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You might have read, we’ve ordered one of the last MINI JCW Clubman. After having two longterm test JCW Clubman over the years (and calling it the best car MINI sells), we wanted to our money where our mouth was. But it wasn’t easy. In fact it almost didn’t happen. Here’s the story as it unfolded over the course of 10 hours last week. Our Clubman JCW Build The build of a MINI is a very personal thing. While MINI has eliminated the ability to create very one-off cars, there’s still enormous variability compared to most other brands. After a lot of debate with the MotoringFile team I wanted to create something that played up the heritage of the brand and its English origins. That means forgoing things like JCW seats (which was hard) and leaning into a color-way that was a nod to the past. For us this mean something understated and British and there’s nothing better in the pallet to us than Rebel Green. And given it’s scheduled to end production this February it was a no-brainer. We had originally wanted to do something rather bespoke so we inquired about unique interior parts from the Final Edition Clubman. However they had all ended production and the parts were no longer in Oxford. So we decided to go with the most classic combination possible – Malt Brown Chesterfield leather seats with white piping and the MINI Yours illuminated Fiber Alloy trim. The Process of Buying our JCW Clubman I’m lucky living in Chicago because we have a handful of great MINI dealers nearby; Bill Jacobs, Patrick MINI and International MINI in Milwaukee. But our closest dealer is MINI of Glencoe and it’s the one we’ve gotten to know over the years since the Knauz Auto Group left the MINI brand. Thankfully MINI of Glencoe can make magic happen. And specifically Evan Williams who we worked with to create a JCW Clubman out of thin air. As you’ll see in the video MINI of Glencoe didn’t have an allocation for an F54 JCW. As I quickly learned there were eight Clubman JCW allocations left for the US as of Wednesday November 22th. That meant that dealers had specced the cars (most already sold) and were expecting them to go into production within days. Yes days. When we told you to order your Clubman asap we didn’t realize how right we were. As can happen, MINI moved up production end dates for certain models and one of those is the Clubman JCW. As it happened our dealer did have a Countryman JCW allocation and were ready to make a trade. Luckily Dreyer Reinbold MINI did and they were in the same region. So MINI USA helped facilitate a quick trade and the order was confirmed that night and went into the books. Fast forward only five days and the car is now officially in the production queue! The post Our Journey to Buy One of the Last JCW Clubman appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

We have a world exclusive today with our first look at the technical details of the first ever MINI Aceman EV. We’ve known the Aceman will be smaller than the new Countryman but until today we didn’t fully understand what that meant. And the numbers are interesting to say the least. Especially in how they compare to smaller MINIs of the past. The Aceman will be 4079mm / 161in in length which is not surprisingly quite a bit smaller than the 4444mm / 175in U25 Countryman. What’s really interesting is comparing this new MINI crossover with the original 2010 R60 Countryman. The R60 was 4119mm / 162.2in which is actually larger than the new Aceman. Going deeper we see that trend playout elsewhere; R60 shoulder width is 1341mm / 52.8in which is smaller than the 1370mm in the Aceman. Not surprisingly the same is true for front legroom. The R60 is 1025mm / 40.4in. while the smaller Aceman has more with 1045 mm / 41.1in. You get the idea. The Aceman has a small footprint but is magically larger inside than the original Countryman. This is a result of MINI using a bespoke electric platform and being able to rethink much of the interior design. The Aceman is slotted below the new MINI Countryman and effectively replaces the wagon-like Clubman. However the Aceman is electric only and will share much of the technology we’ve already in the J01 MINI Cooper EV. The new J05 Aceman will be available initially in E and ES variants with the JCW version to follow shortly after launch. The E will have an output of 135 kW/184 hp while the SE will offer 160 kW/218 hp and torque of 330 Nm. Aceman Specifications vs the U25 Countryman Now let’s take a look at the full specs and how that compares to the new electric Countryman SE. ModelsJ01 Aceman E J01 Aceman SEU25 MINI Countryman SEPower184 hp 218 hp313 hpTorque214 lb-ft243 lb-ft365 lb-ftTransmission1 speed1 speed1 speed0-60 mphTBATBATBALength (mm/inches)4079 mm / 161 in4079 mm / 161 in4444 mm / 175 inWidth w/o Mirros (mm/inches)1754 mm / 69 in1754 mm / 69 in1843 mm / 73 inHeight (mm)1514 mm / 59.6 in1514 mm / 59.6 in1661 mm / 65 inWheelbase (mm)2606 mm / 102.6 in2606 mm / 102.6 in2670 mm mm / 81 inCurb weight (kg/lbs)1645 kg / 3,627 lbs1710 kg / 3,770 lbs1735 kg / 3825 lbsLuggage capacity (seats up/seats down300 / 1005 liters300 / 1005 liters450 / 1450 LNext we’ll take a look at the performance and how it compares to the J01. As you can see MINI has carried one the drivetrain completely including battery size. While we don’t have range figures yet, it’s safe to say they will be lower than the J01 due to the increase in weight of the Aceman. 2025 J01 MINI Cooper E2025 J01 MINI Cooper SE2026 J05 MINI Aceman E2026 J05 MINI Aceman SEHorsepower184 hp218 hp184 hp218 hpRange (WLTP)200 miles250 milesTBATBABattery Size40kWh54kWh54kWh*32.6 kWhAll numbers provided by MINI except * which are confirmed only through unofficial sources.J05 MINI Aceman Release Info The MINI Aceman will initially be built in China by a joint venture with Great Wall Motors. Those vehicles will be sold in Asia and Europe exclusively. Then in 2027 MINI will move some of that production to Oxford along with the J01 MINI Cooper EV. This will allow MINI to avoid tariffs and sell the Aceman in the US sometime in the 2027 calendar year. Pricing will likely be 10-15% cheaper than the U25 Countryman EV. Here’s the The New MINI FamilyDrivetrainPricingStart of ProductionJ01 MINI Cooper EElectric32,900€ 11/2023J01 MINI Cooper SE Electric36,900€ 11/2023U25 MINI Countryman CICE (Petrol)39.900€ 11/2023U25 MINI Countryman D ICE (Diesel)42.900€ 11/2023U25 MINI Countryman E Electric43.500€ 03/2024U25 MINI Countryman S ALL4ICE (Petrol)45.900€ 11/2023*U25 MINI Countryman SE ALL4Electric49.500€ 03/2024*U25 MINI John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4ICE (Petrol)56.500€ 03/2024*F66 MINI CooperICE (Petrol)TBD03/2024*F66 MINI Cooper SICE (Petrol)TBD03/2024*F66 MINI Cooper JCWICE (Petrol)TBD07/2024*F65 MINI Cooper 5 DoorICE (Petrol)TBD07/2024*F65 MINI Cooper S 5 DoorICE (Petrol)TBD07/2024*F67 MINI Cooper ConvertibleICE (Petrol)TBD11/2024*F67 MINI Cooper S ConvertibleICE (Petrol)TBD11/2024*J05 MINI AcemanElectricTBDTBDJ05 MINI Aceman SElectricTBDTBD* Available in the USFor more coverage of the new generation MINIs, check out the following articles and videos. MINI Cooper EV: Premier | MINI Cooper EV: Hands-On Review | MINI Cooper EV: Video Review MINI Countryman EV: Premier | MINI Countryman EV: Hands-On Review | MINI Countryman EV: Video Review New MINI Family: 1st Look Video | MINI Circular Display & MINI OS9 Hands-On Review The Aceman concept gives us a clue of what to expect for MINI’s new in-vehicle digital experience.The post Exclusive: J05 2025 MINI Aceman EV Technical Details & Specifications appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

MINI is going all in on the circular theme with its introduction of the new MINI Countryman. Playing off of its industry first round OLED display, MINI is launching its first US media campaign around the digital experience of its new cars at the Sphere in Las Vegas. The brand has partnered with independent creative agency Pereira O’Dell to launch a creative campaign with Spike, MINI’s Intelligent Personal Assistant and digital companion within the New MINI family’s technology experience. Sebastian Beuchel, Head of MINI Global Brand Management spoke to the unique canvass MINI used; “Sphere presented us with a new kind of creative challenge. Both in a physical sense, and a contextual one. We wanted to think of this campaign as an art piece, not as an ad.” The campaign’s content kicked off on Sphere on November 27, featuring Spike interacting with the 2025 MINI Countryman Electric, running across the 366-ft. high and 516-ft. wide screen. The display also included the Las Vegas backdrop and all the spectators inside and outside of Sphere to highlight the interactive nature of the space. The takeover of Sphere will run until December 2, with a special four-hour takeover on December 1. To learn more about the new all-electric 2025 MINI family, visit MINI USA.com. The post MINI launches New Countryman Media Campaign at the Sphere in Las Vegas appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

