2008 Life Ball Mini by Agent Provocateur

(from Life Ball press release) Life Ball Fashion Show 2008 by Agent Provocateur

Agent Provocateur presents this year’s Life Ball 2008 charity fashion show. Joseph Corre and his special guests will host this extraordinary show to support Europe’s largest charity event dedicated to the fight against AIDS.

The show will be a mix of fashion show, concert performance, revue, theatre and happening – thirty minutes of full ecstasy. Crazy, kinky, sexy!

"I am delighted that Agent Provocateur has been invited to present this year’s Life Ball fashion show. It is a great honour to participate in Europe’s most colourful charity event, not only to
be joining such a glittering list of previous world renowned designers but also to be the first
lingerie house invited to present.....

It is vital that the fashion industry uses its world wide audience to raise awareness to matters that affect us all, Life Ball is dedicated to combating the ongoing plight of AIDS and HIV sufferers world wide and I am honoured that our company is able to participate in its fight against discrimination and ignorance.

In the true spirit of the Life Ball, Agent Provocateur will be bringing its own unique brand of fashion, lingerie, fun and live rock n’ roll to light up the town square of Vienna!

The model chosen as Life Ball Mini 2008 is the new Mini Cooper Clubman. The one-of-a-kind Mini exclusively designed by cult label Agent Provocateur will feature a black paint and pink police paint scheme. Pink police stripes run down on the side and feature the logo of Agent Provocateur. A fishnet stocking pattern covers the roof and on top there is a flashing blue light.

© Source: seriouswheels
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2008 AC Schnitzer Mini Cooper S Clubman

(from AC Schnitzer Press Release) It might not transport washing machines, but it's got a big heart.

The name "MINI“ says it all: Physically, the Clubman is not one of the biggest out there, but it's got a bigger heart than any other estate. And now AC Schnitzer provides that final endorphin surge. With its new front spoiler, giving it a harder look than standard, the Cooper S Clubman doesn't just catch the eye but demands respect. In terms of driving dynamics, the agile cornering master shouldn't be underestimated. Especially not when fitted with the AC Schnitzer spring kit or even the height-adjustable racing suspension made in Aachen. The subtle lowering flatters the well-honed figure of the Clubman. The bonnet with its striking power dome hides real muscle. After the AC Schnitzer performance training, the Cooper S develops 226 HP/ 166 kW and a torque of up to 285 Nm. Gas and away! But with spirited driving, don't forget: secure your load first!

An optional limited slip differential (up to maximum 75 percent) developed by the renowned BMW tuning house ensures that the raw engine power is always applied to the right wheel when cornering and not lost through the exhaust. Even the exhaust gas flow plays a dual role of utility and aesthetics: Not only does it drive the turbo, but the AC Schnitzer twin sports rear silencer plays an almost orchestral note. The musical masterpiece with its chromed tailpipes is also a top level eyecatcher. Like the perfectly styled alloy wheels specially designed for the MINI in Aachen. Variants available are the Bicolor wheel Mi2 in 7.5 x18" and the Mi1 in the classic AC Schnitzer look in 7.5 x 17". And naturally the passionate MINI fan wants the right accessories in the interior too. Like the attractive controls and sports pedals of aluminium - naturally from AC Schnitzer.

© Source: seriouswheels
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2008 MINI Cooper Clubman Review

Sometimes a Mini is just too mini. Plenty of car buyers lust after a Mini Cooper but find the cramped backseat and minimal cargo capacity too much of a drawback. A potential solution for these frustrated fans is the 2008 Mini Cooper Clubman.

This lengthened Cooper increases rear legroom by 2.5 inches, which is hardly limolike, but every bit helps. The Clubman also adds a passenger-side rear-hinged door to allow rear passengers to make more graceful entries and exits. The cargo area has also grown, with 3.5 added cubic feet of space along with a pair of nifty rear doors that swing outward like those on a cargo van. The visual result of this added length is a Mini that's not quite proportional and even more quirky than its traditional brother. Plus, it's the first car since the old Camry wagon to feature two rear wipers.

Despite its stretched body style (10 inches in total), the Clubman is still all Mini, retaining most of that trademark go-kart handling. The same Cooper and Cooper S trim levels are available, along with their respective engine choices, which are both a significant improvement over the mills they replaced in last year's model redesign. Both are more refined, powerful and substantially more fuel efficient. The base engine is a particularly impressive improvement, and as such, many buyers might find the regular Cooper perfectly adequate for their daily driving needs. The excellent turbocharged engine in the Cooper S Clubman is practically overkill -- it is prone to torque steer -- but speed junkies will love the rush of power it provides.

Powertrains and Performance
The base Cooper Clubman is powered by a 1.6-liter inline-4 that produces 118 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque. The Cooper S raises the bar considerably, packing a turbocharged version of the base Cooper's four-cylinder. It generates a robust 172 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque, and produces a 0-60-mph time of an estimated 6.7 seconds. Both engines come standard with a six-speed manual transmission, while a six-speed automatic with manual shift control is optional.

With the manual transmission, the base Clubman achieves 28 mpg city and 37 mpg highway, while the Cooper S gets 26/34 mpg. Opting for the automatic hurts mileage by about 2 mpg.

© Source: edmunds
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