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2020 Mini John Cooper Works Clubman, Countryman crack 300 horsepower

Mini got our attention a few months ago when it announced the upcoming Mini John Cooper Works GP would get over 300 horsepower. But apparently Mini's ultimate hot hatch isn't the only car getting a major power infusion, as the company announced the 2020 Mini John Cooper Works Clubman and Countryman are both getting 300-horsepower engines. Specifically, they'll make 301 horsepower each along with 331 pound-feet of torque from a revised 2.0-liter inline-four. That engine features a stronger crankshaft, new pistons and rods and a lower compression ratio to handle extra boost. All the power is sent through a standard all-wheel-drive system that comes with a mechanical limited-slip differential up front. Like past all-wheel-drive Minis, the system mainly operates in front-drive mode until slippage is detected, at which point power goes to the rear. The all-wheel-drive system has been beefed up with stronger gears and rear axles. Launch control is a standard feature, too. Also standard, a bit disappointingly, is an eight-speed automatic transmission. No manual will be offered on these models. Hopefully manuals will still be offered on later JCW Hardtop and Convertible models. These engine and drivetrain changes help the Clubman and Countryman improve their 0-to-60 mph times by about 1.5 seconds. The Clubman now gets to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, and the Countryman in 5.1 seconds. Both Minis are the first to be given a 155-mph electronic speed limiter, too. Previous models didn't have enough power to reach that mark. Mini John Cooper Works Countryman View 4 Photos Mini also made some upgrades in the handling and stopping departments. Both models get additional chassis bracing along with small suspension revisions. A package with electronically adjustable shocks is available. The rear brakes now feature fixed four-piston calipers. Front brake rotors are 14.2 inches in diameter, while the rears are 13 inches. Despite these major mechanical upgrades, visual changes are extremely subtle. The Clubman has a different main grille insert and the new Union Jack taillights, but the Countryman is effectively identical to the current model. The interiors on each are basically unchanged as well. Pricing and availability have not been announced yet. Since large portions of the vehicles are shared with the current model, we would expect to see them go on sale at least within the year, possibly in the next few months. Prices likely won't change too much from the current model year.

Mini Clubman Final Edition could be the end of the Clubman line

The Mini range is in for an enormous overhaul next model year, the little Anglo-German hatchbacks getting more mature, more roomy, more powertrains, more digital. The Clubman trim could be saying goodbye for good, the wagon's restrained dimensions perhaps not a fit for where Mini's going. For 1,969 buyers around the world, the Mini Clubman Final Edition will be a way to say "Farewell." As with the Mini Convertible Seaside Edition, the Clubman Final Edition commemorates the birth of the original Clubman produced from 1969 to 1981. It's available in three colors: Enigmatic Black, Melting Silver, and Nanuq White. Those base hues will be accented by Shimmer Copper trim on the grille and fender vents, as well as three stripes running up the passenger's side of the hood. Another three Shimmer Copper stripes run along the lower sides underlining the "1 of 1969" badge on the C-pillar. The wagon sits on 18-inch wheels with a two-tone Final Edition Spoke lacquered to recall copper.  The side sills carry "Final Edition" lettering at the threshold to the front seats, and a "1969" badge across the rear threshold. Inside, there are a lot more warm brown and badging to behold. Three-tone Mini Yours leather sports seats are far flashier than anything from 1969, set off by anthracite Piquet fabric, blue contrast stitching, stitched badging and a copper-colored button. A range of "Final Edition" and "1 of 1969" notifiers run appear on the steering wheel, instrument panel, and floor mats.  Depending on market, the Clubman Final Edition can be ordered in Cooper and Cooper S trims, with any available powertrain including diesel, and in two- or four-wheel drive. We're not sure how many will come to the U.S., if any, nor what they will cost, so check with your dealer. The 100 specials being sent to the UK will start at GBP37,000 ($45,250 U.S.) on-the-road, about GBP10,000 ($12,230 U.S.) above an entry-level Clubman Cooper Classic. Related Video This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. New MINI Clubman Cooper S review

The Mini John Cooper Works Rally is set for Dakar

In recent years, there have been convincing Minis tailored for rallying: Dakar wins were accumulated with gusto. Now there is a new version for 2017, named the Mini John Cooper Works Rally. Its debut will be the 2017 Dakar Rally running through Bolivia, Paraguay, and Argentina. The new rally car has been built with experience gathered from rallying the earlier Mini All4 Racing, and it's based on the Countryman. Key areas reworked were the aerodynamics and the weight distribution to enable a lower center of gravity. As X-raid (Mini's motorsports partner) CEO Sven Quandt puts it: "The center of gravity has gone down substantially – we placed about 50 kilos [110 pounds] downwards by some 50 centimeters [19.7 inches] in the center of the car, which helps the handling and makes the car much more comfortable over all types of terrain, and aids the handling on a rally track with lots of corners." There is a new chassis frame, and the powertrain benefits from an updated engine mapping and thermal management. The interior has also been redone. Speaking of the powertrain, the Cooper Works Rally runs a 3.0-liter straight six from BMW's turbodiesel portfolio. In this guise, the TwinPower unit produces 340 horsepower at 3,250 rpm and a very respectable 590 lb ft of torque from 1,850 rpm. The retained ALL4 four-wheel-drive system has a six-speed SADEV sequential gearbox, together with lockable, oil-cooled Xtrac diffs with a central SADEV unit. The 2017 Dakar Rally runs from January 2-14. Related Video: