2019 Mini Cooper 3-DoorPeter Bleakney / Driving For many years, small hatchbacks have been characterized by their fun-to-drive nature, and most will agree nothing is more fun to drive than a car with a manual transmission.Mini agrees, and so its bringing back its manual transmission option for most of its vehicles after a brief hiatus.Starting early February 2020, customers will be able to resume ordering (two- and four-door) Mini hardtop and convertible models equipped with manual transmissions from March 2020 production, spokesperson Andrew Cutler told Car and Driver.With take rates for manual transmission vehicles landing in the lower echelons, Mini actually manages to garner more attention from purists than other brands. According to Mini, the Cooper Hardtop S has a manual transmission take rate of 45 per cent, which is astounding in this day and age. There is a segment of the customer base that prefers driving with a manual transmission, so we do want to maintain that for the component of our customers who expect that, said Cutler. We are going to continue to ensure that weve got manuals when and where possible.The reason for the hiatus in North America was an update to the fuel-delivery system, which enhanced efficiency. The testing that occurred left the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and the eight-speed automatic as the only options.Unfortunately, the transmission will not be returning to every model. Those left out will be models with all-wheel-drive and the John Cooper Works editions, which require a more stout transmission to handle their added
Origin: Mini is bringing back its manual transmissions
Mini
First Look: 2020 Mini John Cooper Works GP
Palm Springs, CALIFORNIAHardtop, soft-top, wagon or coupe, Minis come in more flavours than ice cream. Few Minis, however, have been bonkers-fast or able to attack a race track as well as other front-wheel-drive cars like the Honda Civic Type R or Golf GTI Clubsport, to name just a few.Sure, the 2012 MINI John Cooper Works GP and the 2006 MINI Cooper S with John Cooper Works GP kit were tantalizing and speedy cars for their time.Built in limited numbers, they were quick enough to become sought-after jewels in the Mini portfolio. But neither were able to crack the 8-minute mark at the worlds benchmark for speed the Nürburgring’s legendary Nordschleife circuit in Germany.The 2020 Mini GP, however, scraps all that and sets a new benchmark for the brand, becoming the fastest, most powerful Mini ever produced for on-road use able to run the Ring in an impressive 7:56.69. Thats BMW M2 territory. Priced at $51,990 in Canada and limited to 59 units for the Great White North, only 3,000 Mini GPs will be produced worldwide. At BMWs Performance Center West test track in California, the 2020 Mini GP starts with a low gurgle that could be louder for us juveniles. Powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder in-line turbocharged engine with 302 horsepower and 332 lb.-ft. of torque going only to the front wheels, the GP feels remarkably at home on the track. A larger-volume intake, free-flowing exhaust and a tweaked turbocharger help boost power, and an upgraded oil and cooling system help keep internals from overheating. The suspension has been reinforced for track use and rigidity.Check Out All Our Latest Auto Show CoverageMini says the new JCW GP will sprint to 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds. To be sure, the GP stays flat in the corners and brakes hard before the turns. Its more than enough car to compete with the Honda Civic Type R, yet exudes a lot more class.First seen in Frankfurt in 2017 as a concept, and then again at the 24 Hours of Nrburgring last summer in a camo-wrapped version that ran around the track as a teaser to the real thing coming this spring, the 2020 production version was revealed to us a day ahead of its world-wide reveal at the L.A. Auto Show, looking a lot like the original prototype. And what a cool-looking car it is, cutting a silhouette that looks part aircraft, part racing machine, part sea serpent. A massive carbon-fibre front apron, flared wheel arches, carbon-fibre side skirts with moulded air deflectors crowned by a prominent roof spoiler underscore the fact this is not your divorced aunts car. Black Jack Anthracite paint is complimented by Curbside Red metallic bits to accentuate the racing look.Theres a bit of boy racer here, but it still looks good while still looking like a Mini. Elliptical headlights and a hexagonal honeycomb grille sharpen its identity. The 19-inch wheels look perfect in the wheel arches.Unfortunately, there is no manual transmission, only an eight-speed automatic with manual shift mode and paddle shifters the same gearbox that resides in the Countryman and Clubman. But the transmission has been modified to meet the demands of the GP, and the mechanical limited-slip differential helps with traction.A 64-36 weight balance to the front keeps understeer to a minimum. Acceleration is strong but never overwhelming. The biggest take away is the go-cart handling that, with proper tires, makes the GP a proper track car that can still be driven to the mall on Sundays.Inside, the rear bench seat is conspicuous by its absence. Luxury touches abound in the black-and-white knitted seats. A digital instrument cluster and heads-up display makes relevant information easy to see and digest. The suspension can be adjusted with the touch of a button. Traditional MINI toggle switches with start/stop button maintain some footing in the analog world.While all Minis bring a degree of fun to driving, the GP raises the stakes with track credentials that should elevate the brand, and the car, to a status not seen since the last GP in
