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MINI has created something a bit different with the new Aceman. In doing so it’s become very clear that the strategy MINI is following is to make each new product distinct. And with the full line-up of the new MINI model range complete, we can clearly see how that plays out. But how did they get there and what did the process look like? We have a look at the design process that brought the Aceman to life. From sketch to clay models, MINI had documented the process giving us a glimpse into the thought that went into the new Aceman. So sit back, grab your favorite beverage and take a look at the following photos that walk us through that process. MINI Aceman Design Process The post Photo Gallery: The Design Process for the All New MINI Aceman appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

If you want a new MINI and like the wind in your hair you’ll need to get a combustion model. MINI has eliminated the retractable sunroof on all new electric models moving to a fixed, single pane of glass. But it’s not all bad. There are a few good reasons MINI went this route and even a few benefits. Why has MINI chosen to eliminate the ability to open the expansive glass sunroof? Several factors likely play a role. For one, having a sunroof that opens reduces drag and also reduces range. It’s also not the worst idea to take the small electric motor out of the roof, and simplifying the design will remove weight exactly where you’d want to reduce it. The move will also reduce long-term issues like leaking or even rattles that have plagued some cars in the past. Just ask R50 or R56 owners about leaking sunroofs, for instance. Finally, there’s the cost factor for both MINI and the consumer. It allows MINI to reduce cost and (theoretically) pass that savings on to the consumer with a lower option price. But the real deciding factor was how owners used their cars and (didn’t) use their sunroofs. In the research that MINI did, they found that the majority of owners never or rarely opened the sunroof. With that in mind, it would seem the vast majority of owners would be better off with a simpler, more expansive pane of glass than with the previous retractable sunroof. While we love the feature of opening the sunroof and will miss the option, we wonder how many will truly even notice. What do you think? Let us know in the comments. The post MINI Moves to Fixed Sunroofs Electric Model appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

As with all new MINIs, the Aceman will offer the choice of four trims which group design elements into a single cohesive look. But understanding these difference trims will be essential in understanding how to spec and order a MINI Aceman. MINI’s Trim concepts are the same on the Aceman as they are on the new Cooper and Countryman. However the Aceman has a few unique aspects that tie in with the overall design aesthetic. Let’s take a look. Essential Trim The Essential Trim the standard trim level and features a simple, somewhat basic look. • Limited selection of body colors • Roof in body color • Cockpit and door panels in black • Interior and exterior accents in Vibrant Silver • Radiator grille surround in black Classic Trim Classic is for everyone who appreciates MINI’s iconic looks and timeless design options. This trim brings MINI’s prestigious heritage into the present, with cool technical features and a range color options. • Cockpit and door panels in subtly shimmering 3D knit material in a double tone of black/blue • High-quality Vescin/fabric sports seats with a houndstooth pattern in gray or black • Three-spoke sports steering wheel with decorative stitching and accents in Vibrant Silver • Radiator grille surround in high-gloss black • Optional contrast roof in black or white or with a multi-tone color gradient Favoured Trim Favoured Trim is there most expressive option. It’s for the owner who prefers a more modern, sophisticated look along with playful details. • Cockpit and door panels with knitted material in two-tone petrol/orange pattern • JCW sports seats in vescine in beige or dark petrol with piping and colored accent stitching • Three-spoke sports steering wheel with accent stitching and Vibrant Silver accents • Center console: lockable box • Radiator grille surround, exterior accents in Vibrant Silver • Optional contrast roof and mirror caps or optional roof with multi-tone color gradient JCW Trim For those looking to be a bit more aggressive and motorsports oriented, the JCW trim is the ideal choice. It’s also an early peek into how the full Aceman JCW model will be designed. • Door panels in JCW Black • Knitted cockpit in JCW black with red pattern • Vescin Sports seats with perforated pattern in JCW Black with red pattern and headrests/shoulder areas made of gray 2D knit material • JCW three-spoke vescine sports steering wheel with perforated pattern, gray stitching and • Vibrant Silver accents • Center console: lockable box • JCW sports brake in black with JCW logo The post First Look: The MINI Aceman Trims Designs appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

MINI is putting a lot of energy into the Aceman launch. But What are the plans to bring it to the US? And if it does, when could we see it at dealers? We posed these questions to a few of our sources and got some interesting answers. Based on what we hear, MINI believes that the Aceman has a chance to be the biggest seller in the range within a few years. But first they have to get it on sale in all key markets. Of course that was the original intent. But first cost and then global politics got in the way. Designing and engineering cars for global markets is incredible expensive – especially for a small brand like MINI. Now add to this an entire range of combustion Coopers and a few Countryman and outright cost prohibitive. To solve this BMW had to get creative in how it accomplished both. This is how Spotlight Motors was created. A joint venture between MINI and Great Wall Motors from China, Spotlight was designed to help BMW leverage the scale of GWM along with their expertise in building electric cars. Given the fact that China is now the definitive world leader in volume for EVs, it seemed like a safe and smart move. With economies of scale solved with the collaboration and production set for China, BMW was left to engineer and design the new MINI Cooper and Aceman in Germany. If that sounds too good to be true, it was. A global trade war kicked off just as BMW signed on with GWM and suddenly countries like the US slapped 25-30% tariffs on Chinese cars (among other goods). This all makes importing the MINI Aceman to the US and other countries particularly difficult from a profit standpoint. While MINI ha intended to eventually produce its new electric models in other parts of the world, this global trade ward accelerated those plans and both cars will now be produced in Oxford from 2026 onward. The J05 Aceman being produced in the UK will serve Europe and likely the North American markets. This could allow for US imports to begin by 2026 – only two years away. The key word is “could” as sources tell us final decisions on where the Aceman will be sold are still being made. But things look promising according to our sources. The post Will the MINI Aceman Ever Come to the US? appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

Designing an all new model for a storied brand like MINI is not an easy task. The history and expectations are sometimes at odds with the need for innovation. As part of the Aceman launch, Head of Design Oliver Heilmer sat down to talk about the process and how he and his team took the Aceman from sketch to production. Question: Mr. Heilmer, when you joined MINI in 2017 – how did you develop a vision to lead the models into the future? Oliver Heilmer: Given that MINI is a very traditional brand, the question was: How do you transform such a brand into the future? To answer this, we had to go back to the time when the classic Mini was created to understand the spirit behind Sir Alec Issigonis’s Mini. That helped us envision where the MINI brand needed to head in today’s context. In the next step, together with our very diverse team, we approached this essence of the original Mini and formulated our own creative mindset. And based on this, we developed an overall brand design vision that serves as a guideline for the design of the new products. Q: What was your biggest challenge in developing a completely new design language? OH: The biggest challenge was and is continuous. Dealing with the strong history of the brand. The first MINI was an absolute disruption – that too is part of the story. Now you could say that MINI is disruption and we forget everything that happened before. But then we lose the heart of the brand. Instead, we now talk about independent characters – and the MINI Cooper was an instant icon for us. You get closer to the original idea of the original: strong character, but with as few means as possible – “Charismatic Simplicity” also expresses that. Q: What does the new MINI design language “Charismatic Simplicity” stand for and how is this reflected in the new MINI Aceman? OH: It’s about strong characters and about each family member taking their individual position within the MINI family. If you look at the side, for example, the MINI Aceman has a very unique design language and unique graphics for the wheel arch covers. It is compact, appears agile and has a certain urge to move forward. That’s what makes this character, this charismatic. At the same time, we avoid unnecessary style elements. The exercise was to describe your own character using as few resources as possible. Q: How would you describe the character of the MINI Aceman? OH: The MINI Aceman is both a practical and expressive and unique addition to the MINI family. The Aceman is an independent character that can be edgy and appeals to customers who, regardless of their age, value individuality and personality in urban spaces. Q: The MINI Aceman is the first of its kind. Why is the MINI Aceman exactly the right vehicle for the urban environment? OH: The MINI Aceman fits perfectly into the urban environment as it reinterprets MINI’s classic values in a modern, all-electric crossover format. It offers an elevated seating position that conveys a feeling of safety and generous space without losing the compactness and maneuverability that are characteristic of MINI. Q: What gives you fresh inspiration for the development of new MINI models? OH: Inspiration is never a coincidence, but comes from a regular, targeted exchange within our team, in which each member shares inspiring and fascinating experiences: one builds skateboards, for example, the other lived on a sailboat for two years. I would roughly differentiate between direct and indirect inspiration. It’s all part of the indirect inspiration that fuels this spirit, which can be seen in the materials as well as in the surfaces and in the digital. Direct inspiration can be found, for example, in architecture or fashion. What is crucial, however, is the creative discourse within the team. Q: How do new, sustainably produced materials influence the design process at MINI? OH: Our brand design vision is based on our Creative Mindset, which includes four guiding values: Heartbeat, Curiosity, Responsibility and Daredevil. These values represent our basic principles such as heritage, curiosity for new things, sustainability and the courage to stand out. Sustainability and the responsible use of resources do not mean giving up for us, but rather we explore new possibilities in our creative process. Instead of materials such as leather, we use alternative technologies that allow for more design freedom and individualization, for example through the use of patterns or two-tone colors. For example, the 3D knit as one of the central design elements is inspired by the sneaker industry. And for aesthetic and environmental reasons, we are replacing chrome with our new color Vibrant Silver. Q: Which MINI Aceman design innovation are you particularly proud of? OH: Two things in particular, and they both relate to size: The MINI Aceman is extremely compact because the overhangs at the front and rear are very short. Nevertheless, the vehicle is extremely safe. This is due to truly outstanding engineering work. But it’s not just the things you can see that are special. I would also like to highlight how the feeling of space is handled throughout the interior, so that maximum lightness is achieved. Q: Are there hidden design elements that only become apparent upon closer inspection? OH: The idea behind the little Easter eggs we have hidden is the fact that as a human being you want to be surprised. Not always at first, but also after a certain time. The digital innovation allows for playfulness, so that you can, for example, display the navigation arrow as a small MINI or display a large rotating record on the central instrument. And that’s how Spike came into being, an animal friend who has always been a loyal companion to the brand. And this gave rise to the idea of offering a kind of digital companion. So Spike came into the MINI and now lives in the display, so to speak. Q: In which direction do you want to develop MINI design in the future? OH: As a team, we are of the opinion that the “Creative Mindset” remains a guideline with the same relevance for future products. And at the same time, we will focus even more strongly on the value of responsibility. Curiosity and responsibility – we are currently taking these values with us into the thoughts of the next generation. Q: If there was a product other than automobiles that you could design – what would it be? OH: I could imagine many things, but if I had to choose, I would say: a sailboat. I’ve sailed maybe five times in my life, but I still have a fascination for the water and dealing with the forces that reign there. For my diploma thesis, I designed a trimaran together with a fellow student, with the question of whether “automotive” could be designed in an area of mobility that doesn’t necessarily have to take place on the road. I believe that there is still enormous potential there . The post Interview: Head of MINI Design Talks About Designing the Aceman appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

