mikeyb
08-18-2004, 07:36 AM
For the next two weeks, eyes from around the world will be focused on Athens, Greece for the 2004 Summer Olympic Games, but <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width=200 align=right border=0 hspace="5" vspace="5"><TBODY><TR><TD>http://automobile.auto123.com/ArtImages/27652/inline_01.jpg</TD></TR><TR><TD class=caption>A MINI Cooper stretch limousine is making its debut in Athens, Greece for the 2004 Summer Olympic Games. (Photo: Ultra)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>there's a surprise player amongst the world's finest athletes. A MINI Cooper stretch limousine will be displayed at the games, a vehicle which pushes the boundaries of the popular, iconic hatchback. There's just something about a four-door, six-wheeled, six-seater MINI that's sure to attract attention.
While difficult to imagine that a MINI Cooper S could be transformed into a vehicle as extravagant as the XXL, it has. The conversion was performed by Ultra, the world-famous Los Angeles, California-based limousine specialist known for radical designs. This particular stretch conversion involves two minor extensions - one behind the front door and one behind the rear door - the addition of rear doors, and a tail extension. The extra weight and lengthened body are supported by an additional rear axle that features two extra wheels.
There's no doubt that the elongated XXL is heavier than a conventional Cooper, so to deal with the extra weight the car <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width=200 align=left border=0 hspace="5" vspace="5"><TBODY><TR><TD>http://automobile.auto123.com/ArtImages/27652/inline_02.jpg</TD></TR><TR><TD class=caption>Up to six people (including the driver) can cruise in the lap of luxury. (Photo: Ultra) </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>has been fitted with the Works Tuning kit developed by MINI performance legend John Cooper and BMW. While the larger supercharger pulleys, upgraded manifolds, freer flowing exhaust system and other bolt-on parts boost power to 200 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque, up from 163 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque, it's a little hard to believe that the 1.6-liter engine is an adequate power source for the 20.7 foot long limousine.
Despite its unlikely roots, the XXL comes with all the toys that you might expect from a modern limousine. Up to six people (including the driver) can cruise in the lap of luxury; with custom-fitted black leather upholstery shaped and trimmed to reflect the seats in the Cooper S.
Entertainment is provided by a retractable LCD television, DVD player and audio system, as well as an on-board bar. A rear <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width=200 align=right border=0 hspace="5" vspace="5"><TBODY><TR><TD>http://automobile.auto123.com/ArtImages/27652/inline_04.jpg</TD></TR><TR><TD class=caption>Entertainment is provided by a retractable LCD television, DVD player and audio system, as well as an on-board bar. (Photo: Ultra)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>telephone provides the back seat passengers with communication to the driver, while a large rear sunroof lets sunlight and fresh air stream in.
The highlight of the XXL is its Hollywood-style whirlpool, integrated right into the car's tail end. With room for two the on-board Jacuzzi features powerful jets and easy operational controls making any time ideal for relaxation.
When driving, or when the pool isn't in use, a detachable canopy-like tonneau similar to those which cover pickup truck beds closes in the back end, preserving the original lines of the car and preventing dirt and debris <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width=200 align=left border=0 hspace="5" vspace="5"><TBODY><TR><TD>http://automobile.auto123.com/ArtImages/27652/inline_05.jpg</TD></TR><TR><TD class=caption>A Hollywood-style whirlpool, integrated right into the car's tail end is definitely the center piece of the unique MINI. (Photo: Ultra) </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>from polluting the pool. Pulling the simple plug at the pool's bottom is all that's required to drain its contents.
After its stay in Athens, the one of a kind MINI will make its way around Europe and Asia touring motor shows and high-profile events. While BMW's MINI division has no plans to create a limousine, there are proposals for a variety of new products to expand the current two-body style lineup in forthcoming years. MINI has taken hints from other independent coachworks companies, such as Castagna which produces a Traveller-style MINI wagon. Castagna got its idea from former owner Austin which produced a long-wheelbase five-door dubbed the Maxi. Such new models could come as soon as 2010, just in time for the winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada.
This is crazy!!!
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While difficult to imagine that a MINI Cooper S could be transformed into a vehicle as extravagant as the XXL, it has. The conversion was performed by Ultra, the world-famous Los Angeles, California-based limousine specialist known for radical designs. This particular stretch conversion involves two minor extensions - one behind the front door and one behind the rear door - the addition of rear doors, and a tail extension. The extra weight and lengthened body are supported by an additional rear axle that features two extra wheels.
There's no doubt that the elongated XXL is heavier than a conventional Cooper, so to deal with the extra weight the car <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width=200 align=left border=0 hspace="5" vspace="5"><TBODY><TR><TD>http://automobile.auto123.com/ArtImages/27652/inline_02.jpg</TD></TR><TR><TD class=caption>Up to six people (including the driver) can cruise in the lap of luxury. (Photo: Ultra) </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>has been fitted with the Works Tuning kit developed by MINI performance legend John Cooper and BMW. While the larger supercharger pulleys, upgraded manifolds, freer flowing exhaust system and other bolt-on parts boost power to 200 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque, up from 163 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque, it's a little hard to believe that the 1.6-liter engine is an adequate power source for the 20.7 foot long limousine.
Despite its unlikely roots, the XXL comes with all the toys that you might expect from a modern limousine. Up to six people (including the driver) can cruise in the lap of luxury; with custom-fitted black leather upholstery shaped and trimmed to reflect the seats in the Cooper S.
Entertainment is provided by a retractable LCD television, DVD player and audio system, as well as an on-board bar. A rear <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width=200 align=right border=0 hspace="5" vspace="5"><TBODY><TR><TD>http://automobile.auto123.com/ArtImages/27652/inline_04.jpg</TD></TR><TR><TD class=caption>Entertainment is provided by a retractable LCD television, DVD player and audio system, as well as an on-board bar. (Photo: Ultra)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>telephone provides the back seat passengers with communication to the driver, while a large rear sunroof lets sunlight and fresh air stream in.
The highlight of the XXL is its Hollywood-style whirlpool, integrated right into the car's tail end. With room for two the on-board Jacuzzi features powerful jets and easy operational controls making any time ideal for relaxation.
When driving, or when the pool isn't in use, a detachable canopy-like tonneau similar to those which cover pickup truck beds closes in the back end, preserving the original lines of the car and preventing dirt and debris <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width=200 align=left border=0 hspace="5" vspace="5"><TBODY><TR><TD>http://automobile.auto123.com/ArtImages/27652/inline_05.jpg</TD></TR><TR><TD class=caption>A Hollywood-style whirlpool, integrated right into the car's tail end is definitely the center piece of the unique MINI. (Photo: Ultra) </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>from polluting the pool. Pulling the simple plug at the pool's bottom is all that's required to drain its contents.
After its stay in Athens, the one of a kind MINI will make its way around Europe and Asia touring motor shows and high-profile events. While BMW's MINI division has no plans to create a limousine, there are proposals for a variety of new products to expand the current two-body style lineup in forthcoming years. MINI has taken hints from other independent coachworks companies, such as Castagna which produces a Traveller-style MINI wagon. Castagna got its idea from former owner Austin which produced a long-wheelbase five-door dubbed the Maxi. Such new models could come as soon as 2010, just in time for the winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada.
This is crazy!!!
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