Autoblog

MotoringFile, ground zero on the web for all things MINI, has the scoop on the long-awaited 2009 MINI Cooper Convertible. Someone slipped MF seven official shots of the Detroit-bound R57 Cooper ragtop along with some additional inside information. Obviously, it's based on the current chassis and powertrains, so you know what you're going to get there. Additionally, the JCW package is supposedly going to be available at launch as well.

One of the most obvious visual changes in the new convertible is the use of pop-up roll hoops instead of the fixed units featured on the old car. This, in addition to looking cleaner, should improve rearward visibility with the top down. Speaking of the top being down, the new car includes a cutesy little gimmick called the 'Always Open" gauge. Located next to the tach housing, it tells the driver the percentage of miles driven with the top open. Look also for new paint and top colors outside, plus a new black chrome interior trim package inside. MotoringFile says we'll see the car in showrooms come Spring 2009. Look for more info on the new MINI convertible as we get closer to the Detroit Auto Show. In the meantime, hit up MotoringFile for their full preview report. Thanks to Gabriel for the heads-up.


[Source: MotoringFile]

Click above for a high-res gallery of the JCW MINI

The intrepid (and trustworthy) scribes over at MotoringFile have confirmed with their sources that the softest available suspension tuning in the brand's lineup will be standard on the high-performance John Cooper Works model, while a sport suspension or a dealer-installed JCW suspension kit will be optional equipment. MINI cites the fact that it wants the JCW to appeal to as many potential buyers as possible as the real reason for the decision, though it's a choice that's causing some ire among diehard MINI fans. Some are going so far as to suggest the brand should drop the car's brake upgrade in favor of an actual sport suspension as standard equipment.

[Source: MotoringFile]

click above for live high-res images of the JCW Minis from Geneva

MINI brought out their Works versions of the Cooper and Clubman in Geneva today. Using a fleet of R/C cars and rally legend Rauno Aaltonen (The Flying Finn), they hammered home the idea that MINI's are small on size but big on excitement. We had already seen a ton of press pics so there weren't any real surprises, just a healthy appreciation for these great small cars that now have John Cooper Garage's tuning prowess added to the mix. The JCW Cooper and JCW Cooper Clubman have indeed hit the bullseye for enthusiasts once again. Featuring performance upgrades and new interior appointments, these are the cars that will be used as the basis for the MINI CHALLENGE 2008 race cars.

In JCW trim, the turbocharged MINI 1.6L four now puts out 207 HP. The resulting 0-60 should now clock in at just under 6.5 seconds for the Cooper, while the ever so slightly portlier Clubman is likely to be a tick or two slower. Unique light alloy wheels, a new performance exhaust system, upgraded suspension, and a modified six-speed manual transmission are just some of the mechanical upgrades. Aesthetically, the John Cooper Works models stand out with their distinctive body kits and unique interiors, all for a not-so-mini base price of under $30,000.

Follow the jump for MINI's endless press release.

UPDATE: Apparently these shots are of an accessorized version of the Clubman, and not official pics of the full-bore JCW variant. Thanks to Gabe for the heads up.

Click the image above for more.

With the first few details about MINI's Stage II JCW Cooper S emerging, it was simply a matter of time before we saw a similar package for the brand new Clubman S. As we speculated, the John Cooper Works edition Clubman is somewhat similar to the MINI Challenge safety Clubman that we featured last month. The revised front bumper isn't quite as radical as its track-bound compatriot, but the JCW Clubman makes up for it with a unique stripe design, new exhaust tips, red brake calipers peering behind 18-inch wheels, plus carbon fiber side mirrors and (non-functioning) hood scoop.

Naturally, power output will be bumped up -- somewhere in the realm of 200 HP -- while torque will likely increase to around 200 lb.-ft. Beyond that, expect to see some carbon fiber trim on the inside and an F1-style shift light on the instrument cluster. All standard practice for the JCW crew.

[Source: Autoweek.nl]

Our main-MINI-man Gabe over at MotoringFile procured a handful of shots showing the safety car for the 2008 MINI Challenge, and the series' organizers have commissioned a one-off Clubman S to be built with a host of modifications to make it track worthy. Although there's no mention of what changes were made under the hood, according to the site, a John Cooper Works (JCW) exhaust is fitted and the new rear spoiler will be an option for the Clubman come 2008. The obvious changes to ride height would imply that some serious suspension tweaks were in order, while the new front and rear diffuser could foretell the future of JCW-equipped Clubmans.

You can read over our previous posts about the MINI JCW Challenge racer here and here, and check out more shots of the Clubman safety car here.

