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As reported last month ago MINI is involved in select consumer research to help it create the next iteration of the MINI beyond the Cabrio. About 2000 MINI owners were contacted to fill out a survey on what size, shape and style of MINI they'd like to see join the range. From there about 50 were selected to attend special hands on sessions to help further identify which direction MINI should take. The hands on consumer research has taken place and we have a first hand account of what happened behind closed doors. This account was sent in by Eric:

"It was interesting, they wanted us to help them design the NEXT MINI as in an expansion to the line up like adding a wagon, adding a truck, making it Allwheel drive, bigger version, smaller version, practicality etc.

However they really didn't say much about the future models as the main point of the survey was to get our ideas and opinions for future models. MINI hired a company called Iceology to conduct this part of the survey (they are hired by other car manufactures to do similar surveys). At the beginning they gave the impression that MINI is planning to expand their line up. They said that some of the more probable future models were a wagon or maybe a slightly larger version to accommodate "families".

It would seem from the questions they asked that they definitely want to attract more potential buyers and expanding the MINI line up. There were actually 3 MINI Division people who watched the interview in a separate room via camera. They came in Dealer Plated MINIs and one of them was a JCW MCS. Everything we did were recorded and documented I guess for review by MINI themselves. They hand picked and selected 50 individuals out of 2000 some people who participated in the initial survey for this session based on the answers we provided; that's what they told us. It wasn't clear if this was just for southern California or the whole of the US. Each session was comprised of a group of 10. So there were a total of 10 people doing the survey at one time Fri. 6 to 9 Sat 9 to 12 and 1 to 4 and Sunday 9 to 12 and 1 to 4.

Everyone was told to be there 15 mins ahead of time So I arrived at about 8:50 :) and then took the elevators up to the 15th floor we were greeted by the staff and was told to have some breakfast where everyone chatted for a while. By the breakfast table there was a sign in sheet and name tagsalready made out for us to wear. Then promptly at 9 we were escorted into the conference room where they set up a TV for slides and had a camera and microphones all over the table to record us. In front of us at the table were folders and a 1:28 scale MINI. (I'll get back to these).

For the first 30 mins they displayed our name, the car we have, and the reason we put down for why we got our MINIs on the initial survey and toldus to explain ourselves. Then they also showed what brand we most associatedourselves with and w/out and told us to explain that. (this was also askedin the initial online survey) I guess they wanted to know why people boughtMINIs and see what the similarities and how people thought. Mostly everyoneagreed that it was a FUN car and its unique.

Then for the next 30 mins we were asked to open up the folder in front of us and take out the first sheet of paper that was on the left side and what it had was the MINI and 5 blank lines. We were told to write 5 words that describe the MINI and then take out the next sheet of paper and fill out which famous person, movie star, politicians, etc that we associate mostwith with the MINI brand (not counting anyone from the Italian Job Movies both old and new). We then went around and named off the words that we wrote down and the famous person we used to associate MINI with and explained that. I used Madonna, not because she has on nor because she had a song about it but because she's herself, she's unique and different than otherpeople, she's just Madonna and that's how the MINI is. So after we wentaround they told us to do the same for the rest of the sheets that were inthe packet which were automobile brands and we were suppose to associate afamous person with each brand that's listed.

Some of those included: Toyota, BMW, Honda, VW, and there was a special one w/out a brand... the last one... it was just a picture of a smart car. I knew it was the smart car but they didn't tell us and didn't list it.

Then for the next hour we were told to go outside where they provided us with construction paper, magazines, markers etc etc etc to create the NEXTMINI. they paired us up according to the internet survey again. (so it seemsthey based a lot of things on that survey.) while this was going on theyactually had the camera roaming around recording each and every team to seetheir progress.

After that hour was up they gathered us up back in the meeting room where we presented our ideas and asked us a few questions about our ideas to make it as clear as possible. I guess for MINI to see and understand. Well when we went back into the room they actually changed the MINI models on the table that I first mentioned to match our cars as close as possible. that was pretty cool, and we got to keep those cars.

When we left they handed us each a MINI bag and inside was a Free MINI Key Chain and a black envelope with $200 in cash. interesting huh... they didn't ask for our address to send us a check or anything... just cash in a bag!

A huge thanks to Eric for writing this account and sharing it with us. I for one find it fascinating to see how MINI is going about creating an addition to the current range. It's obviously being done with care and understanding of the brand. It's also appearing less likely we'll see some sort of small SUV MINI. This is certainly a welcoming sign that the brand is in good hands.

comments < 6:45:44 PM        >

MINIUSA Officially Announces Cabrio Specs.

This is yet more news that many of us have been waiting for. The following is the text from an internal MINIUSA document about the official US 2005 model Cabrio specs. You can altertively download the document (PDF format) here however all info is listed below as well.

