Mini cars

2013 Mini Cooper Convertible Boat

For this year’s Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta, Mini has prepared something rather interesting and unusual for an automaker: a boat based on the Cooper Convertible. This special Chili Red Cooper will be "driven" on water along the Schuylkill River on May 10th and 11th.

This boat was built as a one-of-a-kind project and was developed as part of the MINI USA’s Not Normal sales event last October. It is powered by an outboard motor that delivers a total of 6 horsepower. The boat features a fiberglass mold of the car mounted to a boat hull and comes accessorized with lots of authentic Mini parts like headlights, taillights, grille, steering wheel, badges, wheels and tires. The wheels are trimmed to rotate, so that even though it is a boat, it will appear like a car driving on the water.

The Mini boat was constructed by ACI Composites Inc., based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Click past the jump to read more about the standard Mini Cooper Convertible.

2013 MINI Paceman by Roberto Cavalli

For the 13th time in a row, Mini is preparing a special model that will be auctioned at the Vienna Life Ball for a good cause. This year it’s time for the company’s seventh model - the new Paceman - to dress up for the good cause.

This year’s Paceman Life Ball Edition was prepared by fashion designer Roberto Cavalli who opted for an iridescent paintwork that shimmers from black to brown, depending on the lighting.

On the roof, there is a huge "Robero Cavalli" logo, while the interior has also been completely redesigned according to Cavalli’s personal taste. Still, the company is keeping that a secret until the model will be displayed in Vienna on May 24th 2013.

We’re hoping that the new Paceman by Roberto Cavalli will have the same success of all the previous Mini Life Ball models; for example last year the specially designed Roadster by Franca Sozzani was auctioned for €54,000 (around $71,000 at the current exchange rates).

Click past the jump to read more about the standard Mini Paceman.

Video: Swiss Artists Lu&Lu Turn the MINI Countryman Into an Alpine Art Car

Switzerland is set to become the center of the auto world when the annual auto show opens next week. It’s also important to remember that the 2013 Burton European Open snowboarding event in LAXX, Switzerland is also on-going.

It’s important because MINI is a sponsor of the event and when a marketing opportunity presents itself, you know MINI going to take full advantage of it. So what exactly did MINI do?

Build a Countryman art car, of course; except that this isn’t just any other art car. It’s one that was designed by Swiss local artists Lu&Lu and has been rechristened as the Countryman RE:LAAX!

Using the Swiss Alps as the inspiration, Lu&Lu proceeded to draw an image - or something that resembles it - of the picturesque landscape of the region. And the best part is, they chronicled the whole thing via a video, which need we say more, is a must-watch.

2013 Mini John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4 Dakar Winner

Mini has unveiled a special-edition John Cooper Works Countryman to celebrate the company’s huge success their triumph in the Dakar Rally 2013 where Stephane Peterhansel and Jean-Paul Cottret have driven their MINI ALL4 Racing to overall victory. This new special edition, dubbed the ALL4 Dakar Winner, will be limited to only 11 units - a tribute to Peterhansel’s 11 Dakar wins and it will be sold exclusively in Peterhansel’s home country of France.

On the exterior, this special edition uses the same colors seen on the MINI ALL4 Racing: a matte-black body combined with special bright-green racing stripes. The exterior will be distinguished by Dakar Rally winner’s logo and the Peterhansel’s signature on the bonnet. As with any other special edition, the new John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4 Dakar Winner received new 19-inch light-alloy wheels in Cross-Spoke Crusher design.

On the interior, the same black used on the exterior is combined with green contrast stitching on the gearshift lever gaiter and floor mats and, green stripes on the center console. Each unit will also be further identified by a special-edition logo and with the serial number placed above the glove compartment.

There is no mention of performance upgrades, so we can only assume that this special edition retains the same 211-horsepower, 1.6-liter turbocharged engine that is good for 221 pound-feet of peak torque. This sprints the JCW Countryman to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds.

Video: MINI Countryman Does Crazy Back Flip in the French Alps

The warning disclaimer before the start of the video seems appropriate. Nobody in the right frame of mind should ever try duplicating this stunt, let alone even remotely think about it.

Leave it up to the pros, fellas.

MINI’s participation in the stunt is indicative enough that this won’t be your average performance. See, when you have the German automaker bringing in a heavily-modified MINI Countryman with GRAVIT-T team driver, Guerlain Chicherit, in the setting of the Tignes Ski Resort in the French Alps, you can do a whole lot of crazy things, including performing a 360-degree backflip that clearly goes way past the bounds of sanity.

To their credit, they managed to pull the stunt off and it looks pretty remarkable with the magic of video editing, but for the love of God, this is one stunt that no matter how good it looks, you better need to stay away from at all costs.

