, Feb. 8 @ 9:00 PM ET/PT on VH1. And you know what that means — time for the shedding fat with the hasbeens!
VH1 celebrates the new decade with the long-awaited return of its popular celebrity fitness challenge. The 8-episode series boasts a cast full of fallen pop culture personalities ready to drop their physical and emotional baggage through a series of grueling weight loss challenges. And with exes like Shar Jackson and Kevin Federline on hand, we’re sure reality fans are in for a season of drama.
Battling the bulge this season are legendary R&B bad boy Bobby Brown, Jay McCarroll (winner of “Project Runway”, Season 1), KayCee Stroh (“High School Musical”), dancer and choreographer Kevin Federline, former “Baywatch” babe Nicole Eggert, Sebastian Bach (Former lead singer of Skid Row), actress Shar Jackson (“Moesha”), and infamous “Bad Girl” Tanisha Thomas (“Bad Girls Club”, Season 2). The cast will be broken into two teams, competing for $200,000 in cash and prizes and the individual celeb who drops the most weight will win $50,000 in prizes.
Earlier this morning BMW released the details on the 2011 Mini Countryman for the European market. We now have the U.S. press release detailing what the 2011 Countryman will offer us on the stateside.
The Mini Countryman will go on sale in the U.S. in early 2011 and will be available with two gasoline engine choices including a “rev-happy” 1.6L 4-cylinder engine making 120-hp and a maximum torque of 118 lb-ft. 0-62 mph will take a long 10.5 seconds with a top speed electronically limited to 118 mph. The Mini Cooper S Countryman model will get a 1.6L 4-cylinder with twin-scroll turbocharger, direct fuel injection and fully-variable valve management based on the BMW Group’s Valvetronic technology. It will produce a total of 180-hp with a peak torque of 177 lb-ft (192 lb-ft with Overboost). The run from 0-62 mph will come in 7.6 seconds with a top speed of 128 mph. Both models will come with a standard 6-speed manual gearbox, and a 6-speed automatic transmission available as an option.
In the U.S., Mini’s ALL4 all-wheel-drive system will only be available on the Mini Cooper S Countryman.
Pricing and option details will be available closer to launch date.
2011 Mini Countryman:
Press Release:
Fun has no Limits: The MINI Countryman
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.
Maserati GranTurismo Convertible – Click above for high-res image gallery
The weather outside may be frightful, but fret not, because summer is coming soon…ish. And when it does, you’re going to want the right set of wheels. With that in mind, the good folks over at Maserati North America have revealed the pricing for their new GranTurismo Convertible (also known as the GranCabrio overseas) so you can start saving now. And save you will if you want to get your hands on one, because it sells for a princely $135,800 (MSRP, before taxes and additional fees).
If you’re wondering how much it costs to lob the roof off a GranTurismo and replace it with a triple-insulated retractable soft top, consider that the standard coupe starts at $117,500, for a difference of – carry the one, divide by the square root of pi – $18,300. When you consider, however, that the convertible comes standard with the larger 4.7-liter engine from the $121,500 GranTurismo S, the additional cost of open-air motoring comes out to a somewhat more manageable $14,300, which may or may not make it easier to justify to your spouse. Details in the press release after the jump.
Rolls-Royce announced today that Torsten Müller-Ötvös (try pronouncing that) will join the company as its new Chief Executive Officer. He will replace Tom Purves at the end of March 2010. Purves will retire after 25 years service with the BMW Group.
Torsten will continue to report to Ian Robertson, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Group Sales and Marketing and also Chairman of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.
“Torsten has many years of solid experience in the fields of brand and product management as well as marketing. He is the perfect candidate to lead Rolls-Royce Motor Cars into a period of expansion – having not only a successful track record as a manager, but also a feel for the unique attributes of a traditional brand.”
Purves succeeded Robertson as CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in July 2008.
