Detroit MI. The MINI COOPER will make its North American debut at the Detroit International Auto Show on January 8, 2001, hot off its triumphant unveiling in Europe where the car received very positive reaction from press and public alike. The MINI COOPER is the first all new product shown from the MINI brand since inception in 1959 and represents a total redesign for the automotive icon. A higher performance model, the MINI COOPER S will be unveiled later in 2001. "Mini is a pivotal part of automotive history. For the brand's new products, our mission was to combine the emotional power of the legendary model with the technology of the future", says Frank Stephenson, chief designer of this exciting new car. The MINI COOPER is a modern interpretation of a genuine classic. Reflecting the styling cues of the old Mini it also offers the very latest technology, making it one of the most advanced cars of its size in the market. Designed for handling and performance as well as great looks, the MINI COOPER is a car that real enthusiasts will love driving. Leading with the MINI COOPER, the MINI brand is set to rekindle the same enthusiasm the buying public felt for the predecessor amongst 21st century customers. It is designed to appeal to all drivers regardless of age, class or nationality.

Concept

When designer Sir Alec Issigonis, presented his first Mini to the world in 1959 he set new standards in design and engineering and in so doing, launched a motoring icon which lasted decades in virtually its original form. The concept was simple but ingenious, the then revolutionary transverse engine with submounted gearbox allowed compact external dimensions with maximum space inside. Mini was a car for everybody and during its life crossed all cultural and social boundaries. However, the front-wheel drive, wheel-at-each-corner design proved to be not just practical but also extremely roadworthy and in 1961, the Mini Cooper was launched. Developed by racing and rally car expert John Cooper, Mini Cooper became synonymous with great driving cars and rallying success such as the triple Monte Carlo rally wins between 1964 and 1967. The Cooper name has been closely associated with performance Minis ever since and forms a vital element of the new MINI. Appropriately for the new brand, it is the MINI COOPER which is the first car in the MINI range to be unveiled. "The MINI COOPER stands as an evolution of the old Mini. It carries the genes, character and excitement of its predecessor, however it is larger, more powerful and more muscular for today's driver", says Frank Stephenson, the chief designer of the MINI. The MINI COOPER is 18 inches longer, 14 inches wider and occupies a "cube" 50% larger than the old car. A concept version of the new car was first seen in 1997 at the Frankfurt Motor Show and after going through a full development process the final production car debuted at the Paris Motor Show in September 2000.

Exterior

The MINI COOPER's styling immediately grabs the attention with its clean, muscular lines. It is a shape which crouches low to the ground, hugging the road and its modern design remains instantly recognizable as a MINI. The classic Mini, with a wheel-at-each-corner is carried through in the MINI COOPER. And yet this is more than just a design feature. It gives the car real dynamic advantages on the road with excellent handling and road-holding, making it both inherently safe and also great fun to drive. At the front, the hood, lights and grille give the car its unique distinctive face, while at the rear, the wide, steeply angled body with its flared wheel arches gives the car a compact, dynamic, glued-to-the-road look which is 100 per cent MINI. The roof line is angled down slightly at the rear, giving the MINI COOPER a powerful profile. This characteristic stance is emphasized by the lateral and vertical design details, from the "shoulders" (the lateral line directly below the side windows) to the vertical sides and down to the sills. The A, B and C-pillars are "hidden" behind glass, a concept used in architectural design where glass walls disguise load-bearing structures. For MINI this suggests a continuous window extending around the car. A tinted panoramic sunroof is optional. The MINI COOPER will be launched with 14 exterior colours available, with contrast roof and exterior mirrors in either black or white. Standard 15 inch or optional 16 and 17 inch alloy wheels are available, finished in either white or silver. MINI products are perfect for personalization and to permit this, a wide range of trim packages and accessories will be available.

Interior

Inside the car, the design is a modern interpretation of the simple and straightforward look of the predecessor with its characteristic center speedometer in the middle of the dashboard. All switches, levers, buttons and dials have been designed with their look, feel and weight very much in mind with emphasis on making them stylish and individual, an important part of MINI's personality, yet also easy to use and understand. Wide-opening doors, remote control central locking, an adjustable steering column and driver's seat height adjustment ensure that the MINI COOPER is extremely practical and adaptable for driver and passengers. The boot can be opened remotely and 50:50 split folding rear seats increase luggage space dramatically. Seating will be available with either leather or leatherette upholstery. A hi-fi CD sound system will be standard with a Harman Kardon speaker system offered as an option. The car features other options such as multifunction steering wheel, and rain sensor windshield wipers.

Body, Suspension and Engine

The body of the MINI COOPER is exceptionally rigid, offering two to three times the torsional stiffness of other cars the same size. This helps give the car its exceptional, go-cart-like handling and also minimizes vibration. The highly advanced suspension system features a multi-link design at the rear. All round disc brakes are ventilated at the front and solid at the rear. The engine is a 16 valve, 1.6 litre unit with an optional automatic transmission producing an estimated 115hp in the MINI COOPER with an uprated supercharged version generating approximately 160hp in the forthcoming MINI COOPER S.

Setting new small car safety standards

The combination of an extremely strong and rigid passenger safety cell, front and rear crumple zones and side impact door beams means occupants are extremely well protected in case of an accident. Passive safety is further enhanced with a full array of airbags, including front and side airbags for the front passengers along with innovative full vehicle side impact head protection airbags - unheard of in a car of this size! Anti-lock brakes (ABS) come standard with traction control and xenon headlights available as options. <b>Target Groups</b> Research by MINI's marketing team has shown that MINI will appeal to a wide cross-section of customers - of different ages and from different backgrounds. What they share is an enthusiasm for driving and the look of their car. However, there are particular groups to which MINI will greatly appeal: The first group is young and affluent, aged between 20-34. Experimental in outlook, they enjoy the new and tend to be spontaneous and active. They like standing out in a crowd and driving a car that people notice. Possessing a keen sense of style, they understand a car can say a lot about them and MINI fits their image and attitude to life. They look for what is cutting edge, and what is fun and exciting. Their own personality is important to them and they like to express it in the products they buy and will enjoy the customization potential of MINI. The second group is slightly older - likely to be 35-50 and represents a more affluent, yet progressive-thinking household. The MINI COOPER may be an additional car for those who wish to add a sporty, yet affordable car to their garage - perhaps even to "share" with younger family members. The third group includes classic car aficionados and Mini enthusiasts. These people have a keen interest in cars and have fond memories of the classic cars from their youth. They like the overall design and engineering of the new car coupled with an interest in MINI's definitive heritage. Enthusiasts will relish MINI's potential for customization in both the car's appearance and performance.

MINI in the BMW Group

MINI is a unique, independent brand within the BMW Group, and will be sold worldwide. MINI, along with BMW and Rolls Royce, forms BMW Group's three pillar premium product brand strategy. MINI will be built at the BMW Group's state-of-the-art Oxford plant in the UK to the company's exceptional quality standards. Volume build starts in early 2001 with units on sale in Canada during the first quarter of 2002. Canadian pricing for the MINI COOPER has not yet been determined. MINI will be sold in Canada via a select group of retailers from BMW Canada's existing retail network. Each MINI retailer will have a sales environment and staffing exclusively dedicated to the brand.

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