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MINI Cooper colors can be a divisive topic. For quite a few owners they can be nothing less than identity. For its next generation of products MINI is drastically shaking things with a handful of new colors and the brand’s first matte option. Read on for an exclusive first look at the new colors for the F66 MINI Cooper and the U25 MINI Countryman that will begin production as soon as late this year. The 2025 MINI Cooper Colors (F66) Indigo Sunset BlueBlazing BlueOcean Wave GreenSunny Side YellowIcy Sunshine BlueChilli Red IIBritish Racing GreenMidnight BlackFor the F66 internal combustion (ICE) MINI Cooper, it looks like MINI is making some big changes. MINI is going heavy on the blurs while adding a pop of color with Sunny Side Yellow. Not listed here is Nanuq White which hasn’t been confirmed but is expected in the range as well. We also expect classic colors like Chili Red and British Racing Green to still be present but neither have been completely confirmed. We’d expect that these colors would also carryover to the four door F65 and F67 Convertible when they are release later in 2024 and 2025. The F66 MINI Cooper Production Timing The last internal combustion MINI Cooper will begin production in March of 2023 and be sold as a 2025 model in the US. Market introductions will vary a bit with Europe seeing spring 2023 deliveries and the North American market getting its first F66s in September of 2024. F66 MINI Cooper (ICE) / Oxford, EnglandStart of ProductionF66 ICE Cooper 3 door03/2024 (07/24 – US)F66 ICE Cooper S 3 door03/2024F66 ICE Cooper JCW 3 door11/2024F65 ICE Cooper 5 door07/2024 (11/24 – US)F65 ICE Cooper S 5 door07/2024F67 ICE Cooper Convertible11/2024F67 ICE Cooper S Convertible11/2024F67 ICE JCW Convertible03/2025 The 2025 MINI Countryman U25 (ICE & EV) Chilli Red IINanuq WhiteMidnight BlackBritish Racing GreenFrozen Portimao BlueMelting Silver IIILegend GreyThe 2025 MINI Countryman is a big move for MINI. Yes it’s literally big – we’ll see an additional five inches of length in total. But it’s big because it moves MINI squarely into the small, premium crossover market with both ICE and full electric options. With that MINI will beed to straddle the line between the typical MINI dynamics and appealing to a wide audience in either drivetrain. And that appeal starts with colors – plenty of them safe. Like the F66 we expect a few carry-overs The 2025 MINI Countryman Production Timing MINI will debut the 2024 MINI Countryman (labeled a 2025 in the US) in the second half of 2023 with an all-out model onslaught. Based on our sources, this is what we expect to see in terms of production timing: U25 / Leipzig, GermanyStart of ProductionU25 ICE Countryman11/2023U25 ICE Countryman S11/2023*U25 ICE Countryman JCW11/2023*U25 BEV Countryman E03/2024U25 BEV Countryman SE03/2024*U25 BEV Countryman JCWTBD**US market modelsWhat do you think? Is MINI playing too safe or do these colors make sense given the Countryman’s position in the line-up? Let us know in the comments below. The post Exclusive First Look at New MINI Cooper Colors appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

MINI USA is urging INI Cooper SE owners to trade in helping to boost low-cost EV inventory. According to USA Today, the move by MINI USA is designed to populate showrooms with lower cost EV options bringing new, younger shoppers to the brand. It’s also laying the groundwork for what will be MINI’s biggest EV in size and sales; the 2025 MINI Countryman SE. It’s an interesting problem that MINI USA has. The car is a huge success with owners as MINI earned the highest satisfaction score in quality and reliability of any EV in the recent J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience Ownership study released in February. It shows in how few owners are ready to trade-in their cars for newer models. As a result MINI USA executive Pat McKenna started a direct mail campaign to some of those early owners, urging them to trade in their Mini Cooper SEs for a newer model. The campaign encourages owners to consider a trade-in. According to USA Today, McKenna would like to see more buyers who are ready to try an EV but can’t afford the sky-high prices of new ones, consider a lower-priced used EV instead. It’s made all the more interesting when you consider what’s coming. The electric MINI Countryman SE is confirmed for US sales and should see showrooms by late summer 2024. MINI USA believes it will see a a percentage of current Cooper SE owners make the switch, But what about the next generation Cooper SE? You know that one that isn’t confirmed of the US officially yet? Here’s what Pat McKenna said on that topic; “As the next generation Mini EV hardtop is still pending final confirmation for the U.S. market, it is too early to confirm a date for market launch at this time.” Head to USA Today to read the entire article. And a hat-tip to USA Today for properly crediting and linking to MotoringFile as a source of information. The post MINI USA Urging MINI Cooper SE Owners to Trade-In Boosting Inventory appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

The F60 Countryman is ending on a high note and a preview of what’s to come with the wild looking Countryman Uncharted Edition. MINI has released photos but not much more on what looks to be the most interesting special edition Countryman we’ve seen yet from the manufacture. Taking a nod from the incredible Clubman Scrambler concept, MINI has subtly upgraded the Countryman is more off-road worthy tires and the first ever factor two-tone paint. MINI has yet to say when or where this special edition will be available but it’s shown here as a Cooper S All4. The key mechanical change appears to be the addition of General Grabber AT tires. According to General the Grabber AT is an all-terrain tire developed to meet the needs of SUV, pick-up truck and off-road vehicle drivers who want a combination of exceptional off-road capabilities and confident on-road manners. It combines experience exceptional grip, off-road performance and maximum comfort. What is really interesting to us is what this previews. We’ve heard from several sources that the next generation U25 MINI Countryman will have several, more off-road capable variants. The rumors point to MINI becoming much more aggressive in how it styles and equips the Countryman in an effort to broaden its capabilities and appeal. This new Uncharted Edition looks to our eyes as a first (if not minimal) attempt at that. We’ll have more on the MINI Countryman Uncharted Edition soon. The post World Premier: The Wild MINI Countryman Uncharted Edition Closes Out the F60 Generation appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

In an expansive move, MINI USA has issued a recall affecting a broad range of vehicles sold or registered in multiple states and jurisdictions across the United States. The recall is intended to fix a serious issue where water can accumulate in the footwell, leading to short-circuit risk in an electronic control module. In a worst-case scenario, that could trigger a vehicle fire. This new MINI recall will affect the R56 MINI Cooper, Cooper S and JCW along with the R55 MINI Clubman Cooper, Cooper S and JCW models. But just having that model doesn’t mean you’re part of this recall as it’s only valid in specific states including Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. Why those states? It has to do with road salt. According to Mini, the corrosive nature of road salt can result in the deterioration of rubber seals, leading to the accumulation of water in the footwell area of the affected vehicles. Once water is there it can potentially short-circuit the electronic control module situated in the footwell which could lead to fire. This problem is of particular concern for cars equipped with sunroofs. In response to this issue, Mini has reassured consumers that a solution is currently in development. Importantly, once this remedy is available, it will be provided to customers free of charge, as is customary for recall repairs. However, it is crucial to note that despite the availability of free recall repairs, a significant number of individuals inadvertently overlook recall notices each year and continue to drive vehicles that require necessary safety fixes. To determine whether your car necessitates any vital safety repairs at no cost, we urge you to visit MINIUSA.com and check your VIN. The post MINI Recall Alert: the R56 MINI Cooper and R55 MINI Clubman appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

The F56 MINI Cooper has had a good run. Introduced in early 2014, it was originally intended to be out of production by 2021. However a massive shift in EV strategy meant the brand would need to be predominantly focused on developing electric MINIs; the J01 electric Cooper, J05 electric Aceman and the ICE and electric U25 Countryman. Subsequently MINI made the call to extend the F56 production lifecycle from 7 to an unheard of (in the BMW world) 10 years. However that decade of production is finally ending and along with it an era. The 2024 MINI Cooper S F66 First some background on why there are not one but two new MINI Coopers. Because the world (and our charging infrastructure) isn’t quite ready for EVs, they are splitting the core model – the Cooper – into two distinct products. In an unprecedented move there will be two next generation MINI Coopers (hatches) built on opposite ends of the planet on two different platforms. The J01 electric MINI Cooper is an all new design from the ground up and will be built both in China and Oxford UK. The F66 (built in the UK) is a heavily modified F56 with all of the J01’s technology and new interior and exterior design touches applied. All of this means that MINI is finally ready to kill the F56. And sooner than some of you might expect. The F56 will end production in March of 2024. Along with it a handful of options like the beloved manual transmission will also cease production (although we hope to see it back in the US eventually). This means that orders would need to be placed likely in January for the last batch of F56 production. Here’s the full production schedule as our sources are reporting. The F56 End of Production Schedule F56 MINI Cooper (ICE) / Oxford, EnglandEnd of ProductionF66 ICE Cooper 3 door03/2024F66 ICE Cooper S 3 door03/2024F66 ICE Cooper JCW 3 door03/2024F65 ICE Cooper 5 door03/2024F65 ICE Cooper S 5 door03/2024F67 ICE Cooper Convertible07/2024F67 ICE Cooper S Convertible07/2024F67 ICE JCW Convertible07/2024The 2024 MINI Cooper S F66the F66 MINI Cooper – A Worthy Successor to The F56? On paper there isn’t a massive difference between the F56 and its mechanically identical successor the F66. But the differences are in details. And as it turns out, the details are pretty important. As you can tell by its codename, the F66 is an evolution of the F56 which it shares a chassis with. However MINI is refreshing the exterior design to better match the all new J01 electric MINI Cooper. Outside these changes will be evident in the revised lights front and rear and even a slightly shortened front overhang. The key theme appears to be creating design consistency with the future of the brand – the all electric J01 MINI Cooper. The goal is clearly to unify the design language across all models allowing consumers to have a choice that feels strictly about the propulsion system and nothing else. The interior of the F66 will be radically different and will be dominated by the new OLED center display.What that means for the F66 remains to be seen but you can be sure that the MINI Design team will follow the form follows function design ethos we’ve seen in the leaked J01 Cooper SE and U25 Countryman S. In other words the F66 will likely become a bit more minimal in design while allow the needed function or engine and break cooling to drive its exterior design of the higher performance models like JCW. Power for the F66 will be very slightly evolved from the F56 on the Cooper and Cooper S. However it would appears that the JCW might be stuck at the 231 hp figure the F56 has been at since 2015. F66 ICE MINI ModelsEngine CodeHorsepowerF66 MINI CooperTBD155 hpF66 MINI Cooper STBD200 hpF66 JCW MINI Cooper TBD231 hp (unconfirmed)The 2024 F66 Cooper SOn the tech front MINI will be radically updating the F56 with much improved ADAS systems allowing for higher levels of autonomous driving similar to the L2 systems found in modern BMWs. Also new will be a massive OLED center display that will house almost all controls of the car. The F66 Start of Production Schedule The flip will happy quickly as MINI will begin early production for the F66 in March of 2024 for the most markets. The US will see production begin in July of 2024 for the Cooper and the JCW will follow that late in 2024. Finally we’ll see the F67 convertible debut in late 2024 and early 2025. F66 MINI Cooper (ICE) / Oxford, EnglandStart of ProductionF66 ICE Cooper 3 door03/2024 (07/24 – US)F66 ICE Cooper S 3 door03/2024F66 ICE Cooper JCW 3 door11/2024F65 ICE Cooper 5 door07/2024 (11/24 – US)F65 ICE Cooper S 5 door07/2024F67 ICE Cooper Convertible11/2024F67 ICE Cooper S Convertible11/2024F67 ICE JCW ConvertibleTBDThe post The F56 MINI End of Production Dates and Details appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

MINI USA and the MINI John Cooper Works Team asserted their dominance in the latest round of the 2023 SRO TC America, securing an impressive three podium finishes at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. This successful outing marked the third race weekend of the current season. Clay Williams demonstrated his exceptional skills by capturing two victories in the Touring Car (TC) class, propelling him to the top of the Driver’s Championship standings in the TC category. Moreover, teammate Cristian Perocarpi achieved a commendable second place finish in Race 2 with his #37 MINI JCW PRO. Adding to the team’s achievements, PJ Groenke and Alain Lauziere showcased their talent in the Touring Car A (TCA) class by both securing top-five finishes. SRO America COTA 2023Assisting the Brownsburg, Ind.-based LAP Motorsports team, which manages the MINI JCW Team, were four highly qualified MINI Dealer technicians. These technicians, hailing from dealerships in the Southern and Western Regions, including MINI of Tuscon, MINI of Clear Lake, MINI of Dallas, and MINI of Austin, lent their expertise throughout the weekend during practice, qualifying, and race days as part of the MINI Technician Race Crew Program. Their seamless integration with the team at Circuit of the Americas exemplified the indispensable role these technicians play in bringing their day-to-day MINI knowledge and skill to the track. Expressing his pride in the team’s outstanding performance, Luis Perocarpi, team owner of LAP Motorsports, remarked, “I am so proud of the team for their performance this weekend. They truly showed their MINI spirit on the track this weekend.” SRO America COTA 2023Having finished as the runner-up in the previous season’s Manufacturer’s Championship in both the Touring Car (TC) and Touring Car A (TCA) classes, the team is determined to ascend to the top spot. Clay Williams, the driver of the #60 MINI JCW Pro, also concluded the 2022 season as the second-place finisher in the Driver’s Championship in the TC class, underscoring his unwavering pursuit of victory. The upcoming race of the 2023 SRO TC America series will take place from June 16 to 18 at Virginia International Raceway in Alton, Va., promising another thrilling chapter in this fiercely contested motorsport competition. JCW Race Team gallery at COTA SRO America COTA 2023SRO America COTA 2023SRO America COTA 2023SRO America COTA 2023SRO America COTA 2023JCW Race Team schedule in 2023 SRO TC America March 30 – April 2: Sonoma Raceway – COMPLETE April 28 – 30: NOLA Motorsports Park – COMPLETE May 19 – 21: Circuit of the Americas – COMPLETE June 16 – 18: Virginia International Raceway August 18 – 20: Road America September 22 – 24: Sebring International Raceway October 5 – 8: Indianapolis Motor Speedway The post MINI USA & The JCW Race Team Captures 3 Podiums at COTA appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

At a recent press briefing for European journalists Head of MINI Stefanie Wurst commented that the brand was “99% sure” that it wouldn’t offer manual options on future products. To go along with this announcement MINI’s latest limited edition JCW 1to6 is being quietly billed as the last MINI ever to offer a manual transmission. But could this really be true? MINI has yet to officially and definitely say the manual is dead. What is the real story here? Over 40% of F56 JCW hardtops sold in the US are equipped with the manual transmission. Clearly on some models and with some buyers it’s a very popular choice. It’s also a huge part of the brand’s history and slots well into the MINI’s core philosophy of creating cars that are engaging the drive. The MINI JCW 1to6 is being quietly billed as the last manual transmission MINI in European markets. Will it be in the US?Why would MINI eliminate manuals despite the fact that the F66 (the replacement of for the F56) is mechanically identical and could easily carry over the current Getrag 6 speed? It’s likely about simplifying drivetrains components and cutting costs within manufacturing. And for Europe (where CO2 targets are much more stringent) the manual is slightly dirtier. However in markets like US, where CO2 targets don’t have the same impact, why not continue to offer it? To that point MINI USA has been silent on what’s next for the manual after March 2023 when the F56 ceases production and the F66 replaces it a few months later. Could it mean MINI USA is working to bring the manual back to the F66? With a take rate north of 40% for the JCW F56 it’s not far fetched. After all that’s the buyer that is not only core to the brand but one that isn’t afraid to spend money. We’ve seen other brands like Porsche and BMW M hold onto manuals in some cases solely because of the US market. Could that be happening to MINI? Let us know what you think in the comments. Should MINI keep offering the manual on the F66 or focus solely on the faster, slightly more efficient automatic? The post MINI is Killing the Manual Transmission (Maybe) appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

A stock MINI JCW 1to6 Edition just finished second in its class at the Nurburgring 24 Hours. The Green Hell (as it’s known) is the most difficult track in the world and the Nurburgring 24 Hours is its most grueling race. And yet a stock manual transmission JCW not only finished but nearly won its class. And we’ve got over 100 photos of every key moment documenting this historic race for the brand. Driven by a group including Charlie Cooper, grandson of John Cooper himself, the Bulldog Racing Team punched well above their weight passing eight cars in their class before finishing second. Even more impressive they moved up a full 25 places throughout the 24 hours finishing ahead of much more powerful machinery. In the first stint, Sebastian Sauerbrei in the black MINI John Cooper Works 1to6 Edition made up numerous places and was significantly faster than in qualifying in his fastest lap with 10:16.362 min. After the first driver change it was Michael Mönch’s turn and then Charlie Cooper took over the wheel for the first time after the second pit stop. In the evening hours Christoph Kragenings got behind the wheel and then Sebastian Sauerbrei drove a double stint into the darkness. In the meantime, the team had made up 25 places in the overall standings of the 131 starters. At this point the JCW had climbed to 5th in its class (production vehicles with up to 2.0 liter turbocharged engines) where most of the competition had significantly more power. As usual, no team is spared setbacks at the Nurburgring 24 Hours. Shortly after midnight the MINI ran into a problem with a fuel line in the auxiliary tank and had to be towed back into the paddock. After a painful one-hour repair, the JCW 1to6 went back out on track and the chase to catch up began. Shortly after sunrise, Christoph Kragenings drove a new fastest time with 10:15.551 minutes. This charge up the field was made all the more sweet as the black JCW had by now become a crowd favorite. You could hear the cheer “MINI!” every time it went by crowds. The black MINI John Cooper Works 1to6 Edition seemed to feel more and more comfortable as the race went on – reliably and consistently it completed lap after lap and moved up to 3rd place in his class. In the final hours of the race a lot of competitors were not able to hold their pace or had to give up. Not the MINI, which had meanwhile been taken to the heart by the audience and was cheered for every time it passed by. In the last hour Bulldog Racing moved up to second place in class. Shortly before the race it even looked like a class win might be in the books, but the class leader crossed the finish line first with a clever strategy. Considering that the black MINI John Cooper Works 1to6 Edition was finalized only one day before the first qualifying sessions, the result is a huge success for everyone in the team. The JCW 1to6 #126 has the same output as the stock JCW at 231 hp and is equipped with a 6-speed manual gearbox. The car, which was used on the approximately 25-kilometer racetrack, is based on a standard MINI John Cooper Works that has only been adapted to comply with safety features and standards for competition in the VT2 production car class. The post The MINI JCW 1to6 Places 2nd the Nurburgring 24 Hours -Photo Gallery appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

In an epic run to the front, the Bulldog Racing Team’s JCW 1to6 finished 2nd in their class at the Nubrugring 24 Hours this weekend. The stock JCW 1to6 (complete with a 6-speed manual) came from eight places down in production VT2 class and made it through the infamous race mostly trouble free. The effort was made all the more sweet given that one of the team’s three drivers was Charlie Cooper, grandson of John Cooper the inventor of the MINI Cooper itself. The qualifying sessions were tough for all teams due to tire problems, and even Bulldog Racing had to withdraw their GP base JCW in the SP3T race car class on short notice. However, their black #126 MINI John Cooper Works performed exceptionally well during the 24-hour race, making up eight places in class and an impressive 49 positions in the 131-car field. They completed 114 laps, which is equivalent to driving approximately 2,893 kilometers, and made 15 pit stops along the way. ” I am very impressed by the whole atmosphere at the Nürburgring. The enthusiasm for motorsport is in the genes of our MINI John Cooper Works models. With the new MINI John Cooper Works 1to6 Edition, we celebrate our legendary motorsport history. We couldn’t think of a more fitting opportunity to present this new edition to our fans here at the Ring and also surprise them with this excellent race result.” Stefanie Wurst, Head of MINI“Even more than the podium finish, I am delighted that we have succeeded in making the new MINI John Cooper Works 1to6 Edition a crowd favorite,” said Alexander Schabbach, Managing Director of Bulldog Racing. “It’s impressive how positively people react to our MINI race cars and how quickly our “Made in Nürburg” racers have developed a fan base.” “To start as an underdog and to be able to achieve such a great result right off the bat at the debut, that’s typical MINI, says Charlie Cooper. “It feels like history repeating itself back in the spirit of the early 1960s when my grandfather John Cooper was underestimated against a perceived superiority of much more powerful competitors, only to win the Monte Carlo Rally in 1964, 1965 and 1967. I’m delighted that together with MINI and Bulldog Racing, we’ve opened the next chapter in our brand’s motorsport activities and given MINI its first podium finish in a 24-hour race.” The Race – 24 Hours in the Green Hell In the first stint, Sebastian Sauerbrei in the black MINI John Cooper Works 1to6 Edition already made up numerous places and was significantly faster than in qualifying in his fastest lap with 10:16.362 min. After the first driver change it was Michael Mönch’s turn, Charlie Cooper took over the wheel for the first time after the second pit stop. In the evening hours Christoph Kragenings got behind the wheel and then Sebastian Sauerbrei drove a double stint into the darkness. In the meantime, the team had made up 25 places in the overall standings of the 131 starters. In its class of production vehicles with up to 2.0 liters of displacement and turbochargers the MINI climbed to 5th place, competing with a lot of cars with significantly more power. As is usual, no team is spared setbacks at the Nurburgring 24 Hours. Shortly after midnight the MINI ran into a problem with a fuel line in the auxiliary tank and had to be towed back into the paddock. After a painful one-hour repair, the JCW 1to6 went back out on track and the chase to catch up began. Shortly after sunrise, Christoph Kragenings drove a new fastest time with 10:15.551 minutes. This charge up the field was made all the more sweet as the black JCW had by now become a crowd favorite. You could hear the cheer “MINI!” every time it went by crowds. The black MINI John Cooper Works 1to6 Edition seemed to feel more and more comfortable as the race went on – reliably and consistently it completed lap after lap and moved up to 3rd place in his class. In the final hours of the race a lot of competitors were not able to hold their pace or had to give up. Not the MINI, which had meanwhile been taken to the heart by the audience and was cheered for every time it passed by. In the last hour Bulldog Racing moved up to second place in class. Shortly before the race it even looked like a class win might be in the books, but the class leader crossed the finish line first with a clever strategy. Considering that the black MINI John Cooper Works 1to6 Edition was finalized only one day before the first qualifying sessions, the result is a huge success for everyone in the team. The JCW 1to6 #126 has the same output as the stock JCW at 231 hp and is equipped with a 6-speed manual gearbox. The car, which was used on the approximately 25-kilometer racetrack, is based on a standard MINI John Cooper Works that has only been adapted to comply with safety features and standards for competition in the VT2 production car class. Taking turns at the wheel of the MINI John Cooper Works with start number #126 were Charlie Cooper (GB), Christoph Kragenings (GER), Sebastian Sauerbrei (GER) and Michael Mönch (GER). The post Bulldog Racing and MINI Finished 2nd in Class at the Nurburgring 24 Hours in a Manual JCW 1to6! appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

