MINI2

Video presentations of the MINI John Cooper Works and Clubman have been released by BMW/MINI.

We’re showing four of the videos below, courtesy of video hosting site YouTube, the first, main feature video shows the John Cooper Works MINI and John Cooper Works MINI Clubman playing on the track, and features and impressive soundtrack from the twin exhausts of the cars.

The following videos are more subdued, showing the design details, exterior and interior, of the two new models.

MINI John Cooper Works & Clubman

MINI John Cooper Works

MINI John Cooper Works Clubman

MINI John Cooper Works Clubman Interior

The second generation MINI Cooper hardtop earned impressive scores for front and side impact and roll-over testing in the latest National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) testing.

In the NCAP side impact testing, the 2008 MINI Cooper received a 5-Star rating for front seat occupant side-impact protection - the highest rating issued by NHTSA. In the same test the MINI Cooper received a 4-Star rating for rear seat occupants.

In frontal impact testing the MINI Cooper received a 4-Star rating for both front seat occupants. In addition the MINI Cooper carries a 5-Star rating for rollover safety.

We are delighted that the NHTSA tests confirm MINIs excellent occupant protection in crash situations

said Jim McDowell, Vice President of MINI USA.

It is a testament to the level of safety we engineer in our cars, making MINI one of the safest small cars on the road today.

The MINI Cooper and Cooper S help to maximize occupant safety with a total of six airbags - two frontal impact bags, two seat-mounted side impact bags and an impressive Head Protection air bag curtain that protects both front and rear passengers in the event of a side impact or roll-over. MINI’s crash worthiness is also enhanced by a rigid steel safety cage that helps to redirect impact forces away from occupants.

Of course it is better to avoid an accident and MINI offers a palette of advanced electronic braking and traction management technologies to help keep the car safely on the road. In addition to standard Anti-Lock Brakes, and All Season Traction, (AST), MINI offers Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Corner Brake Control (CBC) and available Dynamic Stability Control (DSC).

Dates for MTTS 2008

Although nothing is official until announced by MINIUSA, rumor has it the return of MTTS will be the following dates and locations:

Miami, FL. June 13-15.

Boston, MA. June 20-22

          *MINIs on Top June 27-29

          *Mini Meet East July 3-6

Chicago, IL. July 11-13

Los Angeles, CA. July 18-20

It’s been an open secret for a while now that MTTS 2 was going to be four regional events, vice a wild cross country adventure like the first one in 2006. Ah, that was fun! The best way to experience MTTS in 2006 was to buy a GP, opt for early delivery in Monterey, then enjoy Mr Toad’s wild ride across the USA!

But this time, it may be even better, and here’s why: the dates chosen allow someone to start at the Miami kick off, take a leisurely drive along the Atlantic coast, maybe visiting Savannah to see the end of Sherman’s March. You could take the Chesapeake Bay Bridge in Virginia, a marvel of engineering. Stop in Atlantic City and win enough money for a tank of gas. Do a little shopping in NYC. Then before you know it, it’s time for the second part in Boston!

But to continue your MINI adventure, the weekend after Boston, it’s time for MINIs on Top! This is one of the largest MINI events in the US, I have attended it twice. Every year it’s bigger and better, and this year it’s bracketed by MTTS Boston and the following weekend is Mini Meet East! Although MME is aimed mainly at the classic Mini, they welcome MINIs too.

After gorging on MINI and Mini sights, then it’s on to the third station, Chicago! We don’t know what MINIUSA has planned, but it has to include hot dogs and pizza, and maybe a trip to Al Capone’s vault?

And now for the best part! Remember a song about a road that “winds from Chicago to LA, more than two thousand miles all the way, get your kicks …” YES! You can drive historic Route 66 to LA, the last stop of MTTS!

Now is that a cool way to spend your summer vacation or what?

 Thanks to Barry of MC2 magazine for being a gossip and to Ian Cull for the MoT and MME information.

• Engine modifications deliver 211hp and 0-62 in 6.5 seconds
• Engine, brakes, suspension settings and transmission adapted from MINI CHALLENGE race car
• Dynamic Traction Control makes MINI debut
• Full range of John Cooper Works body styling products available
• On-the-road prices expected to be £20,500 for the JCW Hatch and Clubman at £21,700
• New speedo design to accommodate the higher maximum speed

Production of John Cooper Works-tuned cars is all set to resume at MINI’s Plant Oxford after the launch of the second-generation MINI Cooper S Hatch and new MINI Cooper S Clubman. From July 2008, customers will be able to order factory-built MINIs that produce 211hp and complete a 0-62mph sprint in 6.5 seconds.