With MINI’s strategy to go all electric 2030, fans have been wondering what that will mean for the performance oriented JCW brand. While we’re still months away from the official debut, today we’re getting a peek at the MINI Aceman JCW along with some exclusive performance and release details. Because MINI is offering the full JCW body kit wheels and even badging on the JCW Trim in Europe and the UK (under the name Sport), we’re being treated with a full view of what the Aceman JCW will look like. How do we know? For one MINI has followed this formula in the past. But beyond that we have our own sources telling us to expect a near identical look for the full Aceman JCW. MINI Aceman JCW Performance – What to Expect The all electric J05 MINI Aceman JCW will be mechanically revised over the standard SE model. Perhaps most important, we’ll see more power from its single electric motor. While we don’t have official word from MINI, sources are telling us to expect around 260 hp and 300 lb-ft. That’s a sizable increase over the 218 hp and 243 ft-lb from the SE model and should take the Aceman JCW to 60 mph around 5 seconds (provided that advanced traction control works). J05 MINI Aceman EJ05 MINI Cooper SE2025 J01 MINI JCW2025 J01 MINI JCWHorsepower184 hp218 hp260 hp*260 hp*Torque214 lb-ft243 lb-ft300 lb-ft*300 lb-ft*Range (WLTP)183 – 193 miles237 – 253 milesTBATBABattery Size40kWh54kWh54kWh*54kWh*All numbers provided by MINI except * which are confirmed only through unofficial sources. MINI will also be updating suspension calibration as well as offering larger brakes. Expect four piston upfront with a single piston design in the rear. Worth noting that even the JCW brakes will eventually be optional on the non-JCW Aceman from the factory. This means that, outside of a couple minor trim pieces, it will be nearly impossible to tell a real JCW apart from an Aceman E with the JCW Trim. With these performance updates there will be a downside – reduced range. While we don’t have figures from MINI, we’ve been told to expect a slight reduction in range due to the nature of the modifications and the fact that MINI will carry over the battery technology and size from the SE. 2025 MINI Aceman JCW Production & Release Timing The big news here is that MINI is already almost done with the electric MINI Cooper JCW and MINI Aceman JCW development. Both cars will in Q3 of 2024 and will begin production in January 2024. This production will start in China but will expand production to MINI’s Oxford Plant in the UK in 2026. This will likely pave the way for North American deliveries. Until then look for the electric MINI Aceman JCW to be exclusively available in Asia, Europe and South America. But this isn’t the only new JCW offering MINI will be unveiling this year. MINI will be debuting the electric J01 Cooper JCW and the petrol F66 Cooper JCW later this year with production to follow shortly afterwards. Why Is MINI Offering the JCW On Non JCW Aceman Models? Why is MINI offering the look of JCW on the Aceman SE. In the words of MINI Head of Design Oliver Heimler, the brand wanted to give customers the choice of a JCW look without having to compromise on range or comfort. However not all markets will follow this approach. For instance MINI USA intends to keep the JCW Trim you see here off the options list for all non JCW models. The thought is that it should be exclusive to JCW models to maintain exclusivity. In the UK they will offer the JCW Trim but instead refer to it as “sport”. The changes we see in the JCW Trim will all carry over to the full Aceman JCW. This includes prominent JCW specific bumpers which include function diffusers at the front and rear along with radiator grille surround and logos finished in high-gloss black. We’ll also see contrasting roof and the mirror caps in Chilli Red and a JCW specific color (likely Legend Grey) as optional. Rumor has it that all future JCW products will not offer the option of a white roof. What do you think? Does the Aceman JCW tempt you? The post First Look & Exclusive Details: The Electric MINI Aceman JCW appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

The Aceman the first all new model from MINI since the original Countryman in 2010. So to say this is just another new car launch for MINI is a huge understatement. But What does the Aceman look like in the flesh and how does it compare with the rest of the line-up? We’ve got the first ever video and our best view yet of MINI’s all new model. https://youtu.be/JggI-Dt4oKg The MINI Aceman crossover is actually based on the smaller J01 MINI Cooper EV. In fact it’s so heavily connected to that car that it will share all of its drivetrain including its electric motor, battery pack and electronics. In many ways the relationship between the J01 MINI Cooper and the J05 Aceman is not that different than the F56 two door hatch to the F55 four door hatch. The key difference of course is height and proportions which was likely much easier to alter with a skateboard chassis given its fully electric origins. As you can see in the video above it also ushers in a twist on MINI’s new design language. What do you think? Has MINI created another hit with the Aceman as it did in 2010 with the Countryman? Or did they miss the mark? let us know in the comments below. The post First Video: The 2025 Electric MINI Aceman appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