The 51st running of the Nürburgring 24 Hours is just hours away and we already have our first big update. Last year’s crowd favorite, the GP based #112 MINI JCW, was withdrawn after persistent tire problems. But the team is hoping for better luck this year with the #126 manual transmission JCW 1to6. The car is entered in the VT2 class, which is for production-based vehicles with a displacement of 1,600 to 2,000 cc and turbochargers. In the third qualifying session, the black MINI John Cooper Works with Sebastian Sauerbrei at the wheel was able to improve noticeably and set a fastest lap time of 10:37.787 minutes. This puts the car ninth in its class. The #126 MINI John Cooper Works will be driven by Charlie Cooper (GB), Christoph Kragenings (GER), Sebastian Sauerbrei (GER) and Michael Mönch (GER). Charlie Cooper is the grandson of the legendary John Cooper, inventor of the Mini Cooper. The race will start on Saturday, May 20th at 10:00 AM and will run for 24 hours. The post Nurburgring 24 Hours: The GP Based JCW Pulls Out While Charlie Cooper Preps JCW 1to6 to Go Racing appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

Last year we checked-off something major from our bucket-list in attending the mythical Nurburgring 24 Hours. While the race lived up to the epic expectations, it also featuring the coolest MINI race car potentially ever – Bulldog Racing’s JCW GP. This year Bulldog Racing will not only be fielding that car but a manual MINI JCW driven by none other than the grandson of John Cooper, Charlie Cooper. Here’s how you can watch. Why the Nurburgring 24 Hours is the Best Race In the World That’s a heady claim given how many incredible motorsport events there are globally. But the N24 is as much a race as a festival dedicated to cars, culture and the insanity of German race fans. The paddock and the cars were impressive but seeing the crowd and the culture that has built up around this race was unlike anything in the world. Photos and words barely do it justice. We’ve driven the track before but to see a race of this magnitude and fans this crazy was unlike any other race we’ve ever experienced. The German fans creativity with camp sites was something we had heard about but still were shocked by. The engineering that went into some of the buildouts were wild and the experience was electric – especially into the night. It was all made even better by how welcoming the entire crowd was. The race will be broadcast on Youtube via the ADAC channel. It’s available with both German and English commentary with specific videos on the channel recapping portions of the race. The Bulldog Racing Line-up Bulldog Racing, MINI’s racing partner for all things Nurburgring has been gearing up for a this year’s 24 Hours of the Nürburgring with two entries. Expanding from last year’s single entry, the team is once again field a GP-like JCW. However new for this year is a manual transmission JCW co-driven by none other than Charlie Cooper, John Cooper’s grandson. Fresh off their impressive performances in the Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS) and RCN, Bulldog Racing is a new manual transmission JCW entry (#126) in the VT2-FWD class. But that’s not all – the beloved red MINI John Cooper Works #112, a fan favorite from last year’s 50th anniversary 24-hour race, has been given a thorough upgrade during the winter break in Nürburg and will be back in action in the SP3T class. Charlie Cooper (GBR), grandson of John Cooper – the inventor of the iconic Mini Cooper in 1961 – makes his 24-hour race debut. Charlie has already completed two NLS races in 2023 and successfully qualified for his DMSB Permit Nordschleife, so he’s more than ready for the challenge. Look for the rest of the driver line-up and technical details of the race cars set to be announced at a later date. The 2022 Nurburgring 24 Hours Gallery The post MINI is Racing at the Nurburgring 24 Hours And Here’s How You Can Watch appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

In what could be a is being billed as MINI’s last manual transmission in Europe and potentially globally, the brand is unveiling the limited edition JCW 1 TO 6. Celebrating MINI’s heritage in motorsport, the 1 TO 6 pays homage to the brand’s racing legacy while delivering that rare thing in the modern automotive world – a manual transmission centered driving experience. And if what we’re hearing is true, this will be the last chance for Europe (and perhaps even the entire world) to get a manual MINI. The JCW 1 TO 6 edition is limited to 999 units available worldwide and will begin production this September. MINI plans to sell the model in the UK, Europe, the USA, Canada and Mexico. Pricing will be announced closer to production. Is This Really MINI’s Last Manual? Head of MINI Stefanie Wurst herself commented recently that the brand is 99% sure that there would be no manuals in MINI’s next generation of cars. This despite the fact that the F66 (the replacement of for the F56) is mechanically identical and could easily carry over the current Getrag 6 speed. While the manual transmission take rate in cars like the JCW isn’t what it was 20 years ago, it’s still well over 40% of all buyers in North America as of the time of writing. So such a move would be a shock to a fairly large buying segment that is clearly ok spending a bit of money on a MINI. We’ll hold out hope that that 1% chance could become something down the road. But for the time being it would appear the manual transmission’s days are numbered. The MINI JCW 1 TO 6: Details At the heart of the 1 TO 6 is a manual 6-speed transmission which allows for a direct and feedback rich driving experience. While this is still the standard 228 hp JCW, it’s complemented by a number of options and unique touches that mark the car out as exclusive. The vehicle’s front end features the standard JCW radiator grille with large air inlets, designed to optimize temperature