This one comes to us from AutoExpress who is claiming that MINI will be producing a JCW version of the MINI D, complete with 160HP. While the information seems tenuous at best (something you’d expect from a magazine with Autoexpress’ track record) we wanted to post it to let you make up your own mind.
During an interview with a senior engineer, we posed the question of whether diesel power would ever be an option for the JCW brand. He wouldn’t confirm the existence of an oil-burning variant, but commented that it would be a “good ideaâ€. With the project still on the drawing board, buyers shouldn’t expect the new oil-burner to arrive this year.
We aren’t sure when exactly we’ll see this in the marketplace (if ever) so we’re filing it squarely in the rumor category for now.
You’ve watched the races and heard how awesome this track is. Wouldn’t it be cool to get your MINI on this track? Now you can.
On April 8th, Bob Scheer and Jerry Bradbury, both Mini race car drivers in the US Touring Car Championship pro series, will be conducting their second Advanced Car Control Clinic there for experienced Mini drivers. There will be 5 sessions each for only three run groups that day. That works out to around 140 minutes of track time for each run group! Full details after the jump.
We usually save our stories about the overall BMW Group for BimmerFile but since this clearly affects MINI we felt it appropriate.
Official BMW AG Release: The BMW Group’s performance held up well in 2008 despite difficult market conditions. “The BMW Group has been able to make improvements at an operating level in the midst of extremely difficult economic times”, stated Reithofer Norbert, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, on Thursday in Munich. “Cost structures have been further optimised and, thanks to rigorous management of free cash flow, the BMW Group is in a very solid financial position”, he added. continued →
The MINI Space Box is a custom Airstream trailer than showcases a custom made interior by Copenhagen’s Republic of Fritz Hansen. Look for the Space Box to show up at events, exhibitions, and design fairs around the world. It will make its debut at the Salone del Mobile and the INTERNI DESIGN ENERGIES exhibition in Milan, Italy (April 21-30 2009). continued →
In the next few weeks JCW will be releasing a retrofit kit for all R55, R56 and R57 models that allows owners to install one or two of the following gauges:
Coolant temperature gauge
Torque reserve gauge (relative torque as MINI calls it)
Lateral G gauge
These gauges will sit on the side of the tachometer exactly like the current MINI convertible’s always open gauge does. The retrofit kits will be available at MINI service centers around the world starting this spring.
But you know we couldn’t just end at that. We did some digging and managed to find the official retro-fit PDF manual. This document gives us a clear look at the work needed and the parts included in the kits. However a word of warning, this might be a little bit more than most of us can handle when it comes to DIY. It may be best left to your dealer or favorite independent MINI shop.
Jay Leno is a car guy, we all know this. Makes sense then that he would want a MINI E parked in his shop. And, since he is a TV guy, makes sense he did a bit of video to go with.
We do get the chance to see under the bonnet and find out that the MINI E will charge on normal household current in the US.
1st Gen MINI R50: One & MC Hatch R52: All 1st Gen MINI Convt. R53: MCS Hatch 2nd Gen MINI R55: Clubman R56: Hatch R57: Convertible R58: Coupe R59: Roadster R60: MINI Crossover R61: MINI Crossover Coupe 3rd Gen MINI F55: Clubman F56: Hatch F57: Convertible F60: MINI Crossover F62: Traveller
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Sections: Diesel, Efficiency, JCW, R56 (Hatch), Rumor Mar 13th, 2009 17 Comments 
