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I’ve driven the Tail of the Dragon in more MINIs than I can remember. But the last time I was there just a few months ago was in a (forgive me) BMW X7. As I guided that beast through the flowing corners with epics views left and right, I was reminded of how otherworldly U.S. Route 129 is, why it may just be the best stretch of tarmac in North America and why MINIs are uniquely suited for it. Getting to the Dragon isn’t easy. Nestled along the border of North Carolina and Tennessee, the Tail of the Dragon is an 11-mile segment of U.S. Route 129 boasting a staggering 318 curves. While it may be a national road, it’s long been overtaken by regional highways as a main route. It’s truly a “if you know, you know” destination. Because of this, the Dragon (officially created in the early 1930s), remained a hidden gem for decades. It wasn’t until the 1990s that it gained notoriety among driving enthusiasts, thanks in part to motorcycle enthusiast Doug Snavely, who popularized the route through the Deals Gap Hot Lap newsletter and the formation of the Deals Gap Riding Society. It’s even a blast in an X7 – provided it has summer tires, four wheel steering and a steady hand at the wheel. The road’s moniker, “Tail of the Dragon,” aptly describes its sinuous path, which resembles a dragon’s tail. This challenging drive, devoid of intersections and driveways, offers 11 miles of uninterrupted thrills but demands respect; the infamous “Tree of Shame” at Deals Gap stands adorned with remnants of vehicles that failed to conquer the Dragon. Why the MINI is the Perfect Dragon Slayer There is a reason you see so many MINIs at the Tail of the Dragon, and it is not just because of MOTD. This road and those 318 curves are built for what the modern MINI does best. In many ways, it feels like the Dragon and the MINI were designed for each other. That time we took a MINI USA press car and took it to the Dragon for a full test. First, let’s talk about handling. The MINI’s signature go-kart feel is not just marketing language. It is real – especially the Cooper. The chassis is tight, the steering is direct, and the whole car feels eager to dive into corners. On the Dragon, that translates into instant feedback and the kind of agility you want when corners are coming at you every few seconds. There is no slack and no hesitation. It is simply grip, turn-in, and go. Then there is front-wheel drive. It might not impress anyone at a cars and coffee meet, but on a road like the Dragon it offers something far more important: predictability. You can push hard and still stay composed, especially in the tighter sections where rear-wheel-drive cars might step out. That natural stability at the limit gives you more confidence, which matters when you have a rock wall on one side and a drop-off on the other. Testing the refreshed F54 JCW Clubman at the Dragon in 2019. What really seals it is something no one really talks about; the Cooper’s size. The Dragon is not a wide road, and some of the corners feel more like alpine switchbacks than anything you would find on a typical U.S. highway. In a Cooper, the compact footprint means you can actually use the full width of your lane. You can place the car exactly where you want it without wondering if you are about to clip a mirror on a guardrail. It is one of the few places where being small is not just a characteristic. It is an advantage. The modern MINI is not just capable here. It is completely in its element. Whether you are driving a JCW, a Cooper S, or a well-loved R53, the Dragon brings out the very best in these cars. That is why so many of us keep coming back. On this road, a MINI does not just make sense. It feels perfect. Our 2005 MINI Cooper S at the MOTD in 2005 MINIs on the Dragon (MOTD): A Celebration of MINI Culture Not surprisingly MINIs and the Dragon have been synomous since the brand’s reintroduction to the US in 2002. In 2003, a group of MINI enthusiasts organized a modest gathering to tackle the Tail of the Dragon. This event, known as MINIs on the Dragon (MOTD), has since blossomed into the largest grassroots MINI Cooper event in the United States. Held annually during the first weekend of May, MOTD attracts over 900 attendees and more than 600 MINIs, both classic and modern. The Tail of the Dragon isn’t just a great road. It’s the kind of place that feels like it was made for the MINI. Tight turns, quick transitions, and narrow lanes bring out the best in the car’s handling and compact size. It rewards precision and confidence, which is exactly what a well-sorted MINI delivers. MOTD 2007 But the Dragon is more than just a driving experience. It’s become a cultural anchor for the MINI community in the U.S. What started as a few owners looking for curves has turned into a full-blown tradition. MINIs on the Dragon isn’t just an event, it’s a reminder of what makes this brand different. The road. The people. The cars. It all comes together here. And once you’ve done it, once you’ve taken your MINI through those 318 corners, you get it. The post Why the Tail of the Dragon Is the Ultimate MINI Cooper Road Trip appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

What to inspect, what fails, and how to spot the gems Few modern cars have aged into cult-classic status as quickly as the first-generation MINI. The R50 and R53 brought the brand back with a mix of charm, agility, and design that felt instantly iconic. Drive one today and that magic is still there. But so are the quirks, the aging components, and the hard-earned truths MINI owners and technicians have learned over twenty years. If you are stepping into the used market, this generation can reward you with one of the most engaging small cars of the past two decades. It can also punish you if you do not know exactly where to look. This guide is meant to separate great examples from the risky ones, expand on what we outlined in our original 2007 deep dive, and help you understand how to evaluate an R50 or R53 with confidence. Keep in mind this is a guide and not an exhaustive list of every potential problem that could befall these cars. The Big Picture: Why the R50 and R53 Are Perfect Yet Flawed These cars were never engineered for twenty-plus years of life. They were designed to bring MINI back and deliver something emotive. Most have been driven hard. Many have been modified. And the earliest builds had issues that BMW steadily fixed over the production run. That means two things: • Condition matters more than mileage • Later years matter more than early years Which brings us to what you should look for. The R53 Supercharger: The Heart of the Magic… and the Headache Nothing defines the R53’s drivetrain more than its Eaton M45 supercharger. It gives the Cooper S its character, its mid-range punch, and its unmistakable whine. It is also the single most important component to inspect because Eaton no longer produces replacement units and MINI has no plan to reintroduce them. A failing supercharger is not a small job. Rebuilds are possible, but availability is shrinking and quality varies. What to check: • Listen for bearing noise beyond the normal whine • Look for oil seepage around the nose cone • Confirm supercharger oil has been serviced at least once • Ask explicitly about rebuild history If the seller cannot answer those questions, proceed cautiously. A good buy might not be as good if the supercharger is failing. Engine & Seal Issues: The R50/R53’s Most Predictable Problems The first-gen new MINIs are known for oil leaks. The most common failure point is the crank seal and crank sensor O-ring. When either dries out, oil escapes rapidly. Inspect for: • Oil pooling around the crank pulley • Fresh oil splatter around the lower timing cover • Dampness near the crank sensor This is not a cosmetic leak. It can accelerate wear and lead to deeper mechanical problems. From our original guide, the crank-seal and crank-sensor leaks remain two of the most frequently documented issues across the entire production run. Cooling System Weak Points The R53’s coolant expansion tank is notorious. Even the updated version could split at the seams without warning. Look for: • Hairline cracks along the tank • Crusty residue on the seams • Signs of coolant mist around the firewall Overheating an R53 can be fatal for the engine. If you see a gear selector like the one above, walk away. Steering Pumps and Early CVT Transmissions The electric-hydraulic power steering pump was a weak point on early MINIs. Overheating, failure under load, and noisy operation were common. You want a car with documentation that the pump was replaced or inspected. If it whines, hums, or varies in tone with steering input, assume it needs work. On the transmission side, avoid the early CVT automatic in the R50 entirely. And the speaking of the early R50, tread carefully if it’s a manual as well. MINI launched with the old Midlands manual transmission which was both fragile and less than stellar to use. The Getrag 5-speed that arrived later is a huge improvement and one of the reasons 2005 and 2006 R50 Coopers are so much more desirable. Rust, Water Ingress, and the Sunroof Problem One of the most overlooked issues on this generation is water management. Early cars often collected water in the door sills, causing rust under the plastic step plates. But the bigger concern is the sunroof drainage system. If the drains clog, water spills into the headliner and runs into the passenger footwell where the Body Control Module lives. When that module shorts, the car becomes a very expensive paperweight. Check for: • Damp footwell carpet • A musty smell inside • Water stains on the A-pillars or headliner • Cracks or clogging around the sunroof drains A perfect-looking R53 can hide this problem, so lift the carpet or gently pull back the plastic door sills if you can. What Years to Buy And what years to avoid 2005–2006 The best of the best. BMW has taken control of parts sourcing by this time which introduced higher quality components. The result were things like the updated gearbox, improved interior trim and fewer electrical gremlins. 2004 A meaningful step forward from the earliest years. Cars were better built and are generally a solid middle ground. Steer clear of the R50 if you can. 2002–2003 The earliest cars can be great, but the risk is higher. Especially with the R50. The Shortlist: What You Must Inspect Before Buying • Supercharger condition and noise (R53) • Crank seal and sensor O-ring leaks • Expansion tank integrity • Power steering pump noise and operation • Gearbox and clutch quality – (in the R50 avoid CVT) • Sunroof drainage and footwell dryness • Rust under door sills and below the rear lights • Full service history If you check every box and the car passes, an R53 or even a well-kept R50 can still be one of the most rewarding used MINIs you can buy. Why a Well-Sorted R53 Is Still a Revelation in 2025 Drive a properly cared-for R53 today and it feels almost shockingly alive. The supercharger whine, the immediacy of the throttle, the mechanical feedback through the wheel, the compact size that makes modern cars feel bloated, the way the chassis rotates with a kind of playful precision you just do not get anymore. It is a reminder of what small performance cars used to feel like before weight, screens, regulations, and sound insulation took over. A well-sorted R53 does not feel old. It feels elemental. Get into the right one and the years fall away. The steering is full of feel and communication. The gearing is short and eager. The supercharged midrange punch is addictive. And the whole car seems to run on personality as much as fuel. In an era where every new model is chasing refinement, the R53 still feels raw and present in a way that MINI, BMW, and almost anyone else simply does not build anymore. That is why the homework matters. If you put in the effort to find an example with the right updates, the right history, and the right mechanical care, the payoff is huge. These cars are no longer inexpensive toys, but they remain one of the best smiles-per-dollar buys anywhere in the used enthusiast market. Sort one properly and it will remind you why this generation forged MINI’s reputation in the first place. It will also remind you why some cars become legends. MINI R50 and R53 Gallery 443S38B1 The post The Ultimate R50 and R53 MINI Cooper Buyer’s Guide (2001-2007) appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

