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2025 Mini Cooper SE John Cooper Works gets more pizzazz, no more power

The new-generation Mini Cooper SE will come with a John Cooper Works edition, but this time it brings cosmetic changes only. The 2023 Cooper S two-door made 189 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque from its 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, the JCW version made 238 hp and 235 lb-ft from the same engine. This time, the electric powertrain in the JCW trim makes the same 215 hp and 253 pound-feet of torque from a single motor on the front axle as it does in the 2025 Mini Cooper SE, powered by a matching 54.2-kWh battery. The 0-62 mph time takes the same 6.7 seconds, and European regulators give it the same 250-mile range on the WLTP cycle.  It won't be confused for the regular hatchback otherwise. If the red stripes don't give the game away, the chunky diffuser in the front will. Backing up that aero mod, there are Chilli Red side mirror caps and a Chilli Red roof finished with a hatch spoiler, red JCW-logo brake calipers, a gloss black surround for the grille, snazzy two-tone wheels in a design called Lap Spoke, and, naturally, JCW logos sprinkled about. Those with a keen eye for Mini won't need all that, they'll spot the twin horizontal bars for DRLs, signifying JCW's minimalism and raciness.  The cabin's synthetic leather and knitted fabric gets held together with red stitching. On the seats, this is arranged with knitting above, vinyl below. The instrument panel and door cards wear what Mini calls a "knit covering," stylized checkered flags forming a recurring pattern. For even more red, the driver can set the drive mode selector to Go-Kart Mode, calling up an anthracite red lighting scheme for the central OLED display and ambient illumination. Basically the JCW version of a Sport mode, it unleashes sharper throttle response and a "special Go-Kart sound," too.  Pricing isn't out yet, and we don't expect it until we're much closer to the 2025 launch for this market. Related video:

Mini deletes center rail in Countryman, Paceman

When Mini first introduced the Countryman, it only came as a four-seater, with a center rail between the two seats that could house things like cup holders and could be slid back and forth. Buyers could even opt for a full-length center rail that ran from just aft of the gear shifter all the way back between the rear seats, like we did in our long-term 2011 Cooper S Countryman All4, shown above.
Shortly after the Countryman's launch, Mini was able to offer the vehicle with a proper rear bench seat; the company could not offer this at launch due to NHTSA guidelines that governed the minimum vehicle width for three-person seating, but those rules were changed. And now, we've received official confirmation of something we reported last year: the Countryman is losing its center rail and four-person seating arrangement altogether. Moving forward, buyers will only be able to spec a Countryman with the bench seat, and a cup holder will be affixed to the back of the forward cabin's center console.
The larger-but-smaller Paceman will also be losing the center rail between its rear seats, but the car will remain a four-seater, instead having a console between the two rear seats that houses a cup holder, an iPod cozy and a 12-volt outlet, according to USA Today.

Paul McCartney's Aston sells for $1.8M; Ringo Starr's old Mini goes to a Spice Girl

The Bonhams Bond Street auction in London was the place to be for fans of both The Beatles and automobiles as two cars once owned by former members of the band were up for auction. The first was an Aston Martin DB5 owned by Paul McCartney, and the second was a Mini Cooper owned by Ringo Starr. Both went for substantial sums, and the Mini went to an interesting owner. The Aston brought the big bucks, or pounds, since it was a British auction. The final price with premium was barely over $1.8 million, which fell smack in the middle of Bonham's estimate. It's an impressive price on its own, but more so when compared with its sale back in 2012. Back then it was painted in the same blue it had originally, and it only sold for $495,000, making this new sale more than three times higher. View 22 Photos The Mini went for much less, at just under $137,000 with premium. But the car went to an interesting owner, Geri Horner, nee Hollowell, whom you may know better as Ginger Spice of the Spice Girls. The Mini itself is interesting, too. Each of The Beatles owned a classic Mini at some point, but Ringo Starr's was unique because the flip-down tailgate was converted to a modern-style lift-up hatch incorporating the rear window. Reportedly the reason was so Starr could easily fit his drum kit in the back. It also featured a custom grille, driving lights, hood vents, and soft sunroof among other things. It even appeared on " Top Gear" in 2001. And before we forget, McCartney's DB5 also has " Top Gear" history in that it was owned by former host, Chris Evans. Related Video: Featured Gallery 1964 Aston Martin DB5 owned by Paul McCartney View 13 Photos Image Credit: Bonhams Celebrities Aston Martin MINI Auctions Coupe Hatchback Classics aston martin db5 the beatles