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Simple and fun transportation. That’s been the concept since 1959 and MINI is looking to continue that with the all new J01 MINI Cooper E. Yes it’s bigger and electric. But this new MINI Cooper takes inspiration from the classic in ways we’ve never see before – especially in its base “E” form. But how does it really compare? Looking To The Past To Inspire The Future The new J01 MINI Cooper E looks starkly simple at first glance. But how did MINI get here from its more intricate and busy recent designs? it all started with the MINI Design team printing and posting a large original press photo and hanging it in the studio. And that was just the start. The team became focused on the genius of the original MINI and trying to replicate that in a modern, much more complex world of rules and regulations. Simplicity was a hallmark of the original Mini and we see it here right away. So much of the new J01 MINI Cooper feels less fussy and gimmicky. And looking back at that original classic you see the consistency of that design philosophy in modern terms. Details such as the flush door handles and the absence of fender flares and classic side scuttles support the modern design of the exterior by giving the surfaces a striking clarity. This reduction to the essentials places even more emphasis on the body paint finish on the larger body surface. In this way, typical MINI design features such as the visual three-part division of the vehicle body, the all-round window area and the contrasting roof have a greater impact, helping the new design style to take effect. It’s the side of the car new MINI Cooper Electric where the reduction in elements feels most obvious. For the first time since the 2001 R50, we have a MINI without the plastic wheel arches. Also gone is the side scuttle and side turn signal indicator. That light has now moved discreetly into the rear view mirror. Inside the New J01 MINI Cooper E On the inside, the design echoes the famous minimalist design of the original classic Mini. For the first model in 1959, Mini inventor Alec Issigonis designed an interior with a round instrument cluster in the centre and the characteristic toggle bar below. In the J01 MINI Cooper, it is exactly these two elements, in combination with the steering wheel, that define the interior. Reducing everything to the essentials, the new interior makes do with a smaller number of components that are cleverly designed and implemented to a higher standard than before. In fact if you look at that original Mini interior and the J01 you’ll see a striking similarity in overall design and focus on simplicity. That’s no accident. MINI designers actually started not with a clean sheet but a single photograph. An press photo of the original Mini interior in all its simplistic glory. But how in an age of screens, technical complexity and countless safety regulations could they achieve a design that followed that same ethos? It started by taking things away. The original Mini didn’t have leather, it had fabric. It also didn’t have a classic instrument cluster but instead had only a central collection of gauges. And the overall design was focused comfort, storage and ease of production. Today MINI has many more things to consider. That central gauge is now a screen and while ease of production still matters, so does the circular economy and the ability to recycle 95% of everything you see here. The one area where we see a huge difference is MSRP. The original 1959 Mini cost British buyers £780. While that may sound low, it was actually 307% of the average disposable income in 1959*. Looking at inflation that figure would be roughly £20,000. Unfortunately the MINI Cooper (like all cars) has a price that has increased faster than inflation. The MSRP of the base “E” model is £30,000. *Data courtesy of Motoring Research. The post Design Comparison: The Classic MINI vs The New electric MINI Cooper E – appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

We’ve talked a lot about the new electric Cooper SE over the last 18 months but the car that’s perhaps more important for the brand is the entry-level electric Cooper E. It’s likely be MINI’s biggest volume seller in many markets but how does it stack up to it’s faster more expensive SE sibling? Let’s take a look. The electric J01 MINI Cooper E starts from £ 30,000 in Classic Trim, a full £ 4,500 less than the SE model. But what are the differences and are there any benefits in going with the E over the SE? Cooper E Performance As the entry point for the range, the Cooper E has a smaller 40.7 kWh battery pack compared to the in the Cooper SE’s 54.2 kWh. This gives the Cooper E 305 kilometers (190 miles) in the WLTP test cycle. This is down from the 402 km (250 miles) in the SE. Both offer the same charging speed – 28 minutes of charging with a DC output of up to 75 kW is enough to charge the MINI Cooper E battery from 10 to 80 percent. This is a decidedly different strategy than the electric Countryman E, which shares its battery with the Countryman SE and thus has even more range than its more powerful sibling. The Cooper E has an output of 135 kW/184 hp and can access the maximum torque of 290 Nm at any time allowing for 0 to 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds. Interestingly that’s not far off from the Cooper SE’s 6.7 seconds. Also an interesting note; this is nearly as fast as the R53 Cooper S. J01 Cooper E vs F56 Cooper SE – Surprising Commonalities Where it gets interesting is how close the J01 Cooper E compares with the last generation Cooper SE. As you can see below the J01 has more power, torque and even more range than what we saw out of the original F56 Cooper SE. This is due to a more advanced electric drivetrain, larger battery pack and newer, more modern software. J01 Cooper EJ01 Cooper SEF56 Cooper SEPower184 hp 218 hp181 hp Torque214 lb-ft243 lb-ft199 lb-ftTransmission1 speed1 speed1 speed0-100 kp/h or 0-60 mph7.3 sec (0-62 mph)6.7 sec (0-62 mph)7.2 sec (0-60 mph)Range 190 miles250 miles140 milesBattery Size40.7 kWh54.2 kWh32.6 kWhLength (mm/inches)3858 mm / 151.8 in3858 mm / 151.8 in3850 mm / 151.5 inWidth w/o Mirros (mm/inches)1756 mm / 69 in1756 mm / 69 in1727 mm / 68 inHeight (mm)1460 mm / 57 in1460 mm / 57 in1432 mm / 56.4 inWheelbase (mm)2526 mm / 99 in2526 mm / 99 in2495 mm / 98.2 in Curb weight (kg/lbs)1540 kg / 3395 lbs1605 kg / 3,538 lbs1440 kg / 3175 lbsWeight distribution (Front/Rear)F 58% / R 42%F 57% / R 43%F 54% / R 46%Front Overhang746 mm / 29.3 in746 mm / 29.3 in757 mm / 29.8Rear Overhang586 mm / 23 in586 mm / 23 in681 mm / 26.8 inLuggage capacity (seats up/seats down210 / 800 L210 / 800 L211 / 941 L The J01 Cooper E (like the new electric Cooper SE and Aceman family) is available in Asia, Australia, Europe, Central America, South America and the UK. Due to tariffs on cars made in China, it will not be offered in North America. However that could change as MINI expands production of the J01 and J05 family to its Oxford UK plant in 2026. The post An In-depth Look at the MINI Cooper E – MINI’s Entry-Level EV appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

Robots have been building cars for years. But until now they’ve been relatively simple machines doing simple, repetitive tasks. BMW is now testing something much futuristic and transformative; AI powered humanoid robots that can solve complex tasks potentially revolutionizing automotive production. During a trial run lasting several weeks at BMW Group Plant Spartanburg, the latest humanoid robot Figure 02 from California company Figure successfully inserted sheet metal parts into specific fixtures, which were then assembled as part of the chassis. The robot must be particularly dexterous to complete this production step. At the same time, using a robot can save employees from having to perform ergonomically awkward and tiring tasks. Together with Figure, the BMW Group is currently testing and evaluating how humanoid robots can be used safely in automobile production. While a broad rollout of humanoid robots to places like the MINI Oxford Plant is many years away, this is an important first step. During the initial trial run, the BMW Group gained valuable knowledge of what requirements must be met in order to be able to integrate so-called multi-purpose robots in an existing production system. This includes how humanoid robots communicate with the system under real conditions. After the first use in automobile production, the experts at the BMW Group and Figure are collaborating to prepare Figure for future applications in production and continuing to develop the robots, based on the findings. Figure 02 embodies the latest technological advances in robotics “We are excited to unveil Figure 02, our second-generation humanoid robot, which recently completed successful testing at the BMW Group Plant Spartanburg. Figure 02 has significant technical advancements, which enable the robot to perform a wide range of complex tasks fully autonomously,” says Brett Adcock, Founder and CEO of Figure. According to the California company, Figure 02 is the world’s most advanced humanoid robot currently available on the market. The combination of two-legged mobility and advanced dexterity means that the Figure 02 is ideally suited for use in areas with physically demanding, unsafe, or repetitive processes, thereby improving ergonomics and safety for associates. Figure 02 boasts three times the processing power of its predecessor, improved voice communication, better cameras, microphones, and sensors, a high-performance battery, and fourth-generation human-scale hands with 16 degrees of freedom per hand and human-equivalent strength. The robot is capable of fully autonomous execution of human-like and two-handed tasks requiring varied and dynamic manipulation, complex grasping, and coordination of both hands in unison. It is able place various complex parts with accuracy measured in millimetres and can walk dynamically leveraging efficienties of the robot’s design. It’s important to note that there are no Figure AI robots at BMW Group Plant Spartanburg, and there is no definite timetable established for bringing Figure robots to the plant. BMW Group is planning further experimentation with Figure for data capturing and training capabilities for the Figure02 robots. The post BMW is Training AI Powered Humanoid Robots To Build Cars appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