MINI has always delivered style, personality, and one of the most engaging small car driving experiences on the market. What the brand did not always deliver was consistency in long-term reliability. Owners of the R50, R53, and especially the R56 know this story well. But somewhere between the end of the R56 era and the beginning of the third generation, something changed inside MINI and BMW. Durability stopped being an afterthought and became a core engineering requirement. The result was the F56 and F60 generation, which quietly introduced the most reliable MINIs ever built. That progress continues with the fourth generation F66 Cooper family and the U25 Countryman. So we wanted to look at what went wrong and how MINI systematically fixed the issues to deliver one of the most trouble free small cars sold today. Below is the technical breakdown of some of the more common issues in the early years and how MINI engineered its way toward the most robust product line in the brand’s history. Keep in mind this is by no way exhaustive but it should give you a sense of how MINI changed its course in terms of quality. The R50 and R53: Brilliant fun with some predictable failures The R50 and R53 launched MINI back into the US with immediate cult status. But they also carried early BMW-era quirks. Common R50 and R53 failure points Power steering pump failures – The electric-hydraulic pump was undersized and poorly cooled, which often led to overheating and seizure. Midlands manual gearbox (non S) – Bearing wear and lubrication issues caused full gearbox failures long before 100K miles. The Aisin CVT (non S) – We’ve rarely seen this last longer than 120,000 due to internal failures. Chain tensioner wear – Later R53 production saw tensioners that hated MINI’s recommended extended oil service intervals. Interior material wear – Soft coatings and plastics on early MINIs simply did not age well. The R56: A clean-sheet design with serious early teething problems The R56 brought a new platform and brand-new engines, but its early reliability reputation never recovered. Key R56 issues N14 carbon buildup – Direct injection, inadequate PCV routing, and low-speed driving cycles created heavy valve deposits. High pressure fuel pump failures – The HPFP routinely failed well before 50K miles. Timing chain tensioner and guides – The infamous “death rattle” stemmed from tensioner pressure loss and brittle chain guides. Turbo oil supply line coking – Excessive heat around the line would cook oil and starve the turbo. Cooling system weak points – Thermostat housings and pumps routinely failed before 60K miles. MINI later revised many components, but the R56 era forced a total rethink for the next platform. How the F56 and F60 quietly fixed almost everything When the F56 launched, MINI never advertised it as a reliability overhaul, but that’s exactly what it was. During our first drive, we hinted at the shift in engineering philosophy: The B38 and B48 engines: MINI’s most reliable powertrains ever BMW’s modular engine family was engineered for longevity. Key improvements: • Completely redesigned timing assembly with more durable guides • Improved PCV and DI spray design that reduces carbon buildup • Better heat management around the turbo • Stronger water pumps, housings, sensors, and seals • More robust chain lubrication and routing • Ancillaries built to BMW’s higher long-term durability targets Revised cooling architecture Materials, routing, and pump strategy were all upgraded. Stronger transmissions Aisin 6 and 8 speeds became the default for longevity. These units are used across BMW, Toyota, and Lexus due to their reliability. Electric power steering The troublesome R50/R53 hydraulic pump was gone. Oxford production upgrades Oxford went through major retooling before F56 production. Assembly tolerances, supplier quality, and interior materials all improved. Fourth Generation: F66 and U25 push reliability even further F66: The final evolution of MINI’s most reliable platform The F66 may look familiar, but it is the most refined MINI ever built. It inherits a decade of reliability improvements and brings: • Updated electronics with fewer failure points • Improved B48 and B38 engines with better thermal management • Reduced component complexity • Further-modernized Oxford production U25 Countryman: Built on BMW’s fourth-generation FAAR architecture The U25 benefits from BMW’s latest global small-car platform and the billions spent on it. Notable reliability upgrades: • Updated B48 with improved oil flow and timing accuracy • Shared cooling system architecture with BMW’s newest crossovers • Reduced electronic module count • Higher assembly quality from Leipzig’s state-of-the-art plant The Bottom Line The era of quirky but failure-prone MINIs is long gone. The F56 and F60 marked a genuine turning point in MINI durability. The fourth generation F66 and U25 build on that work with even better engines, upgraded cooling, simpler electronics, and the most consistent build quality MINI has ever achieved. Despite the last decade of improved quality, the MINI brand still has a stigma of reliability issues. However for those in the know, buying a MINI today isn’t just about satisfying a fun to drive need, it may also be a smart move. The post From Quirky to Bulletproof: How MINI Reengineered the Cooper and Countryman for Reliability appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

Welcome to White Roof Radio 702. We start off strong by going deep on the Superleggera concept and the new MotoringFile video. Then we dive into all the MINI news (complete that sweet news music) from the past few months on MotoringFile. And turns out, there was a lot of it. This week’s sponsor is me. Are you L&D or work with Elevenlabs and Powerpoint? Do you need to work with Elevenlabs with Powerpoint? I would like to introduce you to Voxsmith. I’ve worked really hard on it and will be expecting to ship it in December. And, as we near the crazy season, don’t forget any of the friends of the show; MotoringStripes, Detroit Tuned, OutMotoring.com and CravenSpeed. And, did you already catch Black Roof? Yea, Woofcast 21 will be in the feed later this week too. Show Links Superleggera Superleggera Video MINI Quality Deus Ex Machina Concepts With Holger Hampf How Leaving F1 And Launching The MINI E Made BMW An EV Leader The 2026 MINI Cooper Paul Smith Edition — MINI’s Biggest Special Edition Ever The post White Roof Radio 702 – The Superleggera & Latest MINI News appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

If you want to understand what the new all-electric MINI Countryman SE is really made of, don’t look at spec sheets or WLTP charts. Take it to Iceland. That’s exactly what MINI did, pointing the SE north from Munich and sending it across Germany, Denmark, the North Sea and finally into the lava-scarred, weather-shaped landscapes of the Westfjords. And in the process, MINI may be giving us the clearest hint yet that they have something a bit more off-road planned for the Countryman in the future. We first broke the news on MINI’s forthcoming off-road focused Countryman package in our exclusive story last year. While it may not rival a Jeep in off-road prowess, sources tell us that it will offer more ground clearance, off-road capable tires, revised suspension and recalibrated DSC. What MINI just drove to Iceland looks suspiciously like to might have the tires and wheels that could belong to that package. A Long Road to Iceland, But an Easy One for Electric Torque On paper it’s roughly 2,300 km of driving plus a two-day ferry from Hirtshals to Seyðisfjörður. In practice it’s the perfect proving ground for the Countryman SE’s dual-motor 230 kW output and 494 Nm of instant torque. We detailed the fundamentals of this drivetrain when the car debuted in our first look. The SE surged through Germany and Denmark like a proper grand tourer, leaning on its 432 km WLTP range, quick 130 kW DC charging and MINI’s newest Driving Assistant Professional, which we dove into in our autonomous driving coverage. Together they turned the long haul north into something surprisingly relaxed. Inside, the redesigned cabin continues to be a surprise. More shoulder and elbow room, a calmer design language and that circular OLED give the Countryman a maturity the previous generation never quite had. It feels built for this kind of trip. Off-Road Tires and Plenty of Kit This Countryman SE didn’t leave Munich wearing standard road rubber. MINI fitted proper off-road tires, bolted a luggage rack with a spare on the roof and strapped on sand plates, a spade and a jack. The result is a Countryman that looks far more capable than the family SUV it’s often typecast as. And from the moment it rolls off the ferry in a stormy Icelandic night, it starts proving it. Iceland Greets the MINI With Weather and Wind The North Sea served up eight meter waves on the crossing. Iceland answered with snowfall, freezing temps and low clouds. Perfect conditions to test a fully electric SUV wearing more bite than usual. As the SE pushed inland, the midsummer sun took over, lighting up endless stretches of lava rock and revealing one of the most surreal environments a MINI has ever tackled. The Countryman made its way through it all with a mix of calm electric torque and just enough ground clearance to survive the rougher bits. Although it would look a bit more proper in these conditions with more of it in our opinion. Route 622: A Proper Test of MINI’s Most Capable EV If you’ve never heard of Route 622 in the Westfjords, think of it as Iceland’s way of checking whether you’ve overestimated yourself. It’s narrow, steep, unpredictable and bordered by water that only backs off at low tide. It’s a bucket list drive. The Countryman SE headed out at dawn, heavily coated in Icelandic grime, and tackled the worst of it. It scraped here and there, tapped the turf on uneven sections and powered through water crossings that would make most EV owners flinch. Torque distribution from the ALL4 system kept traction predictable. We talked about this in our recent Montana off-road adventure with a Countryman JCW. And importantly, MINI reports that the gentle off-road pace barely dented the range. That’s not nothing for a 2.3 ton EV running off-road tires and roof gear. Not Every Adventure Ends with a Victory Lap Just before the beach section of Route 622, nature made the decision for the team. Waves had torn out the remaining path. Nothing short of a bulldozer was getting through. Even the sand plates and spade couldn’t alter the laws of geology. But that’s not failure. It simply underlines the point: MINI didn’t come to Iceland to conquer it. They came to show that a fully electric MINI can be a credible partner in adventure. And they succeeded. Our Take MINI produces stories like this for media outlets to write about every so often. They come with amazing photography but often not much else. But this one is quite different with a real challenge along the way. But more importantly for MINI fans, it points to how capable the standard Countryman is in less than ideal conditions with all-terrain tires. Now just imagine it with more ground clearance and a few other suspension modifications, and you might have the most interesting new Countryman variant we’ve seen in years. We’ll have much more on that package as MINI finalizes it, but it’s nice to see MINI giving Iceland a hint at what’s coming. And yes, it looks like a MINI that wants to get dirty.Gallery The post Electric MINI Countryman SE Goes Off-Road in an Icelandic Road-Trip appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

MINI has spent the last decade with an uneven portfolio of driver assistance features. Some models nearly BMW level hardware. Others carried older systems that never quite matched what the parent company was capable of. That is rapidly changing. The latest Countryman and new Cooper families mark the start of a unified technology strategy built around modern sensor suites and scalable software. But how does it work and how can you get the most out of it? We have answers. While the J01 and F66 Coopers ship today with the base Driving Assistant package, the real leap is coming soon with the rollout of Driving Assistant Plus across the entire Cooper range next year – finally matching the new Countryman. Here is the full breakdown of the tech behind it and why it matters. The safety of warnings section of the MINI settings app give you an idea of what the various sensors are doing. A Modern Sensor Fusion Platform MINI’s new driver assistance capability starts with a modern sensor fusion architecture that pulls together multiple data streams. Forward camera: A high resolution mono camera mounted behind the windshield. It detects lane markings, vehicles, pedestrians, road edges, signs, and speed limits. It feeds the primary lane keeping and collision avoidance algorithms. Long range radar: A front mounted radar that provides depth and velocity information independent of lighting, weather, or road contrast. Radar is what stabilizes adaptive cruise in heavy traffic or rain when cameras alone would struggle. Ultrasonics: Used for low speed maneuvering, proximity mapping, and the micro adjustments needed for smoother lane centering in Plus and Pro systems. Short range side radar (Countryman only for now): The Countryman’s Pro system adds side radar that enables hands off highway capability and more reliable automated lane changes. This hardware is not yet on the J01 or F66 Coopers, which is why Driving Assistant Pro stays exclusive to Countryman for the moment. Bringing the Cooper and Countryman closer together required MINI to standardize the forward sensing suite. J01 and F66 now run similar camera and radar hardware, designed to scale into more advanced features as software rolls out. ADP launched with the Countryman but is soon coming to the Cooper family. The Software Layer: Where MINI Is Catching Up Fast The biggest leap is not hardware. It is the software platform built on top of it. New perception stack: MINI has adopted BMW’s latest object recognition and lane modeling algorithms. This is a major generational shift over the outgoing F56 systems. The new models use machine learning based lane prediction that better identifies boundaries in faded, broken, or complex road markings. Predictive longitudinal control: Driving Assistant Plus brings more sophisticated acceleration and braking logic. Instead of reacting only to the car ahead, the system anticipates speed changes based on multi vehicle traffic flow and curvature of upcoming road segments. High speed lateral control: The upgraded steering support in Driving Assistant Plus uses a blend of camera and radar to maintain lateral stability. It is not hands off, but the steering torque is smoother, more accurate, and far more resistant to lane drift than the basic system. High bandwidth communication between modules: This is key. The J01 and F66 architectures now move sensor data faster between cameras, radar, and control units. That enables cleaner corrections and the more refined lane centering behavior that MINI has never had before. J01 & F66 Getting Driving Assistant Plus Soon Both Coopers already have the baseline sensor suite in place. The missing pieces for full ADP have been the eye-detection hardware, additional software integration, and regulatory certification. That will change in the coming months as MINI phases in a new dashboard design that will accommodate the required eye-tracking hardware. Once activated, the J01 and F66 Coopers will match the capability already offered on the Countryman. Exact timing of this change is still unknown but we believe it will rollout with March production for the F6X family of cars and potentially Q1 for the J01. Unfortunately ADP will not be backward compatible with older F6X and J01 cars. Screenshot What Driving Assistant Plus Actually Adds For Cooper owners, the jump from basic Driving Assistant to Plus will be significant. Here’s what you get beyond the adaptive cruise already offered: • Hands-free driving under 37 mph • More advanced lane centering • Lane change with turn-signal • Automated lane change with navigation guidance. • More refined steering assistance at higher speeds • More predictive adaptive cruise with smoother responses • Ability to follow corners with higher accuracy and tighter lane geometry • Ability to analyze traffic flow better In practice, this brings MINI within striking distance of BMW’s well regarded Level 2 systems. The modern BMW system mirrors most of what we see in the MINI Why Driving Assistant Pro Was Countryman Only Pro depends on a wider sensor perimeter. Specifically: • Dual side radar modules • Eye detection hardware • Additional redundancy for hands off certification The J01 and F66 platforms weren’t equipped at launch with the full set of hardware needed for prolonged hands off operation or automated lane changes that meet market requirements. The Bigger Picture What MINI is doing now is laying a uniform technical foundation. The long game is clear. MINI models will evolve through software far more than hardware, with new capabilities delivered incrementally instead of waiting for the next product cycle. For the first time, the Cooper and Countryman families are aligned on a shared generation of sensing and processing tech. It finally feels like MINI is ready for the modern era of driver assistance rather than borrowing from the edges of BMW’s toolkit. Our Take MINI is not yet chasing full autonomy. That is not the mission. The goal is simpler. Build a smarter, more supportive MINI that still feels like a MINI. The upcoming arrival of Driving Assistant Plus on the J01 and F66 Coopers represents the biggest step in that direction yet. For those that look at this as MINI straying further from its origins, we get it. But for those who use their MINI in commuting scenarios and don’t mind the automatic equipped current generation, this added functionality is a game-changer. The post MINI Cooper & Countryman Driver Assist Systems Explained: Sensors, Software, and Upgrades appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

For MINI fans, “GP” has always meant something special. Long before BMW created its modern JCW GP models with carbon arches and Nürburgring lap times, the Cooper family defined what a Grand Prix Mini should be with a 1990’s special edition. Now Mike Cooper, son of the legendary John Cooper, the man who created the Mini Cooper and ran a championship winning Formula One team, is bringing that spirit and the car back to life. Thirty years after the original Mini Cooper Grand Prix became a cult favorite, the Cooper Car Company has reimagined it for today. The result is a hand-built classic Mini that blends performance, craftsmanship, and a second-to-none provenance in a way only the Cooper family can deliver. How the New Grand Prix Started: “We Built a Car and Realized… This Is Cool” When I asked Mike Cooper how this new project began, he did not talk about nostalgia or limited editions. He talked about parts. The Cooper Car Company has been preparing a new line of performance upgrades for classic Minis. Engine kits, suspension and brake upgrades, wheels, fuel caps and other components are part of a new line called GP Tuning. To show the full range, the team built a demonstrator car. While that first car was coming together, something clicked. That realization tied the story back to the moment the original Grand Prix began. So the plan changed. Instead of one demonstrator, the Cooper Car Company committed to 35 new Grand Prix cars. Each will be individually numbered and hand-built. What Is New, What Is Familiar, and What Makes It a True Cooper Car The new Grand Prix is not a recreation of the original, and it is not a typical restomod. It is a modern interpretation shaped by the Cooper family’s performance instincts and the new GP Tuning hardware. When asked what sets this version apart, Mike explained it simply. Under the bonnet, the car showcases the full GP Tuning program. The A-Series engine receives a substantial power increase, the suspension is reworked, the brakes are upgraded and the wheels and hardware all carry Cooper Car Company branding. The goal was to create a classic Mini that feels familiar yet sharper, smoother and more usable. This approach captures the way John Cooper built performance Minis decades ago. It relies on clever engineering, honest feedback through the chassis and a focus on driver involvement. A Family Story as Much as a Limited Edition More than anything, this project feels like a continuation of Cooper family history. It has the raw mechanical character that defined John Cooper’s work along with the craftsmanship that Mike Cooper has championed for decades. Mike made that emotional connection clear. Anyone who knows the Cooper story can feel the weight of that line. This car is not just a tribute. It is a family member carried into a new generation. Naturally, we asked if this opens the door for more Cooper Car Company special editions.“No plans!” Mike answered emphatically. True to Cooper tradition, the Grand Prix exists because it felt right, not because it fits in a corporate strategy. Our Take The new Mini Cooper Grand Prix may only exist in a run of 35 cars, but the significance goes far beyond the number. It continues the Cooper family approach to performance, which has always been personal, focused and deeply mechanical. In an automotive world filled with touchscreens, autonomy and efficiency targets, Mike Cooper has created something refreshingly analog. It celebrates the character of the original Mini and the tuning culture the Cooper family helped define. This is the Cooper legacy, alive and very much in motion. Mike Cooper summed it up best. His father, Charlie Cooper’s grandad and the creator of the Mini Cooper, would have absolutely loved it. If you’re interesting in grabbing one of the 35, you may want to be quick and express interest at Coopercarcompany.com. The post Mike Cooper Revives the Mini Cooper Grand Prix, a Cooper Family Tribute 35 Years in the Making appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

As MINI and it’s products evolve, one constant behind the scenes has been BMW Designworks, the California-based creative studio that’s had its fingerprints on the brand since it’s relaunch in the late 1990s. While most MINI fans associate the brand’s design with Munich or Oxford, much of its creative DNA has been shaped just outside Los Angeles. This year, as Designworks celebrates its 50th anniversary, it’s worth looking at how the studio’s work has quietly influenced MINI’s evolution from a revived British icon to a digital-first global brand. The Early Years: Defining the Modern MINI Designworks’ connection to MINI dates back to the brand’s rebirth in the late 1990s, when BMW began exploring what a modern version of the classic Mini could be. Working alongside BMW’s Munich design team, Designworks contributed to several early concepts, most notably the ACV 30, a rally-inspired prototype penned by Adrian van Hooydonk during his time at the studio. Many of the ideas developed in those early sketches helped define what became the 2001 MINI Cooper. The hexagonal grille, circular headlamps, and contrasting roofline were more than nostalgic callbacks, they were the foundation of a design language that would sustain the brand for decades. When that first new MINI arrived, it did more than reboot a beloved classic. It created a new segment, a small, premium car that proved character and quality could coexist. Designworks played a subtle but important part in that transformation. From Analog to Digital Over the past decade, Designworks’ role has shifted alongside MINI’s. What started as a styling and concept partner has evolved into a collaborator focused on strategy, experience, and digital interaction design. Today, many of MINI’s defining interior and UX elements trace back to ideas incubated at Designworks. The new circular OLED display, for example, represents not just a design flourish but a philosophy, turning a single interface into the emotional and functional center of the cabin. The same thinking helped shape projects like the MINI Vision Urbanaut, where Designworks reinterpreted “clever use of space” for an electric future, and MINI Mixed Reality, which blends real-world driving with digital environments. Each shows MINI experimenting beyond form, into experience. The Human Side of Technology What’s consistent through all of Designworks’ influence is a focus on the intersection of technology and emotion. The studio operates as an innovation lab for the BMW Group, but its California roots have given MINI’s evolution a particular warmth and accessibility that might not have emerged from a purely European perspective. “Designworks isn’t just about cars, it’s about culture,” said Julia de Bono of BMW Designworks. “By looking outside automotive, we capture the signals that shape how people live, move, and express themselves.” That broader perspective has helped MINI stay connected to the human side of technology, something the brand has built much of its identity around. Looking Forward Designworks remains a critical piece of the creative ecosystem guiding MINI’s evolution. Its role is less about dictating style and more about helping MINI translate its personality into new forms, from sustainable materials to connected experiences. It’s a reminder that MINI’s future isn’t being designed in one place but across several: Munich, Oxford, Shanghai, and yes, Los Angeles. And that global mix of influences might be exactly what keeps MINI fresh, relevant, and unmistakably itself. The post How BMW Designworks Has Quietly Shaped MINI’s Modern Identity appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

When the MINI Superleggera Vision rolled onto the lawn at Villa d’Este in 2014, it instantly became one of the most breathtaking concept cars of the modern era. A minimalist, hand-formed sculpture that captured MINI’s character while hinting at a future that felt both electric and emotional. But behind that sculpted aluminum body was a story very few people know, one about craftsmanship, engineering creativity, and how MINI nearly turned this stunning concept into a production car. In our latest MotoringFile video, we take you inside that story. You’ll see how the Superleggera was built in collaboration with Touring Superleggera of Milan, using traditional coachbuilding methods rarely seen today. We reveal how MINI secretly tested the design on a prototype before building the final aluminum car, and how BMW engineers slipped in an early i3 electric drivetrain to make it fully drivable. and rear-wheel drive. MINI came closer than most realize to putting it into production, exploring UKL-based variants and low-volume builds, before the realities of cost and complexity forced them to step back. Still, the Superleggera’s influence never faded. Its clean surfaces, minimalist design, and pure proportions helped shape the next generation of MINI design, visible today in MINI’s more minimal design language. Watch the full video below to see how one of the most beautiful cars in MINI’s history was actually built, by hand, by vision, and by passion. The post Video: The MINI Superleggera – How MINI’s Most Beautiful Car Almost Went Into Production appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

MINI USA is once again doubling down on value and style with the debut of the 2026 MINI Oxford Edition – this time with the Countryman S ALL4 model. This new model marks the first time the Oxford Edition badge appears on the Countryman S, expanding MINI’s most accessible lineup while keeping true to the brand’s signature blend of performance, design, and innovation. But the most interesting thing is what MINI is offering for the price. If you’ve been following our reporting, you’ll remember that MINI revived the Oxford Edition earlier this year for the new 2025 MINI Cooper C 2-Door and 4-Door models. That followed our earlier coverage on MINI USA’s decision to re-introduce the Oxford Edition as a value-based package and our deeper dive into pricing and equipment details. Those models carried forward a concept that began nearly a decade ago: delivering MINI’s core fun-to-drive personality and design sensibility in a more attainable package. Originally created for students and recent grads, the Oxford Edition quickly grew into a cult favorite among MINI loyalists who appreciated its smart mix of spec and value. Now that same formula comes to MINI’s biggest model, the Countryman S ALL4. A Value Package With MINI Character The 2026 MINI Oxford Edition Countryman S ALL4 isn’t a stripped-down special. Instead, it brings together a thoughtfully curated set of options designed to make MINI’s all-wheel-drive crossover both practical and playful. Available in Chili Red, Nanuq White, or Blazing Blue, all included at no additional cost, it features black roof and mirror caps for contrast and a sportier stance. New 18-inch Asteroid Spoke Black wheels complete the exterior look, giving the Countryman Oxford Edition a bit more edge, while the Anthracite headliner adds a subtle performance-inspired touch inside. One surprising new feature MINI USA as included is the Active Driving Assistant, bringing driver-assist technologies like forward collision warning and lane departure alerts, plus privacy glass for an extra layer of comfort and style. But it’s the price that is really impressive. At $34,900 (plus $1,175 destination), it represents one of the best-value entries into MINI’s performance lineup. That’s a substantial discount on the bone-stock Countryman S which retails for $38,900. For added context, that’s a fully equipped, all-wheel-drive MINI crossover for roughly the same price as some base front-drive competitors. It’s clear MINI is aiming squarely at buyers who want something distinct, design-forward, and genuinely fun to drive without stepping into luxury pricing territory. The Oxford Edition Story The Oxford Edition name has become something of a hidden gem in MINI’s lineup. Originally launched in 2018, it began as a way for MINI USA to offer students and recent college graduates a more affordable path into MINI ownership. But the idea quickly outgrew its target audience. MINI fans discovered that the Oxford Editions weren’t bargain-bin models—they were smartly equipped, great-looking cars that retained all the personality and performance of their more expensive siblings. With standard premium features, fewer configuration choices, and simplified pricing, the Oxford Edition struck the perfect balance between style and sensibility. Over the years, we’ve reported on several iterations of the Oxford Edition across the Cooper range, each one proving MINI’s ability to democratize premium design without losing what makes the brand special. The return of the Oxford Edition for the 2025 Cooper models earlier this year signaled that MINI wasn’t finished with the formula, and now, the 2026 Countryman S ALL4 cements that commitment on a larger scale. All MINI USA Oxford Edition Models Model yearModelDrivetrainMSRP at launchNotes2018F56 2 DoorFWD$19,750Student and recent-grad program launch2018F55 4 DoorFWD$20,750Student and recent-grad program launch2019F56 2 DoorFWD$19,750Eligibility expanded to U.S. military2019F60 CountrymanFWD$20,750Eligibility expanded to U.S. military2020F56 2 DoorFWD$19,750Oxford opened to all customers2020F55 4 DoorFWD$20,750Oxford opened to all customers2020F60 CountrymanFWD$25,900First Countryman Oxford Edition2020F60 CountrymanALL4$27,900First Countryman Oxford Edition with AWD2021F56 2 DoorFWD$19,750MY21 pricing table confirms carryover2021F55 4 DoorFWD$20,750MY21 pricing table confirms carryover2022F56 2 DoorFWD$19,750Oxford returns for MY22 at original pricing2022F55 4 DoorFWD$20,750Oxford returns for MY22 at original pricing2025F66 2 DoorFWD$24,950Oxford re-introduced on the new Cooper2025F65 4 DoorFWD$25,950Oxford re-introduced on the new Cooper2026U25 Countryman SALL4$34,900New Oxford for Countryman S ALL4 With more space, all-wheel drive, and a healthy dose of desirable options, the Countryman Oxford Edition evolves the concept into a true all-weather, all-purpose MINI that still delivers on value. It’s the Oxford Edition philosophy, supersized. The post MINI Countryman S Gets a Lower Price With Increased Options with The 2026 Oxford Edition appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

MINI is heading back where it belongs, to the gravel, the mud, and the fast-flowing stages of rally racing. LAP Motorsport, the longtime partner behind MINI USA’s race and off-road programs, will be competing with the MINI Cooper and Countryman at the ARA regionals Show-Me Rally this weekend. But it’s what might come after that has us excited. The team is looking to see how the mostly stock MINIs will fair in the American Rally Association (ARA) ahead of potentially running a full season in 2026 likely backed officially by MINI USA. Based out of Brownsburg, Indiana, the team will field a Limited Two-Wheel-Drive (L2WD) MINI Cooper Hardtop and a Limited Four-Wheel-Drive (L4WD) John Cooper Works Countryman. Both cars are making their first public appearance this weekend, marking MINI’s first official return to American rally competition in decades. MINI testing the U25 Off-road during it’s development From Circuit to Stages Team owner and driver Luis Perocarpi has spent years developing and racing MINIs in both circuit and off-road environments, from IMSA and SRO championships to class wins at the Sonora Rally in 2018 and 2023. Now he’s bringing that experience to the gravel, piloting the all-wheel-drive Countryman in the L4WD class. His son, Cristian Perocarpi, will drive the L2WD MINI Cooper Hardtop. Already familiar with the brand’s performance DNA from years of road and desert racing, Cristian will make his ARA debut this season with co-driver Mark Wells alongside. Luis will be joined by co-driver David Quillen in the Countryman. LAP and MINI USA racing at America Road America in 2023 Rallying with MINI DNA Intact The team’s early builds are staying close to stock, with initial modifications focused on safety and reliability for the ARA’s Show-Me Rally. Because the L2WD and L4WD classes limit extensive upgrades, both cars will rely heavily on MINI’s inherent balance, torque delivery, and nimble chassis tuning, all of which helped define the brand’s rally heritage. Technicians from MINI of St. Louis are lending support at the events, joined by dealership employees and local MINI owners eager to see the brand return to its motorsport roots. MINI testing the U25 Off-road during it’s development A Hint of What’s Next for MINI Motorsport While MINI USA isn’t ready to announce an official rally program, this collaboration with LAP Motorsport appears to be more than a one-off experiment. With other automakers like Honda unveiling ARA-ready factory cars such as the Civic Type R HRC Rally XP and more manufacturers testing the waters, 2026 could mark the beginning of a renewed era of manufacturer-backed rally competition in the United States. For MINI fans, this marks a return to the form that defined the brand. From Monte Carlo to Missouri, the stages may have changed, but the spirit remains the same. MINI is back in the dirt. The post The MINI Cooper and Countryman Are Going Rally Racing in the U.S. appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

BMW’s latest move in driver assistance tech isn’t just big news for its electric iX3 — it’s a glimpse into what’s coming for MINI. BMW has become the first automaker in Germany to receive official approval for Driver Control Assistance Systems (DCAS). That might sound like regulatory fine print, but it’s a huge step that allows BMW (and by extension, MINI) to bring true “hands-off” driving to highways across Europe and eventually the rest of the world. BMW’s iDrive X is the perfect platform for Motorway Assistant, and yes, it will eventually come to MINIs Hands-Off, Eyes Forward The newly approved Motorway Assistant system lets drivers take their hands off the wheel at speeds up to 81 mph / 130 km/h while the car handles acceleration, braking, and steering — all while keeping the driver alert and ready to intervene. That’s a massive step up from the 37 mph that MINI’s current Driving Assistant Pro offers. But it’s the added functionality and safety measures that make it really interesting. A quick glance at the side mirror can even confirm a lane change, and the system now stays active through highway junctions and exits. It can even make proactive lane-change suggestions using BMW Maps route data. In practice, that means a smoother, more natural experience — the kind of semi-autonomous comfort that makes long-distance drives far less tiring without losing that essential sense of connection. Why MINI Fans Should Care MINI’s current and upcoming models share the same tech foundations as BMW, including the architecture that powers systems like the Motorway Assistant. That means this approval opens the door for MINI to introduce more advanced versions of Driving Assistant Pro across its new lineup, from the electric J01 Cooper to the U25 Countryman and beyond. In other words, what starts on the Autobahn today could be heading to your next MINI tomorrow. From Motorways to City Streets BMW isn’t stopping there. The iX3’s expanded driver assistance suite now includes early-stage “City Assistant” features that can automatically stop at red lights and resume once traffic moves again — all of which could eventually filter down to MINI models through over-the-air updates. The Bigger Picture This new approval means BMW (and MINI) no longer need special exemptions to roll out their most advanced Level 2 assistance systems. It also signals a shift in how the brand views autonomy — not as a handover of control, but as a partnership. BMW calls it Symbiotic Drive, and MINI’s design philosophy of putting the driver at the center aligns perfectly with it. The goal isn’t to replace the driver, it’s to make those long-haul journeys a little calmer and a little easier, saving your energy for those backroads. The post BMW Expands Hands-Off Driving Across Europe — And Why It Matters for MINI appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

