A MINI hauling a trailer? The little guys team up with Airstream

The last time we saw Airstream involved in a concept vehicle was two years ago when Ford unveiled it's trailer inspired concept van with a HySeries drive powertrain. This time around, Airstream is providing an actual trailer with propulsion coming from a new MINI Cooper S Clubman. The trailer maker and automaker are collaborating with furniture maker Republic of Fritz Hansen to produce an exhibit for the Salone del Mobile show in Milan, Italy. The theme is surfing with the MINI carrying a pair of boards with the black Clubman getting wetsuit style neoprene accents. The 22 ft trailer gets a fold down side panel and water-proof interior to protect it from elements dragged in by the surfers. The show runs from April 21-30 in Milan.

[Source: BMW]

MINI AND AIRSTREAM, DESIGNED BY REPUBLIC OF FRITZ HANSEN
03/16/2009

Exciting cooperation between three iconic brands set to steal hearts during Salone del Mobile.
Munich. Airstream Inc. and MINI have teamed up to offer the best in both design and functionality with a one-off MINI Cooper S Clubman and Airstream creation designed by Republic of Fritz Hansen. The concept will be presented for the first time at the INTERNI DESIGN ENERGIES exhibition in the courtyards of Università degli Studi di Milano during the upcoming world-renowned Salone del Mobile show in Milan. The exhibition will be open each day from Tuesday 21 to Thursday 30 April from 10:00 a.m. until midnight.

Republic of Fritz Hansen, the Copenhagen based premium furniture brand known for its minimalist and functional design, has spared no details when it came to designing the interior of the MINI Cooper S Clubman and Airstream trailer. Drawing inspiration from the outdoor lifestyle of surfing, the Airstream interior will feature, amongst others, new interpretations of Arne Jacobsen's Egg™ and Swan™ Chair and a table set up with four unique Series Seven™ chairs, allowing plenty of room for guests. Sleek wood panelling will top it off giving it the ultimate "modern surfer" look. "Here at Republic of Fritz Hansen we are thrilled with the collaboration and really look forward to introducing this unique and eye catching concept," says Jacob Holm, President and CEO at Republic of Fritz Hansen.

The MINI Cooper S Clubman will also reflect the same adventurous personality and style with clean lines, bold colours such as lightning green and all the interior gadgets you can expect to find in a MINI plus more.

The MINI Cooper S Clubman will be predominately jet black with black "wetsuit" neoprene accents along with green trim. The 22ft silver Airstream trailer will also enjoy the same exterior details as the MINI but will have an interior designed for beach goers with features such as a waterproof interior and a sun bathing bed.

"Partnering with MINI was a given," said Bob Wheeler, CEO of Airstream, Inc. "As one of the oldest manufacturers of recreational vehicles in the U.S. and MINI's longstanding history producing unmistakable sport cars, we knew that we would make a dynamite team," said Wheeler.

"It has always been important for us to implement new products and ideas in unconventional ways. The concept MINI and Airstream, designed by Republic of Fritz Hansen, presents a surprisingly different way of using a MINI and an Airstream with a design, which consciously transcends into the world of the surfer. At the same time, we have achieved a successful co-operation with two international cult brands which authentically embodies the MINI attitude to life" said, Andreas-Christoph Hofmann, Head of MINI Brand Communication.

MINI Cooper S Clubman

Shifting gears is without doubt a thrilling experience in the top model MINI Cooper S Clubman. Boasting a 1.6-litre four-cylinder power unit developing maximum output of 172 hp at 5,500 rpm with the help of a twin-scroll turbocharger and direct gasoline injection, the MINI Cooper S Clubman offers maximum torque of 177 lb-ft all the way from 1,600 to 5,000 rpm, with a further brief increase to an even more significant 260 Newton-metres or 192 lb-ft by means of the Overboost function. On the road, this accelerates the MINI Cooper S Clubman to 60 mph in just 7.0 seconds and gives the car a top speed of 139 mph.

The MINI Cooper S Clubman offers not only impressive performance, but also an exceptionally good balance of driving pleasure and economy, with average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle of just 6.3 litres/100 kilometres. In the US EPA test cycle, the MINI Cooper S Clubman reaches a combined fuel consumption of 27 mpg. The MINI Cooper S Clubman has a CO2 emission rating of 150 grams per kilometre.

More information about the project at http://www.MINIspace.com.