It’s a question many of us have as we venture into the MINI aftermarket world. So we decided to find out just how much of a difference by pitting our lightly modified 2024 Clubman JCW against an identical stock 2024 Clubman JCW. And what we found even surprised us. Numb, slow and even boring. It’s hard to sugar coat it because that’s exactly how I felt within seconds of the first corner in our Island Blue stock Clubman JCW test car. Things got better the more I drove as I mentally recalibrated to the slightly slower reactions of its steering inputs. But even still the difference was far more noticeable than I had expected. The 2024 MINI Clubman JCW in 100% stock form. So how is this possible? In isolation the Clubman JCW feels great on the road and is in fact the best large MINI overall we’ve ever driven. Despite the quicker and more natural steering in the all new U25 MINI Countryman JCW, we’d even rank it above that. But after putting 4,000 miles on my modified 2024 Clubman JCW I’ve been reprogrammed to expect more about the F54 Clubman JCW. So how can $1,000 (actually a bit under) transform a MINI with such immediate effect? It comes down to how you spend the money and naturally what you value. My vision was simple; I wanted to focus MINIs most celebrated characteristic, handling. In other words I wanted to make my new Clubman JCW feel as close to that go kart feeling you get from an F56, R56 or even R53. Impossible? Maybe, but I wanted to how close I could get. My (modified) 2024 Clubman JCW next to our (identical) 2024 Clubman JCW test car The Modifications List My goal was to improve responsiveness of the Clubman on initial turn-in and even introduce (gasp) real feedback back into the steering wheel. Then there’s the look. Namely the ride height. Like most modern cars, MINIs tend to ride a little higher than you might want. The result is a relationship between the wheels, tires and body that looks less than ideal. The wheel gap is typically larger than you’d expect (or want) and the tires tend to be tucked into the fenders. Collectively this results a car that looks less aggressive, even on 19″ wheels. There are several reasons for this; various government regulations around the world (looking at you Japan) and aero for efficiency are high on the list. The subtle ride height difference is the only giveaway that my Clubman has been fettled with. While a coil-over set-up can be a great addition to a car (KW for instance), I wanted to keep things a bit simpler knowing that I might be modifying the car in a completely different way in a few years (think Safari Clubman). So instead I went with the Eibach Pro Kit lower springs which are engineered to work perfectly with the stock shock absorbers while lowering the ride 1.2″ in the front and 1″ in the back. And you can’t argue with the price of $350 msrp and the zero change in ride quality. Next was fixing how those wheels and tires that have always look tucked too far into the plastic fenders. For that I went with 12 mm spacers ($285 msrp) to extend the wheels subtly outward. The finished product looked almost shocking at first but has quickly become not only normal but how it should look from the factory. Next to my BMW 1M and Porsche 718 Spyder the enhanced stance makes the MINI fit in perfectly. Finally I wanted to increase the torsional rigidity to help with initial turn-in and overall responsiveness. While MINIs tend to be stiff, there’s still room for improvement. All you have to do is look under the car at the OEM bracing to see that. For this I turned to Cravespeed and their Big Pair Chassis Brace (285 msrp). The Big Pair is a beautifully made, highly rigid pair of braces that replace the Clubman’s rather sad looking OEM braces. Sad in that they’re mass produced stamped steel that are designed to meet a cost threshold while offering just enough bracing. The CravenSpeed Big Pair was engineered from the ground up to be as strong as possible while still keeping weight to a minimum. As with everything I handled the install myself with longtime MF contributor Ken Endres providing an extra pair of hands. The spring install was relatively straightforward but took some time. The spacers were as simple as taking wheels on and off. The underbody bracing was similarly straightforward and took about 30 minutes in total. To finish off the suspension and chassis modifications I installed the NM Engineering Rear Sway Bar from Neuspeed. This has helped with body roll management creating a more balanced car at the limit. Because it’s adjustable you can dial in as much lift-off oversteer in corners allowing you to have more control and quicker exits out of turns. The result is a car that’s more neutral and less prone to the understeer that’s found in all modern MINIs. The Downsides to Modifying Your MINI I’d be remiss to not talk about the downsides of non-factory modifications. Some components on the aftermarket aren’t as well made and thoroughly tested as factory parts are. Because of this they will often reduce the value of your car and may even negatively impact the way it drives. And in rare cases they can even affect your factory warranty if they cause undo stress on other components. But if they’re from a reputable brand I’ve found that they not only match the quality of OEM parts but often exceed them. In many cases I’ve found that they can be made of higher quality materials, tested even more thoroughly and even incrementally add value. As you can imagine, that’s what I aimed for. It all starts with research into what modifications are right for your needs and then who makes the highest quality, highest rated options. And as you’ll find out some of those companies are even responsible for the OEM parts as well. Luckily places like Outmotoring (a long-time sponsor) curate the best of the MINI aftermarket making high quality options easy to find. Conclusions; Stock Clubman JCW vs Modified Driving these two cars back to back you’re struck at how simple changes can really affect the driving experience. The stock Island Blue Clubman JCW we tested is the best stock MINI we’ve ever test at combining utility with the driving experience MINI is known for. So much that we’ve called the best ever daily driver from the MINI brand. While that might not be as true now that the new U25 Countryman JCW is on roads, it’s still high acclaim. Which is why I was genuinely surprised at how much I could immediately feel the effects the few things I modified. And when I look back at my vision for the car, they’ve accomplished exactly what I was hoping for. My modified Clubman JCW has sharper turn-in with a touch more feel through the wheel. Make no mistake, it didn’t magically create Porsche levels of feedback through the steering wheel but it did enhance what little was there. But these modifications brought this 3,600 lbs car closer in feel to the point and shoot qualities of the two door MINI Cooper JCW. And perhaps the best part, they’ve helped to create a more focused, MINI-like driving experience, without any downsides. Has this changed my opinion of the stock Clubman JCW? No but it’s reminded me of just how mass market cars (even JCWs) are inherently designed for the masses. That’s not a bad thing. But until MINI offers true BMW M level performance models (a la the GP), even todays’ JCWs are made to please a relatively wide audience. The good news is that you can easily recapture that focused driving experience that harkens back to the R53 days of MINIs. You just need a couple tweaks to get you there. The post Stock vs Modified – Just How Much Can $1000 Change a MINI? appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

As we detailed in our three part series “Did MINI Go Electric Too Soon“, MINI has been on the back foot caught in the middle of global politics and a trade war. What that means for production and model availability is starting to come into picture. What that means for the brand however remains to be seen. It all started with the US adding a 25% tariff to Chinese electric cars in 2018 due to allegations that the government in China was illegally propping up the industry. Right or wrong the concern was that low-priced, heavily subsidized Chinese EVs could soon flood the U.S. market. Which they did elsewhere as China’s global exports of EVs grew by 70% from 2022 to 2023. These tariffs will now rise to 100% later this year. The Chinese built MINI Aceman will expand production to the UK in 2026 Much of that EV growth was in Europe where up to 37.6 percent a tariffs went into effect just weeks ago. Currently BMW is eating that cost likely eliminating most if not all profit from each car sold. If stye and not passing it onto the consumer. If they would the result would be an MSRP increase of more than €13,000 to the price of the J01 Cooper. The answer? MINI has changed strategy and will expand production of both the J01 MINI Cooper and J05 MINI Aceman to its Oxford UK plant as quickly as possible. The date set is 2026 and it’s our understanding that the J01, J03 and J05 will all be produced there along with the F65, F66 and F67. What damage (if any) happens to the brand until that time remains to be seen. The post US & EU Tariffs Crush MINI’s Dreams & Change Production Plans appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

The new F65 MINI Cooper Five Door is here and it’s beginning to hit the roads across Europe and North America. Heavily revised with more performance and technology, it’s a leap forward over the previous car while also filling a large space in the line-up with the Clubman now gone. The F65 MINI Cooper five-door is based on the previous generation F55 and is 100% petrol-powered. Like the all-new electric Aceman (which is roughly the same size albeit in crossover form), it’s intended to take the best parts of the Cooper and add just enough room for an extra set of doors. Unlike the Aceman the F65 Cooper five-door is 100% combustion-powered and will be available in Cooper C and Cooper S forms. And unlike all other MINI models, it will not be offered as a full JCW model. Performance For The F65 Five Door MINI Cooper C & Cooper S While there is no JCW model planned, MINI has upped the ante in terms of power with both models. The F65 Cooper C is getting a 14% power upgrade going from 134 hp to 156 hp. This change takes the C from 0-62 mph (0 to 100 km/h) in 7.7 seconds. The more powerful F65 Cooper S gets a less dramatic 7.4% horsepower boost from 189 to 204 hp but sees a significant torque increase to 221 lb-ft. This is all driven through the front wheels courtesy of a revised 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. Yes like all other models, the five door Cooper has lost the manual transmission. ModelF55 Cooper (2015 – 2024)F55 Cooper S (2015 – 2024)F65 Cooper C (2024 – 2030)F65 Cooper S (2024 – 2030)Power134 hp189 hp156 hp 204 hpTorque162 lb-ft/1480 rpm206 lb-ft/1350 rpm 170 lb-ft/1,480 rpm221 lb-ftTransmissionManual/DCTManual/DCTDCTDCT This gets the new F65 Cooper S to 62 mph in 6.6 seconds (60 mph in 6.3 seconds). And keep in mind these are both likely conservative numbers knowing how BMW calculates figures. How New is the F65 MINI Cooper 5 Door? Like the recently released F66 three-door Cooper, the F65 is an evolution of the previous generation five-door. It’s mechanically evolved underneath with a completely new look and feel inside and out. The basic layout is the same albeit with slightly tweaked dimensions. There are no exterior parts (outside of the glass and the roof) shared between the two cars and subtle changes are everywhere. But even these subtle changes can have big effects. Take the lights, for example. MINI has pushed the headlights forward and made them slightly more upright. It means that this car feels more upright and a little closer to the R50 and R56. It also marks this car out as different than the sleeker J01 MINI Cooper EV. Then there’s the taillights which adopt the triangular design we’ve seen on the J01 and F66. Here they actually feel more obvious because of how the rear hatch protrudes from the glass. Love them or hate them, they are more in your face on the F65 as compared to the three-door F66 Cooper. In our recent hands-on time with the F65 MINI Cooper five-door we came away liking the more minimal styling on the outside but really loved the subtle tweaks inside. The general layout is the same up front but there is slightly more rear width than before offering a bit more room for rear passengers. In the US this is purely a four-seater due to regulations. However, in the rest of the world the three-seat layout becomes more doable with these revisions. One thing that hasn’t changed is the tiny doors. Due to the size of the car, MINI had to shrink the front doors considerably as compared to the three-door in order to make room for the rear doors. Subsequently, the rear doors are also tiny. I’m 6′ 2″ and getting in and out of the five-door Cooper has always been something that required attention. This new F65 model is no different. The boot is fractionally larger but the difference is negligible based on our real-world experience. Similarly, the car itself is fractionally wider than the F55 but without the two side-by-side and a tape measure you’d not be able to tell. We’ll have more on the new five door Cooper in the weeks ahead as we get behind the wheel for the first time. F65 MINI Cooper S Gallery The post The (F65) MINI Cooper Five Door Has Launched & We Have the Ultimate Photo Gallery appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