There’s something quietly revolutionary happening in the world of performance cars and it could easily find its way into the next generation of MINIs. Pirelli’s new Cyber Tyre system, recently named V2X Innovation of the Year at the 2025 Autotech Breakthrough Awards, represents the kind of intelligent, data-driven hardware that could elevate MINI’s already sharp handling to a new level. While it’s debuting on high-end exotics today, tech like this almost always trickles down, and that could mean big things for future MINIs. Cyber Tyre is the first intelligent system that collects and processes data directly from the tires themselves — things like temperature, pressure, tread wear, and load. Those readings are then sent to the vehicle’s control systems (think traction control, ABS, and stability management) to fine-tune performance in real time. It’s the same kind of feedback loop that could make future MINIs even more connected to both the driver and the road beneath them. What makes this especially relevant is how it fits into the era of software-defined vehicles (SDVs). As more of a car’s personality and performance are controlled through software, having real-time data from the tire, the only component that actually meets the road — becomes critical. Developed with Bosch Engineering, Pirelli’s system can even support V2V (vehicle-to-vehicle) and V2I (vehicle-to-infrastructure) communication, meaning your car could one day share live traction data with other vehicles or even with the road network itself. For now, Cyber Tyre is rolling out on high-end cars like Aston Martins, but it’s not hard to imagine MINI adopting something similar. Just as adaptive dampers, variable drive modes, and active differentials made their way from supercars to hot hatches, this next leap in tire intelligence could bring measurable gains in safety, performance, and driver engagement. It’s a reminder that even in an increasingly digital world, MINI’s connection to the road — and to the driver — still starts where the rubber meets the tarmac. The post Pirelli’s Cyber Tyre: The Smart Tire Tech That Could Shape MINI’s Future appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

When the MINI Superleggera Vision debuted at Villa d’Este in 2014, it looked almost too perfect to be real — a minimalist, hand-formed sculpture that captured MINI’s spirit while stripping away every trace of clutter. But it wasn’t just a showpiece. This was a fully functional prototype, hand-built over nearly a year with engineering as beautiful as its design. Here’s the story of how MINI not only design but actually built the most beautiful MINI ever. A Coachbuilt MINI for the Electric Age The Superleggera Vision was born from a rare collaboration between MINI Design in Munich, led by Anders Warming, and Touring Superleggera, the legendary Milanese coachbuilder whose name literally means “super light” in Italian. Touring handled the construction the old-school way: hand-shaped aluminum panels wrapped around a tubular space frame, built using the same techniques that once created Aston Martins and Maseratis. Every curve, joint, and line was formed by hand. The result was a structure that weighed next to nothing and radiated the kind of craftsmanship modern manufacturing can’t replicate. While MINI supplied the design and vision, Touring’s artisans turned those sketches into metal. This wasn’t a modified production shell. It was a completely bespoke chassis and body, engineered from the ground up. Screenshot Screenshot The Secret production Based Prototype Before the aluminum masterpiece was born, MINI quietly built a styling prototype using an R59 MINI Roadster as a test mule. That car served as an early proving ground for proportions, stance, and design details like the signature fin and minimalist interior. Engineers and designers used it to experiment with surfacing, lighting, and even seating position before handing things off to Touring Superleggera. Only after the concept was fully resolved in clay and on the Roadster mule did the team move to the final hand-built aluminum version. That step ensured the Superleggera’s proportions felt grounded in MINI reality, even as it pushed far beyond it. MINI’s Plan to Build It After its debut, enthusiasm inside MINI and BMW was enormous. Designers, engineers, and executives all saw potential in turning the Superleggera Vision into a low-volume production model. For months, MINI explored how to make it happen. One path involved re-engineering it on the UKL platform, which underpinned the Cooper and Countryman at the time. This version would have been front-wheel drive and offered in combustion form. MINI even went as far as developing feasibility studies, cost models, and early clay revisions for a slightly taller, production-friendly version. But the numbers never worked. Building an aluminum-bodied two-seater by hand was far too expensive, and adapting the design for steel production would have compromised the proportions that made it special. It could have been watered down and built on the line as MINI did with the R59 Roadster but there was concern it would have lost what made it so special. MINI leadership ultimately concluded that while it could be built, it couldn’t be sold profitably. Still, the internal desire was strong enough that the Superleggera lived on in MINI’s design studio for years as a reference point. Its influence was felt in the brand’s next-generation design language, especially in the clean surfacing and lighting now visible on the J01 electric Cooper. A Bespoke Build With R59 Components Despite the Roadster connection, the finished Superleggera Vision did not share its platform. MINI engineers borrowed suspension and steering components from the R56-generation Cooper S parts bin, but the chassis itself was custom-designed to accommodate an electric drivetrain and rear-wheel-drive layout, something no MINI had ever done before. The result was a car that looked familiar in size and proportion but was fundamentally different underneath. A BMW i3 Heart Power came from an early BMW i3 drivetrain, a rear-mounted electric motor and single-speed gearbox producing about 170 horsepower. According to sources, the lightweight frame and compact dimensions made it lively, balanced, and quiet, almost surreal for a MINI in 2014. BMW’s i-division engineers worked side by side with Touring to integrate the system into the hand-built frame. Every component, from battery placement to wiring harnesses, was adapted by hand. It was an engineering puzzle that shouldn’t have worked, but it did. Tested, Tuned, and Alive The Superleggera Vision wasn’t static art. It was tested around Munich and later driven on BMW’s private test track. Its proportions, shorter, wider, and lower than any production MINI, were a direct result of that custom frame and the compact electric drivetrain. The drive experience reportedly matched its looks: light, direct, and pure. What It Meant Inside MINI Within MINI Design, the Superleggera became a symbol of what could happen when design leads engineering. Though the production version never materialized, its influence is still visible today, from the surfacing and lighting of the J01 electric Cooper to the minimalist interiors shaping the brand’s next generation. It may not be the exact same aesthetic, but there are similar concepts behind them both that drive towards simplicity. It also reminded us that MINI could move beyond retro without losing its soul. Underneath that stunning aluminum body sat a true electric MINI roadster, one that pointed toward a future the brand is only now catching up to. The post the Secret MINI Superleggera Prototype and How It Almost Went Into Production appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

MINI is bringing one of its most advanced technologies to the heart of its lineup. Our sources tell us that the full Driving Assistant Pro system will be available across all Cooper models, from the all-electric J01 Cooper to the combustion F66 Hardtop, as well as the F65 five-door and F67 Convertible starting sooner than you might think. Instead of MINI waiting for an official refresh, the brand is rolling out Driving Assistant Pro in all Cooper models early next year. If that sounds familiar, it’s because this system first debuted on the new U25 Countryman earlier this year. It’s MINI’s most capable driver-assistance package to date, offering Level 2 semi-autonomous functionality. That means on certain roads and speeds, the car can handle acceleration, braking, and even steering up to 37 mph/60 kph , as long as the driver keeps eyes on the road. You can read more about how it works in our first look at the system here: MINI’s New Autonomous Driving Features Explained. The F65 with the integrated eye tracker behind the steering wheel For the Cooper family, that translates to features like adaptive cruise with stop-and-go, lane-keeping support, automatic lane changes, and the kind of camera-and-radar fusion that finally puts MINI on equal footing with BMW’s latest systems. In our hands-on review of the Countryman Driving Assistant Pro, we found it to be one of the smoothest and most confidence-inspiring systems in the segment, advanced enough to handle highway traffic yet intuitive enough to stay true to MINI’s focus on driver engagement. One of the more interesting details tied to this rollout is the small sensor unit positioned directly in front of the driver, housed within a subtle enclosure on the dash. First seen in the Paul Smith Edition MINI, it’s part of the driver monitoring system that enables Level 2 functionality by ensuring the driver remains attentive while hands-free features are active. MINI has managed to integrate the technology elegantly, keeping the cabin’s design clean and characterful while quietly adding an important layer of safety and intelligence. Note the integrated eye-tracker in the J01 is a different shape due to the interior design What’s notable is how quickly MINI is expanding this capability beyond its flagship SUV. Traditionally, features like this trickle down slowly, but the rollout to every Cooper variant shows just how unified the new MINI family architecture has become. It also signals that MINI is no longer treating advanced tech as a premium-only luxury. While final market configurations will vary slightly based on regional regulations, the plan is clear. From March production onward, every new MINI Cooper, electric or combustion, will be available with the brand’s most advanced driver-assistance tech yet. Driving Assistant Pro doesn’t take away what makes a MINI fun to drive, but it does make the dull parts of driving a little easier. Think of it as one more way MINI is blending its iconic character with genuinely useful modern tech. The post MINI Expands Driving Assistant Pro to the Entire Cooper Range appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