It’s been almost 15 years since MINI introduced an all new model making the Aceman a big deal for the brand. But Can this small crossover live up to the huge expectations? And when (if ever) will we see it in North America? Read on for answers. The electric MINI Aceman might be the brand’s most successful car for this generation of MINIs. That’s what the company’s executives have been saying quietly to the press over the last year. They believe it will be the sweet spot in the range for many people due to its size, price performance and design. But can the Aceman really live up to the hype? And when (if ever) will it come to the US? The MINI Aceman Is the Most MINI-Like Crossover Yet The MINI Aceman might just be the best modern embodiment of Mini creator Alec Issigonis’ philosophy that started it all; maximum utilization of space with a minimum footprint. It may not be the smallest MINI in the line-up (that title naturally goes to the Cooper) but it’s not far off all while providing more interior volume than the original R60 MINI Countryman. Aceman is 192mm (7.6?) longer, 130mm (5.1?) taller but only 23mm (1?) wider than the than the new J01 Cooper. The Aceman crossover (or CUV as the industry call it) effectively replaced the Clubman in the MINI line-up. But it’s really not a replacement t all as it’s both smaller and designed as a crossover rather than a wagon. Instead think of it as a product that fills the void left when the Countryman grew in size from the original R60 model to the recent F60 model in 2015. ModelsJ05 AcemanF55 Cooper 5 Door (’14-’24)R60 Countryman (’10-’16) F60 Countryman (’17-’23)U25 Countryman (’24-’32)Length4079 mm / 161 in3982 mm / 156.8 in4097 mm / 161.3 in4298 mm / 169.2 in4429 mm / 174.37 inHeight1514 mm / 59.6 in142.5 mm / 56.1 in 1562 mm / 61.5 in1557 mm / 61.3 in1613 mm / 63.5 inWheelbase2526 mm / 99.44 in2567 mm / 101 in2596 mm / 102.2 in2670 mm / 105.1 in2670 mm / 105.11 inThe J05 Aceman is very close to the original R60 Countryman in size. While the Aceman is .2′” shorter than the R60 Countryman it has more room inside. The original R60 Countryman’s legroom measured 1025mm / 40.4″ while the Aceman delivers more with 1045 mm / 41.1″ – all in a smaller package. Similarly the original R60 Countryman’s front shoulder width is 1341mm / 52.8 which the Aceman betters with a width of 1370mm / 53.9″. So it’s similar to the R60 in size. But there’s another important and more modern analogy that’s worth mentioning. The more you look at the Aceman and its’ stats the more you realize it’s a stretched J01 Cooper with extra doors squeezed in. It’s a formula that MINI has tried before with the F55 five door Cooper. Like the F55 MINI Cooper four door (itself a stretched version of the F56), the J05 is a longer, more spacious J01. The MINI Aceman – Size & Specifications Because of this close relationship with the J01 both the battery and the electric motor output are identical. This gives MINI great economies of scale but it also means the J05 has to use power units and batteries designed for a smaller car. But it turns out that doesn’t mean it has less range. In fact the opposite is true. But we’ll have more on that in a moment. MINI Aceman Full Specifications J01 Cooper EJ01 Cooper SEJ05 Aceman EJ05 Aceman SELength (mm/inches)3858 mm / 151.8 in3858 mm / 151.8 in4079 mm / 161 in4079 mm / 161 inWidth w/o Mirros (mm/inches)1756 mm / 69 in1756 mm / 69 in1754 mm / 69 in1754 mm / 69 inHeight (mm)1460 mm / 57 in1460 mm / 57 in1754 mm / 69 in1514 mm / 59.6 inWheelbase (mm)2526 mm / 99 in2526 mm / 99 in2606 mm / 102.6 in2606 mm / 102.6 inCurb weight (kg/lbs)1540 kg / 3,395 lbs1605 kg / 3,538 lbs1710 kg / 3,770 lbs1710 kg / 3,770 lbsWeight distribution (Front/Rear)F58% / R 42%F 57% / R 43%F 57% / R 43%F 55.8% / R 44.2%Front Overhang746 mm / 29.3 in746 mm / 29.3 in756 mm / 29.8 in756 mm / 29.8 inRear Overhang586 mm / 23 in586 mm / 23 in717 mm / 28.2 in717 mm / 28.2 inLuggage capacity (seats up/seats down300 / 1005 L300 / 1005 L450 / 1450 L450 / 1450 L* We’ve taken both the low and the high WLTP numbers and averaged them. However note that WLTP numbers are historically a bit optimistic compared to real world figures. Weight is interesting here as we see just how MINI has mitigated the heavy battery. While a 3,600 lbs car can’t be considered light, it is for a four door electric crossover. The other number that jumps out is just how close the wheelbase is to the Countryman. This shows MINI has pushed the wheels to the corners as much as possible. One area where there’s a material difference is luggage capacity. As you can see above the Aceman has more than double the capacity with there seats up. That difference decreases slight when the seats are down but it’s still a respectable 1450 liters. How does that compare to the dimensionally similar R60 Countryman? It’s identical with the seats up at 450 liters but the Aceman actually has 280 liters more space with the seats down. Comparing that to the more recent F60 Countryman the Aceman still holds it’s down with an identical luggage figure with the seats up but surprisingly 60 more liters when the seats are folded down. Getting more space out of a smaller footprint is a huge advantage of skateboard chassis EV vehicles as the Aceman proves. The MINI Aceman Range, Performance & Why There’s No All Wheel Drive The electric MINI Aceman’s range is one of the more surprising aspects of this new car. On paper we’ve assumed the MINI Aceman would have less range than the mechanically identical J01 MINI Cooper because it’s larger and heavier. Yet MINI’s official numbers tell a very different story. The Aceman in fact has a slightly more efficient, generating a few more miles of range in both E and SE models. J05 Aceman EJ05 Aceman SEJ01 Cooper EJ01 Cooper SEPower184 bhp218 hp184 hp218 hpTorque214 lb-ft243 lb-ft214 lb-ft243 lb-ft0-62 mph (0-100 kph)7.9 seconds7.1 seconds7.3 seconds6.7 secondsTop Speed160 km/h / 99 mph170 km/h / 106 mph160 km/h / 99 mph170 km/h / 106 mphBattery Size42.5 kWh 54.2 kWh 42.5 kWh 54.2 kWh Battery Usable Size38.5 kWh 49.2 kWh 38.5 kWh 49.2 kWh WLTP Range294 – 310 km / 183 – 193 miles382 – 407 km / 237 – 253 miles295 – 305 km / 177 – 190 miles388 – 394 km / 234 – 250 milesWLTP Range (Averaged)302 km / 188 miles394.5 km / 245 miles296 km / 184 miles390 km / 242 miles Naturally range will vary depending on the temperature you’re operating the Aceman in. Just like the electric Countryman SE we detailed last month, expect a noticeable drop in range when temperatures dip below 40F. Looking at the Countryman SE data (which should be directionally similar) the best case scenario for range are moderate temperatures and urban driving. That would mean the worst case scenario is driving the on the highway in -14°F temperatures. What we found was that the the Countryman SE could see as much as a 50% drop from its 332 mile range in extreme cold and driven on highways. This is why it’s hard to make efficiency a single number data point. Why the MINI Aceman is Front Wheel Drive Only In what might be a major oversight by MINI, the forthcoming electric MINI Aceman Crossover will not be offered with all wheel drive even as an option. Never mind that BMW’s advanced traction control (pioneered in the BMW i3) makes all wheel drive less required even in snow, it’s a comfort factor for potential customers. Why? It all starts with the J01 electric MINI Cooper that the Aceman is based on. The J01 chassis was never designed to offer a two engine layout that would allow for which all wheel drive in an electric vehicles. This engineering choice unfortunately means the Aceman as little if no off-road credentials other than well groomed trails. But this decision may be a strategic one by MINI. MINI has been very keen to differentiate the Aceman from the Countryman in terms of price and equipment. What better way to clearly mark out the difference between the two by making the smaller, cheaper model not available with AWD. The thought is likely that, if a buyers wants AWD, they’ll likely be ok with spending more on a larger car to get it. Another is likely cost. Keeping the Aceman front wheel drive immediately keeps prices lower even in high-spec models. That’s important because MINI wants the Aceman to be an entry point for consumer into the brand that need more room than the new electric Cooper. In effect it’s taking the place of the four door Cooper in the electric line-up and not the larger Clubman. Finally there’s efficiency. MINI Countryman C for instance has better range than the all wheel drive SE and we can imagine the same would happen with an all wheel drive Aceman. While the Countryman’s higher range can accommodate a slight decrease, the Aceman is offered exclusively with the smaller and lighter J01 Cooper’s drivetrain configurations. While the range isn’t bad, it’s not a strong suit of the Aceman. Adding all wheel drive would likely bring that range figure down even figure making it a tough sell. The Aceman Creates a Twist on the New MINI Design Language The Aceman has taken a bit of a twist on the “Charismatic Simplicity” design language that MINI has developed for its new range. The look is more angular and dare we say it, aggressive than the new J01 or F66 Coopers. Comparing it to the Countryman, the Aceman has much more blunt face and shorter overhangs which gives it a more MINI-like appearance. You could even say it’s stylistically more aligned with the R50 and the R56 design linage than the more recent F56 MINI Cooper. Of course this being a vehicle based on a skateboard chassis, MINI could have gone much more radical. Instead designers have thoughtfully pushed the MINI design DNA to create a distinctive new character within the brand. Where the J01 has done away with the black cladding for instance, the Aceman not only embraces it but takes it to a level beyond what we’ve seen from MINI. But MINI hasn’t just made the cladding bigger. Designers have been much more expressive in the way the metal is formed in the fenders and lower part of the doors. It’s how the plastic fenders and sill integrate with these dimensional areas of the car that is new and (to our eyes) really interesting. Similar to all new MINIs, the JCW Trim (or sport trim in the UK) will feature gloss black trim in place of MINI’s traditional unpainted textured plastic. Taut is not a work that typically comes to mind with MINI’s surface design but on the Aceman is completely makes sense. The body surfaces almost feel stretched over elements under the skin creating the feel of a honed and athletic vehicle. While there’s more happening within the surface detail of the Aceman as compared to the new Cooper or Countryman, it’s still relatively minimal compared to previous MINI generations. There are no faux vents or scoops and the ornamentation is kept to a minimum. Around back we see this layout with a simple form that’s defined by the hatch itself. The license plate, like the Countryman is below the hatch and part of the upper portion of the bumper. The lighting both front and back is unique and features MINI’s now well known lighting signatures that we’ve seen on the J01, F66 and U25. That allows owners to change the day-time running light graphic subtly changed the character of the car. MINI Aceman Trim Options The MINI Aceman is available in four different trims. An oblong-shaped badge in the design of the respective equipment variant is attached to the front area of the side sill. The Essential Trim is the most minimal highlighting certain functional parts in the new Vibrant Silver (think champaign) finish. The Classic Trim features contrasting roof and exterior mirrors in black or white. The front grille is finished in high-gloss black, while the inner surface of the grille and the bumper are finished in body color. The Favoured Trim offers the most expressive options including a Multitone Roof, combined with white mirror caps and a grille frame in Vibrant Silver. The JCW Trim (sport in the UK) has its very own distinctive front and rear design that sources tell us is directly based on the forthcoming full JCW model coming later. The front grille features a frame and the variant-specific JCW logo in high-gloss black, while contrasting roof in Chili Red and red bonnet stripes are exclusive options. You’ll also get gloss black trim, unique rear spoiler and defuser along with two JCW specific wheels. The MINI Aceman Interior and MINI OS9 If this looks mostly familiar that’s because it is. Inside the J05 Aceman will be leverage the J01 Cooper’s interior layout with a couple of important exceptions. That means we’ll see the seats and exact center stack design from the J01 and not the larger center stack from the Countryman. This will include the J01’s seat mounted armrest, slimmer center console and more horizontal smartphone charging area. However there are some interesting changes. Top of the list is what appears to be a functional dash strap placed in front of the driver. On the J01 MINI Cooper this strap was intended to be functional but was safety concerns derailed those plans. When we spoke with head of MINI Design Oliver Heilmer you could clear see his disappointment that they couldn’t seen the original intended concept through to production. However it would appear MINI Design has done just that by placing the strap behind the steering wheel getting around any safety concerns. We have yet to know what it’s made of and its intended usage and we could be wrong about it being functional. But the amount of images taken of it from official MINI sources and the visual clues certainly look promising. The other change in the front of the Aceman over the J01 Cooper are the door cards which angle downward into the grab handle. Like all new MINIs the Aceman’s interior is made entirely of vegan materials. This means we’ll see fabric on the dash and doors and a synthetic leather called Vescin on the seats. If you missed our deep dive into Vescin here’s the top-line. It’s a surprisingly supple material that feels better than the standard MINI leather but not quite as nice as the optional Lounge Leather. But given it’s free, 100% recyclable and (according to MINI) will last much longer than leather it seems relatively promising. Also new are the seats which again are based on the J01. Like the J01 we’ll see heating and massaging options on the Aceman. The massaging function (only on the driver’s seat) gently moves the spinal column of the person sitting in the driver’s seat to reduce muscular tension and fatigue and prevent lower back pain. The massaging function is tied to a couple of the experience modes and can also be turned on independently with varying intensity. As with the Countryman, the rear of the Aceman offers space for three passengers. And like the Countryman the 60:40 folding rear seat backrest, allows the luggage compartment to be extended from 300 litres to up to 1,005 litres as required. When we first saw MINI’s radical circular display in spy shots we were blown away and excited to see the brand trying something unique. And now that we’ve used it across several cars and on the road we’re even more impressed. While it may seem like unusual design given the rectangles we’re all used to, it feels very natural in person thanks to the way MINI has organized the information and the UI powering it. The UI is intuitive and entirely unique. While early builds of the software have had a touch of lag, we’re told that forthcoming updates will eliminate that issue entirely. Which is great because the experience is nothing but amazing. With a diameter of 240 mm, the central instrument features an extremely flat design and a high-quality glass surface. OS9 enables all driving functions to be operated by touch or voice. And for the first time in a MINI, voice control works almost perfectly. In our early experience with the system, the standout feature is MINI’s all new navigation system with optional augmented reality. The AR view overlays mapping graphics on a live video feed in the top of the circular display helping to literally paint directions on the road in front of you. On the bottom is a top-down map view which is perfectly synced with the video and gives you a full picture of where you are as you get clarity on when and where to turn. It worked flawlessly for us and felt like a game changer for urban environments. The presentation of the vehicle-related data is minimalistic and all very intuitive. Speed is ever present and (like all new MINIs) a tap on it brings up a classic speedometer. The other widgets are shown in thumbnail view in the Home menu, to the left and right of the current menu function. These can be moved to the center and selected by means of a horizontal swiping movement. In the lower area of the OLED display, the menu items Navigation, Media, Telephone and Climate can be selected directly at any time. Like all new MINIs the Aceman also offers Experience models. We won’t go into detail here as we’ve covered it exhaustively before. But if you missed our initial coverage, check out our full look here. In brief, MINI Experience Modes enhance the interior with what MINI calls immersive user experiences. Like other new MINIs, the Aceman’s two projector units beam special illuminated graphics onto the dashboard with differing patterns and colors. Changes are made to the color scheme of the light patterns and to the ambient lighting in the entire interior depending on the Experience Mode selected. The newly created MINI Driving Sounds enhance the experience of all-electric driving in a way that will delight you At least it did that for us in our experience in the electric MINI Countryman SE with the same system. Together with specific graphic elements on the OLED display, Experience Modes create a nearly immersive experience intended to bring some joy to the drive. Among the eight modes available for selection, Personal Mode offers innovative options for customising the cockpit. In this mode, a personally selected image can be uploaded from a smartphone via the MINI app and chosen as the display background. A digital colour picker then identifies the dominant colours of the photo for projection onto the textile dashboard surfaces. The ambient lighting under the dashboard and in the door mirror is also colour-coded to match these projections. The other modes available for selection are Go-Kart Mode, Vivid Mode, Core Mode, Green Mode, Timeless Mode, Balance Mode and Trail Mode, each of which focusses the display on a “Mode App” to match the ambience. Will the MINI Aceman Come to the United States and the rest of North America? Designing and engineering cars for global markets is incredible expensive. Doing that for both an electric and internal combustion range is incredibly expensive. And for a small brand like MINI, it’s downright cost prohibitive. So BMW had to get creative in how it accomplished both. Enter Spotlight Motors – a joint venture between MINI and Great Wall Motors from China. The idea is simple – leverage the scale of GWM along with their expertise in building electric cars (China is now the definitive world leader in volume for EVs), while engineering and designing the new electric MINIs in Germany. If that sounds too good to be true, it was. A global trade war kicked off just as BMW signed on with GWM and suddenly countries like the US slapped 25-30% tariffs on Chinese cars (among other goods). This all makes importing the MINI Aceman to the US and other countries particularly difficult from a profit standpoint. While MINI ha intended to eventually produce its new electric models in other parts of the world, this global trade ward accelerated those plans and both cars will now be produced in Oxford from 2026 onward. The J05 Aceman being produced in the UK will serve Europe and likely the North American markets. This could allow for US imports to begin by 2026 – only two years away. The key word is “could” as sources tell us final decisions on where the Aceman will be sold are still being made. But things look promising according to our sources. J05 MINI Aceman Release Info The MINI Aceman will begin production this November with deliveries likely commencing in December. Both the E and SE will kick things off with the JCW variant scheduled for production early net year. Look for pricing to be released regionally in the coming days. Aceman ModelStart of Chinese ProductionStart of UK ProductionJ05 MINI Aceman E11/2024*03/2026J05 MINI Aceman SE11/2024*03/2026J05 MINI Aceman JCW01/2025*06/2026* Based on our sources and not confirmed MINI Aceman Photo Gallery The post Premier: The Electric MINI Aceman is The Brand’s Smallest Crossover Ever appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