Motor sport has heavily influenced the engineering and development of these new MINIs that feature a larger twin-scroll turbocharger and direct petrol injection with common rail. The four-cylinder engine has had the same modifications as the MINI CHALLENGE race car, along with re-engineered brakes, suspension and strengthened gearing. Each upgrade combines to give the car a remarkable output of 132hp per litre combined with 40mpg.

Expected prices on-the-road are £20,500 for the MINI John Cooper Works and £21,700 for the MINI John Cooper Works Clubman. The cars will be unveiled for the first time to the public at the International Geneva Motor Show in March.

Engine

The engine specially developed for the MINI CHALLENGE race car is fitted to the MINI John Cooper Works cars. The basic unit is the 1.6 litre power plant supplied in the standard MINI Cooper S, but modifications have been made to the air filter, air mass meter, exhaust system and catalyst. Air supply to the modified larger turbocharger is increased through fitment of a larger air intake pipe, which in turn creates a quicker induction phase.

The Works engines from Hams Hall also come with reinforced, specially polished pistons, as well as a strengthened cylinder head for optimised stability and a modified cylinder gasket. The intake valves and valve seat rings have also been upgraded with stronger and more resistant materials. This reduces the engine’s compression ratio.

The new Sports exhaust system is instantly recognisable through the large polished stainless steel twin tailpipes. Modification of the exhaust system has also helped to reduce counter-pressure at the point of exhaust gas recirculation. Ducts in the exhaust manifold and turbocharger are split between two cylinders each. Congestion is therefore minimised when air is inducted to the turbocharger and “turbo lag” is virtually eliminated.

The John Cooper Works MINIs are the first models in the range to fulfil all the requirements of the European EU5 emission standards that come into force in 2009.

The material used in machining the turbine has been upgraded specifically for the Works engine, with maximum charge pressure increased from 0.9 to 1.3 bar, in order to maintain the highest possible temperature for a longer period in the combustion chambers. This lengthening of the combustion process helps to achieve the higher torque curve of the Works car at 260Nm at just 1,850rpm. The Overboost function briefly extends this further to 280Nm. This suits the character of a John Cooper Works car perfectly as Overboost is experienced exclusively through increased torque, not on engine output.

Safety and Driving Dynamics

MINI has always had sophisticated driving stability systems as standard. These include ABS Brakes, EBD Electronic Brake Force Distribution, CBC Cornering Brake Control, EDL Electronic Differential Lock, as well as DSC Dynamic Stability Control and Hill Assist. For the first time, DTC Dynamic Traction Control is added to the list.

DTC allows controlled slip on the drive wheels. For example, on a slippery surface, the driver can pick up speed in a controlled manner with the front wheels spinning slightly. When reaching the upper limit, DSC will intervene as usual. But the driver can deactivate the DSC/DTC systems if he wishes by the touch of a button.

In the DSC-off mode, the standard Electronic Differential Lock can be activated and controls cornering at higher speeds. If one wheel loses grip, drive is transferred to the wheel with better grip promoting the car’s traction and pulling force.

Chassis

The Sports Suspension has been specifically tuned for the Works models. However, even greater chassis rigidity can be achieved by ordering through dealerships the John Cooper Works suspension that lowers the entire car by 10mm.

Extra-large disc brakes adorned with uprated red callipers are fitted to Works cars. In addition, inner-vented discs are positioned behind the front wheels. The front discs are 17” in diameter while the rear set measure 16”. The brake discs are approximately 22mm larger than on the standard Cooper S.

Interior

The options included as standard on the John Cooper Works include a leather sports steering wheel, air-conditioning, interior trim in glossy Piano Black and an Anthracite roof lining.

An upgraded sound system is also included in the JCW package and features 10 speakers and an eight-channel amplifier for increased aural pleasure. For the first time, the MINI speedo has been increased to 160mph on the dial to accommodate the higher maximum speed of the JCW.

The six-speed manual gearbox has been strengthened to handle the powerful new engine.

The standard Sports button, located in front of the gear stick, activates a bespoke engine control map which produces even more dynamic performance and sharper steering response.

Exterior

The Works MINIs come with exclusive 17” light-alloy wheels in JCW Cross-Spoke CHALLENGE design, shod with Run-flat tyres, and weigh less than 10 kilos each.