We’ve called it the best car MINI makes so today we’re putting our money where our mouth is and ordering one of the last MINI Clubman JCWs. And when we say one of the last, literally one of the last eight allocations in the US. And the process from speccing to ordering to a build date was shockingly quick. Our Clubman JCW Build Let’s start with the build itself. This is one of the last ever Clubman and will be a daily for us. So we spared no expense with options. But first let’s talk about the colors inside and out. Consulting with other MF contributors the consensus was Nanuq White originally. However when we learned that MINI was killing Rebel Green with the F54, F56 and F60 JCWs, we couldn’t pass up a chance to have it before it’s gone. And truth is, it’s our favorite factory produced color. The only one better was the one that inspired it – Connaught Green, in the WC50. Our initial inclination was to make this as performance focused a Clubman as possible. That mean a sunroof delete and manual seats. However the change to Rebel Green and the fact that this was one of the last classic internal combustion MINIs got us thinking. What if we went as classic as possible and created a “modern heritage” spec? We had originally inquired about some unique interior parts from other limited edition models but unfortunately they had all ended production and the parts were no longer in Oxford. So we decided to go with the most classic combination possible – Malt Brown Chesterfield leather seats with white piping and the MINI Yours illuminated Fiber Alloy trim. To finish it off our first thought was a full white roof. However that Clubman roof is massive and white (or Chili Red) is a lot of roof color to deal with. Our solution came in the form of MINI’s just released Multi-Tone roof. We opted for the White, Melting Silver and Black combo which works perfectly with the modern heritage spec. It also visually reduces the roof and height of the car in back. And if we don’t love it we’ll have Motoringbadges.com wrap it. As we mentioned above, this will be a daily driver and one that we intend to use for everything from Chicago commuting to cross-country road-trips. Thus we wanted a loaded car with as many comforts as possible. That made MINI USA’s Iconic package a no-brainer as it fully options the car with just about everything conceivable. Key options include the Adaptive Cruise, 40/20/40 split rear seat, Harmon Kardon and the HUD. We would have loved manual seats but work to go through that and still get our order in (more on that in a minute) would have jeopardized the order itself. Finally a couple of key options for us. Having tracked the Clubman JCW quite a bit, we chose Sport Suspension instead of Adaptive Suspension as it slightly lowers the ride and creates a more eager and adjustable car at the limit. Similarly the 19″ Track-Spoke wheels and tires give the car a more razor edge and look fantastic. That said we’ll be grabbing a pair of winter tires and wheels to make this truly a year round car. Finally roof rails were essential as we plan on using this Clubman for just about everything possible. That includes bikes, skis and who knows what else on top. How The Hell Did We Get One of the Last Builds? It’s not because we pulled in any favors. We just followed our own advice and worked early (barely) with a MINI Dealer we knew could make it happen. In our case that was MINI of Glencoe and Evan Williams who simply would not accept defeat. Which was a good thing because we wouldn’t either. As I quickly learned there were eight Clubman JCW allocations left for the US as of Monday November 20th. That meant that dealers had specced the cars (most already sold) and were expecting them to go into production within days. Yes days. When we told you to order your Clubman asap we didn’t realize how right we were. As can happen it would appear that MINI moved up production end dates for certain models and one of those is the Clubman JCW. Initially our dealer didn’t have an allocation however they did have a Countryman JCW allocation and were ready to make a trade. Luckily Dreyer Reinbold MINI did and they were just 4 hours away. So MINI USA helped facilitate a quick trade and the order was confirmed that night. And one week later… our car has entered production. That my friends is just about a record. We’ll have more on our car as it goes through the production, shipping and delivery process. We’ll also be looking at modifications and accessories along the way. So if you have any favorites you think we should consider, let us know. The post We’re Ordering One of the Last MINI Clubman JCWs! appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

The 20 year experiment of run-flats is over for MINI. After years of customer complaints about ride quality, performance impacted by weight and high replacement costs, MINI has decided to eliminates run-flats as it transitions into its 4th generation cars next year. BMW mobility kit, MINI’s is nearly identical. The plan for MINI is to offer run-flats in some models for those who specifically require them. We’re told that run-flats will likely still be available but only on specific tires sizes and could even cost more. And for those that don’t go out of their way to order them, MINI will add a tire mobility kit to every car moving forward. This kit will include a small air compressor a bottle of one-time use tire sealant and a pair of handy rubber gloves. This is a big change for the brand. Since the launch of the new MINI, almost every model and every tire size had runflats as standard. Part of this was due to the fact that the original R53 Cooper S and JCW models had no room for a spare due to the exhaust layout. MINI’s strategy was to borrow the run-flat technology from BMW (who had just introduced them as well) eliminating any concern from the buying public. It was also assumed that the technology would become closer to normal tires over time with prices being driven down as production increased. While that has happened to a degree, there’s still a material difference in feel and cost. Some current models like the Clubman JCW with the optional 19″ wheels have already moved away from run-flats.Runflats are a double edge sword for many of us. For those who own MIINI’s without a spare they offer peace of mind. However for anyone who cares about ride quality, performance and replacement cost, they’re a burden. Why? The rigid side wall that allows the tires to still function with no air pressure creates a harsh ride that is often cited as a complaint from owners and reviewers. Then there’s the added unsprung weight which, depending on the run-flat tire, can be noticeable. The Countryman JCW’s optional 20″ wheels and 245/40/20 tires. It’s also a performance issue as the tires don’t have the same “on the limit” tendencies as conventional tires. Where a typical performance tire will gradually lose traction, the stiff side walls on the run-flats make the transition more abrupt. Then there’s the replacement cost because run-flats can’t easily be repaired like conventional tires. They’re also not so great for MINI. They cost a lot, they produce cars with compromised ride quality and there also heavier which counts against the brand’s efficiency targets. But perhaps the most important data-point is that consumers don’t seem to care. Reportedly there’s a lack of consumer interest in run-flats once it comes time to buy replacement tires. The post Exclusive: MINI Is Killing Run-flat Tires in All Future Models appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