There’s no question that some markets are seeing slowing sales of EVs for a variety of reasons. Yet on the other hand we’re also seeing hybrid sales surging with many believing they offer an ideal combination of electrification without the need to rely on fledgling charging network. Could this shift in customer demand change how MINI thinks about hybrids enough to bring them back? MINI decided years ago that they would go all in on EVs or internal combustion engines (ICE) with no hybrid options. So much so that they decided against creating a Countryman version of the BMW X1 Plugin Hybrid. Is there enough of a shift in demand that MINI could change their mind? First let’s talk about the new BMW X1 Hybrid and why it’s such a big step-on from the previous Countryman hybrid. There’s a 150 hp combustion engine coupled with a BMW eDrive power unit creating a total output of 177 hp. But the most impressive thing is the 56 miles of range – a massive step-up from the 18 miles in the F60 Countryman hybrid. That range would be enough for most commutes and effectively make it a pure electric vehicle if you had at-home charging. Is it possible for MINI to really make this move? Developing a car takes years but given the commonalities of the Countryman and there X1 and the proven nature of the hybrid system in it, we’d guess that the to market could be as little as 2-3 years. If that’s the case (and that’s a big if) we could see MINI bring a hybrid Countryman to market by 2026 – 2027. Here’s where the unknowns come into the picture. The official end of production for the current petrol powered U25 Countryman is 12.31.30. If that date holds, that would mean MINI would have the PHEV (plugin hybrid electric vehicle) Countryman on sale for a little over three years. Could they make enough back on the investment with three years of sales? This all presupposes that MINI would stop selling the Countryman on that date. With the EU and the UK solidifying their ICE bans at 2035, there’s room for MINI to push out that end date and continue selling the Countryman perhaps in PHEV form until 2035. If so we could see yet another multi-stage LCI similar to the F56 over the past decade. And this is not to mention the North American market which could be fertile ground for sales given the expansive geography and the lack of a thorough charging infrastructure. What do you think? Should MINI bring back the plugin hybrid Countryman and would you buy one? Let us know in the comments. The post Could MINI Re-Introduce the Hybrid Countryman as EV Sales Slow? appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

The new MINI Countryman has made it to the US. As we speak it’s filtering into dealers as we speak and Americans are getting their first look at the larger, more advanced Countryman. Here’s how we can see it for yourself. The new U25 MINI Countryman is heading to dealers for MINI USA Roadshow. The idea is simple – MINI USA will travel from dealer to dealer bringing the new Countryman to the masses. Starting April 9 through the end of May, the roadshow will follow four regional routes concurrently, across MINI’s central, southern, eastern and western region dealer networks. You can find more information and sign up here. In addition to this there are also demo vehicles that are starting to show up at dealers as well. These cars will be fully accessible for test drives ahead of official sales in May. We had a chance to watch a number of MINI owners experience the new Countryman for the first time and in our brief and limited experience – reactions are very positive. The first thing people notice is the size change. And then there’s the interior. We heard lots of excitement about the new circular screen and lots of questions about the fabric doors and dash. What about you? Have you had a chance to see the al new Countryman at your local dealer? We’d love to hear from around the world what you’ve experienced and your thoughts. New 2025 MINI Countryman Gallery The post First Pictures: The 2025 MINI Countryman Has Landed in the US appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

Over the past few days we’ve been going into extreme detail on how the electric J01 and petrol F66 MINI Coopers look nearly identical but are in fact entirely different. Today we’re looking at the specifications that will directly relate to how fast these cars will be. What can weight, power, torque and even wheel track tell us? Potentially a lot. The Weight Penalty of Going Electric with the J01 MINI Cooper First up is weight. We’ve already shown you the 706 lbs weight penalty that the J01 EV caries over the petrol powered F66. But where is that weight exactly and how does it relate to the weight distribution? Weight2024 J01 MINI Cooper SE2024 F66 MINI Cooper S2024 F66 MINI CooperCurb Weight (w/driver)1680 kg / 3704 lbs1360 kg / 2998 lbs1335 kg / 2943 lbsCurb Weight w/driver (front axle)948 kg 852 kg827 kgCurb Weight w/driver (rear axle)732 kg 508 kg508 kg Mass of maximum optional equipment86 kg 69 kg 69 kg Curb Weight (without driver) 1605 kg 1285 kg 1260 kg Weight distribution w/driver (front)56.5% 63.7%63.1%Weight distribution w/driver (rear)43.5%36.2%36.9 %The larger numbers are bolded. All measurements are taken from the EU market. This includes then F66 MINI Cooper which (unlike the US version) still has the 3 cylinder B38. As you can see the J01 has the better weight distribution due to the nature of the skateboard chassis and the battery pack. But it’s interesting to see it’s still front heavy, front wheel drive car despite this. Also interesting is the total weight of the optional equipment on these cars. Power & Torque Figures of the J01 Cooper SE and F66 Cooper S Performance2024 J01 MINI Cooper SE2024 F66 MINI Cooper SPower (BHP)215 bHP201 bHP Power (PS)218 PS 204 PS Power (kW)160 kW 150 kWTorque (ft lbs)243 ft lbs221 ft lbs Torque (Nm330 Nm 300 Nm 0-62 mph6.7 sec6.6 secondsTop Speed170 km/h (105.6 mph)242 km/h (150.3 mph)The better numbers are bolded. All measurements are taken from the EU market. Note that there are some differences in the way the US measures weight vs the EU. The J01 wins out every category until we talk about actual performance. That’s where the F66 MINI Cooper S takes the crown. How is this possible since it’s down on power and torque? It’s that weight we looked at above. It’s simply impossible to overcome an extra 706 lbs with only a 14 bHP and 22 ft lbs difference. What we don’t know is how this car will feel in corners. But we have an idea. J01 vs the F66 – Wheel Offset and Track Now let’s take a look at wheel offset, track and turning circle. Again interesting differences here expose the very different underpinnings of these two cars. Performance2024 J01 MINI Cooper SE2024 F66 MINI Cooper SWheel offset – front40 mm 47 mmWheel offset – rear40 mm 47 mmTrack – front1538 mm1499 mmTrack – rear1538 mm1499 mmMinimum turning circle10.8 m / 35.411.1 m / 36.4 ftThe better numbers are bolded. All measurements are taken from the EU market. Note that there are some differences in the way the US measures weight vs the EU. Performance Conclusions It’s simple impossible to conclude anything with only numbers. But what we have here paints an interesting picture. Yes the electric J01 MINI Cooper is slower in a straight line. However the J01, like all electric cars, has its torque delivered in an immediate fashion. And while it’s heavier, the vast majority of that weight is very close to the ground, mitigating its lateral effects. All of this points to a car that could (despite its weight penalty) feel more eager and nimble in corners. Which begs the question what it would be like on track with both of these cars. Would the J01’s more advanced traction control, immediate torque and better weight distribution help it shoot out of corners more effectively? If so, could the F66’s lack of weight help it claw back that time on the straights? It sounds like a tantalizing race to us. Unfortunately we’ll have to wait awhile until we can drive these two back to back. The post We Find out Which is Faster: The Petrol F66 MINI Cooper vs & Electric J01 MINI Cooper SE appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

MINI has released a handful of new photos of the electric MINI Aceman ahead of its review next week. The all new Aceman slots between the Cooper and the Countryman effectively replacing the Clubman. But the details are far more interesting. The Aceman the first all new model from MINI since the original Countryman. However this new crossover is actually based on the smaller J01 MINI Cooper EV. In fact it’s so heavily connected to that car that it will share all of its drivetrain including its electric motor, battery pack and electronics. In many ways the relationship between the J01 MINI Cooper and the J05 Aceman is not that different than the F56 two door hatch to the F55 four door hatch. The key difference of course is height and proportions which was likely much easier to alter with a skateboard chassis given its fully electric origins. The MINI Aceman Model Line-Up The electric MINI Aceman will initially launch with two models late this year. The entry level Aceman E will have 184hp and 214 lb-ft and would likely fall be in between to an F60 Countryman S in straight-line performance. The more powerful SE will pump out 218 hp and 243 lb-ft and likely see performance figured that eclipse the F60 Countryman S. ModelsJ05 Aceman EJ05 Aceman SEJ05 Aceman JCWPower184 hp 218 hp*250 hp +Torque214 lb-ft243 lb-ft*280 lb-ft +* Estimated Those two models will quickly be followed by a JCW variant that will go into production next January. This model will likely develop well over 250 hp and will offer a variety of upgrades such as larger brakes, a revised suspension and some unique styling elements. You can read much more in MotoringFile’s Aceman section of the website. MINI at the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition 2024 MINI fans can look forward to the 18th Beijing International Automotive Exhibition 2024 as the first show with the entire new electric model line-up. From April 25 to May 4, MINI will be presenting the new generation of the new MINI Family at the China International Exhibition Center in Beijing. As part of the Chinese motor show with the theme “New Era, New Cars,” MINI is celebrating the world premiere of the first-ever MINI Aceman. Together with the electric MINI Cooper in both power levels “E” and “SE” and the MINI John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4 with intelligent all-wheel drive, MINI is presenting the range of its new product portfolio at the Auto China 2024. Auto China has been held in Beijing every two years since 1990. On more than 200,000 square meters of exhibition space, over 700 exhibitors present their portfolio in what is currently the world’s largest automotive market. MINI Aceman Testing The post The MINI Aceman Officially Previewed Ahead of Reveal Next Week appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

