You have to go out of your way these days to find race footage and highlights from the WRC. Hopefully all that will change with the might of Red Bull behind the category. Until then here’s a brief package from Rally Deutschland with thanks to MINI Motorsport, featuring, of course, Australia’s Chris Atkinson.
Following the release of info back in February the MINI John Cooper Works Countryman is about to hit the streets in Europe. So before you start seeing reviews from the motoring press we have a gallery of 70 images for you to go through, as well as a detailed 21 page press kit.
Since the images we saw at the start of the year MINI has given the interior of the five-seat Countryman a bit of a spruce up. And for the first time in a MINI the window controls are no longer found in the centre stack toggle switches, but rather on the door armrests like every other car in the world.
The JCW Countryman is the sixth model to wear the coveted JCW badging and it receives the most powerful engine spec MINI has offered. There’s the same 160kW found in the JCW GP hatch, but this Countryman has an extra 20Nm of torque for a new total of 280Nm (300Nm with overboost).
Increasing the appeal of the top-spec Countryman is the All4 all-wheel drive system. According to the press text the system uses an “electromagnetic
centre differential to distribute drive seamlessly between the front and rear axles”. In regular conditions only 50% of the available power is sent to the rear wheels. However, in extreme conditions, such as snow and ice, the rear wheels can receive 100% of the car’s power.
Lessening the appeal, we think, the Countryman is the first to wear the JCW badge while offering a 6-speed automatic transmission. Fools can be tricked by the Steptronic function and steering wheel paddles, allowing drivers to change gears “manually”, but the smart money will be sent towards the standard 6-speed manual ‘box.
If you want to partake in traffic light grands prix the JCW Countryman isn’t really the car for you. However, its 7.0 second 0–100 time is nothing to be ashamed of in this market segment.
In the US they will get the warm weather spec of this engine, which robs the engine of a few kW. So don’t be surprised if the same fate befalls Australian delivered JCW Countrymans.
With the European rollout taking place now our educated guess says we should see the JCW Countryman in Australia before the year is out, but we’ll make some enquiries and report back.
It would appear as though MINI itself is responsible for leaking these images of the new Paceman. According to MotoringFile the pics were originally published in the online version of MINI Space magazine, but when we followed the link provided it drew a blank.
Never mind that, here’s the pics. You can make out the Paceman badge running across the rear tailgate, which confirms once and for all the naming of what is effectively a Countryman coupé.
We’re told the Paceman is due for an online release of information before the Paris Motor Show, where it will make its public debut. European sales should start before the end of the year and that being the case we’d expect to see the Paceman in Australia around six months later; that’s if we get it at all.
With no rational reasons why, that we can think of, we really like this car! Early previews from the Euro press have been promising too.
[Source: MotoringFile]
Ahead of its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show this month MINI has finally come good with official details on its latest John Cooper Works GP model. This includes a raft of new pics showing the car’s interior for the first time. Today’s info follows an official preview of the car back in May and the revelation of leaked specs earlier this week.
According to a Facebook post from MINI Australia in June a total of 20 GPs are on their way to our shores. That represents 1% of the worldwide production run of 2000 models. We’d not be surprised if Australia’s allocation changed, which could mean more, but it may mean less. Let’s hope not. Australian pricing has not been confirmed yet and based on speculation we suggest you pick a number between 65 and 75 and multiply it by 1000.
So, back to the car then. As we confirmed on Tuesday the ‘GP2’ is powered by a 160kW turbocharged 1.6 litre engine, a modest 5kW gain on the regular JCW model. Maximum torque remains at 260Nm (280Nm with overboost).
A number of exterior styling tweaks set the GP aside from other MINIs and include any colour you like so long as it’s Thunder Grey metallic, complete with red highlights. GP decals on the bonnet and sides of the car also help let the world know this is no ordinary MINI. A fact reinforced by its Challenge racecar inspired rear wing and lower diffuser. And those lightweight 17″ alloys won’t be found on any other production MINI.
Alcantara and leather Recaro bucket seats set off the interior nicely along with the thick leather steering wheel. The red highlights have found their way inside as well, most notably on the gear stick, seatbelts and rear strut brace.
The GP gets the luxury of xenon headlights, but makes do without a rear seat, rear wiper and steering wheel controls. Coilover suspension with dramatic default negative camber settings ensure the semi-slick tyres can maintain grip in extreme cornering conditions. It also reminds you the GP is not that far removed from the MINI Challenge racecars.
A specially tuned Dynamic Stability Control system affords more freedom for the right foot. After you’ve been heavy with the accelerator pedal you’ll be pleased to learn you have six-pot 330mm brakes up front and 280mm brakes at the rear. More than enough for the 1235kg kerb weight.
Generally speaking we’re big fans of the GP, but for the expected razor sharp handling we reckon you’ll have to accept a crashing ride. We do hold some slight reservations that for all its undoubted charms it may prove a slight pain in the arse—perhaps quite literally—for those hoping to use this car as a daily driver.
As the launch of the second-generation MINI John Cooper Works GP draws near the long awaited technical specifications for the car have been leaked online.
Those expecting a big power increase from the 155kW offered in the regular JCW model will be disappointed to see only an extra 5kW has been liberated from the 1.6 litre turbocharged four cylinder engine. There is no increase in maximum torque, with the above grab noting the GP2 will have 260Nm (280Nm with overboost function).
There have been slight improvements in official 0–100 times and top speed. The GP2 can reach 100km/h in 6.3 seconds (6.5s for the JCW) and has a top speed of 242km/h (238km/h in the JCW). Weight for both models is the same at 1235kg.