Origin: First Look: 2020 Mini John Cooper Works GP
Mini to shrink flagship hatch and launch Traveller crossover
That latter point is currently the focus of the new car’s early development. There is an acknowledgement within the company that the core three-door hatchback has grown too large and its proportions lack the compact look of the earlier BMW-produced models, particularly around the front overhang. Although it won’t dramatically shrink the car’s footprint, the altered proportions, particularly at the front, should give it a more compact look. Mini is also seeking to incorporate some of the packaging lessons learned from the Electric three-door hatch into the standard car, which will be offered with petrol and electric drivetrains in its next generation. “We are having proportion and design discussions at the moment,” said Körber. “The task now is to design it. In three to four years, I’d like to see the start of the next generation.” He added: “Hopefully in the next generation, we can make it even more compact, back to where Mini comes from.” There will also be a “major step to the future and innovation” in the new Mini’s interior, with a greater focus on digital technology. However, the round centre console will remain a part of the design. The fourth-generation Mini line-up is again set to include closely related three-door, five-door and Cabriolet models, as well as the larger Clubman and Countryman. It will grow to also include a crossover model that’s larger than the Countryman. The crossover could revive the Traveller name and the electric version will be twinned with the next-generation BMW i3, as previously reported by Autocar. Regarding the crossover, Körber said that although “it would be hard to imagine a Mini the size of a BMW X3 or X5”, there is a need in the next-generation Mini range “to address the growth in SUVs and look at if we need a compact SUV”. He added: “The Countryman is a very small SUV. In the US and China, there are certain needs. We will look at a compact SUV in the next generation. There are lots of benefits with a car like that for urban use. For me, it’s a good match.” Although such a car would be the biggest Mini, Körber said it would still be one of the smallest in its segment. “There’s interest in the small car segments. We can stretch the interpretation of Mini always being the smallest but I can’t imagine being bigger in a segment. We need to fulfil a requirement on size,” he said. Each future Mini is set to be offered with a choice of petrol and electric drivetrains, with plug-in hybrids also featuring in larger models. Diesel is unlikely to appear in the future line-up as part of the switch towards electrification. Diesel is already no longer offered in Minis sold in the UK but it is available in other markets. The three-door hatch will be the only electric model in the current-generation Mini range as there are no plans to launch electric versions of the five-door or Cabriolet models. Mini’s familiar One, Cooper and Cooper S badges will be retained in the future to signal different performance levels and Körber said high-performance John Cooper Works models will continue to be a feature of the Mini range. Körber also said Mini will continue to offer internal combustion engines in cars in the next-generation range alongside battery-electric versions, something that will be the case for at least the next five to 10 years. In the long term, he believes Mini’s customer base and brand positioning are well placed for Mini to become a solely electric brand. The Clubman, Countryman and Traveller models will be based on BMW’s natively front-wheel-drive FAAR platform, as seen on the new BMW 1 Series. It’s not yet clear if the three-door, five-door and Cabriolet models will also be built on that architecture or a new smaller one understood to be in development with Chinese firm Great Wall. That new smaller platform has opened the door for Mini to at last create a production version of the tiny Rocketman concept, a move that Autocar revealed in July. Officially, Mini is “at the beginning of relations with Great Wall and still in discussions”, according to Körber. He said Mini remained committed to its Oxford plant and it is set to continue producing the smaller hatchback models into the next generation, with further production sites in the Netherlands and China for other
Origin: Mini to shrink flagship hatch and launch Traveller crossover
First Look: 2020 Mini Cooper S E