Watch the video; that’s all you need to do

2013 MINI Clubman Bond Street Edition

German automaker, MINI has another special-edition model on the horizon and, just like the MINI Hyde Park, the MINI Green Park, the Cooper Bayswater, and the Cooper Baker Street, they’re naming this one after another London street/landmark.

Called the Clubman Bond Street Edition, the specially dressed Clubman is a new take on an old formula for MINI. Special-edition models have always been one of their calling cards and the Bond Street Edition is the latest in a long line of them.

It’s been graced with a lot of exterior and interior refinements, which in this case, work for the vehicle. MINI didn’t go for the splashy route like they’re accustomed to doing; instead, they went for a scheme that’s a little more high class and refined.

Make no mistake, MINI will always be known for its quirkiness; that won’t change. But this time, they left that out of the door in favor of something that actually looks like a classy stand out.

UPDATE 02/20/13: The MINI Clubman Bond Street Edition is headed to the Geneva Motor Show. Watch out for it at the MINI stand, fellas!

Find out more about the MINI Clubman Bond Street Edition after the jump

Video: Mini Attempts the World’s First Unassisted 360-Degree Backflip

It looks like 2013 started pretty crazy for Mini. The company attempted the world’s first unassisted 360-degree backflip in an automobile. Using a specially modified John Cooper Works Countryman and with French daredevil Guerlain Chicherit behind the wheel, Mini proved that the gravity can be defeated.

The Countryman JCW managed to hit a height of about 39 feet, but unfortunately the video does not reveal the landing. However, we do hope it was a successful one. We’re sure the complete video will be launched soon.

As a reminder, the Countryman JCW is powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine that delivers a total of 218 horsepower and up to 221 pound-feet of torque. The car will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 7 seconds and is capable of hitting a top speed of 140 mph.

Our advice to you is don’t try this at home! You will learn everything there is to know about this attempt pretty soon when Mini will release the full details.

2013 Mini Paceman John Cooper Works

The new John Cooper Works version of the new Mini Paceman will be make its world debut in January 2013 at the Detroit Auto Show, but, as expected, Mini couldn’t keep it a secret until then. The first official details have been released today, while full details will arrive in just two weeks.

The JCW version will feature a more aggressive design language, with black exterior paint combined with red stripes, roof and exterior mirrors. Mini will also add in an updated aerodynamic kit and a set of larger alloy wheels. The interior will also be a little bit sportier than on the standard Paceman and will combine the same black and red colors seen on the exterior.

Under the hood, Mini has placed the same powerplant from the Countryman JCW, so no big news here.

Updated 12/13/2012: This review has been updated with the official details, images and specs. Hit the jump to read more about the new Mini Paceman John Cooper Works.

UPDATE 01/16/13: MINI has officially released the base price of the Paceman John Cooper Works. Find out how much it’s going to cost you after the jump.

Video: "Fastest MINI Race Car" Clocks in a Sub-9-Minute Lap at Nürburgring

Back in July, Mini announced that its John Cooper Works GP clocked in an impressive time of 8:23 at Nürburgring, giving due justice to its designation as the fastest production MINI ever.

We’re saying this because a recent video from Sport Auto shows test drive editor Christian Gebhardt getting behind the wheel of a Schirra Motoring MINI Cooper endurance race car, which proceeded to hit the Nurburgring and post a time of 8:58.

It’s an impressive time in its own right, but well short of what the JCW GP accomplished a few months ago. It smashed this time despite the fact that this endurance car comes packed with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that has been equipped with new pistons and high-performance camshafts, netting an output of 300 horsepower and 302 pound-feet of torque while achieving a 0-to-62 mph time of 4.7 seconds and a top speed of 160 mph.

As an endurance race car, the Shirra Motoring MINI Cooper was fitted with a new aerodynamic body kit that comes with a new front bumper, extended wheel arches and a prominent rear wing. The vehicle also carries a track-oriented suspension, high-performance brakes and a set of Michelin racing tires.

Regardless if it failed to sniff the JCW GP’s Nurburgring lap time, 8:58 is still a pretty awesome time any way you slice it.

Spy Shots: 2014 Mini Cooper Reveals its Lights

It’s been a while since we brought you any new details on the next-generation next-generation Mini Cooper, but we believe it’s well worth the wait. Today, however, we finally have some new info for you Mini lovers out there, as our spy photographers have caught the car testing once again. This time around, we got a good look at the car’s real headlights and taillights.

Unfortunately, the daytime running lights where off, but if you take a close look, you will notice a ring around the headlamps with an integrated turn signal. On the back end, you’ll notice that the taillights have grown slightly and, for the first time ever, we get a pretty clear view of the taillight graphics.

The next-gen Mini Cooper will be built on BMW’s new UKL platform and will offer a new three-cylinder engine – possibly several three-cylinder engines – along with the conventional four-cylinder lineup.

The new-generation Mini Cooper will be launched sometime in 2013 and, as previously reported, there will be 10 different body versions offered.