In Part 1 we talked about why MINI decided to go all electric by 2030 and how they planned to do it. Part 2 showed how MINI was caught out thanks to global politics and changing consumer buying patterns. In Part 3 we’re finally answering the question – did MINI go electric too soon. But to do that, we have to go back in time and look at what might have been, Fifteen years ago MINI debuted its first electric car – the MINI E. Created as a rolling test bed for BMW, the MINI E was a riot to drive and quickly earned a loyal fanbase of early adopters. But with only 100 miles of range and a $850 lease price, had limited appeal. Worse yet, it turned out MINI had no follow-up sequel. Yet the program was a huge success. In the U.S. 9,500 people signed up to lease the 450 MINI Es available. For $850 MINI offered you a MINI E including collision coverage, maintenance costs, and even home installation of the charging station. But this was more than just a car for MINI and BMW. It was a beta program created so MINI (and BMW) could learn how to design and sell EVs. The original R56 based MINI E And they got lots of data. So much so that MINI and BMW became industry leaders understanding EV customers and what product revisions would be required to move into mass market adoption. The MINI E wasn’t intended to be a commercial success. It was all about MINI putting their toe in the water and gaining insight before diving in headfirst. As an EV pioneer the future looked bright for MINI. Then something surprising happened. Absolutely nothing. MINI passed the torch to BMW for its similar Active E program and turned its focus back to launching the F56 generation of combustion models. This was made all the more peculiar as BMW was prepping launch of its revolutionary carbon fiber BMW i3, a brilliant and funky city car that felt more aligned with the MINI ethos than BMW. It had a footprint of the F55/F65 five door Cooper with the interior space nearly equal to a BMW 3 Series of the time. From its turning radius to its inventive two rear-hinged doors, it was felt like the future then as much as it does now. But best of all it was designed from the ground up as an electric car that could accommodate an optional range extender. A concept we’re only now starting to see elsewhere in 2024. The BMW i3 and it’s surprising interior space It may not have had the range (later versions topped with 156 miles EPA) but it had everything else you could imagine. Carbon fiber chassis made in a plant powered by hydro-electricity? Check. Wood trim grown from a sustainable German forest? Check. Plastic and textile interior made from recycled plastic bottles? Check and check. The i3 was a rear wheel drive car with a wide track and surprisingly interactive steering and chassis. In many ways it felt like a production version of the MINI E. Which is exactly what some at MINI thought as well. The BMW i3 almost became a MINI The BMW I3 – The MINI That Almost Was From the very beginning there were those at BMW that felt the i3 was better suited as a MINI. For all the reasons above it felt more aligned with the younger urban brand than BMW, the larger luxury brand with a history of making sports sedans and coupes. It was also an odd car for BMW as there were no other variants. This was especially true given the expensive nature of engineering the i3 and its revolutionary production process and even parts sourcing. Wouldn’t it just make sense to defray these costs across two distinctly different but similar products? That’s exactly what was asked internally and MINI design got busy creating a based on the BMW i3 to test the idea. According to our sources, by the time a i3 based MINI concept was finally presented, the BMW board felt it was too much cost for a platform that it had already decided had no future. Instead they eventually approved the concept of a F60 Countryman plugin hybrid and an all electric F56 (leveraging components of the i3). Our sources are unclear if i3 based MINI concept was a true prototype or just existed in rendering form. Either way there’s little chance it will ever see the light of day. Sales ultimately doomed the i3 Despite all the engineering and thoughtful design, the BMW i3 was a sales failure. Over its 9 year life cycle it sold only 250,000 units. Limited range was certainly a part of it. But you can’t look past the i3’s funky design and seemingly small size as part of the problem as well. For the typical BMW buyer who was and still is increasingly buying large crossovers, the i3 felt like an odd choice for the brand. But at MINI where funky design and small size are hallmarks of the brand, things were going differently. During three same time the F56 MINI Cooper sold well over 1,000,000 units. What if the i3’s bespoke platform was engineered from the start to also form the basis of a successor to the 2010 electric MINI E? Had they altered the design and lowered its height and belt-line while altering the angle of the windshield. With subtly different proportions you can easily imagine a MINI version that would have slotted perfectly into the line-up. And just like that MINI would have had a bespoke platform EV with optional range extender as early 2013. The new, all electric MINI line-up That’s not to say it would have been a huge sales success. But it would have leveraged an existing platform and set the brand on a course to electrification. And above all else it would have marked MINI out as a progressive, engineering driven company that was more than just great design with a nod to the past. Sound familiar? That’s exactly what MINI is trying to do now. Go back and read Part 1 in this series and you’ll see how MINI’s new products are carrying on some of the concepts we saw in the i3. While they’re not as radical, they come from the same engineering groups and even some of the same people are involved. The 2018 F56 MINI Cooper SE and the 2010 R56 MINI E. Did MINI Go Electric Too Soon or Not Soon Enough? No, we don’t think MINI’s plans to go electric by 2030 is too soon. If anything we believe MINI should have expanded in that direction earlier. Before we get flamed, we’re not saying MINI should have ditched internal combustion earlier than 2030 (heck we’re not even sure if 2030 makes sense). Nor are we implying the current line-up should be much different (except for the Clubman of course). And yes we miss the manual too. What we think MINI missed was a missing link. MINI could have succeeded the original MINI E with an innovative carbon fiber based EV based on the i3. Electrification and innovation could have become synonymous with the brand creating an important first-mover advantage. Electrification fits MINI well. It embodies the original spirit of the brand in terms of efficiency and the same point and shoot performance that embodies the classic Mini. What would have happened had the BMW i3 been designed to accommodate a MINI derivative designed and engineered to look and feel like a MINI? We’ll never know. But we can be sure it would have been fun to drive. MINI’s Electrification Plans The entire MINI line-up will be 100% EVs by the early 2030s. That’s the official line from MINI and while that might slip a a bit, it’s inevitable. So with that, here’s MINI plan (as it stands now) to phase out its last. The last combustion MINI Cooper is currently scheduled to roll off the assembly line in Oxford on December 31st 2030. This is the current plan that MINI has defined internally and for its large Tier 1 suppliers. So while that date may seem arbitrary, you can bet a lot of planning has already taken place to define that date. But there is one more petrol powered MINI – the brand’s largest. The German made U25 MINI Countryman will also end production on 12.31.30. If that holds true MINI’s switch to electric will be a rather dramatic happening simultaneously in two different countries. And it will mark a new chapter in the brands history that began over 20 years earlier with a rolling test bed called the MINI E. The post Part 3: Did MINI Go Electric Too Soon or Not Soon Enough? appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

Yesterday we discussed why MINI committed to going all electric by 2030 and how that has impacted their model line-up. Today we get into the good stuff; what does the future look like next and how global politics could to change it all. Tomorrow we’ll go back in time and ask what if? MINI Embraces Electric Mandates Just They Begin to Change Most major automotive markets have mandated that all new cars be electric by a certain date. In the US that’s 2040. EU it’s 2035. And in the UK this was just pushed (back) up to 2030. Politics being what they are the dates may shift, but there’s no question that the first world is moving to a zero emissions (by vehicle) policy at some point in the future. Because of this, MINI saw the writing on the wall and decided to make a bold choice. The electric J01 MINI Cooper Years ago MINI looked at those policies, early EV adoption and how well electrification fits the brand ethos and decided it to transition s quickly and prudently to EVs as it could. They launched Project Grizzly (which we mentioned in Part 1 of this series) and took a leap. The problem is that there was no net to catch them. EV growth has slowed in Europe and the UK – the exact area where legislation is pushing hardest. Meanwhile in the US EV sales remain strong but there are signs of over saturation looming. The one common factor the public no matter what continent their on is a charging infrastructure still in its infancy. Luckily MINI’s “Power of Choice” strategy is designed to offer as wide a product assortment as possible for a small car company. While the tariffs could severely damage business over the next year, MINI (like BMW) has positioned themselves well to pivot quickly based on consumer demand. And even more impressive they’ve done this by market. For instance the US Countryman S has a 241 hp B48 without mild hybrid assistance (mild is very different the plugin if you’re curious). In the EU the same model makes 215 with a heavier and more complex mild-hybrid version of the B48. It sounds small but this is exactly the type of complexity MINI was anticipating as it looked to accommodate global emissions requirements that vary widely. But MINI didn’t anticipate everything perfectly. The F60 MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid available from 2016 to 2024. Why There are No New MINI Hybrids In late 2023 MINI quietly killed its one of its most popular models – the Countryman Plugin Hybrid. Just as plugins began to grow in popularity killed off its entrant in this space. Certain markets (and certain brands (not yet MINI) are seeing slowing sales of EVs while plugin hybrid sales are surging. Why? With no reliance on a charging infrastructure and electric only ranges increasing to well over 50 miles on many models, the use case is starting to make a lot of sense. But then again it already did many a lot of Countryman buyers. The Countryman PHEV accounted for 13% of the model’s global sales in 2018 and 25% of all Countryman sales in 2022 (its last full year of production). The BMW X1 and it’s plugin hybrid system, However MINI decided years ago that they would go all in on fully electric vehicles or internal combustion engines (ICE) with no hybrid options. So much so that they decided against creating a Countryman version of the BMW X1 Plugin Hybrid. Is there enough of a shift in demand that MINI could change their mind? It’s unclear but if they do there’s a great option in the hybrid X1 that would seemingly be straightforward to implement. If MINI borrowed the drivetrain from the X1 it would get a 150 hp combustion engine coupled with a BMW eDrive power unit creating a total output of 177 hp. But the most impressive thing would be the 56 miles of range – a massive step-up from the 18 miles in the F60 Countryman hybrid. Developing a car takes years but given the commonalities of the Countryman and there X1 and the proven nature of the hybrid system in it, we’d guess that the to market could be as little as 2-3 years. If that’s the case (and that’s a big if) we could see MINI bring a hybrid Countryman to market by 2026 – 2027. But what if MINI had truly seen the future? How would that have changed its current products? We’ll look at this tomorrow in Part 3 and talk a bit about what could have been, The post Part 2: Did MINI Go Electric Too Soon? (a Bold Choice in a Changing World) appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

Welcome to Part 1 in a two part series where we look at MINI’s decision to go all electric. What went into the decision, the major hurdles that have arisen and where that leaves the brand now. Look for Part 2 tomorrow where we’ll talk about when the brand is going electric and what’s next. There’s been a shift in electric vehicle demand in some markets globally that has spooked automakers. Europe went from 28% EV growth in 2023 to just 2% so far for the year. Yet other market like the US continue to see growth. Which all begs the question – did MINI commit to an all electric line-up too soon? But before we answer that question we have to go back to 2019 when MINI began what was known internally as “Project Grizzly”. Peter Schwarzenbauer, who at the time was the BMW Board Member responsible for MINI, stated that “To secure the long-term future of MINI, we will enable the range to be all electric, should the customer prefer that. The key issue is we do not know how quickly electric mobility will spread, so it was strategically important to leave this option open depending on the circumstance. Let me be clear, though, there will not be a single MINI model we plan to launch that a customer won’t be able to order with an electrified drivetrain. The J01 electric MINI Cooper The stated goal was that the brand would be all electric around 2030. To bring customers along with this seismic shift, MINI’s plan was to adopt BMW’s “power of choice” strategy offering both electric and combustion powertrains on key models. In hindsight this was incredibly smart as adoption of EVs is proving to be wildly different depending on market and customer segment. To enact Project Grizzly, MINI had a three-prong approach that would see production span the globe and ultimately prove troublesome. MINI’s Electric & Combustion Strategy Explained Across Three product Lines The Fully Electric Cooper (J01, J03) & Aceman (J05) First (and the most radical) MINI partnered with Great Wall Motors to co-develop a skate-board chassis to help defray the massive costs of a new electric vehicle platform. This is the foundation of the German engineered and designed the fully electric J01 MINI Cooper, J03 MINI Cooper Convertible and J05 MINI Aceman. The initial plan was for all three of these models to be built in China with plans to expand production to the UK either near the end of the decade or with the introduction of the 5th generation MINI Cooper range in 2031. Due to recent tariffs imposed by the US and the EU, MINI rapidly change strategy and will now produce all three of its new electric cars in the UK from 2026. The Combustion & Electric Countryman (U25) Second MINI leveraged BMW’s second generation UKL platform (which underpins the BMW X1, X2 and 2 Series Active Tourer) to build its 3rd generation MINI Countryman. Because of the versatile nature of the platform, the new Countryman is capable of offering full electric, petrol and even diesel powertrains. It’s built on Leipzig Germany alongside the bMW X1 and X2. The Combustion Cooper (F65, F66, F67) Finally MINI thoroughly refreshed the petrol powered F56 turning it into the F66 family of MINI Coopers. Designed to be purely a petrol model, this part of the strategy came together later than the J01 and U25. The intention was that the F66 and its family of vehicles mirror the design and tech that the J01 family would debut. The thought is that customers choice would simply be between combustion and electric. But did MINI miss something but going either 100% electric or 100% combustion? And how will its rush to being all electric by 2030 impact sales and customer sentiment? Was it a premature decision? We’ll touch on those topics and more in Part 2: Did MINI Go Electric Too Soon? tomorrow The post Part 1: Did MINI Go Electric Too Soon? (Why & How) appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

