DimON

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

The 2025 MINI Countryman is all new and available in both internal combustion and electric formats for the first time. In the US it will be a more paired down model offering with MINI USA selling only the three models with a focus on the higher-end of the market. But when will these MINIs go on sale and when they do, what will they cost? Let’s dive into the details 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 MINI USA 2025 MINI Countryman Price & Release Dates appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

It’s finally here. MINI is taking the wraps off its ultimate Countryman; the all new 300 hp MINI Countryman JCW. We’ve given you several early looks of the new Countryman JCW but until now MINI hasn’t officially released much info on it. That ends today with the official debut of MINI’s most powerful internal combustion model of its new generation of cars. This new Countryman JCW will eventually be joined by an all electric Countryman JCW with even more power and torque. But if you want your Countryman JCW to be petrol powered, this is the one. 2025 MINI Countryman JCW: Performance However if you’re expecting MINI to up the power for this new, larger Countryman you’ll be disappointed. In fact MINI has done the opposite. Powered by the familiar B48 2.0 four cylinder turbo, this new Countryman JCW has 300 hp vs the 306 hp in the current car (301 in the US). One interesting note; the practice of US market cars getting less than their European equivalents maybe over. For instance the BMW X1 M35i in Germany makes do with 295 hp while the US version gets 313 hp. That appears to be down to more stringent CO2 standards and programing. Could this mean we’ll see a full 313 hp in the US Countryman JCW? Whatever happens in the US market, this 300 hp version goes from 0-62 mph in 5.4 seconds with a top speed of 155 mph. The F60 version of the Countryman JCW is actually quicker at 5.1 seconds to 62 mph while topping out at only 140 mph. We know the U25 Countryman has grown in size noticeably but until recently we didn’t have a full understanding what that did to its weight. It turns out not as much as we had feared. The previous F60 2023 JCW Countryman weighs 3,688 lbs. Compare that to the all new U25 JCW Countryman at 3,825 lbs and you have only a 137 lbs difference. While any weight increase detrimental to performance, it’s than you would have expected given the growth in size. That’s likely due to the various weight savings measures that BMW built into the new FAAR platform including extensive use of aluminum and lighter steel. Another area that surprised us was that the ICE powered JCW Countryman is not a mild-hybrid whereas the Countryman C and S both are. We’ve heard rumors of a hot version of the B48 ready for release later this decade of near 330 hp – could that be the mild-hybrid version waiting for an introduction in a few years? A big area of improvement is in the Countryman’s aero. The previous F60 version had a drag coefficient of 0.34Cd compared to 0.26Cd for the new U25 Countryman JCW. That improvement helps mostly with efficiency but it also allows for better high-speed stability. MINI has worked on the sound of the car by engineering the exhaust with a flap system allowing for more sound in sport mode and at higher revs. Like the F60 this new U25 Countryman JCW also uses the ActiveSound system which synthesizes the engine sound pumping its through speakers in the floor even more than before. And yes it can still be turned off. MINI has also tweaked the tire and wheel size making both larger. The tire diameter, which has been increased by 30 mm, is now 710 mm and the increased tire width of 245 mm enhances grip. The corresponding wheels are been sized up as well and are now offered in 19″ and 20″ sizes with exclusive JCW designs. MINI hasn’t released information on the chassis upgrades or brakes but expect similar levels of performance engineered in to both. As before the brakes look monstrous and will likely be a highly as they were on the F60. Finally there’s the boost feature. When the driver pulls and holds the left-hand shift paddle for at least one second, all the powertrain and chassis systems are switched to their sportiest setting giving a driver maximum performance for a short amount of time. No details have been released on the specifics but we love the idea. MINI’s First Level 2 Autonomous Features The new MINI JCW Countryman features 12 ultrasonic sensors and four surround-view cameras creating a system that enables Level 2 autonomous features. The system is called Driving Assistant Professional and it’s a massive improvement over the previous adaptive cruise. 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 today 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. We’ve used this system in BMW’s extensively and it really does work as advertised – you can take your hands off the wheel entirely as long as your eyes are on the road. The car will stop, go, turn and even change lanes on command using the turn signal. 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 New Design Elements of the 2025 MINI Countryman JCW MINI claims the new MINI John Cooper Works Countryman has a bold and sporty look that “reflects its performance and versatility”. We get that but we’ll withhold our ultimate judgement until we get some hands-on time shortly. Until then it’s clear MINI designers have added elements to signal performance capabilities along with plenty of nods to racing. There’s new vertical reflectors in the front, a JCW signature mode in the headlights and a high-gloss octagonal grille complete with the sub-brand’s new logo. On this Legend Grey launch color scheme the C-pillar is finished in Chili Red and joins the contrasting roof. It’s a bold look and one we’re honestly not sure we could live with. But the effect of the roof curving down towards the rear, gives the new Countryman a more svelte silhouette despite its increased height and width. It’s a more brash car than before but one that could likely be toned down with the right specification choices. The 2025 MINI Countryman Interior Like the rest of the new MINI models, the interior features a reduced design. The cockpit is divided into an upper and lower section, with vertical door handles and air vents in the upper area. MINI clams that this emphasizes the upright and larger overall impression of the car. Having been in the new Countryman we can attest to that. But here there’s a bold red and black color scheme that extends to the dashboard, the door panels and on the new JCW sports seats. Again it’s a bit brash for us and one that can be optioned out if needed. Like the rest of the new MINI range, the dashboard is made of a two-tone textile made from recycled polyester and the interior prominently features the new circular display. Our Early Take This is a very different car than the original R60 MINI Countryman JCW. Larger and more sophisticated, it’s lost some of the striking smallness of the original Countryman JCW but has gained a tremendous amount of utility and performance (despite losing a touch to the last generation). Will it still feel like a JCW from behind the wheel? We can’t wait to find out. 2025 MINI Countryman JCW Photo Gallery 2025 MINI Countryman JCW Technical Specifications U25 Countryman ModelCountryman SECountryman SJCWPower313 hp241 hp300 hpTorqueTBD295 lb295 lbTransmission1 Speed7 speed DCT7 speed DCTDrivetrainall-wheelall-wheelall-wheelPowertrain typeelectricpetrolpetrolCylindersn/a44Displacementn/a19981998Engine PowerN/ATBD313 hpEngine Torque N/ATBD295 lbElectric Power313 hp19 hpN/AElectric TorqueTBDTBDN/AElectric Range (WLTP)270 milesN/AN/A0-62 mphTBDTBD5.4Maximum speed112 mphTBD155 mphWLTP l/100 kmN/ATBD34 – 36.2WLTP CO2N/ATBD188 – 177Length (mm/inches)4444 / 1754444 / 1754444 / 175Width (mm/inches)1843 / 731843 / 731843 / 73Height (mm)TBDTBD1665 / 66Wheelbase (mm)2069 / 812069 / 812069 / 81Curb weight (LBS)TBDTBD3,825 lbsFuel Capacity L/GallonsN/A54 / 14.354 / 14.3Luggage capacity (liters)TBDTBD505 – 1530 L The post World Premier: 2025 MINI Countryman JCW Officially Debuts first appeared on MotoringFile. The post World Premier: 2025 MINI Countryman JCW Officially Debuts appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