If you’ve been following our coverage on the new (U25) MINI Countryman internal combustion models you’ll notice an unusual discrepancy. The US spec versions of the Countryman S and Countryman JCW have noticeable more power than the European versions. Historically it’s been the opposite with US regulations affecting the output of European cars in order to meet emissions regulations. However things are changing in a big way. Now that European regulations are becoming more aggressive, we’re seeing a pretty major shift in what market has more power. Let’s start by looking at the recently release MINI Countryman S with ALL4. In Europe and the UK that car comes equipped with a mild hybrid version of the B48 to lower C02 and fall into compliance with the stringent emissions. MINI USA decided to not take the mild hybrid version of the B48 for several reasons. For one it’s not needed as the B48 easily meets emissions standards. Second MINI USA preferred to reduce the weight and complexity of the car for better overall performance. The upside is the Countryman S in the US will make 241 hp and 295 lbs ft. It’s a similar story on the Countryman JCW however with no mild hybrid to confuse things. There European and UK versions of the Countryman JCW have their B48 tuned to 300 hp due to the same emissions compliance issues. The US market was able to stretch things a bit to 312 hp – a new high power figure for the MINI brand. Europe vs The US – MINI Countryman S and JCW Technical Specifications Countryman ModelCountryman S (Europe)JCW (Europe)Countryman S (USA)JCW (USA)Power218 hp300 hp241 hp312 hpTorque266 ft lbs295 ft lbs295 ft lbs295 ft lbsTransmission7 speed DCT7 speed DCT7 speed DCT7 speed DCTDrivetrainall-wheelall-wheelall-wheelall-wheelPowertrain typepetrol/mild hybridpetrolpetrolpetrolCylinders4444Displacement1998199819981998Engine Power201 hp300 hpTBD313 hpEngine Torque 266 ft lbs295 ft lbsTBD295 lbElectric Power19 hp (temporary)N/AN/AN/AElectric TorqueTBDN/AN/AN/A0-60 mphTBDTBDTBD5.1Maximum speedTBD132 mph132 mph155 mphCurb weight (LBS)TBDTBDTBD3,825 lbsThis change will likely affect all petrol powered MINI including the forthcoming F66 MINI Cooper which will debut this February and go on sale in March. Check back for more details and technical specifications as we uncover them. The post Europe vs the US – Where The New MINI Countryman Has More Power Might Surprise You appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

The 3rd Generation MINI Cooper (known as the F56) is ending production and with it the manual transmission. Replacing it will be the F66, an almost entirely new MINI Cooper that will be exclusively internal combustion and equipped with a DCT. But today we’re here to talk about the F56 and how you can grab one of the last ones (and a manual). How to Buy One of the Last Manual MINI Coopers Much like ordering a Clubman (which we detailed earlier this week), we’d recommend not waiting until the last moment. Yes production will go until February. However part availability might start to dwindle which could eliminate some options and even models. So the first step is immediately getting in touch with your favorite MINI store. The second is to spec your car and get it into the ordering system asap. While production should continue into February, it’s unclear what part shortages might start to appear as production winds down. If it were us ordering a Clubman we would want to get our order in no later than the end of December. That should ensure that options, colors and models are all still available. Another pro-tip as well. If you’re curious about things like roof racks and rally lights, even accessories will eventually of out of stock. We’d encourage you to pick those up over the next year if not sooner. Why is MINI Killing the Manual? Why would MINI eliminate manuals despite having over a 50% take rate in the US on JCw models? And making the case seem even more straight forward is the fact that the F66 (the replacement of for the F56) is nearly mechanically identical. According to our sources it’s about simplifying drivetrains components, cutting costs within manufacturing and for Europe (where CO2 targets are much more stringent) making MINIs pollute less. Well sort of. The manual isn’t necessarily dirtier than the auto. However the way cars are tested for CO2 emissions makes the manual particularly vulnerable. Automakers can tightly control C02 emissions with an auto because there’s so much control to be had with software. The very nature of a manual is that the driver has control and thus there are more variables at play during testing – almost a limitless number. Some of those variables produce higher C02 emissions in testing – despite the fact that a manual is often not any more dirty than an automatic MINI. This is forcing European automakers hands and causing many to eliminate the option. However in markets like US, where CO2 targets don’t have the same impact, why not continue to offer it? That’s likely down to the business case. Offering it one country means that the volumes go down dramatically which means MINI is spending more per unit and MINI would lose a chance to simplify the production process just has it’s about to get more complex with new models. But more than that the amount of time and money that would be spent to test, validate and federalize a manual option for one market simply doesn’t make sense at the prices that MINIs are sold for. The F56 MINI Cooper Replacement The F66 will replace the F56 and will be the last internal combustion MINI Cooper ever. While it’s based on the F56, it will look and feel almost entirely like a new car. However it all do without the much loved manual transmission. Production will start in March which means Europe and the UK should see it towards the end of that month with US sales starting in Q2 of 2024. We’ll have much more on the F66 soon but in the meantime head to the MotoringFile F66 section to get up to speed on MINI’s new Cooper. The post Warning – Production of the 3rd Generation MINI Cooper (and Manuals) is Ending appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

The MINI Clubman production is ending and with it our favorite current MINI made. Dealer stock is quickly dwindling and in some markets orders have already been completely shut down. However if you’re in the US or most of Europe there is still time to get a Clubman. Read on for tips on timing and the risks of waiting even another month. The beloved for its mix of utility and performance, the Clubman has become a cult favorite for the brand. In JCW form the F54 Clubman isn’t only the fastest current MINI (0-60 in 4.6 seconds) but will likely remain fastest petrol powered MINI of all time. How do we know? The Countryman JCW has more power in its new generation but lost a substantial amount of torque while gaining weight stunting its performance a bit. Why is MINI killing the Clubman? It’s unfortunately due to sales. In a world that can’t get enough of small crossovers, the wagon-like Clubman is getting squeezed out. However the passion of its owners haven’t been enough to save it as MINI plans to focus on crossovers with its next generation of cars due to customer demand. Winter tires, All4 and a lower center of gravity. The Clubman JCW is a snow monster.The Clubman in particular has had a hard time finding an audience. In fact the current F54 generation has only hit its sales targets in one major market; Japan. And despite MotoringFile calling the F54 JCW Clubman the best all around MINI ever made, it’s also been a hard sell for dealers. Especially next to the taller more SUV like Countryman – a shape that is clearly a consumer’s preference these days. The new multi-tone roof looks especially great in white and on a Clubman.How & When to Buy One of the Last Clubman First step is immediately getting in touch with your favorite MINI store. The second is to spec your car and get it into the ordering system asap. While production should continue into February, it’s unclear what part shortages might start to appear as production winds down. If it were us ordering a Clubman we would want to get our order in no later than the end of December. That should ensure that options, colors and models are all still available. Another pro-tip as well. If you’re curious about things like roof racks and rally lights, even accessories will eventually of out of stock. We’d encourage you to pick those up over the next year if not sooner. The Aceman will be a crossover roughly the size of the original R60 CountrymanThe Clubman’s Replacement But there is a replacement MINI is replacing the Clubman with the small electric Aceman crossover. The Aceman will have the same electric drivetrain as the J01 MINI Cooper which means we’ll see range and performance figures a bit lower than that car. So expect a range just one 200 miles in SE trim and 0-60 times in the low 7 second range. Crucially it will be small compared to the Countryman. In fact it’ll be roughly the same size as the R60 Countryman with more interior volume. The current, larger F54 Clubman on the left and the first (new) generation R55 Clubman on the right.The Modern History of the Clubman The original Clubman is a bit divisive. With the third door on the wrong side or right-hand drive markets, it was looked at as the “other” MINI even but the brand’s own marketing. While we loved the concept, it never really jelled for us as it felt too close to the R56 and didn’t find the sweet spot that the F54 ultimately did in terms of utility and performance. The Clubman JCW is surprisingly capable on a track. The F54 Clubman on the other hand has been our favorite MINI model since it’s introduction in 2015. We’ve