"Both cars receive the facelift features of the corresponding hardtops referenced in Bulletin PB 5-12-04, but there is MORE! The convertibles also have a significant number of unique features:

• Fully automatic convertible top with heated glass rear window, easy load feature, drop down tailgate and a sunroof seen on the right.
• Rear Roll Hoops and a reinforced A pillar for added roll over protection.
• Reinforced frame for safety.
• Side Thorax airbags in the sides of the front seats that protect not only the bodies, but also the heads of the driver and front passenger.

For MY 05, the Cooper and Cooper S Convertible will have the following exterior colors and upholstery options:

• 668 ñ Jet Black
• 851 ñ Chili Red
• 902 ñ Liquid Yellow
• A24 ñ Purple Haze
• A25 ñ Astro Black (Cooper Conv. ONLY)
• A26 ñ Hot Orange
• A27 ñ Cool Blue
• A28 ñ Hyper Blue available immediately for Cooper S Convertible. Available in 1/05 for the Cooper Convertible.MINI PB-5-13-03 Conv
• 859 ñ Solid Gold (Cooper Conv. ONLY)
• 871 ñ Dark Silver (Cooper S Conv. ONLY)
• 895 ñ British Racing Green
• 900 ñ Pure Silver
• Additionally there are three soft-top colors: Black which is standard, 391Dark Blue and 392 Dark Green

Additionally, the following upholsteries will be available for the interior:

• T3CB ñ Cordoba Beige Leather
• T6LP- Dark Blue Leather
• T6PN-Panther Black Leather
• FEDC ñ Sunrise/Dark Blue Cloth/Leather Combo available on Sport Seats. The sunrise fabric is water resistant. Perfect for a convertible.
• K7PN-Black Leatherette /w black interior
• K7TV- Gray Leatherette/w black interior
• AHPN-Octagon Panther Black Cloth w/Black Interior (Not Available on Cooper S Conv)
• S4PN- Space Gray/Panther Black Cloth

Just like the hardtops, there are a variety of options to enhance the vehicles.

• 2TA - Limited Slip Differential will be available starting 1/05 for the Cooper S Convertible
• 205/202- Automatic Transmission w/Steptronic paddles will be available starting 1/05 for the Cooper S Convertible
• 345 ñ Chrome Line Interior: This includes chromed rings around all gauges, bezels around the hazard light button and the dash light dimmer, inserts on the handbrake and a rings around the gearshift and front and rear cup holders. This can be seen below.
• 346 ñ Chrome Line Exterior: On the Cooper Convertible this includes 1 chrome strip integrated into the front bumper, 2 chrome strips for the rear bumper, fog light surrounds and chrome roll hoop covers. On the Convertible S chromed roll hoops are standard, so the chrome pack consists of chromed radiator grill slats and a chromed tailgate handle. Chromed mirror caps and tailgate hinges are included in both kits.
• 405 ñ Chrome Mirror Caps and tailgate hinges- Same as in 346, but available separately.
• 473 ñ Center Arm Rest (Available 1/05)
• 547 ñ Cockpit Chrono Pack. This is a new gauge cluster that replaces the center speedometer that moves to the steering column. The new gauges are Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, Fuel Level and Radiator Temp. The Chrono Pack requires the On-Board Computer.
• 318- Interior Surface Body Color. Now the dash and door panels are available in Hot Orange, Cool Blue, Hyper Blue, Chili Red and Liquid Yellow.

The Convenience Combo pack will also be available for the convertibles and there will be special Premium and Sport packages for the convertibles:

• ZPP Premium Pack which includes: (319) Cruise Control/Multi Function Steering Wheel (345) Chrome Line Interior (473) Center Arm Rest (Phase in 1/05) If this pack is ordered before 1/05, the Center Arm Rest will be omitted. (534) Automatic AC (550) On-Board computer (674) Harmon/Kardon Sound System
• ZSP Sport Pack which includes: (210) DSC (368) 16î 5-Star wheels w/performance tires (Cooper Conv.) (2CM) 17î 5-spoke Bullet wheels w/performance tires (Cooper S Conv.) (502) Headlamp Power Wash (520) Front Fog Lamps (522) Xenon Headlights (327) / (329) White or Black bonnet stripes if the customer desires.

Please note that the Rear Fog Light will be blanked off with a plastic insert as the position of the light is currently not legal in CA or OR. We encourage you to address your customerís Rear Fog Light needs with a dealer installed accessory kit.

All of these new features will meld nicely with the new convertibles making one very enticing drop top. Pricing will be announced shortly. Ordering guides and all updates are now available on MINIDealerNet.com."

Note: the numbers after each bullet indicate the MINIUSA order code.

[MotoringFile]
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