Sections: JCW, R60 (Countryman) Feb 29th, 2012 29 Comments 
Say what you like about the power or the rather odd end to the video. This thing is mean looking.
Video after the break. continued →
Sections: JCW Feb 28th, 2012 76 Comments 
Let’s start with the numbers. The highly anticipated JCW power plant has 211 hp (218 in European numbers). That’s up only three from the previous version of the engine without valvetronic. So why only a 3 hp increase? The Cooper S version of the engine saw decidedly more power gain when it went from 172 to 181 hp. As you’ll see MINI didn’t move the needle on the power output as much as they did torque and general drivability of the engine while keeping efficiency in check. But before we get to far down that road let’s look at what has changed.
The MINI John Cooper Works Countryman’s engine reaches its maximum output of 211 hp at 6,000 rpm and generates peak torque of 207 lb-ft between 2,000 and 5,600 rpm. Power us up 3 hp and torque a more substantial 16 ft lbs. continued →
Sections: JCW, R60 (Countryman) Feb 28th, 2012 38 Comments 
The JCW Countryman signals a subtle but important change in the JCW brand. Gone is the softer, standard suspension and in its place is a sports suspension tuned specifically for this car. Then, there’s the engine — complete with BMW’s Valvetronic and a sizable increase in torque and throttle response. This coupled with the JCW’s standard All4 all wheel drive system gives the JCW Countryman a unique place in the JCW range and perhaps even a sign of things to come for the rest of the lineup. We had a chance to drive the prototype of this car back in December, and for those looking for a more powerful, sporting MINI 4-door, your car is about to arrive.
[Official Release] The MINI family is constantly expanding, and new additions have also been made to the range of John Cooper Works models available to customers. For the first time, MINI racing-inspired thrills can be experienced in combination with all-wheel drive. The global introduction of the MINI John Cooper Works will get under way in autumn 2012.
Sections: Podcast Feb 28th, 2012 5 Comments 
Woofcast 415:
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Download| 47:15 | 22.7mb | WRR @ iTunes | Show Notes
Starting off right away talking about the next Company Car that you can see above and read all about here. We all agree it looks pretty sweet and are excited for a chance to drive it. Good chance you will get to see this car during MTTS, but no promises. Finishing off with the rest of the news from Motoringfile.com. continued →
Sections: MTTS Feb 27th, 2012 15 Comments 
Not long ago, official MTTS details appeared on MINI USA’s Facebook page. What you see above are the official route and destination dates. Here is the text version:
Day 1 – Wed July 4 – NY to DC (via Philadelphia)
Day 2 – Thurs July 5 – DC to Charlotte
Day 3 – Fri July 6 – Charlotte to Nashville
Day 4 – Sat July 7 – Nashville to Louisville
Day 5 – Sun July 8 – Louisville to Chicago
Day 6 – Mon July 9 – Chicago to Des Moines
Day 7 – Tues July 10 – Des Moines to Lincoln
Day 8 – Wed July 11 – Lincoln to Denver
Day 9 – Thurs July 12 – Denver to Albuquerque
Day 10 – Fri July 13 – Albuquerque to Phoenix
Day 11 – Sat July 14 – Phoenix to Los Angeles
Day 12 – Sun July 15 – Los Angeles
We’ll have full coverage of MTTS both here on MotoringFile and over on WhiteRoofRadio.com, so stay tuned. You can also follow along over at MINIUSA’s Facebook page.
Sections: MINI Connected Feb 27th, 2012 10 Comments 
[Official Release] The AUPEO! Personal Radio iPhone app will soon be available for all current BMW and MINI models. Following the launch of the Pandora and MOG music services for the US product range in 2011, the BMW and MINI Connected Apps options will allow customers in Europe, too, to enjoy their own personal music service.
AUPEO! is a customisable internet radio service that uses a recommender system to allow music to be matched to listeners’ individual tastes. continued →
Sections: MTTS Feb 24th, 2012 4 Comments 
More MTTS details are being leaked. Here is the latest that should be landing in your inboxes this weekend. Really exciting news for those of you cone-chasers among us!
MINI AutoCross locations for the MINI TAKES THE STATES, the only official cross-country MINI road rally, are confirmed! During the trip, from July 4 – 15, motorers can test their mettle (and skill) on MINIcross courses in Philadelphia, Nashville, Chicago and the trip’s ultimate destination – Los Angeles. Plenty of info is still to come, so join the MINI TAKES THE STATES 2012 mailing list to stay updated.
Go Forth. Go West. Go MINI
We are expecting more details about the official route and dates very early next week. Stay tuned!
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