Life Ball MINI 2012

Floral inspiration for Life Ball MINI 2012, designed by Franca Sozzani.

Editor of Italian VOGUE presents her one-off MINI at the 20th Life Ball in Vienna in support of AIDS LIFE.

A special car to befit a special occasion: Franca Sozzani, chief editor of Italian VOGUE, has designed and presented her very own MINI model exclusively to mark the 20th anniversary of the charity event. The model in question is a MINI Roadster, the first open-top two-seater in the brand’s history. The one-off creation, which went under the auctioneer’s hammer at the AIDS Solidarity Gala and raised a donation total of 54,000 euros for HIV projects, left the audience of around 43,000 in no doubt: this is set to be a sporty, feminine summer. Franca Sozzani decorated the roof of the 184 hp MINI Roadster – which has a top speed of 227 km/h (141 mph) – in a stylishly intricate floral design which, in combination with very “of the moment” Deepest Purple matt paintwork and gold hallmark MINI rally stripes, produced an impressively complete work of art. Inside the car, lavishly printed leather for the instruments and brass-coloured touches on the circular elements add the icing on the cake. The most influential woman in the Italian fashion scene, herself an avid MINI driver, gave her creativity free reign in the design of the special one-off model. “The concept behind the MINI customisation is inspired by the beautiful and elegant women who in the past used to wear a scarf draped around their head when driving a convertible,” says Sozzani, citing her inspiration. And, as the UN Goodwill Ambassador for Fashion 4 Development adds: “Flowers are a symbol of joy and life. And the Life Ball is always fighting for life and joy.”

MINI supports the Life Ball in Vienna for the 12th time.

Since its market launch in 2001, MINI has been a regular partner of the Life Ball. In previous years numerous celebrities have left their stylistic imprint on an exclusive MINI model, among them the design team DSQUARED2, star photographer Mario Testino and designer Angela Missoni. “And thanks to the visual signature of Franca Sozzani, the this year’s MINI designed specially for the occasion has similarly become a lifestyle and design highlight in the name of this good cause,” says a delighted Gery Keszler, founder and organiser of the Life Ball. As such this one-off model fits in perfectly with a further highlight of the event – the Fashion Show presented by MINI, staged this time round by VOGUE Italy. The show for this anniversary year stoked up particularly keen anticipation after Keszler announced a 20-year retrospective of fashion history. Cue for top models of our time – including Eva Padberg, Tatjana Patitz and Karolina Kurkova – to revive some legendary looks from the past. The many fashion and lifestyle personalities attending were thus able to witness the comeback of Thierry Mugler’s almost forgotten robotic look and the famous train dress that Jean Paul Gaultier designed for Dagmar Koller. Alongside representatives of leading fashion labels such as Diesel, Missoni, Gianfranco Ferré, Heatherette, Philip Treacy, Moschino and Paco Rabanne, politicians including ex-US President Bill Clinton as well as numerous film and television stars made sure they did not miss out on the AIDS charity event of the year 2012.

The social commitment of the BMW Group.

Worldwide measures to combat IV/AIDS are one of the main elements of the corporate and social policy pursued by the BMW Group. The company’s involvement in South Africa is particularly wide-ranging, covering a comprehensive workplace programme for employees and their families, plus a number of different projects in the local communities and further afield. The carmaker is also committed to fighting this pandemic in other affected countries, such as Thailand or China. Membership of the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS (GBC) underlines its long-term commitment at its various locations.

MINI United 2012

A genuinely fan-tastic event. 30,000 enthusiasts answer the call to party at the MINI Community’s biggest catch-up yet in France.

For the worldwide MINI Community there was only one place to be from 11 – 13 May: MINI United 2012 in Le Castellet, France. Last weekend’s event once again pulled in MINI fans from around the world, and the MINI faithful from almost 50 countries were greeted by a unique combination of live music and car-fuelled action at the Circuit Paul Ricard. The erstwhile host of Formula One grands prix proved to be the ideal venue for races in the MINI Trophy and MINI Rushour race series, and the assembled masses were also treated to a high-class line-up of live music acts and an array of fun sporting activities. Indeed, the MINI brand was there to be experienced in all its glory with a programme that also included stunt shows, test drives with the latest MINI models and Track Drives, which allowed MINI drivers to hustle their own cars around the legendary circuit in the tyre tracks of a professional racing driver. A particular highlight of the weekend was an exclusive preview of the new MINI John Cooper Works GP.

Iggy Pop and Gossip rocked the stage.

