2019 Mini Cooper range gets subtle updates
Mini showed off a refreshed version of their classic Mini Cooper models at the 2018 Detroit Motor Show. This refresh included both the two and four-door hardtop and convertible models.
Mini showed off a refreshed version of their classic Mini Cooper models at the 2018 Detroit Motor Show. This refresh included both the two and four-door hardtop and convertible models.
Mini has released two new models in Saudi Arabia, UAE and the wider GCC market this month. One is the Mini Paceman. The other is the Mini Cooper John Cooper Works GP.
There was a time when the “new” BMW-designed Mini was only available as a 3-door hatchback and a convertible. Then, just like every other premium automaker with a penchant for profits, Mini started to expand the line-up and dilute its brand equity with models like the Countryman. Now there’s a new 5-door model joining the range when the redesigned 2014 Mini arrives next year, to succeed where the Clubman failed.
While some pro drivers get all the fanfare, it seems there is no shortage of good drivers around the world who can do the impossible. Chinese driver Han Yue has officially broken the record for parallel-parking in the tightest space. Han managed to shave off 7 cm from the record, drifting into a space of just 15 cm longer than his vehicle during an attempt at the May launch in Beijing of a new special edition of the Mini called The Chinese Job. The record has changed hands five times in the past two years, with Patrik Folco holding the previous record of a gap 22 cm longer than the car in April.
Mini has introduced a new motor for their JCW range of cars. The turbocharged 1.6-litre 4-cylinder engine configuration is retained, it even has same the power and torque outputs as the outgoing engine. The only news is that fuel economy and C02 emissions have been improved substantially.
The new-generation Mini John Cooper Works GP was exhibited at the MINI United Festival in France. The specific power and torque figures have not been revealed but the car is claimed to race around the Nurburgring in 8 minutes, 23 seconds, which is a 19-second improvement over the last official time.
We’re not quite sure of the order of the words in its name, but the short version is we finally got to drive a Mini Coupe, in Cooper S trim no less.
This Friday, BMW Middle East held the Mini “Drive Out Loud” festival at the Dubai Autodrome. The event hosted Mini owners from around the Middle East. Entry was open to the public, though ticket prices were pegged at Dhs 100.
The new Mini has looked pretty much the same since its debut as a lifestyle car sometime in late 2001. There was a major refresh in 2007, with a facelift and new engines. We drove all the body variants since then, including the Cooper S hatchback, the Cooper S convertible and the Clubman S. Then the next big change came in 2010, with a switch to a turbocharged 1.6-litre with a smidge more power for the Cooper S. That engine also made it into the “Mayfair” special edition. We’ll now see what makes it so special.
The Mini Mayfair is a “special edition” model that was released as a celebration of Mini’s 50th anniversary. From memory, the Mayfair was first shown at the Dubai Motor Show a year ago and this specific test car has been in circulation since summer, so it isn’t exactly new. It is the first Mini model we’ve driven that is fitted with the new-for-2010 direct-injection engine with an extra 12 hp, so it was worth a look, but since it is so similar to all the other Mini variants we’ve already driven, we’ll do a shorter “first drive” article later on,