The 2020 Mini Cooper S EGraeme Fletcher What is it?Based on the Mini three-door hatch, the Cooper S E is a new all-electric ride that promises to put a smile on the drivers face. The electric motor twists out 181 horsepower, 200 foot-pounds of torque from rev one and drives the front wheels through a single-speed transmission.Throw in a super low centre-of-gravity and specially tuned suspension and you have the makings of a proper little racer.The combination gives the Cooper S E the wherewithal to run from rest to 60 kilometres an hour in 3.9 seconds; it hits 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds and has a top speed of 150 km/h, and this in spite of the fact it is 150 kilograms heavier than its gas-powered sibling.As with the BMW i3, the Cooper SE will offer a one-pedal drive. Where it differs is the driver can pick the regen level through a typical Mini toggle switch. Inside, the traditional dials also go away in favour of a 5.5-inch colour screen. Why does it matter?One of the keys to the Cooper S E is its next-generation lithium-ion battery it delivers a driving range of up to 270 kilometres. The same battery technology is found in the revamped Mini Cooper S E Countryman All4 plug-in hybrid. The battery size jumps from 7.7 kilowatt/hour to a 10.0-kWh unit that extends the electric-only range by 30 per cent it now rates 57 kilometres.When will Canada get it?No official word on when it comes to Canada, though Minis confirmed we are getting it and will let us know more in a few months. But production of the Cooper S E begins later this year with the first units hitting European roads early 2020. Hopefully, it will hit Canada mid-year.Should you buy it?The Mini Cooper S E electric promises to be a hoot to drive. Combine the low centre-of-gravity with the instant-on electric torque, and the SE might just deliver the ultimate go-kart-like driving
Origin: First Look: 2020 Mini Cooper S E
Mini planning smaller and larger models to expand range
Mini is keen to make models both larger and smaller than its current range, company boss Bernd Körber has revealed to Autocar. Speaking at the Frankfurt motor show, he said he’d like to see Mini “grow in some aspects” while he’d also “love to see the core Mini shrink again”. Autocar recently outlined plans for Mini to make a larger model than the current Countryman in the next generation of its line-up, potentially reviving the Traveller name. Körber said that although “it would be hard to imagine a Mini the size of a BMW X3 or X5”, there is a need in the next-generation Mini range “to address the growth in SUVs and look at if we need a compact SUV”. Körber added: “The Countryman is a very small SUV. In the US and China, there are certain needs. We will look at a compact SUV in the next generation. There’s lots of benefits with a car like that for urban use. For me, it’s a good match.” Körber said that although such a car would be the biggest Mini, it would still be one of the smallest SUVs in its segment. “There’s interest in the small car segments. We can stretch the interpretation of Mini always being the smallest but I can’t imagine being bigger in a segment. We need to fulfil a requirement on size.” As for making a smaller Mini, Körber was referring to shrinking the size of the current three-door hatchback rather than a production version of the Rocketman concept, which, Autocar understands, is also a live project within the company as part of a joint venture with its partner in China, Great Wall. “We are having proportion and design discussions at the moment,” he said. “The task now is to design it. In three to four years, I’d like to see the start of the next generation.” He added: “Hopefully in the next generation, we can make it even more compact, back to where Mini comes from.” Körber said Mini would continue to offer internal combustion engines in cars in the next-generation range alongside battery electric versions, something that would be the case for at least the next five to 10 years. In the long term, he believes Mini’s customer base and brand positioning are well placed for Mini to become a solely electric brand but that is some way off for
Origin: Mini planning smaller and larger models to expand range
David Brown launches hot version of Mini Remastered
David Brown Automotive has unveiled a limited-run performance variant of its sympathetically modernised Mini Remastered to mark the motoring icon’s 60th birthday. The Oselli Edition has been modified by classic motorsport specialist Oselli. It features an uprated version of the original A-Series engine but with capacity increased from 1.0 litre to 1.4 litres for a power output of 109bhp – a 40% increase over the standard Mini Remastered unit. Alongside the addition of a fifth gear for lower revs at higher speeds, the Oselli Edition receives a revamped exhaust and air intake system to cope with the extra power. Underneath, there are Spax adjustable performance dampers, wider wheels and tyres and an upgraded braking system comprising four-piston calipers at the front and alloy drums at the back. Buyers can choose from two bespoke paint schemes inspired by historic motorsport liveries, with the option of grey or white for the main body and red, blue or green for the racing stripes. The engine cover will be painted to match the chosen stripe colour, while chrome trim is replaced with black pieces to mark out the special edition. Further visual differences from the regular model include build number markings to the front and rear and a pair of rally-style spotlights in the grille. The Oselli Edition can be specified as a two or four-seater, with the option of a hand-trimmed roll cage for track use. Seats will be trimmed to match the exterior stripes and can be fitted with conventional seatbelts or a race-spec four-point harness. David Brown will produce 60 examples of the Oselli Edition, priced from £98,000 for a four-seater and £108,000 for a two-seater with a roll
Origin: David Brown launches hot version of Mini Remastered
Mini to revive Traveller name for BMW i3-based MPV
