April 5th, 2008
Mini enthusiasts have a whole new reason to get excited, now that the name of the company’s upcoming crossover has been released - the Mini Crossman, previously referred to internally as the “Colorado,” will bring the brand firmly into new territory.
Called the R58 within BMW from here on out, the Crossman is expected to ride higher than current Mini models and have All Wheel Drive, making it a potential choice for off-roaders. These photos are of a Crossman mule undergoing testing in Europe.
With these new capabilities, Mini plans to expand their customer base to include young men wanting something a tad more “masculine” than the current models.
However initial response to the new name has made a few us wonder if Mini has lost its creative edge? Also, a Mini off-roader? Mini runs the potential risk of alienating the fan base that has rallied around the small car brand since the release of the Cooper.
The Crossman will also be the first Mini assembled outside the U.K. with Austrian manufacturer Magna Steyr building the car.
The Mini Crossman is scheduled for release in 2010. According to Mini Boss Kay Segler, there are currently no plans for a fifth Mini model.
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February 25th, 2008
Ahead of their official Geneva Motor Show debut, BMW has unveiled its 2008 John Cooper Works Mini Cooper S and Clubman models.
The MINI equivalent of HSV and FPV, the latest JCW Cooper S bumps power up to 155kW and 260Nm from a 1.6-litre twin-scroll turbocharged engine, returning a spirited zero to 100km/h run of just 6.5 seconds. The JCW Clubman’s added heft leaves it trailing by 0.2 seconds.
An ‘overboost’ facility can momentarily jump torque up to 280Nm under hard acceleration, helping reach the 238km/h top speed.
Disabling the DSC engages an Electric Differential Lock which behaves much in the same way as a limited slip differential, improving handling and acceleration.
Added performance enhancements include lightweight 17″ alloys, bigger brakes, a modified exhaust and a standard 6-speed manual transmission.
To achieve this added horsepower, the intake and exhaust systems have been optimised for the greatest flow which as a side effect returns exceptional fuel efficiency belying its performance credentials.
The Cooper S-based model achieves fuel economy of 6.9L/100km and 165g/km CO emissions and the Clubman yielding 7.0L/100km (33.6mpg) and 167g/km CO.
The MINI John Cooper Works and MINI John Cooper Works Clubman will arrive in Australia in August.
2008 JCW Cooper S
2008 JCW Clubman
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February 23rd, 2008
Spy shots of an unmistakably MINI adaptation have been floating around the web for some time now, indicating MINI are planning to eventually release an SUV based on its successful Cooper model.
This would unfortunately not mark the first occasion that MINI has derived its design for a new model almost entirely from the Cooper with the questionable MINI Clubman making its debut late last year.
The Crossman, as interpreted by our CGI, seemingly retains the proportions of the Cooper, adapting them to suit an SUV model with arguable success.
Expect official details to emerge in 2009 with potential sales to begin in 2010.
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February 5th, 2008
The controversial new Mini Clubman will make its way into Australian showrooms from March 6, with prices starting at $34,400.
The new Clubman, which has been paraded around the streets of Melbourne in an attempt to build hype, has apparently drawn a “not insubstantial interest from fellow road users”.
“The MINI switchboard has reported a sharp rise in reports of finger pointing, neck craning and spontaneous smiling in past days.”
The reality has plainly been lost on MINI officials as they openly describe bystanders pointing and laughing at the awkward new Clubman.
It’s unique single suicide door arrangement means the driver will have plenty of time to stretch their legs as passengers exit from the back seat, whilst the split rear doors ensure rearward visibility is kept to a minimum.
The range begins with the 88kW 1.6-litre Cooper Clubman, priced from $34,400 or $38,200 for the Chilli model.
The range-topping performance MINI Cooper S Clubman is powered by a 1.6-litre Twin Scroll Turbocharged engine that develops 128 kW. The S range starts at $43,200, rising to $47,000 for the Chilli model.
Each version is also available with a six-speed automatic transmission complete with steering-wheel mounted paddle shifts.
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January 14th, 2008
John Cooper S Tuned - 2008 Detroit Auto Show
John Cooper has his way with the Cooper S, the result speaks for itself.
With 141kW and 251Nm of torque the tuned Cooper S can go from 0-100km/h in 6.6 seconds.
Click on images to enlarge.
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January 14th, 2008
Mini Cooper S Clubman - 2008 Detroit Auto Show
This is the new mini Clubman - some are calling this the ugliest car of the year, what do you think?
Click on images to enlarge.
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January 14th, 2008
Mini Cooper S - 2008 Detroit Auto Show
The Cooper S returns in style.
We love the black on yellow look.
Click on images to enlarge.
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July 30th, 2007
From any angle you look at the new MINI Clubman, it is still without doubt a MINI - there’s just more of it.
Offering a longer wheel base, the MINI Clubman can now comfortably seat four adults while still offering the surprise trademark performance and agility of the MINI Cooper.
Whilst official specs for the local model have not yet been released, European buyers will be spoiled for choice with no less than three choices for the engine alone. The top of the line Cooper S Clubman will be equipped with a twin-scroll turbocharger and direct petrol injection producing a maximum output of 128 kW at 5,500 rpm, and 240 Nm of torque between 1,600-5,000 rpm (260 Nm with Overboost).
With over 40 combinations for the exterior paintwork alone, every Clubman is sure to be unique - and mouth-watering too, it seems - with the Clubman receiving its own exclusive colour option, Hot Chocolate which works exceedingly well with the new Silver roof colour and the frame around the rear doors. The interior is no different, combining four interior colours and five Colour Line variants differentiating your car from the rest has never been so easy. However if the choices are all too overwhelming, or your design flare has fizzled, MINI also offer two standard trim options as well as Fluid Silver and Brushed Alloy as further optional selections.
The new Clubman is a modern interpretation of a classic concept. Many of the MINI Clubman recalls the Austin Mini Countryman, the Morris Mini Traveller, and the Mini Clubman Estate sold in great numbers between 1960 and 1982. Access to the rear seats has been achieved through the Clubdoor concept, reminiscent of the RX8 suicide doors, the Clubdoor offers ample access to the rear seats. This concept is extended to the boot where twin doors offer wide access for bulky goods, the load bay swallowing 260-litres with the rear seats up. With the seats folded forward a significant 960-litres of space is available for loading.
Despite these classic styling trends, the Clubman is equipped with modern driving luxuries featuring highlights such as anti-lock control (ABS), Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Cornering Brake Control (CBC) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) including hill start-off assistance all coming as standard. Driver safety has in no way been compromised with features including a crash-optimised passenger cell; six airbags; three-point inertia-reel seat belts on all seats with belt latch tensioners and belt force limiters at the front; belt warning and ISOFIX child seat attachments for rear seats.