MINI is heading back to the 24 Hours of Nurburgring next year with Bulldog Racing. We heard the news from Charlie Cooper himself as he will be once again behind the wheel with several co-drivers taking on the legendary “Green Hell”. But the big question is, what car will MINI race with the current F56 MINI Cooper JCW going out of production? While there’s nothing yet announced, we’d bet the car will be a production version of the new F66 MINI Cooper JCW. With no manual on offer for the F66, we expect the production based race car to come equipped with the dual clutch transmission. While we love seeing a manual at the ‘Ring last year (the only car in the field with one), the DCT will be a better match for the track and the competition. As you can imagine MINI is thrilled to be heading back: The car will be one once again by Bulldog Racing which has a long history of fielding cars for the race. Last year’s MINI Cooper JCW (which featured Charlie Cooper) came 2nd in class showing not only the strength of the car but also the team. We’ll have more on next years plans from MINI for the Nurburgring 24 Hours in the coming months. In the meantime if you want more Nurburgring content, check out our experience at the event itself in 2022: The post MINI To Return to the 24 Hours of Nurburgring in 2024 first appeared on MotoringFile. The post MINI To Return to the 24 Hours of Nurburgring in 2024 appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

Choice. That’s been the core of BMW’s philosophy with EVs and that strategy is playing out with the J01 and F66 and soon with the U25 and the NE5. The only question is just how long the ICE (internal combustion) powered MINIs will be on the market? While nothing has been set in stone, we have some ideas. The UK recently pushed back its ICE ban from 2030 to to 2035 due to public pressure and slow progress in charging infrastructure rollout. That will mirror Europe’s timetable as it looks to move into electrification as well. In the US there are currently nine states (following California’s lead) that will ban purely ICE sales while allowing limited plugin hybrid’s to be sold if they account for under 20% of a brand’s total volume. Oh and that PHEV needs to get at least 50 miles of range on electric. What this means is that the western world is slowly putting similar timetables on when we’ll see the phase-out of ICE powered cars. The ICE powered F66 MINI CooperMINI to Offer Both ICE and EV Models The MINI Cooper MINI (like BMW) is leading with a strategy of choice. That means we’ll see the brand offer ICE powered cars alongside all new EVs simultaneously. For MINI specifically this strategy will directly impact its FAAR (F66) and FAAR WE (U25) platforms. This also means some of these models will have unusually long lifespans. As you can see below the F66 will technically have a short life-span but as we know, the F66 is a revised F56 which was introduced in 2013. That means the car and platform will be mostly unchanged until 2030. It’s almost hard to believe but this type of outlier in product planning is what happens when have a revolution such as electrification in the automotive industry. What will be even more interesting to see is the all new J01 MINI Cooper EV being sold alongside revised car 10+ years older. MINI is going to great lengths to hide the fact that these cars only differentiation is the drivetrain as they will style the F66 inside and out to match the new J01. Will consumers notice? Will they care? We’ll know soon. ICE MINI ModelsStart of ProductionEnd of ProductionF66 MINI Cooper (ICE)F66 MINI Cooper03/202412/2030F66 MINI Cooper S03/202412/2030F66 MINI Cooper JCW03/2024*12/2030F65 MINI Cooper 5 Door07/202412/2030F65 MINI Cooper S 5 Door07/202412/2030F67 MINI Cooper Convertible11/202412/2030F67 MINI Cooper S Convertible11/202412/2030F67 MINI Cooper JCW Convertible03/2025*12/2030U25 MINI Countryman (ICE)U25 MINI Countryman C11/202312/2030*U25 MINI Countryman D11/202312/2030*U25 MINI Countryman S ALL411/202312/2030*U25 MINI JCW ALL403/202412/2030*This may change due to consumer demand.The MINI Countryman The U25 Countryman on the other hand will seemingly have a rather normal product lifecycle of 7 years – typical in the BMW world. However there’s an asterisk there. Now that the UK has moved back it’s ICE ban and other governments have similar timeframes, there’s a chance we could see the ICE powered U25 Countryman stay on sale for a bit longer if there’s demand. The Countryman EV will be the complete opposite as MINI intends to kill it early to move that car to a bespoke electric platform from BMW called the NCAR (BMW’s codename for Neue Klasse). Why? The U25 Countryman is based on an updated FAAR platform (FAAR WE) and it was designed as a stop-gap of sorts. It can accommodate everything from an internal combustion power-plant to a plugin hybrid (which only BMW offers on this platform) to full electric. Because of this Swiss-army knife approach there are tradeoffs. For one the electric U25 MINI Countryman can’t pack as many battery cells as dedicated skateboard chassis EV can because it has to deal with structure built for internal combustion drivetrains. And there are many other trade-offs that have to be made to allow a single platform to work for so many drivetrain options. Because of this BMW intends to kill the U25 EV early in 2028 and launch the NE5 Countryman on this new, pure electric platform. The ICE 2025 MINI Countryman JCW – Courtesy of MINI.deThe Neue Klasse (or NCAR as it’s known internally) will be BMW’s single platform that will underpin every future BMW and MINI across the range. Because of the highly variable nature of skateboard chassis, that means there will be foundational elements of the NCAR in everything from a MINI Countryman to a BMW X7. The NE5 will then be alongside the U25 ICE for several years similar to MINI’s strategy with the J01 and the F66. Of course MINI would love for that to not be the case as it’s quite expensive to produce multiple version of the same car. And it would appear they’re going to attempt to make the electric version of the U25 Countryman and the J01 a bit more appealing by giving us noticeably more power. For instance the 2025 Countryman SE (EV) will have more power and better straight-line performance than even the Countryman JCW (ICE). the J01 will follow suit as the Cooper SE will also have JCW levels of performance. In fact that’s one of the theories as to why MINI has not upped the power output of the F66 JCW which will remain at 231 hp. The post Exclusive Look at MINI’s Plans to Phase out Internal Combustion Models first appeared on MotoringFile. The post Exclusive Look at MINI’s Plans to Phase out Internal Combustion Models appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

