Category: MINI

Autoblog reports a prototype MINI John Cooper Works GP has lapped the Nürburgring 20 seconds faster than the first-gen GP. Their source is Dr Kay Segler (the goose pimple guy) who has since left his role with BMW M Division to take on the role of Senior Vice President at MINI.

Segler says he has personally driven the car and while he was forthcoming with the amount of time the new GP slashed from its Ring record he did not provide an overall lap time. The unofficial list of production car lap times does not have the first-gen MINI JCW GP listed.

Renault currently holds the FWD record at the Nürburgring, with their Megane 265 Trophy getting around in 8:07.97. We don’t think the new MINI JCW GP will be that quick, it will only have around 220-230hp after all, but we reckon it should be around the 8:30 mark.

Given the original JCW GP had 218hp MINI has obviously made some cracking gains with suspension and handling. The GP will also be lighter than a regular Cooper S hatch, like the 2006 model was too. The original was around 40kg lighter, but we reckon the 2012 version will be even lighter again.

All will be revealed at the MINI United event in May when the JCW GP is unveiled.

[Source: Autoblog | Pic: CarPix]

This blurry screen grab was taken from a brief video showing what appears to be a new MINI JCW GP prototype. The footage was filmed in Germany and provides a few clues with its camouflage covering the large rear wing and revised lower valance/wannabe diffuser. Minor engine improvements are likely, along with model-specific suspension and alloy wheels.

You may also be interested to note it seems the R56 Hatch will be used as the basis for the GP, rather than the Coupé that was used in last year’s Nürburgring 24 hour race.

The upcoming MINI United event in May shapes as the most likely launch date for the ‘GP2’. The original MINI JCW GP was first revealed at the 2005 MINI United gathering. If that’s the case then we only have a couple of months to wait.

[Source: MotoringFile]

Take your mind back to the MINI Paceman concept, essentially a two-door Countryman. Sign-off on production was confirmed over a year ago and now we have the model’s official name, which is the Countryman Coupé. Not terribly adventurous, but sounds fair.

Production is expected to commence in November this year and the R61 Countryman Coupé will host a full suite of model variations, including Cooper, Cooper D, Cooper S and Cooper SD, as well as All4 versions of each. And, more than likely, all to be topped off by a 160kW JCW model.

Rumours suggest there will be a few styling tweaks made from concept to production. MINI may even go to the effort of giving the Countryman Coupé individually styled headlights. The biggest change, though, comes in the probable form of a pair of club-doors, one on each side, making the Countryman Coupé a quasi five door model.

[Source: MotoringFile]

MINI has today revealed pictures and basic specs on the new Countryman John Cooper Works. A full debut will take place in Geneva next week.

This model is significant for a couple of reasons. First, it shows how quickly the Countryman has matured as part of the MINI range that a JCW version is already on the books. Second the 1.6 litre turbocharged engine has been revised and these improvements will soon filter down to all other JCW models.

The introduction of BMW’s Valvetronic technology will help the new JCW engine breath and respond better. A side benefit is a small increase in peak power from 155kW to 160kW. Of greater note is the boost in torque, which has gone from 260Nm to 280Nm (up to 300Nm with overboost).

Of lesser note, for pure drivers at least, the Countryman JCW will be the first JCW model to offer a 6-speed automatic transmission. In the Countryman maybe this does make some sense. However, you can expect the transmission to find its way into the JCW hatch and other variants as well. In our opinion, that doesn’t make sense. C’est la vie.

Here at AUSmotive we think the Countryman is no bad thing, it’s not our favourite MINI by any means, but generally speaking we quite like it. The new bodykit and 18″wheels you see here in these pics, standard with the Countryman JCW, make us like the Countryman a little bit more.

When it gets to Australia we’re not so sure we’ll like the price.

On the weekend, with thanks to Rolfe Classic MINI Garage, we were granted some time in a brand new MINI Coupé John Cooper Works.

They’ve taken the best bits from the JCW hatch, stiffened the chassis a bit and removed the rear seats to provide a two-seater with more boot space than the donor car. It’s an odd mix, like MINIs often are, yet on our first sample it all seems to work. Assuming, of course, you fit the very narrow niche this car is suitable for.

