Cool X-ray Mini

As cool car paint jobs go, this X-ray mini is amazing! The X-ray Mini was created in collaboration with Foxton and contemporary artist Nick Veasey. Tiring with the limits of traditional photography, he imprinted himself on the international art scene using the unlikely medium of a radiography machine

 

The X-ray Mini was created in collaboration with one of the UK’s most exciting contemporary artists, Nick Veasey. Tiring with the limits of traditional photography, he imprinted himself on the international art scene using the unlikely medium of a radiography machine.

After receiving a former Foxtons Mini at his specially built studio, he promptly set upon it with power tools. “The process begins by cutting the car into manageable sections but BMW makes the Mini in an incredibly complex way,” Veasey explains.

“It took two weeks to angle grind just one side; on the classic Mini, the job was done in three days. The old cars were much simpler in their construction.” While he nostalgically refers to the classic Mini as “one lovely piece of design”, the X-ray process illuminates the second generation’s ergonomic curves and high-spec technology.

 The arresting new artwork encompasses the entire car, stretching seamlessly across every surface to complete the mesmeric optical illusion. Achieving this stunning transparent finish took over one hundred photos: “The real challenge was ensuring we had X-rayed all the components from every angle, taking different shots to cover each perspective – including the roof.”

After digitally stitching all these images together to form complete panels, the final artwork was applied to vinyl shapes and then smoothed across the bodywork. Despite the extra hours' work it entails, Veasey says this project has further fuelled his passion for 3D art.

MINI Coupe Concept Car Pictures

Check out these cool Mini Coupe concept car pictures. It has been exactly 50 years since the first MINI was introduced to the public on August 26, 1959. To celebrate MINI’s birthday, BMW has unveiled this sporty MINI Coupé Concept.








Limited to two seats, the car is designed to accommodate even the most powerful engine currently available in the MINI – and with the 1.6-litre twin-scroll turbocharged power unit, MINI Coupé promises to offer truly outstanding performance.














MINI Coupé Concept will be demonstrated at the Frankfurt Motor Show from the 17th to the 27th of September 2009

MINI Crossover Concept

At first glance the little hatch above may look like the Infiniti FX. It is actually BMW MINI’s third variant in its line-up of “New MINIs” and it will be an all-wheel drive type of vehicle.



MINI will be previewing the upcoming MINI crossover “softroader” SUV (reportedly going to be called the “Crossman”) at the 2008 Paris Motor Show.

The MINI Crossover Concept rides on a 2606mm wheelbase (longer than the Cooper’s 2466mm and Clubman’s 2547.6mm) and has a conventional four doors with two on each side of the car. The driver’s side has no B-pillar so that particular door is of a sliding type that slides to the rear to open. The rear hatch once again opens with a split in the middle, so I suppose you could call this a 6-door hatchback?

The focus of the interior is the “MINI Centre Globe” which is installed in the place of where you’d typically expect the giant speedometer to be. The 3D sphere uses laser projection to display two different views if viewed from different positions. This allows the front passenger and front driver to view different displays from the same MINI Centre Globe.

It’s quite obvious that BMW ConnectedDrive will come to the MINI brand soon enough because the press release also indicates the ability for the front passenger to surf the web from the MINI Centre Globe display, and ease of data input is facilitated by a keyboard that can slide out from the front dashboard on the passenger side. Steering-wheel controls typically use buttons or scrollwheels but in the MINI Crossover Concept, a trackball is used.

The starter system gimmick is also integrated into the MINI Centre Globe. Instead of a keyfob, a Keyball is used. The Keyball is inserted into an opening in the upper edge of the globe. It will then roll down towards the driver along the middle of the globe.



The driver can then press the Keyball to start the engine. When the engine needs to be turned off, the ball is pressed again and it will then roll down into its housing bay where it can be removed.