Bulldog Racing is going back to the 24h of Nürburgring! The announcement comes as the team finished its successful second test session at the ‘Ring last weekend. The team is bringing back last year’s podium winner, the black #126 MINI John Cooper Works 1to6 Edition along with an undisclosed new car. Both are planning to pay homage to this year’s 60th anniversary of the first Rallye Monte Carlo victory for MINI. The next test session will take place on April 27th. Bulldog Racing looks forward to the challenges and triumphs that lie ahead as it returns to the 24h of Nürburgring. We’ll have much more on the race and the all new race car poised to join last years 1to6 JCW. Until check out how the team did in 2023 and 2022. The post Bulldog Racing Returns to the 24h of Nürburgring for 2024 appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

In one corner we have the all new J01 MINI Cooper is a ground-up electric car designed for the future. In the other is the F66 MINI Cooper, a thoroughly refreshed version of its predecessor and 100% petrol powered. While they appear to be “nearly” identical, there’s nothing shared between beyond the logos. But just how different are these cars? We went deep into the data for an exclusive look you won’t find anywhere else. Exterior Dimensions: J01 MINI Cooper SE vs F66 MINI Cooper S First let’s take a look at the exterior dimensions of the J01 and the F66. We’ve also included the F66 predecessor the F56 to give provide a baseline for a car we all know. Dimensions2024 J01 MINI Cooper SE2024 F66 MINI Cooper S2023 F56 MINI Cooper SCurb Weight (w/driver)1680 kg / 3704 lbs1335 kg / 2943 lbs1289 kg / 2866 lbsWheelbase2526 mm 2495mm / 98.23 in2495mm / 98.23 inMinimum turning circle10.8 m / 35.411.1 m / 36.4 ft10.8 m / 35.4Overhang front746 mm 778 mm / 30.6“775 mm / 30.5″Overhang rear 586 mm / 23″603 mm / 23.7“609.6 / 24″Vehicle height1460 mm / 54.4″1432 mm / 56.4″1415 mm / 55.7″Vehicle length3858 mm / 151.6″3876mm / 152.6“3863mm / 152.8″Vehicle width1756 mm / 69.1″1744 mm / 68.6″1727 mm / 67.9″Vehicle width w/mirrors: 1967 mm / 77.41970 mm / 77.6″1928 mm / 75.9″Larger numbers are bolded. All measurements are taken from the EU market. Note that there are some differences in the way the US measures weight vs the EU. As you can see there are some fascinating differences in the car’s exterior demotions. But first let’s look at the weight. Not surprisingly the electric J01 is substantially heavier due to the battery pack. While this weight is very low on the skateboard chassis, it’s still a massive difference and one we’ll be curious about when we finally get a chance to drive these cars back to back. Dimensionally things are all over the place. To make it easier, we’ve bolded the larger numbers above so you can easily see which of the two Coopers are larger in various ways. As you can see each car is quite a bit different. As expected the wheelbase is larger and the front and rear overhangs are smaller on the J01 EV. Because of those larger overhangs the F66 is longer. However with the new platform on the J01, MINI was able to widen the new electric Cooper slightly. And all of this has implications for what’s inside. Interior Dimensions: J01 MINI Cooper SE vs F66 MINI Cooper S The tweaks MINI has made to the exterior dimensions of the J01 directly relate to what we see inside; more room. Despite bring fractionally shorter, the electric J01 MINI Cooper is larger in almost every category. Dimensions2024 J01 MINI Cooper SE2024 F66 MINI Cooper S2023 F56 MINI Cooper SHead room1018 mm / 40″1024 mm / 40.3″1024 mm / 40.3″Head room w/sunroof991 mm / 39″973 mm / 38.3″973 mm / 38.3″Shoulder room1317 mm / 51.81301 mm 51.21285 mm / 50.6Leg room1053 mm / 41.5″1052 mm / 41.4″1052 mm / 41.4″Elbow width1390 mm / 54.71365 mm / 53.7″–Center of steering wheel to seat2141 mm / 84.3″2120 mm / 83.4″2120 mm / 83.4″Luggage seats down800 l / 28.3 ft³725 l / 25.6 ft³ 731 / 25.8 ft³Luggage seats up210 l 7.4 ft³210 l / 7.4 ft³211 / 7.5 ft³Larger numbers are bolded. Note every market measures dimensions and volume slightly differently. We’ve based these numbers on the EU figures to remain consistent. MINI USA quotes slightly different numbers in luggage capacity due to EPA standards. There is no difference between regions. Due to the J01 being so aero focused, designers have made the entire car slightly lower in height. And despite the simpler, non-functional sunroof there’s slightly less headroom. But that’s the only place where the J01 gives up space. Elsewhere there’s more shoulder, elbow, leg and even seat room. Hands-on with the J01 and the F66 MINI Coopers In person the two cars share striking similarities on the surface with seismic differences lurking beneath. The J01 MINI Cooper and a ground-up EV which means it’s all new and designed with a skateboard chassis as a starting point. This allowed MINI to massage the dimensions (as you see above) maximizing space inside. Beyond the numbers this has always (subtly) altered the look of the car. It’s not something you recognize in photos but in person it’s striking. Especially when you see the two next to each-other. The first thing that was starring us in the face was the altered geometry of the J01. The cowl (where the windshield meets the bonnet) is further forward allowing the windshield to be more angled. This was critical in allowing the J01 to have a dramatic increase in aero efficiency. This was a big part of how MINI was able to reduce the drag co-effecient from 0.34 on the F56 down to only 0.26. For an upright small car that number is rather astounding. The more you look the more you see changes driven by the wind. If you could look from directly above the J01 you’d also notice a more tapered rear of the car where the F66 is much more square. This is especially evident if you stand just off the rear taillights looking towards the front of the car. The clamshell bonnet is gone thanks to pedestrian safety standards and the plastic wheel arches have been eliminated due to drag. The windshield wipers are now entirely hidden in the cowl as the result of both safety and aero. Looking at the F66, MINI has taken incredible steps to mirror these changes but couldn’t fundamentally change the shape. Luckily those changes satisfied the brief as MINI didn’t necessarily need to decrease drag on the petrol car. Instead the focus was creating a MINI that looked (to the average consumer) nearly identical to the electric model. The idea is that MINI wants consumers to have “the power of choice” as they say. That allows potential buyers to simply focus on the choice of petrol or electric and not styling or functionality. A Small and a Big Weight Change One of the biggest critiques of modern MINI is that they appear to be getting larger and heavier with every generation. That’s actually not historically true. The R50 (manual) had a DIN weight of 2,535 lbs which then decreased to 2,513 with the R56 Cooper (manual). While that weight finally did go up with the noticeably larger F56, it wasn’t as much as most assumed. The F56’s DIN weight is 2,701 lbs in manual form and 2,756 with the DCT. Given that the F66 will only be available with the DCT, let’s compare those two numbers. The F56 Cooper DCT weights in at 2,866 lbs. The new F66 Cooper DCT has a curb weight of 2,943 lbs, a 77 lbs difference. Given the added emissions and safety additions (and not to mention the new tech), a 77 lbs increase doesn’t seem insane. And as much as this article isn’t about performance stats, it’s important to remember that the new F66 like a win in a world of 6,000 SUVs. Where the real weight gain has happened is on the J01. As expected, the the larger battery in the new SE makes it heavier than the first generation SE. But the difference is still pretty stark. The new J01 MINI Cooper SE weighs 1605 kg / 3,538 lbs vs the F56 MINI Cooper S which weighed 1440 kg / 3175 lbs. That’s a 363 lbs weight gain in a small car. But the trade-off might be worth it. That weight gains gets you double the range (approximately 250 miles) than we saw out of the original SE. F66 & J01 MINI Cooper Launch Details The F66 MINI Cooper is now in production and began reach UK and EU dealers in late March. The rest of the world should see cars in mid to late April. The US will likely see an on-sale date in early May as its production will begin in late March and early April. The J01 has seen early production already at EU and UK dealers but those are strictly demo cars not even to be driven. The official production should begin in May with sales commencing in most of the world (other than the US and Canada) shortly after. The post The F66 & J01 MINI Cooper Dimensions In-Depth Inside & Out appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

Global MINI sales unsurprisingly declined in the first quarter of 2024. With inventory tight and an all new model range soon to arrive at dealers, sales shrank by 9.4% compared to the first quarter of 2023. In the first three months of 2024, 62,107 customers chose to buy a MINI. The United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, China, South Africa, South Korea and Latin America were among the countries reporting sales growth. However most of Europe and the US saw numbers dropped as a combination of low inventory and new models not yet on sale seemed to push buyers to wait. Preparations for the market introduction of the New MINI Family continue at full steam. Late February saw the launch of the new MINI Countryman, which is produced in Leipzig and will be available with an internal combustion engine and as an electric model globally. In the coming months, the J01 MINI Cooper will be released in the market as a fully-electric model next to the combustion engine F66 MINI Cooper. Another crossover model, the new MINI Aceman, will celebrate its world premiere on April 24th, 2024. 1st quarter 2024 Compared with previous year %Global MINI Sales 62,107-9.4% The post Global MINI Sales Down in Q1 2024 Ahead of Full Brand Refresh appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

