BMW will unveil the next-generation MINI Convertible next year at the Detroit Auto Show. These are the first officials images that were leaked earlier today. And here are the first official images of the car that will go on sale in the spring on 2009.
The new-generation Mini Convertible (R57) will get two new exclusive colors: Interchange Yellow and Horizon Blue (similar to Space Blue). Rumors says there will also be a “Denim” blue.
The convertible version will likely offer the same engines from the current line up. This means internationally the car will be offered with the 95 HP 1.4-liter, 120HP 1.6-liter and 175 HP turbocharged 1.6-liter gasoline engines and a 110 HP 1.6-liter turbo diesel engine (likely only versions of the 1.6-liter gas engine in the U.S.)
Instead of having to wait for the dealership to install the high performance John Cooper Works package, the R57 convertible will have the JCW package available from the factory as an option. It will also still be available with the dealer installed JCW engine kit.
Finally, the highly anticipated John Cooper Works Tuning Kit for the Mini Cooper S (R56) will be available in the United States. Its taken Mini over a year to bring the JCW tuning package back, and according to the manufacturer, the long wait due to EPA certification that has been finally obtained.
The kit will be priced at $2,100 and it will take approximately 2 hours in order to be installed on the vehicle. More details after the official information will be released.
Enjoy some video of what BMW has just declared as the “World’s Quickest and Fastest MINI”. This is a 650-horsepower MINI Cooper S drag racer, built by ABF Performance. The little car ran the quarter mile in 10.48 seconds at 135.16 MPH. It even beat out a Big-Block-equipped Camaro.
Hamann comes with a new performance kit for the Mini Cooper S and Mini Cooper D. Both cars receive a re-programmed serial Motronic which increases the power of 26 hp and raises the maximum speed with 5km/h faster. If the Diesel version has now 136 hp with a maximum torque of 300Nm at 1,750-2,000 rpm the petrol model gets even more performance achieving 204 hp and a torque of 300 Nm at 1,600 – 5,000rpm. The Mini Cooper S is more advantaged as it also gets the SPORTKIT CS 230, meaning that together with the tuned Motronic the car will also feature a new supercharged air cooler. With the help of a Hamann sport muffler, the Cooper S is capable of 230 hp and a top speed of 238km/h.
The Hamann kit also gives some refreshment in design, as an alternative of course. The serial front skirt is improved, reducing the lifting forces and giving a higher stability especially when driving at high speeds. Also the side sills, the roof spoiler and the rear bumper with integrated central exhaust system and rear air diffuser improve the aerodynamics of the car. Even the suspension system was improved by Hamann lowering the car with up to 50 millimeters. Also new 18 inch alloy wheels were added!
If you have a limited budget and still want to tune your Mini Cooper, Eibach demonstrates that with few modifications, you can get maximum driving pleasure with less money. In order to make the car more stable, Eibach installed its Pro-Kit Performance Springs, which lowered the car with up to 30 millimeters and added 17” Borbet LS-type alloy wheels. The interior also received some attention with new cockpit-carbon fiber features made by the specialist Spangenberg. > More
It’s coming…BMW just don’t know exactly when, where or how. BMW wants to sell electric versions of the Mini to the U.S. next summer, but it seems Mini may be having a little trouble getting its hands on enough of its own cars to make it work. Even the original plan to sell 500 Minis in California is not officially in place. Furthermore, there is no official notice of how far the cars can go on a charge or if they will be sold or leased to customers.
BMW has a problem on its hands that most U.S. automakers would kill for—it doesn’t have enough cars. Demand is up for the little autos due to their gas-frugal nature. In fact, Mini USA’s Vice President Jim McDowell sees sales possibly slipping because it can’t meet current customer demand. So once that happens, BMW may finally be able to pluck a few Minis off the lot and charge ‘em up.
Catalogated as one of the smallest cars on the streets, the Mini Cooper remains on of the best looking vehicles on the market.
With the new body kit from ICC Tuning the looks of the car are improved and a plus of sportivity is added. With a price of 1100 euros the kit from the well-known tuning company contains a re-designed front bumper, new side skirts, re-designed rear bumper and a new hood. Also new headlights are available plus the 17” alloy wheels.
The second generation MINI Cooper hardtop earned impressive scores for front and side impact and roll-over testing in the latest National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) testing.
In the NCAP side impact testing, the 2008 MINI Cooper received a 5-Star rating for front seat occupant side-impact protection - the highest rating issued by NHTSA. In the same test the MINI Cooper received a 4-Star rating for rear seat occupants.
In frontal impact testing the MINI Cooper received a 4-Star rating for both front seat occupants. In addition the MINI Cooper carries a 5-Star rating for rollover safety.
"We are delighted that the NHTSA tests confirm MINIs excellent occupant protection in crash situations" said Jim McDowell, Vice President of MINI USA. "It is a testament to the level of safety we engineer in our cars, making MINI one of the safest small cars on the road today."
Mini will unveil at the Geneva Motor Show the John Cooper Works Cooper and Clubman. The MINI John Cooper Works will be available in Germany at a price of 27,700 Euros, the price of the MINI John Cooper Works Clubman will be 29,500 Euros.
The heart beating under the bonnet of each of the two new extreme sports cars is that of a racer. The 1.6 litre 4-cylinder engine with Twin Scroll turbocharger and petrol direct injection delivers 155 kW/211 bhp (207 hp US) and develops its maximum torque of 260 Newton-metres (192 lb-ft US) between 1,850 and 5,600 rpm – by means of overboost the torque can actually be increased to 280 Nm. (207 lb-ft US). The power unit is based on the engine of the John Cooper Works CHALLENGE, which will see its premiere at the MINI CHALLENGE 2008. It accelerates the MINI John Cooper Works in 6.5 seconds from 0–100 km/h, the MINI John Cooper Works Clubman manages the spurt in just 0.3 seconds more.
The maximum torque of 260 Nm ( 192 lb-ft US) is available even at an engine speed of 1,850 rpm and up to a level of 5,600 rpm. During acceleration, torque is raised to 280 Nm (207 lb-ft US) by means of a brief increase in boost pressure between 2,000 and 5,300 rpm. This overboost function gives the MINI John Cooper Works and the MINI John Cooper Works Clubman an even more powerful response. The engine reaches its maximum output of 155 kW/211 bhp (207 hp US) at 6,000 rpm. The spontaneous response is also reflected in the car’s acceleration figures. The MINI John Cooper Works takes 6.5 seconds to accelerate from 0–100 km/h, the time required by the MINI John Cooper Works Clubman is 6.8 seconds. Both have a maximum speed of 238 km/h.
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