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Want the to hear about the Countryman JCW from the man who know’s more about it than almost anyone one the planet (and certainly in the US)? We go in-depth on the all new 2025 MINI Countryman JCW with MINI USA Product Specialist Vikash Joshi on every aspect of the car from performance to some surprising standard features for the US market. And even if your not in the US, this video sheds some light on a few long-standing questions about the car itself.
An Overview of the 2025 MINI Countryman
As a companion we wanted to back up and give a quick overview of the three models that the US market will see. As you can see below the pricing has gone up but then again MINI has moved the “S” model Ito the base position eliminating the previous lower spec, front wheel drive offerings. That means every Countryman sold in the US will have ALL4, MINI’s all wheel drive system as standard. We also believe that MINI USA will be equipping these cars with much more standard equipment even at their base MSRP.
MINI Countryman Models MSRP Power Drivetrain Start of Production US Deliveries U25 MINI Countryman S $38,900 241 HP ICE 03/2024 05/2024* U25 MINI Countryman SE $45,200 313 HP Electric 07/2023 09/2024* U25 MINI JCW $46,900 312 HP ICE 03/2024 05/2024* *Approximate date to dealers 
The 2025 MINI Countryman S
The internal combustion (ICE) powered 2025 Countryman S will start at $38,900 in the US. That will get you a fairly well equipped car but certainly not loaded. MINI will not use all of the trim names and levels we’ve seen in the UK and Europe but instead create their own that will be similar to what we see in the We’d expect roughly a $10k swing between this new base S model and a fully loaded version.
This new Countryman S model will have 241 hp and 295 lbs of torque 2.0 liter. That’s more than a 50 hp increase and more than the original F60 JCW model from just five years ago.
One interesting note, the US will not incorporate a mild hybrid system into this engine due to cost and weight trade-offs. Since there’s less stringent efficiency standards in the US there’s really no need to.
The 2025 MINI Countryman SE
The electric Countryman SE will start at $45,200. That’s JCW territory but then again it has more than JCW performance. With 313 hp and a staggering 363 lbs of torque, this Countryman can get to 60 mph in only 5.6 seconds.
Perhaps more important to many potential owners will be the range. MINIUSA is quoting a range of 245 miles. That’s substantially above our previous 225 mile estimate and coupled with 130 kW DC fast charging, is good news for would be owners.
But it’s still not the final EPA figures so keep that in mind – those will come in early January. This 245 mile number is what MINI USA is estimating by looking at performance in the EU and doing their own calculations.
The 2025 MINI Countryman JCW
This new halo model will have an output of 312 hp in the US with 295 ft lbs of torque. That number, 36 ft lbs lower than the previous generation) has been reduced due to the limitation of the new DCT. However with the improved power and power delivery, acceleration is still just over 5 seconds to 60 mph.
The JCW will begin production in March and will arrive to dealers in the US around the May timeframe.
For more info on tech specs read are deep dive here:
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The post Interview: MINI USA Product Specialist On The New MINI Countryman JCW appeared first on MotoringFile.
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MINI OS9 and its integration of CarPlay and Experience Modes is unlike anything we’ve see from MINI or an other automaker. We recently had a chance to go hands-on with the new operating system at the debut of the 2025 MINI Countryman JCW and found a lot to love along with a lot of new functionality not yet talked about. Watch below as we walk through it all.
MINI is reinventing every aspect of the brand and it starts not just with what’s under the hood but what’s on the dash. As you can see this is s very different kind of experience from MINI and one that sets the brand apart in new ways.
The circular OLED screen is 9.5” (240 mm) wide however, because of the bottom cutout, measures about 9” in height. While it may seem like unusual design given the rectangles we’re all used to, it feels very natural in person thanks to the way MINI has organized the information. The “Charismatic Simplicity” design language (as MINI calls it) is focused on both minimalism and a bit of MINI character. The circular OLED display seamlessly accommodates both static and dynamic elements, with a clear and intuitive hierarchy (despite the shape).
This is all made possible not just by talented strategists and designers but a very thoughtful technical approach leveraging Android. Yes you read that right. But it’s not the Android you all know. It’s actually the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) software stack which does several things for MINI. For one it allows MINI to leverage the massive scale of the Android App store of which MINI will create their own subset.
But more importantly it allows MINI to leverage the army of Android engineers worldwide meaning that the platform MINI will rely on for future innovation is open and has a bright future. But don’t mistake the software stack as influencing the user experience. That’s 100% MINI’s own thinking and execution built on top of what is invisible but powerful technology.
This new system will come to all MINIs over the next few months starting with the U25 Countryman and J01 MINI Cooper EV. In March it’ll be a part of the F66 petrol powered F66 MINI Cooper and ultimately the J05 MINI Aceman EVC crossover late next year.
Related MINI OS9 Articles
The post Video: MINI OS9 Demo With CarPlay and Experience Modes appeared first on MotoringFile.
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Our First Take On The petrol powered, 312 HP Countryman JCW. New from the Inside Out.
The MINI Countryman JCW is a big deal for the brand. It’s also a big MINI. But it’s not even as big as it could have been. We uncovered that surprising fact along with many others talking directly with the designers and MINI employees that helped bring it to market. Here’s our first impressions of MINI’s new 312 hp JCW halo.
Since we mentioned size, let’s start with why has the Countryman grown. The answer is simple – that’s what the majority of customers are asking for. MINI has reams of data showing that current Countryman owners are leaving the brand due to sizing out of the car. And time and time again these customers are doing so very reluctantly. So MINI’s answer was to increase the size of the Countryman while introducing a new model to bridge the gap from the Cooper. That model is the electric Aceman which will have a footprint similar to the original R60 Countryman. That strategy was key for MINI being able to grow longer by over 5” and taller by 2”.
R60 Countryman (’10-’16) F60 Countryman (’17-’23) U25 Countryman (’24-’32) Length 4097 mm / 161.3 in 4298 mm / 169.2 in 4429 mm / 174.37 in Height 1562 mm / 61.5 in 1557 mm / 61.3 in 1613 mm / 63.5 in Wheelbase 2596 mm / 102.2 in 2670 mm / 105.1 in 2670 mm / 105.11 in 
It’s no secret that the U25 Countryman shares a platform with the BMW X1. However what we didn’t know is how it differs under the skin. When MINI Design evaluated the X1 platform they immediately realized that they needed to find a way to downsize it to better fit MINI proportions. More specifically the rear overhang had to shrink. The answer came in the form of leveraging the rear section of the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer (not a car we get in the US) and replacing what was there in the X1. The result are proportions that not only fit a MINI shape better but a reduction in weight where you really don’t want it.
To our eyes this increase in size is hidden by the proportions of this car as well as clever styling. That “blade” in the c-pillar? One reason it’s there is to break-up the length of the roof so it didn’t look like a tall station wagon.
The Design of the Countryman JCW
The 2025 Countryman JCW has plenty new colors, options and performance to talk about. However there is one thing sadly gone from the line-up. That’s Rebel Green which we had become accustom to as JCW’s signature color. That is replaced by a dark grey called Legend Grey.
These new colors underscore the fact that everything is new here. MINI designers were not tied in anyway to the BMW X1 despite sharing a platform. They were free to invent everything you see here and no visible parts are shared. One great high-ticket example is the windshield which most automakers would have shared to cut costs. Instead MINI created a deeper shape that gives the dashboard more clearance and the feeling of more space inside.
The more we inspected, poked and prodded the Countryman JCW the more subtle touches we began to notice. At first glance the roof seems very flat, a core MINI trait. But look closely and you see a curvature that we’ve never seen on a MINI before. Remember this car isn’t just a 312 hp petrol powered JCW, it also has to be ultra aero dynamic to maximize range on the EV versions. It turned out to be a critical detail in driving down the original drag coefficient of .34 all the way to an incredible .26.
You see evidence of this in the way the sides of the car taper to the back as well. The shapes which at first look like styling just for styling sake all have function built in and contribute to this aero efficiency.
Back to the front of the car you’ll notice that the Countryman JCW pictured here all have MINI’s LED Pro lights. While they’re not the matrix lights that European markets get, they look identical. Why no matrix lights for the US? While they are now technically legal, there’s still a mountain of regulatory work to be done to get them into the country and on options lists. However we were assured MINI USA is investigating this.
JCW Specific Design Touches
The JCW body kit available in Europe and the UK on all models will be exclusive to the JCW model itself in the US. That means you cannot get the JCW look without getting the full model. In our mind this is a great move by MINI USA as it creates exclusivity around that brand and the look.
The look is even more pronounced than before. The plastic wheel arches are gloss black where the standard car has unfinished plastic.That gloss black theme can been seen elsewhere. The grille is a mix if gloss and matte with convex and concave surfaces creating a unique dimensional design. The wheels, the belt line, and other aero elements also feature the finish. In start contrast is the Chili Red II on the launch car. It’s a more vibrant version of Chili Red than before and works really well with the Legend Grey (seen here) in person.
The 20” wheels are optional and look fantastic. Around them is gloss black wheel arches which are exclusive on the JCW and visually tied back to other exterior gloss black elements. Speaking of the grill it’s an interesting design that is asymmetrical and patterned after the new JCW logo. It also has a mix of matte and gloss black that, along with convex and concave surfacing, creates an interesting effect that we’ve never seen before.
MINI Countryman JCW Performance
While we have extensively reported on the JCW specs for the last two months, we were still surprised by a few things. The first were the brakes which MINI will offer two versions of for the first time. The standard brakes will come with 19” wheels and are essentially the same as we’ve seen previously on the F60 Countryman JCW. However if you opt for the 20” wheels you’ll get larger, ventilated discs as well as massive calipers which offers a larger swept surface. I’m told by people who have driven the car that they are easily the best brakes MINI has ever offered.
Now let’s talk about power. As we had reported the US version of the Countryman JCW will get 312 hp and not the 300 the UK or European versions output. What’s the differences? Our speculation was correct as the differences come down to tighter emissions standards in the UK and EU which results in MINI tuning down the engine slightly.
Another area we speculated correctly on is why the torque figure has gone down 36 ft lbs from the previous Countryman JCW. We confirmed it’s due to the new Asian sourced DCT transmission which, unlike the previous 8 speed torque converter automatic, isn’t capable of supporting more than 295 ft lbs. While that’s a sizable downgrade MINI was quick to point out that drivers likely won’t notice the difference given the increase in power and other improvements made in the engine. We took that to mean we’ll see more immediate torque at take-off but that’s yet to be confirmed.
If you’re curious that quad exhaust layout is truly four individual pipes coming out of a single, massive muffler. While we couldn’t drive the car, we did hear it start up several times and sadly it was quite quiet. However this was a pre-production car without the final software which could have contributed to the lack of typical JCW exhaust note. It was also a European spec Countryman JCW as well which will likely be quieter than its US counterpart.
Suspension, Chassis and Brakes
Under the car MINI has revised the suspension and will be offered the Countryman JCW exclusively with adaptive dampers. The goal was to dial in more feel and feedback into the chassis creating a more MINI-like driving experience. While we won’t know if they’ve been successful for awhile, what we saw was promising.
That includes the optional brakes which come with the 20″ wheels and non-run flat tires. The brakes are noticeable larger than the already excellent set-up on the current Countryman JCW and are now vented. The calipers remain four piston but have a larger swept area.
Bigger Wheels, Tires and No RunFlats
Run-flats are dead. MINI and BMW have finally ditched run-flats across the range to reduce weight, replacement cost and increase ride quality. Each new MINI (including Countryman JCW) will now come with a tire mobility kit that includes a compressor and a tire repair spray. To say we are happy would be an understatement.
The tires and wheels themselves are now larger with MINI finally offering 20″ wheels as optional for the first time. Those 20s have a size of 245/40/20 and are by far the largest we’ve ever seen on a MINI.
The Revolutionary New Interior of the MINI Countryman JCW
The new interior is nothing short of a revolution for MINI. However if you’re getting a JCW you have zero choice in terms of how it looks. Or in other words you can have it in any color as long as you like black. We confirmed that with MINI USA during our hands-on time with the car and pressed on when and if that may change with no luck. However it’s safe to say that MINI will likely offer more variety as production matures.
Colors aside the interior has moved away from leather and chrome and leaned into new materials in a way that we’ve never seen from other manufacturers. The result is impressive. The new Vescin leather alternative feels better than the typical leather found in MINIs. While it doesn’t quite match the suppleness of the Lounge Leather options, it’s very close. In fact the grade of Vescin on the steering wheel actually feels just as good. You can read much more about Vescin and why MINI has gone leather free in our exclusive report.
We really liked the look and feel of the textiles but time will tell in terms the longevity. According to MINI the material is 70% recycled and should be easily cleaned with a damp cloth – no chemicals needed.
One area that we’re eager to test is the center console. Gone is the storage under the armrest and in its place a very solid feeling extendable armrest. In fact it extends so far I could see someone propping a laptop on it and working. But we’re still at a loss for why MINI couldn’t figure out how to include storage in it.
The console itself has a small cubby that acts as storage. Interesting we’re told it’s relatively easy to remove and potentially replace with different forms to storage. According to MINI we should watch this space for potential future accessories.
Conclusions From Two Days with the Countryman JCW
We climbed and crawled all over the Countryman during the two days we had access to it. Without driving it we can’t speak to how successful MINI has been in reinventing its largest vehicle but early signs are promising. The overall design has grown on us and while it’s a clear step forward in design, it still feels evolutionary on the outside.
On the side it’s anything but and we love it. In fact the one area that we felt MINI simply nailed was the interior. From the incredible circular display to the textile dash, new layout and reengineered seats, it all feels like a well thought-out follow-up to the F60.
On paper performance looks good but we have yet to be convinced we won’t feel the difference in 0-60 times with a 36 ft lbs drop in torque. Add to that an extra 137 lbs and we’d expect a bit more restrained performance from this new U25 Countryman JCW vs its predecessor.
MINIUSA’s starting price $46,900 for the new Countryman may sound high but it’s only 3k more than the current F60 JCW and we’re told it will have higher standard features. In other words MINI USA is upping the price a bit it would appear that the value of the standard features (like heads-up display) will over compensate for it.
We’ll have much more on the new Countryman JCW in the weeks and months ahead.
MINI Countryman JCW Photo Gallery
This is Just the Start – An Entire New MINI Family is Coming
The new J01 MINI Cooper electric and U25 MINI Countryman have been annoucned are in production as of today. Next up will be MINI’s heavily revised F56 for all those who aren’t ready for a full electric Cooper. That car (the F66) will be MINI’s last small internal combustion car and will be built in Oxford. Finally we’ll see the all electric MINI Aceman crossover which effectively takes the place of the beloved MINI Clubman. The Aceman will be a small crossover roughly the size of the original MINI Countryman and will be released late next year. While the J01 MINI Cooper EV and the Aceman EV will initially be built in China, both will begin production at the Oxford Plant in 2027 with US sales following shortly afterwards.
