AC Schnitzer Turns All-Electric MINI E into a Police Car [with Video]

In support of the German Automobile Tuner Association’s “Tune it! Safe!” campaign, AC Schnitzer built the MINI E Police Look Concept, which is being showcased at the 2010 Essen Motor Show. The idea behind the campaign is to create a car that can satisfy tuning aficionados and also meet safety standards.

The BMW Group's MINI E is powered by an electric motor with 204 hp on tap and plenty of low-down torque (maximum is 220 Nm or 162 lb-ft). It completes the standard sprint from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 8.5 seconds and has a limited top speed of 152 km/h (95 mph).

AC Schnitzer’s comprehensive tuning package made it even better while the police livery is an interesting take on the “safety” theme.

Finished in the classic Polizei colors, the concept has the latest signaling system from Hella mounted on the roof and special wraps from Foliatec. Modified front and rear bumpers, plus lowered side skirts, improve the car's looks, while bonnet vents and a large roof spoiler complete the bodykit.

The tuner opted for new alloys, too. The 18-inch MI 2 wheels feature an 8-spoke design and are wrapped in high-performance Hankook Ventus S1 Evo tires. Stopping power is provided by an upgraded brake system, boasting 328mm 4-pot caliper (in front) ventilated disks. There is also a complete suspension kit.

Inside, the boys in blue are greeted by aluminum pedals, footrest and handbrake handle.

AC Schnitzer says that most of the tuning accessories shown on the concept model are either already available or will soon be offered for the production MINIs.

By Csaba Daradics

_______________________________VIDEO_______________________________

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

First Videos of MINI's Countryman WRC Testing in Portugal!

Thanks to a tip from Carscoop reader Rafael, we can now share with you the first video footage of MINI's new Countryman WRC prototype, which was caught testing earlier today (Tuesday) at Ponte de Lima in Portugal.

The Prodrive developed and built World Rallying Championship version of the Mini Countryman is powered by a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder turbo-charged engine from BMW Motorsport to comply with the new Super2000 regulations. Like the road-going model, it also gets four-wheel drive.

According to MINI, the Countryman WRC will be ready to compete at selected rounds of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) before completing the full series in 2012.

Hat tip to Rafael!

VIDEO: MINI Diesel gets V8 Roar Thanks to Active Sound Design System

Diesel engines have a lot of advantages over their petrol counterparts, the most significant being their impressive fuel economy and monstrous torque. But there's one thing they don't have and that's the right sound. However, the BMW Group appears to have a solution for the problem - albeit in prototype form for now.

It's called Active Sound Design or ASD for short and it has been applied on two prototype diesel-powered models, a MINI Clubman and a BMW 635d Coupe.

ASD is an electro-acoustic system that makes use of microphones and the vehicle's sound system to change the engine's sound characteristics. The further enhance the acoustic experience, BMW's engineers also used different sound and vibration deadening materials in the engine bay and under the body of the car.

"To create the desired acoustic patterns, we're refining the natural character of the engine with an electro-acoustic system so that acceleration becomes a special audio experience and provides even more pleasure," says Albert Kaltenhauser, BMW Group Manager for Airborne Sound, Acoustics and Vibrations -yep, there's an app manager for that too.

"The actively designed diesel sound is hard to put into words — it's unmatched. It has a strong character that sounds pleasant and provides for driving dynamics and pleasure across the entire rpm range," commented Dr. Alfred Zeitler, Acoustic Psychologist.

You can check out the system in action in this Autocar video that shows a Mini Clubman diesel prototype capable of producing four-different engine sounds including one that emulates the notes of a classic muscle-car V8 unit.

Source: BMW , Via: Youtube / Autocar

_________________________________________________________________

VIDEO: Shocking MINI Racer Accident in Australia

A horrific crash involving a MINI Cooper S racer took place this past weekend at the Ipswich Raceway in Brisbane, Australia, when debutant racer Kain Magro, 23, literally cart-wheeled out of control over a barrier and into a crowd of spectators during a racing event that preceded the Ipswich 300 V8 Supercars race.

Miraculously, the driver was unhurt while only two people from the crowd were treated for minor injuries. Check out the video after the break.

Hat tip to Braddo!

VIDEO: First Look at the 2011 MINI Countryman Crossover

After details and first shots of the MINI Countryman crossover were released prior to its world premiere at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show in March, the British automaker has now followed up with a pair of videos showing off its latest creation.

The fourth addition to MINI's range after the regular three-door hatch, the Convertible and the Clubman, comes with a more rugged appearance, increased ride height, four doors, four individual seats (or a three-seat bench) and an available all-wheel drive system for the range-topping Cooper S and Cooper D versions. Check out the videos after the jump.

VIDEO: MINI Drops New Teaser for Crossover, Official Presentation on February 7

MINI's love affair with the psychedelic-looking swirly camouflage that it uses to wrap its prototype models during testing is so strong that the British firm decided to employ the same black and yellow design in its latest teaser video for the new Crossover model.

The film doesn't show anything that we haven't seen before, but MINI did announce that the official reveal of the crossover model will take place online on February 7. From what we gather, the automaker will most likely release the first official pics on that date.

The latest member of the MINI family is a small crossover measuring around four-meters in length that will be offered with an optional four-wheel drive system, both a first for the automaker. Sales are scheduled to start in Europe later this year and in the US in early 2011.

Video and Live Shots of MINI Roadster and Coupe Concepts from 2009 Frankfurt Show

Being one of the main attractions at this year's Frankfurt Show, we couldn't leave you without live photos as well as video footage of MINI's sporty Coupe and Roadster concept cars. The two models are destined to enter series-production and are expected to go on sale within the next couple of years. MINI said that the coupe and its soft-top roadster sibling will most likely be available with the most powerful engines offered in the hatchback range, meaning the 1.6-liter turbocharged units in the Cooper S and Cooper S JCW with 175HP and 208HP respectively. Hit the break for the videos and photo album.