This Halloween, MINI is pulling off one of its cheekiest stunts yet—by dressing up as the one thing it considers truly terrifying: a Waymo. MINI’s latest campaign takes aim at the rise of driverless cars, wrapping its own in the livery of an autonomous Waymo to create what it calls the “scariest costume imaginable.” The stunt is part of a Halloween activation created by Goodby Silverstein & Partners (GS&P) titled Elloween, rolling out across Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Atlanta with digital billboards, wild postings, and social content that perfectly blend MINI’s wit with its message: driving yourself is way more fun than being chauffeured by a ghost. “Nothing is scarier than ghosting on driving,” said Kate Alini, Head of Marketing, Product and Strategy at MINI USA. “In a world moving towards driverless cars, MINI is using its iconic humor to show that driving a MINI yourself is way more fun than getting chauffeured by a ghost.” To bring the idea to life, GS&P is unleashing an actual “ghost car” MINI on the streets of LA this Halloween—a tongue-in-cheek jab at the autonomous fleets quietly cruising the same roads. Locals who spot the spooky MINI can snap a photo, tag @MINIUSA, and possibly see their shot featured on MINI’s social channels. “Every Halloween, brands dress up for attention. MINI dresses up to make a point,” said Hanna Wittmark, Creative Director at GS&P. “We wanted to remind people that driving a MINI isn’t just transportation—it’s pure joy.” The campaign taps into MINI’s long tradition of smart, seasonal stunts—from past pranks that celebrated the joy of small cars to this year’s statement on what’s being lost in the age of automation. So if you’re in LA this Halloween and think you’ve just seen a Waymo… look twice. It might just be MINI reminding the world that the real thrill of driving comes from being behind the wheel, not haunting the passenger seat. Related: MINI’s Past Halloween Stunts: A Look Back at the Brand’s Best Tricks and Treats The post MINI’s Halloween Trick: The Ghost Car That’s Haunting Cities appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

This is the 2026 MINI Paul Smith Edition and today we are digging into the design. Three exterior colors, two roof treatments and more easter eggs to make your head spin. More than a year after we first broke the story, MINI has officially unveiled the Paul Smith Edition — a full lineup of Coopers that brings Sir Paul’s design sensibility to every model, from the all-electric J01 to the petrol-powered F66 and even the five-door and convertible. This is MINI’s most expansive Paul Smith collaboration to date, blending subtle craftsmanship with unmistakable personality. There are exclusive colors inspired by MINI’s past, refined interior materials that nod to Paul Smith’s tailoring, and clever details — from Nottingham Green accents to a hidden “hello” projection — that make this car feel equal parts fashion and fun. In this video, we’re breaking down the design and the inspiration behind it. Because this isn’t just another limited edition, it’s a homage to the past and a look into the future. The post First Video: The MINI Cooper Paul Smith Edition In Detail appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

More than a year after we first broke the story of a new Paul Smith collaboration with MINI, the curtain is being raised on their most complete joint effort yet and the largest offering of special edition MINI Cooper models ever. The new MINI Paul Smith Edition brings Sir Paul’s “classic with a twist” design ethos to the MINI Cooper. And not just one model but all four of them. This isn’t the first time MINI and Paul Smith have joined forces. From the now-legendary 1998 Paul Smith Mini (with its signature blue paint and anthracite wheels) to the striped one-off that followed, their collaborations have always captured a sense of playfulness and wit unique to British design. Left: 1998 “Paul Smith Blue” Mini, 1,800 were built. Middle and Right:1999 One-off Paul Smith MINI More recently, we’ve seen the minimalist MINI STRIP in 2021 and the MINI Recharged by Paul Smith in 2022, each exploring sustainability and simplicity through Smith’s lens. But this new production model marks a turning point. It’s not a concept or an art piece. It’s a real MINI you’ll be able to buy. The MINI Paul Smith Edition will be offered on both electric and combustion Cooper models, including the three-door, five-door, and convertible form, and on both the Cooper C and Cooper S performance levels. However it’s worth noting that the Paul Smith Edition will not extend to the hottest MINI Coopers – the JCW. Design – MINI with a Paul Smith Twist Set to debut at the Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo on October 29, the MINI Paul Smith Edition distills decades of shared heritage into a new, modern package. According to MINI Head of Design Holger Hampf, “MINI and Paul Smith embody a shared mindset of positivity, embracing the motto of this edition: ‘Every day is a new beginning.’” That theme shows up throughout the car, in the details, color choices, and even a cheeky “hello” light projection when you open the door. Exterior Colors Statement GreyInspired WhiteMidnight BlackInspired by the 1959 Austin Seven, bluish-tinted grey.Contemporary nod to the Classic Mini BeigeCarryover from the current MINI palette The MINI Paul Smith Edition comes in three distinct colors, two of which are exclusive to the Paul Smith Edition. First is Statement Grey, which to our eyes looks like a light, grey blue. MINI tells us that it reimagines a classic 1959 Mini Austin Seven hue. Then there’s Inspired White is tribute to the original Mini’s beloved beige. For those who know modern MINIs, imagine Pepper White but a bit less cream. Finally there’s the well known Midnight Black, a deep, metallic finish that’s been in the MINI lineup for almost 20 years. Regardless of color, all cars get Nottingham Green accents—a nod to Paul Smith’s hometown—applied to the side mirrors, grille, wheel hub covers, and roof (for one of the two roof options). Where things get really interesting is the roof. On the Statement Grey and Inspired White, the roof is finished in Nottingham Green and Paul Smith’s Signature Stripe subtly placed just behind the driver’s door. For cars finished in Midnight Black, the roof is finished in alternating matte and gloss Jet Black stripes. The Convertible version sticks with a black soft top for a more understated look. Our collaboration celebrates a mutual love for design and meticulous attention to detail. Unexpected elements, such as the ‘hello’ projection on the ground and Paul Smith’s handwritten inscription bring a smile to your face right upon entering the car, Holger Hampf, Head of MINI Design. Complementing the exterior is a set of 18-inch Night Spoke alloy wheels finished in Dark Steel Flash, with new MINI logos rendered in a gradient of Black and Blue. Paul Smith’s signature appears discreetly across the rear handle strip—another subtle reminder of the creative mind behind the design. British Elegance Inside Step inside, and the Paul Smith influence becomes even more apparent. The interior is both refined and playful, pairing Nightshade Blue Vescin sports seats with textile inserts that echo Smith’s iconic stripe pattern. The dashboard and door panels feature a knitted black surface inspired by his fabrics, while multicolor stitching across the steering wheel adds just the right amount of personality. It’s not often that you see two icons of British design work together in this way and it’s wonderful that our partnership has carried on over so many years. Sir Paul Smith MINI has also tucked in several charming details: a hand-drawn “rabbit” graphic on the floor mats, Paul Smith’s motto “Every day is a new beginning” on the door sills, and a “Hello” light projection that greets you upon entry. The central round OLED display includes three exclusive Paul Smith backgrounds when “Personal Mode” is selected, blending digital design with real-world craftsmanship. A Story of Two Icons Paul Smith summed it up best: “It’s not often that you see two icons of British design work together in this way. The MINI Paul Smith Edition has been a real privilege… new colours and unexpected details that will be a welcomed surprise.” This edition isn’t just another styling exercise—it’s the continuation of a creative dialogue that’s been evolving for more than 25 years. Ever since the first Paul Smith Mini appeared in 1998, each collaboration has carried the same thread: a celebration of optimism, craftsmanship, and a playful refusal to take design too seriously. What sets this one apart is how quietly confident it feels. As we’ve noted before on MotoringFile, the best MINI designs are those that reveal themselves slowly. The Paul Smith Edition works in exactly that way. At first glance, it feels understated—almost too subtle for such a bold designer. But spend a little time with it and the layers begin to show: the tailored color choices, the textural contrasts, the perfectly placed accents that make the car feel considered rather than decorated. Smith has managed something rare here. The car isn’t loud, minimal, or trying too hard to make a point. Instead, it strikes that delicate balance MINI and Paul Smith both understand so well—enough restraint to let the details do the talking, and enough character to keep you discovering something new every time you see it. Adding a finishing touch, Paul Smith will release a capsule collection of bags inspired by details from the car, further connecting the two brands’ worlds of mobility and fashion. Look for them at Paul Smith stores and some MINI dealers in the coming months. The MotoringFile Take When we reported on this project back in May 2024, it was clear MINI and Paul Smith were planning something more substantial than a one-off concept. What’s emerged a year later is exactly that: a production car that captures the joy, humor, and individuality that both brands stand for. It’s a refreshing antidote to the sameness that defines so much of modern automotive design. Will this special edition resonate with everyone? Surely not. But what MINI has done with this new offering is align with its English heritage, its storied past, and modern fashion. The result is that the MINI Paul Smith Edition feels personal, thoughtful, and distinctly British. This is MINI at its best, knowing how to make a statement, not by shouting, but by simply leaning into what it means to be “mini”. The MINI Paul Smith Edition makes its official debut October 29 at the Japan Mobility Show. We’ll have much more on this new special edition model in the days including details on availability, pricing, and market rollout. The post The 2026 MINI Cooper Paul Smith Edition – MINI’s Biggest Special Edition Ever appeared first on MotoringFile. 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For MINI fans, special editions are nothing new, but few carry the kind of design heritage this one does. The upcoming 2026 MINI Paul Smith Edition isn’t just another paint-and-sticker package; it’s the latest chapter in a partnership that’s helped define MINI’s creative side for more than two decades. And based on our early look, this one might be the best yet. From the all-electric J01 Cooper SE to the petrol-powered F66 Cooper, this new edition promises the kind of quiet detail and craftsmanship that MINI enthusiasts love, shaped by one of Britain’s most influential designers. Even if you don’t know Paul Smith by name, you’ve likely felt his influence, clean lines, clever color, and a sense of fun that fits MINI perfectly. Paul Smith summed it up best: “It’s not often that you see two icons of British design work together in this way. The MINI Paul Smith Edition has been a real privilege… new colours and unexpected details that will be a welcomed surprise.” This latest collaboration between MINI and Paul Smith is more than a limited-edition model. It’s a continuation of a creative dialogue that’s been evolving for more than 25 years, a conversation about simplicity, color, and character that has defined both brands in their own ways. A Shared Design Language Sir Paul Smith’s design ethos has always balanced classic British tailoring with unexpected twists. His fashion is known for clean lines punctuated by subtle surprises—bright stitching on a navy suit, or a flash of pattern hidden in a cuff. It’s a language of restraint and wit, a way of making the ordinary feel special without shouting about it. MINI has long followed a similar path. Since its relaunch in 2001, the brand has built its identity around clever details, emotional design, and a sense of optimism baked into every curve and toggle. When Smith and MINI come together, the result isn’t just surface-level style—it’s a blending of philosophies that celebrate timeless design with personality. A History of Collaboration The partnership between MINI and Paul Smith began in 1998 with the first Paul Smith Mini, a one-off classic that quickly became one of the most recognizable custom Minis ever created. Finished in Paul Smith Blue—a bespoke shade inspired by his menswear collections—the car featured hidden accents in citrus green and a signature stripe motif. Only 1,800 were produced, and they’ve become some of the most collectible classic Minis ever built. The relationship resurfaced in 2021 with the MINI STRIP, a concept car that stripped the modern MINI Cooper SE down to its bare essentials. It was a minimalist design statement focused on sustainability, built using recycled materials and left intentionally raw. Smith called it “a design exercise in reduction,” and it showed just how aligned the two brands are in their approach to craft and purpose. Now, with the 2025 Paul Smith Edition, that relationship steps into production once again—this time across MINI’s new generation of Coopers, from the electric J01 MINI Cooper SE to the petrol-powered F66 Cooper and its derivatives. A Study in Subtlety The new MINI Paul Smith Edition comes in three carefully chosen colorways, two of which are exclusive to this collaboration. Statement Grey reimagines the original 1959 Mini Austin Seven hue with a modern, blue-tinted twist. Inspired White nods to the classic Mini’s beige with a crisper, contemporary tone. And Midnight Black Metallic, drawn from MINI’s current palette, adds a grounding elegance to the mix. Beyond the paint, it’s the smaller touches that make this car unmistakably Paul Smith. His signature “Signature Stripe” runs across the roof in Nottingham Green, tucked just behind the driver’s side like a hidden flourish from a well-tailored suit. An alternative version introduces Jet Black stripes in varying thicknesses, alternating matte and gloss finishes for subtle contrast. The convertible variant finishes the look with a simple black soft top—clean, confident, and timeless. The Art of Understatement As we’ve said before on MotoringFile, the best MINI designs reveal themselves over time. The Paul Smith Edition works exactly that way. At first glance, it feels understated—especially compared to some of MINI’s louder limited editions of the past. But the longer you look, the more the details surface. The way the colors interact with light. The precision in the stripes. The thoughtful placement of every accent. It’s this quiet confidence that makes the design work. Smith hasn’t gone for nostalgia or flamboyance. Instead, he’s found that sweet spot between restraint and expression—creating a car that feels instantly familiar, yet quietly distinctive. It’s a modern interpretation of what made the original Paul Smith Mini so special: a piece that doesn’t need to shout to be noticed. Looking Ahead While MINI hasn’t confirmed which trims the Paul Smith Edition will be offered on, history suggests it may be exclusive to the “S” variants. If so, that would place it squarely in MINI’s tradition of special editions that combine performance and design flair, like the Sidewalk Convertible or Goodwood Edition before it. The car will make its global debut at the Japan Mobility Show on October 29, during the BMW Group keynote at 9:55 JST. And while official pricing and availability remain under wraps, it’s clear MINI views this as a flagship design statement for the new Cooper family. A Modern Twist on a Classic Combination More than two decades after their first project together, the relationship between MINI and Paul Smith feels as relevant as ever. Both brands have evolved, but their shared sensibility—one of optimism, cleverness, and craft—remains at the core. The 2025 MINI Paul Smith Edition captures that perfectly. It’s sophisticated but playful, detailed but not overdesigned. Like a great piece of tailoring, it rewards the closer look. Read our original exclusive: Exclusive: New Paul Smith Edition MINI Cooper Is Coming to Production See the official teaser: MINI Teases New Paul Smith Editions Ahead of Global Debut The post 2026 MINI Cooper Paul Smith Edition: Why This Special Edition Feels Different appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