For more coverage of the new generation MINI released recently, check out the following articles and videos.
MINI Cooper EV: Premier | MINI Cooper EV: Hands-On Review | MINI Cooper EV: Video Review
MINI Countryman EV: Premier | MINI Countryman EV: Hands-On Review | MINI Countryman EV: Video Review
New MINI Family: 1st Look Video | MINI Circular Display & MINI OS9 Hands-On Review
The post In-Person With the Bigger & More Powerful MINI Countryman JCW appeared first on MotoringFile.
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The all new MINI Countryman has begun production in Germany. As part of MINI’s global production strategy, both the EV and ICE (internal combustion engine) MINI Countryman will be produced alongside BMWs at the BMW Group Plant Leipzig. It’s a move that signifies both a historic first for the brand and a big achievement for BMW.
For the first time in history, a MINI model is rolling off the production line within the confines of Germany, nestled alongside the BMW 1 Series and 2 Series. This feat has been made possible through the plant’s adaptability and developmental prowess, underpinned by substantial investments amounting to €700 million over the past five years. The plant is poised to boost its workforce in production by over 900 individuals by the close of 2024. Perhaps most interesting to MINI fans, the new Countryman stands as a catalyst this change as it’s pushing the plant to be even more eco-friendly in manufacturing.
“By launching production of the MINI Countryman here in Leipzig, we are introducing multibrand operations to our flexible production system. Plant Leipzig also offers a number of highlights in terms of resource conservation in production, providing further evidence of the successful rollout of our long-term masterplan: the BMW iFACTORY.”
Board Member for Production, Milan Nedeljkovi?This seamless integration and production diversity made feasible by the flexible structures at Plant Leipzig are the result of the major investment over the past few years. The MINI Countryman now joins the assembly line, sharing the stage with the BMW 1 Series, BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé, and BMW 2 Series Active Tourer. Thanks to its versatile assembly capabilities, Plant Leipzig can cater to two distinct brands featuring three different powertrains: combustion, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric. The third-generation MINI Countryman, slated for release on February 17, 2024, offers the choice of petrol, diesel, or a fully electric powertrain. Notably, the high-voltage batteries for the MINI Countryman Electric are locally crafted in Leipzig.
Investments have augmented production capacity, with the BMW Group injecting approximately €500 million into Leipzig to accommodate the demand for new models. Notably, the plant has transitioned to meet MINI-specific requirements, representing an additional investment of about €200 million.
Initially, around 100 MINI Countryman vehicles will be built daily from the production lines, with plans to escalate this figure to 500 per day in the coming year.
The transformation of Plant Leipzig into an electrified hub is a defining milestone for BMW. As Petra Peterhänsel, Plant Director, joyfully exclaimed, “Leipzig remains electric.” Leipzig was the original home for the BMW i3 and i8 models and was the brand’s first plant , the plant is gearing up to produce its next fully electric vehicle, the MINI Countryman Electric, commencing in 2024. In addition, starting next year, the plant will oversee the entire production process for BMW’s fifth generation of high-voltage batteries. This move includes cell coating, module production, and battery assembly. The capacity for e-component production has seen substantial growth, which makes Leipzig a crucial supplier across the BMW production network.
The Sustainability of the New MINI Countryman
Sustainability is a central focus of the MINI Countryman Electric, underscoring the MINI brand’s commitment to full electrification by 2030. The design prioritizes environmental consciousness, with chrome eliminated from both the interior and exterior, and light-metal alloy wheels produced from up to 70 percent secondary aluminum. The interior boasts innovative, environmentally friendly materials, including recycled textiles for the dashboard, door facias, floor covering, and foot mats. These materials reduce CO2 emissions and water usage throughout their lifecycle, providing a more sustainable alternative to conventional materials.
One of the striking design features of the MINI exterior is the contrast roof, which can be ordered in a different colour from the rest of the body. In the new MINI Countryman it will be painted using a new, resource-friendly method known as overspray-free painting. The innovative overspray-free painting method reduces excess as well as cutting CO2 emissions. An efficient burner technology, capable of running on hydrogen and natural gas, has been implemented in the paint drying process. These advancements underscore Plant Leipzig’s unwavering commitment to sustainability, with a focus on energy generation and consumption strategies that span back to its inception.
“Sustainability is in the DNA of BMW Group Plant Leipzig,” emphasized Petra Peterhänsel, citing the four wind turbines generating electricity for the plant and a battery storage farm, powered by second-life high-voltage batteries from BMW i3 vehicles. The plant is also forging ahead with plans to replace fossil fuels with green hydrogen, positioning itself as one of the most sustainable manufacturing plants in the world. The construction of a regional hydrogen grid is already in the works, with Plant Leipzig poised to play a pivotal role in the transition towards sustainable energy sources.
The post Video: Watch The All New MINI Countryman Begin Production in Germany appeared first on MotoringFile.
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The 2025 MINI Countryman is all new and available in both internal combustion and electric formats for the first time. In the US it will be a more paired down model offering with MINI USA selling only the three models with a focus on the higher-end of the market. But when will these MINIs go on sale and when they do, what will they cost? Let’s dive into the details
As you can see below the pricing has gone up but then again MINI has moved the “S” model Ito the base position eliminating the previous lower spec, front wheel drive offerings. That means every Countryman sold in the US will have ALL4, MINI’s all wheel drive system as standard. We also believe that MINI USA will be equipping these cars with much more standard equipment even at their base MSRP.
MINI Countryman Models MSRP Power Drivetrain Start of Production US Deliveries U25 MINI Countryman S $38,900 241 HP ICE 03/2024 05/2024* U25 MINI Countryman SE $45,200 313 HP Electric 07/2023 09/2024* U25 MINI JCW $46,900 312 HP ICE 03/2024 05/2024* *Approximate date to dealers 
The 2025 MINI Countryman S
The internal combustion (ICE) powered 2025 Countryman S will start at $38,900 in the US. That will get you a fairly well equipped car but certainly not loaded. MINI will not use all of the trim names and levels we’ve seen in the UK and Europe but instead create their own that will be similar to what we see in the We’d expect roughly a $10k swing between this new base S model and a fully loaded version.
This new Countryman S model will have 241 hp and 295 lbs of torque 2.0 liter. That’s more than a 50 hp increase and more than the original F60 JCW model from just five years ago.
One interesting note, the US will not incorporate a mild hybrid system into this engine due to cost and weight trade-offs. Since there’s less stringent efficiency standards in the US there’s really no need to.
The 2025 MINI Countryman SE
The electric Countryman SE will start at $45,200. That’s JCW territory but then again it has more than JCW performance. With 313 hp and a staggering 363 lbs of torque, this Countryman can get to 60 mph in only 5.6 seconds.
Perhaps more important to many potential owners will be the range. MINIUSA is quoting a range of 245 miles. That’s substantially above our previous 225 mile estimate and coupled with 130 kW DC fast charging, is good news for would be owners.
But it’s still not the final EPA figures so keep that in mind – those will come in early January. This 245 mile number is what MINI USA is estimating by looking at performance in the EU and doing their own calculations.
The 2025 MINI Countryman JCW
This new halo model will have an output of 312 hp in the US with 295 ft lbs of torque. That number, 36 ft lbs lower than the previous generation) has been reduced due to the limitation of the new DCT. However with the improved power and power delivery, acceleration is still just over 5 seconds to 60 mph.
The JCW will begin production in March and will arrive to dealers in the US around the May timeframe.
For more info on tech specs read are deep dive here:
The post MINI USA 2025 MINI Countryman Price & Release Dates appeared first on MotoringFile.
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It’s finally here. MINI is taking the wraps off its ultimate Countryman; the all new 300 hp MINI Countryman JCW. We’ve given you several early looks of the new Countryman JCW but until now MINI hasn’t officially released much info on it. That ends today with the official debut of MINI’s most powerful internal combustion model of its new generation of cars.
This new Countryman JCW will eventually be joined by an all electric Countryman JCW with even more power and torque. But if you want your Countryman JCW to be petrol powered, this is the one.
2025 MINI Countryman JCW: Performance
However if you’re expecting MINI to up the power for this new, larger Countryman you’ll be disappointed. In fact MINI has done the opposite. Powered by the familiar B48 2.0 four cylinder turbo, this new Countryman JCW has 300 hp vs the 306 hp in the current car (301 in the US).
One interesting note; the practice of US market cars getting less than their European equivalents maybe over. For instance the BMW X1 M35i in Germany makes do with 295 hp while the US version gets 313 hp. That appears to be down to more stringent CO2 standards and programing. Could this mean we’ll see a full 313 hp in the US Countryman JCW?
Whatever happens in the US market, this 300 hp version goes from 0-62 mph in 5.4 seconds with a top speed of 155 mph. The F60 version of the Countryman JCW is actually quicker at 5.1 seconds to 62 mph while topping out at only 140 mph.
We know the U25 Countryman has grown in size noticeably but until recently we didn’t have a full understanding what that did to its weight. It turns out not as much as we had feared. The previous F60 2023 JCW Countryman weighs 3,688 lbs. Compare that to the all new U25 JCW Countryman at 3,825 lbs and you have only a 137 lbs difference. While any weight increase detrimental to performance, it’s than you would have expected given the growth in size. That’s likely due to the various weight savings measures that BMW built into the new FAAR platform including extensive use of aluminum and lighter steel.
Another area that surprised us was that the ICE powered JCW Countryman is not a mild-hybrid whereas the Countryman C and S both are. We’ve heard rumors of a hot version of the B48 ready for release later this decade of near 330 hp – could that be the mild-hybrid version waiting for an introduction in a few years?
A big area of improvement is in the Countryman’s aero. The previous F60 version had a drag coefficient of 0.34Cd compared to 0.26Cd for the new U25 Countryman JCW. That improvement helps mostly with efficiency but it also allows for better high-speed stability.
MINI has worked on the sound of the car by engineering the exhaust with a flap system allowing for more sound in sport mode and at higher revs. Like the F60 this new U25 Countryman JCW also uses the ActiveSound system which synthesizes the engine sound pumping its through speakers in the floor even more than before. And yes it can still be turned off.
MINI has also tweaked the tire and wheel size making both larger. The tire diameter, which has been increased by 30 mm, is now 710 mm and the increased tire width of 245 mm enhances grip. The corresponding wheels are been sized up as well and are now offered in 19″ and 20″ sizes with exclusive JCW designs.
MINI hasn’t released information on the chassis upgrades or brakes but expect similar levels of performance engineered in to both. As before the brakes look monstrous and will likely be a highly as they were on the F60.
Finally there’s the boost feature. When the driver pulls and holds the left-hand shift paddle for at least one second, all the powertrain and chassis systems are switched to their sportiest setting giving a driver maximum performance for a short amount of time. No details have been released on the specifics but we love the idea.
MINI’s First Level 2 Autonomous Features
The new MINI JCW Countryman features 12 ultrasonic sensors and four surround-view cameras creating a system that enables Level 2 autonomous features. The system is called Driving Assistant Professional and it’s a massive improvement over the previous adaptive cruise. With the Driving Assistant Professional, the MINI Countryman enables partially automated Level 2 driving on highways for the first time. If you’ve been following MotoringFile all year you’ll remember us exclusively reporting on this feature last spring. However until today we didn’t have some of the final technical details.
When engaged, Driving Assistant Professional allows the driver to take their hands off the wheel at speeds of up to 37 mph (60 km/h), as long as they have their eyes on the road (as determined by an eye tracker) and are ready to intervene at any time.
We’ve used this system in BMW’s extensively and it really does work as advertised – you can take your hands off the wheel entirely as long as your eyes are on the road. The car will stop, go, turn and even change lanes on command using the turn signal.
The thin grey strip above “set” is one of the two LED lights that lets you know the system is active Once you reach 38 MPH the system switches modes and goes into a more simplistic autonomous setting which requires a driver’s hands to rest on the wheel. However the system works identically, following traffic, the curves of the road and will even change lanes based on the driver using the turn signal. However at these speeds the system requires hands-on the wheel or at least pressure of some kind.
This feature has been optional on BMWs for years and in our experience is ideal for stop and go traffic. However MINI’s system adds a new wrinkle as it can identify gaps in traffic needed to change lanes to get to an exit. It then brings the vehicle to the optimum speed for assisted lane changes. The MINI will let know when it’s successfully on via two green lights on the steering wheel. When it can’t detect your eyes (in hands-free) or hands (at higher speeds) those green lights being to flash orange.
The MINI John Cooper Works Countryman embodies a unique combination of style, power and a sense of adventure. With its powerful 300 hp engine and sporty design, it is the perfect companion for anyone looking for something special.
Stefanie Wurst, head of the MINI brandWhile MINI is focused on that Level 2, hands-free mode intended mostly for traffic jams, it’s the higher speed (above 38 mph) that you’ll likely find much more useful. In this mode the system uses a combination of adaptive cruise and steering input to follow well marked highways without intervention. It uses steering and lane guidance assistant and also includes lane keeping, lane change assistant with active side collision protection and the emergency stop assistant.
The New Design Elements of the 2025 MINI Countryman JCW
MINI claims the new MINI John Cooper Works Countryman has a bold and sporty look that “reflects its performance and versatility”. We get that but we’ll withhold our ultimate judgement until we get some hands-on time shortly. Until then it’s clear MINI designers have added elements to signal performance capabilities along with plenty of nods to racing. There’s new vertical reflectors in the front, a JCW signature mode in the headlights and a high-gloss octagonal grille complete with the sub-brand’s new logo.
On this Legend Grey launch color scheme the C-pillar is finished in Chili Red and joins the contrasting roof. It’s a bold look and one we’re honestly not sure we could live with. But the effect of the roof curving down towards the rear, gives the new Countryman a more svelte silhouette despite its increased height and width. It’s a more brash car than before but one that could likely be toned down with the right specification choices.
The 2025 MINI Countryman Interior
Like the rest of the new MINI models, the interior features a reduced design. The cockpit is divided into an upper and lower section, with vertical door handles and air vents in the upper area. MINI clams that this emphasizes the upright and larger overall impression of the car. Having been in the new Countryman we can attest to that. But here there’s a bold red and black color scheme that extends to the dashboard, the door panels and on the new JCW sports seats. Again it’s a bit brash for us and one that can be optioned out if needed. Like the rest of the new MINI range, the dashboard is made of a two-tone textile made from recycled polyester and the interior prominently features the new circular display.
Our Early Take
This is a very different car than the original R60 MINI Countryman JCW. Larger and more sophisticated, it’s lost some of the striking smallness of the original Countryman JCW but has gained a tremendous amount of utility and performance (despite losing a touch to the last generation). Will it still feel like a JCW from behind the wheel? We can’t wait to find out.
