Fisker, the California-based startup that does sexy electric cars, has announced an engine deal with BMW for its new range. Codenamed Nina, the new line up will slot in between the Audi A5 and A6 in size, and will go on sale in late 2013. Currently, Fisker has the Karma plug-in hybrid sports sedan, which will spawn a new variant debuting in Frankfurt.

The Nina range will use Munich’s new-generation 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine and the same 20 kWh battery pack and range-extending engine/generator layout as the Karma. This family will have three models initially, the first of which will be a “radically styled” sedan. They will be built at an ex-General Motors plant in Delaware USA, which used to churn out Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice roadsters.

With that on board, Fisker will have two model lines in 2015, when it hopes to be making over 100,000 cars per annum. Very ambitious, but Henrik Fisker’s company says it has already secured 45 dealers each in the US and Europe, while eyeing 20 dealers in China. Click here to see shots from Fisker’s “Pure Driving Passion” marketing campaign.

And here’s the 5th member of the MINI family – the production version of the new MINI Coupe. It’s the brand’s first model to adopt a three box body style – the rest have all been different kinds of hatchbacks.

The two-seater measures 3,734 mm (MINI Cooper Coupé: 3,728 mm) in length, 1,683 mm in width and 1,384 mm (MINI Cooper Coupé: 1,378 mm) in height. Its exterior length, width and wheelbase (2,467 mm) match the typical measurements of a MINI, but the MINI Coupé has a significantly lower body height.

A few engine options are available – from a 122 horsepower 160Nm Cooper Coupe to a 184 horsepower 240Nm Cooper S Coupe, up to a 211 horsepower 260Nm MINI JCW Coupe. If you want an oil burner, the Cooper SD Coupe makes 143 horsepower and 305Nm. All models use an Electric Power Steering.

Two different transmissions are available – 6-speed auto or manual. The Cooper S Coupe and Cooper SD Coupe come with a new self-adjusting clutch. Automatic readjustment of the clutch ensures that the pedal feel remains consistent through the life of the clutch.

From the photos and press material, it looks like MINI has taken everything you know about MINIs and put it into a new 2 seater body. Look after the jump for a full gallery and a few videos on the new MINI Coupe.
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BMW is on a roll, and has just revealed that the first half of 2011 was the company’s best ever, thanks to rising sales and profits. In fact, the Munich based carmaker is firmly on track to achieve its best ever year in terms of profit and sales volume.

“We are aiming to achieve a record-breaking profit before tax and to increase sales volume by over 10 per cent to a new high of more than 1.6 million vehicles. We are well on track to remain the world’s leading manufacturer of premium cars,” said CEO Norbert Reithofer.

For the second-quarter of 2011, profits jumped 66% year-on-year to 2.85 billion euros, while sales were up by 18.5% to 450,608 vehicles. Q2 was also kind to BMW’s MINI brand, which saw a 35.6% sales jump. For the first half of the year, 141,913 MINIs found new homes, including 40,171 units of the Countryman, the brand’s latest model (read our test drive report here).

BMW says that the MINI brand is “generating a high-value product mix” – 48.3% of customers opt for Cooper spec and 32% cough out more for Cooper S variants.

BMW’s range of SUVs are pulling a lot of weight in the premium market tug of war. Sales of the X1 rose 34.2% to 62,698 units, the new X3 contributed 53,522 units and even the not exactly fresh X5 recorded a 4.9% jump to 48,749 units. The F10 5-Series is also a strong seller, with 170,708 units sold, while the 7-Series limo recorded a 3% rise to 31,764 units.

Ultra luxury marque Rolls-Royce isn’t left out. Sales volumes for the first half rose by a massive 64.1% to 1,592 units, buoyed by the “entry level” (if there’s such a thing) Ghost model.

Jolyon Nash, RR’s sharp suited director of sales and marketing, told us that while USA is still the biggest market for the brand, Asia Pacific is the fastest growing region (170% up). He also revealed that 80% of Ghost buyers are new to the Rolls-Royce brand, which is a good sign as they’ll most probably “graduate” to a Phantom later.

Rolls-Royce is on track to beat last year’s record of 2,711 units sold, and it’s only going to get better with upcoming products such as the Ghost Extended Wheelbase (EWB), which will be launched here end 2011. Read our previous post on the Ghost EWB here.