Minis deliver fun on a sliding scale. Lower budget? The Cooper’s a gas. Got more dough to play with? Buy a Cooper S, and wait for the turbo to paint a grin on your mug. Then there’s the John Cooper Works cars, which pack the strongest performance punch along with an assortment of visual tweaks that let the informed know you’re rolling in Mini’s range-topper. Now, word comes down that well-to-do Miniphiles in the land Down Under can now add the John Cooper Works Challenge Edition package to any JCW ride - Cooper, Clubman, or Convertible.

The look basically apes that of the Mini Challenge racers, as the package raids the accessory catalog to include the areo kit, rear wing, aluminum strut tower brace, and a variety of Alcantara-shod interior trim bits. Oh yeah, buyers also get the requisite “CHALLENGE EDITION” badging to let everyone know they dropped an additional $2,500 AUD (approx. $2,246 USD) on top of of their JCW car’s MSRP. That’s a discount over what the additional parts would cost if added in the usual, sticker-price-exploding a la carte manner, though, according to Mini. The JCW Challenge package is a limited-run deal and is exclusive to Australia. Mini’s PR is pasted after the jump and high-res images are ready to be ogled in the gallery below.

PRESS RELEASE

MINI JCW Dressed for the Challenge

More performance. More customisation. More MINI. Introducing the new and exclusive race-inspired MINI John Cooper Works Challenge Edition – bringing the MINI John Cooper Works even closer to the track.

In recognition of the pure pedigree that underpins MINI, the release of the MINI John Cooper Challenge Edition draws John Cooper Works even closer to the MINI CHALLENGE race car, both in its appearance and performance.

The MINI John Cooper Works Challenge Edition is powered by the same powerplant as the MINI CHALLENGE race cars; delivering 155kW from a twin-scroll turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine. Developing a maximum of 260 Nm of torque (280 Nm torque available during Overboost) the MINI John Cooper works propels from 0-100km/h in just 6.5 seconds.

Exclusive to the Australian market, the John Cooper Works Challenge Edition includes the following features over the already highly optioned MINI John Cooper Works model: John Cooper Works aerodynamics package consisting of front, rear and side aprons, John Cooper Works Carbon spoiler, John Cooper Works Aluminium cross brace, John Cooper Works Alcantara and Carbon steering wheel, John Cooper Works Carbon gearshift knob with Alcantara shroud, John Cooper Works Carbon handbrake lever with Alcantara surround and unique Challenge Edition badging.

The Challenge Edition is available with all new MINI John Cooper Works Hardtop, Clubman or Cabrio models. Representing over $7,000 worth of value, the Challenge Edition is available for a strictly limited time as a $2,500 option.

A testament to the strength and success of the MINI Challenge race series, last year the sales of MINI John Cooper Works reach unprecedented heights, accounting for 26 percent of MINI Cooper S Hardtop sales and 10 per cent of the entire model range.

The 2010 MINI Challenge season kicks off in March with the categories debut at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide.

[Source:Autoblog]

The roof, too. That’s right folks, Mini rolled out a concept of a concept. The Beachcomber (see above) is based on the Mini Crossover. However, the Crossover is no longer just a concept, as it will be making its way to production soon. And it’s not alone, as Mini has also green lit the Coupe and Roadster. All three will be produced at Mini’s Oxford, UK plant.

Speaking of Mini, their sales were down six percent last year. Or should we say only six percent, as 2009 basically sucked as far as car sales go. In the U.S., however, Mini sales were down 16 percent, but the segment (small premium cars) was off a disheartening 40 percent. Nevertheless, the U.S. remains Mini’s largest market with currently 90 dealers and the brand is looking to increase that number with an additional 17 dealers over the next 18 months.

As far as this here Beachcomber Concept goes, let’s just say there’s an emphasis on concept. While it does in some ways evoke the original Mini Moke – especially the slotted grille – the Beachcomber has as much a chance at seeing production as a Lamborghini subcompact. Maybe less. That said, the Beachcomber does feature all-wheel drive. And if there’s anything we like more than suicide doors, it’s no doors at all. No top either for that matter. What if you should get caught in a freak Malibu hailstorm? Mini says a soft roof and lightweight doors are included. So there you go.