Where the GP2 will differ from the standard JCW is in suspension tune. Adjustable coilovers will be standard equipment, along with six-pot brakes and Recaro sports seats. In addition to the model specific aero features, a specially tuned DSC mode will be included with the GP2.
Semi-slick Kumho Ecsta V700 tyres are the default fitment on the four-spoke 17″ alloys, although buyers can choose regular street tyres as a no cost option.
Internally, the GP package goes by the 7KH option code. A list of inclusions and available options can be seen after the break, by clicking on the image shown to view a larger version. If you click on the image above you’ll see the tech specs of the GP compared alongside the JCW.
[Source: MotoringFile]
Following his credible fifth place in Rallye Deutschland, Chris Atkinson is looking forward to even better things.
During the first day of competition in Germany Atkinson told Autosport: “I said that, at the end of the event, I wanted to be around 0.5 seconds per kilometre off Dani [Sordo’s] pace and we’re there now, so that’s good.
“I haven’t driven on asphalt for three and a half years, so this event is really about focusing on me and my driving—we know the car is up to the job. Finishing between sixth and 10th is my target and we’re on for that right now.”
Great to see Chris managed to better his pre-race expectations, even if it may have been due the misfortune of others.
Using horse racing parlance Atko will be better for the run. “This result has given us a good base to work from so big thanks to the team who have done a fantastic job all weekend,†said Atkinson.
“Our strategy was to get through a tricky rally without making any mistakes and it paid off. We can start fighting a bit higher up now and start moving forward.â€
The next event on the WRC calendar is the Wales Rally GB in mid-September.
A quick shout out to Australia’s Chris Atkinson and his Belgian co-driver Stephane Prévot who have finished fifth at the 2012 Rally Deutschland. It’s their first event with the WRC Team MINI Portugal and it’s also Atkinson’s best result on the German tarmac.
Rounding out a weekend of bests, fifth place is the best ever WRC finish for Team MINI Portugal as well. Not a bad way for the Atkinson/Prévot combination to start with their new employers and let’s hope there’s more to come in the remaining four races of the year.
Via Facebook ‘Atko’ shares the following message:
Yeah boiiiii! 5th overall for Rally Germany after four years since my last asphalt rally! Absolutely stoked! Thanks everyone for the support this week!!
Oh, of course, the seemingly unstoppable Sebastien Loeb won the rally. We’ll have more for you on that tomorrow.
[Pic: wrc.com]
Chris Atkinson makes his debut with the factory-backed WRC Team MINI Portugal at this weekend’s Rallye Deustchland. Via his instagram account he’s shared a photo of his car, which is now proudly displaying his ‘Atko’ logo.
From AUSmotive and all Australian motorsport fans we wish Chris all the best for this weekend and beyond. Go Aussie!
[Source: Instagram]
MINI has given us a brief look inside its new JCW GP2 model. We’ve not got much to go on with this pic, but we can see some tasty Recaro seats, complete with bespoke model specific embossing. There’s also some go faster red seatbelts and, if you look hard enough, you can see the absence of a rear seat as well.
Like we said, there’s not a lot to go on, but as MINI drip feeds more info we’ll keep you up to date.
[Source: Facebook]
MINI has given us an official behind the scenes look at developing the JCW GP2. Joerg Weidinger from MINI explains his role in tuning the GP2 using the Nürburgring and surrounding roads to ensure the car has a comfortable ride, including for those who won’t use the track.
We think we have a scoop for potential GP2 buyers who don’t intend to track the car: The ride will not be comfortable!
With the frequency of GP2 updates increasing (there’s another video available on Facebook too) we’re now expecting to see the car on the stands at the Paris Motor Show, although that’s not been confirmed.
Well, we were expecting Chris Atkinson to drive a MINI in Rallye Deutschland, but we weren’t expecting this! In exchange for posing like a prat in the above pic Atko will be the lead driver for WRC Team MINI Portugal for the remaining five races of the 2012 season.
It’s been a roller coaster year for Team MINI Portugal, run by Motorsport Italia, who were surprisingly given factory backing after BMW cut Prodrive’s factory status back in February.
Since then Motorsport Italia’s lead driver Armindo Araujo has failed to meet expectations. According to an official team statement the decision to release Araujo was made after the Rally Finland debrief. “There’s always a point where you have to admit that something isn’t quite right and I hope that we’ve accepted that point at just the right time,” said Team Manager, Bruno de Pianto.
“The decision was not taken lightly and was made on purely sporting grounds. It was not a personal decision and everyone in the team wishes Armindo all the best for the future.”
Confirming Atkinson’s position de Pianto added, “Atko’s a really top guy all the way from Australia, fast and experienced and he’s going to take over as the team’s No. 1 driver, flanked by the oh-so-experienced Belgian Stéphane Prévot for the rest of the season.
“It’ll be his first time in a MINI on the test this weekend, but we’re confident that Chris can handle any car he lays his hands on and his MINI will love him within minutes. We’re all very much looking forward to working with him and Stéphane and seeing what surprises Rallye Deutschland has to offer!”
Atkinson will make his race debut with WRC Team MINI Portugal in Germany over the weekend of 24–26 August.
You can hear what Chris has to say by watching a short video below, which has been sourced from Atkinson’s YouTube account.
Chris Atkinson’s wandering 2012 season could continue with a third team if the latest rumours of one-race deal with MINI prove correct. Having already driven for Ford and Citroën this year, ‘Atko’ hopes to make it a trifecta with MINI at Rally Deutschland (24–26 August).
At this stage the rumours are light on detail and if it comes off we’d expect the Aussie to be at the wheel of a Prodrive MINI WRC. We’ll let you know as soon as we hear more.
[Source: irallylive]