Behold, the forbidden fruit of the F66 MINI Cooper S with the optional JCW Trim. At least for those in the US. For the rest of the world the JCW Trim represents the top of the line F66 Cooper S. But what really makes this car special and should we ever expect it in the US? MINI made an interesting decision last year in offering the Cooper S with something called the JCW Trim. Interesting in that it takes the entire look of the forthcoming JCW (a car we technically haven’t seen revealed yet) and applied it to any MINI Cooper no matter the engine. On one hand it’s a wonderfully egalitarian way to allow anyone to get the look of a JCW without paying the price. On the other it’s a brand damaging option that waters down the full JCW model by offering the look and feel to anyone. MINI USA took the latter position and decided to not offer the JCW Trim at all in the US. It makes sense on the face of it however there’s a big problem. MINI global made the unfortunate decision to only offer shift paddles on cars with the JCW Trim thus US do not get shift paddles. For customers in the US, not only is the manual dead but any way to manually shift a MINI Cooper is now gone. As you can likely tell, the F66 Cooper S with the JCW Trim offers what a lot of enthusiasts are looking for. The more aggressive look of the JCW body kit, a full JCW interior and (gasp) shift paddles. Will the MINI Cooper S JCW Trim Come to the US? Technically it’s already being sold in the US. The F65 five door MINI Cooper and Cooper S are available with the JCW Trim (along with shift paddles) in North America. And based on our conversations with MINI USA representatives, it appears clear that they have gotten the feedback and will likely be offering shift paddles on the F66 MINI Cooper and Cooper S at some point in the future. Whether that’s via the JCW Trim or a blanket standard option is unclear. But we’re hoping for the latter as one of the beauties of the MINI Cooper is that even the most base model should feel as fun as possible. The post The MINI Cooper S With JCW Trim – The Faux JCW With Real Shift Paddles appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

The MINI TAKES THE STATES (MTTS) 2024 event concluded this weekend in Seattle, Washington, after a nine-day journey starting in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Despite the more remote nature of this year’s MTTS, the rally attracted nearly 2,000 owners who traveled over 1,600 miles across five states and nine cities in the western U.S. Of the participants, 958 completed the entire route, and 517 were newcomers to MTTS entirely. On average, 650 MINI vehicles were on the road each day, with a total of over 900 vehicles participating, representing every model year and type from the MINI lineup since 2002, along with some classic Minis from before 2000. This year’s rally, themed “Camp MINI,” supported the American Camp Association and Keep America Beautiful, organizations focused on fostering adventure and environmental stewardship. Participants’ registration fees included a donation to these groups, and MINI owners were also encouraged to engage in peer-to-peer fundraising and volunteer activities during the event. The route took drivers through scenic mountain passes, byways, and state and county roads, with stops in Colorado, Utah, Montana, and Washington. The rally also visited notable National Parks, including Mount Rainier and Yellowstone, culminating in a final celebration at the Museum of Flight in Seattle. The previous MTTS held in 2022, over 2,000 MINI owners participated, traveling through nine states and eight cities on the East Coast, from Vermont to South Carolina, with more than 1,000 vehicles participating. While the numbers were down slightly for this year’s rally, the final tally was higher than expected given the remote nature of the route and the smaller cities that it stopped at. Look for announcements about the next MINI Takes The States over early next year. MINI Takes the States 2024 Gallery default The post MINI Takes the States Wraps with Nearly 2000 MINIs Participating appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

On the face of it the 2025 MINI Cooper S doesn’t seem a big departure for the brand. But with the manual gone and shift paddles not even available (in the US), we had a lot of questions. So we grabbed the keys fob, a couple of cameras and headed to the mountains to get some answers. What we found was a mix of new tech, added comfort and a welcome return to form we weren’t expecting. While this video sums ups our thoughts well, don’t miss our companion written review which goes into much greater details in our thoughts and the specifications of the car. Additionally make sure to check out MotoringFile’s exhaustive information on the new model in the F66 Section. Review Notes & Background Our review took place over the course of a day, roughly 500 miles and three states. We took an indirect route from Missoula, Montana and ended up in Spokane Washington. We saw highways, mountain roads and just about everything in between. Our test car was a US Spec 2025 MINI Cooper S with the Classic Style, Iconic and Comfort Plus Packages. The only two options it lacked was the optional dynamic dampening ($500) and handy roof rails ($250). The post Video Review: 2025 MINI Cooper S In the Mountains & Backroads of the Rockies appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

We’ve driven the 2025 (F66) MINI Cooper S before. But never have we put so many miles on this car in on many incredible roads. Through mountain roads and over expansive stretches of highways we thoroughly tested the new MINI Cooper S with the goal to answer one simple question. How does it stack up to the MINI Coopers that came before it? The easy answer is, it’s complicated. But that sounds negative. The reality is that the F66 rounded the flawed corners of its predecessor (the F56) while adding comfort, refinement and even a touch more engagement through the steering wheel. But what it’s lost is hard to ignore. The manual is dead. And adding insult to injury, you can’t even control the DCT with shift paddles in US spec cars. So how can this new MINI Cooper possibly be better than the last? Handling & Suspension Refinements It’s what MINI has done to the steering, suspension and even the track width that has subtly but unequivocally improved the F66 over its predecessor. Due to these revisions, we found the new F66 MINI Cooper S to be the most comfortable, refined and even capable MINI Cooper S we’ve ever driven. It starts with the steering. MINI has recalibrated the the EPS system to create more linear feel and feedback. There’s more of a natural feel to the way the resistance builds in corners which allows for more information to come through the wheel. This is no R53 in the way you feel the road underneath, but this is easily the best steering MINI has had since the R56 Then there’s the suspension. Driving a MINI Cooper S over 500 miles of varied surfaces sounds taxing for those who have spent time in previous generations. However in this new car MINI has recalibrated the suspension, altering the way it soaks up imperfections while still delivering the precision that MINIs are known for. We cannot understate just how big of an improvement we felt over broken and uneven pavement. It’s nothing short of revelation compared to previous generations. In a sense MINI has attacked head-on the criticisms many had with the F56. The result is a car that seems to defy what we thought was possible; better in corners with more feedback and engagement all while being more comfortable. Upgrades Under the Hood It’s also a touch faster as well. MINI has revised the B48 under the hood to produce 201 hp, up 12 hp from the 189 in its predecessors the F56. Even more impressive is the increase in torque to 221 ft lbs, up 15 ft lbs from the F56. In the real world the most obvious difference is the torque which gives the car a bit more grunt on take off and a bigger break in traction on a 1-2 upshift. On the other hand, the extra power was most noticeable (as was the predictive shifting of the DCT) in the mid-range of the band. This was especially noticeable as we were heading up and into the mountains northwest of Missoula Montana. It was in the mountains where the new F66 MINI Cooper S came alive. Where the previous DCT was good, this new version feels telepathic in its ability to see what’s coming. Time and time again we felt it downshift into corners and upshift (almost) always where we would need it to. There’s no question that the loss of the manual is regrettable and will ultimately hurt the brand in the eyes of many enthusiasts. And the lack of shift paddles (in the US) is borderline unforgivable. But what this new DCT can do goes a long way in making up for some of that. The new interior is a mix if high and low with huge improvements in some areas with a few downgrades Living with the New Interior Our time in F66 also gave us an ample opportunity to dissect the new interior a bit more. The new circular display and MINI OS9 that runs on it was excellent 99% of the time. But there was one hard reboot that happened during our drive and some lap in a couple moments. Interesting the our Countryman JCW had none of these issues and upon inspection was running a newer version of the software. Luckily over the air updates should fix these issues but that’s assuming MINI can hold to their strategy of ongoing updates and big fixes. Another area we were curious about was the quality of the interior. While MINI has spent money on revising the mechanicals of the car, they’ve also dramatically redesigned the interior. A big part of that are the recycled textiles and synthetic leather (MINI calls this Vescin) that have been introduced with the F66. As a material Vescin is excellent and a better surface than the standard leatherette or even optional leather from the F56 generation. That said it’s not quite as soft and supple as the previously available Lounge Leather. But it will surely look new for much longer. MINI OS9 is a revelation but our Cooper S test car has a few software lags The textile material on the dash and doors is an interesting change and one that we quickly got use to. But we’d love to see more colors offers and in general more customization from MINI. As a brand that was built on the idea that every MINI is unique, it’s almost shocking how little choice of colors and material there is in MINI’s new line-up. One area that seems to be a downgrade are the plastic surfaces peppered throughout the cabin. The plastic dash close to the windshield is a clear downgrade from the F56 as is the center console material. While MINI has hid most of this with the textile trim, there’s still plenty of this cheap, black plastic to be found. In the grand scheme of things it’s likely not a deal breaker for most, but it’s an unfortunate step back from what we had experience on the previous F56 MINI Cooper. Early Conclusions The 2025 F66 MINI Cooper S is a refined and nearly perfected version of what came before it. MINI has systematically gone through the car and solved many of the issues that we’ve been critical of on the previous generation. The result is a car that comes with less excuses for ride and even handling. It’s made the Cooper S a more approachable car for more potential buyers and will surely go a long way in But in our my mind there’s no excuse for not widely offering things like shift paddles much less the a manual transmission. And MINI’s interior cost cutting is too evident at times. But despite the hard plastics and the loss of things like the side sun visor, there’s a lot to like inside. And in general this is a more pleasant place to spend time because of the added comfort and dramatically improved technology thanks to the circular OLED screen and MINI OS9. Perhaps most important MINI has made improvements to the handling and feedback through the steering wheel that cut right to the biggest critique of the previous model. This coupled with the higher levels of comfort and technology we mention above create a car that feels not just more capable but more premium. Is that enough to get past the lack of a manual or even (for the moment) paddles? That really depends on what you’re looking for in a MINI Cooper. For us the answer is no. But the moment MINI adds those shift paddles back to the car (ideally as standard on all Cooper S models) that no changes to a resounding yes. MINI Cooper S Photo Gallery The post Review: 2025 MINI Cooper S – New Levels of Refinement & Performance with One Big Omission appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