run three of them over the years – a manual Cooper S All4, the 228 hp JCW and most recently a 306 hp JCW. While all were great cars, the 306 hp JCW Clubman might just be out favorite new MINI ever made. You can read a collection of reviews of that car below. Why? Its mix of utility and performance is unmatched in the range. As a wagon (even if MINI won’t call it that) it has can deliver almost all of the utility a crossover offers with none of the performance trade-offs. Having driven a Clubman on everything from the Dragon to the track to snow covers mountain roads we can confidently say there is nothing that comes close to the broad capabilities of the Clubman – especially in JCW form. Saying it will be missed is a massive understatement. MotoringFile Take If you need something a bit larger than the two door MINI Cooper, but still want a MINI, we can’t imagine a scenario where a Clubman doesn’t make sense. Having had three of them over the years we are convinced by their blend of utility, performance and style that feels so unique in the segment. And if you can spring for the JCW version, you will have not just a great everyday performance car, you’ll have the fastest petrol powered MINI ever. We’ll have more on the Clubman as we review one of the last 2024 Clubman JCWs made in the coming weeks. Our Favorite MINI Clubman Reviews The post MINI Clubman Production Ending But There’s Still Time to Order appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

You’re looking at the all new MINI Countryman S for the first time. The 241 HP, 295 ft lbs brings substantially more while also delivering higher levels of tech and utility. While we’ve seen the electric Countryman SE and the petrol Countryman JCW, until today MINI had yet to officially show-off what petrol powered “S”. But the power increase is probably the least interesting thing here. Pricing and Equipment Changes Everything. This is a ground-up rethink of the Countryman inside and out. And it’s inside where we see some real revolutionary moves. But before we get to that let’s talk about pricing. The all-new MINI Countryman S ALL4 will have a starting base price in the US of $38,900. There will be no Countryman models below the S in the US market which means the base price has moved up dramatically. But with that comes a huge increase in performance and standard equipment. How does that compare to the F60 generation Countryman S? First you have to look at what comes standard. The biggest news there is that MINI USA will be making MINI’s all wheel drive system, All4 standard across the range. Keeping that in mind the base price has increased $3,900. But that includes a lot more tech. MINI USA is making the heads-up display standard and of course including the incredible new circular OLED screen. That coupled with a big increase in size and performance at that $3,900 starts to looks a bit different. Production for the US market begins March, 2024 with first units expected to arrive at dealers early May, 2024. Power and Performance In the UK and Europe MINI Countryman S ALL4 offers a mild hybrid version of the B48 to lower C02. That set-up produces an output of 160 kW/218 hp and a torque of 360 Nm in those markets. However. In US trim the MINI Countryman S ALL4 will offer 241 hp and 295 lb.ft of torque all without that mild hybrid assistance. Why the difference? The US doesn’t have the stringent requirements of the EU and can offer the simpler, lighter B48 without the mild hybrid assistance. 0-60 times have yet to be published but we’d expect that number to be in the low 6s. Quick ratio steering and the combination of single-joint McPherson strut front axle and multi-link rear axle are unmistakable traits of MINIs no matter how big they are. The Countryman takes this formula and refines it even further with an optional adaptive suspension which lowers the car in sport mode 15 mm for better response and weight distribution. The Interior Revolution MINI has a lot to talk about inside starting with that circular display. So we’ll let our recently published demo of the display and MINI OS9 do the talking. Aside from the infotainment system, MINI has made huge changes. The brand has moved away from leather and chrome and leaned into new materials in a way that we’ve never seen from other manufacturers. The result is impressive. The new Vescin leather alternative feels better than the typical leather found in MINIs. While it doesn’t quite match the suppleness of the Lounge Leather options, it’s very close. In fact the grade of Vescin on the steering wheel actually feels just as good. You can read much more about Vescin and why MINI has gone leather free in our exclusive report. We really liked the look and feel of the textiles but time will tell in terms the longevity. According to MINI the material is 90% recycled and should be easily cleaned with a damp cloth – no chemicals needed. One area that we’re eager to test is the center console. Gone is the storage under the armrest and in its place a very solid feeling extendable armrest. In fact it extends so far I could see someone propping a laptop on it and working. But we’re still at a loss for why MINI couldn’t figure out how to include storage in it. The console itself has a small cubby that acts as storage. Interesting we’re told it’s relatively easy to remove and potentially replace with different forms to storage. According to MINI we should watch this space for potential future accessories. While it’s big in the MINI world, the new Countryman is clearly not big when compared to a BMW X7How Big is This Thing? The U25 MINI Countryman is all new and based on the same platform as the new BMW X1 and X2. And since those two vehicles have grown, so has the Countryman. But that growth is more about what customers want. MINI tells us that the data clearly points to owners reluctantly moving away from the brand due size. It sounds obvious for a brand called MINI. But the brand feels they can grow the Countryman slightly while still appealing to those looking for something different and smaller in the segment. So MINI’s answer was to increase the size of the Countryman while introducing a new model to bridge the gap from the Cooper. That model is the electric Aceman which will have a footprint similar to the original R60 Countryman. That strategy was key for MINI being able to grow longer by over 5” and taller by 2”. R60 Countryman (’10-’16) F60 Countryman (’17-’23)U25 Countryman (’24-’32)Length4097 mm / 161.3 in4298 mm / 169.2 in4429 mm / 174.37 inHeight1562 mm / 61.5 in1557 mm / 61.3 in1613 mm / 63.5 inWheelbase2596 mm / 102.2 in2670 mm / 105.1 in2670 mm / 105.11 inWhile the Countryman has grown, the Aceman will offer customers an R60 sized crossover.It’s no secret that the U25 Countryman shares a platform with the BMW X1. However what we didn’t know is how it differs under the skin. When MINI Design evaluated the X1 platform they immediately realized that they needed to find a way to downsize it to better fit MINI proportions. More specifically the rear overhang had to shrink. The answer came in the form of leveraging the rear section of the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer (not a car we get in the US) and replacing what was there in the X1. The result are proportions that not only fit a MINI shape better but a reduction in weight where you really don’t want it. To our eyes this increase in size is hidden by the proportions of this car as well as clever styling. That “blade” in the c-pillar? One reason it’s there is to break-up the length of the roof so it didn’t look like a tall station wagon. Autonomous Driving Comes to MINIs One of the biggest tech additions to the Countryman is its autonomous driving features. Driving Assistant Professional is a massive improvement over the previous adaptive cruise and is a first for the brand. With the Driving Assistant Professional, the MINI Countryman enables partially automated Level 2 driving on highways for the first time. If you’ve been following MotoringFile all year you’ll remember us exclusively reporting on this feature last spring. However until recently we didn’t have some of the final technical details. When engaged, Driving Assistant Professional allows the driver to take their hands off the wheel at speeds of up to 37 mph (60 km/h), as long as they have their eyes on the road (as determined by an eye tracker) and are ready to intervene at any time. The thin grey strip above “set” is one of the two LED lights that lets you know the system is active Once you reach 38 MPH the system switches modes and goes into a more simplistic autonomous setting which requires a driver’s hands to rest on the wheel. However the system works identically, following traffic, the curves of the road and will even change