Smart Forstars Concept @Paris 2012
The wildest of the bunch was the Smart Forstars concept. They call the Mini Cooper-looking car a sports utility coupe, though it looks like a hatchback to us. The name comes from the glass dome on the roof that gives passengers a view of the sky.
The Forstars uses the new Smart Brabus electric drive 60-kW motor. It features software that can connect with a smartphone to set the temperature before you get in the car. The big feature is a projector that aims out the front of the car and can project a movie onto any surface. It works from a Bluetooth connection on a phone. A high-quality sound system in the doors provides the audio.
Mini Countryman John Cooper Works: edition revealed
Mini has revealed the new Mini Countryman John Cooper Works edition, which comes with all-wheel drive and an improved engine making 211 hp. It debuted on Tuesday ahead of its live reveal next week at the Geneva motor show.
The Countryman JCW edition will be the first of the performance Minis to offer an automatic transmission in place of the standard six-speed.
The engine, now with a variable valve control system based on BMW‘s Valvetronic technology, gets a boost of turbocharged horsepower, to 211 hp at 6,000 rpm, and 207 lb-ft of torque from 2,000 rpm to 5,600 rpm. It also has reinforced pistons and intake valves.
Mini Kills the Rocketman?
Mini is suspending work on the Rocketman, the United Kingdom’s Car magazine reports. The company has a load of new products debuting, but the mini Mini won’t be one of them.
This isn’t too much of a surprise. Last June, Mini told Automotive News that it feared that a Smart competitor wouldn’t be profitable.
Combine that with the fact that the mini Mini would require some investment from parent company BMW to meet current regulations. Crash performance in particular was a challenge. Stability and handling problems also played a part.
Mini Rocketman – Smaller at Last!
Photos From: http://topgearnew.blogspot.com/ & Http://autoweek.com
Art of the State 