Our first leg of MINI Takes the States was set-up to be the perfect scenario to test the all new 312 HP MINI Countryman JCW. Winding through Utah, Idaho, Wyoming and Montana we had a chance to drive over endless highway miles, mountain switchbacks and rally stages masquerading as dirt roads. Here’s what we found. MINI Takes the States is an amazing event for MINI owners. But it’s just as an amazing way to test new MINIs. This year it was made even better by what had to be the most epic route ever in the history of the event. And of our three days at MTTS this year, we had one that really stood out for the length and challenge of the route. Perfect for the new 312 HP Countryman JCW we thought. This isn’t the first time we’ve tested the new top of the range Countryman. But as much as our first test gave were left wanting more time and more miles behind the wheel. So we set out from downtown Salt Lake City with plenty of coffee and the sun yet to crest over the mountains. The route, from Salt Lake City to Bozeman Montana (via Yellowstone) started with long stretches of high-speed highways that quickly evolved into tight tarmac and gravel backroads. It all felt like the perfect proving grounds for a 312 HP all wheel drive crossover. On the smooth Portuguese roads of our first test the new Countryman felt surprisingly comfortable and composed. But on the worn pavement we found in the Rockies, we were genuinely shocked at how it soaked up imperfections. It’s a huge improvement over the previous Countryman which was already the most comfortable MINI ever made. Naturally this is not specific to the JCW but to the entire new Countryman range. On the often broken highway roads of Idaho, the Countryman’s new suspension calibration was a revelation. Add to that a noticeably quieter cabin and you have a small crossover that feels as quiet and relaxing as a BMW X5 from not that long ago. Helping this was the Countryman’s new ADAS system (Advanced driver-assistance systems). While there wasn’t an enormous amount of straight roads even on the highway, the new autonomous driving features helped the miles fly by and ultimately made an 8 hour day feel much less taxing. Heading into the Bridger Mountains just east of Bozeman but where this car came alive was in the mountains. The quicker, more natural steering combined with better damping made the Countryman more confident in corners and more enjoyable at the limit. This was especially the case on tight tarmac and dirt mountain roads. Where the previous generation felt overly synthetic in its steering, this new generation has a more natural build up in resistance and weight. Just as important was the way the suspension kept the car composed over rough surfaces allowing for more grip, more of the time. It all allowed the Countryman JCW to feel less flustered and more confident. If you combine the improved handling and suspension traits with the updated tech and interior design, new Countryman JCW feels like a more honed, sophisticated package that is both more comfortable and capable. Not exactly the route we took but you get the idea. But not all was perfect. The new 7 speed dual clutch transmission felt slow to respond to some manual shifts and (at times) even its actual gear changes felt less snappy. Having been recently put a lot of miles on two different 2024 Clubman JCW with the 8 speed auto, it was an easy and interesting comparison to make. While the new DCT is clearly more refined, it also felt like a step backward in how quick it swapped gears under hard acceleration. Gone are the snap-like shifts and in their place smoother but slower ones. The slow-speed lurching that could be felt with the old 8 speed (in sport mode) has been eradicated, but then so too is some of drama. This coupled with the fact that the new Countryman JCW is down 36 ft lbs of torque and it’s clear that some performance has been traded for everyday livability. While the transmission issues can theoretically be fixed with over the air software updates, the torque deficit has to do with the DCT not being able to cope with more than 295 ft lbs. Another area that software could be improved was the responsiveness MINI OS9. Interestingly every new MINI we drove during MTTS were all a bit different in their various glitches. Of the three new MINI we drove, Countryman JCW was the best with just a few lags in inputs. The worst we experience was in our Countryman S test car which had frustratingly slow reactions in certain scenarios. When talking to MINI representatives about these issues they promised that over the air software updates were coming to address issues like this as well as add functionality like Personal Mode. The most fun we had all day was on the well groomed dirt roads between Bozeman and Paradise Valley Outside of these two issues we found a lot to love on this new Countryman JCW. It’s a more premium product that delivers a better driving experience while providing more comfort and capabilities. The quicker, more natural steering, better suspension calibration made the car better in corners while being more comfortable on the highway. Perhaps most importantly it feels like a true premium product that’s not just fun to drive but easy to live with. Compared to MINIs of the past, that might be the true revelation. The post Video Review: Driving the 2025 MINI Countryman JCW Through Big Sky Country appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

The iconic MINI TAKES THE STATES (MTTS) rally, hosted by MINI USA, commenced this weekend, with MINI enthusiasts embarking on a challenging nine-day road trip through the some of the most scenic roads in US. And we’re getting set to join the traveling part Wednesday. The biennial event, now in its ninth iteration, expects to draw approximately 3,000 MINI owners, with 600-800 vehicles participating daily. The rally will traverse through five states and nine cities in the western United States, covering more than 1,600 miles of picturesque landscapes. This year’s theme, “Camp MINI,” underscores the rally’s support for the American Camp Association and Keep America Beautiful. A portion of each participant’s registration fee will be donated to these organizations, which promote adventure and environmental stewardship. The convoy will travel through Colorado, Utah, Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Washington State, offering breathtaking views of natural wonders such as the Rio Grande, Mount Rainier, and Yellowstone National Park. Along the way, MINI owners will have the opportunity to foster deeper connections with the brand and fellow enthusiasts at a series of Rise and Rally events, preceding each leg of the journey. And naturally there will be pop-up owner led events every night. Reflecting on the 2022 rally, which saw over 2,000 MINI owners travel across nine states and eight cities in the eastern United States, from Vermont to South Carolina, MTTS 2024 is likely going to go be a bit more grand in terms of scenery and miles driven. Our Route and MINI(s) No surprise we’re going to be behind the wheel of the two latest petrol-powered MINIs to reach the US. More specifically we’ll be putting some miles on the U25 MINI Countryman JCW and the F66 MINI Cooper S. But just as important is our route. Due to scheduling conflicts I’ll will be the sole MotoringFile representative and I’m aiming to join the party at Salt Lake City just as things get interesting. Here’s the route I’m planning on taking along with some suggestions on where to go, what to see and even where to stay. JULY 16 – Land in Salt Lake The plan is for me to join the party in Salt Lake City on the official MTTS day off. I’ll collect my car from MINI and get prepped for the trip that begins almost immediately. Yellowstone’s breathtaking Lower Falls and Grand Canyon July 17 | Explore the Tetons, Bridger National Forest & Yellowstone My first day the plan will be to deviate a bit from the formal route and head to the Tetons, Bridger National Forest and eventually Yellowstone. This route, while longer, is an epic one that should not be missed. The exact route will heading to western Wyoming and north via 189. This will take you through Jackson (a great place to stay the night if you want to take advantage of that extra day MINI is giving you) before heading into Yellowstone itself. Pine Creek Lodge, Paradise Valley MT Yellowstone can be very busy this time of year but is still highly worth a visit. Pro-tip; Entering from the south entrance will save you some time and unless you have to see Old Faithful, you’re better off sticking the east side to avoid some of the traffic. It’s also a direct shot to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone which is not to be missed. From there the plan is to head north into Paradise Valley (it’s called that for a reason) and make a pit-stop in Livingston Montana (one of our favorite towns in the world) before heading to Bozeman. If you can take advantage of the day off and head north early, we’d highly recommend spending some time in this area. You can stay (or just taking a dip) at Chico Hot Springs, catch a show at legendary Pine Creek lodge and even grab a drink while watching the sunset at the Sage. There’s incredible hiking as well. For that be sure to check out All Trails have a guide to take you off the beaten path. Want recommendations for places to stay on your days off? Here are our suggestions for the area that have a bit of local flavor: Livingston & Paradise Valley: Chico Hot Springs, Murray Hotel, Sage Lodge, Under Canvass Bozeman: The Lark, The Kimpton Armory The Bridger Mountains July 18 | On Our Way to Missoula, MT Via the Lewis and Clark National Forest We’ll be at the Giddy up to Hardscrabble Ranch – a retreat destination in the Bridger Mountains to kick off a day. Pro-tip – there will be ZERO cell reception in the Bridger Valley so be prepared. From there we’ll hop on I-90 and head west out of the Bridger Mountains and into the expansive ranch land west of Bozeman. We’ll eventually make our way to Enjoy the serene, open spaces as we make our way to Helena, the capital of Montana and a former gold rush jewel.We’ll then head to Highway 12 winding through the Lewis and Clark National Forest. And there finally back onto I90 and Missoula. July 19 | Missoula, MT – Spokane, WA We’ll be opting for the scenic route once more as we take 93 N through Lolo National Forest and Flathead Reservation. The plan is to head into the forest of pines, and through McLeod Peak and Ch-Paa-qn Peak and eventually into the beautiful lakes, mountains and rivers of western Montana and Idaho. Eventually we’ll hit state Highway 95 and Washington State. And with that, we’ll be heading back east surely with second thoughts about not going the entire way. If you want to meet up along there way, the best way is to Direct Message us via Instagram and let us know! The post MINI Takes the States Kicks off & MotoringFile is Joining the Party appeared first on MotoringFile. 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This past weekend we saw the debuted of not one but two new similar looking MINI JCW models. However under the skin these two MINIs are radically different; one is electric and all new, the other is petrol and a revised version of its predecessor. They also have very different performance outputs, weight figures and even shapes. Which begs the question, which will be faster? Based on this exclusive data, we have some early ideas. The visual similarities between these two cars are striking. But the longer you look at the two side by side, you begin to realize just how far MINI has evolved the Cooper’s shape with the new J01. As we’ve said in our previous hands-on video, the first thing you notice on the J01 is how much further forward the windshield is and it’s more aero friendly angle. Then there’s the higher belt line that makes the J01 feel larger despite it being slightly smaller in some dimensions. But this particular comparison isn’t ideal as the F66 pictured here is the car that won its class in this year’s Nurburgring 24 Hours and thus is lowered with aggressive negative camber and wider tires. But looks and dimensions aside, it’s the new performance data that we’ve received from our sources that you’re here for. Electric J01 JCW vs the Petrol F66 JCW: The Stats Naturally these two similar looking JCWs couldn’t be more different mechanically. And that’s where things get really interesting. Let’s start with the power. The F66 JCW has a disappointingly identical power output to the F56 JCW. But according to our sources there is a sizable increase in torque with the new combustion JCW putting out 280 ft lbs at only 1,500 rpm. That’s 45 ft lbs (16%) increase over the previous generation and only 15 ft lbs behind the new Countryman JCW. This along with the wider track and quicker DCT transmission will give the new JCW a noticeable performance advantage despite having the same power figure. The electric J01 JCW will more power with an output of 252 hp. However the J01 surprisingly has less torque than the combustion version with only 255 lb-ft. But one key difference with an electric car is all of that torque will be available from the moment you touch the accelerator pedal. F56 Cooper JCW (’15-’24)J01 Cooper JCWF66 Cooper JCWPower231 hp252 hp231 hp Torque235 lb-ft / 1450 rpm255 lb-ft280 lb-ft / 1,500 rpmTop Speed153 manual / 151 mph DCT124 mph152 mphTransmission6 Speed Manual / 7 Speed DCTSingle Speed7 Speed DCTTrack1485 mm / 58 in1538 mm / 61 in1499 mm / 59 inLength (mm/in)3863 mm / 152.5 in3858 mm / 151.6 in3879 mm / 152.7 inHeight (mm/in)1414 mm / 55.66 in1460 mm / 54.4 in1431 mm / 56.38 inWheelbase (mm/in)2495 mm / 98.23 in2526 mm / 99.4 in2495 mm / 98.23Curb weight (kg/lbs)1338 kg / 2,951 lbs1730 kg / 3814 lbs1405 kg / 3,097 lbsTires (Standard)215/45 R17 91 Y XL*225/40 R18 92 Y XL215/45 R17 91 Y XL*Wheels (Standard)7Jx17 LM*7,5Jx18 LM7Jx17 LM**18″ wheels and tires were optional on the F56 and will be on the F66 Top speed is another surprise on both cars. The F66 JCW is roughly the same as the F56 JCW was with a top speed of 152 mph. The on the other hands J01 tops out at only 124 mph. Why so low? We expect it has something to do with MINI wanted to maintain range first and foremost. MINI has been limiting its electric cars to 170 km/h (105.6 mph) due to the car’s already limited range (remember speed kills range). However they’ve made the decision to lift that limit here to a degree. But the biggest difference isn’t the power or even the top speed. It’s the weight. With its battery pack the J01 JCW is a heavyweight at 3,814 lbs (with the driver). That’s an astonishing 717 lbs heavier than the F66. Granted that weight most near the ground due to the nature of tue battery design, it’s still a lot of weight. Needless to say, driving these two cars back to back will be fascinating. Which Would Win On An Autocross? Having autocross the F56 and even the previous electric Cooper Se extensively we have an idea. Given the immediacy of the torque and the sophistication of the traction control, we’d expect the to just nip the F66 in a tight and technical autocross track. However that would change the second the straights get long and you get in a real course. Which Would Win on a Road Course? On a decent sized track, the F66 JCW would likely have the advantage due to its torque advantage and the simple fact it has 717 lbs less to lug around. In fact we’d expect it to slowly pull away once you get past 50-60 mph on a straight. Which Would We Rather Own? Naturally without having driven either it’s impossible to know. However the J01 JCW is intriguing too us as the ultimate fast urban transport If you can cope with the range, the point and shoot nature of the immediate torque delivery would be surely addicting. And without the F66 offering a manual, the petrol car is slightly less appealing. But still we have a hard time with the fact that this is a 3,814 lbs MINI Cooper. Can the J01 JCW overcome that massive deficient? The truth is we really need to drive them to give you a real answer. 2025 Electric MINI Cooper JCW – Launch Timing and North American Availability Both the electric and petrol JCW models will debut October 24th right here on MotoringFile. Production of the combustion F66 will start in November while the electric J01 will kick-off in January. ModelDebut DateStart of ProductionJ01 JCW (electric)10/202401/2025F66 JCW (petrol)10/202411/2024 The J01 MINI Cooper JCW like all new small electric MINIs are made in China in collaboration with Great Wall Motors. However that will change in 2026 as MINI is aggressively expanding the J01 and J05 Aceman production to the UK and its Oxford Plant. . This move will open the door for North American export with no tariffs applied likely around 2026. As always check back with MotoringFile often for more exclusive news on MINI’s new JCW products including two more models we’ll see sooner than you might expect. 2025 MINI Cooper JCW Prototype Gallery The post Electric MINI JCW vs Petrol MINI JCW: Exclusive Power & Performance Comparison appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

