When BMW launched its re-envisioned Mini Cooper in 2002, the 12-foot-long car felt downright titanic next to its namesake. By early next year, the Mini will grow even more, but an extra 2.76 inches in length won’t compare to the goodies to come underhood: A pair of new, all-aluminum engines produced by a joint venture between BMW and PSA Peugeot Citroen will boost power in the Cooper and Cooper S by five and seven horsepower, respectively.

The Mini Cooper will draw power from a 1.6-liter four-cylinder featuring technology borrowed from the mother ship, namely BMW’s Valvetronic system, that allows for fully variable valve timing and lift while eliminating the throttle butterfly. Output tops out at 120 hp at 6000 rpm, with torque peaking at 118 lb-ft at 4250 rpm.

The 1.6-liter four in the Cooper S uses a twin-scroll turbocharger and gasoline direct injection to crank out 175 horses at 5500 rpm and a meaty 177 lb-ft of torque from 1600 to 5000 rpm.

Both engines come standard mated to a six-speed manual transmission, with a six-speed automatic available. An available sport switch allows for manual operation of the automatic via steering wheel-mounted paddles, but also increases throttle response and gives the electric power steering a weightier feel for better control during more spirited driving.

That’s right, the Mini gets a fully electric steering system for 2007, replacing the car’s electric-hydraulic unit. At a recent test-drive of a very early Cooper S prototype, the steering had a much more natural feel than many similar systems, delivering plenty of feedback from the tires and responding quickly to inputs.

The car itself feels amazing at the track, with a nimbleness that allows for point-and-shoot driving at its best. Balancing the car on its throttle, easing off and feeding in the gas to aim the front of the car wherever one wills it, snapping the steering to maintain long drifts through sweeping turns—the Mini allows for it all while forgiving even the most ham-fisted maneuvers.

For prospective Mini shoppers, the ride should be even more fun with the optional sport suspension. Mini engineers say much of the harshness found in the cars’ suspension tuning is erased in the new car, with the standard suspension on both cars allowing for a more comfortable ride.

Getting a real sense of styling and design differences will have to wait until later this year, but a look inside the prototype test cars revealed some nice details. The center-mounted speedometer is larger and now houses the switchgear for the stereo, and the car gets a push-button starter.

Look for the 2007 Mini to appear in showrooms early next year; pricing has yet to be announced but we expect a minimal increase to the 2006 model’s $18,000 base price.

Mini has released official photographs of the second-gen Mini Cooper, priming the pump for a planned public unveiling at next month's Paris motor show.

Although appearing largely unchanged, the 2007 model is heavily re-engineered, most notably at the front where it receives a longer front overhang and a new hood with round cut outs for the headlamps, which are now fixed in place both in the interest of pedestrian safety and ease of manufacture.

The changes add 2.3 inches to the Mini's length, taking it up to 145 inches overall. Width and height remain the same. The dashboard and door trims have been redesigned and now use higher quality materials.

As reported in our prototype drive ("More to love," Aug. 7), the new Mini ditches the Brazilian-source engine used by its predecessor for a more advanced 1.6-liter four-cylinder unit developed in partnership with PSA Peugeot Citroen. In the Mini Cooper it kicks out 120 hp at 6000 rpm and 118-lb-ft of torque at 4250 rpm. The Mini Cooper S adds direct injection and a twin scroll turbocharger to the mix, boosting output to 175 hp at 5500 rpm and 177-lb-ft at 1600 to 5000 rpm. BMW says both engines provide improved fuel economy while improving performance. Gearbox choices include a standard six-speed manual or optional six-speed automatic.

The front end modifications have necessitated changes to the suspension, with altered geometry and increased travel for the front MacPherson strut set-up. The rear multi-link arrangement is retained in principle but uses a higher percentage of aluminum. The steering adopts electro-hydraulic assistance in place of the fully-hydraulic rack of old. In keeping with BMW's policy, the new Mini rolls on run-flat tires.

Safety has played a big role in the development of the new car, a fact reflected in its standard equipment which includes six airbags, ABS brakes, electric brake differential, and cornering brake control. The Cooper S adds traction control and dynamic stability control, the latter with a new hill-holding function which activates the brakes on steep inclines to prevent the car from rolling backwards.

We don’t have the English version of the official R56 specifications yet but with the help of Google translation services we were able to figure out this little nugget of information from the German release:


R56 MC: 2508lbs (EU Unladen Weight)
R56 MCS: 2651lbs (EU Unladen Weight)

Now compare that to the current generation MINI:

R50 MC: 1150kg/2530lbs (EU Unladen Weight)
R53 MCS: 1215kg/2672lbs (EU Unladen Weight)

That means there is 10kg/22lbs lost on both models.

Sport Package / $1500 (tentative): No changes.

Premium Package / $1500 (tentative): No changes.

Cold Weather Package / $300: No changes.

