[Paul]

http://www.mini2.com/article344.html

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett

http://www.mini2.com/article344.html

Thanking you. Nice to know - performance is good but the stand alone model approach is even better. Turns it into a bit of an M car for the range, which is a good thing in my book.

[Paul]

I agree, I couldn't really pin if it will be factory exclusive, it seems to be leaning that way as it does look like it will be quite different from the normal S, more than an aero kit and some badges, put it that way.

[AidenL]

Arrrgh........... now what to do?

[Paul]

We sttill dont know what it will look like "gaping" is the sort of impression I get! Or indeed how the turbo "feels", as I've heard mixed reports on the lag (or lack of) effect so far..

[BlackFerret]

gah still nothing on the gearboxes!!!!

it has to 4x4 it simply has to be!!!

[Paul]

Do you think that after a year we'll see a lot of used Works and GP Tuning cars hit the market? The performance of this should be better, with all the "practicalities" of the regular MINI. But at a cost no doubt.

[AidenL]

I guess when news and reviews filter through, it will cause people to change who want the latest and greatest?

This is really a tough choice for me personally.........

Quote: Originally Posted by Aiden

Arrrgh........... now what to do?

It's alright Aiden, if it's anything like the GP by the time we see it the car will be 150kg heavier and have lost 20 horses.

Seriously though, this sounds so much like the spec that was being floated for the GP when this thread started. Maybe still a bit down on power but in general execution it's pretty much what many of us were hoping for. Oh well. Shame I don't want to wait til the end of 07 for the next car.

S.

edit - sorry Paul, this was supposed to be on the GP thread - feel free to move it if you think appropriate.

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by Aiden

I guess when news and reviews filter through, it will cause people to change who want the latest and greatest?

This is really a tough choice for me personally.........

Must be hard.

[AidenL]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett

Must be hard.

Sometimes.......

[Paul]

From what I've been hearing it sounds very promising to me, it feels like they've taken a much more in house approach to the whole "Works" project, which can only be a good thing for the customer, and also would mean JCW will (long overdue some might say) get it's own MINI2 section.

[dukesantos]

I wonder how much they can change the front end within the European ped regulations and USA crash testing requirements. Over here bumper and light heights, among other things, are also regulated. I'm concerned that this new Works model might not make it over here, we've seen that happen many times in the past involving numerous models and manufacturers.

[Brynster]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett

I agree, I couldn't really pin if it will be factory exclusive, it seems to be leaning that way as it does look like it will be quite different from the normal S, more than an aero kit and some badges, put it that way.

Different enough for "the Works" to actually compete with it. ie good enough to base a MINI rally team on ? I think it's long overdue for Cooper Works MINIs to regenerate the reputation that has made the Mini Cooper name. Come on: Paddy Hopkirk, the Flying Finns and the Monte wins were a loooong time ago. With all the record sales that they're boasting about, how about putting a bit back into Motorsport and keeping the image alive. It would be something for all us MINI enthusiasts to enthuse over

[Rakey]

Quote: Originally Posted by Brynster

Different enough for "the Works" to actually compete with it. ie good enough to base a MINI rally team on ? I think it's long overdue for Cooper Works MINIs to regenerate the reputation that has made the Mini Cooper name. Come on: Paddy Hopkirk, the Flying Finns and the Monte wins were a loooong time ago. With all the record sales that they're boasting about, how about putting a bit back into Motorsport and keeping the image alive. It would be something for all us MINI enthusiasts to enthuse over

good point Bryn, it would be good if the Works car was an actual Works Competition car

Great bit of news Paul, think I shall go get my name on the list

[Rakey]

Quote: Originally Posted by Aiden

I guess when news and reviews filter through, it will cause people to change who want the latest and greatest?

This is really a tough choice for me personally.........

the obvious choice would be to keep the current JCW and save for a new one, then have the best of both worlds

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by dukesantos

I wonder how much they can change the front end within the European ped regulations and USA crash testing requirements. Over here bumper and light heights, among other things, are also regulated. I'm concerned that this new Works model might not make it over here, we've seen that happen many times in the past involving numerous models and manufacturers.

There's no way they will miss out on the US market. The changes will mostly be to aid the operation/cooling of the engine/drivetrain and (so I'm led to believe) aerodynamics.

[obehave]

220bhp is pretty limp by todays standards. What may or may not make that significant is the vehicle weight.
Any word on that?

[Brynster]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rakey

good point Bryn, it would be good if the Works car was an actual Works Competition car

Great bit of news Paul, think I shall go get my name on the list

I just get hot under the collar that Mini Cooper is a name that exploits a reputation that is so far in the past that it is removed from reality (as well as from the memory of most current buyers). How long can buyers continue to be excited by a name that's famous from exploits that were so long ago? It would kill all the arguments about whether JCW kits/mods are worth it if they were tested in the wide open world of competition. Buyers would then feel that their hard-earned was being forked out for something that was genuinely competitive as well as giving MINI fans something to wave their flags for. That title of "Works" is really not earned, these days. Fine in the 1960s and '70s when the Abingdon Special Tuning department built cars to bear the company name in worldwide competition (and replicas for favoured private entrants) but, today, it's a laughable affectation and a cynical marketing gimmick - if you're taken in by it. Let's have a Generation Two Cooper S Works that has earned the right to the name by proving in competition that it really is something EXTRA special.... For MINI. it would be a good investment as the past has shown

[Rakey]

Quote: Originally Posted by Brynster

I just get hot under the collar that Mini Cooper is a name that exploits a reputation that is so far in the past that it is removed from reality (as well as from the memory of most current buyers). How long can buyers continue to be excited by a name that's famous from exploits that were so long ago? It would kill all the arguments about whether JCW kits/mods are worth it if they were tested in the wide open world of competition. Buyers would then feel that their hard-earned was being forked out for something that was genuinely competitive as well as giving MINI fans something to wave their flags for. That title of "Works" is really not earned, these days. Fine in the 1960s and '70s when the Abingdon Special Tuning department built cars to bear the company name in worldwide competition (and replicas for favoured private entrants) but, today, it's a laughable affectation and a cynical marketing gimmick - if you're taken in by it. Let's have a Generation Two Cooper S Works that has earned the right to the name by proving in competition that it really is something EXTRA special.... For MINI. it would be a good investment as the past has shown

nice to see someone with passion for the cars heritage

I think it is what we all would love, but in todays world, the marketeers lead too many decisions, and not the man that says but we can do so much more with this, lets take a punt

There was a day when the S on its own stood for more, and not just a car in a range, and that disapointed me, looks that the Works is heading that way, and its not beater in a category of small cars anymore like it used to be

But I will still love it, and buy it, as it will be a great car, just not the car it could have been