[Source: MotoringFile]

Click image for live gallery of this hot new MINI

MINI quietly parked the hottest Cooper ever in front of its booth here in Frankfurt, letting everyone just discover it on their own. It's pretty hard to miss, though. As we told you when the info dropped last week, this new John Cooper Works CHALLENGE is a race-ready hatch with some serious changes to the engine and suspension that add up to a weekend track car for all intents and purposes. Things like new pistons, a reworked turbocharger, new intake and exhaust plumbing, a reprogrammed engine management system, race suspension, and new four-piston brakes hidden behind Dunlop-shod Borbet wheels are just some of the upgrades to make the Cooper race ready.

The CHALLENGE also features a John Cooper Works aero kit with an adjustable rear spoiler, a rear diffuser, and a new front spoiler. The full roll cage inside is a pretty big tip-off that this car means business. It's welded into the car, right behind the upgraded Recaro buckets with six-point harnesses and HANS device. Like we said, it's basically a track car pre-made for racing teams participating in the regional MINI Challenge Series races. You don't HAVE to participate in the series to buy one, so just pony up the €49,900 including VAT and wait until March when the cars will be delivered. If you're a privateer you'll have to wait until next June.

Follow the jump for MINI's full press release.

[Source: MINI]

If you're a U.S. citizen hankering for a factory-tuned R56 MINI Cooper S, you're officially in luck. MotoringFile has received the press release on the new JCW tuning package, and according to our friend Gabe, some dealers already have demo vehicles and you might be able to score a ride in one later this week.

The primary difference between the Euro kit we've reported on before and the kit to be sold Stateside is the exhaust manifold. Apparently, U.S.-spec vehicles are already equipped with the new exhaust plumbing, making the addition to the kit irrelevant.

The kit boosts power to 189 hp and up to 207 lb.-ft. of torque between 1,750 and 4,500 RPM, and while MINI admits that the package equipped on the last generation hatch was cost prohibitive, both with respect to parts and labor, this new kit will come in at $2,100 with only two hours of shop time to install.

The gains in power are provided by a new air filter housing, exhaust and a revised ECU tune, which supposedly provides faster throttle response. On the outside, tuned MINIs also get John Cooper Works badging on the front grille, trunk lid and atop the air filter housing.

After the jump you can scour through all the details, including comparisons in performance times between the stock and JCW-equipped R56.

[Source: MotoringFile]

The first assessment of the John Cooper Works tuning package is in, and the verdict is a qualified "Buy." According to the JCW site, the kit has an air filter ,a remapped ECU, and a central twin exhaust. The test car was kitted out with a host of other JCW fittings, including an aero kit, 18" wheels, and lowered suspension. The now-turbocharged (instead of supercharged, as on the first-gen MINI) S gets 17 more horsepower at 6,000 rpm, but the effect is more massage than it is a Frankenstein job. The traction is great, the exhaust sounds the same from inside but blurbles nicely outside (there are a couple of videos on which to feast), and the car is certainly fast. While he's sure it will beat any R53, it didn't give him the kick in the pants that the old supercharged engine did. In the end, his advice is to buy -- unless you want to wait for the Stage II kit....

[Source: MotoringFile]

click above image to view high-resolution versions of the MINI Cooper S JCW Tuning Kit

We reported yesterday that MINI might be developing two John Cooper Works Tuning Kits for the new R56 model. While we don't have confirmation that their will be two kits, news of one kit has been made official. Today, MINI previewed the official John Cooper Works Tuning Kit for its Cooper S model, which would be the "Stage One Kit" if there turns out to be two.

The JCW Tuning Kit bumps power of the Cooper S up to 192bhp and torque to 184 ft-lbs. Torque can be further bumped to 199 ft-lbs. with an "overboost" function. The power increases come mainly from a JCW exhaust, new intake and remapped ECU software. As for pricing, the kit will cost €1689,80. Prices for the U.S. aren't yet available, but we might learn that at the Geneva Motor Show next week. Being a MINI, the Cooper S JCW model can be personalized with thousands of additional options that include wheels, body kits, seats, etc. Stay tuned and check out the pics in our high-resolution gallery.

[Source: MINI, Motoring File]

BMW has been working on this deal for some time now, and with the level of involvement in design, engineering and testing steadily increasing, the inevitable has become reality. In a deal set to become effective in January 2007, BMW has acquired the rights to the John Cooper Works name to further strengthen the MINI brand.

In what could easily become MINI's equivalent of the BMW "M' brand, JCW now has the engineering and development resources of BWM at their disposal, ensuring the John Cooper Works models a pivotal role in the overall MINI brand strategy well into the future.

[Source: Forbes.com via MotoringFile]