[Source:Autoblog]

Spy shooters posted outside Mini’s testing facility in Germany snagged a duo of prototypes heading out for testing, but something seemed amiss. Both models — a standard Cooper and a mildly camo’d Clubman — sported the tell-tale exterior elements found on the S versions, specifically a central-mounted dual exhaust on the Cooper and the twin-tips and hood scoop on the Clubman. However, the exhaust note was decidedly diesel, causing us to wonder: Is Mini working on hotted-up S versions of its oil-burners?

If they are — and we’re not convinced either way — then a Cooper S and Clubman S diesel would need to not only benefit from a few design tweaks and an uprated suspension, but also a boost in performance. Considering that the standard Mini D puts out around 90 horsepower and the Cooper D boasts another 20 bhp, then these S-ified models could be packing upwards of 140 to 150 hp and, more importantly, over 200 lb.-ft. of torque from their 1.6-liter turbodiesels. If they do make it to dealers, we’d expect them to debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, with sales beginning in Eu

[Source:Autoblog]

To go along with the Mini 50 Camden and Mini 50 Mayfair, spotted at the Mini United gathering this weekend was a British Racing Green treat: the Mini JCW World Championship 50. The 50th anniversary JCW special gets an exclusive non-metallic BRG finish, Pepper White roof and stripes, JCW aero kit, cross-spoke Challenge alloy wheels in jet black, carbon black leather seats with red piping, and Alcantara JCW steering wheel, and a sport suspension along with carbon fiber bits and identifying plaques throughout.

There are no engine mods, so you can probably expect the same 208 hp in the current JCW coupe. But the exclusivity is going to cost you. According to MotoringFile’s sources there will only be 250 examples produced, with the price in Europe reported to be €40,000. A U.S. allotment is still undeclared.

[Source:Autoblog]

Well, here’s one car we’ll all be able to cover in Detroit come January. BMW has officially announced that the second-generation MINI Cabrio will make its debut at the North American International Auto Show. Germans needn’t wait that long to place orders; that they can do now. The Cooper ragtop is priced at €22,500 while the Cooper S convertible costs €4,000 more. Customer delivery of the German cars kicks off on March 28.

So, what’s new? Well, for one, the new Cabrio looks like the current-gen Cooper. Likewise, it shares the hardtop cars’ 1.6L engines — 120 hp NA for the Cooper, and 160 hp turbo for the Cooper S. The Euro-market cars get BMW Efficient Dynamics features including brake regeneration and stop/start. Out back, the fold-down tailgate’s hinges are now internal, giving the car’s tush a smoother look. The fixed roll hoops of the current car have been replaced by a pop-up system behind the back seat. This makes for a good-looking, clean top-down profile and should improve rearward visibility for the driver. Speaking of the top, it can be operated at speeds up to 9 mph or so. The sliding sunroof feature can be utilized at even higher speeds — up to 60 mph or so. Stability control is standard equipment.

Inside, the current MINI instrument panel is employed, and drivers with a hankering for extraneous gimmickery can order up the Always-Open timer, a secondary gauge that mounts next to the tach.

[Source:Autoblog]

European MINI dealers are being asked to distinguish their stores from the BMW brand by creating a separate showroom for sell the British/Bavarian small-car. This entails new main entrances, and dedicated reception and service desks. While most of the dealers in the United States currently operate in this manner, most European retailers still share space with BMW. If dealers don’t move enough volume to justify the investment, they will be dropped. In 2007, there were about 750 MINI retailers in Europe. That number is expected to fall to about 650 by the end of this year (worldwide, MINI has about 1,500 dealers in 70 countries). Unlike nearly all other automakers who are experiencing a sales slump, MINI’s global sales are reportedly up more than 12 percent for the first nine months of 2008 — no doubt credited to their diminutive size and fuel efficient engines.