The F66 2025 MINI Cooper will be the last ever internal combustion car from the brand. And today we finally have finally have a look at some key technical data. While the F66 might be heavily based on the F56, there are some surprises in the dimensions and even weight as figures. Let’s dig in to the details. Despite MINI’s talk of going electric with the all new J01 Cooper, it’s releasing one last generation of ICE (internal combustion engine) MINI Coopers early next year. Code-named the F66, this last ICE MINI Cooper is a heavily revised F56 complete with an almost identical exterior design complete with new trim, lights and wheels among other things. Inside the F66 will take the interior from the J01 complete with circular screen, new materials and a very different layout. A Few Surprising Changes in Size While the F66 is based on the F56, the dimensions aren’t identical likely due to styling and even an few engineering changes. For instance the F56 has a length of 3863mm vs 3876mm for the new F66. Why the change? It’s still unclear but we’d assume the new front or rear bumper design (driven by either aero of new safety standards) might be the culprit. The height change is also interesting. The F56 is 1414mm vs the F66 which is higher at 1432mm. That might be due to MINI increasing the standard wheel size of the Cooper from 15″ to 16″ wheels while increasing the tire size slightly as well. It’s the width that is the most interesting to us. The F56 Cooper has a width of 1727 mm vs the F66 which is wider at 1744mm (both without mirrors). That 17mm difference may not sound like much but BMW and MINI don’t typically increase the width of a car solely because of aesthetics. It’s very likely the result of some engineering changes that might include things like a revised suspension, wider wheels and tires or even updated plastic fender arches. Or it could be as simple as a revised front bumper that’s a touch wider than before. A Subtle Weight Change One of the biggest critiques of modern MINI is that they appear to be getting larger and heavier with every generation. That’s actually not historically true. The R50 (manual) had a DIN weight of 2,535 lbs which then decreased to 2,513 with the R56 Cooper (manual). That weight finally did go up with the noticeably larger F56 but again, not as much as people assumed. The F56’s DIN weight is 2,701 lbs in manual form and 2,756 with the DCT. Given that the F66 will only be available with the DCT, let’s compare those two numbers. The F56 Cooper DCT weights in at 2,756 lbs. The new F66 Cooper DCT has a curb weight of 2,778 lbs, a 22 lbs difference. Given the added emissions and safety additions (and not to mention the new tech), a 22 lbs increase doesn’t seem all that much in the gran scheme of things. F66 2025 MINI Cooper Full Technical Specification While that’s our quick take, have a look yourself. Cooper ModelF66 Cooper CF66 Cooper S F66 Cooper JCWPower155 hp 201 hp231 hp Torque170 lb-ft (1,480 rpm)221 lb-ft258 lb-ft (1,250 rpm)Transmission7 speed DCT7 speed DCT7 speed DCTDrivetrainfront-wheelfront-wheelfront-wheelPowertrain typepetrolpetrolpetrolCylindersTBA44DisplacementTBA19981998Mild Hybrid PowerN/AN/AN/A0-60 mphTBATBATBAMaximum speedTBATBATBALength (mm/inches)3876mm / 152.60 in3876mm / 152.60 inTBAWidth w/o Mirros (mm/inches)1744mm / 68.66 in1744mm / 68.66 inTBAHeight (mm)1432mm / 56.38 in1432mm / 56.38 inTBAWheelbase (mm)2495mm / 98.23 in2495mm / 98.23 in2495mm / 98.23Curb weight (kg/lbs)1260kg / 2,778 lbs1285kg / 2,832 lbsTBAFuel Capacity L/GallonsTBATBATBALuggage capacity (seats up/seats down210 liters / 725 liters210 liters / 725 liters210 liters / 725 litersThe F66 2025 MINI Cooper Model Range Produced in Oxford, the F66 will take over as the F56 ends production in February of 2024. That means we’ll see the first F66 MINI Coopers roll off the line next March as the plant begins it’s pivots into a new generation of MINIs. The F66 MINI Cooper FamilyDrivetrainStart of ProductionF66 MINI Cooper155 HP (Petrol)03/2024F66 MINI Cooper S200 HP (Petrol)03/2024F66 MINI Cooper JCW231 HP (Petrol)03/2024*F65 MINI Cooper 5 Door155 HP (Petrol)07/2024F65 MINI Cooper S 5 Door200 HP (Petrol)07/2024F67 MINI Cooper Convertible155 HP (Petrol)11/2024F67 MINI Cooper S Convertible200 HP (Petrol)11/2024 F67 MINI Cooper JCW Convertible231 HP (Petrol)03/2025** UnconfirmedAs you can see above the changeover will happen in three phases. The first is the iconic two door Cooper which should be available at launch in Cooper and Cooper S models. We believe MINI will formally begin production of the JCW version of the F66 a little alter in July but that’s yet to be confirmed. There’s still a chance we could see that actually happen in March as well. Next will be the five door F65 MINI Cooper launch in both Cooper and Cooper S models. Finally the brand will launch its last ever ICE car, the F67 convertible in Cooper and Cooper S models. We believe the JCW F67 will either launch simultaneously or follow in March of 2025. Official Release and Ordering Dates Because MINI is aggressively becoming an electric brand, it’s appears to be much more focused on the launch of the J01 and electric Countryman for the time being. That leaves the F66 in an interesting spot given that it will likely be a volume seller in markets such as the US. While we don’t have concrete info on official release or ordering dates yet, the fact that our sources aren’t telling us anything yet would likely indicate that MINI will wait until closer to the the start of production in March 2024 to formally launch the car. For much more on the F66 family of internal combustion MINIs, head to the F66 section of MotoringFile where we details everything from the single exhaust to the revised power outp The post Exclusive: F66 2025 MINI Cooper Technical Details Revealed first appeared on MotoringFile. The post Exclusive: F66 2025 MINI Cooper Technical Details Revealed appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

After a 2 week delay that was 100% my fault, I am proud to deliver the latest episode of White Roof Radio. Getting started with news and MINIUSA on again off again manual transmission status is finally updated, for reals, to no longer offering a manual transmission on any of the models. Of course, details on getting one can be found at MotoringFile. Gabe also just wrapped up his stint with a good MINI with a terrible name. Maybe the worst named MINI in the history of MINI; The Untamed Edition. The short version you hear, for the full review, including video, can also be found at MF. By the way, Untamed is worse than Untold, don’t listen to two weeks ago db, he was wrong. Moving on, we all agree that the R53 is the G.O.A.T. Chad does school us on some gotchas that can come along with owning an old MINI. Gabe is looking really hard at getting an R53, but that could change. What do you think he should get? Special thanks to the extra technical info provided by Chad! Are you looking for the sunroof drain fix? Detroit Tuned has your covered! From the archives, when we talked to Randy Webb during Woofcast 9 when Todd learned what adiabatic expansion was. By following that link, you will find that episode 9 has been restored! And, as mentioned, you really can’t beat watching James May reassemble anything, especially a Honda Monkey. This is worth the 45 minutes. The post White Roof Radio 693: Since Todd Already Bought One first appeared on MotoringFile. The post White Roof Radio 693: Since Todd Already Bought One appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