2025 MINI Countryman JCW Photo Gallery
2025 MINI Countryman JCW Technical Specifications
U25 Countryman Model Countryman SE Countryman S JCW Power 313 hp 241 hp 300 hp Torque TBD 295 lb 295 lb Transmission 1 Speed 7 speed DCT 7 speed DCT Drivetrain all-wheel all-wheel all-wheel Powertrain type electric petrol petrol Cylinders n/a 4 4 Displacement n/a 1998 1998 Engine Power N/A TBD 313 hp Engine Torque N/A TBD 295 lb Electric Power 313 hp 19 hp N/A Electric Torque TBD TBD N/A Electric Range (WLTP) 270 miles N/A N/A 0-62 mph TBD TBD 5.4 Maximum speed 112 mph TBD 155 mph WLTP l/100 km N/A TBD 34 – 36.2 WLTP CO2 N/A TBD 188 – 177 Length (mm/inches) 4444 / 175 4444 / 175 4444 / 175 Width (mm/inches) 1843 / 73 1843 / 73 1843 / 73 Height (mm) TBD TBD 1665 / 66 Wheelbase (mm) 2069 / 81 2069 / 81 2069 / 81 Curb weight (LBS) TBD TBD 3,825 lbs Fuel Capacity L/Gallons N/A 54 / 14.3 54 / 14.3 Luggage capacity (liters) TBD TBD 505 – 1530 L The post World Premier: 2025 MINI Countryman JCW Officially Debuts first appeared on MotoringFile.
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MINI is heading back to the 24 Hours of Nurburgring next year with Bulldog Racing. We heard the news from Charlie Cooper himself as he will be once again behind the wheel with several co-drivers taking on the legendary “Green Hell”. But the big question is, what car will MINI race with the current F56 MINI Cooper JCW going out of production?
While there’s nothing yet announced, we’d bet the car will be a production version of the new F66 MINI Cooper JCW. With no manual on offer for the F66, we expect the production based race car to come equipped with the dual clutch transmission. While we love seeing a manual at the ‘Ring last year (the only car in the field with one), the DCT will be a better match for the track and the competition.
As you can imagine MINI is thrilled to be heading back:
Motorsport has always been part of MINI’s DNA. The brand’s tradition and passion for racing are inextricably linked. With John Cooper Works’ renewed participation in the Nürburgring 24-hour race in 2024, we are sending a clear signal for the roots and future of MINI in motorsport. It is an honor for us to face the competition and rigors of one of the toughest endurance races and to demonstrate our passion for racing.
Stefanie Wurst, Head of MINIThe car will be one once again by Bulldog Racing which has a long history of fielding cars for the race. Last year’s MINI Cooper JCW (which featured Charlie Cooper) came 2nd in class showing not only the strength of the car but also the team.
We’ll have more on next years plans from MINI for the Nurburgring 24 Hours in the coming months. In the meantime if you want more Nurburgring content, check out our experience at the event itself in 2022:
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Choice. That’s been the core of BMW’s philosophy with EVs and that strategy is playing out with the J01 and F66 and soon with the U25 and the NE5. The only question is just how long the ICE (internal combustion) powered MINIs will be on the market? While nothing has been set in stone, we have some ideas.
The UK recently pushed back its ICE ban from 2030 to to 2035 due to public pressure and slow progress in charging infrastructure rollout. That will mirror Europe’s timetable as it looks to move into electrification as well. In the US there are currently nine states (following California’s lead) that will ban purely ICE sales while allowing limited plugin hybrid’s to be sold if they account for under 20% of a brand’s total volume. Oh and that PHEV needs to get at least 50 miles of range on electric.
What this means is that the western world is slowly putting similar timetables on when we’ll see the phase-out of ICE powered cars.
The ICE powered F66 MINI Cooper MINI to Offer Both ICE and EV Models
The MINI Cooper
MINI (like BMW) is leading with a strategy of choice. That means we’ll see the brand offer ICE powered cars alongside all new EVs simultaneously. For MINI specifically this strategy will directly impact its FAAR (F66) and FAAR WE (U25) platforms. This also means some of these models will have unusually long lifespans.
As you can see below the F66 will technically have a short life-span but as we know, the F66 is a revised F56 which was introduced in 2013. That means the car and platform will be mostly unchanged until 2030. It’s almost hard to believe but this type of outlier in product planning is what happens when have a revolution such as electrification in the automotive industry.
What will be even more interesting to see is the all new J01 MINI Cooper EV being sold alongside revised car 10+ years older. MINI is going to great lengths to hide the fact that these cars only differentiation is the drivetrain as they will style the F66 inside and out to match the new J01. Will consumers notice? Will they care? We’ll know soon.
ICE MINI Models Start of Production End of Production F66 MINI Cooper (ICE) F66 MINI Cooper 03/2024 12/2030 F66 MINI Cooper S 03/2024 12/2030 F66 MINI Cooper JCW 03/2024* 12/2030 F65 MINI Cooper 5 Door 07/2024 12/2030 F65 MINI Cooper S 5 Door 07/2024 12/2030 F67 MINI Cooper Convertible 11/2024 12/2030 F67 MINI Cooper S Convertible 11/2024 12/2030 F67 MINI Cooper JCW Convertible 03/2025* 12/2030 U25 MINI Countryman (ICE) U25 MINI Countryman C 11/2023 12/2030* U25 MINI Countryman D 11/2023 12/2030* U25 MINI Countryman S ALL4 11/2023 12/2030* U25 MINI JCW ALL4 03/2024 12/2030* This may change due to consumer demand. The MINI Countryman
The U25 Countryman on the other hand will seemingly have a rather normal product lifecycle of 7 years – typical in the BMW world. However there’s an asterisk there. Now that the UK has moved back it’s ICE ban and other governments have similar timeframes, there’s a chance we could see the ICE powered U25 Countryman stay on sale for a bit longer if there’s demand.
The Countryman EV will be the complete opposite as MINI intends to kill it early to move that car to a bespoke electric platform from BMW called the NCAR (BMW’s codename for Neue Klasse). Why? The U25 Countryman is based on an updated FAAR platform (FAAR WE) and it was designed as a stop-gap of sorts. It can accommodate everything from an internal combustion power-plant to a plugin hybrid (which only BMW offers on this platform) to full electric. Because of this Swiss-army knife approach there are tradeoffs. For one the electric U25 MINI Countryman can’t pack as many battery cells as dedicated skateboard chassis EV can because it has to deal with structure built for internal combustion drivetrains. And there are many other trade-offs that have to be made to allow a single platform to work for so many drivetrain options. Because of this BMW intends to kill the U25 EV early in 2028 and launch the NE5 Countryman on this new, pure electric platform.
The ICE 2025 MINI Countryman JCW – Courtesy of MINI.de The Neue Klasse (or NCAR as it’s known internally) will be BMW’s single platform that will underpin every future BMW and MINI across the range. Because of the highly variable nature of skateboard chassis, that means there will be foundational elements of the NCAR in everything from a MINI Countryman to a BMW X7.
The NE5 will then be alongside the U25 ICE for several years similar to MINI’s strategy with the J01 and the F66.
Of course MINI would love for that to not be the case as it’s quite expensive to produce multiple version of the same car. And it would appear they’re going to attempt to make the electric version of the U25 Countryman and the J01 a bit more appealing by giving us noticeably more power. For instance the 2025 Countryman SE (EV) will have more power and better straight-line performance than even the Countryman JCW (ICE). the J01 will follow suit as the Cooper SE will also have JCW levels of performance. In fact that’s one of the theories as to why MINI has not upped the power output of the F66 JCW which will remain at 231 hp.
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The F66 2025 MINI Cooper will be the last ever internal combustion car from the brand. And today we finally have finally have a look at some key technical data. While the F66 might be heavily based on the F56, there are some surprises in the dimensions and even weight as figures. Let’s dig in to the details.
Despite MINI’s talk of going electric with the all new J01 Cooper, it’s releasing one last generation of ICE (internal combustion engine) MINI Coopers early next year. Code-named the F66, this last ICE MINI Cooper is a heavily revised F56 complete with an almost identical exterior design complete with new trim, lights and wheels among other things. Inside the F66 will take the interior from the J01 complete with circular screen, new materials and a very different layout.
A Few Surprising Changes in Size
While the F66 is based on the F56, the dimensions aren’t identical likely due to styling and even an few engineering changes. For instance the F56 has a length of 3863mm vs 3876mm for the new F66. Why the change? It’s still unclear but we’d assume the new front or rear bumper design (driven by either aero of new safety standards) might be the culprit.
The height change is also interesting. The F56 is 1414mm vs the F66 which is higher at 1432mm. That might be due to MINI increasing the standard wheel size of the Cooper from 15″ to 16″ wheels while increasing the tire size slightly as well.
It’s the width that is the most interesting to us. The F56 Cooper has a width of 1727 mm vs the F66 which is wider at 1744mm (both without mirrors). That 17mm difference may not sound like much but BMW and MINI don’t typically increase the width of a car solely because of aesthetics. It’s very likely the result of some engineering changes that might include things like a revised suspension, wider wheels and tires or even updated plastic fender arches. Or it could be as simple as a revised front bumper that’s a touch wider than before.
A Subtle Weight Change
One of the biggest critiques of modern MINI is that they appear to be getting larger and heavier with every generation. That’s actually not historically true. The R50 (manual) had a DIN weight of 2,535 lbs which then decreased to 2,513 with the R56 Cooper (manual). That weight finally did go up with the noticeably larger F56 but again, not as much as people assumed. The F56’s DIN weight is 2,701 lbs in manual form and 2,756 with the DCT. Given that the F66 will only be available with the DCT, let’s compare those two numbers.
The F56 Cooper DCT weights in at 2,756 lbs. The new F66 Cooper DCT has a curb weight of 2,778 lbs, a 22 lbs difference. Given the added emissions and safety additions (and not to mention the new tech), a 22 lbs increase doesn’t seem all that much in the gran scheme of things.
F66 2025 MINI Cooper Full Technical Specification
While that’s our quick take, have a look yourself.
Cooper Model F66 Cooper C F66 Cooper S F66 Cooper JCW Power 155 hp 201 hp 231 hp Torque 170 lb-ft (1,480 rpm) 221 lb-ft 258 lb-ft (1,250 rpm) Transmission 7 speed DCT 7 speed DCT 7 speed DCT Drivetrain front-wheel front-wheel front-wheel Powertrain type petrol petrol petrol Cylinders TBA 4 4 Displacement TBA 1998 1998 Mild Hybrid Power N/A N/A N/A 0-60 mph TBA TBA TBA Maximum speed TBA TBA TBA Length (mm/inches) 3876mm / 152.60 in 3876mm / 152.60 in TBA Width w/o Mirros (mm/inches) 1744mm / 68.66 in 1744mm / 68.66 in TBA Height (mm) 1432mm / 56.38 in 1432mm / 56.38 in TBA Wheelbase (mm) 2495mm / 98.23 in 2495mm / 98.23 in 2495mm / 98.23 Curb weight (kg/lbs) 1260kg / 2,778 lbs 1285kg / 2,832 lbs TBA Fuel Capacity L/Gallons TBA TBA TBA Luggage capacity (seats up/seats down 210 liters / 725 liters 210 liters / 725 liters 210 liters / 725 liters 
The F66 2025 MINI Cooper Model Range
Produced in Oxford, the F66 will take over as the F56 ends production in February of 2024. That means we’ll see the first F66 MINI Coopers roll off the line next March as the plant begins it’s pivots into a new generation of MINIs.
The F66 MINI Cooper Family Drivetrain Start of Production F66 MINI Cooper 155 HP (Petrol) 03/2024 F66 MINI Cooper S 200 HP (Petrol) 03/2024 F66 MINI Cooper JCW 231 HP (Petrol) 03/2024* F65 MINI Cooper 5 Door 155 HP (Petrol) 07/2024 F65 MINI Cooper S 5 Door 200 HP (Petrol) 07/2024 F67 MINI Cooper Convertible 155 HP (Petrol) 11/2024 F67 MINI Cooper S Convertible 200 HP (Petrol) 11/2024 F67 MINI Cooper JCW Convertible 231 HP (Petrol) 03/2025* * Unconfirmed As you can see above the changeover will happen in three phases. The first is the iconic two door Cooper which should be available at launch in Cooper and Cooper S models. We believe MINI will formally begin production of the JCW version of the F66 a little alter in July but that’s yet to be confirmed. There’s still a chance we could see that actually happen in March as well.
Next will be the five door F65 MINI Cooper launch in both Cooper and Cooper S models. Finally the brand will launch its last ever ICE car, the F67 convertible in Cooper and Cooper S models. We believe the JCW F67 will either launch simultaneously or follow in March of 2025.
Official Release and Ordering Dates
Because MINI is aggressively becoming an electric brand, it’s appears to be much more focused on the launch of the J01 and electric Countryman for the time being. That leaves the F66 in an interesting spot given that it will likely be a volume seller in markets such as the US. While we don’t have concrete info on official release or ordering dates yet, the fact that our sources aren’t telling us anything yet would likely indicate that MINI will wait until closer to the the start of production in March 2024 to formally launch the car.
For much more on the F66 family of internal combustion MINIs, head to the F66 section of MotoringFile where we details everything from the single exhaust to the revised power outp
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After a 2 week delay that was 100% my fault, I am proud to deliver the latest episode of White Roof Radio. Getting started with news and MINIUSA on again off again manual transmission status is finally updated, for reals, to no longer offering a manual transmission on any of the models. Of course, details on getting one can be found at MotoringFile.
Gabe also just wrapped up his stint with a good MINI with a terrible name. Maybe the worst named MINI in the history of MINI; The Untamed Edition. The short version you hear, for the full review, including video, can also be found at MF. By the way, Untamed is worse than Untold, don’t listen to two weeks ago db, he was wrong.
Moving on, we all agree that the R53 is the G.O.A.T. Chad does school us on some gotchas that can come along with owning an old MINI. Gabe is looking really hard at getting an R53, but that could change. What do you think he should get?
Special thanks to the extra technical info provided by Chad! Are you looking for the sunroof drain fix? Detroit Tuned has your covered!
From the archives, when we talked to Randy Webb during Woofcast 9 when Todd learned what adiabatic expansion was. By following that link, you will find that episode 9 has been restored! And, as mentioned, you really can’t beat watching James May reassemble anything, especially a Honda Monkey. This is worth the 45 minutes.
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The petrol powered MINI Cooper JCW isn’t dead yet. In fact MINI is just months away from unveiling a new ICE version of the ionic hot hatch based on a heavily revised F56 JCW. But this isn’t just a refreshed F56 JCW. While aspects of the car will be carried over, MINI will be making some big changes with the F66 2025 MINI Cooper JCW.
First it’s important to give some context. Despite MINI’s talk of going electric with the all new J01 Cooper, it’s releasing one last generation of ICE (internal combustion engine) MINI Coopers early next year. The pinnacle of this new model range will be the Cooper JCW.