[Source:Autoblog]

The perpetual motion machine that is 1960s pop culture will once again reminisce about its faded relevance by rehashing something a Baby Boomer did back before they all became cokehead yuppies driving E30s. This time, the victim is an R56 MINI. Alan Aldridge, an artist and designer responsible for album art for some of the biggest names in the 1960s and 70s, in addition to illustrating children’s books and serving as Art Director for Penguin Books, has whipped up a recreation of a project originally done in 1965 for a magazine cover. A MINI has been divided down the middle and painted with a male theme on one side and a female theme on the other. This retreading of past work is to kick off a retrospective display of Aldridge’s work called The Man with Kaleidoscope Eyes, and MINI’s 50th birthday conveniently arrives in 2009, as well. Overall, artwork that appeals to hippies isn’t really our thing, but at least it’s for a retrospective, rather than just a man running out of original ideas. Press release after the jump.

[Source: MINI]

MINI Aldridge Special makes public debut at Design Museum

A unique MINI featuring a visually stunning exterior designed by legendary artist, illustrator and graphic designer Alan Aldridge, is now on show at the Design Museum in London. The MINI Aldridge Special is an exhibit in a retrospective display of Alan’s work, entitled ‘The Man with Kaleidoscope Eyes’.

Alan Aldridge is known primarily for his creative work throughout the 1960s and 70s. Dubbed ‘The Graphic Entertainer’, Aldridge illustrated lyric books for the Beatles, album covers for The Rolling Stones, The Who and Elton John, was Art Director for Penguin Books and illustrated much-loved children’s books such as ‘The Butterfly Ball’.

Now working in Los Angeles, Alan Aldridge was keen to mark the opening of his exhibition by recreating an iconic cover of the Sunday Times Magazine, which in 1965 featured a classic Mini painted in his own, inimitable style. The updated interpretation of this image, using a new MINI One as the canvas for Alan’s design, featured in the 12 October 2008 edition of the publication, again, warranting front cover status.

The MINI Aldridge Special is adorned with an array of images, shapes and patterns, each reflecting either a male or female theme, just as the 1965 car did. The design theme is split between each side of the car, the driver side being largely set on a blue background and masculine in appearance, with passenger near side artistry backed on pink.

MINI UK General Manager Andy Hearn said: “The work of Alan Aldridge is synonymous with some of the most important names in the history of British culture, so MINI is delighted to support this exhibition by offering Alan a car to work on.

“MINI will be celebrating its 50th birthday in 2009, so this is the perfect way to begin celebrating 50 years of the car in the UK.”

‘The Man with Kaleidoscope Eyes’ exhibition runs until 25 January 2009. MINI fans and the British public will get another chance to see the MINI Aldridge Special in the metal at MINI United next year, the global MINI event which will be staged at a renowned British race circuit between 22-24 May 2009. Further details will be announced by MINI UK in the near future.

[Source:Autoblog]

Question: What’s the maximum size that a can a car be that’s called a MINI? Answer: Exactly 4 meters and 10 centimeters long, or 162 inches. Wouldn’t ‘cha know, that’s exactly the length of the latest MINI Crossover concept from the diminutive brand? Moving forward, it sounds as if there will be two different platforms for future products from BMW’s MINI brand, and both of them could be shared with Fiat. One of them could end up being a bit larger than the current Cooper, the other just a bit smaller. We are left wondering if the MINI brand will be blessed with the long-rumored Isetta revival as opposed to its parent company.

Rumors also abound regarding the powertrain of future MINI products. Engines seem likely to be supplied by Fiat moving forward, with a 1.6-liter four cylinder for the Cooper and a possible twin cylinder powerplant for the Isetta revival. Whatever the case, Mini Global Brand Manager Dr. Wolfgang Armbrecht assures us that it will be cute and fun to drive.

[Source:Autoblog]

Over a year ago we told you about the Indy-Cator, an LCD-equipped shift knob that displayed your gear selection. Now, the German tuning powerhouse AC Schnitzer has come up with its own version for BMWs and MINIs, and we’re still left wondering if it has any practical use.

According to AC, drivers have to rely solely on feel to know which gear they’re in at any given time (gasp), so the digital display takes all that pesky guesswork out of gear selection. The red LED on the shift knob has a light sensor which dims or brightens the display depending on conditions, matches the stock interior lighting, features a position sensor and can be installed in just a few minutes.