The petrol powered MINI Cooper JCW isn’t dead yet. In fact MINI is just months away from unveiling a new ICE version of the ionic hot hatch based on a heavily revised F56 JCW. But this isn’t just a refreshed F56 JCW. While aspects of the car will be carried over, MINI will be making some big changes with the F66 2025 MINI Cooper JCW. First it’s important to give some context. Despite MINI’s talk of going electric with the all new J01 Cooper, it’s releasing one last generation of ICE (internal combustion engine) MINI Coopers early next year. The pinnacle of this new model range will be the Cooper JCW. Now let’s discuss that name. For years MINI has used the name Cooper as a way to denote trim levels across all of its products. Everything from the hatch (as it was called) to the Clubman and Countryman had the name Cooper in it. Starting with this new generation of products that practice is now dead. MINI is using the name Cooper as the model name only for its iconic small car. Thus the MINI Hardtop 2 door JCW (as it has been known in the US) will now be simply called the MINI Cooper JCW. F66 MINI Cooper JCW testing at the NurburgringThe Power Output of the 2025 MINI Cooper JCW The 2025 MINI Cooper JCW will have a slightly revised B48 engine under the hood – more specifically the B48A20O2. We say slightly because the 2025 MINI JCW will continue to have the same 228 hp (231 bhp) output as we’ve seen since 2015. More specifically the new MINI Cooper JCW will have 228 hp @ 5000 rpm. Needless to say that number will disappoint all those that expected more for this new generation JCW. Rumors had been floated of something near 260 hp and plenty had hoped for something even bigger. Why are we not seeing an improvement when the Cooper and Cooper S are getting modest power upgrades? Or the Countryman which gets even bigger power hikes? For one the Countryman’s B48 engines contain a mild hybrid power unit while the Cooper engines will not due to packaging restrictions. Otherwise we don’t have great answers other than this lack of a JCW upgrade leaves room for MINI to eventually tweak software and hardware for a light refresh in a few years. And we know the DCT transmission can handle more torque so there appears to be no component related reason holding MINI back. The 2025 F67 MINI Cooper JCW ConvertibleHowever there is one subtle improvement. Torque will increase from 236 to 258 ft lbs giving the car a touch more grunt. And it peaks lower in the rev range as well. Previously in the F56 JCW torque maxed-out at 1,450. The B48A20O2 sees this change to 1,250 rpm meaning maximum power is even more immediate. Finally the B48A20O2 is also a cleaner engine than its predecessor and should see a slight increase in MPG as well. Why no power increase? Simply put MINI is spending enormous sums of money to turn its entire range into EVs. With that massive investment as backdrop, the brand has had to be smart where it reinvents vs where it evolves its products. The good news is that the F56 is a great based in which to evolve from. It’s been the most successful new MINI yet and has an excellent track record in both reliability and performance. No the new JCW will not have a single exhaust pipe.The JCW Manual Transmission Is Dead For those reading MotoringFile this likely won’t be a total surprise as we’ve reported on this several times over the last 9 months. But it’s still a shocking development given the popularity of the option. In fact since we exclusively reported the news, the MINI USA manual take-rate has gone up to over 50%. It’s devastating move for a lot of MINI’s biggest fans as it’s 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. Why would MINI eliminate manuals despite the fact that the F66 is mechanically identical to the F56 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. The F66 gear selector moves from the console to the dash in the form of a discrete toggle switch.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. In its place will be a revised 7 speed dual clutch (DCT) with JCW specific software for more aggressive programing which should decrease shift times. The revised dual clutch transmission is just like the one offered in current Cooper and Cooper S models combining two partial transmissions in a single housing. The core element of the system consists of two oil-cooled wet clutches: one of these is responsible for the even transmission ratios (2, 4, 6) while the other is for the uneven ratios (1, 3, 5, 7) and reverse. During travel, one of the two clutches is open and the other is closed. They interact when the driver shifts up or down: opening one clutch activates closure of the second at the same time. Chassis and Brake Updates This is where the F66 MINI Cooper JCW is a straight evolution from the F56 version. This starts with the braking system which will be carried over. That means we’ll see a 4-piston fixed caliper upfront with internally ventilated, drilled brake disk up front (335x30mm). In the back (where there’s less weight to worry about) MINI will continue with a single piston floating caliper and a disk that’s 259x10mm. All four calipers will be finished in the traditional Chili Red. The chassis and suspension will see subtle improvements with MINI further refining its adaptive suspension design. While we don’t yet have details we’re told this focuses on improving ride quality while not forgoing any performance. In this exclusive zoomed in photo you can see a central exhaust and single pipe that looks to be in nearly final production form.2025 MINI Cooper JCW To Feature Single Pipe Exhaust In another surprising move MINI is moving from a two pipe single exhaust to a larger single pipe exhaust. In the exclusive image below you can see a single exhaust pipe (with a stainless steel sleeve), the transversely mounted exhaust and even the aluminum shield underneath it. Look even closer and you’ll see the production version of the single LED reverse light just above the exhaust tip which (one could imagine) would look somewhat integrated with the cutout of the pipe. The current F56 Cooper S Exhaust design shows that the “dual exhaust” is nothing more than two small pipes from a single exhaust. Why a single exhaust pipe? Let’s start with the exhaust itself. One thing that most don’t know is that the MINI Cooper S and JCW have had a single muffler system since the R56. The fact that two outlets came out the back has primarily been for aesthetics. In fact there have been more than a few MINI race cars over the years that have gone with the exhaust single pipe design. Why? When asked they consistently have told us it’s both more power efficient and lighter. So in other words exactly what you want in both race cars and modern performance cars. Why wouldn’t MINI have always had a single exhaust? It comes down to marketing and the very simple concept; two exhaust pipes means more power than one in the eyes of the car buying public. In fact you’ll see this on display later this year when the quad-exhaust JCW Countryman debuts. Corresponding with the move away from manuals is a completely new gear lever design that mirrors what we’ve seen on the electric J01 and U25 MINI Countryman. What will remain are revised paddle shifters which will be standard on all JCW models. The 2025 F67 MINI Cooper JCW Convertible2025 MINI Cooper JCW Wheel Options Similar to the F56 we’ll see several JCW option ranging from 17” to 18” wheels. However the design of those wheels will change. Tire sizes however will remain consistent with the F56. F66 ICE