Autoblog

Mini claims first international rally win

Noah Joseph — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Mini, Middle East

It may not be a World Rally Championship event, but Mini is celebrating its first win at an international rally (at least its first such win of the modern era).

The event in question was the Qatar International Rally, a fully FIA-sanctioned event that kicks off the 2012 Middle East Rally Championship (MERC). Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari (with his brother Nasser as co-driver) edged out the competition by an impressive margin of 2:24.9 in the Mini Countryman JCW Super Production Car - the same vehicle that Prodrive fields in the WRC but with a smaller wing and restrictor plate, and similar to the X-Raid vehicle that recently won at Dakar.

Victory at the event was particularly meaningful for Prodrive, which got its start at the Qatar International Rally way back in 1984 to kick off the first MERC in the Rothmans Porsche 911 SC RS (pictured in the high-res image gallery below).

Continue reading Mini claims first international rally win

Mini claims first international rally win originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Mini wants to make JCW its BMW M, bring diesel models Stateside

Noah Joseph — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Mini, Diesel

As far as the Mini lineup goes, the John Cooper Works models sit at the very top of the performance spectrum. But that's not enough for Mini's (relatively) new chief Kay Segler. The German auto exec came to the post from the M division of parent company BMW, and that's what Segler wants for the Mini brand as well.

So what does a further differentiated JCW line mean for the Mini? That's hard to say at this point, beyond marketing, but we could be looking at even more powerful versions than the 208-horsepower, 1.6-liter turbo four currently employed. With the arrival of the JCW Countryman, Mini will have created Works versions of every bodystyle in its considerable portfolio - and it will have a more powerful 223hp mill on its hands, which could find its way into the rumored upcoming Mini GP edition as well.

More exciting JCW models aren't all that Segler has planned for Mini, however. According to Car and Driver, as U.S. demand is growing for for Mini's diesel-powered models already offered in Europe and other markets. While we wouldn't expect an oil-burning Mini to find its way across the Atlantic in this generation of models, once the next series comes along in the next couple of years, a diesel-powered Mini could wind up in American showrooms.

Mini wants to make JCW its BMW M, bring diesel models Stateside originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Rumormill: Mini could produce John Cooper Works Countryman

Noah Joseph — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:22:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Crossover, Mini, Rumormill

Mini Countryman - Click above for high-res image gallery

JCW Countryman? Sounds like a chain clothing store you'd find at your local shopping mall, but to automotive enthusiasts - Mini aficionados especially - it could only mean one thing: a performance-oriented version of Mini's just-released crossover.

While the thought of the vaunted John Cooper Works badge being applied to a crossover might seem like sacrilege, that's exactly what Bimmer fans - including those within the company - thought before the debut of the M versions of the X5 and X6 crossovers, and that hasn't stopped those models from reaching production. In the shadow of the oddball X6 M, suddenly a JCW Countryman doesn't seem so strange, now does it?

Considering that the base Countryman's turbo four already churns out 184 horsepower (compared to the 172 hp Cooper S hatch), a Works-prepared Countryman could surpass even the JCW Cooper's 211-hp output, driving through all four wheels. Rather interestingly, more than that could put the Countryman into Subaru WRX territory, but we'll likely have to wait a while to see it come to fruition (if it does at all), with sources pegging its potential release in about two years' time.

Gallery: 2011 Mini Countryman

[Source: Autocar]

Rumormill: Mini could produce John Cooper Works Countryman originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Mini JCW World Championship 50 unveiled at MINI United

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 26 May 2009 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Mini, Specialty

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: MotoringFile]

Mini JCW World Championship 50 unveiled at MINI United originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 May 2009 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Geneva Preview: MINI drops the top on the JCW cabrio

Noah Joseph — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 10:58:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Geneva Motor Show, Mini

Click above for a hi-res gallery of the new MINI John Cooper Works Convertible

As far as cute cars go, it doesn't get much more adorable than the MINI. Especially in convertible form. But as the Anglo-Saxon carmaker has shown with the top-spec John Cooper Works versions of the hatchback and Clubman, cute can turn (kinda) mean with the addition of some go-fast bits and next month at the Geneva Motor Show MINI will do just that -- again -- when it takes the wraps off the new JCW cabrio.