AC Schnitzer hasn’t released pricing, but just like the Indy-Cator, its worth is in the hand of the beholder.

[Source:Autoblog]

It’s finally arrived folks… and it’s not the coming apocalypse. MINI has released the first official images of the Crossover Concept, proving that BMW not only has a sense of humor, but that it’s serious about bringing an all-wheel-drive MINI to market in 2010.

These initial images give us a clear indication of how future MINIs will be styled, and if BMW’s reputation for making only a few revisions from concept to production hold true, this is very close to the finished product.

Measuring about six inches wider and taller than the Clubman, the Crossover Concept features a five-door body style, but that’s where the similarities end. The right rear door has a conventional hinge, but the left door slides out and back, minivan-style. The rear hatch ditches the Clubman’s dual doors and is instead fitted with a single panel that opens to the right. Sources suggest that the concept’s door arrangement might be nixed in favor of something more traditional when it reaches production.

Power specifications and exact trim levels have yet to be revealed, but expect the Crossover to carry the same naturally aspirated and turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engines as its Cooper counterparts, BMW’s Efficient Dynamics system (with start-stop tech) and naturally, all-wheel-drive.

It’s likely that the Crossover won’t be spending much time off road, but with a higher ride height, more space, a comfy interior and MINI’s iconic styling, we’re sure we’ll see several on the highways and byways both here and abroad.

Read all the details in MINI’s press release after the jump.

PRESS RELEASE

The MINI Crossover Concept.

The MINI brand is continuing its overwhelming story of success - now taking a new approach with the MINI Crossover Concept.

This Design Study offers a fascinating outlook at a new facet of the brand powerfully expressed by a truly innovative body concept - the fourth body variant, to be precise, following the classic two-door, the MINI Convertible, and the MINI Clubman.

The MINI Crossover Concept is a new model variant for the first time measuring more than four metres in length, with four drive wheels, four doors and four single seats. These features alone place the new car right in the line of vision of new target groups seeking to combine the individual style of the brand with enhanced versatility within the interior and innovative functionality throughout.

A universal, multifunction fastening rail, the MINI Center Rail, extending between the seats on the centre console of the MINI Crossover Concept, offers not only offers unconventional storage options, but also provides a consistent link between the front row of seats and the rear.

A further highlight within the MINI interior is the innovative central instrument in three-dimensional finish, the MINI Centre Globe.

This combined control and display unit formed as a globe featured for the first time in an automobile worldwide sets new standards for the integrated control of entertainment, communication, navigation, and vehicle functions.

The MINI Crossover reflects not only the potential of the MINI model family in growing further and further to new dimensions, but also the innovative power of MINI’s designers. In this case, the outlook at an additional MINI concept is enriched by a wide range of visions expressing a unique driving experience and way of life only a MINI is able to evoke.

All innovations presented in the MINI Crossover Concept are conceived to expand that characteristic MINI feeling by yet another new dimension.

The innovative character of the new car comprises its body design as well as the drivetrain, the interior and the control concept. Indeed, offering options and versatility of this kind, the MINI Crossover Concept opens up new dimensions in mobility also beyond urban life.

All-wheel drive - the foundation for a new MINI feeling.
A new MINI offers more - and does so in unique style every time.

The MINI Crossover Concept clearly expresses this principle, its all-wheel drive serving to give the new model an even wider range of practical use in new areas and a new experience on routes already driven. But in doing so the MINI Crossover Concept is not limited to the usual status of a conventional all-wheeler. Rather, to offer its additional mobility potential even more consistently, the Concept Car comes with numerous design features making it an all-round talent for a unique experience in everyday life, for enjoying leisure time to the utmost, for adventure travels of all kinds and for travel planning. Hence, the MINI Crossover Concept looks at new objectives and, at the same time, new target groups.

Four metres in length - more calibre, more options.

As a consistent enhancement of the MINI model family, the MINI Crossover Concept offers new calibre and new format in every respect. This is the first MINI to measure more than four metres in length. And measuring 1,830 millimetres/72.0″ in width as well as 1,598 millimetres/62.9″ in height, the MINI Crossover Concept goes beyond the existing production models from MINI also in this respect. Wheelbase, finally, is 2,606 millimetres/102.6″, again ensuring an even more powerful stance on the road.