In 1998, long before special editions became part of MINI’s modern playbook, something quietly remarkable happened. British fashion designer Paul Smith, already a global name known for his sharp tailoring and playful use of color, teamed up with Rover Group to create a one-off classic Mini that captured the essence of both brands. The Beginning: A One-Off Turned Icon The collaboration began with a simple idea: give one of Britain’s most beloved cars a distinctly Paul Smith twist. The result was the 1998 Paul Smith Mini, a 1.3-liter Mini Cooper finished in a bespoke shade now known as Paul Smith Blue, a deep cobalt tone pulled directly from the designer’s menswear palette. The car debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show that year, marking the first time MINI had partnered with a contemporary designer to reinterpret the brand’s design language. But it wasn’t just about color. Look closer and the details told the real story. Beneath the surface sat a lime green engine block, a playful contrast hidden from sight, reflecting Smith’s belief that “the inside should be as beautiful as the outside.” The glovebox contained a small “Paul Smith” signature plaque, while the interior combined charcoal leather seats with blue piping and body-colored dash inserts. Even the grille badge was replaced with Smith’s handwritten logo. The result was a car that felt equal parts Savile Row and Carnaby Street—refined, clever, and unmistakably British. From One-Off to Limited Run The Tokyo show car sparked immediate interest, prompting Rover to approve a limited production version the following year. Built at Longbridge, just 1,800 examples of the Paul Smith Mini were made, most finished in Paul Smith Blue, with a handful painted in Old English White and Black. These cars were aimed at the UK and Japanese markets, both of which had deep affection for the Mini and an appreciation for Smith’s design influence. The limited edition retained the same core design details as the show car: color-matched wheel arches, body-colored mirrors, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, and alloy interior touches. Each one came with a numbered dash plaque and a certificate of authenticity, underscoring its status as one of the final and most distinctive special editions of the classic Mini’s 40-year run. The Striped One-Off: MINI’s 40th Anniversary Showpiece To celebrate the Mini’s 40th anniversary in 1999, Paul Smith created a second one-off masterpiece: the Paul Smith “Signature Stripe” Mini. This car was a riot of color, wrapped in his now-iconic vertical stripes in blue, green, pink, yellow, and orange. Where the production car embodied restraint and sophistication, this version was pure artistic expression, a love letter to color and individuality. The striped Mini was never intended for sale. It served instead as a design statement, showcasing Smith’s signature motif in a completely new medium. The car has since been displayed in museums and exhibitions around the world and is now part of MINI’s own heritage collection. As The Independent described at the time, it was “flamboyant yet undeniably British,” the perfect representation of Smith’s ability to blend eccentricity with elegance. Paul Smith Mini Returns in Electric Form In 2022, MINI and Paul Smith revisited their most famous collaboration once again, but this time with a forward-looking twist. The MINI Recharged Paul Smith took the original 1998 Paul Smith Mini and reimagined it for the electric age, blending classic design with modern sustainability in a way that perfectly bridged MINI’s past and future. Paul Smith described the process as “recycling at its most beautiful,” and it’s easy to see why. The exterior remained untouched, still finished in that deep cobalt blue that defined the 1998 edition, but the interior was completely reworked with the same “less is more” philosophy introduced in the MINI STRIP concept a year earlier. Gone were the chrome switches and leather trim. In their place, a simple, minimal interior made from sustainable materials and a matte-painted floor in place of carpet. A smartphone mount replaced the traditional infotainment screen, and analog dials were left intentionally sparse. It was a respectful reimagining that honored the past while embracing a cleaner, lighter future. The project connected all three eras of their collaboration—the refined craftsmanship of the 1998 original, the expressive artistry of the 1999 striped one-off, and a stripped-back ethos of culminating in a design that celebrated MINI’s enduring ability to evolve without losing its soul. The post The Original MINI Paul Smith: How a 1990s Collaboration Defined a Design Legacy appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

There’s a moment in every great brand’s story when the future hangs by a thread. For MINI, that moment came in the mid-1990s, when BMW suddenly found itself the unlikely guardian of Britain’s most beloved small car and an impossible brief: how do you reinvent something that was already perfect? The answer, at first, was the ACV 30, a concept car so bold and misplaced that it ended up defining MINI’s future by showing exactly what it was and wasn’t. When BMW acquired Rover Group in 1994, the original Mini was still rolling off the line in Longbridge: brilliant, tiny, and hopelessly outdated. Safety regulations, modern ergonomics, and the rising expectations of buyers had left it frozen in time. Yet for all its flaws, the Mini name carried cultural weight few brands could match. BMW knew there was something worth saving. What it didn’t know yet was what that should look like. Left: The original ACV30 concept. Right: The final version that debuted at the 1997 Monte Carlo Rally. So the team built a rally car. Officially called the Anniversary Concept Vehicle 30, the ACV 30 was created to celebrate thirty years since the Mini Cooper’s historic Monte Carlo Rally win. Unveiled in 1997, it appeared alongside Paddy Hopkirk’s famous 33 EJB, a not-so-subtle reminder that the Mini’s past was written in dust, gravel, and champagne. Underneath the surface, though, this was something else entirely. The ACV 30 sat on the mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive chassis of the MG F, powered by Rover’s 1.8-liter K-series four. It looked like a classic Mini that had gone through witness protection: short, wide, and unapologetically aggressive. The white roof and red body nodded to its Monte Carlo roots, while massive fog lights and inflated arches gave it the stance of a rally prototype that escaped the paddock. The design came from a small, experimental team working under BMW’s early stewardship of Rover, including a young Adrian van Hooydonk, who would later lead BMW Group Design. The car’s visual language mixed reverence and rebellion. Circular headlamps, contrasting roof, and upright stance all echoed Issigonis’s original, but the surfacing was muscular and modern. It felt like MINI, only louder, an exaggeration of what the brand might become if it went racing again. Inside BMW, the ACV 30 was never meant as a production prototype. It was a provocation, a sketch in motion. And it did exactly what concept cars are meant to do: force a decision. The ACV 30’s mid-engine layout and extreme stance made it clear that MINI couldn’t survive on nostalgia alone. The next car needed to honor the original’s clever engineering, not just its attitude. That realization, sharpened by the ACV 30’s excess, set the stage for Frank Stephenson’s design that would debut as the all-new MINI Cooper in 2001. Even so, the ACV 30 left a deep imprint. Its blacked-out pillars, floating roofline, and confident proportions would all reappear on the production MINI. More importantly, it reframed MINI as a brand of expression rather than austerity—premium, design-driven, and playful. It reminded everyone that small didn’t have to mean simple. Seen today, the ACV 30 feels like an alternate history. A mid-engine MINI rally car built in the late nineties sounds absurd, but it carried the DNA of the revival that followed. It’s the car that let MINI dream a little too big, and in doing so, helped the brand find the right size again. Without it, there’s a good chance the modern MINI would never have struck that balance between heritage and reinvention. The ACV 30 wasn’t the next MINI, but in the most important way, it made the next MINI possible. The post The MINI Cooper ACV 30: The Radical Concept That Paved the Way for the Modern MINI appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