Now let’s discuss that name. For years MINI has used the name Cooper as a way to denote trim levels across all of its products. Everything from the hatch (as it was called) to the Clubman and Countryman had the name Cooper in it. Starting with this new generation of products that practice is now dead. MINI is using the name Cooper as the model name only for its iconic small car. Thus the MINI Hardtop 2 door JCW (as it has been known in the US) will now be simply called the MINI Cooper JCW.
F66 MINI Cooper JCW testing at the Nurburgring The Power Output of the 2025 MINI Cooper JCW
The 2025 MINI Cooper JCW will have a slightly revised B48 engine under the hood – more specifically the B48A20O2. We say slightly because the 2025 MINI JCW will continue to have the same 228 hp (231 bhp) output as we’ve seen since 2015. More specifically the new MINI Cooper JCW will have 228 hp @ 5000 rpm. Needless to say that number will disappoint all those that expected more for this new generation JCW. Rumors had been floated of something near 260 hp and plenty had hoped for something even bigger.
Why are we not seeing an improvement when the Cooper and Cooper S are getting modest power upgrades? Or the Countryman which gets even bigger power hikes? For one the Countryman’s B48 engines contain a mild hybrid power unit while the Cooper engines will not due to packaging restrictions. Otherwise we don’t have great answers other than this lack of a JCW upgrade leaves room for MINI to eventually tweak software and hardware for a light refresh in a few years. And we know the DCT transmission can handle more torque so there appears to be no component related reason holding MINI back.
The 2025 F67 MINI Cooper JCW Convertible However there is one subtle improvement. Torque will increase from 236 to 258 ft lbs giving the car a touch more grunt. And it peaks lower in the rev range as well. Previously in the F56 JCW torque maxed-out at 1,450. The B48A20O2 sees this change to 1,250 rpm meaning maximum power is even more immediate.
Finally the B48A20O2 is also a cleaner engine than its predecessor and should see a slight increase in MPG as well.
Why no power increase? Simply put MINI is spending enormous sums of money to turn its entire range into EVs. With that massive investment as backdrop, the brand has had to be smart where it reinvents vs where it evolves its products. The good news is that the F56 is a great based in which to evolve from. It’s been the most successful new MINI yet and has an excellent track record in both reliability and performance.
No the new JCW will not have a single exhaust pipe. The JCW Manual Transmission Is Dead
For those reading MotoringFile this likely won’t be a total surprise as we’ve reported on this several times over the last 9 months. But it’s still a shocking development given the popularity of the option. In fact since we exclusively reported the news, the MINI USA manual take-rate has gone up to over 50%.
It’s devastating move for a lot of MINI’s biggest fans as it’s a huge part of the brand’s history and slots well into the MINI’s core philosophy of creating cars that are engaging the drive.
Why would MINI eliminate manuals despite the fact that the F66 is mechanically identical to the F56 and could easily carry over the current Getrag 6 speed? It’s likely about simplifying drivetrains components and cutting costs within manufacturing. And for Europe (where CO2 targets are much more stringent) the manual is slightly dirtier.
The F66 gear selector moves from the console to the dash in the form of a discrete toggle switch. However in markets like US, where CO2 targets don’t have the same impact, why not continue to offer it? That’s likely down to the business case. Offering it one country means that the volumes go down dramatically which means MINI is spending more per unit and MINI would lose a chance to simplify the production process just has it’s about to get more complex with new models.
In its place will be a revised 7 speed dual clutch (DCT) with JCW specific software for more aggressive programing which should decrease shift times. The revised dual clutch transmission is just like the one offered in current Cooper and Cooper S models combining two partial transmissions in a single housing. The core element of the system consists of two oil-cooled wet clutches: one of these is responsible for the even transmission ratios (2, 4, 6) while the other is for the uneven ratios (1, 3, 5, 7) and reverse. During travel, one of the two clutches is open and the other is closed. They interact when the driver shifts up or down: opening one clutch activates closure of the second at the same time.
Chassis and Brake Updates
This is where the F66 MINI Cooper JCW is a straight evolution from the F56 version. This starts with the braking system which will be carried over. That means we’ll see a 4-piston fixed caliper upfront with internally ventilated, drilled brake disk up front (335x30mm). In the back (where there’s less weight to worry about) MINI will continue with a single piston floating caliper and a disk that’s 259x10mm. All four calipers will be finished in the traditional Chili Red.
The chassis and suspension will see subtle improvements with MINI further refining its adaptive suspension design. While we don’t yet have details we’re told this focuses on improving ride quality while not forgoing any performance.
In this exclusive zoomed in photo you can see a central exhaust and single pipe that looks to be in nearly final production form. 2025 MINI Cooper JCW To Feature Single Pipe Exhaust
In another surprising move MINI is moving from a two pipe single exhaust to a larger single pipe exhaust. In the exclusive image below you can see a single exhaust pipe (with a stainless steel sleeve), the transversely mounted exhaust and even the aluminum shield underneath it. Look even closer and you’ll see the production version of the single LED reverse light just above the exhaust tip which (one could imagine) would look somewhat integrated with the cutout of the pipe.
The current F56 Cooper S Exhaust design shows that the “dual exhaust” is nothing more than two small pipes from a single exhaust. Why a single exhaust pipe? Let’s start with the exhaust itself. One thing that most don’t know is that the MINI Cooper S and JCW have had a single muffler system since the R56. The fact that two outlets came out the back has primarily been for aesthetics.
In fact there have been more than a few MINI race cars over the years that have gone with the exhaust single pipe design. Why? When asked they consistently have told us it’s both more power efficient and lighter. So in other words exactly what you want in both race cars and modern performance cars.
Why wouldn’t MINI have always had a single exhaust? It comes down to marketing and the very simple concept; two exhaust pipes means more power than one in the eyes of the car buying public. In fact you’ll see this on display later this year when the quad-exhaust JCW Countryman debuts.
Corresponding with the move away from manuals is a completely new gear lever design that mirrors what we’ve seen on the electric J01 and U25 MINI Countryman. What will remain are revised paddle shifters which will be standard on all JCW models.
The 2025 F67 MINI Cooper JCW Convertible 2025 MINI Cooper JCW Wheel Options
Similar to the F56 we’ll see several JCW option ranging from 17” to 18” wheels. However the design of those wheels will change. Tire sizes however will remain consistent with the F56.
F66 ICE MINI Cooper F66 ICE MINI Cooper S F66 JCW 16” 4 Square Spoke 17” U-Spoke grey 17” John Cooper Works Sprint Spoke black 17” U-Spoke vibrant silver 17” U-Spoke vibrant silver 18” John Cooper Works Lap Spoke 2-tone 17” U-Spoke grey 17” Parallel Spoke 2-tone 18″ John Cooper Works Lap Spoke 2-tone w/Sport tires 17” Parallel Spoke 2-tone 18” Night Flash Spoke 2-tone 18” Slide Spoke 2-tone 18” Slide Spoke 2-tone 
The 2024 F56 Cooper SE and the 2025 J01 Cooper SE. The F66 will adopt the styling of the J01 inside and out. Why is MINI Refreshing the F56 rather than Replacing it?
If you’ve been following MotoringFile you’ll know that MINI is splitting its core model – the Cooper – into two distinct products. That means we’ll see two next generation MINI Coopers (hatches) built on opposite ends of the planet on two different platforms; one a EV (J01) and one ICE powered (F66). This move will allow MINI to offer innovative electric offerings while still selling to the traditional ICE market for as long as possible.
The J01 JCW trim. While not a fully JCW production, it gives us a clue as to how the J01 and F66 JCW model will look. The F66 will see styling changes that mirror the J01 and huge tech improvements inside the cabin. But mechanically it will be mostly the same car with just the Cooper S getting a noticeable engine upgrade (more on that soon).
For much more on styling and technology changes, read our full report on the F66.
The 2025 F67 MINI Cooper JCW Convertible 2025 MINI Cooper JCW Launch Timing and End of Production
Produced in Oxford, the F66 will take over as the F56 ends production in February of 2024. That means we’ll see the first F66 MINI Coopers roll off the line next March as the plant begins its pivots into a new generation of MINIs. We expect the F66 MINI Cooper JCW will go into production beginning in March of 2024.
The F66 MINI Cooper Family Drivetrain Start of Production End of Production F66 MINI Cooper 155 HP (Petrol) 03/2024 12/31/30 F66 MINI Cooper S 200 HP (Petrol) 03/2024 12/31/30 F66 MINI Cooper JCW 231 HP (Petrol) 03/2024* 12/31/30 F65 MINI Cooper 5 Door 155 HP (Petrol) 07/2024 12/31/30 F65 MINI Cooper S 5 Door 200 HP (Petrol) 07/2024 12/31/30 F67 MINI Cooper Convertible 155 HP (Petrol) 11/2024 12/31/30 F67 MINI Cooper S Convertible 200 HP (Petrol) 11/2024 12/31/30 F67 MINI Cooper JCW Convertible 231 HP (Petrol) 03/2025* 12/31/30 * Unconfirmed What do you think? Does the F66 JCW sound interesting with its styling changes and technology upgrades? Or is it a non-starter without a manual. Let us know below in the comments.
The post Exclusive: F66 2025 MINI Cooper JCW Gets Major Updates While Staying Old-School first appeared on MotoringFile.
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Since MINI bought the John Cooper Works name from the Cooper family, the brand has been slowly evolving the look and feel of its performance sub-brand. Today that visual evolution takes a dramatic step with an entirely new logo that is being unveiled alongside the new generation of MINIs recently announced this fall.
While we’ve seen the new logo (and identity) on several launch cars, MINI has yet to formally comment on the new logo and other aspects of the revised JCW identity. Today that changes as MINI is formally unveiling the logo in the most unlikely places – the season finale of the Rundstrecken-Challenge Nürburgring 2023.
The new John Cooper Works logo is an expression of the boundless enthusiasm and pride we feel for John Cooper Works. John Cooper Works and motorsport play a central role in the DNA of MINI. They will continue to drive our innovative spirit and creativity in the future.
Stefanie Wurst, MINI Brand Director.
The fact that the logo appears as the F56 JCW 1to6 edition race car is ironic given that it’s a car that will never wear it. The change over will correspond with the new generation of MINIs including the J01 MINI Cooper EV, F66/F67/F56 MINI Cooper ICE, U25 Countryman and the J05 MINI Aceman.
MotoringFile’s Take
That’s a departure. Those were the first words that we uttered as we saw the new logo in a windowless room in Munich at a pre-reveal of MINI’s 4th generation models. But time has been kind to the design for us and we’re finally getting use to the rather dramatic change from the old “surf-board” logo style we’ve been used to. It’s a cleaner, more modern looking one that is also an easier read on the road.
That doesn’t mean the won’t miss that old elongated badge logo that dated back to 2002. The revised version that came out on the R56 was very evolutionary and more than anything cleaned up the type of make it more legible. This new version does away with all of us in an effort to mirror MINI’s new more minimal aesthetic. To us it’s successful on both counts but we have no doubt more than a few of you will be disappointed in such a big change.
Race Results
Oh and about that race. Driven by Sebastian Sauerbrei (GER) and Friedhelm Thelen (GER), the MINI John Cooper Works 1to6 (complete with a 6-speed manual transmission) had a solid performance throughout the wet race and finished 53rd, out of 158 cars. In the class for production-based cars with a displacement of 1,600 to 2,000 cc and turbochargers, the black MINI John Cooper Works Edition finished 13th out of 23 cars that started.
raced the MINI John Cooper Works Edition. Sebastian Sauerbrei achieved his personal best placement in a 24-hour race this year behind the wheel of this exact car. Friedhelm Thelen is a Nürburgring expert and team boss of Bulldog Racing.
The MINI JCW 1to6 Race Car at the Rundstrecken-Challenge Nürburgring 2023
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If you’ve been following MotoringFile you’ll know that MINI is splitting its core model – the Cooper – into two very different products. The car that’s gotten all the press lately is of course the all new J01 electric MINI Cooper. Built on a bespoke electric platform, it represents the future of the brand in the eyes of BMW. But for anyone not ready to go electric MINI will offer a heavily revised F56 MINI Cooper known as the F66 family of cars. However MINI has been extremely tight-lipped on launch timing for the F66. Luckily we’ve got answers.
The F66 MINI Cooper will be a heavily revised version o the F56 complete with an almost identical exterior design complete with new trim, lights and wheels among other things. Inside the F66 will take the interior from the J01 complete with circular screen, new materials and a very different layout.
Details like the single exhaust are new. Produced in Oxford, the F66 will take over as the F56 ends production in February of 2024. That means we’ll see the first F66 MINI Coopers roll off the line next March as the plant begins it’s pivots into a new generation of MINIs.
The F66 MINI Cooper Family Drivetrain Start of Production F66 MINI Cooper 155 HP (Petrol) 03/2024 F66 MINI Cooper S 200 HP (Petrol) 03/2024 F66 MINI Cooper JCW 231 HP (Petrol) 07/2024* F65 MINI Cooper 5 Door 155 HP (Petrol) 07/2024 F65 MINI Cooper S 5 Door 200 HP (Petrol) 07/2024 F67 MINI Cooper Convertible 155 HP (Petrol) 11/2024 F67 MINI Cooper S Convertible 200 HP (Petrol) 11/2024 F67 MINI Cooper JCW Convertible 231 HP (Petrol) 03/2025* * Unconfirmed As you can see above the changeover will happen in three phases. The first is the iconic two door Cooper which should be available at launch in Cooper and Cooper S models. We believe MINI will formally begin production of the JCW version of the F66 a little alter in July but that’s yet to be confirmed. There’s still a chance we could see that actually happen in March as well.
Next will be the five door F65 MINI Cooper launch in both Cooper and Cooper S models. Finally the brand will launch its last ever ICE car, the F67 convertible in Cooper and Cooper S models. We believe the JCW F67 will either launch simultaneously or follow in March of 2025.
Official Release and Ordering Dates
Because MINI is aggressively becoming an electric brand, it’s appears to be much more focused on the launch of the J01 and electric Countryman for the time being. That leaves the F66 in an interesting spot given that it will likely be a volume seller in markets such as the US. While we don’t have concrete info on official release or ordering dates yet, the fact that our sources aren’t telling us anything yet would likely indicate that MINI will wait until closer to the the start of production in March 2024 to formally launch the car.
For much more on the F66 family of internal combustion MINIs, head to the F66 section of MotoringFile where we details everything from the single exhaust to the revised power output.
The F66 2025 MINI Cooper Gallery
This is Just the Start – An Entire New MINI Family is Coming
Beyond the F66 there’s much more coming form the MINI brand. The new J01 MINI Cooper electric and U25 MINI Countryman (electric) will begin production this November with the the internal combustion U25 Countryman starting in Q1 2024. Finally we’ll see the all electric MINI Aceman crossover which effectively takes the place of the beloved MINI Clubman. The Aceman will be a small crossover roughly the size of the original MINI Countryman and will be released late next year.