Mini plans to enter the shrinking market for small MPVs with a new electric model. It will be the brand’s most practical car yet, and it’s thought it will revive the Traveller name. The new Mini MPV has been conceived to appeal to family car buyers seeking greater levels of interior versatility and space than the existing Clubman and Countryman. It will be based on parent company BMW’s FAAR platform, which supports front- and four-wheel drive. There will be versions powered by internal combustion engines, a plug-in hybrid and, later in its seven-year life cycle, a battery-electric driveline in a Traveller SE model. It will rival the Volkswagen ID 3, which will be revealed next month. In pure-electric form, the new Mini model is set to be twinned with the successor to the BMW i3. That means it will be offered with the very latest in battery cell technology and a range exceeding 250 miles. Autocar understands the move is part of a comprehensive realignment of Mini’s global operations that will divide its line-up into two distinct areas. Future models will based on either the FAAR platform or a new entry-level one being developed in a joint venture with Chinese car maker Great Wall Motors. The realignment, masterminded by recently departed BMW chairman Harald Krüger, aims to provide Mini with a less cost-intensive operational base and the scope for a broader range of models. In future, Mini’s production activities will centre on three plants: Born in the Netherlands; Zhangjiagang, China; and Oxford, UK. Satellite operations will continue in India, Malaysia and Thailand. As well as planning replacements for today’s hatch, Clubman and Countryman, Mini is developing two crucial new models that will arrive by the end of 2023. The aim is to increase annual sales volumes well beyond the 361,531 achieved in 2018. One will be the long-awaited production version of the Rocketman, as previously reported by Autocar. The entry-level Smart Forfour rival will be fully electric and based on a development of Great Wall Motors’ ME platform. It will be produced under a joint-venture operation called Spotlight Automotive, based in China. The second approved new model, expected to be called the Traveller, will rival the likes of the Mercedes-Benz B-Class. Plans are in place for it to be developed using technology from the next BMW i3. Described to Autocar as being very much in the mould of BMW’s 2 Series Active Tourer, the new five-seater is intended to complement existing Mini models. Production is likely to begin in the Netherlands near the end of 2022, according to senior Mini
Origin: Mini to revive Traveller name for BMW i3-based MPV
First Drive: 2020 Mini JCW Clubman ALL4
2020 Mini JCW Clubman All4Handout / Mini FRANKFURT Minis are cute. Sure, there are reasons to like Minis other than their teddy-bear headlights and rounded, pudgy faces, but theyre nonetheless endearing little cars. Well, maybe not so little when were talking about the Mini Clubman, which boasts six yes, six doors, and seating for four-and-a-half; there are seat belts for three in the back seat, but squeezing three adults will test ones tolerance for personal space intrusion.The Clubman received its last generational upgrade in 2015, so for 2020 it receives an expected mid-cycle refresh, including new LED exterior lighting, a reworked front grille, new interior trims, and some suspension changes. If that were it, there wouldnt be much point in this test drive, but were actually here in Germany to drive the more muscular Mini John Cooper Works Clubman All4 it receives a significant upgrade, in the form of an extra 73 horsepower and 73 lb.-ft. of torque.The additional power comes via extensive changes made to the 2.0-litre turbocharged four. Boost has been increased through the use of a larger turbocharger, and subsequently, a variety of internal engine changes have been made to deal with the additional power. These in include strengthened crankshaft and bearings, pistons, connecting rods, and an improved engine cooling. The compression ratio was also lowered to prevent the engine from disintegrating due to the additional boost. Claimed engine output is now 301 horsepower and 331 lb.-ft. of torque; thats good enough to propel the JCW Clubman from zero to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds significantly quicker than the 6.3 seconds the current, 228-horsepower JCW Clubman. The engine mates to an all-new eight-speed automatic, with a torque converter clutch that locks up as soon as the vehicle gets moving, providing a manual-transmission-like direct connection to the wheels. All-wheel drive is standard, and it now incorporates a mechanical locking front differential. Several internal components in the AWD system have also been upgraded to deal with the additional power.Externally, the JCW is distinguishable from other Clubman models by the large side air intakes in the fascia, the aerodynamic side skirts and the small roof spoiler that hangs above the vertically split rear-door windows. The interior is roomy enough for four, and storage space behind the third row seats is decent, at 360 litres. Folding the rear seatbacks down expands storage to a useful 1,250 litres. The ride is comfy and relatively quiet, unless you select Sport mode (theres also Normal and Green modes), which aside from firming up steering and sharpening throttle response, also electronically enhanced engine sound in the cabin.Probably the JCWs most redeeming quality, aside from its newfound power which allows it to blast out of corners with a