We got our first official look at the two new MINI Cooper JCWs at Goodwood today and along with it our best photos yet of both the electric J01 and petrol F66 models. But perhaps more importantly, we have plenty of exclusive details on both cars. So grab your favorite beverage and buckle-up. We have a lot to share. The Design of the New MINI Cooper JCW The J01 and the F66 may look very similar but they couldn’t be more different. If you look at these photos long enough you’ll notice both the inherent similarities and differences between the two. But first, we’re going to focus on what we know applies to both cars. As we’ve reported, the JCW Trim design we’ve seen on the standard J01 and F66 will form the basis of the full JCW model in overall look. So much so that they will be very hard to distinguish for the average consumer save for a few details. Whether you think that’s a mistake by MINI (we certainly do) or like the egalitarian approach, it does help us get a clear picture of the final design. As you can see above there are almost no visible differences between the cars. But there are if you look closer. First the 18″ wheels on J01 prototype appear to be exclusively designed for the JCW model. For the F66 it’s a complicated story as this is the same car that won its class at the Nurburgring 24 Hours thus it wears racing OZ wheels. So what will eventually come to production is still unknown. Like on the JCW Trim, MINI has applied gloss black side skirts on the JCW. However on the full JCW there’s a unique side skirt design that looks nearly identical to what we’ve had on the F56 JCW. You’ll also notice that the word “Cooper” is nowhere to be found oh the gloss black rear trim. In fact it’s nowhere to be found on the call at all outside of the “John Cooper Works” badging. Otherwise that’s it. There are no exclusive colors or other styling elements. Even the “exclusive” Legend Grey exterior color is freely optional on the JCW Trim (as you can see above). But for all the similarities between how these cars look, there are a number of key differences beyond just the powertrains. The F66 Petrol MINI Cooper JCW The F66 MINI Cooper JCW is an evolution of the F56 that preceded it with some important differences. But first a word about the F66 JCW you see here. It’s actually the race car that finished first in class at the Nurburgring 24 Hours and thus has some important modifications over what we’ll see this October when the F66 JCW finally debuts. To withstand 24 Hours on the ‘Ring, Bulldog Racing installed a full coil-over suspension, AP racing braking system, roll cage, fuel cell and finished it off with some lightweight OZ wheels and racing slicks. So while this is the new JCW underneath, it’s got some key differences over the forthcoming production car. What is the same is the drivetrain and the horsepower figure of 231 hp. However there’s one big difference under the hood. We can confirm the F66 JCW’s B48A20O2 four cylinder has an output of 280 ft lbs of torque. That’s a massive 45 ft lbs (16%) increase torque over the previous generation and only 15 ft lbs behind the new Countryman JCW. This along with the wider track and quicker DCT transmission will give the new JCW a noticeable performance advantage despite having the same power figure. Exclusive 2025 F66 MINI JCW Specifications ModelF56 Cooper JCWF66 Cooper JCWPower231 hp231 hp Torque235 lb-ft / 1450 rpm280 lb-ft / 1,500 rpmTransmissionManual/Auto7 speed DCTTrack1485 mm / 58 in1499 mm / 59 inLength (mm/in)3863 mm / 152.5 in3879 mm / 152.7 inHeight (mm/in)1414 mm / 55.66 in1431 mm / 56.38 inWheelbase (mm/in)2495 mm / 98.23 in2495 mm / 98.23Curb weight (kg/lbs)1338 kg / 2,951 lbs1405 kg / 3,097 lbsKey differences highlighted But things aren’t all improvements. Unfortunately along with this performance improvement the new F66 JCW has an increase in weight at 3,097 lbs. Unfortunately it’s hard to pin down a like for like weight at this time but based on what we know, we believe that’s the weight figure including fluids, fuel and 90% and a driver. If so that would compare with the 2,951 lbs we’ve seen listed with the previous generation F56 JCW auto. In other words it appears the new F66 MINI Cooper JCW is 146 lbs heavier than the previous generation. Outside it’s hard to say where the production F66 JCW ends and the race car begins. But our sources tell us that the massive rear defuser is specific to the prototype race car and will not see production on the F66 JCW – at least not yet. One could imagine something like that eventually making its way to a GP model. The J01 Electric MINI Cooper JCW The electric MINI JCW will easily surpass the petrol power F66 MINI Cooper JCW. Sources tell us to expect a power output of around 260 hp vs 231 hp from the F66. Similarly the torque will be quite a bit greater giving the J01 JCW a much more responsive feel. 0-60 times will likely be in the mid to high 5 second range. Top speed will be interesting as MINI has been limiting its electric cars to 170 km/h (105.6 mph) due to the car’s already limited range. We don’t have info here but we’d guess MINI will allow for a higher top-speed but nothing close to the 155 mph that we see in the petrol powered U25 MINI Countryman JCW. Speaking of range, our sources tell us that the battery size will remain the same as the SE models. Because of the increased performance, we’d expect range to decrease a bit – perhaps as much as 5-10%. That could take the 250 mile WLTP range down to between 225-237 miles. The J01 doesn’t have a multi-speed transmission but there will still be one paddle behind the steering wheel. Like in the Countryman SE, our sources tell us that MINI will introduce a “boost” function that gives you more power for a 10-second period. This will be operational via a paddle behind the steering wheel on the left side. MINI will follow its typical formula with mild revisions to suspension settings from the standard J01 SE rather than a wholesale suspension redesign that we’d see in a BMW M car. Think of this new JCW (and all standard JCW models for that matter) as following the BMW M Performance strategy of upgrading suspension and braking components rather than anything radically different. One thing that is new and a big visual differentiator between the F66 JCW and even the J01 Cooper SE with the JCW Style are those aero optimized 18″ wheels. It’s unclear what brakes those wheels are hiding underneath but sources tell us to expect a larger four piston set-up. 2025 F66 JCW & J01 JCW Specifications This is the first time that MINI has put not just these two JCWs together, but these two MINI models literally next to each other. And before we talk about the JCW specifics, we have to take a moment to talk about just how strikingly different aspects of these cars are. As we’ve said in our previous hands-on video, the first thing you notice on the J01 is how much further the windshield is rakes. Then there’s the higher belt line that makes the J01 feel larger despite it being slightly smaller in some dimensions. The comparison of the JCW models is equally as interesting. Sources tell us to expect at least 260 hp for the J01 while the F66 JCW will still only have a 231 hp output from its four cylinder. However torque for both cars should be early the same. Sources have confirmed to us that the F66 JCW will have 280 ft lbs making this B48 quite a bit more punchy than what we had before. Similarly sources have told us to expect a similar number from the J01. However unlike the F66 where we have strong evidence of that 280 figure, we can’t quite confirm these numbers it’s still unclear what we’ll see in final production form. ModelJ01 Cooper JCWF66 Cooper JCWPower260 hp + (estimated)231 hp Torque280 lb-ft + (estimated)280 lb-ft / 1,500 rpmTransmissionSingle Speed7 speed DCTTrack1538 mm / 61 in1499 mm / 59 inLength (mm/in)3858 mm / 151.6 in3879 mm / 152.7 inHeight (mm/in)1460 mm / 54.4 in1431 mm / 56.38 inWheelbase (mm/in)2526 mm / 99.4 in2495 mm / 98.23Curb weight (kg/lbs)1675 kg / 3700 lbs (estimated)1405 kg / 3,097 lbs 2025 Electric MINI Cooper JCW – Launch Timing and North American Availability Both the electric and petrol JCW models will debut October 24th right here on MotoringFile. Production of the combustion F66 will start in November while the electric J01 will kick-off in January. ModelPowerDebut DateStart of ProductionJ01 JCW (electric)260 hp*10/202401/2025F66 JCW (petrol)231 hp10/202411/2024* Unconfirmed The J01 MINI Cooper JCW like all new small electric MINIs are made in China in collaboration with Great Wall Motors. Why? Designing and engineering cars for global markets is a huge investment for a small brand like MINI and doing that for both an electric and internal combustion is nearly impossible. So MINI partnered with Spotlight Motors – a joint venture between MINI and Great Wall Motors from China to gain scale and production expertise. Unfortunately months after the ink was dry a global trade war escalated with tariffs on Chinese cars in the US. Since then things have only gotten worse for MINI with similar tariffs being announced in Europe and the UK made in Europe. Given these moves, MINI has aggressively changed its plans and announced its intention to produce its new electric models in Oxford. After a major expansion, the plan will begin producing the J01, J03 and J05 from 2026 onward. This move will open the door for North American export with no tariffs applied likely around 2026. As always check back with MotoringFile often for more exclusive news on MINI’s new JCW products including two more models we’ll see sooner than you might expect. 2025 MINI Cooper JCW Prototype Gallery The post MINI Debuts Two MINI Cooper JCWs & We’ve got Exclusive Details appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