For more coverage of the new generation MINI released recently, check out the following articles and videos.
MINI Cooper EV: Premier | MINI Cooper EV: Hands-On Review | MINI Cooper EV: Video Review
MINI Countryman EV: Premier | MINI Countryman EV: Hands-On Review | MINI Countryman EV: Video Review
New MINI Family: 1st Look Video | MINI Circular Display & MINI OS9 Hands-On ReviewThe post Exclusive Launch Details on the F66 (ICE) 2025 MINI Cooper first appeared on MotoringFile.
The post Exclusive Launch Details on the F66 (ICE) 2025 MINI Cooper appeared first on MotoringFile.
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The U25 electric MINI Countryman is a hugely important new offering from the brand that takes its best selling model and pairs it up with 100% electric power. It’s one of the most highly anticipated models from the brand ever yet in just a few years MINI plans to kill it. Taking its place will be something completely new and the most advanced product from the brand ever.
The same sources that we’ve partnered with to decipher so many aspects the 4th generation MINIs in the last few years are now helping us uncover what’s next. The first bombshell is just how short a lifespan the U25 electric MINI Countryman will have. We can now exclusively report that the electric version of the U25 MINI Countryman will cease production in October 2028 lasting less than five years on the market.
That doesn’t mean the U25 generation of the MINI Countryman will be dead in 2028. The ICE powered Countryman C, S and JCW will have (at least) a normal seven year product cycle until its production ends on December 31st, 2030. And even that’s influx. We’re hearing that that date is tentative and might be extended based on demand. But more on that at a later date.
MINI Countryman – Electric Models Drivetrain Start of Production End of Production U25 MINI Countryman E Electric 03/2024 10/2028 U25 MINI Countryman SE ALL4 Electric 03/2024 10/2028 MINI Countryman – ICE Models U25 MINI Countryman C ICE (Petrol) 11/2023 12/2030* U25 MINI Countryman D ICE (Diesel) 11/2023 12/2030* U25 MINI Countryman S ALL4 ICE (Petrol) 11/2023 12/2030* U25 MINI John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4 ICE (Petrol) 03/2024 12/2030* * Tentative as demand may push this back Why is MINI Killing Its First Electric Countryman So Early?
Why is MINI killing such an important electric model early? Because it has something better coming. The U25 Countryman is based on an updated FAAR platform (FAAR WE) and it was designed as a stop-gap of sorts. It can accommodate everything from an internal combustion power-plant to a plugin hybrid (which only BMW offers on this platform) to full electric. Because of this Swiss-army knife approach there are tradeoffs. For one the electric U25 MINI Countryman can’t pack as many battery cells as dedicated skateboard chassis EV can because it has to deal with structure built for internal combustion drivetrains. And there are many other trade-offs that have to be made to allow a single platform to work for so many drivetrain options.
But that reason alone isn’t why MINI won’t have a full seven year model lifecycle for the new U25 MINI Countryman electric.
A clay model from the development of the J01 MINI Cooper The 2028 NE5 MINI Countryman
MINI is replacing the electric version of the U25 with an all new Countryman based on an all new BMW platform designed from the ground-up to be electric. The 2028 MINI Countryman (codenamed the NE5) will be the first MINI based on BMW’s all new dedicated electric platform known as the Neue Klasse. The Neue Klasse (or NCAR as it’s known internally) will be BMW’s single platform that will underpin every future BMW and MINI across the range. Because of the highly variable nature of skateboard chassis, that means there will be foundational elements of the NCAR in everything from a MINI Countryman to a BMW X7.
Given the inherent benefits of using a dedicated electric platform for future EVs, BMW and MINI are planning to aggressively move their electric offerings to the new platform. Naturally this timeline means different things for different cars depending on where they are in their lifecycle. For MINI this means an under five year lifecycle for the U25 electric Countryman. Similarly for the just announced BMW X2, we’d expect a short life-span. However for a car like the BMW X1 (which is a twin of the U25 Countryman) the timing lines-up much closer to the standard seven year lifecycle.
At the time of publication, our sources are telling us to expect the NE5 MINI Countryman EV to have a lifecycle from 11/2028 to 10/2036.
The U25 MINI Countryman in early design form Two Completely Different Countryman On the Market At the Same Time
The result of this strategy will see two very different Countryman on sale at the same time. Not unlike the forthcoming electric J01 and ICE F66 MINI Cooper, the U25 and NE5 will be sold alongside of each other for several years in an attempt to offer consumers a choice of powertrains as much of the world gradually goes electric.
Our assumption is that the launch of the NE5 Countryman will coincide with the LCI of the U25 giving MINI a chance to create a similar design approach for both cars. That would be the same strategy as the J01 and F66 which means that the powertrain is the key buying factor vs the exterior and interior design.
BMW isn’t the only brand with this strategy. Porsche is going down the same route with the ICE powered Porsche Macan and the all new Macan EV. The thought from both MINI and Porsche is simple. Hedge your bets because different markets will adopt EVs at a different pace. How long will MINI offer ICE powered models? While MINI has tentative end of production dates associated with all of its ICE offerings, there’s always a chance that could slip based on demand.
Does This Mean I Shouldn’t Consider a U25 MINI Countryman Electric?
Absolutely not. Five years is a longtime and if you’re always waiting for something better or new, you’ll be stuck in an endless cycle of wait or regret. Our opinion is to buy what you need, want or something that just makes you happy. And from our brief time with the U25 2025 MINI Countryman, we think a lot of buyers will be just that.
The post Exclusive: MINI to Kill the New Countryman Electric Early first appeared on MotoringFile.
The post Exclusive: MINI to Kill the New Countryman Electric Early appeared first on MotoringFile.
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Since its re-introduction, wheel design has been one of the more important factors for MINI models in how they differentiate themselves but also how it allows owners to customize their cars. That’s why when a new wheel option shows up, people take note. But we don’t have a new option to talk about to today, we have nine of them in this exclusive preview.
Since the J01 MINI Cooper EV was shown earlier this fall, we’ve seen hundreds of photos of what is basically the same launch specification. Unfortunately that means we haven’t officially gotten a good look at the wheel options that are coming for the J01 or the F66 – which will offer identical wheels.
You read that right. Despite the radical differences beneath the skin, these two MINI Coopers will have identical wheel offerings and almost identical exterior design (look for more on the F66 soon).
18″ JCW Lap Spoke 18″ JCW Lap Spoke 2025 MINI Cooper Wheels
First let’s look at the F66 ICE Cooper. Based on what we know we believe will be offering a subset of smaller wheels on the Cooper with at least one 18″ options.
F66 ICE MINI Cooper Wheel Options 17” U-Spoke grey 17” U-Spoke vibrant silver 17” Parallel Spoke 2-tone 16” 4 Square Spoke 18” Slide Spoke 2-tone The 18” Slide Spoke 2-tone in black As is typical for MINI, the Cooper S will get a largest variety of wheels starting at 17″ in size and even a few 18″.
F66 ICE MINI Cooper S Wheel Options 17” U-Spoke grey 17” U-Spoke vibrant silver 17” Parallel Spoke 2-tone 18” Night Flash Spoke 2-tone 18” Slide Spoke 2-tone The F66 ICE MINI with the same 18″ JCW Lap Spoke Wheels Finally the JCW model will offer the most limited range but with a focus on 18″ wheels. From what we can tell, MINI will offer extreme sport tires on the 18″ JCW Lap Some wheels. It’s unclear if these are simply summer tires or more aggressive still.
F66 ICE MINI JCW Wheel Options 17” John Cooper Works Sprint Spoke black 18” John Cooper Works Lap Spoke 2-tone 18″ John Cooper Works Lap Spoke 2-tone with sport tires 
Finally the electric J01 MINI will offer a subset of the same wheels. Our sources are unclear on how this will breakdown between the Cooper E and Cooper SE and eventual JCW versions of the J01 so there’s the full list as we know it.
J01 Electric MINI Cooper E/SE Wheel Options 17” U-Spoke grey 17” U-Spoke vibrant silver 17” Parallel Spoke 2-tone 18” John Cooper Works Lap Spoke 2-tone 18” Night Flash Spoke 2-tone 18” Slide Spoke 2-tone This is Just the Start – An Entire New MINI Family is Coming
The new J01 MINI Cooper electric and U25 MINI Countryman (electric) will begin production this November with the the internal combustion U25 Countryman starting in Q1 2024. Then we’ll see the heavily revised F56 morph into the F66 internal combustion MINI Cooper. This will be MINI’s answer to all those who want a Cooper but aren’t ready for electric. Finally we’ll see the all electric MINI Aceman crossover which effectively takes the place of the beloved MINI Clubman. The Aceman will be a small crossover roughly the size of the original MINI Countryman and will be released late next year.
For more coverage of the new generation MINI released recently, check out the following articles and videos.
MINI Cooper EV: Premier | MINI Cooper EV: Hands-On Review | MINI Cooper EV: Video Review
MINI Countryman EV: Premier | MINI Countryman EV: Hands-On Review | MINI Countryman EV: Video Review
New MINI Family: 1st Look Video | MINI Circular Display & MINI OS9 Hands-On ReviewThe post Exclusive Look at the 9 New 2025 MINI Cooper Wheels first appeared on MotoringFile.
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The 2025 MINI Countryman will be the most technically capable MINI ever made. Whether it’s fully electric or ICE powered, the U25 is a giant step for the brand in how it adopts BMW tech. One of the biggest additions will be its autonomous driving features.
The feature is called Driving Assistant Professional and it’s a massive improvement over the previous adaptive cruise. With the Driving Assistant Professional, the MINI Countryman enables partially automated Level 2 driving on highways for the first time. If you’ve been following MotoringFile all year you’ll remember us exclusively reporting on this feature last spring. However until today we didn’t have some of the final technical details.
Currently MINI has only one light autonomous feature – adaptive cruise. While helpful it really does one thing – follow the car in front. MINI’s aim is to introduce this technology as an option meant primarily for highway purposes.
When engaged, Driving Assistant Professional allows the driver to take their hands off the wheel at speeds of up to 37 mph (60 km/h), as long as they have their eyes on the road (as determined by an eye tracker) and are ready to intervene at any time.
We’ve used this system in BMW’s extensively and it really does work as advertised – you can take your hands off the wheel entirely as long as your eyes are on the road. The car will stop, go, turn and even change lanes on command using the turn signal.
The thin grey strip above “set” is one of the two LED lights that lets you know the system is active Once you reach 38 MPH the system switches modes and goes into a more simplistic autonomous setting which requires a driver’s hands to rest on the wheel. However the system works identically, following traffic, the curves of the road and will even change lanes based on the driver using the turn signal. However at these speeds the system requires hands-on the wheel or at least pressure of some kind.
This feature has been optional on BMWs for years and in our experience is ideal for stop and go traffic. However MINI’s system adds a new wrinkle as it can identify gaps in traffic needed to change lanes to get to an exit. It then brings the vehicle to the optimum speed for assisted lane changes. The MINI will let know when it’s successfully on via two green lights on the steering wheel. When it can’t detect your eyes (in hands-free) or hands (at higher speeds) those green lights being to flash orange.
While MINI is focused on that Level 2, hands-free mode intended mostly for traffic jams, it’s the higher speed (above 38 mph) that you’ll likely find much more useful. In this mode the system uses a combination of adaptive cruise and steering input to follow well marked highways without intervention. It uses steering and lane guidance assistant and also includes lane keeping, lane change assistant with active side collision protection and the emergency stop assistant.
In our experience in BMW it’s a great feature for anyone who does long stretches highway driving. While it doesn’t take over completely and your hands have to remain on the wheel, it lessens the cognitive load on those long road-trips.
Note the black area on the center of the grille of this F67 test mule. This is where the radar portion of the systems sensors reside. Autonomous Options Coming the MINI Cooper
The Countryman won’t be the only MINI product with the new Level 2 Autonomous features. While we believe the entire range will eventually get the option, it’s the combustion F66 MINI Cooper that will get it at launch.
Driving Assistant Professional replies several cameras and a front mounted radar in the grille. The system is actually made up of two options: Driving Assistant (5AS) and the Driving Assistant Plus (5AT). The U25 Countryman and the F66 Cooper will feature this system at launch while the electric J01 MINI Cooper and J05 MINI Aceman will eventually get them.
The 2025 MINI Countryman Model Range
The Countryman begins production this November in C, D and S All4 models. The electric production should begin this March alongside the new JCW Countryman.
MINI Countryman – Electric Models Drivetrain German Pricing US Pricing Start of Production U25 MINI Countryman E Electric 43.500€ N/A 03/2024 U25 MINI Countryman SE ALL4 Electric 49.500€ $45,200 03/2024* MINI Countryman – ICE Models U25 MINI Countryman C ICE (Petrol) 39.900€ N/A 11/2023 U25 MINI Countryman D ICE (Diesel) 42.900€ N/A 11/2023 U25 MINI Countryman S ALL4 ICE (Petrol) 45.900€ $38,900 11/2023* U25 MINI John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4 ICE (Petrol) 56.500€ TBA 03/2024* * Available in the US at launch This is Just the Start – An Entire New MINI Family is Coming
The new J01 MINI Cooper electric and U25 MINI Countryman will begin production this November and will kick off the new MINI family. Then we’ll see the heavily revised F56 morph into the F66 internal combustion MINI Cooper. This will be MINI’s answer to all those who want a Cooper but aren’t ready for electric. Finally we’ll see the all electric MINI Aceman crossover which effectively takes the place of the beloved MINI Clubman. The Aceman will be a small crossover roughly the size of the original MINI Countryman and will be released late next year.
For more coverage of the new generation MINI released recently, check out the following articles and videos.
MINI Cooper EV: Premier | MINI Cooper EV: Hands-On Review | MINI Cooper EV: Video Review
MINI Countryman EV: Premier | MINI Countryman EV: Hands-On Review | MINI Countryman EV: Video Review
New MINI Family: 1st Look Video | MINI Circular Display & MINI OS9 Hands-On ReviewThe post The 2025 MINI Countryman to Feature Level 2 Autonomous Driving first appeared on MotoringFile.
The post The 2025 MINI Countryman to Feature Level 2 Autonomous Driving appeared first on MotoringFile.
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The first real-world gallery along with an executive summary of the new 2025 MINI Countryman SE
The MINI Countryman SE is a big deal for the brand. It’s on an all new platform that makes it both noticeably bigger and more powerful than ever. But wrapping your head around the size and the new styling isn’t easy (see all the negative commentary online). That’s why these photos are a big deal as they represent the first time MINI has released a full gallery of real-world shots of this all new 2025 MINI Countryman.
In this article we’re not only going to show you a real-world view of the 2025 electric MINI Countryman but we’re going to take you on a quick tour of the car inside and out. For more details on the technical side of the car, head to our U25 section where you’ll read exclusive technical details among other things.