MINI CooperF66 ICE MINI Cooper SF66 JCW16” 4 Square Spoke17” U-Spoke grey17” John Cooper Works Sprint Spoke black17” U-Spoke vibrant silver17” U-Spoke vibrant silver18” John Cooper Works Lap Spoke 2-tone17” U-Spoke grey 17” Parallel Spoke 2-tone18″ John Cooper Works Lap Spoke 2-tone w/Sport tires17” Parallel Spoke 2-tone18” Night Flash Spoke 2-tone18” Slide Spoke 2-tone18” Slide Spoke 2-toneThe 2024 F56 Cooper SE and the 2025 J01 Cooper SE. The F66 will adopt the styling of the J01 inside and out.Why is MINI Refreshing the F56 rather than Replacing it? If you’ve been following MotoringFile you’ll know that MINI is splitting its core model – the Cooper – into two distinct products. That means we’ll see two next generation MINI Coopers (hatches) built on opposite ends of the planet on two different platforms; one a EV (J01) and one ICE powered (F66). This move will allow MINI to offer innovative electric offerings while still selling to the traditional ICE market for as long as possible. The J01 JCW trim. While not a fully JCW production, it gives us a clue as to how the J01 and F66 JCW model will look.The F66 will see styling changes that mirror the J01 and huge tech improvements inside the cabin. But mechanically it will be mostly the same car with just the Cooper S getting a noticeable engine upgrade (more on that soon). For much more on styling and technology changes, read our full report on the F66. The 2025 F67 MINI Cooper JCW Convertible2025 MINI Cooper JCW Launch Timing and End of Production Produced in Oxford, the F66 will take over as the F56 ends production in February of 2024. That means we’ll see the first F66 MINI Coopers roll off the line next March as the plant begins its pivots into a new generation of MINIs. We expect the F66 MINI Cooper JCW will go into production beginning in March of 2024. The F66 MINI Cooper FamilyDrivetrainStart of ProductionEnd of ProductionF66 MINI Cooper155 HP (Petrol)03/202412/31/30F66 MINI Cooper S200 HP (Petrol)03/202412/31/30F66 MINI Cooper JCW231 HP (Petrol)03/2024*12/31/30F65 MINI Cooper 5 Door155 HP (Petrol)07/202412/31/30F65 MINI Cooper S 5 Door200 HP (Petrol)07/202412/31/30F67 MINI Cooper Convertible155 HP (Petrol)11/202412/31/30F67 MINI Cooper S Convertible200 HP (Petrol)11/2024 12/31/30F67 MINI Cooper JCW Convertible231 HP (Petrol)03/2025*12/31/30* UnconfirmedWhat do you think? Does the F66 JCW sound interesting with its styling changes and technology upgrades? Or is it a non-starter without a manual. Let us know below in the comments. The post Exclusive: F66 2025 MINI Cooper JCW Gets Major Updates While Staying Old-School first appeared on MotoringFile. The post Exclusive: F66 2025 MINI Cooper JCW Gets Major Updates While Staying Old-School appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

Since MINI bought the John Cooper Works name from the Cooper family, the brand has been slowly evolving the look and feel of its performance sub-brand. Today that visual evolution takes a dramatic step with an entirely new logo that is being unveiled alongside the new generation of MINIs recently announced this fall. While we’ve seen the new logo (and identity) on several launch cars, MINI has yet to formally comment on the new logo and other aspects of the revised JCW identity. Today that changes as MINI is formally unveiling the logo in the most unlikely places – the season finale of the Rundstrecken-Challenge Nürburgring 2023. The new John Cooper Works logo is an expression of the boundless enthusiasm and pride we feel for John Cooper Works. John Cooper Works and motorsport play a central role in the DNA of MINI. They will continue to drive our innovative spirit and creativity in the future. Stefanie Wurst, MINI Brand Director.The fact that the logo appears as the F56 JCW 1to6 edition race car is ironic given that it’s a car that will never wear it. The change over will correspond with the new generation of MINIs including the J01 MINI Cooper EV, F66/F67/F56 MINI Cooper ICE, U25 Countryman and the J05 MINI Aceman. MotoringFile’s Take That’s a departure. Those were the first words that we uttered as we saw the new logo in a windowless room in Munich at a pre-reveal of MINI’s 4th generation models. But time has been kind to the design for us and we’re finally getting use to the rather dramatic change from the old “surf-board” logo style we’ve been used to. It’s a cleaner, more modern looking one that is also an easier read on the road. That doesn’t mean the won’t miss that old elongated badge logo that dated back to 2002. The revised version that came out on the R56 was very evolutionary and more than anything cleaned up the type of make it more legible. This new version does away with all of us in an effort to mirror MINI’s new more minimal aesthetic. To us it’s successful on both counts but we have no doubt more than a few of you will be disappointed in such a big change. Race Results Oh and about that race. Driven by Sebastian Sauerbrei (GER) and Friedhelm Thelen (GER), the MINI John Cooper Works 1to6 (complete with a 6-speed manual transmission) had a solid performance throughout the wet race and finished 53rd, out of 158 cars. In the class for production-based cars with a displacement of 1,600 to 2,000 cc and turbochargers, the black MINI John Cooper Works Edition finished 13th out of 23 cars that started. raced the MINI John Cooper Works Edition. Sebastian Sauerbrei achieved his personal best placement in a 24-hour race this year behind the wheel of this exact car. Friedhelm Thelen is a Nürburgring expert and team boss of Bulldog Racing. The MINI JCW 1to6 Race Car at the Rundstrecken-Challenge Nürburgring 2023 The post MINI Debuts New JCW logo and Brand Identity at the Nurburgring first appeared on MotoringFile. The post MINI Debuts New JCW logo and Brand Identity at the Nurburgring appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

If you’ve been following MotoringFile you’ll know that MINI is splitting its core model – the Cooper – into two very different products. The car that’s gotten all the press lately is of course the all new J01 electric MINI Cooper. Built on a bespoke electric platform, it represents the future of the brand in the eyes of BMW. But for anyone not ready to go electric MINI will offer a heavily revised F56 MINI Cooper known as the F66 family of cars. However MINI has been extremely tight-lipped on launch timing for the F66. Luckily we’ve got answers. The F66 MINI Cooper will be a heavily revised version o the F56 complete with an almost identical exterior design complete with new trim, lights and wheels among other things. Inside the F66 will take the interior from the J01 complete with circular screen, new materials and a very different layout. Details like the single exhaust are new.Produced in Oxford, the F66 will take over as the F56 ends production in February of 2024. That means we’ll see the first F66 MINI Coopers roll off the line next March as the plant begins it’s pivots into a new generation of MINIs. The F66 MINI Cooper FamilyDrivetrainStart of ProductionF66 MINI Cooper155 HP (Petrol)03/2024F66 MINI Cooper S200 HP (Petrol)03/2024F66 MINI Cooper JCW231 HP (Petrol)07/2024*F65 MINI Cooper 5 Door155 HP (Petrol)07/2024F65 MINI Cooper S 5 Door200 HP (Petrol)07/2024F67 MINI Cooper Convertible155 HP (Petrol)11/2024F67 MINI Cooper S Convertible200 HP (Petrol)11/2024 F67 MINI Cooper JCW Convertible231 HP (Petrol)03/2025** UnconfirmedAs you can see above the changeover will happen in three phases. The first is the iconic two door Cooper which should be available at