Tuesday, February 23, 2010

MINI Announces Countryman Crossover Utility Vehicle

Do you love the idea of a MINI but wish it wasn't so, well, mini? If you've dreamt of a larger offering from the baby BMW company, this month's announcement should give you something to look forward to for the next year. Behold the MINI Cooper Countryman CUV.

While seemingly every other auto company's vehicles shrink and get more fuel efficient, MINI prepares to grow as they continue their counter-programming and release their largest vehicle yet at next month's Geneva Auto Show in March. Slated to arrive on U.S. shores in early 2011, the Countryman is the company's fourth model offering.

Designated a "CUV" or Crossover Utility Vehicle, the Countryman is a small SUV - just the sort of sport 'ute that Mini would create. Built on the same platform as BMW's new X1, the Countryman is both a small SUV and at the same time a large MINI Cooper hardtop... depending on your perspective. While it retains the characteristic look of familiar MINI's, it sits higher, seats more and is available with all wheel drive.

The MINI Countryman measures 161.3 inches in length, with a wheelbase of 102.2 inches (up from 145.6 and 97.1 inches, respectively, for the MINI Hardtop). As a result, you can now fit up to five people in the new ride, which features another first for MINI - four doors. Combined with the AWD and higher ground clearance, this is a MINI you can actually drive somewhere other than an urban environment. But, with its small displacement engine offerings, you won't be getting there at any earth-shattering speeds.

Inside, the Countryman features a unique "center rail system" for its center console, which lets you configure interior storage the way you want for gadgets, water bottles or other toys. Combined with full iPhone integration (a must on any car in this writer's opinion), navigation and custom lighting schemes, the interior should provide enough customization to keep MINI customers happy.

Under the hood, the new Countryman will offer two 1.6 liter engines in either a standard configuration (netting 210 horsepower) or a turbocharged Valvetronic version for the S model (delivering 180hp). All wheel drive is available on the S model only and can put up to 100 percent of power to the rear wheels if necessary.

Other options are typical of this BMW-owned company and include Xenon HID headlights, dual pane sunroof and sport wheels. And, typical of BMW, these options will quickly raise the price of your new Countryman to near-BMW levels. Pricing has not been announced, but expect to pay a minimum of $30,000 for your new Countryman.

www.miniusa.com

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Park Tool Pizza Cutter

If you're a cyclist and love pizza, you're not alone - they go together like, well, pizza and beer. And bikes. Anyway, for the lover of both vertical and horizontal discs, we present the Park Tool Pizza Tool, official designation PZT-2. It is the very personification of Bauhaus; form following function. And in this case the function is to cut your pizza swiftly while having fun doing it.

Built by cycling's best tool company, the Pizza Tool has a permanent place on my kitchen counter - always standing by in its blue plastic kickstand and ready for some serious pizza cuttin'. I'm the proud owner of the previous version of the tool (presumably the PZT-1), which is still razor sharp after years of cutting through pizzas big and small.

The Park Pizza Tool has two main advantages over the competition; first it is shaped like a bike, which announces to visitors and housecleaners alike that you are a lover of the bicycle and not above putting sports-related fashion statements on your kitchen counter. Secondly, Park Tools make precision tools used on the best bikes in the world by the best mechanics in the world. So you know it's sharp, and the stainless steel will shed even the gooiest mozzarella with just a quick rinse.

The clever ergonomic design allows the pizza cutter (you) to slice and dice while literally riding the little blue polycarbonate bike (technically unicycle) across your pizza pie. Just grab the rear wheel and leverage down on the saddle with your thumb and you'll make a fun - and productive - cross country ride through meat, veggies and crust alike in seconds.

It may not be the most technologically advanced gadget in your kitchen, but I bet it will be one of the most useful. And at $16 it's a great value as well. Available at your favorite bike shop, or online at the link below. Just don't try to fix your bike with it.

www.parktool.com/parktoolgear

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Bentley Creates Ultimate Ski, Valentine's Gift


Are you stuck on what to get your honey for Valentine's Day? Is your budget as high as your ambition to get something truly unique? Finally, do you like to ski? Well, for those looking for something completely off the chart, then one-of-a-kind "zai for Bentley Supersport Skis" might just be the answer. Not to bury the lead, these skis cost nearly $10,000.

We here love both snowsports and cars, so this particular product offering from Bentley Motors caught our eye. What better gift for the Orange County-based skier than a pair of handcrafted zai skis from Switzerland - the Rolls Royce, er, Bentley of skis?

The result of a design collaboration between Bentley’s Styling Studio and the exclusive Swiss ski manufacturer zai, these handmade skis are the perfect gift for the skier who has everything.  Only 250 of these limited edition black skis will be made with each pair carrying a unique number up to the 250 limit. We're not sure how fast they'll get from zero to sixty, but you can be sure no one else on the mountain will be sporting these skis. Zai sold just 900 pairs of skis last season, and plans to sell just 1,000 worldwide this season.

Made to last a lifetime, zai for Bentley skis feature unique and patented technology and materials, which make them not only ‘one-of-a-kind’ but also a world first.  ZaiƬra®, the composite material used in the skis, contains carbon fibres that are used on the skis’ top layer, in combination with natural rubber in the central part, as well as a carbon fabric in composition with chrome steel in the torsion part and long carbon fibre Reinforced Thermoplastic Composites (LFRTP).  This combination of technology and performance claim maximum performance with minimum weight as well as the ability to lie firmly and reliably in the snow, whatever its condition.

The skis’ geometric structure and acceleration power, which demands little effort of the skier, combined with these unique materials are designed to make for a smooth-running and stable ski. According to zai Founder, Simon Jacomet: “The handling of ‘zai Supersport’ is smooth and responsive, dynamic and lively.” 

Zai has also worked with the Bentley team to create two other exclusive Bentley products.  Zai for Bentley ski poles feature ExoGrid®, which is used for golf shafts and is used solely for the first time in the Bentley Supersports skis.  Its unique combination of titan and carbon fabric reduces weight and guarantees high stability. And what better way to carry your stylish skis and poles than a custom-manufactured ski bag made of leather and neoprene... complete with a Bentley quilted lining.

The skis are now available to order and retail via zai distributors.  Each pair is priced at USD $9800 and further information can be found at www.zaiforbentley.com.