MINI’s new family of models represents massive change for the brand. But one thing that hasn’t been talked much about are the new safety features that have been introduced on the models. And it’s not just the all new models like the J01, J05 or U25 but also the refreshed F66 MINI Cooper. It’s one thing to introduce new safety features on all new models and platforms. But the F66 MINI Cooper is a heavily refreshed F56 and MINI has gone to the trouble of fitting the same features on that car as well. What are they and how do they work? Let’s take a deep dive. Blind Spot Detection. This is a system that uses small cameras on the side mirrors to see the driver’s blind-spot and alert them via a small yellow light. Lane Departure Warning. This feature permanently monitors the zones to each side of the vehicle, detects vehicles in the ‘blind spot’ from 20 km/h and faster for desired lane change, warning via the steering wheel (vibration) and flashing symbol in the exterior mirror. Front Collision Warning With Brake Intervention. Using the new sensor array in the front and the sensors on the top-center of the windshield, your MINI will warning (via an audio warning and a flashing light) of an impending collision. If it senses the collision is imminent, it will intervene with 100% of the car’s braking force. Rear Cross Traffic Warning/Rear Collision Prevention. This uses the same concept as the front collision warning system but for the back of the car. Exit Warning. Thanks to the same sensors that detect for vehicles in your blind-spot, this system will warning a driver if they’re opening their door as traffic is approaching. The new sensor array that support some of the updated safety features. MotoringFile’s Take Naturally all of these features are also on each of MINI’s all-new models; the electric J01 Cooper, J05 Aceman and electric/combustion U25 Countryman. But the fact that MINI has retrofitted these features onto the F56 derived F66 shows you the level of effort they took to modernize that car. And it’s not just the F66 but also its derivatives; the F65 five door and the forthcoming F67 MINI Convertible. While MINI’s isn’t necessarily leading the industry here, they are staying current and in some cases leading their segment. Add to this the active safety inherently built into any MINI and it’s clear that this new generation of models are by far the safest MINIs yet. The post The Petrol MINI Cooper Gets a Major Upgrade in Safety Features appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

Shift paddles are finally coming to the new MINI Cooper in the US, albeit with a caveat. If you read our report a few months ago you’ll know that MINI didn’t just kill manuals but also eliminated the shift paddles on all cars unless they are JCWs or are equipped with the JCW style. With the US not offering the JCW Style on the F66 or U25, things looked dim for anyone wanting some interaction with their transmission without buying a JCW. Now that’s changing. It seemingly started with MINI USA not wanting to dilute MINI’s performance brand and offer the JCW Style in the US. Why? MINI USA made the decision not to offer the JCW Trim in the US because they believed that it would take away the specialness of the full JCW and perhaps even negatively affect the JCW brand. And we agree. It’s something we’ve seen BMW offer with its M Sport kits for years and has led to general confusion from buyers around what the M brand even stands for. But that decision has apparently cost MINI USA the chance to offer shift paddles on any non-JCW model. It would seem that MINI global isn’t giving any exception in making paddles exclusive to JCW Trims and thus no non-JCW MINI sold in the US will have shift paddles moving forward. MINI USA’s Changing Strategy Either MINI USA heard your voices or they realized the issue themselves. Either way it looks like things will be changing. That starts with the F65 five door Cooper which will be available with the JCW Style from launch. While that doesn’t solve the problem that many have with the JCW Style taking away for the full JCW models, it does allow for potential buyers get shift paddles. And that’s a good thing. Without the manual transmission on the order books, MINI has lost a major connectivity point with the car. While shift paddles don’t replace it, they do allow for some connection to the car and ability to control shift points. It’s important to note that all full petrol JCW products like the forthcoming F66 MINI Cooper JCW and the currently available U25 Countryman JCW have paddles as standard. However there will be no full JCW version of the F65 five door Cooper which gives MINI USA another good excuse to bring the JCW Style to the US. F66 MINI Cooper JCW prototype with clearly visible shift paddles What does this mean for the rest of the range? While MINI USA hasn’t said anything official about shift paddles spreading to the F66 3 door Cooper or the non JCW Countryman, they hinted strongly that we’ll see more availability of the option in the the future. What do you think? Has MINI USA done the right thing by offering the JCW Style on the F65 the US and thus giving buyers the option for shift paddles? Or should they have saved that look at the ability to shift yourself for full JCW products? The post Shift Paddles Finally Coming to the New MINI Cooper in The US appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

Not unlike MINI USA sales we reported last week, MINI’s global sales are also down substantially for the year. And like the US market, the MINI’s stores are seeing lower sales primarily due to the massive model change-over which is affecting availability of its most popular models. But help is on the way. The F66 MINI Cooper S and the F56 MINI Cooper SE The MINI brand delivered 114,054 vehicles in the first half-year which is down 18.7% compared to the first half of 2023. The second quarter saw an even bigger dip as inventory of MINI”s previous generation models ran out and its new generation filtered slowly into MINI stores. For Q2 of 2024 MINI saw its sales slide 27.6% for a total of 51,979 units sold. The second quarter saw the first of the new MINI family reach buyers hands but the selection was limited due to production slowly coming up to speed. MINI expects sales to gradually increase as production does and new models like the highly anticipated MINI Aceman come on-line. The post Global MINI Sales Down 18.7% for the Year appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

Starting this week, all new cars sold in the EU must have speed limit warnings reminding drivers of speed limits or on some cars even slowing them down. Known as Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA), the system has actually been in MINIs for two years. But how does it work and is it coming to the US? We have some good news and bad news. First let’s back up and look at why the law exists. In short the EU’s ISA regulation is a push to increase pedestrian safety and to reduce CO2 emissions. ISA is mandatory for all new vehicle types from 6/07/2022 and for all new vehicles from 7/07/2024. How ISA Works in MINIs The EU’s legal requirements have actually been met in all MINI’s from 2022 onward by the driver assistance system “Speed Limit Info”. As you might know, MINI’s have had the ability to display speed limits for several years now thanks to a system that uses cameras that recognize traffic signs and GPS. What ISA means in a MINI is that this system can now prompt the driver warning them if the maximum speed is exceeded by an acoustic and visual notifications. The good news is that, unlike some manufacturers, MINI isn’t actively slowing the car down without the driver’s input. And it’s easy to turn off. In the EU and UK that system can easily be turned off by pressing and holding the “LIM” button on the steering wheel. Sounds simple right? There’s only one issue – driver’s will have to turn it off every time they start the car. ISA is Coming to North America – Eventually Outside of the EU and UK the system is present but typically not active. In other words markets like North America have all the tech to enable but it’s turned off by default. But that will change now that California has passed SB 961 which will require 50% of all cars sold to have a “passive” system like the one MINI has in the EU by 2029 and 100% by 2032. The (Potential) Alarming Future for ISA In the EU there’s a growing chorus of safety advocates that call for the system to actually slow the car down and actively control the speed in adherence to posted signs. While that’s not yet compulsory, all the technology is there for car makers to activate such a system. Could that actually happen? It depends on who you talk to but there’s a clear growing desire to make European cities more pedestrian friendly due to their often tight confines. It’s important to note that there is no movement in California or elsewhere in the US to take that step. In fact the California bill specifically calls for the system to be passive allowing the driver to always be in control. The post EU Regulations Are Mandating Speed limit Warnings in MINIs & They’re Coming to the US appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

MINI Takes the States is the ultimate MINI road trip and this year looks to be one of the best. Traversing through the scenic western United States, we couldn’t turn down a chance to be a part of it all. And as always we’re doing something special in both what we’re driving and where we’re going. Why do we think MTTS 2024 might be one of the best ever? For one the route is incredible. Maybe it’s the fact that your author lives in Chicago where things are relatively flat, but the idea of driving through the rockies for a week straight sounds like a proper journey. The opportunity to chart your own course through some of the most beautiful scenery in North America was impossible for us to miss. Even better MINI USA is giving attendees a few days off and one in particular that allows for some amazing exploration through Yellowstone country. MotoringFile’s MTTS MINI & Route No surprise we’re going to be behind the wheel of the two latest petrol-powered MINIs to reach the US. More specifically we’ll be putting some miles on the U25 MINI Countryman JCW and the F66 MINI Cooper S. But just as important is our route. We’re still formalizing plans on who from MF is attending but I can confirm, at the very least I’ll be there for about half the trip. While it’s still a bit early, here the route plans. JULY 16 – Land in Salt Lake The plan is for me to join the party in Salt Lake City on the official MTTS day off. I’ll collect my car from MINI and get prepped for the trip that begins almost immediately. Yellowstone’s breathtaking Lower Falls and Grand Canyon July 17 | Explore the Tetons, Bridger national Forest & Yellowstone My first day the plan will be to deviate a bit from the formal route and head to the Tetons, Bridger National Forest and eventually Yellowstone. This route, while longer, is an epic one that should not be missed. The exact route will heading to western Wyoming and north via 189. This will take you through Jackson (a great place to stay the night if you want to take advantage of that extra day MINI is giving you) before heading into Yellowstone itself. Pine Creek Lodge, Paradise Valley MT Yellowstone can be very busy this time of year but is still highly worth a visit. Pro-tip; Entering from the south entrance will save you some time and unless you have to see Old Faithful, you’re better off sticking the east side to avoid some of the traffic. It’s also a direct shot to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone which is not to be missed. From there the plan is to head north into Paradise Valley (it’s called that for a reason) and make a pit-stop in Livingston Montana (one of our favorite towns in the world) before heading to Bozeman. If you can take advantage of the day off and head north early, we’d highly recommend spending some time in this area. You can stay (or just taking a dip) at Chico Hot Springs, catch a show at legendary Pine Creek lodge and even grab a drink while watching the sunset at the Sage. There’s incredible hiking as well. For that be sure to check out All Trails have a guide to take you off the beaten path. Want recommendations for places to stay on your days off? Here are our suggestions for the area that have a bit of local flavor: Livingston & Paradise Valley: Chico Hot Springs, Murray Hotel, Sage Lodge, Under Canvass Bozeman: The Lark, The Kimpton Armory The Bridger Mountains July 18 | On Our Way to Missoula, MT Via the Lewis and Clark National Forest We’ll be at the Giddy up to Hardscrabble Ranch – a retreat destination in the Bridger Mountains to kick off a day. Pro-tip – there will be ZERO cell reception in the Bridger Valley so be prepared. From there we’ll hop on I-90 and head west out of the Bridger Mountains and into the expansive ranch land west of Bozeman. We’ll eventually make our way to Enjoy the serene, open spaces as we make our way to Helena, the capital of Montana and a former gold rush jewel.We’ll then head to Highway 12 winding through the Lewis and Clark National Forest. And there finally back onto I90 and Missoula. July 19 | Missoula, MT – Spokane, WA We’ll be opting for the scenic route once more as we take 93 N through Lolo National Forest and Flathead Reservation. The plan is to head into the forest of pines, and through McLeod Peak and Ch-Paa-qn Peak and eventually into the beautiful lakes, mountains and rivers of western Montana and Idaho. Eventually we’ll hit state Highway 95 and Washington State. And with that, we’ll be heading back east surely with second thoughts about not going the entire way. If you want to meet up along there way, the best way is to Direct Message us via Instagram and let us know! Registration fees will vary between $40 for a single day to $200 for “going all the way”. Leg 1 tickets, from Albuqurque to Salt Lake City, are available for $100. Leg 2 tickets, from Bozeman to Seattle, are available for $125. All registration fees also include an official event goody bag. You can register at www.minitakesthestates.com The post MotoringFile is Heading to MTTS 2024 – Here’s Our Route & What We’re Driving appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

