The John Cooper Works Origin Story & A Look at the First JCW MINIs
The name John Cooper has been woven into the MINI story since the early 1960s, leaving an indelible mark on the brand’s DNA. But what might surprise you is that the very...
Latest MINI News
Will BMW’s Radical iDriveX Come to MINIs?
Yesterday, we introduced BMW’s radical new iDrive with its Panoramic Display—a significant departure from previous designs that reshapes how drivers interact with in-car technology. During our time with a prototype, we were...
Video Hands-on With BMW iDrive X & its Panoramic Vision
Today BMW is taking the wraps off our first glimpse of its in-car future – and it’s panoramic. The reveal of iDrive X and its stunning Panoramic Vision signals more than just an...
MINI USA 2024 Sales: A Down Year with Bright Spots on the Horizon
MINI USA’s 2024 sales performance reflects a year of significant transition, with overall sales declining 21.5% year-to-date (YTD) as the brand underwent a major model changeover. But even in a down year...
2025 MINI Cooper JCW Is Hiding an Extra Exhaust Pipe
When the new (F66) 2025 MINI Cooper JCW debuted earlier this year, it surprised MINI enthusiasts by shifting from a dual exhaust layout to what appeared to be a single, large outlet. However,...
The Secret War That Shaped the MINI Cooper’s Future
As MINI plots its future, it’s worth stepping back to one of the most transformative eras in the brand’s history—the 1990s. This was a defining decade when BMW found itself at a...
Revisiting the R50’s Debut: How the Press Fell for the New MINI
It’s hard to believe, but the R50 MINI made its grand entrance at the 2000 Paris Motor Show over 20 years ago. Enthusiasts were smitten from the start, but what did the...
The Best MINIs and Drives of 2024 – Our Top Picks
The past year wasn’t just a big one for MINI — it was the biggest year ever for MotoringFile. Which begs the question: what were the highlights? And, maybe more importantly, what...
(Video) Road Tripping the 2025 Electric MINI Countryman SE: A Real-World Winter Test
Electric vehicles (EVs) are often hailed as the future of motoring, but how well do they fare during winter road trips? In our latest video, we take the 2025 Electric MINI Countryman SE on an...
MINI Cancels J03 Electric Convertible Amid Changing EV Strategy
In a move that’s sure to disappoint open-air MINI enthusiasts, we’ve confirmed that MINI has scrapped plans for its much-anticipated electric convertible, the J03 Cooper. This decision is yet another sign of...
Previous Articles
How to Strap a Christmas Tree To Your MINI
It’s that festive time of year when some MINI owners embrace the holiday spirit by strapping Christmas trees to their roofs. While it’s a charming sight, let’s face it—some look like a...
BMWCCA Museum 2024 MINI Exhibit Announces Closing event
The BMWCCA’s Ultimate Driving Museum will close its first-ever MINI exhibit on January 18th with a special event. Guest speakers Phil Wicks and Brad Davis will be in attendance, making this your...
MINI Gifts Ideas for That Special Car in Your Life
There’s something curious that happens around this time of year: you start thinking, What does my car need? Naturally, whether it arrives by Christmas is less important—it’s about finding the perfect product for your...
MINI Makes Management Changes While Combining UK and Europe Regions
MINI is making a couple of key leadership changes for 2025 in the UK, Europe, and globally. The changes, which begin on January 1st, will simplify parts of MINI’s organizational structure while...
Video Review: 2025 MINI Cooper S 4-Door – Is A Bigger Cooper Still Fun to Drive?
In this video review we get behind the wheel of the four-door MINI Cooper S to see what an extra pair of doors does to MINI’s iconic hatch. Does it still drive...
MINI & Pantone Unveil the Color of the Year On The New MINI Cooper Convertible
MINI USA and Pantone joined forces in New York City on December 5 to unveil the Pantone Color of the Year 2025 alongside a very special MINI. The centerpiece of the event...
Opinion: Lack of Shift Paddles in America is Hurting MINI’s Reputation
We’ve been very vocal about MINI’s decision to eliminate the manual transmission globally, and equally outspoken about MINI’s choice to exclude shift paddles on the Cooper in most of America. While we...