Convenience Package / $1500 (tentative): Here’s where things get interesting. MINI USA has increased the price dramatically on the convenience package but has also upped the options correspondingly. MINI USA will add keyless go (allows you to open locked car without a key, hit the start button and drive) along with the currently available auto-dimming rear-view mirror, auto wipers, auto headlights and universal garage door opener. However the biggest addition to the package will be full bluetooth integration that makes use of the integrated steering wheel and radio controls. This system should be identical in functionality to the new BMW (E90) 3 Series Bluetooth option.

Audio Package / $1500 (tentative): Finally here’s the new option package we mentioned earlier. The Audio Pack will include an upgraded “Hi Fi” stereo (not H/K branded) HD radio and Sirius Radio.

As you would expect from MINI, all options will also be available a la carte so MINI owners will be free to create any combination under the sun.

In less than a month, MINI will unveil its Cabrio Sidewalk at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.



The new version will offer open-air driving and will feature extensive standard equipment, new 17-inch aluminum wheels in a two-tone design and English Malt Brown leather trim inside. Also standard are the Chrome Line details around the hand brake, cup holders and the instrument panel.



In the North American market, the equipment will be available in different option packages, while there will be a choice of two engines: the MINI Cooper Cabrio with 115 hp and the Cooper S Cabrio with 168 hp.



The soft top can be opened or closed by the push of a button in 15 seconds and can be opened up to 16 inches like a sunroof. This can be done while driving up to 75 mph.



The tailgate can be lowered and can carry a weight of 176 pounds. Even with the top closed, the lower half of the tailgate can be opened for easy loading.

BMW will offer all-wheel-drive as an option on all of its 2008 Mini models, according to a report by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport. The magazine said the system was developed for the extended-wheelbase Clubman, but would find its way into the rest of the 2008/2009 lineup.

In late 2004, a Dutch media report indicated Germany's Getrag auto parts maker was testing an AWD system for the compact car. The prototype was created on Getrag's own initiative, but BMW officials were said to be following the design study closely. Getrag supplies BMW with transmissions.

BMW product boss Burkhard Goschel reportedly took a ride in the prototype, and was very positive about its performance. The AWD system tested by Getrag featured a heavy rear-wheel bias, with the front wheels engaging as needed. It's not known if the production AWD system is the same as the one tested by Getrag.

Tucked away at the end of this week’s Auto Motor und Sport article on the 2008 Clubman is this little nugget (translated from German):

However an all-wheel drive system will be available in 2008 for all models.

From a non-German speaking frame of mind, it’s not entirely clear if the author is referring to all models of the Clubman or all models of the MINI. My first thought was that he was referring to the MINI. And it would make sense that, if the technology was available to the R56 based Clubman, it would be available for the rest of the R56 range. However we have our doubts that MINI has any plans for AWD in anything but the R58.

Until we hear more, make sure to file this one in the rumor category. You can read the article (again in German)

Yesterday we broke the news that MINI would most likely be releasing two JCW vehicles rather than simply offering one JCW product as previously expected. Thanks to sources from three continents, we now have some limited details on the first product, what we’re calling (for the moment) the “Stage One Kit.”

In an effort to possibly bridge the gap between the upcoming high-output JCW MINI (coming for in late 2007 or early 2008) it looks like MINI will release a “Stage One” JCW kit that will have an output somewhere between 190 and 200bhp. Our sources are also telling us that the “Stage One” kit will be available as a dealer retrofit for all R56 MCS’s and will consist of three components:


Revised air intake
Less restrictive exhaust
Revised ECU Software
Rumors seem to point to a debut at the Geneva Motor Show with availability following sometime this Spring. The only pricing figure we’ve seen thus far is 3000 Euros for the European market. And even that pricing is unconfirmed at this point.

However for all those looking for yet more power, your car is still coming. Our sources remain adamant that MINI has something more powerful waiting in the wings for 2008.

MINI has officially announced the JCW kit for the R56. The kit includes a JCW exhaust, intake and ECU software upgrade. The new components develop 192bhp and Torque 184lbf-ft/250nm (199lbf-ft/270nm with overboost).

The dealer installed kit will retail for 1689.80 Euros in Europe (presumably w/o installation). No other pricing was given in the press release but we expect more information in the coming weeks.

The new JCW kit will indeed debut at the Geneva Motorshow in early March as we predicted. Expect to see this kit available at your local MINI dealer later this spring. You can read both the German and English official MINI press releases below for more information:

Available from spring 2008 onwards and in all versions, this is the new Mini Convertible. Caught here testing close to the firm’s Munich headquarters with a multi-functional fabric top, this car is going to be the ultimate 2008 summer city-car. With a C-pillar at least as wide as on the current model, visibility to the rear won’t be improved at all, but the stowage of the roof could well be improved. For that, however, we’ll have to wait for photos of the car with the roof folded down.