These exterior dimensions of the Concept Car are a clear symbol of the quest for additional options in driving the car and in the new, enhanced driving experience.

The MINI Crossover Concept offers extra space and mobility at the rear as well as a capacity to transport never seen before in a MINI. Added to all this, there is enhanced flexibility in splitting up the interior space, catering for all individual wishes and demands.

Combining its unique design with outstanding agility by no means restricted to the beaten track alone, the MINI Crossover Concept holds a unique position within the MINI segment. At the same time it clearly stands out as a member of the MINI model family through the appropriate re-interpretation of design elements typical of the brand. The MINI Crossover Concept thus symbolises the breakthrough into a new category of vehicles, broadening the appeal of the brand to an even larger target group.

Four doors - new diversity through asymmetric arrangement.

With two doors on each side of the car, the MINI Crossover Concept offers particularly comfortable access to the rear. Here again, therefore, the new model enhances the options and qualities offered so far by the existing body concepts of the MINI.

But even this is not all: The MINI Crossover Concept is not a four-door in the classic sense, as is clearly expressed by the asymmetric arrangement of the doors in the Design Study. A conventional arrangement of doors is to be found only on the front passenger’s side, while on the driver’s side the MINI Crossover Concept comes with a conventional door for the first row of seats plus a lift/sliding door moving along the outside for convenient access to the rear and for loading the car from the side. And by dropping the B-pillar on the driver’s side, the MINI Crossover Concept exhausts the potential of this generous opening to an even higher degree. Frameless side windows, finally, are yet another feature of this truly exceptional four-door.

The rear door swivelling to one side, together with its frameless and retractable rear window, likewise offers an even higher standard of practical use and most convenient loading conditions. Thanks to the large opening and the low loading sill, sports equipment and other, even bulkier objects can be loaded conveniently into the luggage space offering even larger capacity when required by lowering the individually folding rear seats completely into the floor of the car with the help of a parallelogram kinematic mechanism.

Storage capacities may then be increased even further by a transport case fitted outside on the rear door. And last but certainly not least, the roof rail system available on the MINI Crossover Concept is simply ideal for fitting ski, snowboard and bicycle carriers as well as transport boxes of all sizes.

The roof structure of the MINI Crossover Concept offers further options in enhancing everyday driving qualities and leisure-time enjoyment. As a folding roof cover extending throughout the entire length of the roof, the roof structure may be opened both from the front and from the rear, letting either fresh air or warm sunshine into the car - or both, depending on the driver’s and passengers’ wishes.

The opening at the rear also serves to accommodate extremely long objects transported in the car, ranging from a surfboard all the way to cross-country skis. So even in this case, transporting anything the driver wishes to take along is easy and convenient.

Four single seats - for maximum comfort inside the MINI.

The MINI Crossover Concept stands out not only as an unconventional, but rather as a truly exceptional four-seater. The single seats at the rear, to mention perhaps the most significant highlight, come in the same contours as the driver’s and front passenger’s seats and are adjustable by 13 centimetres or 5.1″ fore-and-aft. So depending on individual requirements, the rear seats offer either lounge-like legroom or additional storage capacity in the rear compartment.

The MINI Center Globe - a new vision of the central instrument of the future.

Featuring their round Central Display right in the middle of the dashboard, the current MINIs already boast an interior design feature quite unique and unmistakable in its look. Indeed, this multi-function display serves to conveniently control all major entertainment, telecommunication and navigation functions, providing the speedometer function around its outer circumference.

Now the MINI Crossover Concept introduces the consistent enhancement of this display and control concept: the MINI Center Globe. For the first time, therefore, the central display and control unit is designed in this Concept Study as a globe. This three-dimensional layout allows even more consistent integration of functions and the appropriate presentation of information and entertainment options. In addition to the vertical and horizontal display features currently available, the new instrument adds a further, three-dimensional element with displays stratified on various levels and highlighted to a greater or lesser degree, depending on the driver’s and front passenger’s requirements. The current speed of the car, finally, is shown as before in typical MINI style on the display round the edge.

