MINI2

1st April 2008 the new MINI Cherished website will go live, improved and upgraded to help would be used MINI purchasers in their quest for the ideal ride.

According to a MINI press release, sales of used MINIs via the official MINI Cherished scheme have rocketed recently, and the revamped website is part of their response to ever increasing demand for used MINIs.

The stats speak for themselves, in February 2007 there were 518,018 searches for Cherished MINIs, February 2008 saw an increase of over 90% to 992,269 searches. Sales are also up over 25%, January 2007 saw 2178 Cherished MINIs leave dealer forecourts, and the same month in 2008 saw 2580 used MINIs purchased.

Thanks to the manufacturer-backed scheme, with every Cherished MINI coming with the following range of benefits:

• Minimum 12 months MINI Warranty
• Minimum 12 months MINI Emergency Service Cover across the UK and Continental Europe
• Minimum 12 month MOT and MOT Cover
• Full Service History
• Independent vehicle history and mileage checks
• Finance and Insurance available through MINI Financial Services

The MINI Cherished website address is www.minicherished.co.uk

As with the original MINI, the second generation MINI will soon be due a nip and tuck, a mid life facelift and refresh. Rumours suggest that the facelift for the second generation car may be more dramatic than we saw first time around, and we’d like to know what you would like to happen.

The first MINI facelift took place after three years of release, in the summer of 2004. Changes were cosmetic as well as mechanical across the range, but to the untrained eye, very little changed. Most of the exterior and interior changes involved plastic or clip-on components. The bumpers, grilles, lights, and other ‘easy to change’ parts were updated to match the new look of the MINI Convertible.

Apparently with the second generation this pattern will continue, with the Convertible leading the way for hard top changes. However, we’ve heard that sheet metal changes, as well as the previous bolt ons, will be updated this time around, suggesting perhaps a more dramatic (while still in no way a full ‘generation change’) update will take place this time around.

We’d like to know, what cosmetic, and perhaps subtle mechanical changes would you make to the second generation MINI to make it appeal more to you as a MINI enthusiast?

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).

• 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.

Credit goes to MINI2 forum member hein, who Yesterday posted up  these photographs of the MINI Challenge 2008 safety car, which just happens to be an exclusive MINI Clubman.  Is that the coolest safety car ever seen?  Beats a mundane Merc for sure!

MINI have shown official images and released a press statement with details of the 2008 MINI Challenge racer car.

MINI performance is to be taken to new levels with the new MINI John Cooper Works CHALLENGE, a MINI Cooper S built specifically for track use and ready to race. Set for its first public appearance at the forthcoming IAA Motor Show in Frankfurt, deliveries of the new car will take place from spring 2008.

Key characteristics of the new car include a higher top speed, increased torque, faster acceleration and optimised traction. Performance figures are detailed below:

MINI CHALLENGE Car: Power: 210 hp, Torque: 260 Nm (280 with Overboost), 0-100 km/h 6.1 seconds, Top Speed: 149 mph

Power enhancements are at the core of the striking CHALLENGE car’s modifications. As well as a re-developed twin-scroll turbocharger, the standard MINI Cooper S engine receives modified pistons, air filter, air intake passage, catalytic converter, exhaust components, electronic sensors and engine management system.

Numerous chassis and suspension tweaks add to what is a finely-tuned racing package. The new suspension system features adjustable damper units from KW Automotive, designed specifically for motorsport. A six-speed manual gearbox transmits power to 17” front wheels made by Borbet and shod with exclusive new racing tyres manufactured by Dunlop.

Body revisions based on the John Cooper Works Aerodynamic Kit, currently available from all MINI dealers, are key features of the CHALLENGE car’s set-up. To generate increased downforce at higher speeds, CHALLENGE car owners can expect a new adjustable rear spoiler, rear diffuser and performance front spoiler. The new braking system performs exceptionally. Large four-piston callipers mean the car can go from 62 – 0mph in just 3.1 seconds. A race-specific ABS configuration and an air-pressure elevating system complete the product modifications, which together equate to a vehicle 30kg lighter than the previous CHALLENGE car.

Safety measures perfect the array of MINI CHALLENGE car features. A roll cage welded firmly to the body of the car houses RECARO bucket seats combined with a six-point safety belt, along with the HANS (Head And Neck Support) system used in Formula 1 cars.

Oh, and you can buy one for yourself too.

MINI Today confirmed for the first time in an official press statement that a 210 hp Works MINI Cooper S will be available to the public in “Summer 2008″.

We’ve been saying for a long time that the new Stage 1 Works kit was only phase one of the “Hot MINIs from MINI” strategy and recently we gave 212 hp as the predicted output of the Stage 2 factory fitted Works, we were pretty close.

In a press release focusing on the MINI Challenge 2008 car, MINI mention, as an aside, that the same engine conversion will be available to private customers from Summer 2008. The tuning kit powers up the Cooper S with a quoted output of 210 hp (ps) and 260 Nm of torque (280 Nm with overboost). Now that sounds like fun.

*update*

Now we’ve received a full English language release, this news may not be so exciting for the road-going hot MINI fan.

Although the car is designed for race participation, private owners may find owning a MINI CHALLENGE car a compelling prospect. However, the car will not be licensed for public roads and as such is expected to maintain its appeal among racing enthusiasts.

Race teams will receive the first MINI CHALLENGE cars from March 2008. Private customers not competing in the MINI Challenge series can expect deliveries of cars from June 2008. An order form for the car can be downloaded from 11 September 2007 at www.MINI.com/challenge-car and the expected price is €49,900 inc. VAT.

According to insiders at MINI, the long awaited factory produced John Cooper Works MINI Cooper S model, featuring tweaked suspension, styling, and a more powerful version of the MINI Cooper S turbocharged 1.6 litre engine, will begin production as early as June or July next year, and should be with customers from September.

While dealers wont be able to place orders for the new John Cooper Works S at this stage, it may be wise for enthusiasts to get their names on an interest list before the rush for what promises to be the fastest factory Cooper S to date hits full swing.

We’re hearing rumours here at MINI2 that the planned “hot” factory MINI Cooper S with John Cooper Works tuning kit may be in full production and on sale as early as September next year.

According to sources, the hot MINI Cooper S will output around 212 bhp, come fitted with uprated suspension, gearbox with LSD and and an aggressive body kit to aid cooling and style.

Estimates on price suggest a premium of around €3,500 (around £2,500). If that proves to be accurate, it sounds a bit of a bargain for the bundled extras and factory warranty that will support the hottest second generation MINI Cooper S to come from the factory.