Motor sport buffs and design aficionados were joined at the largest get-together of the MINI Community by enthusiastic followers of the international music scene. Which was no surprise given that some of the world’s hottest stars were on the bill. On Friday, for example, rock legend Iggy Pop had the stage buzzing to the sounds of his band Iggy and the Stooges, before Paris-based house DJ Martin Solveig whipped the crowd into a dancing throng with his infectious club repertoire. That was followed on Saturday by a line-up including the punchy punk-pop of Grammy award-nominated duo The Ting Tings. And a sensational set from Gossip reminded us why front woman-cum-fashion icon Beth Ditto has been anointed the “Coolest Woman on the Planet”.

Record numbers set up a feast of the spectacular.

Records were being broken as well as played in Le Castellet, as the number of enthusiasts from around the world attending the previous MINI United at Silverstone, Great Britain (25,000) was bettered once again this year. 30,000 fans took over the Circuit Paul Ricard during the three days. The majority did the honourable thing by turning up in their own MINI, some even driving 6,490 km (4,032 miles) from the outer reaches of Russia to France. There, they mingled with fellow MINI devotees from the USA, Japan and Canada, who had also etched the event into their calendars. This unique gathering of MINI models ensured that the MINI Club Area, in which 24 MINI clubs from around the world were represented, the already legendary stage for ultra-spectacularly styled cars a.k.a. Beauty Parking, and a line-up of the full MINI product family were an even greater attraction than ever for the MINI fans.

MINI John Cooper Works GP

Big on performance, small in number: The MINI John Cooper Works GP. Fastest MINI ever built – Best lap of the Nürburgring-Nordschleife: 8 min. 23 sec. – Extensive use of motor sport technology – Racing feeling transferred to the road – Preview at the MINI United festival – Production limited to 2,000 cars.

Only once has there been anything like it, but even that wasn’t as quick. With the MINI John Cooper Works GP, the British premium brand has come up with another car of exceptional talent designed to deliver extreme performance on both the race track and the road. The sportiest road-registered MINI ever made will go on sale later this year in a limited run of 2,000 cars. It is currently completing a programme of testing in preparation for series production, part of which has involved setting an impressive fastest lap of the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife circuit. The MINI John Cooper Works GP lapped the erstwhile Grand Prix course in 8 min. 23 sec. In so doing, the new model has put clear asphalt between itself and numerous sports cars from loftier perches – and beaten the lap time set by its predecessor, the MINI Cooper S with John Cooper Works GP Kit, by almost 19 seconds.

Underpinning the performance characteristics of the MINI John Cooper Works GP is exclusive powertrain, chassis and aerodynamics technology inspired directly by motor sport. Its twin-scroll turbo engine generates outstanding torque, displays remarkable elasticity and demonstrates a healthy appetite for revs. Specially developed, adjustable race suspension channels this superlative output into spectacular yet precisely controllable handling.

As well as being undeniably imposing visually, the design of the body also gives the MINI John Cooper Works GP ideal aerodynamic balance in extreme driving situations – a key element in delivering that handling flair. Large front and rear aprons, striking side skirts and a bespoke roof spoiler are complemented by a newly developed rear diffuser which optimises airflow around the underbody. The interior of the MINI John Cooper Works GP also contributes to the car’s inspirational racing feeling; with the rear seats removed, it focuses unashamedly on the needs of the driver and co-driver.

Concentrated motor sport expertise – faithfully embodied at MINI by its John Cooper Works sub-brand – is the not-so-secret ingredient in the MINI John Cooper Works GP recipe. The “GP” tag on the model title tells you exactly where the extreme sports edition of the compact MINI most tellingly reveals its potential. The GP’s chassis configuration, the effectiveness of its race-spec braking system, the grip offered by its likewise bespoke racing tyres, and its aerodynamic properties have been honed into a high-performance whole on the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife circuit, erstwhile venue for Formula One races and lauded as the world’s most challenging race track. The noteworthy lap time set by the MINI John Cooper Works GP is the product of this extensive testing programme.

The unadulterated transfer of motor sport expertise into the everyday driving environment has history at MINI; it was this approach that made the MINI Cooper S with John Cooper Works GP Kit the epitome of extreme driving fun in a small car when it was unveiled in 2006. Specific output of 100 kW/136 hp per litre of displacement and similarly impressive reserves of racing technology have secured its status as a sought-after collector’s item today.