Out of Spec reviews the MINI Countryman SE
There are plenty of YouTubers out there reviewing cars, but a few stand out above the rest. If you’re into EVs, Out of Spec Reviews has to be at the top of that list....
Exclusive: A MINI Countryman Refresh Is Coming Sooner Than you Might Think
The all-new U25 MINI Countryman hasn’t even been on sale for a year, yet we already have our first details about its upcoming refresh. Thanks to insider sources, we now know that...
Real MINI Cooper JCW vs MINI Cooper S JCW Trim – Which Packs the Most Value?
When the Cooper S with the JCW Trim was introduced, we called it a JCW in name only and worried it might undercut the full JCW model by offering the look for...
Review: 2025 BMW M235i Gran Coupe a Lot of Style, A Bit Substance & Plenty of Value
What happens when you take the same platform, engines, transmission and tech from a MINI Countryman and turn it into a four door sedan? You get the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe....
MINI USA’s Pat McKenna (Part 2): The Possible Return of the Manual & New Options
In the final part of our interview with MINI USA Head of Product & Marketing, Pat McKenna, we reveal some big news: the possible return of the manual, along with more options...
MINI USA’s Pat McKenna (Part 1): BMW Films, Early MINIs & Steve Jobs Feedback on Design
In part one of our final interview, we talk with MINI USA Head of Product & Marketing, Pat McKenna, about his early years at BMW, which included the legendary BMW Films. We...
First Look: New JCW Accessories for the F66 MINI Cooper
Our first look at the latest generation of MINI Cooper JCW accessories is here. While MINI has yet to formally announce the new family of accessories designed for the F66 and J01,...
What’s Next for the ICE MINI Cooper & the MINI brand Itself
MINI is extending internal combustion production past 2030 but what models might that include and can the MINI even survive this turbulent period? Based on sources—and a bit of our own guess...
Review: 2025 MINI Cooper S Convertible May Not Be all New But It’s a Big Upgrade
The F67 MINI Cooper S Convertible is a surprising upgrade over its predecessor, the F57. While both cars appear nearly identical in specifications and overall design, there are material differences that result...
Review: CravenSpeed Platypus License Plate Mount
Having had our JCW Clubman for eight months it was finally time to make it legal in the eyes of the law. In the state of Illinois that meant finally mounting a...
The MINI Cooper Convertible Returns to its Roots at Oxford
The MINI Cooper Convertible has started production and for the first time since 2015, it’s being produced at the Oxford Plant. Joining the MINI Cooper 3-Door and 5-Door, the Convertible is now...
Exclusive: MINI Delays Going All Electric & Will Make ICE Models Longer
For the last four years, MINI has publicly stated its goal to become an all-electric brand by late 2030. This would mean ending all internal combustion engine (ICE) production by the end...
Exclusive: MINI USA Will Not Import the J01 Electric MINI Cooper & Aceman In the Near Future
It’s official. After a year of anticipation, MINI USA has decided not to import the J01 electric MINI Cooper and MINI Aceman for the time being. For over a year, the official...
Exclusive: MINI is Considering Bringing Back the Manual Transmission
The manual transmission may not be dead after all. While nothing has been officially decided, MINI USA is actively petitioning to reintroduce the manual transmission to the MINI Cooper lineup. We recently...
2025 MINI Model lineup – MINI’s Biggest Transformation since 1959
The all-new MINI Family marks the most transformative shift in MINI’s history since 1959, representing the brand’s largest product overhaul ever. For the US that means 11 all-new models rolling out by...
The MINI Aceman – New Details & Photos Answer Your Questions
The MINI Aceman has arrived in Europe, with sales for MINI’s small electric crossover already underway. While there’s been plenty of excitement surrounding the Aceman, many of our readers still have questions....
MINI Begins Expanding Personalization Options In Some Markets
One of our main critiques of the new MINI family is the lack of personalization—a hallmark of the brand since its reintroduction in 2001. Fortunately, this seems to be gradually changing, as...