2007 Mini Cooper S Convertible 2-door 1.6l on 2040-cars

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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

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

2025 Mini Cooper SE spy photos give us our best look yet

We've seen 2025 Mini Cooper Hardtops under heavy camouflage for a couple of years now, and even got a look at an undisguised one. But a spy photographer came across an uncovered example at a photo shoot in Los Angeles, and it's our best look at the little hatchback. This particular one is the Mini Cooper SE, which will be among the first of the new generation since it's electric. Like the current SE, it has a lime-green "S" badge. It seems like one of the few obvious cues that it's the sporty electric model, since the hood scoop has vanished. It retains a version of the extra large front grille surround of the current cars. The whole shape of the car, including the wraparound glass and contrasting roof, are very obviously Mini. There are interesting detail changes along the sides. The door handles are flush-fit like new BMWs. And the contrasting black plastic fender flares are gone, a trademark cue of Minis since their reintroduction to the U.S. in the early 2000s. There isn't even a nod to a front fender vent or badge, either. It's been simplified significantly. The tail also has big changes. The rear hatch encompasses the rear taillights. Those lights are triangular and still feature a Union Jack motif, but it's a little more obscured. A band with the model name joins the two across the hatch. This new Mini is expected to launch in May of next year. A base version with 181 horsepower and the SE with 215 horsepower are reportedly on the way, along with two battery packs with either 40 or 54 kWh. And there will be gas-powered versions, but they'll arrive a little later. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.