control for the engine and brakes. The grille is surrounded by Piano Black accents, seamlessly complementing the Midnight Black body color. The JCW’s signature side scuttles and belt-line trim are finished striking Piano Black design. From the bonnet to the aerodynamic rear spoiler and rear apron, the edition-specific center-running Bonnet Stripe with custom graphic is meant to harken back to the rich motorsport history of MINI. An edition logo in silver, white, and red adorns the vehicle’s exterior with badges on the C-pillar and rear, as well as embedded in the side scuttles. Unique to this edition is the 18-inch Circuit Spoke rims in Jet Black. Opening the vehicle’s doors a few more exclusive features. The door sills showcase an edition-specific 1 TO 6 logo design. A 3D-embossed decorative surface, in subtle tone-on-tone design, on the passenger side subtly echoes the edition logo. Additionally, there’s black lettering “One of 999” positioned on the left of the steering wheel. Then there’s the all important gear shifter which displays the colors of the edition logo with a red background graphic and red leather stitching. Elsewhere inside the MINI central instrument incorporates the glowing red bezel and the lower spoke of the nappa leather sports steering wheel and the floor mats bear the MINI John Cooper Works 1 TO 6 Edition emblem. The world premiere of this limited-edition model will take place at the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring on May 20, 2023. Perhaps even more exciting is that Charlie Cooper, grandson of John Cooper, will race a specially modified MINI John Cooper Works 1 TO 6 Edition at the Nurburgring 24 Hours this weekend. Alongside the MINI John Cooper Works of the Bulldog Racing Team, the JCW 1 TO 6 will be aiming to take him class honors and (above all else) stay out of trouble at the world’s toughest race. The post World Premier: The Limited Edition MINI JCW 1 TO 6 Is a Send Off to the Manual Transmission appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

You get used to it. That’s not how you want to begin a review of any car let alone a BMW. Yet that was our overriding theme in the week and almost 700 miles we put on the all new 2023 BMW X1 28i. From the tech inside to drivetrain interfaces to the way it actually applied power from a standing start, the X1 is a bundle of new ideas that feel both compelling and a bit disorienting. Perhaps most importantly to MotoringFile readers, what does it tell us about its twin, the forthcoming Countryman? The all new 2023 BMW X1 28i is offered with the familiar 241 hp, 295 lbs of torque B48 four cylinder turbo. That propels the car from 0-60 in 6.2 seconds – a respectable number but one that will improve with the forthcoming M40i model our sources have informed us about. Unlike the previous X1, xDrive is standard and is offered exclusively with a 7 speed dual clutch transmission. All the more compelling when you consider the X1’s base price of $38,600 (at the time of publishing). Those numbers bode well for the Countryman given that it will likely positioned below the X1 in cost but not necessarily in spec. But as you’ll see not all is perfect with this new X1. Or at least this example. The all new X1 has also grown fractionally across every dimension; 1.7-inches (43 mm) longer, 0.9-inches (22.9 mm) wider, and 1.7-inches (43 mm) taller. The wheelbase has also grown by 0.9-inches (22.9 mm) and sits at 106 inches (2,692.4 mm). For what it’s worth we’ll see the Countryman also grow but not quite to this size. The X1 28i we reviewed last November in and around Palm Springs was a very different car than this test car. That was an M Sport model with the adaptive suspension, performance tires and (critically) paddle shifters. Hopping into our test car we were a bit shocked to see such a low-level of spec on a press car. While this wasn’t the standard trim (literally what BMW calls the base X1) it had the xLine design as its base with the majority of options coming courtesy of the Premium Package. No adaptive suspension, paddle shifters or even adaptive cruise (the latter due to the early production of the car). The difference between the car we drive at the X1’s launch and this one was night and day. What M Sport does to the X1 is give the driver more control and a touch more connectivity to what’s happening underneath you. Without it you had an X1 with dulled senses that you as the driver, had to work hard to wring any satisfaction out of. The passive dampers themselves weren’t so much the issue as the throttle and shift mapping combined with rudder-like steering feedback. Which makers our original take on the M Sport equipped X1 all the more interesting. In our time with the X1 with M Sport we found steering and suspension tuning that were particularly improved over the previous generation. There was both more engagement and more versatility in the adaptive suspension. In Comfort the steering resistance is noticeably lighter than before to the point of being surprising at first. The X1 we tested last fall had the Adaptive M Suspension which has more range than the previous generation. In Comfort the ride is more compose than the passive dampers this new X1 came with. This new range within the setting allows comfort to be more comfortable and sport to be more aggressive. In Sport we found that the X1 comes alive with an heavier steering that feels artificial but does provide positive feedback to the point that you can place the car with trust anywhere in a corner. Along with the hardware and tuning, the .8″ wider track definitely helped. There’s precision with this set-up that surprised us and is a clear step forward from the previous X1. The Sport suspension is also a noticeable improvement with better body control and less lean while being no more harsh over expansion joins or rough pavement. None of that was present in this non-M Sport X1. Yes this is an X1 and no most people won’t be attempting to even engage with it the way you might with a MINI hatch or even a 3 Series. But this is still a car that wears the Roundel and it wasn’t long ago when BMW was using the tagline the ultimate driving machine. What’s really surprising is just how alive this car becomes with those options. In our first drive we called this new X1 the best since the first generation which was derived from the E90 3 Series. In fact the we said, “rarely have we seen such a dramatic increase in design, quality and performance from one generation to the next.” One of the most glaring issues we had with this particular X1 and not our