2012 Mini Copper S Countryman All4, Automatic, Heated Seats, Pano Roof, 16116 M on 2040-cars

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Mini Cooper E Classic adds a less expensive trim, at least in Europe

One forgets how many variations there are on the Mini Cooper until Mini rolls out a new generation and they all come quickly. With this fifth-generation Cooper forking into an EV lineup, and Mini introducing ICE and EV ranges separately, every other month it's, "Oh look, another one!" This time it's details on a new trim of the Cooper E that Mini debuted in Munich last September. We also have photos of the Euro-spec version now, which were missing from the debut. Called Classic, it's the entry-level version of the battery-electric two-door hardtop hatchback that, in the UK, comes below the Exclusive and Sport trims. Our trim step for the previous-gen electric Cooper is Classic, Signature, and Iconic. A commenter chided us on a previous post for waiting until the end to mention U.S. availability, so let's get this out of the way now: We don't know if the Cooper E is coming to America. We know we'll get the SE, same as before. We'd support the decision to bring the E here; with the right color combo and wheels, here's your Alec Issigonis special — on the outside, at least — for maybe a couple grand less than the Cooper SE. However, based on the European configurators, we don't see much point.      Every Cooper E gets a 40.7-kWh battery powering an e-motor on the front axle making 181 horsepower and 214 pound-feet of torque, able to go an estimated 190 WLTP miles on a charge. That's 34 horses and 29 pound-feet down on the SE, which isn't so bad. Driving distance is the attention-getter, the E losing 60 miles of estimated range from the SE's 250 WLTP miles.        We all know "Classic" means pared spec, but the Classic is so close to the trim above that it's hard to tell what's been changed beyond the standard wheel and a few options. In the UK, saving GBP2,200 ($2,769 U.S.) to get the Classic instead of the Exclusive trim above means getting a 16-inch standard wheel and a cloth interior trimmed in synthetic leather. The Exclusive starts with a 17-inch wheel and offers two 18-inchers, the Classic is a 16- or 17-inch wheel only. And the Exclusive interior fits mainly synthetic leather seats with cloth uppers. Either cabin comes in a choice of two colors, either black or gray, the Classic with a perforated houndstooth pattern on the seats. On the other hand, the Sunny Side Yellow paint on the hero car above is only available on the Classic. The list of standard features between the two is identical.

Mini adding new driver assist systems to future models

With all the recent news about automated vehicle technology (from Ford, Nissan and Toyota, among others), Mini is bringing some not-so-groundbreaking tech into its products to better keep the driver connected to the car. Other than stating that these new technologies will roll out in future models, there is no telling when we could see them starting to show up, although our best guess is the 2015 Mini Cooper.
Two of the more notable technologies that Mini will introduce include a head-up display system (shown above) and the "city braking" system to work in conjunction with collision warning and passenger detection. The automated braking system is made possible with the forward-mounted camera, which is also used for adaptive cruise control, auto-dimming headlights and a street sign detection system (to relay speed limit and traffic sign info to the driver). A new parking assist feature helps drivers find a properly sized parking spot, and then drivers can take advantage of the backup camera.
Mini obviously isn't the first to introduce these technologies, but it might be among the first to bring such a large number of advanced safety features into a car priced under $30,000 - though there is no telling how much these options will cost. The automaker has issued a brief press release for its upcoming driver assist systems, which is posted below.

2020 Mini John Cooper Works GP is priced from $45,750

Mini hasn’t even given us all the details for the upcoming John Cooper Works GP, but it already has a price. Set to debut at this month's L.A. Auto Show, the GP will start at $45,750. The last GP-badged Mini sold for $39,950, so this mid-$40,000 price point isnÂ’t out of the ordinary or unexpected. However, itÂ’s still pretty nuts considering the competition. Mini previously told us the GP will have “over 300 horsepower” and go around the Nurburgring in less than 8 minutes. Global production is also limited to 3,000 total cars, but itÂ’s not clear how many of those will be coming stateside.  Mini John Cooper Works GP View 30 Photos A regular 2020 John Cooper Works Hardtop starts at $34,250, but itÂ’s making do with considerably less horsepower at 231 ponies. A Civic Type R retails for $37,230. A Golf R is $41,290 and the WRX STI costs $37,895. WeÂ’ll note that Mini hasnÂ’t said how much standard equipment is included with the $45,750 asking price, so it could get much more expensive from there — Mini will surely let you go nuts with the configurator. That said, we can hope the high asking price does include an array of niceties you'd have to pay for on higher trims of the JCW Hardtop. When it launches later this November, Mini has already promised it will be the fastest car itÂ’s ever produced. WeÂ’re excited to see the extreme Mini take to the streets in mid-2020, as the GP models in the past have always provided us with a gloriously fun driving experience.