Jan 21st, 2014
Todd and I go in depth with Pat & Chris on just about everything. First off we grill the guys on JCW – what we’ll see and when we’ll see it. And about the F56 – we dive into some of those specific product questions many of you have been waiting for. How does the 3 Cylinder Cooper sound? What’s the must-have option on the F56? If you’re considering a new MINI, this interview is a must hear. continued →
Jan 17th, 2014
For days now the lead MINI X-Raid driver Stephane Peterhansel has been battling back from earlier issues and spectacularly making up time. But with that speed comes risk and while Peterhansel had gotten within two minutes of the lead MINI (driven by Nani Roma) the team asked him to slow down and not take any undue chances. To be more specific, it appears that MINI Motorsports has made the request. Read on for the details.
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Jan 14th, 2014
NAIAS for MINI was all about the new JCW concept. And up close it was more impressive than we expected. And yes, it is nothing but a thinly veiled (and stickered) version of the 2015 JCW we’ll see in about a year’s time.
Stepping out of the MINI booth there was plenty to take in. The new BMW M3 and M4 looked impressive as did the M235i – something that many of you might cross-shop with MINIs. The new Mercedes C Class features some interesting detail inside and the AMG CLA45 and GLA45 will give BMW & MINI product planners fits for years to come. Then there was Porsche with the new 911 Targa on display as well as the 918 (which was briefly open for business). But enough talk, you can check out all of the 200 photos after the break.
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Jan 13th, 2014
Today is the day that MINI takes the wraps off of the MINI JCW concept – a car that gives us a sneak peak a the 2015 JCW. Additionally we’ll be getting a better look at the new F56 with more variants on display than we’ve seen before.
Throughout the day we’ll be bringing you updates from the floor and plenty of photos. Be sure to follow the site and check out BF on Twitter and Instagram.
Check out the gallery (as it’s updated) throughout the day.
Jan 6th, 2014
We’re just a few days into 2014 but we already have a clear picture of of the next 18-24 months for MINI. Read on for the complete rundown of the next two years. It’s an inside look at what will see and when we’ll see it.
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Dec 30th, 2013
There is little question the original JCW GP is a special car — an incredibly special car. It was thrown together at break-neck speed with off-the-shelf parts and yet it’s one of the most satisfying cars I’ve ever driven at any price. Sure, MINI had some trouble selling all of them at the time, as they have with the GP2, but since then it’s become a classic with ever-slowing depreciation. That original MINI JCW GP will surely be a classic.
In contrast, the new GP is a much more serious car. Road testing and development took place primarily at the Nurburgring, led primarily by a MINI race car driver. Instead of a few months, the second generation JCW GP was two years in the making. In those two years, MINI JCW fitted an entirely new, bespoke suspension. MINI spec’d unique tires and a specially-matched six-pot braking system that was designed to stop cars almost 1,000 lbs heavier. The result was nothing short of phenomenal. Whether on the track or on the road, the 2013 JCW GP is astonishing in its ability to change direction, stop, and go. Yet it’s not just the quickness of the new GP that exhilarates. It’s the car’s feedback at every touch-point.
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Dec 26th, 2013
Drive TV – a Youtube favorite of ours features a handful or different shows that explore every corner of the automotive world. One of our favorites, Tuned with Matt Farah recently took a JCW GP to the Silver State Classic. An open road challenge in the Nevada Dessert, it’s a timed event that involved speed, endurance and math. And on a long holiday weekend it’s also a perfect thing to sit back and enjoy. continued →
