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2025 Mini Countryman E makes U.S. debut, arrives fall 2024

The 2025 Mini Countryman was revealed in electric SE ALL4 form at this year’s Munich Motor Show, but now itÂ’s time to see the base E version of the next-gen Countryman make its debut in the U.S. As you can see from the photos, the base E (painted in green) looks notably different from the SE ALL4. All of the gold-tinged accents are replaced with glossy black, and the distinctive panel aft of the C pillar nearly disappears into the design because it blends into all the other black-painted trim. The front grille design is similar, but it doesnÂ’t have the matte gold surround or the side intakes on the corners of the lower bumper. Of course, the green “S” isnÂ’t present either, and the look in general is far less sporty. Perhaps the most jarring of all the changes is the different (and much smaller) wheel design. Instead of the 20-inch flashy blades seen on the SE model, this Countryman E is rocking much more sedate 18-inch wheels in a traditional bright alloy appearance. All that extra sidewall makes the Countryman look more like the larger crossover that it is, and ultimately, our eyes tend to favor the larger wheel option. The Countryman EÂ’s rear design is largely the same as the SE, though the lower bumper features a painted insert instead of brushed brightwork. MiniÂ’s bright side sills are deleted on the E, as well, replaced by a simple, black plastic sill. Unfortunately, this reveal is largely just a reveal in photos. The only nugget of information Mini had to add is that this electric Countryman will arrive stateside in the fall of 2024. Basically, youÂ’ve got at least another year to wait until you can put one in your driveway. More specs and details for the U.S. market will be released in due course. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Featured Gallery 2025 Mini Countryman E View 12 Photos Green MINI Crossover SUV Electric

Mini wins Dakar Rally for fourth year in a row

Motorsport in its various forms tends to be characterized by eras of domination: Red Bull in F1, Audi at Le Mans, Citroen and now Volkswagen in the WRC. That's certainly the case with the Dakar Rally. After years of domination at the hands of the Mitsubishi Pajero, the Volkswagen Touareg won the famous rally raid three years running. But these days, it's all about Mini. The Anglo-Saxon team won the Dakar three years running, locking out the podium last year in positively dominant style. And now it's won again. After some 5,600 miles spanning three countries across South America, the Mini All4 Racing machine piloted by Nasser Al-Attiyah of Qatar, with France's Mathieu Baumel as co-pilot, has taken the top step on the podium in Buenos Aires. The duo won five out of 13 legs to claim the race, marking the first win for Baumel and the second for Al-Attiyah, who won with VW in 2011. It would have been a podium lockout again for Mini had it not been for Giniel de Villiers and Dirk von Zitzewitz, who placed their Toyota Hilux in second, with additional Minis finishing in third, fourth and fifth. The troubled Peugeot 2008 DKR driven by Stephane Peterhansel ultimately finished in 11th place. American driver Robby Gordon finished first in his class, but 19th overall. Things were even more predictable in the other categories. The Kamaz team from Russia won the Truck category for the third consecutive year (and the twelfth since 2000). Spanish rider Marco Coma won the Motorcycle category on his KTM 450 Rally – his second consecutive win and fifth win overall. And Poland's Rafal Sonik won in the Quad class, which has been taken on a Yamaha ATV every year since the rally moved to South America and the category was instituted.

2022 Mini JCW Hardtop Anniversary Edition gets British Racing Green, retro Cooper badging

Say a cheery hello to the 2022 Mini JCW Hardtop Anniversary Edition. This little Mini is here to honor 60 years of Cooper racing, as the first Mini with a "Cooper" badge on it went racing in 1961. Thankfully, it’s exclusively painted in British Racing Green. Mini says this JCW Hardtop will also feature white bonnet stripes with red outlines, a white roof and white mirror caps. In a way, it looks like a Christmas car with all of the JCWÂ’s standard red accents. The colors are supposedly derived from Cooper Car Company design motifs, and we canÂ’t deny that it looks good. YouÂ’ll notice the number 74 is plastered across both the hood and doors of the Anniversary Edition, as the first Mini Cooper to ever race was given the number 74. YouÂ’ll also notice the Cooper Car Company logo on the carÂ’s side scuttles and side sills to denote it as the Anniversary car. Inside, Mini honors the three generations of Cooper with the three signatures of those who worked closely with Mini etched into the cockpit fascia: John Cooper, John Michael Cooper, and Charlie Cooper. The steering wheel has a retro "Cooper" logo in the bottom spoke. Feature-wise, it automatically includes a panoramic moonroof and touchscreen navigation.  “John Cooper kicked off 60 years of performance innovation with the original Mini Cooper, and the Anniversary Edition honors the Cooper legacy that helped define MiniÂ’s performance pedigree over the last six decades,” said Patrick McKenna, head of marketing product and strategy for Mini USA. Mini says it will be selling this Anniversary Edition “in limited numbers,” so we donÂ’t expect to see a bunch of them. If you want one, the starting price is $40,750, including destination fee. TheyÂ’re available to order from dealers now. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.