lanes based on the driver using the turn signal. However at these speeds the system requires hands-on the wheel or at least pressure of some kind. This feature has been optional on BMWs for years and in our experience is ideal for stop and go traffic. However MINI’s system adds a new wrinkle as it can identify gaps in traffic needed to change lanes to get to an exit. It then brings the vehicle to the optimum speed for assisted lane changes. The MINI will let know when it’s successfully on via two green lights on the steering wheel. When it can’t detect your eyes (in hands-free) or hands (at higher speeds) those green lights being to flash orange. While MINI is focused on that Level 2, hands-free mode intended mostly for traffic jams, it’s the higher speed (above 38 mph) that you’ll likely find much more useful. In this mode the system uses a combination of adaptive cruise and steering input to follow well marked highways without intervention. It uses steering and lane guidance assistant and also includes lane keeping, lane change assistant with active side collision protection and the emergency stop assistant. The 2025 MINI Countryman Model Range The Countryman begins production this November in C, D and S All4 models. The electric production should begin this March alongside the new JCW Countryman. MINI Countryman – Electric ModelsDrivetrainGerman PricingUS PricingStart of ProductionU25 MINI Countryman E Electric43.500€ N/A03/2024U25 MINI Countryman SE ALL4*Electric49.500€ $45,20003/2024MINI Countryman – ICE ModelsU25 MINI Countryman CICE (Petrol)39.900€ N/A11/2023U25 MINI Countryman DICE (Diesel)42.900€ N/A11/2023U25 MINI Countryman S ALL4*ICE (Petrol)45.900€ $38,90011/2023U25 MINI John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4*ICE (Petrol)56.500€ $46,90003/2024* Available in the US2025 MINI Countryman Photo Gallery The post First Look: the 241 HP Petrol Powered MINI Countryman S appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

The world is full of cheap plastic phone mounts that squeeze into a vent or stick on a dash. But one has earned a reputation as the opposite of that. The CravenSpeed Gemini phone mount looks and feels completely different because it is. But can this all metal mount live up to its $75 price? We wanted to find out. Designed and made in the US from 100% high-grade steel, the Gemini phone mount has all the hallmarks of a product that is made by people who care. Case in point, the brackets themselves are laser cut and powder coated steel. The result is incredible structural rigidity that keeps the phone stable. Then the bushings are press fit into the brakes which further adds to the overall stability of the mount. There are two components to the system – the mount and the bracket. The scissor mount is one we didn’t test but is the most universal as it can expand and contract to any mobile device. Given that we primarily use an iPhone 15 Pro Max we tested Cravenspeed’s two magnetic mounts; the CraveSpeed’s own Magnetic mount and the MagSafe version. It’s important to note that the MagSafe mount is actually just a round enclosure that is designed to place a MagSafe charger into. The MagSafe Mount is a thin enclosure that accepts a MagSafe Charger perfectly.The supplied Torx screw-driver was a nice touch.A magnetic grabber is a recommended addition to the tool list but not mandatory. Installation on our F56 took about 20 minutes and was extremely straightforward. The process revolves around removing the center cluster and reusing screw points where the plate is then mounted. CravenSpeed provides both the small Torx screw driver and longer screws that make the job extremely easy. That said I would highly encourage you have a magnetic grabber tool available just in case you drop a screw in the process. We say that because that’s exactly what we did when one slipped behind the plastic panel under the steering wheel. Luckily that piece is a press fit and easily removable. The Cravenspeed Gemini Mount with the Cravenspeed Magnetic Mount. And yes, there are two versions of the plate for either the analog or digital versions of the 3rd generation MINI cluster. For our first couple of days we used the MagSafe adapter which acts as a cradle for an Apple MagSafe charger you’ll need to provide. As an iPhone user it felt like a no-brainer as it would not only hold the phone but charge is. And on smooth highway roads the set-up worked perfectly. However on some of the more broken roads of Chicago we quickly found that the magnets in the Apple MagSafe Charger itself weren’t strong enough to keep the phone from flying (literally) from the magnet. The mount can be positioned to be more discrete or closer to your line of sight. It can also be pushed down to minimize it entirely. The mount can be positioned to be more discrete or closer to your line of sight. It can also be pushed down to minimize it entirely. After a few days of playing defense we decided switch from the MagSafe mount to Cravespeed’s own much stronger magnetic mount. That move transformed the experience in a few ways. On the positive side it’s rocking a 100% success rate for holding my phone over the worst roads. On the not so positive side I do have to stare at the Cravenspeed logo quite a bit. While it’s a great company and the logo certainly isn’t offensive, it would be nice to see it a touch smaller. But that’s coming from me, a fairly Type A designer who tries to eliminate as many logos as possible. There’s a good chance it won’t bother you. The Most Over Engineered Mount Possible The Cravenspeed Gemini mount has been a huge add to the cabin of our non-CarPlay F56. The placement, adjustability and quality puts it at the pinnacle of phone mounts we’ve tested or even seen. In short this thing is over-engineered in ways that is rare in consumer products these days. There’s simply nothing better on the market that we’d want in our MINI. It’s not cheap but for $75 you get the ultimate phone mount that will likely outlive your MINI itself. In our minds that’s not a bad bargain. The post Review: The CravenSpeed Gemini Phone Mount appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

When we first saw spy photos of radical MINI’s circular OLED display we quietly wondered if the brand was moving away from CarPlay and Android Auto like General Motors has. Turns it it’s the exact opposite. We went hands-on recently with a new Countryman to see just how far MINI is embracing both CarPlay and leveraging their new circular display. What we found was pretty surprising. MINI is reinventing every aspect of the brand and it starts not just with what’s under the hood but what’s on the dash. The OLED circular display is intriguing as a shape but the moment it turns on it gets really interesting. While it may seem like unusual design given the rectangles we’re all used to, it feels very natural in person thanks to the way MINI has organized the information and the UI powering it. Using CarPlay Given the new circular OLED screen there’s been a lot of speculation on how CarPlay would work. Speculate no more because as you can see, it works very well. The CarPlay experience lives inside of the circular screen as a (roughly) 4×3 rectangle allowing for the critical drive and climate functionally to be present and functional. That means it has a slightly different layout from the CarPlay layout MINI has used in the past as it places the “dock” at the bottom. In our time with the sunset this make it feel all the more intuitive. While CarPlay doesn’t work perfectly with circular display (the map still sits inside of the CarPlay or Android Auto app) its design makes the entire experience feel near seamless. Key to this is how the wallpaper you choose bleeds past the 4:3 square and fills the entire screen. This is especially seamless if you choose a black or white background as it visually eliminates the 4:3 border. It’s not until you open up MINI’s own (exceptional) map software that you see the difference. With rich, 3D maps that go all the way to the edges, MINIs own mapping experience actually win us over quickly and felt superior to Google or Apple Maps in our brief use. However the real test will be how good its data and this search for POI is. Again in our brief time with it we came away impressed with its search functionality but we’ll withhold judgement until we live with it for a few days. The Pairing Process The initial pairing process is identical to what we’ve known in MINIs and BMWs for years but it’s faster from our initial testing. However the one new bit of functionality is how it exposes the progress of repairing. Once your phone is initially paired the concept is that CarPlay will subsequently initiative seamlessly (and wirelessly) when you start the car. However there can be a slight