AC Schnitzer Claims to have Built the Fastest MINI with its New Eagle Concept

Is an impressive run around the Hockenheim Circuit enough to crown a car the fastest of its kind? Well, according to BMW Group tuning specialist AC Schnitzer, the answer to the above question is yes. The German company raced its John Cooper Works MINI-based Eagle Concept car at the Hockenheim Circuit recording a lap time of 1:13,341 minutes.

AC Schnitzer says the Eagle beat several thoroughbred sports cars such as the Ferrari California (1:13,5 minutes) and the Porsche 911 Turbo (1:14,6 minutes), and was left behind only by specially tuned or hardcore models like the KTM X-Bow and the BMW M3 Kompressor.

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Rough & Tough MINI DSQUARED² Glides Down the Catwalk in Vienna

The BMW Group’s Mini division continues to support the Life Ball gala, Europe’s largest annual charity event in the fight against HIV and AIDS, by commissioning designers to fashion up its cars and then offer them up for auction. For this year’s event in Vienna, Austria, brothers Dean and Dan Caten, who are better known as the Canadian designer duo DSQUARED², crafted the Red Mudder based on the three-door Mini Cooper S.

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MINI Life Ball Specials: Photo Gallery from the Vienna Gala

For the 18th annual Life Ball fundraiser for people with HIV and AIDS that took place on July 17 at Vienna's City Hall Square, MINI joined forces with celebrity fashion designers Diane von Furstenberg, Kenneth Cole and Calvin Klein Collection's Francisco Costa to create three one-off specials.

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Report: "Minier" MINI in the Works, Could Debut at 2011 Geneva Show

It's only natural for the BMW Group to look for ways to expand the MINI range into new territories and increase the brand's profitability. And while some may question MINI's recent move with the Crossman crossover, a smaller model than the current three-door hatch makes a lot of sense for a brand that has become known for its city cars. Apparently, MINI thinks so too.

Autoweek reported today that the company is working on a such a smaller, entry-level model, called the "Mini Minor" or "Mini Mini" and it could be revealed in concept form as early as next year's Geneva Salon.

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Fashion Designers Makeover MINI Models for 'Life Ball' Event

Francisco Costa from Calvin Klein, Diane von Furstenberg and Kenneth Cole will create three special Minis to raffle off at this year's edition of "Life Ball", the biggest HIV/AIDS charity event in Europe that will take place in Vienna on 17th July 2010.

On behalf of Calvin Klein, US fashion house's creative director Francisco Costa will be designing the new Mini Countryman crossover. US fashion designer with Belgian roots Diane von Furstenberg, will artistically enhance the MINI Hatch, while New York's Kenneth Cole apply his style on a Mini Convertible.

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