BMW Japan to release new Mini Cooper car

BMW Japan, a wholly owned subsidiary of BMW Germany, said it will release an all-new Mini Cooper car in Japan on February 24 which has been fully restyled for the first time in five years.

The sporty version of the New Mini Cooper is fitted with a 1.6-litre turbo engine which consumes 16 per cent less gasoline than the previous corresponding Mini model, although it has retained the roundish exterior lines of preceding models, it said.

The New Mini Cooper models will come in both six-speed automatic and manual transmission versions.

The automatic transmission version of the New Mini Cooper will retail for Y2.64 million ($A28,003), with the automatic transmission version of the sporty New Mini Cooper S retailing for Y3.08 million ($A32,670).

The new models will feature an electronically controlled brake assist mechanism that automatically maximises the car's braking power when it detects that the driver is trying to stop urgently.

The new models also come with 100,000 combinations of optional leather sheets and other exterior and interior components, including a sports-type suspension, it added.

BMW Japan sold 62,000 BMW cars and Mini Coopers in 2006, up six per cent from 2005, while other foreign automakers in Japan had sluggish sales performances.

BMW Japan President Jesus Cordoba told reporters: "We would like to post even greater sales this year by releasing new models on the market."

The new models also come with 100,000 combinations of optional leather sheets

And it looks like BMW Japan has THE top guy on the job