2015 Mini Cooper, Cooper S Motors See Upgrades

Your browser, , is out of date and not supported by www.motortrend.com. It may not display all features of our site properly and could have potential security flaws. Please update your browser to the most upated version. Update Now As we've seen in previous spy photos, the styling of the next-generation Mini Cooper Hardtop will be an evolutionary step, keeping the much-loved bulldog appearance. During the i8 early drive, one of the engineers let slip that a version of the powertrain found at the back of the innovative hybrid would find its way under the pseudo-British bonnet of the next Mini. At the time, we were wondering if a slightly detuned version of the 228-hp engine would power the Cooper S. Mini has released early specs on what will power the 2015 Cooper and Cooper S, and while the base engine seems like a giant improvement, the S engine's specs are slightly lower than expected. The current generation of Cooper has a naturally aspirated 1.6 liter I-4 making 121 hp and 114 lb-ft of torque at 4250 rpm. The new turbo three-banger is rated at 134 hp, but the big news is the 162 lb-ft of torque available at 1250 rpm. The engine sounds amazing in the i8, so I'm hoping that same exhaust note can be carried over to the Mini. The current R56 Cooper S is powered by a turbocharged version of the 1.6-liter I-4 that produces 181 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque at 1600 RPM. The new S will get a 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4, an engine now shared with other BMW offerings that gets a slight increase in power compared to the current S to 189 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque, also at 1250 rpm. Both cars will have an overboost feature that will allow bursts of 10 lb-ft more torque on the Cooper and an extra 15 lb-ft on the S. View the original article here

Top Kitchen Upgrades That Blend Beauty and Value

    FORT MILL, SC, August 03, 2013 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Nowhere else in the home must design and function marry as harmoniously as in the kitchen. The most-used room in the house is also the one where we spend the most work and leisure time, the one that gets the most scrutiny from potential buyers and the spot where most renovation dollars are spent.

A minor kitchen remodel costs around $21,000 and has the potential to recoup nearly 73 percent of that expense at the time of resale, according to Remodeling Magazine's Cost vs. Value Report. A major job averages around $58,000 and can recoup about 68 percent of the renovation costs.

"When you're spending that kind of money on a remodel, you want to choose upgrades that accomplish multiple objectives, including improving efficiency, functionality and beauty," says Ross Vandermark, national product manager with skylight manufacturer Velux America (www.veluxusa.com). "Sometimes that type of upgrade will warrant a greater expenditure, but others are easy and relatively low-cost to make."

So what are some of the top kitchen upgrades that provide the most beauty and functionality for your investment? Here are five:

1. Countertops
In any kitchen, the countertops are both a significant design element and a functional necessity. Countertops act as work and storage areas, provide staging and serving space, and have a major impact on the overall look of the room. Replacing lower-cost countertops such as laminate with higher-end materials like granite can enhance the usability and look of your work surface. Even if you opt to replace older laminate with the same material, your kitchen can benefit from a fresh face and improved material quality.

2. Lighting and ventilation
Illumination and fresh air in a kitchen not only allow you to appreciate the beauty of the room, it ensures a safer, more comfortable work environment. Under-cabinet task lighting, pendants over a breakfast bar and upgrading an old box-style florescent with a more attractive, energy-efficient style can enhance the usability and look of a kitchen.

Adding Energy Star-qualified Velux no leak solar powered fresh air skylights can also boost the appearance, appeal and efficiency of a kitchen.

When you choose no leak solar powered fresh air skylights, their natural "chimney or stack effect" aids in air exchange, helping to vent hot air, moisture and odors while admitting additional natural light and fresh air. Accessories like solar powered decorator blinds, which work with the same remote control as the skylights, ensure you can adjust the amount of light that enters your kitchen from a skylight while dressing up your decor with designer colors and patterns. And both the skylights and blinds, as well as installation costs, are eligible for a 30 percent federal tax credit.

If a traditional skylight isn't right for your needs, you can still enhance the room with natural light; tubular models like Velux's Sun Tunnel skylights use reflective tunnels to deliver light from above and are less expensive to purchase and install. Add an optional light kit and the units provide light at night as well as during the day.

Visit www.veluxusa.com for an app that will enable you to see how skylights will look in your own home plus a tax credit calculator that will show you how much you can save on a replacement skylight or new unit installation.

3. Cabinets
Improving cabinets can be a costly prospect, but one worth the investment since they are not only a major design element in the kitchen, but essential to the room's efficiency and usability. You can find a range of options for upgrading cabinets, from total replacement with custom-made cabinetry to simply resurfacing or repainting existing cabinets.

4. Hardware and fixtures
Think of cabinet hardware and faucets as the jewelry of your kitchen. Swapping out dated or worn hardware - including knobs, handles and hinges - is a fast, easy and cost-effective way to change the look of the entire room. Plus, you can improve functionality by choosing larger handles that are easier to grasp and replacing old-style hinges with modern varieties that close silently and smoothly or are completely hidden behind the cabinet door. Replacing the kitchen faucet is also an easy, relatively low-cost upgrade. Opt for a pullout spray head or touch-free model and you can also enhance the usability of this key kitchen feature.

5. Appliances
Your car couldn't function without tires and a steering wheel and no kitchen can serve its purpose without the right appliances. If your appliances are more than 10 years old, chances are they're starting to look worn and dated. They're also likely less energy efficient than newer models, many of which are now made to meet Energy Star standards (visit www.energystar.gov). Appliances account for nearly 20 percent of the energy consumed by an average home, according to Energystar.gov.

Upgrading a kitchen is a great way to enhance the value and your enjoyment of the most-used room in your house. Choosing improvements that add beauty and efficiency can help ensure you get the most for your renovation dollars.

Media Contact:
Keith Hobbs - Business Services Associates, Inc. - 9413 Greenfield Drive -
Raleigh, NC 27615-2306 - Phone - 919.844.0064 - E-mail - khobbs@nc.rr.com

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