2006 Mini Cooper 5sp 37xxx Miles on 2040-cars

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Remember that world-record jump crash? Here's every angle, including the human one

While there are those who watch automotive exploits hoping (secretly or otherwise) for a spectacular crash, most of us are happy when everything goes smoothly. But at the end of the day, a daring stunt wouldn't be a daring stunt if there weren't some element of danger. And make no mistake about it, Guerlain Chicherit's recent long-jump record attempt was a daring stunt if ever there was one.
Chicherit, for those unfamiliar, is a French athlete who made the rare transition from "conventional" sports to motor sports. An accomplished professional skier, these days Guerlain drives a specially-prepared Mini Countryman in off-road events like the Dakar Rally and in death-defying stunts. Last year he managed to backflip his Mini and land in the record books, and this past winter he went after Tanner Foust's record by attempting a 360-foot jump at a ski resort in the French Alps. Unfortunately, things did not go as planned.
Despite several practice jumps at closer distances, the final attempt ended in a massive cartwheel crash in front of the gathered crowds. Several spectators published footage of the crash soon after it happened, but now GoPro has released a more comprehensive compilation showing the lead-up to the event and the jump itself from every angle - inside, outside and away from the vehicle. It's guaranteed to make you cringe, but remember that Guerlain miraculously escaped with minimal injury and will live not only to tell the tale, but likely to take another crack at it. Whether you're the kind to gawk at such a crash or not, the video below is worth watching.

Mini's not-so-mini Urbanaut minivan concept comes to life

BMW-owned Mini showcased one way it could branch out into new segments when it unveiled the Vision Urbanaut concept in late 2020. At the time, the design study existed merely in a series of digital renderings. It hasn't been approved for production yet, but it was recently transformed into a real concept car that people can experience. Executives argued the idea of an electric Mini minivan isn't as far-fetched as it might sound. "We have developed an idea of how we can take the Mini attributes — as here, with the focus on the clever use of space — into the future of mobility and interpret them in a typically Mini way," said company boss Bernd Korber. Clever use of space was the original Mini's claim to fame thanks in part to an ingenious drivetrain layout, and the Urbanaut takes it to a new level. Longer than a Countryman and shaped like the box it came in, it offers a lounge-like cabin that can be configured in a variety of different ways depending on the number of passengers it's carrying, and whether someone is driving. Mini created three profiles called Chill, Wanderlust, and Vibe, respectively. Chill lets the passengers relax, work, or sleep with minimal distractions while the Urbanaut drives itself. In this mode, the instruments and switches on the dashboard are hidden out of sight to make users feel like they're in a living room, not in a car. Wanderlust allows passengers to choose whether they want to drive or be driven. Vibe may as well be called Party; it configures the Urbanaut's lights and screens to make users feel like they're in a club. Alternatively, users can configure their own driving profile thanks to a feature named My Moment. While the Urbanaut doesn't look like a traditional Mini, it will (hopefully) smell like one. For the first time, Mini is linking its brand identity to a fragrance. We can't convey a smell over the internet, there's not an app for that yet, but we're told it is refreshing and discreet. It's accompanied by a welcome sound that greets users as they enter the cabin. Mini will present the Urbanaut concept to the public for the first time at the Digital-Life-Design (DLD) Summer Conference opening July 1 in Munich, Germany. What happens next hasn't been revealed yet. While we'd be surprised to see it land in showrooms, something like it could zig-zag across major cities in the coming years. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Mini and John Cooper Works floating hub caps are factory fresh accessories

Much of the allure of a Mini is tied to its iconic style and design. Beyond the legendary shape of the Mini Cooper, the company is heavy into unique details that celebrate the brand's heritage. Features such as Union Jack taillamps scream, "Look, I'm British!" while a new accessory inches even closer to the nose and says, "Look, I'm a Mini!" Literally, these new self-leveling hub caps read, "MINI" or "John Cooper Works."  Floating, or self-leveling, hub caps are not new, but they're new to the Mini Original Accessory store. For those who are unaware, these items use weights in the front of the center cap and a "flexible connection to the wheel hub extension" to keep the outermost part of the cap in one position. That position keeps whatever script is written on the cap horizontal and visible to all onlookers.  Mini says the standard wheel covers are easily removed and can quickly be changed out for these floating caps. The Mini cap takes uses a simple black background with chrome trim and script while the John Cooper Works caps have a black background, red outline, and silver, black, and red logo in the center. Both options are available for order at Mini dealerships, Mini partners, or at Mini's online shop for about $78 (Mini) or $93 (JCW). Auto News Design/Style MINI Parts and Accessories Performance