lag as the systems become aware of each other and do the typical digital handshake. In this new system MINI shows you that progress in a small pop-up that also makes it clear what type of connectivity you have chose. It’s also easy to then change that functionality on the fly. It’s a smart way to briefly expose the settings when you might need it while showing the progress of pairing itself. A quick view of CarPlay and it’s new layout.The Speed of CarPlay It’s fast. Really fast. In our initial testing the reaction to inputs was absolutely seamless. Perhaps even more so than the underlying MINI OS9 itself. While that may sound surprising remember that this was a pre-release version of MINI OS9 and speed improvements are likely on the production version already shipping with cars today. The Technical Architecture Making it Possible The real surprising aspect of the entire system is what it’s built on; Android. But it’s not the Android we know. It’s actually the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) software stack which does several things for MINI. For one it allows MINI to leverage the massive scale of the Android App store of which MINI will create their own subset. We show the MINI Connected store briefly in the video below. This will eventually be a MINI curated App Store leveraging Android apps that are made by MINI or by 3rd party developers. But more importantly AOSP allows MINI to leverage the army of Android engineers worldwide meaning that the platform MINI will rely on for future innovation is both open source and vibrant in terms of developer knowledge and interest. But don’t mistake the software stack as influencing the user experience. As you can see in our full demo below that is 100% MINI’s own thinking and built on top of what this invisible but powerful technology. This new system will come to all MINIs over the next few months starting with the U25 Countryman and J01 MINI Cooper EV. In March it’ll be a part of the petrol powered F66 MINI Cooper and ultimately the J05 MINI Aceman EVC crossover late next year. Full Demo: MINI OS9 & CarPlay A full demo of MINI OS9 including CarPlay integration The post Review: MINI OS9 CarPlay Integration appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

Want the to hear about the Countryman JCW from the man who know’s more about it than almost anyone one the planet (and certainly in the US)? We go in-depth on the all new 2025 MINI Countryman JCW with MINI USA Product Specialist Vikash Joshi on every aspect of the car from performance to some surprising standard features for the US market. And even if your not in the US, this video sheds some light on a few long-standing questions about the car itself. An Overview of the 2025 MINI Countryman As a companion we wanted to back up and give a quick overview of the three models that the US market will see. As you can see below the pricing has gone up but then again MINI has moved the “S” model Ito the base position eliminating the previous lower spec, front wheel drive offerings. That means every Countryman sold in the US will have ALL4, MINI’s all wheel drive system as standard. We also believe that MINI USA will be equipping these cars with much more standard equipment even at their base MSRP. MINI Countryman ModelsMSRPPowerDrivetrainStart of ProductionUS DeliveriesU25 MINI Countryman S $38,900241 HPICE03/202405/2024*U25 MINI Countryman SE$45,200313 HPElectric07/202309/2024*U25 MINI JCW$46,900312 HPICE03/202405/2024**Approximate date to dealersThe 2025 MINI Countryman S The internal combustion (ICE) powered 2025 Countryman S will start at $38,900 in the US. That will get you a fairly well equipped car but certainly not loaded. MINI will not use all of the trim names and levels we’ve seen in the UK and Europe but instead create their own that will be similar to what we see in the We’d expect roughly a $10k swing between this new base S model and a fully loaded version. This new Countryman S model will have 241 hp and 295 lbs of torque 2.0 liter. That’s more than a 50 hp increase and more than the original F60 JCW model from just five years ago. One interesting note, the US will not incorporate a mild hybrid system into this engine due to cost and weight trade-offs. Since there’s less stringent efficiency standards in the US there’s really no need to. The 2025 MINI Countryman SE The electric Countryman SE will start at $45,200. That’s JCW territory but then again it has more than JCW performance. With 313 hp and a staggering 363 lbs of torque, this Countryman can get to 60 mph in only 5.6 seconds. Perhaps more important to many potential owners will be the range. MINIUSA is quoting a range of 245 miles. That’s substantially above our previous 225 mile estimate and coupled with 130 kW DC fast charging, is good news for would be owners. But it’s still not the final EPA figures so keep that in mind – those will come in early January. This 245 mile number is what MINI USA is estimating by looking at performance in the EU and doing their own calculations. The 2025 MINI Countryman JCW This new halo model will have an output of 312 hp in the US with 295 ft lbs of torque. That number, 36 ft lbs lower than the previous generation) has been reduced due to the limitation of the new DCT. However with the improved power and power delivery, acceleration is still just over 5 seconds to 60 mph. The JCW will begin production in March and will arrive to dealers in the US around the May timeframe. For more info on tech specs read are deep dive here: ? The post Interview: MINI USA Product Specialist On The New MINI Countryman JCW appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

MINI OS9 and its integration of CarPlay and Experience Modes is unlike anything we’ve see from MINI or an other automaker. We recently had a chance to go hands-on with the new operating system at the debut of the 2025 MINI Countryman JCW and found a lot to love along with a lot of new functionality not yet talked about. Watch below as we walk through it all. MINI is reinventing every aspect of the brand and it starts not just with what’s under the hood but what’s on the dash. As you can see this is s very different kind of experience from MINI and one that sets the brand apart in new ways. The circular OLED screen is 9.5” (240 mm) wide however, because of the bottom cutout, measures about 9” in height. While it may seem like unusual design given the rectangles we’re all used to, it feels very natural in person thanks to the way MINI has organized the information. The “Charismatic Simplicity” design language (as MINI calls it) is focused on both minimalism and a bit of MINI character. The circular OLED display seamlessly accommodates both static and dynamic elements, with a clear and intuitive hierarchy (despite the shape). This is all made possible not just by talented strategists and designers but a very thoughtful technical approach leveraging Android. Yes you read that right. But it’s not the Android you all know. It’s actually the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) software stack which does several things for MINI. For one it allows MINI to leverage the massive scale of the Android App store of which MINI will create their own subset. But more importantly it allows MINI to leverage the army of Android engineers worldwide meaning that the platform MINI will rely on for future innovation is open and has a bright future. But don’t mistake the software stack as influencing the user experience. That’s 100% MINI’s own thinking and execution built on top of what is invisible but powerful technology. This new system will come to all MINIs over the next few months starting with the U25 Countryman and J01 MINI Cooper EV. In March it’ll be a part of the F66 petrol powered F66 MINI Cooper and ultimately the J05 MINI Aceman EVC crossover late next year. Related MINI OS9 Articles The post Video: MINI OS9 Demo With CarPlay and Experience Modes appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