MINI has gone to great lengths to make the all new J01 electric MINI Cooper and the F66 petrol MINI Cooper appear identical – especially inside. But the more you look, the more you find some important and interesting differences due to what’s underneath. Unlikely Similarities of the F66 MINI Cooper & U25 Countryman The U25 Countryman’s center stack and console is very close to the F66 in overall design. It’s amazing that MINI has been able to create such a similar look given that the J01 and F66 MINI Coopers are based on entirely different platforms. The J01 is an EV platform that’s been co-developed by Spotlight Automotive. On the other hands, the F66 rides on an older, internal combustion platform that secretly has much more in common with the new U25 MINI Countryman. How is that possible? Underneath the skin, the new U25 Countryman rides on an upgraded chassis based on the UKL platform (now called the FAAR) that has underpinned all MINIs since the mid 2010s. Because the F66 is a heavily revised version of the F56, itself based on the UKL, there are some technical commonalities. It’s because of this that we see shared components between the F66 and U25 like seats and a similar layout in the center stack. The J01 on the left has a very different layout than the F66 on the right due to different interior dimensions. The J01 & the F66 MINI Cooper – The Interior Differences Dictated by interior dimensions, MINI had to make some concessions with the interior with the J01. You can see this with the small (but usable) armrest attached to the driver’s seat and tandem cupholder layout. On the other hand the F66 has more room to work with and a more traditional horizontal cupholder layout with a traditional armrest. The F66 MINI Cooper’s angled inductive phone charger is also similar to the Countryman’s in design where the J01 has a more slim, lay-flat layout. The J01 on the left with JCW sport seats and the F66 on the right with standard seats Another difference are the seats. While the Countryman and the F66 Cooper’s two different seats are identical (due to the similar underpinnings) the J01 introduces two entirely new seats. Yes they look identical but they are in fact dimensionally different due to the all new chassis. Eventually the J05 Aceman will share them but they will not be compatible with the F66 or U25. The J01 on the left, the F66 on the right. The doors cards are also quite a bit different in design. Here MINI designers had to work with the existing mechanical and crash structure of the UKL platform on the F66. The result is a layout that’s roughly similar to what we’ve seen in the F56. With the J01, MINI designers were able to completely rethink the door card design. Note the lower door latch and higher armrest. In our time with both cars can see why MINI has done this as it’s a bit more intuitive placement. The J01 on the left an the F66 on the right. Where you grab the door to pull is roughly the same but the J01 introduces a new area that allows for another option to pull the door closed. Again the experience feels a bit more intuitive and ultimately easier to use – at least initially. You’ll also note that the J01 above has the optional H/K audio system’s extra speaker on the door while the F66 (like the F56) places it on the a-pillar. Again that’s due to the existing design of the wiring harness coming from the F56 that has mandated this layout on the F66. We have yet to test the two systems back to back so we’re not sure if there’s necessarily a difference in sound. There’s a lot more here – the vent layout, the dash shape and more. But what do you see? What changes do you like/not like? And what questions do you have? Let us know in the comments. The post the F66 & J01 MINI Cooper Appear Identical Inside, Until You Look Closer appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

On the face of it, it would appear that MINI USA has dramatically raised the price of the Countryman with the all new model for 2025. The base price for the cheapest countryman has gone up $6,250 with the U25. But you don’t have to dig deep to see that this isn’t much of a price increase at all. In fact it may be a bargain if you look closer. Let’s start with the models. For 2025 MINI has completely dropped the Countryman Cooper from the line-up (now known as the Countryman C in other markets). And they’ve even dropped the front wheel drive Countryman S from the line-up as well. The reasoning is simple. According to MINI USA buyers in the US market simply were interested in those models in mass. So they’re turned their attention on adding more value to what customers seem to want. This makes what was once a higher mid-range model, Countryman S All4, the new base for the range. So it’s an apples to oranges comparison on the face of it. But the new car looks even better when you realize what you get for the money. The U25 Countryman (as it’s known internally at MINI) is not just 5″ longer. It offers has a noticeable performance boost with 241 hp and 295 lbs of torque. That’s up from 189 hp and 204 ft lbs. Then there’s the tech which is dramatically improved with a unique circular infotainment screen and advanced features such as L2 autonomous driving and augmented reality navigation. Finally there’s the standard equipment. As you can see below, MINI is adding things like dynamic cruise and navigation as standard for 2025. In fact if you look at the 2024 Countryman S All4 you’d need to add the Signature Trim just to get close to the 2025 Countryman S All4 standard equipments. By doing that your 2024 Countryman would then start at $37,500, only $900 less than the larger faster and more capable 2025 model. 2025 MINI Countryman S All; US Market Standard Features, Packages & Options 2025_MY_Countryman_Options_and_Equipment_Download Unlike Europe, The US Will Not Get Subscription Pricing A huge sigh of relief here. MINI USA has decided against a subscription model for high-end software features. Where European markets will be charging monthly or annually for features like Augmented Reality Navigation and L2 Autonomous Driving, MINI USA has rolled those costs into upfront pricing. Given the general backlash for subscription pricing in the automotive world, that will likely be welcome news to most. 2025 MINI Countryman S All4 Official US Market Pricing Now let’s look at the final pricing itself. Like before option pricing very much depends on the trim you opt for. However things are a bit simpler in 2025. MINI has reduced the trim levels down from three to two; Signature Plus and Iconic. Signature Plus comes with the car and Iconic is a $3,200 option that not only (nearly) loads the car but also makes any remaining options either free or moderately priced. 2025_MY_MINI_Countryman_US_Pricing_Download For much more check out our 2025 MINI Countryman Ordering Guide. 2025 MINI Countryman S All4 Gallery U25 MINI Countryman S The post MINIUSA Prices the 2025 MINI Countryman S at $38,900 with Loads of Standard Equipment & No Subscription Pricing appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

The all new 2025 MINI Countryman S is finally making its official US debut. But you won’t see it at an auto show or other large event. Instead MINI USA is bringing the party to 96 MINI dealers around the nation and inviting MINI enthusiasts to experience it first hand. MINI USA is creating a roadshow that will travel from dealer to dealer bringing the new Countryman to the masses. Starting April 9 through the end of May, the roadshow will follow four regional routes concurrently, across MINI’s central, southern, eastern and western region dealer networks. You can find more information and sign up here. The 2025 MINI Countryman S – More Power, Space & Technology The U25 Countryman is a ground-up rethink inside and out. And it’s inside where we see some real revolutionary moves. But before we get to that let’s talk about pricing. The all-new MINI Countryman S ALL4 will have a starting base price in the US of $38,900. There will be no Countryman models below the S in the US market which means the base price has moved up dramatically. But with that comes a huge increase in performance and standard equipment. In the US, the MINI Countryman S ALL4 sees a considerable performance upgrade with an output of 241 horsepower and a blistering 295 ft-lbs. of torque. But it’s not just the power and torque that’s been improved. MINI has reengineered the car to make it more responsive and agile. That’s important because the new Countryman has also grown considerably. The U25 MINI Countryman is all new and based on the same platform as the new BMW X1 and X2. And since those two vehicles have grown, so has the Countryman. But that growth is more about what customers want. MINI tells us that the data clearly points to owners reluctantly moving away from the brand due size. It sounds obvious for a brand called MINI. But the brand feels they can grow the Countryman slightly while still appealing to those looking for something different and smaller in the segment. So MINI’s answer was to increase the size of the Countryman while introducing a new model to bridge the gap from the Cooper. That model is the electric Aceman which will have a footprint similar to the original R60 Countryman. That strategy was key for MINI being able to grow longer by over 5” and taller by 2”. R60 Countryman (’10-’16) F60 Countryman (’17-’23)U25 Countryman (’24-’32)Length4097 mm / 161.3 in4298 mm / 169.2 in4429 mm / 174.37 inHeight1562 mm / 61.5 in1557 mm / 61.3 in1613 mm / 63.5 inWheelbase2596 mm / 102.2 in2670 mm / 105.1 in2670 mm / 105.11 in MINI has a lot to talk about inside starting with that circular display. We’ve used the system in a handful of new MINIs and have come away impressed every time. But perhaps no more so than on the move when we really got to test (and pressure test) its newest feature. From the L2 autonomous driving to the augmented reality navigation, there’s a lot to take in. So we’ll let our recently published demo of the display and MINI OS9 do the talking. Aside from the infotainment system, MINI has made huge changes inside. The brand has moved away from leather and chrome and leaned into new materials in a way that we’ve never seen from other manufacturers. The result is impressive. The new Vescin leather alternative feels better than the typical leather found in MINIs. While it doesn’t quite match the suppleness of the Lounge Leather options, it’s very close. In fact the grade of Vescin on the steering wheel actually feels just as good. You can read much more about Vescin and why MINI has gone leather free in our exclusive report. For much more on the new Countryman, check out our full U25 section and if you’re in the US, you’ll want to see our 2025 Countryman Ordering Guide. To find the nearest MINI Countryman Roadshow event, visit minicountrymantour.miniusaevents.com. The post MINIUSA Debuts the 2025 MINI Countryman S Via An Official Roadshow Coming to Dealers Nationwide appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

The BMW Group (which includes MINI) and Rimac Technology have officially announced a long-term partnership. And the goal is truly exciting. To to co-develop and co-produce innovative battery technology for selected battery-electric vehicles. What does that mean for MINI? Surely this is meant for some BMW hyper car right? We think this will be much more and will eventually touch future MINI products. The current J01 Cooper E As with most automotive innovations, we see trickle down into the mass market. And with BMWs stated goal of having EVs account for 50% of global sales, it’s clear all cards are on the table. The BMW Group brings battery and electric drive system expertise amassed over more than 15 years to the partnership starting with the original MINI E. The original MINI E As an integral part of the Rimac Group, Rimac Technology stands out as a Tier 1 supplier specializing in electrification in the automotive sector. Its portfolio consists of high-voltage battery packs, e-axles, as well as electronics and software solutions. Rimac Technology products are designed, engineered and produced in-house to offer advanced technology with a high degree of customization. The long-term partnership with the BMW Group is a sign of the Rimac Technology transition from niche high-performance solutions supplier to high-volume Tier 1 supplier. And that’s where we see not just an opportunity for future electric BMW 3 Series (for example) to benefit but perhaps even a (soon to be) full electric brand like MINI. The Vision Neue Klasse The two partners will release more details about what form the strategic tie-up will take, as well as its scope and content, at a later stage. Separately from the new strategic cooperation, the BMW Group is preparing the debut of the sixth generation of BMW eDrive technology, which will bring another significant leap forward in all customer-relevant attributes, such as range and charging time. We’ll see this tech filter into the next generation Countryman around 2028. The post BMW Group & electric Hypercar Brand Rimac Announce Longterm Partnership appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

