Coupe and new model to be unveiled

In a press release this morning, Dr Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW, announced that the two new MINI models will be built at MINI Plant Oxford.

One of the vehicles will be based on the MINI Coupé Concept that was revealed last week, fifty years to the day after the first classic Mini went on public view. The second vehicle, referred to as a “second concept”, will likely be a two door roadster version of the Coupé Concept.

It’s also rumored that the production versions of both vehicles will be nearly identical to the concept versions. According to the press release, both vehicles will likely be powered by the 1.6-liter turbocharged MINI John Cooper Works power train.

Production site

MINI’s two newest models will be produced alongside the current MINI Hatch, MINI Clubman and MINI Convertible at the company’s Plant Oxford.

According to Business Secretary (equivalent to the U.S. Secretary of State) Lord Mandelson “The production of the two new MINI models is very good news for Oxford, and for the UK car industry. It is a demonstration of BMW’s long term commitment to the UK as it celebrates its 50th birthday this year. “British drivers have had a long love affair with the MINI and I’m sure that this will continue for many years to come.”

Dr. Juergen Hedrich, Managing Director of MINI Plant Oxford, said: “The fact that Plant Oxford will be building these exciting new models shows the high level of flexibility of the plant and its associates.  The MINI family has a bright future.”

Production start dates for both the MINI Coupe and MINI Roadster will be confirmed in the near future and both will be slated for export to the U.S.

Ford Ranger Max

Ford chose the Thailand Motor Show to present the Ranger Max show truck. A team of Ford truck specialists in Thailand worked closely with Ford’s Australia-based Asia Pacific and Africa design team, led by Paul Gibson, to create Ranger Max. Ford’s design team incorporated design cues into Ranger Max that may be seen in future-generation Ranger.

Why Thailand? According to Saroj Kiatfuengfoo, senior vice president, Ford Thailand, “We recognize that Thailand is the home of Ranger for Asia Pacific, and from Thailand we export Ranger around the world. We know Asia is a fusion of many cultures, and we look to Thailand as a wonderful blend of tastes, styles and emerging ideas. For this very reason, we decided to create Ranger Max in Thailand and show the high-impact truck to the world at Motor Expo.”

Based on a standard Ranger chassis, the Max features Ford’s signature three-bar grill, a bright orange paint job and design cues inspired by modern power tools.

New generation MINI convertible

BMW chose to reveal the next-generation MINI convertible that will make its debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next January. Based on the second generation MINI, the convertible will feature a choice of 2 gasoline engines.

The first, a normally-aspirated 1.6 liter produces 118 hp and 114 lb.-ft. at 4,250 rpm. Featuring valvetronic technology, it will be available with either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transaxle.

The “S” version engine comes standard with a twin-scroll turbocharger that produces 172 hp and a maximum 177 lb.-ft. of torque in normal driving situations or 192 lb.-ft. with Overboost.

Both models feature a number of improvements, including a newly-developed, electromechanically operated rollover bar positioned behind the rear seats. To allow for maximum rear visibility, the bar is hidden behind the seats and is activated by the vehicles central safety electronics in the event of a rollover. The standard power roof with sliding function enables the unit to be lowered at speeds of up to 20 miles per hour, while a standard “Openometer” records the time spent with the roof down (a brainchild of the “options you thought you’d never need” department).

Chevrolet Orlando Concept
The first vehicle is the Chevy Orlando Concept. The Orlando has nothing to do with the city in Florida, Tony Orlando or even Orlando Bloom, for that matter. What it really is is an MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) based on the upcoming Chevy Cruze. The Cruze, you’ll remember, is a vehicle built on the same platform as the next generation Daewoo Lacetti. In the Chevy hierarchy, it is slotted above the current Chevrolet Cobalt and will be built at GM’s Lordstown, Ohio assembly plant beginning in June of 2010. Current plans are for the Cobalt and the Cruze to be sold alongside each other, although the Cobalt could eventually be phased out.

But I digress. The Orlando Concept seats seven in three rows of seats and is powered by GM’s 2.0 liter, 150 horsepower diesel engine (remember, this is Europe). Although GM says the Orlando is a “powerful suggestion of the upcoming production MPV” (possibly an additional model or a replacement for the Opel Zafira) due on sale next summer in Europe, there is no word yet on whether the U.S. will get this model.

MINI Crossover Concept

In an effort to expand the very successful MINI lineup, BMW will introduce this design study for the fourth version of the MINI – the current 3 being the MINI, the MINI Clubman and the MINI convertible. This “maxi” MINI concept is a foot longer than the MINI and over 3 inches longer than the Clubman. To give the Crossover more ground clearance the height of the vehicle was raised more than eight inches compared to the Clubman (making it almost 9 inches taller when compared to the MINI Cooper).

Unlike other MINIs, the Crossover has 4 doors. And while three of them are conventional (both front doors and the right rear passenger door, the door behind the driver slides back, much like a minivan. Although many of the features of the concept may not make it to the production vehicle, the official word from BMW is that this concept is a preview of a forthcoming model that will be sold in the U.S. – possibly as early as 2010.

We should get the good stuff, too.

While the new MINI will be coming here, there has been no word from GM on whether or not some version of the Orlando will be making the trip across the pond. But with gas prices down only slightly from $4.00 a gallon and SUV and truck sales in the dumper, we say “bring ‘em all on!”