The tuner added a Louis Vuitton-style wrap, complete with imitation black leather and metallic gold accents. Other goods include matte gold trim, a lowered KW suspension, and 17-inch alloy wheels with Toyo tires.

Under the hood, the turbocharged 1.6-liter engine can be outfitted with two performance packages. The Stage 1 features an optimized ECU, a sport exhaust system and a high-flow air filter. Thanks to these tweaks, the four-cylinder produces 232 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.

For more power, the Stage 2 package has a short-throw shifter and a revised ECU. The latter item enables the engine to crank out 249 hp and 382 282 lb-ft of torque.

Source: WCF

Press Release | “Wash Me” Ten MINI cars. Ten artists. To mark its 50th anniversary, MINI launches the book “Wash Me”

Zurich. It’s always tempting to write “Wash Me” on a dirty car or to draw something on a fogged windscreen with your finger. Everyday situations like this were the inspiration for this publication, says Nico Ammann, art director and photographer of the works featured in the book to be published by MINI Switzerland in a limited edition of 2,000.

The upshot is a colourful volume depicting a wide range of subjects, and one that will appeal not only to MINI fans. The common thread is that none of the ten artists has ever before worked with the automobile as a medium, and each has transformed it into a transient work of art.

The following artists and authors contributed to the book project: Smash137, Fabian Bertschinger, Marisa Pichler and Gigi Burn, Tika, Euro, Aurèle Sack, Stefan Ege and Seak, August, Rémi Jaccard and, last but not least Dieter Meier, also famous as the singer in the band Yello.

Designer Alfredo Häberli provided two sketches and an article. The author and journalist Michèle Roten and Prof. Dr. Jacqueline Otten, director of the design department at Zurich University of the Arts, likewise made creative written contributions to the book, which will be out in early November.

Art always was, and remains, a key aspect of the MINI brand. MINI is, for example, the exclusive partner of the “Ludlow 38″ exhibition space at the Goethe-Institut in New York, located in the heart of the thriving gallery district in the Lower East Side, near Chinatown and not far from the New Museum of Contemporary Art. Since its inauguration in 2008, this gallery space has presented contemporary artistic projects in collaboration with various cultural partners in Germany. Through its partnership with brands such as Bisazza and its involvement with FIAC 2007 or the International Talent Support / MINI International Photo Award in Trieste, MINI also remains true to its traditional involvement with unconventional cultural projects. Reason enough to welcome the launch of a vibrant photo book that is bound to delight MINI fans as well as design, art and photographic enthusiasts.

This got us thinking about some of the classic Mini Cooper (or just Mini) moments on Film & Screen. Remember Chips? John, the guy who wasn’t Erik Estrada, drove around in a Mini when not on his Harley. But that isn’t the only time Mini showed up in video form, check it out:

The (Original) Italian Job

This 1969 British film, starring Michael Caine (before he took the job as Batman’s butler) features a classic three-Mini chase scene, later to be repeated in an arguably unnecessary Hollywood remake.

The Italian Job – Remake with Markie Mark & John Stamos’ Ex

Yes, the guy who played Sgt. Dignan in The Departed and Rebecca Romijn starring in this 2003 remake, showing off the next generation (BMW made) Mini Coopers in another great chase scene.

MacGyver & a Mini

Is that what makes the Mini so great? Is it because MacGyver constructs them using only tape, gum and a Swiss Army Knife? The special effects are more like short-bus special in this clip from the 80′s TV series.

The Mini Mexican Police Car

I knew the economy of Mexico was pretty lousy, isn’t 1 Million Pecos worth $7.50 USD? But using Mini’s a police cruisers?! Maybe we should be bailing them out…

MINI Vs. the RC Car

Those cheeky fellows at Fifth Gear decided to take one of the smallest ride on the road, a Mini Cooper GP, and race it with a rather large Remote Control Car.