launch in Cooper and Cooper S models. We believe MINI will formally begin production of the JCW version of the F66 a little alter in July but that’s yet to be confirmed. There’s still a chance we could see that actually happen in March as well. Next will be the five door F65 MINI Cooper launch in both Cooper and Cooper S models. Finally the brand will launch its last ever ICE car, the F67 convertible in Cooper and Cooper S models. We believe the JCW F67 will either launch simultaneously or follow in March of 2025. Official Release and Ordering Dates Because MINI is aggressively becoming an electric brand, it’s appears to be much more focused on the launch of the J01 and electric Countryman for the time being. That leaves the F66 in an interesting spot given that it will likely be a volume seller in markets such as the US. While we don’t have concrete info on official release or ordering dates yet, the fact that our sources aren’t telling us anything yet would likely indicate that MINI will wait until closer to the the start of production in March 2024 to formally launch the car. For much more on the F66 family of internal combustion MINIs, head to the F66 section of MotoringFile where we details everything from the single exhaust to the revised power output. The F66 2025 MINI Cooper Gallery This is Just the Start – An Entire New MINI Family is Coming Beyond the F66 there’s much more coming form the MINI brand. The new J01 MINI Cooper electric and U25 MINI Countryman (electric) will begin production this November with the the internal combustion U25 Countryman starting in Q1 2024. 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. 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 Exclusive Launch Details on the F66 (ICE) 2025 MINI Cooper first appeared on MotoringFile. The post Exclusive Launch Details on the F66 (ICE) 2025 MINI Cooper appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

The U25 electric MINI Countryman is a hugely important new offering from the brand that takes its best selling model and pairs it up with 100% electric power. It’s one of the most highly anticipated models from the brand ever yet in just a few years MINI plans to kill it. Taking its place will be something completely new and the most advanced product from the brand ever. The same sources that we’ve partnered with to decipher so many aspects the 4th generation MINIs in the last few years are now helping us uncover what’s next. The first bombshell is just how short a lifespan the U25 electric MINI Countryman will have. We can now exclusively report that the electric version of the U25 MINI Countryman will cease production in October 2028 lasting less than five years on the market. That doesn’t mean the U25 generation of the MINI Countryman will be dead in 2028. The ICE powered Countryman C, S and JCW will have (at least) a normal seven year product cycle until its production ends on December 31st, 2030. And even that’s influx. We’re hearing that that date is tentative and might be extended based on demand. But more on that at a later date. MINI Countryman – Electric ModelsDrivetrainStart of ProductionEnd of ProductionU25 MINI Countryman E Electric03/202410/2028U25 MINI Countryman SE ALL4Electric03/202410/2028MINI Countryman – ICE ModelsU25 MINI Countryman CICE (Petrol)11/202312/2030*U25 MINI Countryman DICE (Diesel)11/202312/2030*U25 MINI Countryman S ALL4ICE (Petrol)11/202312/2030*U25 MINI John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4ICE (Petrol)03/202412/2030** Tentative as demand may push this backWhy is MINI Killing Its First Electric Countryman So Early? Why is MINI killing such an important electric model early? Because it has something better coming. The U25 Countryman is based on an updated FAAR platform (FAAR WE) and it was designed as a stop-gap of sorts. It can accommodate everything from an internal combustion power-plant to a plugin hybrid (which only BMW offers on this platform) to full electric. Because of this Swiss-army knife approach there are tradeoffs. For one the electric U25 MINI Countryman can’t pack as many battery cells as dedicated skateboard chassis EV can because it has to deal with structure built for internal combustion drivetrains. And there are many other trade-offs that have to be made to allow a single platform to work for so many drivetrain options. But that reason alone isn’t why MINI won’t have a full seven year model lifecycle for the new U25 MINI Countryman electric. A clay model from the development of the J01 MINI CooperThe 2028 NE5 MINI Countryman MINI is replacing the electric version of the U25 with an all new Countryman based on an all new BMW platform designed from the ground-up to be electric. The 2028 MINI Countryman (codenamed the NE5) will be the first MINI based on BMW’s all new dedicated electric platform known as the Neue Klasse. The Neue Klasse (or NCAR as it’s known internally) will be BMW’s single platform that will underpin every future BMW and MINI across the range. Because of the highly variable nature of skateboard chassis, that means there will be foundational elements of the NCAR in everything from a MINI Countryman to a BMW X7. Given the inherent benefits of using a dedicated electric platform for future EVs, BMW and MINI are planning to aggressively move their electric offerings to the new platform. Naturally this timeline means different things for different cars depending on where they are in their lifecycle. For MINI this means an under five year lifecycle for the U25 electric Countryman. Similarly for the just announced BMW X2, we’d expect a short life-span. However for a car like the BMW X1 (which is a twin of the U25 Countryman) the timing lines-up much closer to the standard seven year lifecycle. At the time of publication, our sources are telling us to expect the NE5 MINI Countryman EV to have a lifecycle from 11/2028 to 10/2036. The U25 MINI Countryman in early design formTwo Completely Different Countryman On the Market At the Same Time The result of this strategy will see two very different Countryman on sale at the same time. Not unlike the forthcoming electric J01 and ICE F66 MINI Cooper, the U25 and NE5 will be sold alongside of each other for several years in an attempt to offer consumers a choice of powertrains as much of the world gradually goes electric. Our assumption is that the launch of the NE5 Countryman will coincide with the LCI of the U25 giving MINI a chance to create a similar design approach for both cars. That would be the same strategy as the J01 and F66 which means that the powertrain is the key buying factor vs the exterior and interior design. BMW isn’t the only brand with this strategy. Porsche is going down the same route with the ICE powered Porsche Macan and the all new Macan EV. The thought from both MINI and Porsche is simple. Hedge your bets because different markets will adopt EVs at a different pace. How long will MINI offer ICE powered models? While MINI has tentative end of production dates associated with all of its ICE offerings, there’s always a chance that could slip based on demand. Does This Mean I Shouldn’t Consider a U25 MINI Countryman Electric? Absolutely not. Five years is a longtime and if you’re always waiting for something better or new, you’ll be stuck in an endless cycle of wait or regret. Our opinion is to buy what you need, want or something that just makes you happy. And from our brief time with the U25 2025 MINI Countryman, we think a lot of buyers will be just that. The post Exclusive: MINI to Kill the New Countryman Electric Early first appeared on MotoringFile. The post Exclusive: MINI to Kill the New Countryman Electric Early appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

