MINI E Police Car

The AC Schnitzer Mini Cooper Police is based on the MINI E - the electric version of the model - and was premiered at the 2010 Essen Motor Show.

The BMW MINI E is an all-electric car that is powered by an electric motor with 204 hp with 162 lb-ft of torque. The battery can be fully charged through a standard outlet in about eight hours. But there is also a higher amperage charger available that will be installed in the customer’s garage enabling a full recharge in just 2.5 hours. BMW claims that the lithium-ion battery has an estimated driving range of 150 miles, and that is plenty to get around town all day. In acceleration, the MINI E can sprint from 0-62 mph in 8.5 seconds and has a limited top speed of 95 mph.

The vehicle is part of the Verband Deutscher Automobil Tuner’s. (VDAT) TUNE IT SAFE! project, being the sixth release of the campaign, which aims to combine high tuning standards with a maximum safety level.

Dressed up in police guise, the car features modified fascias, aerodynamic side skirts, a ventilated hood, and 18-inch alloy wheels with Hankook tires. Inside, the cabin boasts blue trim, aluminum pedals and custom floor mats.

Interior upgrades includes traditional AC Schnitzer aluminum pedals, footrest and e-brake handle. All of these modifications are currently (or soon-to-be) available for any of the MINI models.




Press Release

Two strong partners for the future: the Electric MINI and AC Schnitzer

MINI Tuning Specialist supports the initiative: "TUNE IT! SAFE!" by the VDAT by kitting out the emission-free concept car

The TUNE IT! SAFE! initiative by the Verband Deutscher Automobil Tuner e.V. (VDAT) impressively shows the future of tuning with its sixth campaign vehicle - an electric MINI in Police Look. Every year since 2004, a special concept car has been presented which meets both the high demands of tuning fans and maximum safety standards.

The campaign, supported by the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development, shows that the yearning for individualisation can continue to be met in the future.

AC Schnitzer, more than almost any other tuning specialist for the MINI brand, stands for individuality and safety. Consequently, the Aachen-based company has largely taken responsibility for the MINI and provided a uniquely spectacular campaign vehicle. The MINI E in Police Look was presented for the first time at the Essen Motor Show 2010 and has since appeared as a symbolic vehicle at numerous shows and tuning events.

The BMW Group is the first manufacturer to apply the latest state of lithium ion technology in a totally electric powered vehicle. So the MINI E lives up to its name - "minimalism" - in terms of drive technology too, thanks to a totally emission-free vehicle. New drive systems have been equipped with complex elements, so the use of safe and reliable products is particularly important here. But there's no lack of sporting performance either, thanks to the tuning package from

AC Schnitzer. The racing suspension takes the MINI perfectly through corners, and the front and rear skirts and bonnet vents both optimise road holding and enhance the styling of the concept car.

The "Police Look" is provided by the latest signalling system from Hella on the roof, and the blue paintwork by AC Schnitzer in conjunction with special stickering from Foliatec.

The Hankook tyres have been given an extra touch by the specialists at AC Schnitzer: in combination with the AC Schnitzer alloy wheels "MI 2" (7.5J x 18"), they transfer the 204 electric HP of the MINI safely to the road.
To enjoy unrestricted driving comfort while being prepared for every situation: this ambition is achieved by the high performance brake system from AC Schnitzer with 4-pot fixed calipers on the front axle. The slotted, internally vented brake discs respond promptly and with precision. At the same time, the high performance brake system is characterised by excellent deceleration values after sustained use, in extreme heat and in the pouring rain. The generously dimensioned discs at 328 x 28 millimetres energetically scrub off the speed with a stable pressure point even after the twentieth downhill hairpin.

AC Schnitzer also shows that safe driving can be combined with individual styling in its design of the interior equipment. The interior is decorated with a pedal set, foot rest and handbrake handle of aluminium. Here, as in all other areas, extracts from AC Schnitzer's wide product range are demonstrated. All the AC Schnitzer accessories are available immediately with TÜV certification, even though the MINI E is not yet available commercially but is well on the way to series production. This almost goes without saying for specialists who have long since made the safe future of tuning their corporate objective.

Honda shows BRIO city car prototype

Honda Exhibits World Premiere of Honda BRIO Prototype, Honda’s New Small Vehicle Developed for Asian Markets at the 27th Thailand International Motor Expo 2010

Honda Brio Prototype is being developed as a commuter vehicle which is easy to use even in urban areas, the Honda Brio has a length of 3,610mm, width of 1,680mm and height of 1,475 mm, while ensuring enough cabin space achieved by highly efficient packaging.

Likewise, the Indian market Brio will come with a bigger focus on driving performance to suit customer demands. As of right now, there's no indication as to what engine powers the Brio, but early reports lean heavily toward the company's 1.2-liter four-cylinder mill.

Inside, the no-frills cabin is pretty straightforward but that's to be expected as the car was developed for emerging markets such as India and Thailand. Despite this, the BRIO will apparently offer air conditioning which is a nice option for hot and muggy climates in southeast Asia.

Honda cars from a long time has been known for its advanced features other than the fuel economy, reliability and durability. Honda Motors follows the ISO 9001 standards which measures quality management and ISO 14001 for the environment management.

Source: Honda

Press Release

Honda Exhibits World Premiere of Honda BRIO Prototype, Honda's New Small Vehicle Developed for Asian Markets at the 27th Thailand International Motor Expo 2010

Bangkok, Thailand, November 30, 2010 - Honda today debuted the world premiere of a prototype of Honda BRIO, the new small-sized vehicle developed for Asian markets and scheduled to be introduced in Thailand and India in 2011, at the 27th Thailand International Motor Expo starting November 30, 2010 (press day: November 30, public days: December 1-12.)

Honda BRIO Prototype is being developed with Honda's advanced technologies, while further advancing Honda's "man maximum, machine minimum" concept*1. Being developed as a commuter which is easy-to-use even in urban areas, the Honda BRIO prototype adopts an easy-to-handle compact body (length 3,610mm x width 1,680mm x height 1,475 mm) while ensuring enough cabin space achieved by highly efficient packaging. With this vehicle, Honda thoroughly pursued the creation of an advanced exterior form, which is compact while asserting a strong presence.

For the mass-production model, which will be an entry-level car, for which demand is increasing in newly emerging nations, Honda will develop unique versions for Thailand and India to reflect different customer needs in those markets. Moreover, with this vehicle, Honda will leverage the resources Honda has cultivated through its motorcycle business and utilize local sourcing of parts and materials such as sheet steel.

For the Thai model that is scheduled to be introduced in March 2011, the fuel economy of more than 5liters/100km*2 will be targeted so that the vehicle will qualify as an eco-car by the Thai government, and a starting price of approximately 400,000 baht will be targeted as well. For the Indian model that is scheduled to be introduced within 2011, local customer needs for a small car will be reflected and local content will be increased to create a model that achieves a good balance between vehicle performance and price.

"Honda would like to expand the joy of mobility to more customers in Thailand, India and other Asian countries through the introduction of a new small vehicle with compact and highly efficient packaging by utilizing our own experiences cultivated by motorcycle business here in Asia," said Takanobu Ito, President and CEO of Honda Motor.

• 1 Honda's "man maximum, machine minimum" concept is a basic approach to Honda car design calling for maximizing the space available for people and minimizing the space required for mechanical components.
• 2 Measures with ECE R101 mode