To clearly, flexibly and legibly present all information at all times, the MINI Center Globe comes with ultra-modern laser projection technology. With its unique optical features, the laser projector allows simultaneous presentation of pictures on various levels, with a varying focus and in powerful colours.

Benefiting from this technology never seen before in an automobile worldwide, the MINI Crossover Concept is also able to optically separate the MINI Centre Globe into two hemispheres. These adjustable, moving hemispheres then enable the driver and front passenger to present and view different pictures recognisable only from their individual perspective. In other words, the front passenger may for example surf the net while the driver maintains his free view of all displays and instruments.

To provide this special effect, the hemisphere facing the front passenger closes down from the other side and acts as a projection surface presenting the pictures required.

The MINI Centere Globe presented in this Design Study already shows today what options are conceivable in terms of navigation, communication and entertainment in the car of the future, using innovative technologies of this outstanding calibre.

The driver and/or front passenger operate the MINI Centre Globe by a touch-sensitive surface, a trackball on the steering wheel, buttons and slide controls in the lower section of the MINI Centre Globe, and a keyboard on the front passenger’s side extending at the touch of a button from the dashboard.

Such versatile and flexible use of the MINI Center Globe gives this new control unit the character of an innovative travel companion adjusting at all times to the individual wishes of the driver and front passenger and helping them enjoy mobility in a new dimension wherever they go.

The MINI Centre Globe is additionally linked to the starter system for the engine. Instead of a conventional key, the driver uses a start/stop unit referred to as the Keyball.

To start the car, all the driver has to do is insert the Keyball on the MINI Crossover into the appropriate opening in the upper edge of the MINI Centre Globe. The Keyball then rolling towards the driver along the middle of the MINI Centre Globe. In this position the driver is able to press the Keyball in order to start the engine. Pressing the Keyball again, in turn, he switches off the engine and the Keyball rolls down into its housing bay from where the driver can conveniently remove the ball.

The MINI Centre Rail - a perfect connection bringing the MINI team front and rear together.

Instead of a conventional centre consol, the MINI Crossover Concept comes with a fastening rail referred to as the MINI Centre Rail and extending from the dashboard all the way to the tailgate of the car. This is indeed the connecting unit between the front and the rear seats.

Holders for entertainment and telecommunication devices, cupholders, storage units and boxes may be conveniently attached to this rail and subsequently pushed forward or backward along the entire length of the car.

A special fastening system developed specifically for MINI serves to attach individual items to the Centre Rail, for example an external music player and other devices, storage boxes and holders for sunglasses, gloves, tickets for parking, coins, writing utensils or a travel guide, as well as all other kinds of holders and supports.

An armrest with an integrated storage box, to mention another example, may be attached both at the front and at the rear.

The Centre Rail also facilitates the common use of storage boxes and devices and makes it much easier to pass on food and drinks to the rear-seat passengers while driving.

In the MINI Crossover Concept this pleasure of enjoying all the benefits of motoring together is symbolised by a special collection of dishes and cups made of unique porcelain created specifically for the new Concept Car.

Four sophisticated materials for a truly exclusive ambience.

Such use of top-quality porcelain highlights the exclusive lifestyle character borne out in the MINI Crossover Concept also in conjunction with three further, particularly exclusive materials in the interior: Around the instrument panel genuine wood trim extends across the entire width of the car. The armrests on the doors and the inlays in the footwells, in turn, are made of massive lime wood. Inlays made of specially hardened, lagoon-blue glass, in turn, highlight the door linings as well as the surrounds on the air vents.

Like the door closing handles on the front passenger’s side, the MINI Centre Rail is made of massive, matt-polished aluminium. Looking at the appropriate colours for the interior, in turn, the designers opted for natural, authentic shades, the Dark Green leather on the driver’s seat standing out clearly from the Coffee Brown leather on the other seats. The remaining cloth surfaces are finished in Light Grey and Light Brown, with a soft rubber cover adorned by wood inlays in the footwells.

[Source:Autoblog]