Since its re-introduction, wheel design has been one of the more important factors for MINI models in how they differentiate themselves but also how it allows owners to customize their cars. That’s why when a new wheel option shows up, people take note. But we don’t have a new option to talk about to today, we have nine of them in this exclusive preview. Since the J01 MINI Cooper EV was shown earlier this fall, we’ve seen hundreds of photos of what is basically the same launch specification. Unfortunately that means we haven’t officially gotten a good look at the wheel options that are coming for the J01 or the F66 – which will offer identical wheels. You read that right. Despite the radical differences beneath the skin, these two MINI Coopers will have identical wheel offerings and almost identical exterior design (look for more on the F66 soon). 18″ JCW Lap Spoke18″ JCW Lap Spoke2025 MINI Cooper Wheels First let’s look at the F66 ICE Cooper. Based on what we know we believe will be offering a subset of smaller wheels on the Cooper with at least one 18″ options. F66 ICE MINI Cooper Wheel Options17” U-Spoke grey17” U-Spoke vibrant silver17” Parallel Spoke 2-tone16” 4 Square Spoke18” Slide Spoke 2-tone The 18” Slide Spoke 2-tone in black As is typical for MINI, the Cooper S will get a largest variety of wheels starting at 17″ in size and even a few 18″. F66 ICE MINI Cooper S Wheel Options17” U-Spoke grey17” U-Spoke vibrant silver17” Parallel Spoke 2-tone18” Night Flash Spoke 2-tone18” Slide Spoke 2-toneThe F66 ICE MINI with the same 18″ JCW Lap Spoke WheelsFinally the JCW model will offer the most limited range but with a focus on 18″ wheels. From what we can tell, MINI will offer extreme sport tires on the 18″ JCW Lap Some wheels. It’s unclear if these are simply summer tires or more aggressive still. F66 ICE MINI JCW Wheel Options17” John Cooper Works Sprint Spoke black18” John Cooper Works Lap Spoke 2-tone18″ John Cooper Works Lap Spoke 2-tone with sport tiresFinally the electric J01 MINI will offer a subset of the same wheels. Our sources are unclear on how this will breakdown between the Cooper E and Cooper SE and eventual JCW versions of the J01 so there’s the full list as we know it. J01 Electric MINI Cooper E/SE Wheel Options17” U-Spoke grey17” U-Spoke vibrant silver17” Parallel Spoke 2-tone18” John Cooper Works Lap Spoke 2-tone18” Night Flash Spoke 2-tone18” Slide Spoke 2-toneThis is Just the Start – An Entire New MINI Family is Coming The new J01 MINI Cooper electric and U25 MINI Countryman (electric) will begin production this November with the the internal combustion U25 Countryman starting in Q1 2024. Then we’ll see the heavily revised F56 morph into the F66 internal combustion MINI Cooper. This will be MINI’s answer to all those who want a Cooper but aren’t ready for electric. 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. 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 Exclusive Look at the 9 New 2025 MINI Cooper Wheels first appeared on MotoringFile. The post Exclusive Look at the 9 New 2025 MINI Cooper Wheels appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

The 2025 MINI Countryman will be the most technically capable MINI ever made. Whether it’s fully electric or ICE powered, the U25 is a giant step for the brand in how it adopts BMW tech. One of the biggest additions will be its autonomous driving features. The feature is called Driving Assistant Professional and it’s a massive improvement over the previous adaptive cruise. 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 today we didn’t have some of the final technical details. Currently MINI has only one light autonomous feature – adaptive cruise. While helpful it really does one thing – follow the car in front. MINI’s aim is to introduce this technology as an option meant primarily for highway purposes. 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. We’ve used this system in BMW’s extensively and it really does work as advertised – you can take your hands off the wheel entirely as long as your eyes are on the road. The car will stop, go, turn and even change lanes on command using the turn signal. 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. In our experience in BMW it’s a great feature for anyone who does long stretches highway driving. While it doesn’t take over completely and your hands have to remain on the wheel, it lessens the cognitive load on those long road-trips. Note the black area on the center of the grille of this F67 test mule. This is where the radar portion of the systems sensors reside.Autonomous Options Coming the MINI Cooper The Countryman won’t be the only MINI product with the new Level 2 Autonomous features. While we believe the entire range will eventually get the option, it’s the combustion F66 MINI Cooper that will get it at launch. Driving Assistant Professional replies several cameras and a front mounted radar in the grille. The system is actually made up of two options: Driving Assistant (5AS) and the Driving Assistant Plus (5AT). The U25 Countryman and the F66 Cooper will feature this system at launch while the electric J01 MINI Cooper and J05 MINI Aceman will eventually get them. 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 ALL4Electric49.500€ $45,20003/2024*MINI Countryman – ICE ModelsU25 MINI Countryman CICE (Petrol)39.900€ N/A11/2023U25 MINI Countryman DICE (Diesel)42.900€ N/A11/2023U25 MINI Countryman S ALL4ICE (Petrol)45.900€ $38,90011/2023*U25 MINI John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4ICE (Petrol)56.500€ TBA03/2024** Available in the US at launchThis is Just the Start – An Entire New MINI Family is Coming The new J01 MINI Cooper electric and U25 MINI Countryman will begin production this November and will kick off the new MINI family. Then we’ll see the heavily revised F56 morph into the F66 internal combustion MINI Cooper. This will be MINI’s answer to all those who want a Cooper but aren’t ready for electric. 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. 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 The 2025 MINI Countryman to Feature Level 2 Autonomous Driving first appeared on MotoringFile. The post The 2025 MINI Countryman to Feature Level 2 Autonomous Driving appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