Our First Take On The petrol powered, 312 HP Countryman JCW. New from the Inside Out. The MINI Countryman JCW is a big deal for the brand. It’s also a big MINI. But it’s not even as big as it could have been. We uncovered that surprising fact along with many others talking directly with the designers and MINI employees that helped bring it to market. Here’s our first impressions of MINI’s new 312 hp JCW halo. Since we mentioned size, let’s start with why has the Countryman grown. The answer is simple – that’s what the majority of customers are asking for. MINI has reams of data showing that current Countryman owners are leaving the brand due to sizing out of the car. And time and time again these customers are doing so very reluctantly. So MINI’s answer was to increase the size of the Countryman while introducing a new model to bridge the gap from the Cooper. That model is the electric Aceman which will have a footprint similar to the original R60 Countryman. That strategy was key for MINI being able to grow longer by over 5” and taller by 2”. R60 Countryman (’10-’16) F60 Countryman (’17-’23)U25 Countryman (’24-’32)Length4097 mm / 161.3 in4298 mm / 169.2 in4429 mm / 174.37 inHeight1562 mm / 61.5 in1557 mm / 61.3 in1613 mm / 63.5 inWheelbase2596 mm / 102.2 in2670 mm / 105.1 in2670 mm / 105.11 inIt’s no secret that the U25 Countryman shares a platform with the BMW X1. However what we didn’t know is how it differs under the skin. When MINI Design evaluated the X1 platform they immediately realized that they needed to find a way to downsize it to better fit MINI proportions. More specifically the rear overhang had to shrink. The answer came in the form of leveraging the rear section of the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer (not a car we get in the US) and replacing what was there in the X1. The result are proportions that not only fit a MINI shape better but a reduction in weight where you really don’t want it. To our eyes this increase in size is hidden by the proportions of this car as well as clever styling. That “blade” in the c-pillar? One reason it’s there is to break-up the length of the roof so it didn’t look like a tall station wagon. The Design of the Countryman JCW The 2025 Countryman JCW has plenty new colors, options and performance to talk about. However there is one thing sadly gone from the line-up. That’s Rebel Green which we had become accustom to as JCW’s signature color. That is replaced by a dark grey called Legend Grey. These new colors underscore the fact that everything is new here. MINI designers were not tied in anyway to the BMW X1 despite sharing a platform. They were free to invent everything you see here and no visible parts are shared. One great high-ticket example is the windshield which most automakers would have shared to cut costs. Instead MINI created a deeper shape that gives the dashboard more clearance and the feeling of more space inside. The more we inspected, poked and prodded the Countryman JCW the more subtle touches we began to notice. At first glance the roof seems very flat, a core MINI trait. But look closely and you see a curvature that we’ve never seen on a MINI before. Remember this car isn’t just a 312 hp petrol powered JCW, it also has to be ultra aero dynamic to maximize range on the EV versions. It turned out to be a critical detail in driving down the original drag coefficient of .34 all the way to an incredible .26. You see evidence of this in the way the sides of the car taper to the back as well. The shapes which at first look like styling just for styling sake all have function built in and contribute to this aero efficiency. Back to the front of the car you’ll notice that the Countryman JCW pictured here all have MINI’s LED Pro lights. While they’re not the matrix lights that European markets get, they look identical. Why no matrix lights for the US? While they are now technically legal, there’s still a mountain of regulatory work to be done to get them into the country and on options lists. However we were assured MINI USA is investigating this. JCW Specific Design Touches The JCW body kit available in Europe and the UK on all models will be exclusive to the JCW model itself in the US. That means you cannot get the JCW look without getting the full model. In our mind this is a great move by MINI USA as it creates exclusivity around that brand and the look. The look is even more pronounced than before. The plastic wheel arches are gloss black where the standard car has unfinished plastic.That gloss black theme can been seen elsewhere. The grille is a mix if gloss and matte with convex and concave surfaces creating a unique dimensional design. The wheels, the belt line, and other aero elements also feature the finish. In start contrast is the Chili Red II on the launch car. It’s a more vibrant version of Chili Red than before and works really well with the Legend Grey (seen here) in person. The 20” wheels are optional and look fantastic. Around them is gloss black wheel arches which are exclusive on the JCW and visually tied back to other exterior gloss black elements. Speaking of the grill it’s an interesting design that is asymmetrical and patterned after the new JCW logo. It also has a mix of matte and gloss black that, along with convex and concave surfacing, creates an interesting effect that we’ve never seen before. MINI Countryman JCW Performance While we have extensively reported on the JCW specs for the last two months, we were still surprised by a few things. The first were the brakes which MINI will offer two versions of for the first time. The standard brakes will come with 19” wheels and are essentially the same as we’ve seen previously on the F60 Countryman JCW. However if you opt for the 20” wheels you’ll get larger, ventilated discs as well as massive calipers which offers a larger swept surface. I’m told by people who have driven the car that they are easily the best brakes MINI has ever offered. Now let’s talk about power. As we had reported the US version of the Countryman JCW will get 312 hp and not the 300 the UK or European versions output. What’s the differences? Our speculation was correct as the differences come down to tighter emissions standards in the UK and EU which results in MINI tuning down the engine slightly. Another area we speculated correctly on is why the torque figure has gone down 36 ft lbs from the previous Countryman JCW. We confirmed it’s due to the new Asian sourced DCT transmission which, unlike the previous 8 speed torque converter automatic, isn’t capable of supporting more than 295 ft lbs. While that’s a sizable downgrade MINI was quick to point out that drivers likely won’t notice the difference given the increase in power and other improvements made in the engine. We took that to mean we’ll see more immediate torque at take-off but that’s yet to be confirmed. If you’re curious that quad exhaust layout is truly four individual pipes coming out of a single, massive muffler. While we couldn’t drive the car, we did hear it start up several times and sadly it was quite quiet. However this was a pre-production car without the final software which could have contributed to the lack of typical JCW exhaust note. It was also a European spec Countryman JCW as well which will likely be quieter than its US counterpart. Suspension, Chassis and Brakes Under the car MINI has revised the suspension and will be offered the Countryman JCW exclusively with adaptive dampers. The goal was to dial in more feel and feedback into the chassis creating a more MINI-like driving experience. While we won’t know if they’ve been successful for awhile, what we saw was promising. That includes the optional brakes which come with the 20″ wheels and non-run flat tires. The brakes are noticeable larger than the already excellent set-up on the current Countryman JCW and are now vented. The calipers remain four piston but have a larger swept area. Bigger Wheels, Tires and No RunFlats Run-flats are dead. MINI and BMW have finally ditched run-flats across the range to reduce weight, replacement cost and increase ride quality. Each new MINI (including Countryman JCW) will now come with a tire mobility kit that includes a compressor and a tire repair spray. To say we are happy would be an understatement. The tires and wheels themselves are now larger with MINI finally offering 20″ wheels as optional for the first time. Those 20s have a size of 245/40/20 and are by far the largest we’ve ever seen on a MINI. The Revolutionary New Interior of the MINI Countryman JCW The new interior is nothing short of a revolution for MINI. However if you’re getting a JCW you have zero choice in terms of how it looks. Or in other words you can have it in any color as long as you like black. We confirmed that with MINI USA during our hands-on time with the car and pressed on when and if that may change with no luck. However it’s safe to say that MINI will likely offer more variety as production matures. Colors aside the interior has moved away from leather and chrome and leaned into new materials in a way that we’ve never seen from other manufacturers. The result is impressive. The new Vescin leather alternative feels better than the typical leather found in MINIs. While it doesn’t quite match the suppleness of the Lounge Leather options, it’s very close. In fact the grade of Vescin on the steering wheel actually feels just as good. You can read much more about Vescin and why MINI has gone leather free in our exclusive report. We really liked the look and feel of the textiles but time will