Like its tin-topped counterparts, the JCW convertible packs a 1.6-liter turbo four with 211 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque, plus an extra boost in low-end grunt helping the open-air machine get to 100 km/h (62 mph) in a scant 6.9 seconds en route to a follicle-stimulating 146 mph top end. Retuned suspension and electronics, 17" alloys, beefier brakes, Works aero kit, dark grey soft-top and special interior touches, including three-spoke leather steering wheel, special pedals and piano-lacquer trim also form part of the package, which you can check out in full in the press release after the jump and in the photos below.

Gallery: MINI John Cooper Works Convertible

Continue reading Geneva Preview: MINI drops the top on the JCW cabrio

Geneva Preview: MINI drops the top on the JCW cabrio originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Feb 2009 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

eBay Find of the Day: MINI John Cooper Works CHALLENGE racer

Noah Joseph — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 07:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Auctions, Mini

Click above for a hi-res gallery of the MINI JCW CHALLENGE racer on eBay

There are a lot of one-make racing series' being held around the world using exotic equipment like Porsche 911 GT3 Cups, Lamborghini Gallardo Super Trofeos and Ferrari F430 Challenges, but devastatingly fast as they are, none are as impossibly adorable as the MINI John Cooper Works CHALLENGE, rivaled only by the Fiat 500 Abarth Assetto Corse for go-fast cuteness. But while the series takes place in locations around the world, the U.S. series has yet to take off. For most American MINI racing enthusiasts, that will mean holding out a while longer to get their hands on the hottest MINI yet. But at least one sufficiently motivated buyer can have one now.

This solitary American example was privately imported by a buyer in California, who drove it for two hours around Infineon Raceway at Sears Point before deciding to put it up on eBay. The car's features a full race package, including 17" Borbet alloys, adjustable competition-spec suspension and aero kit, electronic telemetry system, AP Racing brakes, competition exhaust, fire suppression system, Recaro buckets with 6-point harnesses and more. Of course, the car is in no way street legal, but it can be had for a Buy-it-Now price of $64,900. Act fast, though... the auction ends today.

Gallery: MINI JCW CHALLENGE racer on eBay

[Source: eBay via MotoringFile]

eBay Find of the Day: MINI John Cooper Works CHALLENGE racer originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Dec 2008 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

John Cooper Works MINI gets base Cooper's suspension as standard

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 09:57:00 EST

Filed under: Tuners, Coupe, Hatchback, Mini

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]

John Cooper Works MINI gets base Cooper's suspension as standard originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Apr 2008 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Geneva 2008: Mini gives us the Works!

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 09:53:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Geneva Motor Show, Hatchback, Mini

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.

Gallery: 2008 John Cooper Works MINI and Clubman

Continue reading Geneva 2008: Mini gives us the Works!

Geneva 2008: Mini gives us the Works! originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Mar 2008 09:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

The real scoop on the MINI JCW Stage II Cooper S

Frank Filipponio — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 15:03:00 EST

Filed under: Tuners, Hatchback, Mini

We've covered the JCW kits for the new R56 MINI already, but it seems we may have gotten some of the details wrong. According to our pal Gabe over at MotoringFile who knows what he's talking about concerning all things MINI, the tiniest division of BMW has two different JCW kits in mind for the R56. We already discussed how the US version of the Stage I kit (shown above) is slightly different than the Euro kit because of the already-upgraded exhaust manifold we get in the States, but we've also learned that the Stage I that went on sale last month produces 192 HP and a hefty 199 lb-ft of torque. That makes the Stage I about equal to the previous-gen JCW GP edition because of its increased torque. But some people want to see a higher horsepower number as well, and that's where the Stage II kit comes in.

The Stage II should be able to match the 218 bhp of the JCW GP, as well as adding even more torque to the mix. The Stage II kit includes a larger turbocharger, a new intake and a reprogrammed ECU. MF is also reporting that for the first time ever the new MINI will be wearing multi-piston brake calipers. The Stage II will be sporting 4-piston pots in place of the customary single piston numbers on all other MINIs. While pricing hasn't been set, MF says the decision has been made to NOT include the JCW Sport Suspension, perhaps because of cost. Unique JCW wheels will also be available for ordering separately when the Stage II kit arrives in the second half of 2008.

[Source: MotoringFile]

The real scoop on the MINI JCW Stage II Cooper S originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Nov 2007 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments