Section: R56
Aug 28th, 2008
MINI USA will shortly be announcing immediate availability of the JCW engine tuning kit for the automatic R56 Cooper S. This is the same kit that was mistakenly released for a couple weeks late last year without US certification (however those cars did not receive the correct ECU update that unleashed most of the power of the kit) After lengthy testing MINI USA has received full certification from the EPA and sales can now officially begin. Here’s an excerpt from the internal MINI USA document announcing the release:
Aftersales is thrilled to announce that the highly anticipated John Cooper Works Tuning Kit for the MINI Cooper S (R56) is now available for vehicles with manual and automatic transmission. continued →
Aug 25th, 2008
We’ve had an enormous number of requests for a couple reviews over the past few months. First up are of course the two new JCW MINIs. And then there is continued interest (yes from MINI owners) of the 135i - specifically the manual which we haven’t tested yet. So we’ve been busy working with BMW and MINI to get these cars and in turn get our reviews out to our loyal readers. continued →
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Aug 25th, 2008
For about a dollar you can rent and MINI Cooper, MINI Cooper Clubman or a Smart car in Toronto. What’s the catch? The cars are covered with ads.
CityFlitz, Toronto’s newest auto-sharing company, showcased its $1 a day rental program in Toronto at Yonge-Dundas Square yesterday.
Its premise is simple: Drive around the city at least 30 kilometers a day in a car plastered with advertising, which heavily subsidizes the cost of the rental.
Even covered with ads, I’m pretty sure I’d rather drive a MINI than ride the bus.
Aug 24th, 2008
Expect to see a rush of more factory JCW reviews as the car begins to hit the streets of North America and Europe in the coming weeks. Here is a more favorable review of the factory JCW MINI coming from our friends north of the border at Driving.Ca.
Some notable excerpts:
“This feeling of performing beyond its dimensions, engine size and heft is endemic to this the sportiest of Minis. Immediately after picking it up, I found myself cruising at 160 km/h, so quiet was the cabin and stable the ride. Considering the penalty for such flagrant flouting of Ontario’s speed limits, I, again, hoped that the JCW’s speedometer was indeed optimistic.” continued →
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Aug 22nd, 2008
The Truth About Cars has compiled a list of what they think are the 10 best cars of 2008. Among the Nissans, Mazdas and the Audi R8 is, of course, the MINI.
If cars were ice cream, the MINI Cooper S would be fat-free Häagen-Dazs: all the deliciousness you want with none of the guilt. The MINI manages to pack performance, handling and style into a pint-sized container for just a bit more than plain vanilla costs.
High praise for the Mazada MX-5 as well, but not quite as high as the MINI.
Aug 15th, 2008
Hamann has released tuning and bodykits for the R55/R56 Cooper S and Cooper D. It’s not a huge departure from their previous kits but they’re worth checking out.
+ Tuner Special: Hamann Mini Cooper / Inside the Line
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Aug 15th, 2008
Andrew Frankel from the London Times took the factory R56 JCW car on a first drive recently and was not very keen about this latest hot entry from Oxford:
“This could just be one of the most exciting cars to hit the road since . . . well, since the original Mini Cooper handbrake-turned onto the scene. Sadly, though, the reality is anything but. Instead of being the best sporting Mini ever created, it is the least appealing I’ve driven.” continued →
Jul 28th, 2008
Most of us around the MF offices are pretty big fans of Top Gear. We thought it was especially nice when BBC America decided to start sharing the goodness that Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May dish out on a weekly basis. Eventhough they aren’t showing the current season, we still have ways to keep current, and with good reason, especially this week. Check out the video after the jump!
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Jul 7th, 2008
MF Exclusive: For all those who might have missed the story initially (and all 200 comments) some R56 Cooper S’ have been experiencing some odd noises on start-up. After posing the question to friends at MINI early this year, we finally have some answers. Sources tell us that the cold start or noisy start issue that some R56 owners have been experiencing has been acknowledged, at least internally, and a fix is in the works. Various solutions have been sought from the dealer level on up to address the problem (with very mixed results). From an engineering standpoint the problem has to be repeatedly replicated to find the source of the issue and that takes time. According to these same sources the problem is within the engine management software and a fix is currently in the works. This is still preliminary but hopefully those who are experiencing the issue won’t have too much longer to wait. continued →
Jun 30th, 2008
While at MINI Takes the States in Boston, I had the opportunity to crawl in, on and around the JCW Challenge Race Car with camera in hand. While I was taking photos, I also got some great information.
Mechanically, this is a Factory JCW MINI. The engine, transmission and clutch are from the Factory car you’ll be able to buy later this month. The brakes are the same 4 piston brakes of the JCW car. The wheels are OEM JCW wheels that you will be able to order with your Factory JCW car.
Once this car is built, it’s sent out “body in white” for it to become a race car. The interior is completely stripped except parts of the dash and the emergency brake boot (which is odd) and all of the safety equipment is installed. One feature that I wasn’t familiar with is the air jacks. There is a quick-release air jack in the boot where you plug in an air hose and the entire car raises. A nice feature for a race car to be sure.
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Jun 28th, 2008
With more and more people trying to get into more fuel efficient cars, resale values of used cars is going up. From Forbes.com.
It’s not just used hybrids seeing a price increase, however. This year’s Mini Cooper buyers expecting to find a lower-priced used 2007 Mini were in for a big surprise. They paid, on average, $2,300 more for a used Mini in mid-June, a 12% increase over the average transaction price on Jan. 1 of this year. The car has proved its value during the past six months; it gets an average EPA estimated 29 mpg. continued →
Jun 27th, 2008
You heard the audio and read Todd’s thoughts about it, but I also got it on video! Enjoy.
Updated by request. This version has no music. Enjoy. continued →
Jun 24th, 2008
Over the past months there has been quite a low level rumble from MINI enthusiasts about the lack of availability of LSD (Limited Slip Differential) on the new factory JCW MINI. The engineers have opted, instead, for an EDLC (Electronic Differential Lock Control). The reason for the EDLC over the LSD is due to the fact that with a mechanical LSD, the high amount of torque in the JCW MINI causes the LSD to engage too quickly causing what’s been referred to as “anti-torque steer”. Torque steer is something that usually causes the steering to pull to one side under hard acceleration.
What they found with LSD on the JCW MINI was that it caused the car to want to pull the steering back to center and go straight under hard acceleration - not a desirable, or safe, effect in a lot of situations. This is a simplistic, easy to understand explanation and I’m sure a dissertation could be written on the technical aspects of force and intertia involved but hopefully this will help answer the question as to why no LSD. In the end, both options were tested and the EDLC gave the JCW the best handling. continued →
Jun 21st, 2008
Exclusive! The Factory JCW will be getting the burble exhaust sound back as was on late R53 models. This is great news and you can see and hear for yourself at your local dealer starting July 14.
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Jun 5th, 2008
Not for sale in the United States, Bosch has one here as part of it’s in-house Euro Diesel fleet. And MPGoMatic got to drive one in Las Vegas Nevada.
While a 0-62 time of 9.9 seconds might not seem overly impressive, the MINI D feels faster then the numbers tell. The car is quick off the line, with the little diesel mill providing plenty of torque throughout the range. Unlike many small-displacement gasoline engines, the the MINI D’s 1.6 liter four-cylinder diesel engine is infinitely drivable, producing 110 horsepower (HP) and approximately 177 foot pounds of torque between 1750 and 2000 RPM (and a touch more than 191 with overboost).
They even have video to prove it.
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