The MINI John Cooper Works GP follows eagerly in the tyre tracks of its predecessor – and with an even greater spring in its step. It will be in similarly short supply; the world will have to make do with just 2,000 examples. Hosting the preview of the new model is another grand prix race track with history etched into every corner. The MINI John Cooper Works GP was unveiled publicly for the first time at Le Castellet in France, venue for the MINI United festival on 11 – 13 May 2012.

Life Ball in Vienna

MINI supports the Life Ball in Vienna for the 12th time. Proceeds so far from the one-off Life Ball MINI models amount to more than a half a million euros.

Since its market launch in 2001, MINI has been a partner of the Life Ball. During this period, eleven unique vehicles have been specially designed for the event by a wide range of internationally renowned celebrities. For the 20th anniversary of the Life Ball, MINI continues its tradition of donating a vehicle that has been creatively adapted by an international celebrity, the proceeds of which go to projects combating HIV and AIDS. The auctioning of these one-off MINI models over the last years has generated proceeds of more than 500,000 euros for the charitable cause.
In previous years these Life Ball MINI models have been created by international fashion designers, including Joseph Corré for Agent Provocateur, Donatella Versace, Renzo Rosso for Diesel and Missoni, as well as decision-makers from the fashion scene such as Mario Testino and The Blonds for Katy Perry. This year the ranks of Life Ball MINI designers are joined by Franca Sozzani, chief editor of Italian VOGUE and UN Goodwill Ambassador for Fashion 4 Development.  “I thought at MINI as a beautiful woman who put a scarf on her head when she drives a Roadster.” – This is how Sozzani describes the inspiration behind her design sketch for the MINI Roadster.

The combination of floral motifs and mannequins with trendy Deepest Purple matt paintwork lends the MINI Roadster a thoroughly unmistakable look. The highlight of this year's Life Ball MINI is the floral design on the roof of the MINI Roadster. Steel-coloured accents on the exterior mirrors and alloy wheels, along with typical MINI rally stripes, elegantly round off this unusual colour concept. The interior, meanwhile, boasts high-grade materials and a sophisticated seat design.
“In Franca Sozzani we have found an experienced fashion expert who devotes her artistic prowess primarily to colour. We are now thrilled to be able to bring this joint project to fruition”, says Anders Warming, Head of MINI Design.
The one-off MINI will be auctioned in the Hall of Ceremonies at Vienna’s Hofburg palace as part of the AIDS Solidarity Gala on Saturday 19starting at 5pm.
A further highlight of the Life Ball 2012 will be the fashion show presented by MINI and staged by VOGUE Italy. To mark the event’s 20th anniversary, creations by former Life Ball designers will be on display alongside legendary looks.

The social commitment of the BMW Group.

Worldwide measures to combat HIV/AIDS are one of the main elements of the corporate and social policy pursued by the BMW Group. The company’s involvement in South Africa is particularly wide-ranging, covering a comprehensive workplace programme for employees and their families, plus a number of different projects in the local communities and further afield. The carmaker is also committed to fighting this pandemic in other affected countries, such as Thailand or China. Membership of the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS (GBC) underlines its long-term commitment at its various locations.

Timeline of the Life Ball MINI.

2012 – MINI designed by Franca Sozzani.
MINI Roadster by Franca Sozzani, chief editor of Italian VOGUE

2011 – MINI designed by DSQUARED².
MINI Hatch by Dean and Dan Caten

2010 – MINI designed by Diane von Furstenberg, Kenneth Cole and Francisco Costa von Calvin Klein Collection.
MINI Hatch by Diane von Furstenberg
MINI Cabrio by Kenneth Cole
MINI Countryman by Francisco Costa of Calvin Klein Collection

2009 – MINI designed by The Blonds.
MINI Cabrio by The Blonds for Katy Perry

2008 – MINI designed by Agent Provocateur.
MINI Clubman by Agent Provocateur / Joseph Corré

2007 – MINI designed by Testino.
MINI Hatch by star photographer Mario Testino

2006 – MINI designed by Diesel.
MINI Cabrio by Renzo Rosso

2005 – MINI designed by Versace.
MINI Cabrio by Donatella Versace

2004 – MINI designed by Ferré.
MINI Cabrio by Gianfranco Ferré

2003 – MINI designed by Missoni.
MINI Hatch by Angela Missoni

2002 – Charity MINI.
With autographs by German, Austrian and international celebrities
(incl. Elton John, No Angels, Heidi Klum, Emma Sjöberg, Mavie Hörbiger)

2001 – camouflaged MINI. (Presented before its market launch)