Carscoop’s spy photographers have snapped some of the first images of the sportiest edition yet of the Mini Countryman bearing the John Cooper Works logo. The…high-hoon version of Mini’s urban crossover model will come with all the usual styling upgrades and performance modifications we’re used to seeing in the other JCW models.
First and foremost, the Countryman JCW will get a juiced up version of the Cooper S’ 1.6-liter twin-scroll turbo engine. Being that the Countryman is much heavier than the other Mini JCW variants, engineers may further hone the four-cylinder powerplant to deliver more than 211-ponies it normally produces, possibly approaching the 230HP mark.
From the depths of Germany’s tuning industry comes our next custom build, based on the MINI Countryman Cooper S. Wetterauer Engineering GmbH, one of the lesser-known design shops, has come up with a new package for MINI’s first all-wheel drove model.
The aesthetic treatment starts with a new foil wrap in a matte brown color for the body and in carbon fiber for the roof, side skirts, front and rear aprons, exterior mirrors, spoilers and air vents. The package also gives the Countryman a matching set of 18-inch wheels from ATS shod in 225/45 R18 rubber and matte exhaust tips.
MINI's preparations for the brand's imminent return to the World Rally Championship have culminated with the official launch of the team less than a month ahead of its first WRC event, the Rally d'Italia Sardegna (May 5 - 8). At the company's plant in Oxford, England, the MINI WRC Team unveiled its two MINI John Cooper Works WRC cars, the driver/co-driver lineup and its plans for 2011.
German tuner AC Schnitzer has launched its first tuning package for the MINI Countryman . The focus is clearly on the wheels, as clients can choose between four different designs in two different sizes (18- or 19-inch) to go with the two-tone white and black exterior paint job. In fact, AC Schnitzer has just broken a personal record: in a company first, it has fitted a MINI with 19-inch rims. As for the interior, the tuning house offers an aluminum pedal set and gear knob or various knobs clad in leather with incorporated, digital gear display unit.Read more »
German tuner AC Schnitzer has launched its first tuning package for the MINI Countryman . The focus is clearly on the wheels, as clients can choose between four different designs in two different sizes (18- or 19-inch) to go with the two-tone white and black exterior paint job. In fact, AC Schnitzer has just broken a personal record: in a company first, it has fitted a MINI with 19-inch rims. As for the interior, the tuning house offers an aluminum pedal set and gear knob or various knobs clad in leather with incorporated, digital gear display unit.
At this year’s North American International Auto Show, MINI is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the brand’s revival and re-launch in the U.S. market. To mark the occasion, the automaker unveiled today the Paceman Concept, and also confirmed that it will spawn a production model in the very near future.
“I’m thrilled to tell you now, for the very first time, that there will be a seventh member of the MINI family – and we will base it on this concept”, said Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, during MINI’s press conference at the Detroit motorshow.
2010 was the most successful sales year in MINI’s history, with the British firm delivering some 234,000 units worldwide. Not surprisingly, the BMW Group-owned company wants to build on this success, by further expanding its model line-up.
Currently, the automaker offers four models (Hardtop, Convertible, Clubman and Countryman), which will be joined by the Coupe in late 2011, and the Roadster in 2012. The series-production Paceman will follow shortly after, essentially creating the first crossover coupe in the premium small car segment.
The concept model is based on the MINI Countryman and it uses the 211 hp 1.6-liter John Cooper Works turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Power is transferred to the wheels through a six-speed manual transmission and MINI's ALL4 all-wheel drive system.
“This car captures the typical MINI characteristics – unique design, clever functionality and signature driving fun - with a new level of agility. It combines an athletic, masculine coupé appearance with the dimensions of the MINI Countryman”, Mr. Robertson commented.
In 2001, the BMW Group revived the concept of the original MINI creating a new brand from a single, three-door hatchback model. Fast forward to today, and the British automaker's range has exploded with the arrival of a number of models including the soft-top Convertible, the JCW specials, the Clubman estate and the Countryman crossover, while two two more vehicles, the Coupe and Speedster, which were shown in concept form last year, have already been confirmed for production.
But that doesn't seem to be enough for the BMW Group that has announced a new concept model called the MINI Paceman, which will make its debut at the Detroit motorshow in January, that will almost certainly spawn yet another production vehicle.
Based on the Countryman five-door crossover, the Paceman is described by the company as a Sports Activity Coupé. Think of it as something like a MINI flavored X6 with two doors.
“With the MINI Countryman having already opened up a fascinating new avenue in the expansion of the brand family, the designers are now tapping into the potential of its state-of-the-art drive technology and flexible space concept to develop additional market opportunities in a coupé sibling,” said Jochen Goller, MINI Director for BMW UK Ltd.
In typical MINI style, the conversion from five-door to three door entailed more than simply removing the rear doors. The Paceman comes with larger frameless front doors that have been extended in n length by 16 inches, while the blistered rear fenders feature a more dramatic styling. In addition, the car gets a sloping roofline and a unique rear end.
Measuring 4,110 mm in length, 1,789 mm in width and 1,541 mm in height, the Paceman is also 13mm longer and 20 mm lower than its five-door counterpart.
We only have a couple of renderings of the strictly four-seater interior, but from what we can tell, the Paceman will feature unique trim and a sportier ambience.
Being that the concept is based on the Countryman, it comes to no surprise that the concept is powered by the JCW 1.6-litre twin-scroll turbocharged four-pot with 211HP and 260Nm (192 lb-ft) of peak torque, the latter value having the capacity to reach 280 Nm (207 lb-ft) in overboost function.
Drive is channeled through a six-speed manual gearbox and MINI's ALL4 permanent all-wheel-drive system, which under normal conditions equally splits toque between the front and rear wheels, but can send up to 100 per cent to the rear axle in extreme conditions. MINI added that the Paceman can also make use of a front-wheel drive layout.
More details on MINI's new concept car will be released at the upcoming Detroit Motor Show.
Working with Prodrive, Mini has officially re-entered the World Rally Championship after a decades-long hiatus. With its Countryman WRC, which made its world premiere in Paris today, Mini will be ready to compete in the 2011 season with a car driven by Kris Meeke. Read more »
First and foremost, the Countryman JCW will get a juiced up version of the Cooper S’ 1.6-liter twin-scroll turbo engine. Being that the Countryman is much heavier than the other Mini JCW variants, engineers may further hone the four-cylinder powerplant to deliver more than 211-ponies it normally produces, possibly approaching the 230HP mark. 
