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Mini John Cooper Works EV spy photos reveal a sporty body

The fully-electric Mini Hardtops are just around the corner, and we've seen the Cooper SE pretty much revealed. But that won't be the most potent of the electric Minis. These spy shots show that there's an electric John Cooper Works model following right behind. It features a number of extra-sporty add-ons and will surely boast more power. Confirming this John Cooper Works prototype's electric nature is the almost completely filled-in grille and lack of any tailpipe. The open lower section in the grille does look a tad larger, and it incorporates parts of the aggressive front spoiler, with those pieces vertically bisecting it. There's still no hood scoop, since there's no reason for it. The front spoiler is matched by new side skirts with little winglets toward the rear. And at the back, there's a prominent rear spoiler with small fins along the top. The rear bumper has been redesigned with boxier edges and a more aggressive diffuser. This prototype is also wearing a set of split five-spoke wheels. While we've had a number of reports about specs on the two initial Mini EV Hardtops, the JCW is more of a mystery. It's safe to assume there's more power than the Mini Cooper SE's reported 215 horsepower. Our spy photographer suggested 250, and that seems reasonable as a significant increase over the SE and a boost over the 228 of the current gas-powered JCW. Suspension and possibly brake upgrades are also on the menu. It will probably get the larger 54-kWh battery that's expected, but as our photographer notes, the extra power and wider, stickier tires will probably keep it from hitting the same range as other Minis with the same pack. The aero add-ons may also create more drag, further hurting overall range. The base and SE versions of the electric Mini Hardtop should be revealed in the next few months, since it's pretty much been revealed sans specifications. The John Cooper Works will probably follow in about a year, maybe two, after to allow for some final development work and to keep the buzz going. It will also probably be the most expensive, but most exciting, version of the electric hardtop. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Lots of Land Rovers, Jaguars and Minis actually survived that near-capsized ship

Despite a severe list to starboard, many of the 1,400 cars and SUVs aboard the 51,000-ton Hoegh Osaka are currently being recovered in salvageable condition, with video showing some of the vehicles from British brands Land Rover, Jaguar and Mini, being driven ashore under their own power. The car-carrying vessel developed a severe list on January 3 and was intentionally run aground on a sandbar between England and the Isle of Wight. It has since limped its way back to port in Southampton, where damage assessments are being conducted on both the ship and its $53-million in cargo. According to the company that owns the car carrier, the ship itself only suffered minor damage in the incident, while Car and Driver is reporting that many of the damaged vehicles will almost certainly be scrapped. Still, the fact that there are vehicles, some of which appear undamaged (look at that Defender at 0:50!), being removed from the Hoegh Osaka needs to count as a net win. News Source: Car and Driver, WonkaBar007 via YouTube Jaguar Land Rover MINI Coupe Crossover Hatchback Luxury Off-Road Vehicles Performance Videos Sedan

Watch this Chinese stunt driver parallel park with only 3 inches to spare

Whenever this writer thinks of fancy parking jobs, we go straight to Buddy Love singing Strokin' in a red Dodge Viper he slides into a tiny space in The Nutty Professor. But after watching the video above, we might have to start thinking about Han Yue, who broke the world record for getting into the tightest parallel parking space. The previous record was set in July 2013 by Alastair Moffatt, who had 3.4 inches to spare between his car and those around. Yue used a Mini Cooper at the China Drift Championship in Chongqing, China, to shrink that gap to 3.15 inches. That gave Yue two world records at the same event: the day before, he used a BMW M4 to set the world record for doing the most donuts around a car driving on two wheels. Which, frankly, we didn't even know was a competitive thing... Related Gallery 2014 Mini Cooper: First Drive View 47 Photos News Source: Guinness World Records via YouTubeImage Credit: Copyright 2014 Jeremy Korzeniewski / AOL MINI Hatchback Guinness World Records parallel parking