The dealer has promised more time in the car, so we’ll save any in depth thoughts for a week or two. As a teaser, though, BMW/MINI have developed their controversial run flat tyres to a stage that you could almost call them forgiving. Indeed, the grip and compliance offered at the front wheels by the oddly styled Coupé really was a delight.

We can’t wait for another drive.

Take a MINI Clubman, rip out the back seats, block-out a few windows, change a letter and voila, you’ve got yourself a new Clubvan Concept. In theory it’s designed as a commercial runabout and it will be on show in Geneva next month.

At first you think the two-seat Clubvan is a bit daft, but the more you think about it the more it makes sense. Indeed, it probably makes more sense than the Clubman itself.

MINI say the rear storage compartment can be tailor made and they even suggest a few professions they reckon would be ideally suited for the Clubvan: “Where a business’s customers, product range and operating environment demand a particular style for its vehicles, a premium model can make the perfect delivery solution. For example, a car in the mould of the MINI Clubvan Concept would fit excellently into the fleet of a fashion designer, art gallery owner or event caterer.

“And its abilities as an all-rounder also tick the right boxes for a photographer with a stack of camera, tripod and lighting equipment to ferry around during the week – and bulky sports and leisure gear to pile on board at the weekend.”

So there you have it. A truly practical MINI.

MINI are masters of marketing, they’ve come up with some of the best and riskiest ad campaigns in the 10+ years since BMW relaunched the brand. However, their latest stunt, to name a cold weather front ‘Cooper’, has gone horribly wrong following more than 100 deaths as a result of the storm.

The majority of the deaths have taken place in Ukraine and Poland where temperatures have been as low as -33°C. It’s been reported almost 1000 people in Ukraine have been hospitalised with hypothermia and frostbite.

BMW, through its ad agency Sassenbach, registered to sponsor a cold weather front through the German Institute of Meteorology for the modest fee of €299. Although, the process does not allow advertisers to nominate when or which storm they can name.

A statement has been issued by BMW saying it deeply regrets the weather front has claimed so many lives. They have also apologised for the stunt.

As part of the campaign BMW has also registered to name a low pressure front ‘Minnie’ and it’s unsure if they will continue with those plans.

Germany’s Adopt a Vortex program has been running for 10 years and all revenues help fund weather monitoring at Berlin’s Free University.

[Source: BBC]

Car has come up trumps again with new model info, this time concerning the third-generation F56 MINI. They say the current second-gen R5x lineage will end next year with the launch of the Paceman and the F56 rollout will begin shortly thereafter.

First of the new generation models to roll off the production line will be the F56 hatch, rendered above. Its platform will be a joint development with BMW and will underpin a number of models for both brands.

The big news for the F56 line, apparently, is a move to release more five-door variants of the MINI starting with the F54 five-door hatch. It’s due for launch in the first half of 2014 and will counter the Audi A1 Sportback. A four-door F54 Clubman should follow around 12 months later and should put an end to that silly single side door experiment.

“Jeeves, bring the MINI round the front would you – there’s a good fellow!”

Believe it or not they are the words MINI Australia are using to open their press statement on the MINI inspired by Goodwood. Only 1000 MINI Goodwoods will be made and only 10 are coming to Australia.

The model was first revealed last year and is the result of a partnership between Rolls-Royce and MINI.

Don’t be fooled by the lack of bonnet scoop, the MINI Goodwood is based on the turbocharged 135kW Cooper S. Finished in Diamond Black metallic paint, the limited edition includes model specific ‘inspired by Goodwood’ badging along with polished 17″ alloys.

Inside Rolls-Royce inspired Cornsilk beige leather and cashmere is used. Walnut veneer also helps to complete the luxurious theme. There’s even plush lambswool floor mats lining the floor. Apparently, they were “taken from only the happiest and most handsome lambs.” What will those little lambs use on their floors now, we wonder.

Now, the price. Well, it’s a MINI and it’s a very limited run. It’s not going to be cheap. We think the price deserves a paragraph all of its own.

$74,500.