The Works models can be identified by the newly-designed John Cooper Works logo on the boot and grille and wheels, as well as on the door trim.

Here’s another bit of old(ish) news for you while waiting patiently for the John Cooper Works information to be released just a smidge after midnight UK time.

Again, it’s a BMW press release, so may be a little BMW centric, but does include a lot of positive information on the BMW group’s efficient dynamics programme and the effect it is having on the group’s CO2 emission ratings.

BMW reduced actual output of CO2 emissions last year at a faster rate than other manufacturers, highlighting the practical benefit of the company’s wide reaching EfficientDynamics strategy.

According to respected UK automotive magazine Autocar, BMW performed best, reducing CO2 output in 2007 by 24,879 tonnes, closely followed by MINI which reduced CO2 output by 23,617 tonnes.

Combined, BMW and MINI cut total CO2 emissions in the UK by over 48,000 tonnes, accounting for almost 50 per cent of the total reduction by the entire industry.

The magazine calculated the reduction of CO2 emissions of each manufacturer’s models between 2006 and 2007 and then multiplied that by the number of cars sold and an average usage of 16,000km to calculate total CO2 savings.
Average CO2 emissions for BMW vehicles in the UK dropped from 190.3 g/km to 177.6 g/k whilst MINI emissions fell from 178.2 g/km to 147.3 g/km.

According to the magazine,

some makers have a real challenge to cut CO2 by as much as BMW has.

At the heart of every BMW is our commitment to extracting maximum driving pleasure from a minimum of fuel, while reducing CO2 emissions

said Tom Noble, General Manager Marketing, BMW Group Australia.

BMW’s EfficientDynamics strategy has been lauded previously for its widespread contribution to reducing emissions.

Last year BMW was honoured with the ‘Green Award’ by UK-based CAR magazine in its annual Car of the Year awards.

Beating competition from other manufacturers including those with hybrid models, BMW received top honours for its EfficientDynamics programme because its ‘green measures are simple, widespread and hugely beneficial’.

What Car? Magazine has also commended BMW’s EfficientDynamics programme. The publication’s end of year roundup entitled ‘Green Heroes’ looked at 45 ‘planet saving cars’ you can buy today. Between BMW and MINI, the firm’s products were the best buy choice for six models and a recommended choice with four more models. By comparison no other premium manufacturer came close in terms of offering a wide range of economical, low emission vehicles.

EfficientDynamics has also helped BMW win other prestigious awards.

The first ever ‘Green Steering Wheel’ award for environmental excellence in the automotive industry was presented to BMW by Bild am Sonntag, Germany’s best-selling newspaper.

Before the big John Cooper Works MINI news due in about eight and a half hours time here on MINI2, we thought we should do a quick catch up on some recent good news for MINI owners and fans living in and around England’s capitol.

Apologies for the BMW centric reporting, this is verbatim of the official press release…

BMW and MINI’s market positions as the number one premium cars within their segments in London were strengthened today with the Mayor of London’s announcement of a new charging structure for entering the capital in a car.

New legislation that comes into effect in October means drivers of vehicles emitting less than 120g/km will be Congestion Charge exempt. Drivers of cars emitting between 120g/km and 225g/km will continue to pay the standard £8 a day fee, while those driving vehicles that record more than 225g/km will pay an increased daily charge of £25.

The change in charging structure means BMW and MINI owners will be financially better off than owners of other prestige cars. All MINIs and most BMWs will remain within the £8 threshold, but there was further good news for many BMW and MINI owners. The new BMW 118d, the MINI Cooper D and the MINI Clubman D all fall into the new sub 120g/km Congestion Charge free bracket. This means that from October 2008 an owner of one of these models will save £2,040 a year driving in the capital compared to owners of non-exempt rival products.

BMW 118d three- and five-door, MINI Cooper D
and MINI Clubman D exempt from Congestion Charge:
Four of BMW Group’s most fuel efficient production cars of modern times have set a new benchmark courtesy of advanced engineering. The three- and five-door BMW 118d now record an impressive 62.8mpg on the combined cycle with CO2 emissions of 119g/km - putting it into the Band B category for Vehicle Excise Duty. The BMW 118d now costs just £35 a year to tax.

The 110hp MINI Cooper D and MINI Cooper D Clubman both better these impressive figures. The MINI Cooper D is currently BMW Group’s most fuel-efficient car recording 72.4mpg on the combined cycle and CO2 emissions of just 104g/km. The MINI Cooper D Clubman nearly matches these statistics recording 68.9mpg and 109g/km. Both cars are Band B in relation to Vehicle Excise Duty tiers and cost just £35 a year to tax.

