Red Devil

Some argue that the Mini Cooper is the essence of cool. For those who don't agree, please head to your local video store and rent a copy of The Italian Job (2003) for a quick lesson. Few chase scenes can compare with what F. Gary Gray (Director) did with his trio of Minis, and many contend that the film helped boost the popularity of the Cooper. The Mini's rich racing history and aftermarket support also make it a popular platform in the enthusiast community. So when Sony of Canada was looking for a new project platform to build a demo vehicle on, the 2006 Mini Cooper S seemed like the perfect fit.

"The Mini is unique, cool, compact, stylish and sporty," says Neil Dutton who sits as the Product Manager of the Mobile Electronics division at Sony Canada. "The car's wow factor is off the charts. It's definitely an attention-getter." Recently debuting at ImportFest in Toronto, ON, it's clear that Sony is looking to shake up the world of mobile audio and video.

Partnering with BMW Canada Inc., Sony's mission was to build one of the coolest Coopers on Canadian soil. Fortunately, BMW Canada (Mini Canada) offered the 2006 Mini Cooper S Rally Edition in Chili Red with a black roof, a scheme that perfectly matched Sony Xplōd corporate colours. An extensive vinyl wrap, designed by Sony's internal graphics guru Rob Charko, was then applied by Bullseye Marketing of Toronto, ON. Charko was even keen enough to add a hint of a checkered flag which is ynonymous with the Mini's racing heritage.

The Sony Cooper's footwear consists of a set of 18-inch BT Speed wheels. Surely selected because they match the Mini's design scheme to a ‘T,' the five-spoke rollers come with a black face, polished outer lip and chrome accents. The Cooper S keeps a firm grip on the road like a chubby kid on a chocolate bar thanks to some sticky rubber courtesy of General Tire.

The Cooper S is motivated by a SOHC supercharged 1.6L motor that produces 168hp. With a scant 2,600lb curb weight (before the multimedia system) to haul around, the Xplōd Cooper's powerplant was left untouched. However, Dutton is quick to admit that several performance-enhancing modifications are scheduled for the early part of 2007 that will no doubt push the Mini over the top.

Widely regarded as a street-legal go-kart, the Mini Cooper boasts an industry-leading suspension system that puts much of its competition to shame. Not wanting to mess with one of the Cooper's most endearing qualities, the Sony Canada build team considered the car's suspension off limits.

However, all bets were off when the group's attention shifted to upgrading the Mini's multimedia system. Sony was ready to blow the doors off its competition and armed the Cooper S with the newest gear on the market. The crew partnered with Fifth Gear Auto Sound on the install, where local car audio legend Frank Valenti would lead the build. Starting with the brand new Sony MEX-BT5000 Bluetooth-enabled head unit to control things up front, the signal is sent to the XM-D9001GTR (mono-block) and XM-2002GTR (two-channel) amplifier located directly behind the front seats. The Bluetooth technology allows for wireless integration of other Bluetooth-enabled products into the system, including Sony Ericsson cell phones and headsets. The pair of XS-L123P5B 12-inch subwoofers that are home in a fiberglass enclosure in the trunk area provide the UFC-like pounding, while the XS-V1642A 6.5-inch and XS-V1342A 5.25-inch four-way speakers in the doors and the trunk setup provide the mids and highs. The 10-disc CD changer in the cabin keeps the tunes flowing.

The Xplōd Mini provides plenty of visual stimulation as well, as a pair of XVM-H65 6.5-inch LCD monitors flanks the massive KDL26S2010 Sony Bravia 26-inch LCD TV that sits flush in the fibreglass setup in the trunk. The monitors adequately display video from either one of the two Sony PS2 game consoles located throughout the vehicle, which as we all know, are capable of playing PS2 games, music CDs or DVDs. For those who are into portability, the Sony crew accommodated them with the integration of a PSP console that sits in the passenger-side dash as well as a DPP-FP55 Picture Station that lets you print pictures from your digital camera while you're on the go.

Rounding off the cabin's modifications are the reupholstered seats that feature red suede inserts and an embroidered Sony Xplōd logo on the headrests. The Cooper's interior really pushes the envelope of creativity, while still maintaining functionality for everyday driving.

With Version 1.0 of the Cooper S complete, you would never be able to guess that the Sony team was able to assemble the vehicle in just over a month's time. Of course, the car remains a work in progress, as no project is truly ‘finished.' Expect the team to add more performance-oriented modifications in the near future, and they would like to create a well-rounded vehicle that turns heads on the show floor and the street. Many thanks go out to all of the project's sponsors, especially BMW Canada for all the support. The Xplōd Mini Cooper S is an obvious sign of Sony's dedication to redefining the mobile electronics scene and is ready to take on any and all comers.

Text by Michael Semira // Photos by Marketing Elements // Model Carolyn Savage

Reprinted with permission by Performance Auto & Sound Magazine