Exterior – First Hands on Impressions
Walking up to the all new MINI Countryman Electric for the first time you’re immediately struck by two things in quick succession. First, the size. This new Countryman now feels like a true crossover ready to fully compete in its segment. Then they it hits you – this thing has curves. Sculpture on the fenders. A vertical ridge just behind the front tire. There’s dimension to the car that we’ve never seen before in a MINI. Whether it all works for you or not, its clear MINI has
The result is a Countryman that not only looks more sophisticated but also is more upright, athletic. A lot of that is missed in most still imagery but you can see some of that here.
Countryman looks a bit challenging when we first saw it in the leaked photos from earlier this year. But in person things immediately start to connect. For one you get a sense of accurate scale. While it’s indeed larger, (5 inches in length) this new Countryman has proportions that work – maybe even better than the previous F60.
While we’ve always loved the original R60 for its size and brashness, there was a lot going on from a styling perspective. Then there’s the F60 which looks a bit ungainly from some angles owning to proportions that always felt a touch off. This new Countryman fixes all of those issues with a new, simplistic design language that MINI calls Charismatic Minimalism. The philosophy replies on reducing the elements down to the absolutely core, creating a more minimal and sophisticated appearance.
One thing that has been lost in the need for aero efficiency is the grab-style door handles. In their place are door handles that, while more aero efficient, are hard to grab and will annoy anyone not used to them.
The front of the new Countryman is much more angular and upfront that we’ve seen previously. While there’s a reduction in shapes and materials upfront, it’s not as starkly minimal as the new Cooper. Instead MINI has patterns in the plastic fenders (which are still here as oppose to the new Cooper) and indents on the front splitter and rear bumper.
But there’s no question this is one area that divides a lot of fans of the brand. It’s a big departure from the round designs we’ve seen from the past. Part of this departure has to do with the simplicity of the front bumper design.
Interior – First Hands on Impressions
Like the Cooper, the Countryman has done away with the cluster display and minimized other controls in the name of simplification. Not unlike the original MINI, the Countryman has been designed to do more with the space it has. For instance gone is the center console and shifter. In its place, just below the toggle switches is an optional Qi wireless charger for smartphones and behind that two large, integrated cupholders.
You’ll be happy to know the design works well in that your phone is visible and continuously charging at the same time – all with no wires. And yes, the cupholders look big enough for most American-sized drinks. I say most because I am sad to report the ubiquitous Nalgene 32 oz water bottle will not fit in the door pocket as it does in the current F60. As a dedicated Naglene user who appreciates being hydrated, it feels like an unfortunate oversight.
Like the new Cooper, MINI is offering a system that allows you to personalize your console with several options storage areas. Want more cupholders? You can add them just like you can add larger storage units as well. If that sounds familiar it’s because this new system is inspired by the original Countryman’s center rail, this new system allows for several different configurations with MINI’s upcoming accessory plans. But what makes this different than the rail system is that it’s also functional storage with no accessories at all. It’s worth noting that the two systems in the cars are not compatible due to the differences in width.
One of the bigger criticisms inside has been the elimination of leather and the textiles used in place of polyurethane foam. I know it seems odd at first, but trust us, it looks and feels great in person. In fact after spending some time with the new MINIs (both have this as standard) you wonder why we’ve had black foam on cars for so long.
The move from polyurethane based foam rubber outer layer to fabric makes sense for several reasons. For one it’s cooler in hot conditions which will play well in hot climates (which seems to be much of the southern US these days). Then there’s the environmental impact as it’s both made from recycled fibers and itself is easily recyclable. Finally it allows MINI to be much more bold (or not) in its interior designs.
How does it feel? Very robust and clearly designed for a very long life-span. However my first thought was, how do I clean it? I asked folks from MINI that question and the answer was pretty simple – a damp cloth.
Leather is also gone from the MINI range starting with this new generation. Due to the environmental impact of leather, MINI has brought several new materials to market that are aimed at either replacing the feel of leather or replacing it with entirely new textile based options. The most popular option will surely be Vescin, MINI’s leather replacement. For a deep dive on the material, read our exclusive look at Vescin.
That New Circular Screen, the MINI OS9 Interface & A Projector?
We’ve already done a full review of both so you’ll definitely want to check that out if you want all the details. But just like the Cooper, the new circular screen dominates the cabin in a good way, adding a clear focal point as well as being successful in combining enormous functionality into one screen. The other thing is does it clean-up the interior making the space more serene.
The one thing that hasn’t been talked about much is the optional light projector behind the screen. It allows the car to extend the Experience Modes with projects light effects on the dash that, in the dark, is very striking. It may sound gimmicky but in real-life it’s a pretty compelling trick. And yes, it can also be turned off.
Our Early Take
This is a very different car than the original R60 MINI Countryman. Larger and more sophisticated, it’s lost some of the striking smallness of the original Countryman. But MINI’s aim was to listen to what consumers wanted and that’s clearly a larger, more capable crossover than even the F60 (much less the R60). But what do you think? Have a look at the full gallery below and let us know in the comments.
The 2025 Electric MINI Countryman SE Photo Gallery
The 2025 MINI Countryman Model Range
MINI Countryman – Electric Models Drivetrain German Pricing US Pricing Start of Production U25 MINI Countryman E Electric 43.500€ N/A 03/2024 U25 MINI Countryman SE ALL4 Electric 49.500€ $45,200 03/2024* MINI Countryman – ICE Models U25 MINI Countryman C ICE (Petrol) 39.900€ N/A 11/2023 U25 MINI Countryman D ICE (Diesel) 42.900€ N/A 11/2023 U25 MINI Countryman S ALL4 ICE (Petrol) 45.900€ $38,900 11/2023* U25 MINI John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4 ICE (Petrol) 56.500€ TBA 03/2024* * Available in the US at launch This is Just the Start – An Entire New MINI Family is Coming
The new J01 MINI Cooper electric and U25 MINI Countryman (electric) will begin production this November with the the internal combustion U25 Countryman starting in Q1 2024. Then we’ll see the heavily revised F56 morph into the F66 internal combustion MINI Cooper. This will be MINI’s answer to all those who want a Cooper but aren’t ready for electric. Finally we’ll see the all electric MINI Aceman crossover which effectively takes the place of the beloved MINI Clubman. The Aceman will be a small crossover roughly the size of the original MINI Countryman and will be released late next year.
For more coverage of the new generation MINI released recently, check out the following articles and videos.
MINI Cooper EV: Premier | MINI Cooper EV: Hands-On Review | MINI Cooper EV: Video Review
MINI Countryman EV: Premier | MINI Countryman EV: Hands-On Review | MINI Countryman EV: Video Review
New MINI Family: 1st Look Video | MINI Circular Display & MINI OS9 Hands-On ReviewThe post First Real-World Photo Gallery of the 2025 MINI Countryman SE first appeared on MotoringFile.
The post First Real-World Photo Gallery of the 2025 MINI Countryman SE appeared first on MotoringFile.
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The all new MINI Countryman is bigger and more expensive than ever. But the technical data tells a story of a car that is much more capable with more performance and surpassingly good range (on EV version). Is it enough? Let’s look at the data.
The first thing that jumped out to us looking at the data is the curb weight. It’s up as we anticipated but (also as we predicted) not as much as you’d think given the size dan equipment increase. For instance the F60 2023 JCW Countryman weighs 3,688 lbs. Compare that to the all new U25 JCW Countryman at 3,825 lbs and you have only a 137 lbs difference. That’s likely due to the various weight savings measures that BMW built into the new FAAR platform including extensive use of aluminum and lighter steel.
The 2025 U25 JCW Countryman Another area that surprised us was that the ICE powered JCW Countryman is not a mild-hybrid. The C has a 155 hp three cylinder coupled with a 19 hp electric engine. That combines to produce 167 hp with 206 lb or torque. The S (which we don’t have all the data on yet) has the same combo making 241 hp. However why does 19 hp and 155 hp not equal more than the 167 hp listed on the Countryman C? We’ll get that answer from MINI soon.
Countryman Model Countryman E Countryman SE Countryman C Countryman S JCW Power 204 hp 313 hp 167 hp 241 hp 313 hp Torque TBD TBD 206 lb 295 lb 295 lb Transmission 1 Speed 1 Speed 7 speed DCT 7 speed DCT 7 speed DCT Drivetrain front-wheel all-wheel front-wheel all-wheel all-wheel Powertrain type electric electric petrol petrol petrol Cylinders n/a n/a 3 4 4 Displacement n/a n/a 1499 1998 1998 Engine Power N/A N/A 156 hp / 4700 – 6500 TBD 313 hp Engine Torque N/A N/A 177 hp / 4700 – 6500 TBD 295 lb Electric Power 204 hp 313 hp 19 hp 19 hp N/A Electric Torque TBD TBD 55 lb TBD N/A Electric Range (WLTP) 287 miles 270 miles N/A N/A N/A 0-60 mph TBD TBD 8.3 TBD 5.4 Maximum speed 105 mph 112 mph 132 mph TBD 155 mph WLTP l/100 km N/A N/A 40.9 – 46.3 TBD 34 – 36.2 WLTP CO2 N/A N/A 155 – 138 TBD 188 – 177 Length (mm/inches) 4444 / 175 4444 / 175 4444 / 175 4444 / 175 4444 / 175 Width (mm/inches) 1843 / 73 1843 / 73 1843 / 73 1843 / 73 1843 / 73 Height (mm) TBD TBD 1661 / 65 TBD 1665 / 66 Wheelbase (mm) 2069 / 81 2069 / 81 2069 / 81 2069 / 81 2069 / 81 Curb weight (LBS) TBD TBD 3,571 lbs TBD 3,825 lbs Fuel Capacity L/Gallons N/A N/A 45 / 11.8 54 / 14.3 54 / 14.3 Luggage capacity (liters) TBD TBD 450 – 1450 L TBD 505 – 1530 L What else do you see that surprises you? And do you have some figures that we don’t? Let us know in the comments below!
The MINI Countryman E The 2025 MINI Countryman Model Range
MINI Countryman – Electric Models Drivetrain Pricing Start of Production U25 MINI Countryman E Electric 43.500€ 03/2024 U25 MINI Countryman SE ALL4 Electric 49.500€ 03/2024* MINI Countryman – ICE Models U25 MINI Countryman C ICE (Petrol) 39.900€ 11/2023 U25 MINI Countryman D ICE (Diesel) 42.900€ 11/2023 U25 MINI Countryman S ALL4 ICE (Petrol) 45.900€ 11/2023* U25 MINI John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4 ICE (Petrol) 56.500€ 03/2024* * Available in the US at launch For more coverage of the new generation MINI released fall, check out the following articles and videos.
MINI Cooper EV: Premier | MINI Cooper EV: Hands-On Review | MINI Cooper EV: Video Review
MINI Countryman EV: Premier | MINI Countryman EV: Hands-On Review | MINI Countryman EV: Video Review
New MINI Family: 1st Look Video | MINI Circular Display & MINI OS9 Hands-On ReviewThe post 2025 MINI Countryman Technical Data Including Weight, Power & Range first appeared on MotoringFile.
The post 2025 MINI Countryman Technical Data Including Weight, Power & Range appeared first on MotoringFile.
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The all new 2025 MINI Countryman finally has US pricing, performance and range figures. As we’ve been reporting, MINIUSA is killing the base ICE model (formally known as the Cooper). Similarly we’ll only see the higher end electric Countryman SE in the US as well. But more interestingly are some of the figures also announced.
The ICE powered 2024 Countryman S will start at $38,900 in the US. That will get you a fairly well equipped car but certainly not loaded. We’d expect roughly a $10k swing between this new base S model and a fully loaded version.
The other news is that this new Countryman S model will have 241 hp and 295 lbs of torque from its mild hybrid 2.0 liter. That’s more than a 50 hp increase and more than the original F60 JCW model from just five years ago.
The electric Countryman SE will start at $45,200. That’s JCW territory but then again it has more than JCW performance. With 313 hp and a staggering 363 lbs of torque, this Countryman can get to 60 mph in only 5.6 seconds.
Perhaps more important to many potential owners will be the range. MINIUSA is estimating an EPA range of 245 miles. That’s substantially above our previous 225 mile estimate and coupled with 130 kW DC fast charging, is good news for would be owners.
Order banks are now open and like previous limited edition MINIs, you can pre-order online at MINIUSA.com
More info to come…
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Working with its retail partners across Europe, MINI is rolling out direct sales in Europe starting with three countries; Italy, Poland and Sweden. This is the first step in MINI offering direct sales throughout Europe with the brand BMW brand to follow by 2026. What does this mean for European MINI stores? We’ve got answers.
Retailers will remain personal interface to customer and earn fixed commission per car sold +++ Standard nationwide prices will increase price transparency for customers
Next year the BMW Group is poised to embark on an ambitious transformation of its sales strategy, heralding a paradigm shift in sales strategy across Europe. BMW will do this in multiple stages, with the maiden chapter commencing on January 1, 2024, as the MINI brand begins direct sales in Italy, Poland, and Sweden. Subsequently, the remainder of European nations will progressively follow suit, with the BMW brand slated for its transition beginning in 2026.
The new sales model promises a win-win scenario for customers, retail partners, and the BMW Group itself. It includes standardized pricing on equivalent vehicle models across the nation, ensuring an increase in pricing transparency and consistent sales and deliver experiences. Moreover, as the agency model gains momentum, the BMW Group is working to digitalize the entire purchase process, allowing customers the choice between a virtual or physical purchasing experience (or a combination of the two). This fluidity is made possible through a comprehensive, integrated IT infrastructure, further complemented by unfettered access to the familiar and tightly-knit retail network.
“This transition to direct sales with retail partners is a key milestone in the realignment of our Sales division, which has been ongoing since 2020. The new sales model will enable us to communicate directly with our customers and give the BMW Group a direct customer interface. The aim of our new sales model is very clearly to increase customer satisfaction and offer the best premium customer experience in the industry.”
Pieter Nota, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AGWith the new sales model firmly in place, the BMW Group will continue to rely on its existing network of retail partners, harnessing one of its intrinsic strengths – a highly functional and well-established sales structure. This novel approach was meticulously crafted through an extensive process, involving active engagement with retail partners. Pieter Nota expresses his gratitude, stating, “I would like to say a big thank-you to our retailers for their constructive cooperation and the very positive feedback they have given us by signing 100% of our MINI agency contracts. That’s clear confirmation of our plans to move forward together.” The BMW Group anticipates an enduring demand for personal customer interaction, with retail partners at the epicenter of this crucial interaction.
According to BMW, the agency model allows current retailers a forward-looking foundation for their business, replete with enhanced planning certainty. Key to this is retailers being reimbursed through a calculated fixed commission for each vehicle sold. This compensation structure will extend to online transactions, ensuring that retailers are duly rewarded for vehicle deliveries. The new sales model allows them to channel their energies towards providing top-tier customer consultations and care, along with unfettered access to a much larger inventory of MINIs. Feedback from retailers has been overwhelmingly positive, as all European partners have already inked contracts for this new sales model.
