Sections: JCW, Reviews Oct 28th, 2008 29 Comments 
We’ve heard you. You want to read our review of the 2009 JCW MINI. In fact there hasn’t been a week that has gone by since spring that we haven’t gotten emails asking when we were going to drive the car. The wait is over. Our 2009 JCW press car will arrive tomorrow we’ll be putting it through its paces for an entire week. continued →
Sections: In the Press, JCW Oct 27th, 2008 34 Comments 
Ok we’re being dramatic. But really Motive seemed to try throw down the gauntlet against the new JCW. The results? We don’t want to ruin it for you but it’s a great read for MINI fans. Here’s an excerpt:
The key to the Mini’s lively personality is its ability to do more with less. The retuned Cooper S 1.6-liter under the hood makes an extra 36 hp and 15 lb-ft of torque, but at 208 and 192, respectively, those are easily the lowest figures among these cars. Yet look at the track results, and you’ll see that the Mini hit the highest top speed and recorded the second-fastest lap of the day. Much of that is due to the JCW’s huge weight advantage, but it’s also the confident brakes that don’t mind being squeezed hard and late. continued →
Sections: Official News Oct 24th, 2008 10 Comments 
(Be sure to check out the 2009 MINI Design Calendar in PDF format below. This is a MotoringFile exclusive download from our friends at MINI Design.)
Stonehenge, the Sky Disk of Nebra and the Aztec Pyramides were primeval calendars, designed to measure the passage of days, seasons and the position of the sun. The human endeavour to keep track of time by dividing years into months, weeks and days is thousands of years old. These constructions were designed to re-assess the past but also to make a prediction of the future. This year, on 26 August, 2009, MINI celebrates its fiftieth birthday – not very old, in relation to the history of time measurement.
While this appears to be the right moment for reflection and for harking back to the history of the MINI, it is also a good time to look ahead and first and foremost, it is a good time to celebrate all that has been achieved. How better to do this than with a calendar, which links the past, the present and the future? continued →
Sections: Awards, JCW, R56 (Hatch), Video Oct 24th, 2008 8 Comments 
Auto Express has assembled a list of what they think the top-20 performance cars of 2008 are. And there, right between the Porsche Cayman S and the BMW M3 Coupe is the JCW MINI Cooper S in third place.
In the end, the MINI’s feisty character is all part of its appeal – it’s a car you grab by the scruff of the neck, hold on and enjoy! And it’s even more fun on the public road. When you’re not pushing so hard, the front wheels scrabble for grip less often and the car’s agility really comes into its own. Only the sheer brilliance of the top two models prevents the JCW from taking the crown.
They even have video and it starts when you open the page. Consider yourself warned.
[ Performance Car of the Year - JCW MINI ] Autoexpress.co.uk
Sections: MINI Competitors, Video Oct 23rd, 2008 41 Comments It’s unusual to see someone within the US market go head to head against the MINI. Perhaps the MINI’s success in the market has simply made it inevitable or Suzuki is trying to elevate their brand by association. Whatever the reason Suzuki is now running a primetime commercial in the US market spouting the virtues of it’s SX4:
Sections: R57 (Conv.) Oct 22nd, 2008 27 Comments 
You may remember a few weeks back when we scooped the world with official photos of the R57 MINI Convertible – not due for public introduction until the January Detroit Autoshow. If you don’t remember those pics, you’re out of luck. Due to a friendly letter from some folks in Munich they are no longer on the site. However that hasn’t stopped us or other sites reporting on spy photos. And behold, Globalmotors.net has the best we’ve seen so far. Seen here (for the second time) are the new R57 17″ wheels and the optional brown canvass top. You can see more below.
For all the details you could ever want on the new convertible, check out our R57 section here.
+ 2009 Mini Cooper Convertible spotted with no disguise / Globalmotors.net
Sections: Awards, R56 (Hatch) Oct 21st, 2008 11 Comments 
In a recent issue of Motor Trend they have a great comparison/competition trying to find the best handling car in the US. They are using sensors, gauges and computers with a few different drivers on Laguna Seca to get the results. Follow the links at the bottom for all of the geekery, including video.
Mixed in with the Audi R8, Dodge Viper, Nissan GT-R and BMW M3 (among others) was a 2008 MINI Cooper S. And, considering the crowd it was running it, it did pretty well, scoring 8th overall.
In the Mini Cooper S (8th place), again we see an adeptly tuned, midpriced front-driver. Though slowest in lane-change responsiveness and step-steer reaction time, the Mini produced a tightly grouped figure-eight tracing and finished midpack in ride quality. Pobst loved its handling balance, noting that the tail will wag helpfully but controllably in turns. “Confidence-inspiring,” was Pobst’s summation.
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