Who would have thought a video feed of what’s in front of you would be so incredibly helpful? That was our first takeaway as we began to venture out into Lisbon roads in the new MINI Countryman SE. However MINI’s new augmented reality navigation is a legitimate game changer and could make MINI’s navigation system the preferred option over even CarPlay or Android Auto. Before we get into the optional AR functionality, let’s talk about MINI’s new navigation system itself. Built in conjunction with a company called Mapbox, it’s been designed to surpass smartphone apps and typical in-car navigation systems in terms of capability and design. This is particularly evident in the design but also in the way the system renders complex data including 3D building data. In our experience the MINI’s new mapping software and interface is a dramatic improvement and feels as fast with traffic and data that seemed on par with Apple Maps and Google Maps. That’s due to the underlining system’s flexibility to integrate data from numerous sources and providers and push updates continuously. It was particularly interesting to see how it integrated with the electric Countryman SE by showing range prediction and EV-optimized routing. The system was also predictively downloading map data so that in cellular dead zones there was a seamless experience. But it was the design and speed in how it rendered data that was a showstopper. Not only does it fill the entire screen (something neither CarPlay or Android Auto do in their current iteration) but its speed and integration with the rest of MINI OS9 made it feel like the obvious choice as the default mapping software. MINI’s Augmented Reality navigation is enabled by the same array of 12 sensors that powers its autonomous driving features Using the new system in both the Countryman JCW and SE we were amazing at how fluid and intuitive it all felt. And then came its augmented reality functionality. MINI’s new Augmented Reality Navigation How MINI’s Augmented Reality Navigation Works Integrating directly into this new navigation system is the optional AR navigation (option 6UQ). The system helps to orient the driver at the precise moment that a turn is coming up by painting directions on the environment itself via the video feed in the circular display. The augmented reality view sits at the top of the display which we found to be smart placement given that it was closer to our field of view while driving. On the bottom is a top-down map view which is perfectly synced with the video and gives you a full picture of where you are as you get clarity on when and where to turn. It worked flawlessly for us and felt like a game changer for urban environments. Augmented Reality Navigation: Availability and Pricing Depending on market this option either can be had standalone or as part of a package. In the US it’s available on the Countryman (ordering guide) as part of the 7ED Comfort Package Plus ($1500) or 7ER Comfort Package Max ($2400) and the F66 MINI Cooper (ordering guide) with the Comfort Package Plus ($1,500). On the electric J01 MINI Cooper the augmented reality navigation is part of the XL Pack in Germany (8.180 €) on the J01 with the Favoured and JCW Trim. It’s available on the Classic Trim as part of the Large Pack (5.970 €) and unavailable entirely on the Essential Trim. The forthcoming J05 MINI Aceman will have the same option and will likely be handled in a similar way depending on market. The post MINI’s New Augmented Reality Navigation is Real Progress appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

MINI is launching an entirely new range of accessories inspired by the new generation MINI Cooper. Check out the full collection, photos of our favorites and MINI’s official press release about it below. Official Release: Commitment to a brand can be expressed in a variety of ways. MINI fans and customers can also underline this outside of their own vehicle in everyday life: with the new MINI Lifestyle Collection 2024, they are always and everywhere connected with their favourite brand. The collection combines brand-typical style and functionality. Graphic details of the MINI Cooper design characterise the new MINI lifestyle products. A high proportion of reclaimed materials characterises the responsible production of the new product line. For example, production waste is collected and reclaimed in the same way as nylon and PET. New textiles for the MINI Lifestyle Collection 2024. The main motifs of the new collection are based on the front of the new MINI Cooper. One of the many highlights is the MINI Car Face Detail T-shirt with a stylised graphic of the typical MINI round headlight. If you like it particularly comfortable, slip into the MINI Outline Print Hoodie. The outline of the new MINI Cooper headlights and radiator grille playfully stretches across the front and back of the hoodie. The colour concept for the MINI Lifestyle Collection 2024 is based on the contrasting colour scheme of the new MINI family. For example, the new MINI Caps combine the bright shade of Rebel Red with the new Vibrant Silver through colour blocking. All garments are made from a mix of organic and recycled cotton or are made from 100% organic cotton. The entire fashion collection is produced in Portugal. Long-lasting companions for everyday life and travelling. Whether for an extended weekend trip or shopping around the corner, every piece of luggage in the MINI Lifestyle Collection 2024 impresses with carefully thought-out details. The timeless MINI Duffle Bag is available for all those who prefer a classic look. The travel companion is made of durable, water-repellent, recycled PET and offers plenty of space in the spacious inner compartment. A two-way zipper makes packing easy. On the go, the travel bag with removable shoulder straps can be carried either by hand or over the shoulder. When traveling, the MINI Cabin Trolley with the embossed MINI logo is a durable and handy companion. Thanks to the four quiet wheels, the lockable hard-shell case can be moved effortlessly and quietly when travelling. The large inner compartments are divided into several areas and allow you to organise your luggage. Like all the inner linings of the new MINI bags, the MINI Cabin Trolley features the characteristic pattern of the seats in the new MINI Cooper. Smaller accessories such as the handy MINI Car Tile Notebook or important documents are safely and stylishly stored in the new MINI Car Face Detail Musette shoulder bag. When shopping, the water-repellent MINI Car Face Detail Shopper offers plenty of space and can be carried comfortably on the long shoulder straps. The brand-new MINI Laptop Bag made of high-quality, recycled nylon reliably protects electronic devices even when you’re on the go thanks to the padded inner compartment. Particularly handy: an open compartment on the back allows the laptop bag to be conveniently connected to the telescopic handle of a trolley. Laptop bag, travel bag and backpack from the “Urban Series” of the new MINI Lifestyle Collection 2024 are comfortable and secure to hold thanks to their woven structure. The woven pattern is based on the textile strap on the dashboard in the cockpit of the new MINI family. With these design details, fans of the brand carry a part of the MINI world with them everywhere. Accessories from MINI. The stylish accessories in the new collection provide even more MINI moments in everyday life. The Stainless steel keyring in the shape of the new MINI Cooper or the new MINI Aceman crossover model are a must-have for all MINI fans. The MINI Colour Block Travel Mugs are available in two sizes for the perfect start to the day. Its double-walled vacuum insulation keeps your favourite drink warm on the go. Of course, the mugs fit in the MINI drink holder. A lockable Push-to-drink opening prevents leakage. And for cool refreshments, there is a new edition of the popular MINI Water Bottle Colour Block. With MINI through sun and rain. Two classically shaped sunglasses expand the MINI Lifestyle Collection 2024. Both models are made of high-quality, reclaimed material and combine a high-gloss black frame with dark green lenses. But the collection also sets stylish accents against grey skies with the new MINI umbrellas. The models have been tested in the wind tunnel and are available as a foldable version or as a comfortable stick umbrella. Colourful MINI products for kids. Playfully and safely exploring the environment — no problem with the MINI Alu Balance Bike for children. Thanks to the adjustable seat and handlebars that grow with the child, the balance bike will accompany little MINI fans for as long as possible. A handle on the saddle makes lifting easier when needed. The clothes for children from the MINI Lifestyle Collection 2024 are made from 100 percent organic cotton or a mix of organic and recycled cotton. In summer, T-shirts with a circumferential MINI Cooper print protect against UV radiation. In cooler weather, the MINI Sweatshirt Car Tile for children keep you warm thanks to the cuddly inner lining. And in a romper suit with a red MINI Cooper print and matching neckerchief, even very young MINI fans are discovering the world in style. MINI Accessory Gallery The post New MINI Lifestyle Collection Inspired by the New MINI Cooper appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

MINI USA and the MINI John Cooper Works Team are prepping for another season in the esteemed Touring Car (TC) and Touring Car A (TCA) classes of the 2024 SRO TC America series. The team will be campaigning several F56 MINI Cooper JCW models looking to once again take some titles. You can watch the team’s two races over the weekend on Saturday and Sunday below: Back in the driver’s seats are Cristian Perocarpi, piloting the #37 MINI JCW PRO in the TC class, and P.J. Groenke, driving the #62 MINI JCW in the TCA class. Joining the ranks this season is newcomer Scott Thomson, steering the #66 MINI JCW PRO in the TC class. Adding to the excitement, MINI USA and the MINI JCW Team will unveil a special rooftop graphic series, debuting a fresh design on the roof of Perocarpi’s #37 MINI JCW PRO at each race weekend. To kick off the series, Perocarpi’s ride will pay homage to the 60th anniversary of MINI’s triumph at Monte Carlo in 1964. Recognized for their iconic white roofs, MINI vehicles continue to offer roof graphics and multi-tone options, allowing owners to personalize their rides. This season also marks the return of the MINI Technician Race Crew Program. Throughout the race weekends, MINI dealer technicians will provide invaluable support to the team during practice, qualifying, and race days. Drawing from their expertise gained from working on MINIs daily, these technicians play a crucial role in the team’s success. Last season, the team garnered support from over 20 skilled MINI dealer technicians and earned the esteemed title of Crew of the Year, as voted by the series’ credentialed participants and competitors. This weekend, the team will be bolstered by four MINI dealer technicians, hailing from MINI of Hawaii, MINI of Stevens Creek, and MINI of Portland.Luis Perocarpi, team owner of LAP Motorsports, expressed his anticipation for the upcoming season, stating, “We are looking forward to another great season in the SRO TC America series. Building on the momentum of last season, which saw 21-year-old Clayton Williams clinch his first Driver’s Championship in the TC class, the team aims to replicate their success. Perocarpi, then 20, secured seven podium finishes in the #37 MINI JCW PRO last season, including second-place finishes at both Circuit of the Americas and Road America. Meanwhile, veteran driver Groenke captured three podiums in the #62 MINI JCW in the TCA class, including a memorable victory at Virginia International Raceway.The MINI JCW Race Team concluded the 2023 SRO TC America Series as runners-up for both the Manufacturer’s Championship and Team Championship, setting the stage for an electrifying 2024 season. The post Watch The MINI JCW Race Team Kicks Off the 2024 Season in Sonoma appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