For over a year now we’ve told you the F66 (petrol) MINI JCW will not see an increase in power. While we can once again confirm that data-point, it turns out that was just half the picture. Thanks to our trusted sources, we have the final specifications of the new petrol powered F66 MINI JCW and we’ve uncovered a major upgrade not previously known. It all started with the Nurburgring 24 Hours lap times. The 2024 F56 JCW had a fastest lap of 10:44.118 around the full circuit (which includes the GP track). Not a bad time until we saw the F66 JCW’s astonishing pace of 10:06.773. How could that be given the cars had the same horsepower rating? Surely the DCT in the new JCW helped but there’s no way it could account for that much of a gap. It turns out there’s a more important difference between the two cars – torque. We can now confirm the new petrol F66 MINI JCW’s B48A20O2 four cylinder has an output of 280 ft lbs of torque. That’s only 15 ft lbs behind the new Countryman JCW and a massive 45 ft lbs (16%) increase torque over the previous generation. This along with the wider track and quicker transmission appear to give the new JCW a noticeable performance advantage despite having the same power figure. 2025 F66 MINI JCW Full Specification ModelF56 Cooper JCWF66 Cooper JCWPower231 hp231 hp Torque235 lb-ft / 1450 rpm280 lb-ft / 1,500 rpmTransmissionManual/Auto7 speed DCTTrack1485 mm / 58 in1499 mm / 59 inLength (mm/in)3863 mm / 152.5 in3879 mm / 152.7 inHeight (mm/in)1414 mm / 55.66 in1431 mm / 56.38 inWheelbase (mm/in)2495 mm / 98.23 in2495 mm / 98.23Curb weight (kg/lbs)1338 kg / 2,951 lbs1405 kg / 3,097 lbsKey differences highlighted But things aren’t all improvements. Unfortunately along with this performance improvement the new F66 JCW has an increase in weight at 3,097 lbs. Unfortunately it’s hard to pin down a like for like weight at this time but based on what we know, we believe that’s the weight figure including fluids, fuel and 90% and a driver. If so that would compare with the 2,951 lbs we’ve seen listed with the previous generation F56 JCW auto. In other words it appears the new F66 MINI Cooper JCW is 146 lbs heavier than the previous generation. Dual Clutch Transmission Only The production F66 JCW that won its class at the Nurburgring 24 was dual clutch and as you can see in the spy photo of the prototype above, there are clearly shift paddles and no manual. While this will undoubtedly improve shift times it also takes away a crucial connection to the car and the joy so many of us get from a manual transmission. The transmission in the F66 JCW race car is the same revised 7-speed dual-clutch transmission that we’ll see in the production JCW which is a slightly revised a version of the transmission in the F66 Cooper S. We’re told to expect faster shift times than the F66 Cooper S and previous generation JCW and more responsive manual control via the standard steering wheel-mounted shift paddles. The Petrol F66 MINI Cooper JCW The Electric J01 MINI Cooper JCW When Will The F66 JCW Debut? This weekend MINI will again show the F66 JCW that won its class at the Nurburgring 24 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Alongside will be the first electric JCW – the J01 MINI Cooper jCW E. We’ll finally see the new petrol F66 JCW in full production glory in late October alongside its all-electric sibling, the J01 Cooper JCW. Until then look for more exclusive news on both models that should help give us a full picture of MINI’s ultimate Cooper. The post Exclusive: Petrol F66 MINI JCW Performance Details & Specifications Revealed appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

MINI is set to unveil a thoroughly revamped lineup at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed along with two new JCWs. The appearance is headlined by the dynamic debut of the first electric MINI JCW E Prototype tackling the legendary hill climb and the public display of its petrol sibling, the F66 MINI Cooper jCW. Scheduled for a world premiere later this year, the MINI John Cooper Works E signifies a big step in MINI’s electrification journey, blending its racing heritage with modern tech. Festival-goers can explore a range of new models on display, including the MINI Countryman, MINI Aceman, and the MINI Cooper available in both three-door and the newly announced five-door versions. The MINI Cooper Electric will also be prominently featured in Electric Avenue. But most interesting to enthusiasts will be the future John Cooper Works both of which will be showcased in the First Glance paddock throughout the festival. Visitors to Goodwood will also have the opportunity to engage with the MINI Mixed Reality experience, where the boundaries between virtual and real worlds blur. This immersive 10-minute journey through the MINI universe allows drivers to get behind the wheel of a MINI Cooper Electric or a MINI Aceman, all through the power of virtual reality. This unique experience is located at Car Park M. The 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed is set to take place from July 11th to July 14th. Head to our JCW section for exclusive details on both cars. The post MINI to Debut Both New MINI Cooper JCWs at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

Our First Look at the Electric MINI Cooper JCW Along with Exclusive Info on Power, Release Date and US Availability Behold, the first ever all electric MINI Cooper JCW. Yes it’s still camouflaged and no this isn’t the full real. That means MINI isn’t releasing any technical details on the car at all. However despite the lack of official info, There much we already know about the new JCW and a few new thing that these photos tell us. J01 MINI Cooper w/JCW Trim J01 MINI JCW J01 MINI Cooper w/JCW Trim J01 MINI JCW 2025 Electric MINI Cooper JCW – Design Let’s start with design. The prototype preview we see above has been covered in the same track decal camouflage that we saw on the F66 JCW which raced and won it’s class at there Nurburgring 24 Hours. Even the Bulldog Racing stickers are here likely as a nod to the petrol-powered car that raced. As we predicted last year, the JCW Trim design we’ve seen on the standard J01 MINI Cooper will form the basis of the full JCW model. So much so that they will be very hard to distinguish for the average consumer. Whether you think that’s a mistake by MINI (we certainly do) or like the egalitariun approach, it does help us get a clear picture of the final design. As you can see above there are almost no visible differences between the cars. But there are if you look closer. For one the brakes on the full JCW model will be slightly larger and will come with Chili Red calipers. Second the word “Cooper” is no where to be found. Instead MINI is going more minimal and will only have the new JCW logo on the front and back of the car. We had hoped that there would be some added elements of functional aero like a rear defuser or front brake ducts. But the amount of aero optimization to get the drag coefficient down likely eliminated anything along those lines. Otherwise that’s it. There are no exclusive colors or other styling elements. Even the “exclusive” Legend Grey exterior color is freely optional on the JCW Trim (as you can see above). The only thing we can hold out hope for is the potential for exclusive wheels as the only photos we have thus far are of the car in motion. For those following MotoringFile, none of this should be a surprise. For this new MINI family, the brand’s strategy has been to allow anyone to make their MINI (no matter the performance level) look like a JCW. As long as you can afford to check the right boxes of course. 2025 Electric MINI Cooper JCW – Performance The electric MINI JCW will easily surpass the petrol power F66 MINI Cooper JCW. Sources tell us to expect a power output of around 260 hp vs 231 hp from the F66. Similarly the torque will be quite a bit greater giving the J01 JCW a much more responsive feel. 0-60 times will likely be in the mid to high 5 second range. Top speed will be interesting as MINI has been limiting its electric cars to 170 km/h (105.6 mph) due to the car’s already limited range. We don’t have info here but we’d guess MINI will allow for a higher top-speed but nothing close to the 155 mph that we see in the petrol powered U25 MINI Countryman JCW. Speaking of range, our sources tell us that the battery size will remain the same as the SE models. Because of the increased performance, we’d expect range to decrease a bit – perhaps as much as 5-10%. That could take the 250 mile WLTP range down to between 225-237 miles. The J01 doesn’t have a multi-speed transmission but there will still be one paddle behind the steering wheel. Like in the Countryman SE, our sources tell us that MINI will introduce a “boost” function that gives you more power for a 10-second period. This will be operational via a paddle behind the steering wheel on the left side. 2025 Electric MINI Cooper JCW – Chassis and Brake Updates MINI will follow its typical formula with mild revisions to suspension settings from the standard J01 SE rather than a wholesale suspension redesign that we’d see in a BMW M car. Think of this new JCW (and all standard JCW models for that matter) as following the BMW M Performance strategy of upgrading suspension and braking components rather than anything radically different. This means we’ll likely see braking system similar (if not the same) as the F56 and F66’s 4-piston fixed caliper up front with internally ventilated drilled brake disks (335x30mm). In the back MINI will likely continue with a single-piston floating caliper and a disk that’s 259x10mm in size. All four calipers will be finished in the traditional Chili Red – perhaps the easiest visual giveaway that this is a true JCW. How Does the 2025 Electric MINI Cooper JCW Drive? We have no doubt it will b a blast. But the only insight we have on this topic comes courtesy of an Australian publication who spoke with Patrick Haussler, the J01 MINI Cooper’s head of chassis dynamics. At the recent Australian launch of the Cooper SE, he let slip a few intriguing details; “I think everybody is quite happy with how the [regular MINI Cooper Electric] cars turned out and the Johnny [the J01 JCW], is nearly finished, so there’s not too much refinement left to do. There’s still some work [beyond the handling dynamics] but I already like it very much. The things that you like with the Cooper SE, you will like it even more with Johnny.” Let’s just start with the fact that the internal nickname for the new JCW is somewhat hilariously “Johnny”. Sounds great to us. But more importantly in the simplest terms Haussler is saying that the J01 MINI JCW has turned up all of the performance aspects of the standard J01 in a noticeable way. Which sounds promising – especially given that this will be the heaviest MINI Cooper JCW of all time with a curb weight of likely over 3,500 lbs. 2025 Electric MINI Cooper JCW – Launch Timing and North American Availability Both the electric and petrol JCW models will debut October 24th right here on MotoringFile. Production of the combustion F66 will start in November while the electric J01 will kick-off in January. ModelPowerDebut DateStart of ProductionJ01 JCW (electric)260 hp*10/202401/2025F66 JCW (petrol)231 hp10/202411/2024* Unconfirmed The J01 MINI Cooper JCW like all new small electric MINIs are made in China in collaboration with Great Wall Motors. Why? Designing and engineering cars for global markets is a huge investment for a small brand like MINI and doing that for both an electric and internal combustion is nearly impossible. So MINI partners with Spotlight Motors – a joint venture between MINI and Great Wall Motors from China to gain scale and production expertise. Unfortunately months after the ink was dry a global trade war escalated with tariffs on Chinese cars in the US. Since then things have only gotten worse for MINI with similar tariffs being announced in Europe and the UK made in Europe. Given these moves, MINI has aggressively changed its plans and announced its intention to produce its new electric models in Oxford. After a major expansion, the plan will begin producing the J01, J03 and J05 from 2026 onward. This move will open the door for North American export with no tariffs applied likely around 2026. 2025 Electric MINI Cooper JCW – Photo Gallery Official MINI Release: First Electric MINI John Cooper Works to Debut at Goodwood Festival of Speed Ahead of its World Premiere. The MINI John Cooper Works E PROtotype marks a significant milestone as the first-ever electric MINI John Cooper Works model. Featuring a striking design and advanced electric powertrain, this prototype embodies MINI’s commitment to innovation and electromobility. Celebrating its world premiere later this year, the MINI John Cooper Works E represents a bold move in MINI’s evolution, combining the brand’s rich heritage with cutting-edge technology. The future John Cooper Works lineup will include both petrol and all-electric models. In a nod to MINI’s historic victory of the Mini Cooper S at the 1964 Rallye Monte Carlo 60 years ago, the racecar features a distinctive camouflage designed by the MINI Design Team, and the “37” logo, commemorating this milestone achievement. This emblem serves as a homage to MINI’s rich motorsport tradition. The dynamic premiere at the Goodwood Festival of Speed offers a glimpse of the future of high-performance electric vehicles, showcasing MINI’s iconic design and engineering prowess. Fans and automotive enthusiasts alike can expect an unforgettable showcase of the MINI John Cooper Works E PROtotype’s capabilities as it tackles the challenging hill climb. The Goodwood Festival of Speed is being held over four days from 11-14 July 2024. The post Official Preview: The First Ever Electric MINI JCW appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article