The best part for consumers; effective immediately, customers in Italy, Poland, and Sweden have the ability to pre-order for the new all-electric MINI Cooper and the new MINI Countryman 100% online.
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The German version of the J01 MINI Cooper configurator is live! The site went live late yesterday giving us our first look at all of the new MINI colors, options and trim packages. What is also tells us is how MINI intends to group options into Trims and pricing of it all. It all points to a new strategy for how you’ll configure MINIs in the future.
The Trim Strategy
As you can see above the new J01 MINI Cooper EV will have two models at launch the Cooper E and the Cooper SE. Each will have trims Essential, Classic, Favoured and JCW. Which each of those trims you can see MINI is limiting choices like color, wheels and interior materials as well. This isn’t a new move by MINI but it’s clearly leaning into the trim being the most important decision as you begin to spec your new MINI Cooper.
J01 MINI Cooper EV Pricing
Now let’s talk about pricing for a moment. For those in the US looking at these numbers and doing quick calculations, you’ll likely be a bit concerned. Don’t be yet as EU pricing doesn’t translate 1:1 to US pricing as there are several things built into that price that the US doesn’t have. Also it’s important to remember that MINI has yet to formally comment on US availability for the J01 MINI Cooper. However we do know from our sources that MINI USA intends to bring the car to the US once UK production commences in 2026.
The J01 MINI Cooper EV Range Varies Based on Options
Until now we’ve just seen one number of range on the Cooper E and Cooper SE. Now we get to see how options impact the range. While the stock Cooper SE will get 250 miles of range. The same car in JCW trim will only see 240 due to the wider tires and extra aero package. While that’s not a massive change it’s worth understanding the impact of those options if you’re looking to maximize range.
Head over to MINI.de and let us know what else you find!
The J01 2025 MINI Cooper EV Configurator (German)
The Entire New MINI Family
Things kicked off with the new J01 MINI Cooper electric and U25 MINI Countryman (electric & ICE) publicly debuting at the Munich Motor Show last week. While MINI hasn’t confirmed production timing, our sources have confirmed that the J01 will go into production this fall in China and will be sold in Europe, Asia and South America initially.
The J01 MINI Cooper electric and U25 MINI Countryman will be followed by the internal combustion U25 Countryman which will be shown later this year. Then we’ll see the heavily revised F56 morph into the F66 internal combustion MINI Cooper, built in Oxford. This will be MINI’s answer to all those who want a Cooper but aren’t ready for electric. Finally in 2024 we’ll see the all electric MINI Aceman crossover which effectively takes the place of the beloved MINI Clubman. Built initially in China, the small crossover (roughly the size of the original MINI Countryman) will expand with Oxford production in 2026.
The New MINI Family Drivetrain Pricing Start of Production J01 MINI Cooper E Electric 32,900€ 11/2023 J01 MINI Cooper SE Electric 36,900€ 11/2023 U25 MINI Countryman C ICE (Petrol) 39.900€ 11/2023 U25 MINI Countryman D ICE (Diesel) 42.900€ 11/2023 U25 MINI Countryman E Electric 43.500€ 03/2024 U25 MINI Countryman S ALL4 ICE (Petrol) 45.900€ 11/2023* U25 MINI Countryman SE ALL4 Electric 49.500€ 03/2024* U25 MINI John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4 ICE (Petrol) 56.500€ 03/2024* F66 MINI Cooper ICE (Petrol) TBD 07/2024* F66 MINI Cooper S ICE (Petrol) TBD 07/2024* F66 MINI Cooper JCW ICE (Petrol) TBD 11/2024* F65 MINI Cooper 5 Door ICE (Petrol) TBD 07/2024* F65 MINI Cooper S 5 Door ICE (Petrol) TBD 07/2024* F67 MINI Cooper Convertible ICE (Petrol) TBD TBD* F67 MINI Cooper S Convertible ICE (Petrol) TBD TBD* J05 MINI Aceman Electric TBD TBD J05 MINI Aceman S Electric TBD TBD * Available in the US at launch For more coverage of the new generation MINI released today, check out the following articles and videos.
MINI Cooper EV: Premier | MINI Cooper EV: Hands-On Review | MINI Cooper EV: Video Review
MINI Countryman EV: Premier | MINI Countryman EV: Hands-On Review | MINI Countryman EV: Video Review
New MINI Family: 1st Look Video | MINI Circular Display & MINI OS9 Hands-On ReviewThe post The New J01 MINI Cooper Configurator is Live! first appeared on MotoringFile.
The post The New J01 MINI Cooper Configurator is Live! appeared first on MotoringFile.
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Our Best Look Yet At The All New 2025 MINI Cooper SE
MotoringFile has exhausted every detail you can imagine on the all new 2025 MINI Cooper Se with just a couple of exceptions. The biggest of course is how it drives. We won’t know that until next year unfortunately. However the second is what is actually looks like outside of the photo studio and on public roads. We can now check that box with 70 photos of the car on the streets of Munich.
Along with the massive gallery we also wanted to provide a bit of an executive summary on the new car for those who are just getting up to speed on the next generation MINI Cooper EV.
Overview of the All New MINI Cooper EV
The J01 2025 MINI Cooper EV (2024 in some markets) is a watershed product for the brand. It introduces a new design language for the brand and is the first ground-up electric MINI. How does it look? Having been hands-on and gotten to know the car, we’ve grown to really like it.
At first glance the Blazing Blue MINI Cooper SE looked evolutionary until the proportions start to register and you notice the details. Once you give it a few seconds you begin to notice the stark simplicity of the front. Gone are the faux vents, scoops and creases. In fact there’s really not a single design element that doesn’t have purpose functionally. That in itself is a massive departure from most modern MINIs save the original R50. With the J01 we have something that feels honed and evolved with a less is more philosophy.
You’ll also notice how sculpted the side of the new J01 is. This is a big change from MINI and the first time we’ve seen anything like it on the Cooper. Many of these shots give you a great look at how the J01’s sculpted sides look in daylight with real shadows. I’m sure it’s controversial but to us its photos like this that make the rear taillights make more sense. In person they feel proportional and seem to flow with the voluptuous rear fenders well.
How Big is the New 2025 MINI Cooper EV
In a as few words, not big at all. But there are some key differences and areas that have gown. The biggest is the wheelbase which the EV platform has allowed to lengthen. This has creating more interior space despite being essentially the same length as the F56.
R56 MINI Cooper F56 ICE MINI Cooper J01 2025 Electric MINI Cooper Length 3698 mm / 145.6 in 3850 mm / 151.57 in 3860 mm / 151.91 in Height 1407 mm / 55.4 in 1414 mm / 55.67 in 1435 mm / 56.49 in Wheelbase 2467 mm / 97.1 in 2495 mm / 98.23 in 2525 mm / 99.40 
Is The New MINI Cooper EV Coming to the US?
Recently BMW Group made the announcement official with a promise to invest over £600 million into the MINI factories located in Oxford and Swindon. With this the Oxford plant will be gearing up to produce two new all-electric MINI models starting in 2026, the MINI Cooper 3-door and the compact crossover MINI Aceman.
The will pave the way for US imports of the J01 MINI Cooper EV around 2027. That US launch could also coincide with a refresh and perhaps even a model with greater range.
2025 MINI Cooper EV Range and Performance
The new MINI Cooper EV is built on a dedicated electric platform allowing it to have more space efficiency, higher range and better performance. What does better mean? As you can see below it appears to be double the range on the WLTP cycle based on the numbers provided by MINI. Real world testing might have different results but it’s a huge increase nonetheless.
2025 J01 MINI Cooper E 2025 J01 MINI Cooper SE 2026 J01 MINI JCW 2023 F56 MINI Cooper SE Horsepower 184 hp 218 hp 250 hp* 181 hp Range (WLTP) 200 miles 250 miles TBA 125 miles Range (EPA) 150 miles (Estimated) 200 miles (Estimated) TBA 110 miles Battery Size 40kWh 54kWh 54kWh* 32.6 kWh All numbers provided by MINI except * which are confirmed only through unofficial sources. The new J01 MINI is available in the Cooper E variant (with a higher output and higher range). The 135 kW/184 hp electric motor of the MINI Cooper E generates a torque of 290 Nm, accelerating the vehicle from standstill to 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds. There’s never been a base electric Cooper before, but that’s identical to the previous generation electric Cooper SE time and a second faster than the F56 ICE Cooper.
With an output of 160 kW/218 hp, the MINI Cooper SE does 0 to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds with a maximum torque of 330 Nm. That’s .6 seconds faster than the previous electric Cooper SE and the same time as the previous ICE powered Cooper S.
The range determined according to the WLTP test cycle is up to 190 miles (305 kilometers) for the MINI Cooper E based on the high-voltage battery with 40.7 kWh of capacity. Using very rough math that would put the Cooper at an estimated 148 miles range.
In the MINI Cooper SE, the calculated WLTP range increases to a maximum of 250 miles or 402 kilometers with to a battery capacity of 54.2 kWh. Again using rough math that would be roughly a 200 mile range with EPA test procedures. However it’s important to note that this is using averaged data where the EPA range is typically around 20% lower than what we see with WLTP testing. In our experience the answer lies somewhere in the middle.
MINI’s new circular digital experience. Yes you can turn off the animated dog. The New MINI Digital Experience in the 2025 MINI Cooper EV
At the heart of MINI’s rethought interior is a single circular OLED display that promised to radically change how you interact with a MINI. Let’s start with the specs. The circular OLED screen is 9.5” (240 mm) wide however because of the bottom cutout measures about 9” in height. While it may seem like unusual design given the rectangles we’re all used to, it feels very natural in person thanks to the way MINI has organized the information. The “Charismatic Simplicity” design language (as MINI calls it) is focused on both minimalism and a bit of MINI character. The circular OLED display seamlessly accommodates both static and dynamic elements, with a clear and intuitive hierarchy (despite the shape).
The top portion is dedicated to critical driving information which is close to your direct line of sight when looking through the windshield. For those opting for the optional Head-up display, vital driving details are projected directly into the driver’s field of view.
At the center of the screen lies the start menu, providing a hub for personalized content accessible through easy side-swipes. Just below, a fixed status bar houses essential menu items like “Navigation,” “Media,” “Telephony,” “All Apps,” and contextually, “Home,” all within direct reach. The tool belt can also be activated with a press of the star button on the multifunction steering wheel.
The middle houses three live widgets that allows apps to run and display information. For instance you could have your paired phone to the left and your music playing to the right and the navigation app running in the center. All positions have the ability to show live updates and allow for a quick top to maximize.
At the bottom are three zones. The left and right house the dual climate zones which felt very different than other similar experiences due to micro-animations. The center is what Mac users will likely refer to as the dock. Like a smartphone to allows you to place shortcuts for commonly used apps as well as open the full app view much like the home screen on an iPhone.
The pixel density is so high we couldn’t even see any. But perhaps more important was the responsiveness. While this was a pre-production J01 MINI, the experience was fluid and full of micro-animations that felt immediately more modern than even the latest iDrive system in new BMWs. The experience felt almost at iOS levels of intuitive and the interactions and animations felt natural.
The Revolutionary Interior of the The 2025 MINI Cooper EV
MINI invited MotoringFile to be one of the first outlets in the world to experience the all new MINI family and it gave us a chance to spend a good deal of time talking to the designers and smoking it all in. This is a massive change from what we’ve known since the new MINI launched in 201. In fact it’s closer to the 1959 Mini in concept than any of the previous new MINIs of the last 20 years. But we’ll let the video do the talking for us.
The 2025 MINI Cooper EV – Real-World Photo Gallery
The Entire New MINI Family
Things kicked off with the new J01 MINI Cooper electric and U25 MINI Countryman (electric & ICE) publicly debuting at the Munich Motor Show last week. While MINI hasn’t confirmed production timing, our sources have confirmed that the J01 will go into production this fall in China and will be sold in Europe, Asia and South America initially.
The J01 MINI Cooper electric and U25 MINI Countryman will be followed by the internal combustion U25 Countryman which will be shown later this year. Then we’ll see the heavily revised F56 morph into the F66 internal combustion MINI Cooper, built in Oxford. This will be MINI’s answer to all those who want a Cooper but aren’t ready for electric. Finally in 2024 we’ll see the all electric MINI Aceman crossover which effectively takes the place of the beloved MINI Clubman. Built initially in China, the small crossover (roughly the size of the original MINI Countryman) will expand with Oxford production in 2026.
The New MINI Family Drivetrain Pricing Start of Production J01 MINI Cooper E Electric 32,900€ 11/2023 J01 MINI Cooper SE Electric 36,900€ 11/2024 U25 MINI Countryman C ICE (Petrol) 39.900€ 11/2023 U25 MINI Countryman D ICE (Diesel) 42.900€ 11/2023 U25 MINI Countryman E Electric 43.500€ 03/2024 U25 MINI Countryman S ALL4 ICE (Petrol) 45.900€ 11/2023* U25 MINI Countryman SE ALL4 Electric 49.500€ 03/2024* U25 MINI John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4 ICE (Petrol) 56.500€ 03/2024* F66 MINI Cooper ICE (Petrol) TBD 07/2024* F66 MINI Cooper S ICE (Petrol) TBD 07/2024* F66 MINI Cooper JCW ICE (Petrol) TBD 11/2024* F65 MINI Cooper 5 Door ICE (Petrol) TBD 07/2024* F65 MINI Cooper S 5 Door ICE (Petrol) TBD 07/2024* F67 MINI Cooper Convertible ICE (Petrol) TBD TBD* F67 MINI Cooper S Convertible ICE (Petrol) TBD TBD* J05 MINI Aceman Electric TBD TBD J05 MINI Aceman S Electric TBD TBD * Available in the US at launch For more coverage of the new generation MINI, check out the following articles and videos.
MINI Cooper EV: Premier | MINI Cooper EV: Hands-On Review | MINI Cooper EV: Video Review
MINI Countryman EV: Premier | MINI Countryman EV: Hands-On Review | MINI Countryman EV: Video Review
New MINI Family: 1st Look Video | MINI Circular Display & MINI OS9 Hands-On ReviewThe post 2025 MINI Cooper EV – First Real World Photo Gallery first appeared on MotoringFile.
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MINI’s next generation MINI Cooper EV and Countryman EV just got a lot more compelling. The BMW Group (BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce) have announced a switch to the North American Charging Standard (NACS) and that Tesla is opening its massive Supercharge network to the brands.
In the coming months Tesla and the BMW Group will be working to bring a seamless charging experience to customers. The goal will be allow BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce drivers to identify and access Supercharger stations through their vehicle’s integrated interface, while simplifying payment processing through the dedicated applications of each respective automotive brand.