little anger in its stride is its sports-car-like handling. Despite weighing in at 1,625 kilograms, it steers sharply and with precision; its rigid chassis feels taut, and it exhibits very little body roll through corners. It is also very stable in a straight line, inspiring confidence at the wheel, even with autobahn speeds approaching 200 km/h. Electronically adjustable adaptive suspension is optional, but my tester is equipped with the standard, non-adjustable dampers. The revised suspension sets the Clubman 10 mm lower than before and is set quite firm, which really enhances the JCW Clubmans handling on smooth German pavement, but is too stiff to provide a comfortable ride on our pockmarked Canadian roads. Its too bad we didnt get a chance to drive a Clubman equipped with the adaptive suspension, because I suspect it will be the better setup, since it is adjustable.The new eight-speed automatic works remarkably well, providing smooth, almost seamless gear changes when driving normally, and enthusiastically slamming into gear when upshifting while driving hard in Sport mode. Moving the gear selector to the left engages sport-shift mode, which holds gears longer than regular auto mode. Using the paddles when the gear selector is to the left engages manual mode, which allows instantaneous manual gear changes. The power increase also prompted a move to larger brake discs, and while braking is more than adequate to slow the JCW Clubman easily from speed, the pedal is sensitive at lower speeds, requiring a light touch at the pedal.The Clubman isnt Minis biggest seller, coming in just ahead of the Mini Convertible, which slots into last place in terms of sales volume for Mini. Its nonetheless a lot of fun to drive, and despite its unassumingly cute appearance, it packs the punch of a middleweight fighter. The 2020 Mini JCW Clubman ALL4 will arrive at dealers in the fall, starting at $41,090, a $3,000 increase from the current
Origin: First Drive: 2020 Mini JCW Clubman ALL4
Report: Mini might be pared down to just three or four electric models
Mini may plan to pare its lineup down to just three or four vehicles, all fully electric, in the not-too-distant future, according to a new report.According to Automobile, gasoline-powered Mini models might be all but dead, their chassis pushed aside to make way for an electric future.Contrary to earlier reports, it appears that management has since black-flagged the internal-combustion versions in favor of an all-electric model range, the magazine says.The decision has not been confirmed, but Mini would be wise to consider the consequences of turning its small-vehicle lineup into an EV-only brand. Take rival Daimlers Smart brand, which went down that road a few years ago, and has now folded up its tiny EV suitcase.The first electric model from the British marque is the Mini SE, due to go on sale in 2020; it will be the litmus test for the EV revolution, though other battery-powered vehicles are almost certain to follow in its wake. The SE is powered by a 32.6-kWh battery, and has an all-electric range of up to 270 kilometres. Another EV, based on the super-short-wheelbase Rocketman concept, is rumoured to show in production form around 2023, as is a more compact version of the classic three-door Mini. Lastly, theres talk of a crossover-style vehicle. All will run on a skateboard-style platform and feature front-wheel-drive, with energy stored in either 35- or 50-kWh battery packs.We would love to see the Rocketman come to North America, but its likely too small; if it does hit production, it will likely only be available in markets that allow small cars to be federalized, such as China, where it could be built in partnership with Great Wall Motors. The Countryman will likely be evolved into a
Origin: Report: Mini might be pared down to just three or four electric models
New Mini Countryman 2020 facelift seen in disguise
Mini will follow up the updates to the rest of its range with a revised Countryman, due next year. The crossover is the British maker’s newest model, but was first launched in 2017, so 2020 falls perfectly in line with the usual timeframe of a mid-cycle update. Prototypes have been spotted with disguised front and rear ends, so we’re expecting mild revisions to the grille, bumpers and lights as part of a minor facelift. An introduction of adaptive matrix-beam LED headlights is also on the cards, alongside standard LED tail-lights that bring the now-familiar Union Jack, new personalisation options and a fresh range of wheel designs. The majority of the changes are likely to be aesthetic. Recent range updates have boosted standard equipment across other Minis, so that should also be the case with the Countryman. The recently updated Clubman also featured a new sports suspension option with 10mm lower ride height. Engine choices should remain familiar and include a 134bhp 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol in the Cooper, a 189bhp four-cylinder in the Cooper S and the newly launched John Cooper Works model, with a new 302bhp 2.0-litre engine. A 148bhp Cooper D diesel will also be retained, though it’s not clear yet if mild-hybrid tech will be needed by Mini to reduce its fleet average CO2 figures in time for 2021’s emissions regulation changes. Expect more details of the Audi Q2 rival to emerge early next
Origin: New Mini Countryman 2020 facelift seen in disguise
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