The first real-world gallery along with an executive summary of the new 2025 MINI Countryman SE The MINI Countryman SE is a big deal for the brand. It’s on an all new platform that makes it both noticeably bigger and more powerful than ever. But wrapping your head around the size and the new styling isn’t easy (see all the negative commentary online). That’s why these photos are a big deal as they represent the first time MINI has released a full gallery of real-world shots of this all new 2025 MINI Countryman. In this article we’re not only going to show you a real-world view of the 2025 electric MINI Countryman but we’re going to take you on a quick tour of the car inside and out. For more details on the technical side of the car, head to our U25 section where you’ll read exclusive technical details among other things. Exterior – First Hands on Impressions Walking up to the all new MINI Countryman Electric for the first time you’re immediately struck by two things in quick succession. First, the size. This new Countryman now feels like a true crossover ready to fully compete in its segment. Then they it hits you – this thing has curves. Sculpture on the fenders. A vertical ridge just behind the front tire. There’s dimension to the car that we’ve never seen before in a MINI. Whether it all works for you or not, its clear MINI has The result is a Countryman that not only looks more sophisticated but also is more upright, athletic. A lot of that is missed in most still imagery but you can see some of that here. Countryman looks a bit challenging when we first saw it in the leaked photos from earlier this year. But in person things immediately start to connect. For one you get a sense of accurate scale. While it’s indeed larger, (5 inches in length) this new Countryman has proportions that work – maybe even better than the previous F60. While we’ve always loved the original R60 for its size and brashness, there was a lot going on from a styling perspective. Then there’s the F60 which looks a bit ungainly from some angles owning to proportions that always felt a touch off. This new Countryman fixes all of those issues with a new, simplistic design language that MINI calls Charismatic Minimalism. The philosophy replies on reducing the elements down to the absolutely core, creating a more minimal and sophisticated appearance. One thing that has been lost in the need for aero efficiency is the grab-style door handles. In their place are door handles that, while more aero efficient, are hard to grab and will annoy anyone not used to them. The front of the new Countryman is much more angular and upfront that we’ve seen previously. While there’s a reduction in shapes and materials upfront, it’s not as starkly minimal as the new Cooper. Instead MINI has patterns in the plastic fenders (which are still here as oppose to the new Cooper) and indents on the front splitter and rear bumper. But there’s no question this is one area that divides a lot of fans of the brand. It’s a big departure from the round designs we’ve seen from the past. Part of this departure has to do with the simplicity of the front bumper design. Interior – First Hands on Impressions Like the Cooper, the Countryman has done away with the cluster display and minimized other controls in the name of simplification. Not unlike the original MINI, the Countryman has been designed to do more with the space it has. For instance gone is the center console and shifter. In its place, just below the toggle switches is an optional Qi wireless charger for smartphones and behind that two large, integrated cupholders. You’ll be happy to know the design works well in that your phone is visible and continuously charging at the same time – all with no wires. And yes, the cupholders look big enough for most American-sized drinks. I say most because I am sad to report the ubiquitous Nalgene 32 oz water bottle will not fit in the door pocket as it does in the current F60. As a dedicated Naglene user who appreciates being hydrated, it feels like an unfortunate oversight. Like the new Cooper, MINI is offering a system that allows you to personalize your console with several options storage areas. Want more cupholders? You can add them just like you can add larger storage units as well. If that sounds familiar it’s because this new system is inspired by the original Countryman’s center rail, this new system allows for several different configurations with MINI’s upcoming accessory plans. But what makes this different than the rail system is that it’s also functional storage with no accessories at all. It’s worth noting that the two systems in the cars are not compatible due to the differences in width. One of the bigger criticisms inside has been the elimination of leather and the textiles used in place of polyurethane foam. I know it seems odd at first, but trust us, it looks and feels great in person. In fact after spending some time with the new MINIs (both have this as standard) you wonder why we’ve had black foam on cars for so long. The move from polyurethane based foam rubber outer layer to fabric makes sense for several reasons. For one it’s cooler in hot conditions which will play well in hot climates (which seems to be much of the southern US these days). Then there’s the environmental impact as it’s both made from recycled fibers and itself is easily recyclable. Finally it allows MINI to be much more bold (or not) in its interior designs. How does it feel? Very robust and clearly designed for a very long life-span. However my first thought was, how do I clean it? I asked folks from MINI that question and the answer was pretty simple – a damp cloth. Leather is also gone from the MINI range starting with this new generation. Due to the environmental impact of leather, MINI has brought several new materials to market that are aimed at either replacing the feel of leather or replacing it with entirely new textile based options. The most popular option will surely be Vescin, MINI’s leather replacement. For a deep dive on the material, read our exclusive look at Vescin. That New Circular Screen, the MINI OS9 Interface & A Projector? We’ve already done a full review of both so you’ll definitely want to check that out if you want all the details. But just like the Cooper, the new circular screen dominates the cabin in a good way, adding a clear focal point as well as being successful in combining enormous functionality into one screen. The other thing is does it clean-up the interior making the space more serene. The one thing that hasn’t been talked about much is the optional light projector behind the screen. It allows the car to extend the Experience Modes with projects light effects on the dash that, in the dark, is very striking. It may sound gimmicky but in real-life it’s a pretty compelling trick. And yes, it can also be turned off. Our Early Take This is a very different car than the original R60 MINI Countryman. Larger and more sophisticated, it’s lost some of the striking smallness of the original Countryman. But MINI’s aim was to listen to what consumers wanted and that’s clearly a larger, more capable crossover than even the F60 (much less the R60). But what do you think? Have a look at the full gallery below and let us know in the comments. The 2025 Electric MINI Countryman SE Photo Gallery The 2025 MINI Countryman Model Range MINI Countryman – Electric ModelsDrivetrainGerman PricingUS PricingStart of ProductionU25 MINI Countryman E Electric43.500€ N/A03/2024U25 MINI Countryman SE ALL4Electric49.500€ $45,20003/2024*MINI Countryman – ICE ModelsU25 MINI Countryman CICE (Petrol)39.900€ N/A11/2023U25 MINI Countryman DICE (Diesel)42.900€ N/A11/2023U25 MINI Countryman S ALL4ICE (Petrol)45.900€ $38,90011/2023*U25 MINI John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4ICE (Petrol)56.500€ TBA03/2024** Available in the US at launchThis is Just the Start – An Entire New MINI Family is Coming The new J01 MINI Cooper electric and U25 MINI Countryman (electric) will begin production this November with the the internal combustion U25 Countryman starting in Q1 2024. Then we’ll see the heavily revised F56 morph into the F66 internal combustion MINI Cooper. This will be MINI’s answer to all those who want a Cooper but aren’t ready for electric. 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. 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 First Real-World Photo Gallery of the 2025 MINI Countryman SE first appeared on MotoringFile. The post First Real-World Photo Gallery of the 2025 MINI Countryman SE appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article