All four vehicles employ technologies such as Brake Energy Regeneration, Auto Start-Stop and Electric Power Steering under the EfficientDynamics banner to help cut fuel bills and emissions. An optimum gearshift change indicator is included to encourage economical motoring. These innovations are in addition to high-precision direct injection engines on some models that further aid engine performance.

Jim O’Donnell, Managing Director of BMW (UK) Ltd, said: “While other manufacturers might claim to be environmentally-friendly, it is BMW who has followed through on its promise to lower CO2 emissions. Instead of producing one-off models or the odd concept car BMW has introduced EfficientDynamics across almost all of its range in 2007.

“No other manufacturer comes close to BMW in terms of combining the benefits of good fuel economy and low emissions while at the same time offering improvements in output and performance. This position was backed up recently in Autocar, who stated that BMW and MINI combined cut CO2 emissions in 2007 by nearly as much as all other manufacturers combined. Quite an achievement.”

Diesel-powered BMW X5 and X6 owners celebrate
and save £4,335 a year:
The BMW X5 3.0d and 3.0sd are now the only conventionally-powered vehicles in the segment with automatic transmissions as standard with CO2 emission figures that fall below the 225g/km band for Congestion Charging. The X5 3.0d has a CO2 emission figure of 214g/km, while the sportier twin-turbo X5 3.0sd posts a 216g/km figure.

The introduction of new legislation means the owner of a new diesel-powered X5 will save £4,335 a year in Congestion Charge fees compared with rival, non-hybrid Sports Activity and Sports Utility Vehicles. The low emissions rating for the X5 3.0d and 3.0sd also qualify it for Band F instead of Band G Vehicle Excise Duty, saving owners a further £95 a year. This benefit is set to increase to £190 a year from 1 April 2008 when the VED charge for Band G cars increases. The cost savings for X5 owners are considerable as diesel-powered models account for 95 per cent of annual UK sales.

The BMW X6, the world’s first Sports Activity Coupé, is another model from the BMW line-up to slip under the 225g/km threshold for Emissions Related Congestion Charging in London. The BMW X6 xDrive30d and the X6 XDrive35d have CO2 emissions figures of 217g/km and 220g/km respectively. Despite boasting rakish looks and on-paper specification & handling akin to a sports car, BMW’s EfficientDynamics technology ensures that these exciting high-performance diesels remain in the £8-a-day charging tier.

Cleaner than a London black cab:
By comparison the latest diesel-powered BMW X5s emit less CO2 than the Mayor of London’s preferred means of transport, the black cab. While the X5 3.0d and X5 3.0sd emit 214g/km and 216g/km respectively, the very latest LTI Vehicles TX4 2.5 produces 233g/km. By contrast the biggest selling BMW X3, the 2.0d automatic, produces just 178g/km.

It’s a similar story with regard to fuel consumption. On the combined cycle the X5 3.0d achieves 34.9mpg compared to a black cab’s 32mpg. The X3 2.0d trumps this by recording 42.2mpg. The X5 covers 9% more miles per gallon and emits 8.2% less CO2 than the black cab while the X3 covers 32% more miles per gallon and emits 23.6% less CO2. The average owner of a BMW X5 will do less than 10,000 miles a year, while the average London black cab will cover considerably more.

BMW Group cuts car CO2 emissions more than any other manufacturer:
Independent research* has revealed that BMW is the manufacturer which cut its UK new car CO2 emissions the most between 2006 and 2007. Figures show that BMW and MINI together managed to slash CO2 emissions by 48,496 tonnes in a 12-month period following the widespread introduction of EfficientDynamics measures on its cars.

To calculate the figures researchers took the average CO2 of each manufacturers’ models offered between 2006 and 2007 then multiplied that number by the number of cars sold. The resulting figure was then multiplied by an average annual mileage of 10,000 miles per car to calculate the overall CO2 figures and the savings.

In stark contrast to the efforts of the BMW Group some rival manufacturers actually increased their CO2 output during the same period.
*Autocar, 6th February, 2008

Apologies for the lack of updates to the MINI2 news section in recent times.

The good news is we’re back, starting this weekend with the full rundown of two new exciting official factory MINI models, with full specifications, photographs and prices.

If you like your MINIs red hot…. Stay tuned!