tell in terms the longevity. According to MINI the material is 70% recycled and should be easily cleaned with a damp cloth – no chemicals needed. One area that we’re eager to test is the center console. Gone is the storage under the armrest and in its place a very solid feeling extendable armrest. In fact it extends so far I could see someone propping a laptop on it and working. But we’re still at a loss for why MINI couldn’t figure out how to include storage in it. The console itself has a small cubby that acts as storage. Interesting we’re told it’s relatively easy to remove and potentially replace with different forms to storage. According to MINI we should watch this space for potential future accessories. Conclusions From Two Days with the Countryman JCW We climbed and crawled all over the Countryman during the two days we had access to it. Without driving it we can’t speak to how successful MINI has been in reinventing its largest vehicle but early signs are promising. The overall design has grown on us and while it’s a clear step forward in design, it still feels evolutionary on the outside. On the side it’s anything but and we love it. In fact the one area that we felt MINI simply nailed was the interior. From the incredible circular display to the textile dash, new layout and reengineered seats, it all feels like a well thought-out follow-up to the F60. On paper performance looks good but we have yet to be convinced we won’t feel the difference in 0-60 times with a 36 ft lbs drop in torque. Add to that an extra 137 lbs and we’d expect a bit more restrained performance from this new U25 Countryman JCW vs its predecessor. MINIUSA’s starting price $46,900 for the new Countryman may sound high but it’s only 3k more than the current F60 JCW and we’re told it will have higher standard features. In other words MINI USA is upping the price a bit it would appear that the value of the standard features (like heads-up display) will over compensate for it. We’ll have much more on the new Countryman JCW in the weeks and months ahead. MINI Countryman JCW Photo Gallery This is Just the Start – An Entire New MINI Family is Coming The new J01 MINI Cooper electric and U25 MINI Countryman have been annoucned are in production as of today. Next up will be MINI’s heavily revised F56 for all those who aren’t ready for a full electric Cooper. That car (the F66) will be MINI’s last small internal combustion car and will be built in Oxford. Finally we’ll see the all electric MINI Aceman crossover which effectively takes the place of the beloved MINI Clubman. The Aceman will be a small crossover roughly the size of the original MINI Countryman and will be released late next year. While the J01 MINI Cooper EV and the Aceman EV will initially be built in China, both will begin production at the Oxford Plant in 2027 with US sales following shortly afterwards. For more coverage of the new generation MINI released recently, check out the following articles and videos. MINI Cooper EV: Premier | MINI Cooper EV: Hands-On Review | MINI Cooper EV: Video Review MINI Countryman EV: Premier | MINI Countryman EV: Hands-On Review | MINI Countryman EV: Video Review New MINI Family: 1st Look Video | MINI Circular Display & MINI OS9 Hands-On Review The post In-Person With the Bigger & More Powerful MINI Countryman JCW appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

The all new MINI Countryman has begun production in Germany. As part of MINI’s global production strategy, both the EV and ICE (internal combustion engine) MINI Countryman will be produced alongside BMWs at the BMW Group Plant Leipzig. It’s a move that signifies both a historic first for the brand and a big achievement for BMW. For the first time in history, a MINI model is rolling off the production line within the confines of Germany, nestled alongside the BMW 1 Series and 2 Series. This feat has been made possible through the plant’s adaptability and developmental prowess, underpinned by substantial investments amounting to €700 million over the past five years. The plant is poised to boost its workforce in production by over 900 individuals by the close of 2024. Perhaps most interesting to MINI fans, the new Countryman stands as a catalyst this change as it’s pushing the plant to be even more eco-friendly in manufacturing. “By launching production of the MINI Countryman here in Leipzig, we are introducing multibrand operations to our flexible production system. Plant Leipzig also offers a number of highlights in terms of resource conservation in production, providing further evidence of the successful rollout of our long-term masterplan: the BMW iFACTORY.” Board Member for Production, Milan Nedeljkovi?This seamless integration and production diversity made feasible by the flexible structures at Plant Leipzig are the result of the major investment over the past few years. The MINI Countryman now joins the assembly line, sharing the stage with the BMW 1 Series, BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé, and BMW 2 Series Active Tourer. Thanks to its versatile assembly capabilities, Plant Leipzig can cater to two distinct brands featuring three different powertrains: combustion, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric. The third-generation MINI Countryman, slated for release on February 17, 2024, offers the choice of petrol, diesel, or a fully electric powertrain. Notably, the high-voltage batteries for the MINI Countryman Electric are locally crafted in Leipzig. Investments have augmented production capacity, with the BMW Group injecting approximately €500 million into Leipzig to accommodate the demand for new models. Notably, the plant has transitioned to meet MINI-specific requirements, representing an additional investment of about €200 million. Initially, around 100 MINI Countryman vehicles will be built daily from the production lines, with plans to escalate this figure to 500 per day in the coming year. The transformation of Plant Leipzig into an electrified hub is a defining milestone for BMW. As Petra Peterhänsel, Plant Director, joyfully exclaimed, “Leipzig remains electric.” Leipzig was the original home for the BMW i3 and i8 models and was the brand’s first plant , the plant is gearing up to produce its next fully electric vehicle, the MINI Countryman Electric, commencing in 2024. In addition, starting next year, the plant will oversee the entire production process for BMW’s fifth generation of high-voltage batteries. This move includes cell coating, module production, and battery assembly. The capacity for e-component production has seen substantial growth, which makes Leipzig a crucial supplier across the BMW production network. The Sustainability of the New MINI Countryman Sustainability is a central focus of the MINI Countryman Electric, underscoring the MINI brand’s commitment to full electrification by 2030. The design prioritizes environmental consciousness, with chrome eliminated from both the interior and exterior, and light-metal alloy wheels produced from up to 70 percent secondary aluminum. The interior boasts innovative, environmentally friendly materials, including recycled textiles for the dashboard, door facias, floor covering, and foot mats. These materials reduce CO2 emissions and water usage throughout their lifecycle, providing a more sustainable alternative to conventional materials. One of the striking design features of the MINI exterior is the contrast roof, which can be ordered in a different colour from the rest of the body. In the new MINI Countryman it will be painted using a new, resource-friendly method known as overspray-free painting. The innovative overspray-free painting method reduces excess as well as cutting CO2 emissions. An efficient burner technology, capable of running on hydrogen and natural gas, has been implemented in the paint drying process. These advancements underscore Plant Leipzig’s unwavering commitment to sustainability, with a focus on energy generation and consumption strategies that span back to its inception. “Sustainability is in the DNA of BMW Group Plant Leipzig,” emphasized Petra Peterhänsel, citing the four wind turbines generating electricity for the plant and a battery storage farm, powered by second-life high-voltage batteries from BMW i3 vehicles. The plant is also forging ahead with plans to replace fossil fuels with green hydrogen, positioning itself as one of the most sustainable manufacturing plants in the world. The construction of a regional hydrogen grid is already in the works, with Plant Leipzig poised to play a pivotal role in the transition towards sustainable energy sources. The post Video: Watch The All New MINI Countryman Begin Production in Germany appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article