In practice that should mean a MINI driver will see Tesla Superchargers as charging options and will be billed through the MINI app itself.
“With six fully electric BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce models now available in the U.S. market, and more to come, it is our top priority to ensure that our drivers have easy access to reliable, fast charging. This agreement is the latest in our longstanding and continued effort to expand charging options for our customers as we continue on the road to electrification.”
Sebastian Mackensen, President & CEO, BMW of North America
Furthermore, the BMW Group (including MINI) has committed to integrating the North American Charging Standard (NACS) into its electric vehicle offerings across the United States and Canada, with implementation scheduled for 2025. This is a huge move for the brand and will ease one of biggest issues with the electric ownership experience we’ve had over the years.
Interestingly BMW had recently announced a massive joint venture that would bring a staggering 30,000 additional chargers to the US. At the time we thought it was interesting that BMW called out the program would be utilizing either the Combined Charging System (CCS) or North American Charging Standard (NACS). Now we know why they were rather vague.
Even still it’s crucial to note that this agreement functions independently from this recent partnership with General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz Group, and Stellantis NV. While this joint venture will greatly help existing and future EVs from BMWs, MINIs and Rolls Royce, it’s clearly part of a multi-prong strategy to eliminate barriers to EV ownership.
a Game Changer for The MINI Cooper EV
We have to admit a bit of jealously as we saw other automakers announce their plans to adopt the NACS charging standard that Tesla is known for. The primary reason of course is the pervasiveness of the network itself. In fact one could easily argue that Tesla’s greatest success hasn’t been its cars but the strategy behind its expansive charging network.
Tesla currently has over 30,000 charging stations in the United States including over 20,000 Superchargers and over 10,000 Destination Chargers. By 2025 you can surely expect that to grow – specifically with more high speed Superchargers in the mix.
One thing to keep in mind with this program however. It’s unclear just how many of Tesla’s charging stations will be available for use by other automakers like BMW and MINI. While Ford, GM, Rivian, and now Mercedes-Benz owners have access now, only about 70% of the Tesla network is available to them. So the details of this agreement will matter and at this time we don’t have all of them.
Still this is a huge development for future electric MINI Cooper and Countryman owners. In our time with various electric MINIs and BMWs, the charging network has always been the real achilles heel. Yes the range of a MINI Cooper SE and BMW i3 does create some anxiety. But it’s the sparseness and the unreliability of the current charging network that is the bigger issue. This move will help considerably.
The post Breaking: MINI to Adopt Tesla Charging Standard and Supercharger Network in North America first appeared on MotoringFile.
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If you’ve been reading MotoringFile you’ll know that MINI is releasing two new MINI Cooper models next year; the J01 electric and F66 internal combustion. However one of those isn’t new at all. The new (ICE) F66 MINI is actually a heavily refreshed version of the F56 that debuted in 2013. However the term heavily refreshed couldn’t be more true as MINI has gone to great lengths to make this last ICE powered MINI feel completely new.
Based in spy photos we can see that the new ICE powered F66 MINI Cooper will have nearly an identical interior as the J01 MINI Cooper. That means we’ll see the same design ethos and aesthetic carried over from the circular display, to the dash projector to the textile material throughout the cabin.
These photos confirm the new circular display and other elements destined for the F66 family of MINIs Having spent time with this interior on the J01, we know it’s extremely minimal with an entirely new design language. For MINI fans it will be a huge departure from MINI’s retro-futuristic design it’s had since 2001. Simple and round is the theme with the interior dominated by a round 9.5″ OLED display in the center of the dash and bold new materials throughout the cabin.
Like in the J01 MINI Cooper electric and new U25 Countryman, the F66 interior starts with eliminating much of what we’ve come to expect inside of a car. Gone is leather, polyurethane dashboards and even that familiar rectangular screen in the center. In their places are more environmentally friendly materials and simpler forms that feel more connected to the classic 1959 Mini than the 2023 MINI this car replaces.
While we don’t have confirmation of the entire design, we can clearly see elements of the J01 that have made it to the F66. The circular screen, new seats and even the rear view mirror all are straight out of the J01 MINI Cooper electric.
The new MINI seats – completely devoid of leather. Seen in recent photos is the clear outline of MINI’s new one-piece seats with optional electric adjustment. Again with a focus on simplicity, MINI has eliminated the thigh bolster from the latest generation of sport seats and designed a bottom cushion that extends further outward reducing the need for additional support. I’m 6’2? and have relied on that thigh bolster in every MINI and BMW that offers it. And yet I see how MINI has shaped this new seat to limit the need. No it’s not as supportive but it’s noticeably better than the R50 for R56 seats which also didn’t offer a thigh-bolster.
Also new is a complete lack of leather. Why? You can read our deep dive on the reasons and MINI’s replacement Vescin here. But no matter how you feel about the lack of leather, the feel of its replacement will likely be impressive. We were shocked at the quality – especially the steering wheel as it felt like Nappa leather found on the optional MINI Yours steering wheel.
We expect the new F66 MINI Cooper to take the steering wheel directly from the J01 MINI Cooper EV The New Vegan Friendly Steering Wheel That’s Secretly A Two-Spoke
The new MINI steering wheel, like most elements here, will spread across the entire MINI family as more models are introduced. As the center part of the driving experience MINI has clearly gone to great lengths to hone the look and (crucially) the feel. In hand it feels fantastic with excellent material quality and great feel. Normally this wouldn’t be big news but this is MINI’s first fully vegan friendly model.
One other interesting design note – it may not look it, but MINI has brought back the two-spoke steering wheel is the new MINI family. The center spoke is actually just a piece of fabric that visually connects the rim to the center of the wheel. It may sound like a recipe for disaster in terms of wear and tear but this is very thick and robust fabric that we’re told passed all of BMW’s rigorous durability tests perfectly.
The J01 interior – the F66 should see most if not all of this design. 2025 MINI Cooper – Mix Of Digital & Physical Controls
Knowing that the circular display is at the heart of the F66, we can assume that the heating and cooling controls have been moved into the center screen as MINI has gone to great lengths to eliminate physical controls in the line-up. While that is is generally a recipe for disaster for in-car experience, we get a sense in talking to the designers that MINI has learned from the mistakes of brands like VW and even parent company BMW. Our own early hands-on time has corroborated this.
The J01 MINI Cooper and its minimal, dash mounted gear lever But MINI’s rethink of heating and cooling doesn’t end there. Even the vents have been radically simplified with a design that is both minimal and blends them into the dash. In fact the center venting system is almost completely hidden just below the circular OLED display. But crucially the controls for all the vents (even the hidden ones) are intuitive and designed with a very tactile and satisfying feel based on our hands-on experience with the J01.
One thing MINI will be keeping physical is the gear lever. But just what exact design that takes on is yet to be seen. It could borrow the J01’s design which is a small toggle just below the screen or it could be an evolution of the F56’s center mounted lever. If we had to guess we’d imagine MINI would push to create consistency with the J01 and its ultra minimal approach.
What’s still unclear is how MINI will handle the gear lever in the 2025 ICE MINI Cooper The New MINI Digital Experience & Circular Display
Let’s start with the specs. The circular OLED screen is 9.5” (240 mm) wide however because of the bottom cutout measures about 9” in height. While it may seem like unusual design given the rectangles we’re all used to, it feels very natural in person thanks to the way MINI has organized the information. The “Charismatic Simplicity” design language (as MINI calls it) is focused on both minimalism and a bit of MINI character. The circular OLED display seamlessly accommodates both static and dynamic elements, with a clear and intuitive hierarchy (despite the shape).
The top portion is dedicated to critical driving information which is close to your direct line of sight when looking through the windshield. While we didn’t drive the car we did sit in it for quite awhile and it felt like something we’d get use to within a drive or two. For those opting for the optional Head-up display, vital driving details are projected directly into the driver’s field of view.
The pixel density is so high we couldn’t even see any. But perhaps more important was the responsiveness. While this was a pre-production J01 MINI, the experience was fluid and full of micro-animations that felt immediately more modern than even the latest iDrive system in new BMWs. The experience felt almost at iOS levels of intuitive and the interactions and animations felt natural.
MINI’s Secret Weapon – An All-New Technology Stack
Knowing that the F66 is borrowing the experience from the J01 MINI Cooper and U25 Countryman, we can expect a massive change in technology behind the scenes on the F66 that future-proofs the experience itself.
That future-proofing starts with Android Open Source Project (AOSP) software stack which does several things for MINI. For one it allows MINI to leverage the massive scale of the Android App store which MINI will create their own subset of. But more importantly it allows MINI to leverage the army of Android engineers worldwide meaning that the platform MINI will rely on for future innovation is open and has a bright future. But don’t mistake the software stack as influencing the user experience. That’s 100% MINI’s own thinking and execution built on top of what is invisible but powerful technology.
It’s also important to remember we’re not talking about Android Auto here. That is what is known as projection software. AOSP is the the open source layer MINI’s system is built on. Wireless Android Auto and CarPlay will run on top of it as projection layers should owners prefer that experience.
For a more detailed view of the new MINI Digital experience, read our full review.
The J01 MINI Cooper Electric An Exclusive Look at the Entire New MINI Models
Most models will receive a notable power increase with the exception of the Euro Countryman JCW and the F66 JCW. Also note that the US will not be getting the Countryman C and will only receive the S and JCW.
The New MINI Countryman Family Drivetrain Pricing Start of Production U25 MINI Countryman C (1) 167 HP (Petrol) 39.900€ 11/2023 U25 MINI Countryman D (1) TBA 42.900€ 11/2023 U25 MINI Countryman S ALL4 214 HP (Petrol) 45.900€ 11/2023 U25 MINI John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4 312 hp (2) 56.500€ 03/2024 The New MINI Cooper Family Drivetrain Pricing Start of Production F66 MINI Cooper 155 HP (Petrol) TBD 07/2024 F66 MINI Cooper S 200 HP (Petrol) TBD 07/2024 F66 MINI Cooper JCW 231 HP (Petrol) TBD 11/2024 F65 MINI Cooper 5 Door ICE (Petrol) TBD 07/2024 F65 MINI Cooper S 5 Door 200 HP (Petrol) TBD 07/2024 F67 MINI Cooper Convertible ICE (Petrol) TBD 11/2024 (est) F67 MINI Cooper S Convertible 200 HP (Petrol) TBD 11/2024 (est) F67 MINI Cooper JCW Convertible 231 HP (Petrol) TBD 03/2025 (est) 1. Not available in the US. 2. US HP figure – the EU will get 300 hp. 
The U25 MINI Countryman Electric For more coverage of the new generation MINI, check out the following articles and videos.
MINI Cooper EV: Premier | MINI Cooper EV: Hands-On Review | MINI Cooper EV: Video Review
MINI Countryman EV: Premier | MINI Countryman EV: Hands-On Review | MINI Countryman EV: Video Review
New MINI Family: 1st Look Video | MINI Circular Display & MINI OS9 Hands-On ReviewThe post F66 (ICE) 2025 MINI Cooper to Feature All New Interior Design first appeared on MotoringFile.
The post F66 (ICE) 2025 MINI Cooper to Feature All New Interior Design appeared first on MotoringFile.
Review: MINI OS9 CarPlay Integration
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When we first saw spy photos of radical MINI’s circular OLED display we quietly wondered if the brand was moving away from CarPlay and Android Auto like General Motors has. Turns it it’s the exact opposite. We went hands-on recently with a new Countryman to see just how far MINI is embracing both CarPlay and leveraging their new circular display. What we found was pretty surprising.
MINI is reinventing every aspect of the brand and it starts not just with what’s under the hood but what’s on the dash. The OLED circular display is intriguing as a shape but the moment it turns on it gets really interesting. While it may seem like unusual design given the rectangles we’re all used to, it feels very natural in person thanks to the way MINI has organized the information and the UI powering it.
Using CarPlay
Given the new circular OLED screen there’s been a lot of speculation on how CarPlay would work. Speculate no more because as you can see, it works very well. The CarPlay experience lives inside of the circular screen as a (roughly) 4×3 rectangle allowing for the critical drive and climate functionally to be present and functional. That means it has a slightly different layout from the CarPlay layout MINI has used in the past as it places the “dock” at the bottom. In our time with the sunset this make it feel all the more intuitive.
While CarPlay doesn’t work perfectly with circular display (the map still sits inside of the CarPlay or Android Auto app) its design makes the entire experience feel near seamless. Key to this is how the wallpaper you choose bleeds past the 4:3 square and fills the entire screen. This is especially seamless if you choose a black or white background as it visually eliminates the 4:3 border.
It’s not until you open up MINI’s own (exceptional) map software that you see the difference. With rich, 3D maps that go all the way to the edges, MINIs own mapping experience actually win us over quickly and felt superior to Google or Apple Maps in our brief use. However the real test will be how good its data and this search for POI is. Again in our brief time with it we came away impressed with its search functionality but we’ll withhold judgement until we live with it for a few days.
The Pairing Process
The initial pairing process is identical to what we’ve known in MINIs and BMWs for years but it’s faster from our initial testing. However the one new bit of functionality is how it exposes the progress of repairing. Once your phone is initially paired the concept is that CarPlay will subsequently initiative seamlessly (and wirelessly) when you start the car. However there can be a slight lag as the systems become aware of each other and do the typical digital handshake. In this new system MINI shows you that progress in a small pop-up that also makes it clear what type of connectivity you have chose. It’s also easy to then change that functionality on the fly. It’s a smart way to briefly expose the settings when you might need it while showing the progress of pairing itself.
The Speed of CarPlay
It’s fast. Really fast. In our initial testing the reaction to inputs was absolutely seamless. Perhaps even more so than the underlying MINI OS9 itself. While that may sound surprising remember that this was a pre-release version of MINI OS9 and speed improvements are likely on the production version already shipping with cars today.
The Technical Architecture Making it Possible
The real surprising aspect of the entire system is what it’s built on; Android. But it’s not the Android we know. It’s actually the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) software stack which does several things for MINI. For one it allows MINI to leverage the massive scale of the Android App store of which MINI will create their own subset. We show the MINI Connected store briefly in the video below. This will eventually be a MINI curated App Store leveraging Android apps that are made by MINI or by 3rd party developers.
But more importantly AOSP allows MINI to leverage the army of Android engineers worldwide meaning that the platform MINI will rely on for future innovation is both open source and vibrant in terms of developer knowledge and interest. But don’t mistake the software stack as influencing the user experience. As you can see in our full demo below that is 100% MINI’s own thinking and built on top of what this invisible but powerful technology.
This new system will come to all MINIs over the next few months starting with the U25 Countryman and J01 MINI Cooper EV. In March it’ll be a part of the petrol powered F66 MINI Cooper and ultimately the J05 MINI Aceman EVC crossover late next year.
Full Demo: MINI OS9 & CarPlay
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