The Alpine Mini Cooper S Speedster is truly extraordinary, demonstrating a spectacle of premium mobile media and the most radical custom installation. Year, after year, Alpine rival the industry with award winning demonstration vehicles created with the purpose to capture and cultivate the imagination of audiences.
The Alpine Mini Speedster ingeniously showcases the latest in-car technology, but also visualizes the emotion, passion and unique culture of the Alpine brand.
Mini Australia Tour
Direct from the USA, the entirely customised Mini Cooper S is designed to demonstrate Alpine’s premium in-car technology products and mind-blowing custom fabrication.
First launched in the USA, the Mini Speedster has toured North and Latin America marveling crowds at large scale events such as SEMA, Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show and the cult Hot Import Nights show series, collecting a stream of awards and fanfare.
Now touring Down Under, the Mini Speedster is ready to ‘wow’ Australia at the popular Autosalon Automotive Lifestyle show series this year. For more details go to www.autosalon.org
Installation Team
The Mini Cooper S Speedster is the masterpiece of Steve Brown and Mike Vu from Alpine’s Advanced Application R&D Team in the USA. Its transformation endured a grueling 4,000 man-hours and over seven months of painstaking construction. An industry legend, Steve Brown earned his reputation as a fierce IASCA sound quality competitor, winning a stream of 'First Place' trophies.
Today an Alpine veteran, Steve has built some of the world’s best car audio democars, taking out ‘Best of Show’ awards at CES (Consumer Electronics Show Las Vegas) for the past 5 years. Checkout Steve’s (and the team) latest creation, the Mercedes 'IMPRINT RLS' at www.alpine-usa.com.
Custom Styling
Brown & Vu wanted the Mini to be unlike any other in existence and made over-the-top modifications to ensure the uniqueness of the vehicle.
First, the roof was cut-off and a custom-made windshield was integrated, turning the car into a topless speedster.The Mini was lowered and a super-wide body kit was hand-crafted and molded into the vehicle - giving its aggressive styling.
To create the ultimate driving and entertainment experience for one lucky person, the steering column was moved to facilitate a single-seat, centre drive car.
Taking imagination to the extreme, the doors were sealed shut, creating a vehicle that is not accessible through the sides.
Instead, an eight-foot 'sled' incorporates a custom-made and fully motorised plexiglass driver’s seat that launches in and out from the rear of the car at the command of the remote key.
When fully extended, the sled defies gravity and lies five feet out from the rear of the car.
System Installation
The Mini showcases an array of Alpine’s premium entertainment products. The interior of the car was completely stripped, so that the Alpine products could be seamlessly integrated to match the overall radical look of the car.
With an emphasis on creating an A/V showcase, the entire dash was removed. Six TME-M580 5.8-inch monitors are held on criss-crossing fiberglass 'arms' and are positioned on the left and right side of the steering wheel.
The monitors can display images from the XBox video game console, DVA-5210 DVD player, and the DHA-S680 6-disc DVD changer.
A fiberglass component cluster surrounds the steering wheel and houses the CDA-9835 AM/FM/CD/MP3/WMA Ready head unit and the DVA-5210 DVD/MP3 player. A PXA-H701 digital processor supplies Dolby Digital®, Dolby Pro Logic II®, and DTS® technologies. The RUX-C701 digital media controller provides functionality and displays the processor’s settings and is set into the top of the steering column.
No less than six high performance V12 amplifiers power this monsterous system. Two MRV-F540 four-channel amps and two MRD-M501 AccuClass-DTM mono amps are installed on the floor of the Mini. These four amps become visible when the sled is fully extended. Two MRD-M1001 AccuClass-D mono amps are installed on the interior sides of the car and flank the sides of the sled.
This tiny car packs a punch with its strategically placed speakers. Three Type-X SPX-137R 5.25-inch component two-way speaker sets are placed in the left/centre/right front stage, while two more sets are in the left/right rear stage. Four sets of SPX-17MB 6.5-inch mid bass kits are found on both the left and right side of the driver.
For unmistakable bass emphasis, two Type-X SWX-1242D 12-inch subwoofers are attached to the back of the driver’s seat on the sled.
The external rear portion of the sled features a TME-M770 6.5-inch widescreen monitor that can display video from the DVA-5210 DVD player or the NVE-N852A navigation system (Alpine USA Navigation System). For additional fun, the monitor can also be used to play games from the XBox video game console, using wireless controllers.
The Alpine components are all connected by Monster Cable wires and power cables. Back-lit Alpine logos are found on the front bumper, side skirts, and external rear of the sled.
Performance Enhancements
A Defi digital gauge is flush mounted in the centre of the custom-made steering wheel. Six other Defi driving gauges are housed in custom fabricated fiberglass cylinders with chrome accents that are located on the left and right of the steering column.
Toyo Proxies (Tyres) are strapped to custom 20-inch OZ Racing Wheels, while a Nitrous Express kit is installed on each of the side skirts.
Brembo high performance brake calipers and cross-drilled rotors deliver the stopping power required of this feisty pocket rocket.
Airbrushing
Eye-candy on wheels, the seamless airbrush creation is the fine works of California’s renowned artist, known as – 'Noah'.
'Noah' is famous for some of America’s most amazing car murals, with art featured on cars in the movie ‘Fast and the Furious2’, and the Black Eyed Pea’s video clip ‘Pump It’.
Alpine Mini Cooper S Speedster
| Vehicle | Fully Customised Mini Cooper S “Speedster” |
| Entertainment System | CDA-9835 CD/MP3/WMA/Receiver DHA-S680 6-Disc DVD Changer DVA-5210 DVD/MP3/Player NVE-N852A (USA Only Navigation System) PXA-H701 Dolby Digital/DTS Audio Processor RUX-C701 Digital Media Controller (controls PXA-H701) TME-M580 (x6) 5.8” Widescreen Monitors MRD-M1001(x2) AccuClass-D V12 Digital Mono Power Amplifiers MRD-M501 (x2) AccuClass-D V12 Digital Mono Power Amplifiers MRV-F540 V12 4-Channel Power Amplifiers SPX-137R (x3 sets) Type-X Component Speakers SPX-17MB (x4 sets) Type-X Component Speakers SWX-1242D (x2) Type-X Subwoofers X-Box Gaming System |
| System Cabling | Monster Cable |
| Vehicle Customisation | Alpine Advanced R&D Center America Team: Steve Brown and Mike Vu |
| Airbrushing Artist | 'Noah' - California USA |
| Performance | Cooper S with installed Twin NOS (Nitrous Oxide) Express Kit |
| Brakes | Brembo Calipers and Cross Drilled Rotors |
| Wheels & Tyres | Toyo Proxies and custom 20” OZ racing Wheels |
| Engine Management | Defi Digital Gauge System with Custom Chrome Accents |
| Construction Time | 4000 man hours/seven months |
| Mini Tour | Autosalon Automotive Lifestyle Shows 2007 Melbourne Exhibition Centre Southbank, March 31 - April 1 |