The new MINI Cooper features not one but two completely new and totally vegan seat designs. Clad in a synthetic leather called Vescin, the seats have a revised shape and new features. But what you get depends on what version of the Cooper you want. Let’s start with what’s different about the seats in the two new models. The petrol powered F66 MINI Cooper and the electric J01 Cooper are designed to look identical to the casual observer. But the more you look the more you see differences. One of those key differences are the seats you sit on. The J01 Cooper has a different design as compared to the F66 including fixed headrests. Sitting in both back to back it’s clear that MINI has done an extraordinary job of creating consistencies across two fundamentally different cars. They feel almost identical to us and any differences we noticed might simply be in our heads. But inspecting the seats closely reveals some design differences. Thanks to a bit more interior width, F66 Cooper features the same exact seats found new U25 Countryman. This means we’ll see the same seat geometry. The J01 on the other hand, features an all new design with a shape that’s shaped subtly different The F66 base sport seats. Note the slightly different shape and movable headrests compared with the optional JCW seats. Can Vegan Seats Feel Better Than Leather? MINI is making a big move to become a more environmentally focused company. That started years ago with more sustainable manufacturing and painting processes and starting with the new generation of MINI, it now extends to the interior with a fully vegan replacement for leather. Why? There’s a big environmental impact due to the production of leather in the quantities that companies like MINI need. So much so that MINI has made the bold decision to eliminate leather from its coming starting with the all new J01 MINI Cooper electric The Vescin seats available on the U25 Countryman – the same design as in the F66. What’s wrong with leather? It’s complicated but suffice to say it’s not the most natural and environmentally safe thing to produce. It’s also not aligned with MINI’s brand image of being environmentally conscious and animal friendly. But how do you replace something as iconic as leather seats? In short you find a more environmentally friendly alternative that’s actually better to touch and lasts longer. BMW and MINI are so confident in products like Vescin (BMW’s version I called Sensafin – an improved version of Sensatec) they they’re already being used in several cars with MSRPs well over $100,000. The F66’s Vescin & Cloth sport seats Hands-On With Vescin What’s it like in person? Over the course of the past 9 months we’ve had a handful of opportunities to experience MINI’s replacement for leather, Vescin. Driving the new Countryman and experiencing it in the J01 electric Cooper and F66 petrol Cooper. Here’s what we’ve found. Getting into a new MINI with Vescin for the first time it’s clear that Vescin is a step-up from what we’ve known as Leatherette. In the all the handful of new MINIs we’ve experienced it in the seats were softer to the touch than leatherette and felt much more supple. But how do they compare with leather? In short very well. Compared with the standard Chesterfield or Cross Punch leather seating, Vescin feels softer and more premium. Not surprising given that MINI’s standard leather is almost a veneer over other materials. Comparing it with the (formally) optional Lounge Leather things are bit tougher for the Vescin. It can’t quite match the buttery feel – at least on the seats. The Vescin on MINI’s sport steering wheel does approach that suppleness interestingly. Could we see this grade of Vescin eventually show-up on seats as an option? The JCW Sport Seats with fixed headrests in the U25 MINI Countryman JCW Our Early Verdict The concept of taking leather out of cars has become emotional for some. But the reality is real, full grain leather doesn’t exist in cars unless you’re well into the six figure price range. What we’ve had with MINI’s mid-tier leather is essentially a veneer applied to leatherette on about 80% of seats (the rest is leatherette). And in our experience it can scratch, stain and eventually crack with use. While Lounge Leather is much higher quality, even that will suffer with age unless you like the patina of cracking bolsters or religiously take care of it. Vescin solves all of those problems with an easy to clean, long lasting product that happens to be much more environmentally friendly to make and is 100& recyclable. Crucially it looks and feels better than the mid-tier leather we’ve come to know in MINIs. And there’s hope for a higher quality version as well given the Vescin on the steering wheel we felt was on par with the best Lounge Leather we’ve even experienced in MINIs. Add in the ability to stay cooler in extreme heat and it seems like a real step forward. The Vescin on the Sport steering wheel feels like a higher grade. Yet final verdict will have to come after a few years of living with the new material. While Leatherette has proven to be incredibly durable (more so than leather in our experience), we’ll withhold judgement on that front until we have real data. Until then Vescin looks and feels very promising in our initial experience. As much as we love the feel of that optional Lounge Leather in MINIs, we’re ready to move on to something all around better and more affordable. The post In-Depth: MINI’s Redesigned Vegan Seats in the F66 & J01 MINI Cooper appeared first on MotoringFile. 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When you first look at the F66 in person it feels eerily familiar. That’s because it’s heavily based on the F56 which we’ve known since 2014. But how does it look in real-world photos and hands-on? Let’s take a look. MINI has pushed the headlights forward and made them slightly more upward. Forget everything else you think you know about the new F66 Cooper, this subtle change really makes a difference. It means that this car feels more upright and a little closer to the R50 and R56. It also marks this car out as different than the sleeker J01 MINI Cooper EV. Even though MINI made the decision to heavily revise the F56 rather than to create an entirely new car, there’s almost nothing that the designers left untouched. The exterior design is evolved to match the J01 MINI Cooper with the goal to make them look identical to the casual observer. MINI’s hope is that a potential buyer would be choosing ICE versus EV without styling differences to muddy the waters. MINI designers have applied the minimal design language we’ve seen on the J01 MINI Cooper by eliminating all non-functional vents, scoops and design elements. This has resulted in the F66 looking more elegant and minimal than it’s predecessor and (in our opinion) closer to the original aesthetic of the classic Mini. There’s also a revised name to go along with an entirely refreshed car; MINI Cooper C as well as the more familiar MINI Cooper S. What’s the “C” stand for? According to MINI it’s short for “Core”. The “C” and “S” model denotations will apply to all petrol powered MINIs while we’ll see “E” and “SE” on all electric models. Performance Upgrades for the F66 MINI Cooper C & Cooper S MINI has upped the ante in terms of power with both models. The F56 Cooper is getting a 14% power upgrade going from 134 hp to 156 hp in the F66 Cooper C. This change takes the C from 0-62 mph (0 to 100 km/h) in 7.7 seconds. ModelF56 CooperF56 Cooper SF66 Cooper CF66 Cooper SPower134 hp189 hp156 hp 204 hpTorque162 lb-ft/1480 rpm206 lb-ft/1350 rpm 170 lb-ft/1,480 rpm221 lb-ftTransmissionManual/DCTManual/DCT7 speed DCT7 speed DCT The more powerful F66 Cooper S gets a less dramatic 7.4% horsepower boost from 189 to 204 hp but sees a significant torque increase to 221 lb-ft. This gets the new F66 Cooper S to 62 mph in 6.6 seconds (60 in 6.3 seconds). And keep in mind these are both likely a conservative numbers knowing how BMW calculates figures. Future Petrol Powered MINI Cooper Models As with the F56, the F66 will spawn two other variants; the five door hatch (F65) and convertible (F67). F66 MINI Cooper (three door)F65 MINI Cooper (five door)F67 MINI Cooper ConvertibleCooper C 2-door hardtop (F66)Cooper C 4-door hardtop (F65)Cooper C Convertible (F67)Cooper S 2-door hardtop (F66)Cooper S 4-door hardtop (F65)Cooper S Convertible (F67)Cooper JCW 2-door hardtop (F66)Cooper JCW Convertible (ICE) The F56 vs the F66 – subtle differences abound The F56 vs the F66 The Surprising Differences While the F66 is based on the F56, the dimensions aren’t identical likely due to styling and even an few engineering changes. For instance the F56 has a length of 3863mm vs 3876mm for the new F66. The reason is the revised front and rear bumper design. But more interesting is the height change. The F56 is 1414mm vs the F66 which is higher at 1432mm. This is due to MINI increasing the standard wheel size of the Cooper from 15? to 16? wheels while increasing the tire size slightly as well. But most interesting is the width change. The F56 Cooper has a width of 1727 mm vs the F66 which is wider at 1744mm (both without mirrors). That 17mm difference may not sound like much but BMW and MINI don’t typically increase the width of a car solely because of aesthetics. This change is due to wider wheels and tires (205mm to 215mm) that allow for a more concave wheel design on the Cooper S and JCW (which we’ll see later this year). ModelF56 CooperF56 Cooper SF66 Cooper CF66 Cooper SLength (mm/in)3863mm / 152.1 in3863mm / 152.1 in3876mm / 152.6 in3876mm / 152.6 inHeight (mm/in)1414mm / 55.66 in1414mm / 55.66 in1432mm / 56.4 in1432mm / 56.4 inWheelbase (mm/in)2495mm / 98.23 in2495mm / 98.23 in2495mm / 98.23 in2495mm / 98.23 inCurb weight (kg/lbs)1256kg / 2,769 lbs1289kg / 2,841 lbs1260kg / 2,778 lbs1285kg / 2,832 lbs The MINI Cooper Manual Is Eliminated As the F56 production ended over 50% of JCW hardtops sold in the US were equipped with the manual transmission. So this change is a big one for some markets and certain models. But the economic realities of complying with European legislation have forced MINI’s hand which means the F66 will have only one transmission across the line-up. That transmission is the familiar dual clutch 7 speed with some small refinements. Let’s hope that adds up to quick shift times. The move to replace the manual is all about the costs associated with meeting European emissions standards. While North America doesn’t have the same requirements, the case couldn’t be made due to investment required vs the expected sales. Even with a 50% take rate on the JCW for instance, that quantity can’t pay of the costs associated with further developing and/or maintaining the option. Making this change even more dramatic is MINI’s new dash mounted gear selector. Designers have replaced the center console mounted gear lever with a small dash mounted toggle. The rational is logical as the design simplifies the process of selecting park, reverse or drive while freeing up interior space for storage, screens or other functionality. More importantly MINI still offers wheel mounted paddles for manual control of the DCT. Read our first impressions of this new shift lever here. The F66 2025 MINI Cooper Model Range Produced in Oxford, the F66 will take over as the F56 ends production in February of 2024. That means we’ll see the first F66 MINI Coopers roll off the line next March as the plant begins it’s pivots into a new generation of MINIs. The F66 MINI Cooper FamilyDrivetrainStart of ProductionF66 MINI Cooper155 HP (Petrol)03/2024F66 MINI Cooper S200 HP (Petrol)03/2024F66 MINI Cooper JCW231 HP (Petrol)11/2024F65 MINI Cooper 5 Door155 HP (Petrol)07/2024F65 MINI Cooper S 5 Door200 HP (Petrol)07/2024F67 MINI Cooper Convertible155 HP (Petrol)11/2024F67 MINI Cooper S Convertible200 HP (Petrol)11/2024 F67 MINI Cooper JCW Convertible231 HP (Petrol)03/2025** unconfirmed As you can see above the changeover will happen in three phases. The first is the iconic two door Cooper which is be available at launch in Cooper and Cooper S models (the Cooper C Comes to the US in the fall). Next will be the five door F65 MINI Cooper launch in both Cooper and Cooper S models. Finally the brand will launch its last F66 variant, the F67 convertible in Cooper and Cooper S models. We believe the JCW F67 will either launch simultaneously or follow in March of 2025. The highly anticipated F66 MINI Cooper JCW will likely launch this fall and begin production in November. Head over to our first hands-on experience with the all new F66 MINI Cooper if you want to hear our initial impressions. And make sure to let us know what you think of MINI’s last ever ICE powered Cooper in the comments. 2025 F66 MINI Cooper S Gallery The post New Photos Give Us Best Look Yet at the F66 2025 MINI Cooper S appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

MINI sales in the U.S. totaled 6,369 vehicles in the first quarter of 2024, a decrease of 12.6% vs the 7,284 vehicles sold in the first quarter of 2023. According to MINIUSA and several dealers MotoringFile has spoken with, here’s why. For starters the change in sales volume for MINIUSA this quarter is attributed directly to the planned 2025 model changeover. MINI USA is currently readying the launch of an entirely new product portfolio later this year and inventory isn’t at ideal levels. Making matters worse customers have been unable to order new cars until recently. Which brings us to the second issue. A lack of information (beyond MotoringFile) has made it hard for buyers to understand and visualize the new products. While that’s largely solved with the new configurator, cars still aren’t at dealerships. Finally there’s the real issue of the range on lots (F56 etc) being long in the tooth. Despite the refreshes most of those cars have been around for almost a decade. Q2 will be equally interesting as MINIUSA will be getting new models but only portion of the range. We won’t have the entire lineup until late summer. And even then the US won’t have the new electric MINI Cooper which likely won’t begin sales until well into 2026. The post MINIUSA sales Down Early in 2024 Due to Model Changeover appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article