previous was the throttle lag on initial tip-in. With the start-stop on (which it is by default every time you start the car) there’s a very noticeable lag from the engine engaging and acceleration beginning. So much so that we found ourselves having to time it just right to cross busy streets. This hesitation was only felt from a dead stop with the start-stop system turned on. But when do you need more power than that scenario? This feels like software left unfinished to us and it’s something we didn’t experience in our X1 28i M Sport late last year. Another area that felt less than sorted was the 7 speed dual clutch. The incredibly refined XF 8 speed and even to a lesser extend the Aisin 8 Speed found in the previous X1 (and Clubman and Countryman) are a lot to live up to. This dual clutch does not do that. While shifts are smoother, they’re also slower. While you could argue that the experience fits the use-case, that excellent ZF 8 speed proves that you can have both refinement and millisecond shift times. However if there was one disappointment above all else it had to be the all new touch-based iDrive system. Gone is the multi-function iDrive controller and in its place a 100% touch experience. It’s an interesting move given that BMW has for over ten years proclaimed multi-function controllers as the safest way to use an infotainment system while driving. Yes consumers have become well acquainted with touch-based systems since those statements were made. But there is no denying that it takes more concentration to use a touch-based system on the move. There are moments of excellence. The X1 28i comes standard with BMW’s excellent all wheel drive system xDrive and for the first time in the US. Dynamic Cruise control and Navigation are standard along with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto. One interesting programming note that we mentioned previously – this early production X1 didn’t have Dynamic Cruise (adaptive cruise). SensaTec is the only interior material available as BMW has quietly eliminated leather from the X1’s ordering books. While that may sound like a downgrade, BMW’s latest version of SensaTec is a clear step-up and feels better to the touch than mid-grade leather the X1 had before. It will also surely be more durable. The X1 comes with 18” wheels as standard but can be optioned with 19” and 20” the latter exclusively with performance tires. And finally BMW is offering an optional trailer hitch with a towing rating of 3500 lbs. Expect this option to be available next year. All of these changes serve to position the X1 better against its less premium rivals in the US while increasing both the quality and driving experience (when optioned correctly). Inside the screen is phenomenal and the connectivity with CarPlay is excellent. But it’s BMW’s core OS interface that is one of the most awkward moments of UX. The fact that you have to go through a vertical scroll of only three rows of icons down the list of up to 20 to 30 different apps is usability nightmare. Conclusions – Results Inconclusive You get used to it. That phrase just kept coming back as we struggled with having to re-learn interactions that we’ve known for years if not decades. Do things get better when you get used to them? Let’s not lose fact that this X1 is a fundamentally better car than the previous version. Which makes a few of these issues all the more frustrating. This should be a huge win for BMW in so many ways. But without M Sport which its adaptive suspension, shift paddles and If your X1 is specified with M Sport, you’re in a much better starting point. Throttle mapping is slightly better, you have shift paddles and it’s just generally easier for an enthusiast to get more out of the X1. And as much as we dislike this latest version of iDrive, there’s little question you will get use to it as an owner. A week can reveal a lot about the car but rarely has it shifted opinions more. While we hold fast in our initial, glowing review of the X1, this latest version we tested underscores the importance of picking your options carefully. It also likely underscores the danger of allowing software to play such a huge role in the fundamental characteristics of a car. Get them just slightly off and the entire experience suffers. The 2023 BMW X1 is a leap from the old one. In almost everything measurable this is a better car than what came before it. But BMW has some work to do in our minds. Certainly there are software fixes that could immediately alleviate the hesitation in acceleration. And we’d love to see some major UI re-thinking of this latest iDrive. The good news is that this X1 like all modern BMWs is designed to take fairly large and critical updates over the air allowing for rapid and painless updates to not just what iDrive offers but how the car drives. And it could very well be the fact that our test car was from an early production batch that is the root of several issues we found. Looking back at that initial drive we can’t help but the rose-tinted glasses back on and be impressed. The way that car drove coupled with the impactful changes in standard equipment and optional equipment and you have a $38,600 that’s genuinely appealing in this segment. And when optioned right, even compelling from a driver’s perspective. The post 2023 BMW X1 28i Review – a Software Upgrade In the Making appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

The next generation MINI interface will play a huge role in the overall experience for owners and we have an exclusive first look. MINI’s interior has always been dominated by the center speedometer. Over the years that simple speedometer has morphed into the center of MINI’s modern interface and operating system. Now the brand is poised to go a step further. With these exclusive photos we now see how MINI plans to integrate the entire interface into the new, circular OLED screen. This new interface will be present across the entire MINI line-up including. From the ICE powered F66 (which is a heavily revised F56), the ICE and electric Countryman, the all electric J01 MINI Cooper SE and eventually the electric MINI Aceman this new interface will be literally and figuratively at the center of every product. Here’s what MINI itself says about this massive change: At the center of the visually simplified interior of the upcoming model family is the circular central instrument display, a classic hallmark of MINI. However, in this new model, the circular central instrument display will be reinterpreted as an OLED display, making MINI the first