2007 Mini Cooper on 2040-cars

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Mini JCW E PROtotype is a full-fat electric John Cooper Works

Mini has been revealing or teasing or launching variants of its all-new lineup since last September. It's not too much yet, but there's a lot of Mini going on. Here's the latest, the camouflaged Mini Cooper JCW E Prototype that will make its public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed for a run up the hill, introduced to us six weeks after Mini showed us a camouflaged internal-combustion Cooper JCW. And, if you'll remember, Mini showed an electric version of the new Cooper SE JCW last December. This JCW is going to rock more juice down electric avenue, though, the automaker saying there's an "advanced electric powertrain ... with cutting-edge technology" hiding under the skin. The expectation is that the JCW E will use the same 54.2-kWh battery as in other Minis, but its front-mounted motor will make more than the 215 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque applied to the Cooper SE and Cooper SE JCW. Brand execs told Autocar that engineers worked to maintain a "go-kart feeling," imparting similar sensations to the gas-powered JCW, the electric version's greater weight getting necessitating larger wheels and wider tires to improve grip. A stiffer suspension and larger brakes should also be involved. And although the new architecture can support a dual-motor powertrain, there seems little chance of that happening.     Same as the gas-powered Mini, the red and white camo is an homage to the red and white color schemes used in the 1960s for Minis in motorsports. The "37" logo commemorates the #37 Mini Cooper winning the 1964 Rallye Monte Carlo. Across the windshield, "Bulldog Racing" touts the team that won its class in this year's Nurburgring 24-Hour race with a new camo'ed Mini.  After the Mini JCW E's Prototype's run up the hill next weekend, the automaker says the global reveal comes in autumn this year.

Help Mini decide on its next limited-edition Cooper

Mini likes to make a big hullabaloo about the number of ways its cars can be configured, which currently stands at 10 million. While that figure is impressive, the BMW-owned brand is always looking for new and unique design variations, a trend that has seen a number of special-edition Minis pop up over the years boasting unique color and trim items.
For the new, third-generation F56 Mini, the British brand is at it again. Only this time, the cars are designed and chosen by Mini's fans in a new contest. Called "The New Originals," Mini teamed its 10 Final Test Test Drive winners with an illustrator to design their perfect Mini, one of which will become the next special-edition model.
The ten cars are currently being voted on by the brand's fans on the Mini USA website, with the winner set to be announced at the 2014 New York Auto Show in April. A total of 56 examples of the winning entry will then be put on sale, making this one of the most limited of Mini's many limited editions. Voting closes on February 19, so hop over to the page and vote for your favorite.

2015 Mini John Cooper Works Hardtop Video Review

There was supposed to be some track driving in this video. When Mini invited me to drive the 2015 JCW Hardtop, I was instantly interested because, well, I love cars and I love hot hatches. But adding to the excitement was the proffered time to drive the beastie on both a private racing circuit and an autocross-like cone course. But the gods that watch over Internet video weren't with me on that day. My track driving footage was spoiled, and the autocross setup ever so slightly less than photogenic. Thankfully, the selection of hills and dales around the New York-Connecticut border is ample and attractive. Video recording of the JCW, complete with a mild-soundtrack of it spitting out 228 horsepower was saved. For those of you that missed the written First Drive feature, this paragraph summarizes my feelings rather neatly: "It only took fifteen minutes of driving on the lilting, tree-lined roads outside of New Haven, CT, to realize that the 2015 Mini JCW Hardtop was a lot less pissed off. And with more power, refined ride quality, a better interior, and an available automatic transmission, a lot more suitable for a wide variety of drivers. The little hellion has matured." If you need more depth than that, by all means go back and read the full report. Or if you'd like the more visceral experience of riding along with me (what a treat!) just stop reading now and watch me talk near a camera.