You only really get to know a car at its limit. With the Countryman JCW, that limit usually lives somewhere beyond reach — buried under layers of grip, all-wheel drive confidence, and tire tech that makes mistakes hard to find. Unless, of course, you leave the road behind. So we did. East out of Bozeman, Montana, where the pavement gives way to gravel and the hills start to rise into mountains. The goal wasn’t speed, or even precision. It was something simpler — to see how MINI’s biggest performer behaves when the asphalt ends and the world turns to dust. The Journey Begins Our route began on Bridger Canyon Road, carving through long sweepers and rolling elevation changes framed by the Bridger Mountains. From there, Jackson Creek Road tightened the rhythm — a narrow, technical stretch of tarmac that brought the chassis to life. It’s the kind of road that should reward a Cooper much more than a Countryman. Yet the rigidity, suspension calibration and quick steering masked the weight of the Countryman JCW more than I would have expected. While it lacked the texture you might feel through the wheel of an R53, it felt dialed in, communicating more than enough to give me plenty of confidence. A quick hop onto I-90 set us up for Trail Creek Road, where we soon peeled off onto a series of narrow, climbing dirt routes — the kind that snake up the mountainside toward 7,000 feet and demand both grip and composure. Here, the real test began. The surface shifted constantly between loose gravel and hard-packed clay, challenging the JCW to find its footing. With Go-Kart Mode engaged, the JCW allowed just enough slip to make things fast, flowing, and interesting. However, this is where we came face to face with its biggest limitation: summer tires. The Pirelli P Zeros are excellent performers on pavement above 45 degrees, but on dirt, they’re less than ideal. But a funny thing happens when you have limited grip — you really get to know a car. What became immediately clear was how easy the Countryman’s reactions were to predict. Once the tires began to slide, the JCW settled into a natural rhythm — confident, balanced, and surprisingly communicative for a crossover on summer rubber. MINI’s all-wheel-drive system quietly did its part, managing power with just enough slip to keep things playful without ever losing control. Back on Trail Creek and tarmac, I pushed on into a series of flowing corners — exactly the kind of terrain the JCW typically loves. And then it appeared: the Absaroka Mountains and Paradise Valley stretching wide ahead. If you’re a fan of Yellowstone, it’s worth noting that this is the very landscape that inspired the Dutton family’s fictional ranch — and the fight to preserve it that made the show’s early seasons so compelling. But out here, the real world easily outshines the scripted one. Paradise Valley doesn’t just live up to its name — it exceeds it. Every switchback was more magical than the last, winding through sweeping turns and gradual descents as Paradise Valley opened ahead. As the road unwound and the elevation dropped, speeds climbed. The curves widened, dust plumed behind, and the JCW’s massive brakes were only limited by the tire’s traction. Which, if I’m honest, was not stellar. Finally, we reached US 89. Turn right, and you’re bound for Yellowstone – the real one. Turn left, and the road drops into Livingston, one of the West’s most authentic small towns, part cowboy, part artist enclave, and a perfect place to end a day of backroad exploration. We turned left. Final Thoughts As impressive as the JCW’s balance is on performance tires, one thing becomes immediately clear: a more aggressive all-terrain setup would transform this experience. The chassis and suspension have the control to handle it — the only limiting factor is traction. Fortunately, sources tell us MINI is developing exactly that: an all-terrain package for the Countryman that could include revised tires and subtle off-road tweaks. If those rumors hold true, it might just unlock the Countryman’s full potential as a genuine all-surface performance crossover. In its current form, though, the JCW proves something essential about MINI’s DNA. You don’t need perfect pavement to enjoy it — just a good road, even one made of dust, gravel, and the occasional washboard, and a willingness to let the car move beneath you. On the backroads of Montana, that’s exactly what makes the drive unforgettable. The post MINI Countryman JCW Review: The Montana Dirt-Road Test appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

When MINI and Paul Smith team up, something special usually happens. However this time, things feel far more expansive than past collaborations. If we look at our exclusive report from May 2024 and MINI’s recent press release, here’s what we know and what this special edition model might include. From Rumor to Reality In our exclusive story last year, we revealed that MINI was developing a new production Paul Smith Edition based on the next-generation Cooper. At the time, sources told us this collaboration would move beyond one-offs and design studies to become a proper production model. That’s now official. MINI’s recent preview confirms that the Paul Smith Edition will be available across all Cooper variants, from the all-electric J01 MINI Cooper SE to the petrol-powered F66 Cooper and its derivatives. While MINI hasn’t announced specific trims yet, it’s likely the edition will be exclusive to the “S” models, as most limited editions have been in the past. The global debut will take place at the Japan Mobility Show on October 29, during the BMW Group keynote at 9:55 JST. A Creative Partnership with Deep Roots Paul Smith and MINI’s collaboration dates back to 1998, when the designer reimagined a classic Mini Cooper in his signature colors. The following year, he introduced the now-famous Signature Stripe Mini, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the classic Mini. More recently, the partnership returned with the MINI STRIP, a minimalist concept focused on sustainability and reduction, and the Mini Recharged, a one-off electric classic. Each project has reflected Paul Smith’s ability to blend creativity and simplicity, and this new production model appears set to continue that legacy within MINI’s modern lineup. What to Expect While MINI has yet to share full details, expect the Paul Smith Edition to feature unique colors, interior materials, and design cues that showcase the designer’s distinct aesthetic. Based on teaser imagery, the edition will likely include exclusive trim finishes, subtle badging, and special color combinations that distinguish it from standard models. The Reveal The official unveiling takes place at the Japan Mobility Show on October 29, where MINI will showcase the Paul Smith Edition as part of its growing lineup of design-led special models. We’ll have full coverage of the debut, including photography, specs, and design details, right here on MotoringFile. Read our original exclusive: Exclusive: New Paul Smith Edition MINI Cooper Is Coming to Production See the official teaser: MINI Teases New Paul Smith Editions Ahead of Global Debut The post The 2026 MINI Paul Smith Edition – Here’s What We Know appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

After driving every new MINI model multiple times, we’ve come away convinced that the all-electric Countryman SE might be the sweet spot of the range for most daily drivers. It’s refined, quick, and effortlessly usable. Yet its sales outlook in the U.S. is uncertain now that federal EV incentives have been pulled — raising a bigger question that looms over the entire market: just how important will EVs really be in America’s near future? For MINI, that question hits especially hard. Long before the latest tariffs and regulatory rollbacks, the brand had already decided not to import its two most important next-generation EVs — the J01 Cooper Electric and J05 Aceman Electric. That move left the larger U25 Countryman Electric as the only MINI EV available to American buyers, a decision that now looks both pragmatic and limiting at the same time. The J05 MINI Aceman MINI’s Change in Strategy At first glance, it’s easy to wonder why MINI would forgo smaller, more affordable EVs in a market that seemed ready for them. The answer lies in the math. Both the Cooper Electric and Aceman Electric are built in China, which complicated the business case for the U.S. market from the start. Even before politics entered the picture, existing tariffs and shipping costs made it nearly impossible for MINI to price those models competitively. In effect, MINI had to walk away from the small-EV segment in America well before the latest policy changes took hold. Ironically, the broader market has since shifted in a way that reinforces MINI’s call. With federal incentives gone and consumer enthusiasm cooling, small premium EVs have become a tough sell. Tesla has already warned of “rough quarters” without tax credits, while GM admits it will take longer than expected for its EV business to reach profitability. Against that backdrop, MINI’s early exit from the small-EV race looks less like hesitation and more like risk management. The U25 Countryman SE Still, there’s no denying the trade-off. With only the Countryman Electric in its lineup, MINI faces an uphill battle in one of the most competitive corners of the market. It’s a capable and appealing EV, but it lacks the price advantage many buyers now expect. Ford CEO Jim Farley recently said the future of EVs in America lies in “small vehicles used for commuting and around town.” That description could have fit the Cooper Electric perfectly — but American buyers won’t get the chance to find out. In Europe, the story is different. There, regulation is driving EV adoption, and MINI’s smaller electric models are positioned at the heart of its lineup. In the U.S., MINI will have to rely on one larger EV, improved charging infrastructure, and a loyal urban customer base to stay competitive. Ultimately, the decision to skip the J01 and J05 was made before the current EV reset in America. But as the market cools, that move looks increasingly prescient — even if it leaves MINI’s electric footprint here smaller than many hoped. And it brings us back to that lingering question: as incentives fade and demand stabilizes, will EVs remain the future of driving in America, or just one part of it? The post MINI Countryman SE and the Uncertain Future of EVs in America appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

As the energy of Formula 1 returns to Austin this weekend, MINI USA is stepping right into the heart of it—partnering with Sports Illustrated to bring two unique experiences to Circuit of the Americas. From October 17–19, MINI is hosting fans inside Club SI at Turn 12, one of the most exclusive vantage points on the track. Alongside premium hospitality and prime views of the racing action, the space showcases pieces of MINI’s motorsport heritage, including the legendary Cooper-Climax T53 Low Line Grand Prix car—a nod to the brand’s deep roots in competition. But the centerpiece of MINI’s Austin presence might be its fireside chat with Charlie Cooper, grandson of the iconic Formula 1 engineer John Cooper, whose performance tuning turned the classic Mini into a 1960s rally legend. The conversation—led by Mike Peyton, Vice President of MINI for the Americas—will dig into the Cooper family’s legacy and explore how that spirit continues to shape MINI’s evolving approach to design, performance, and electrification. “Austin is where motorsport energy and culture meet—and that’s exactly where MINI thrives,” said Peyton. “Partnering with Sports Illustrated lets us celebrate John Cooper’s legacy with enthusiasts while inviting new fans to experience MINI’s modern performance and personality—on and off the track.” Moderated by Adam Faris of Motorsport Network, the session promises to connect MINI’s storied racing past to its electrified future—a reminder that while the technology has evolved, the brand’s DNA remains unmistakably rooted in the pursuit of driving fun. The post MINI USA Activates in Austin with Sports Illustrated and Charlie Cooper appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article