car manufacturer in the world to offer a touch display with a fully usable round surface. This innovative design enables a minimalistic user interface that controls the integrated infotainment and climate functions, providing a sleek and frameless look that exudes high quality. Starting below the screen we several different buttons, toggles and switches. In order those are the parking-brake button, gear selector, volume knob, on/off toggle, and Driving Experiences selector. Below that are several other safety related buttons. And that’s it. Those are the only physical controls in the new MINI family. Gone are the heating and cooling buttons and even heated seat controls. For better or worse everything will now reside in this new digital interface. How does it work? While these photos only show us a radio listing interface, they give away many aspects of the layout and interaction. For starters the white line at the bottom of the screen is intended to mimic the latest versions of iOS which allow the user to simply swipe up to go back to the Home Screen. We believe this will allow for quicker navigation that feels much more intuitive than most in-car interfaces. One of our critiques of BMW’s current iDrive system (especially the all-touch version in the X1) is centered around the removal of physical buttons controlling climate and other functionality. However what MINI has done here appears to be a generation beyond that thinking as it looks much more intuitive. The data that will always be displayed will be vehicle speed, range, time, outside temperature, state of charge, performance, and cabin temperature. What’s driving this radical change? In a word culture. The expectation of fluid digital experiences from the majority of consumers is driving MINI to make this massive change. But it also makes sense as the brand moves to an all electric model line-up over the next decade. These type of interfaces tend to lend themselves to the use case of electric cars more than ICE and have (in other brands) transformed customer satisfaction when done right. Next Generation MINI Interface & Digital Personalization Also driving this is MINI’s big bet on digital personalization. MINI is going all in on digital personalization with the next generation MINI Cooper, Countryman and Aceman. We’ve talked about the general concept but we now have some details as to exactly how this will come to life in both aesthetics and performance. Yes these personalized modifications have the ability to alter the way the car actually drives. Drive modes have been around since the R56 and will continue with the new generation of MINIs. However on the electric J01 MINI Cooper, The U25 electric MINI Countryman and the J01 MINI Aceman we’ll see a dramatic increase in functionality. Called experiences, they will control not just the way the car drives but the overall mood. There will be Green, Core and Go-Kart. Yes Go-Kart. But this isn’t just about weightier steering and sharpening throttle response. With the latter setting the all electric J01 MINI Cooper SE will not only be quicker off the line but will adjust settings allowing for oversteer in corners. In addition to the three Experiences, the powertrain and steering can be set to Comfort or Sport further tailoring the driving experience. MINI will also offer three mood settings; Calm, Heritage, and Vivid. This personalization will extend to the interface itself we’re told. We also believe MINI will offer various themes that can personalize the entire driving experience even further. We’re also told to expect much more to come via over-the-air updates, third-party app integration, new experience modes and even on-dash image projections. MINI will also integrate functionality like automatic radar-trap warnings and even multiple user profiles. And all of it is housed in the new MINI interface. While it looks promising, we won’t have a real opinion until we go hands-on later this summer. The post Exclusive: First Look at The Next Generation MINI Interface & Operating System appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

MINI has unveiled a sneak peek of the design of its forthcoming all-electric model family, showcasing its Charismatic Simplicity design language. The reduced design language focuses on the essential elements of each MINI model, while also allowing for individuality and clear brand affiliation through distinctive design features. The use of sustainable materials is also integral to the new design language. We’ll see these touches across the entire range, even the revised ICE powered F56 internally known as the F66. According to Oliver Heilmer, Head of MINI Design, the new Charismatic Simplicity design language represents a complete reimagining of the iconic MINI. The purist and progressive approach combines functional simplicity with the emotional appeal that MINI is renowned for, resulting in innovations that were previously unthinkable. At the center of the visually simplified interior of the upcoming model family is the circular central instrument display, a classic hallmark of MINI. However, in this new model, the circular central instrument display will be reinterpreted as an OLED display, making MINI the first car manufacturer in the world to offer a touch display with a fully usable round surface. This innovative design enables a minimalistic user interface that controls the integrated infotainment and climate functions, providing a sleek and frameless look that exudes high quality. The steering wheel of the next MINI model family has also been redesigned to incorporate a distinctive fabric finish as a third element in addition to a sporty geometry. The upcoming MINI model family will also offer a range of seats that combine new colors and patterns with classic style elements like the houndstooth pattern. What we won’t see is leather which the brand has sworn off in an effort to be more sustainable and modern. The light-alloy wheels of the new model family follow the principles of the Charismatic Simplicity design language, focusing on a graphic design characterized by strong color contrasts. The pared-back, two-dimensional wheel design improves aerodynamic qualities, resulting in increased range according to MINI The new MINI design language is intended to combine quality, sustainability, and purist reinvention with the historic DNA of the brand. Does it deliver? Let us know in the comments below. The post Design Elements of its Next Generation MINI Cooper and Countryman Previewed appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article