2013 Mini John Cooper Works on 2040-cars

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Mini Aceman battery-electric concept previews new crossover

In March, Car magazine said the former Mini Paceman crossover would return as an electric crossover for the 2024 model year. A month later, Autocar laid out a rundown of coming, all-new Mini range that would include a new EV crossover under the Clubman at the top of the range and sport a "much more radical design." Last month, Mini teased a battery-electric CUV concept "for the premium small-car segment." Thanks to a teaser vid on Mini's Instagram page, we know that concept is called the Aceman and it will debut on Wednesday in Europe. The name is no accident, lending credence that we'll be seeing a preview of design elements found on the future Paceman.  This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Brand design chief Oliver Heilmer has said "Purely electrically powered models from Mini give us a unique opportunity to rethink our design. At the same time, we retain the attention to detail, sense of tradition and passion for innovation that Mini is renowned for." From the video, some details will blend old and new as in taillights with a pixelated display that can form the familiar Union Jack motif as well as other glyphs. The light design continues up front, with a grille and perhaps headlights putting on illuminated displays with even more capability. Other details will be all new, like the near-frameless side mirrors. Such features could be the charismatic part of a design language called Charismatic Simplicity. It's possible this is expressed in the cabin with a touchscreen display in Mini's traditional circular, dash-mounted gauge cluster.   The simplicity part will be in more restrained trimming, such as leather-free cabins and far less chrome garnish. If the automaker uses the reveal as more than a visual exercise, we might find out about the new electric powertrains jointly developed by BMW and Great Wall. There's rumored to be a 40-kWh battery pack able to power a 185-mile range, and a 50-kWh pack good for 250 miles; those are likely WLTP figures. The coming electric range will be built in China and exported to global markets.  Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Mini recalls nearly 100,000 cars for potential electrical fire risk

Mini is recalling more than 97,000 cars to address a potential fire risk. The recall covers the 2008-2014 Mini Clubman (including Cooper, Cooper S and John Cooper Works models) and the 2007-2013 Mini Hardtop 2 Door (again encompassing Cooper, Cooper S, John Cooper Works variants). In both models, a control module beneath the driver-side A-pillar is susceptible to water intrusion under certain circumstances. If the electronics inside are exposed to water, a short circuit may occur, which Mini says could lead to a "thermal event" — engineer speak for "fire." While Mini says there are multiple circumstances under which the module can become compromised, the recall is currently limited to models sold in climates where the use of road salt is prevalent. In this environment, road salt entering the cabin via normal means (read: your boots) can accelerate corrosion if water is getting into the cabin. How might that happen? Mini says a common culprit is its own sunroof drain. Here's the full explanation, lifted directly from Mini's defect report: This safety recall involves the Footwell Control Module (FRM), an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) which controls various lighting and power window functions, and is installed near the bottom of the driverÂ’s side A-pillar behind an interior trim panel. Due to several contributing factors (environmental, certain US StatesÂ’ wintertime road treatment, vehicle design configuration and age), over time, the FRM could become susceptible to corrosion. For vehicles equipped with a sunroof, after a multi-year period involving large temperature changes, multiple freeze/thaw cycles can cause the vehicleÂ’s sunroof drain hose to become damaged, loosen and eventually detach from the drain pipe within the A-pillar, which could allow water to enter the vehicle interior. In certain US states, large amounts of road salt may be utilized during their wintertime road treatment activities. If water were to enter the interior, then in combination with road salt that may be present in the footwell, this could create an electrolyte solution. If this solution were to contact the FRM then, over time, this could lead to corrosion, possibly resulting in a short circuit. In rare cases, this could lead to a thermal event.

Mini Vision concept presages next-gen Cooper Hardtop

Mini is preparing to launch the third-generation of its trademark three-door hatch, and while we've already shown you that car mostly devoid of camouflage in spy shots, the BMW-owned brand has still seen fit to release a concept that previews the new design. Called the Mini Vision, it looks broadly similar to the cars we showed you at the beginning of the month, aside from a few concepty styling pieces.
The Vision is a well-balanced blend of the stylish hatch that rebooted the Mini brand in 2002 and the more bloated model that arrived in 2007. It's more rounded than the 2002, but seems decidedly more muscular than the 2007, and features modern accents like full LED headlights inspired by the sadly not-for-production Rocketman concept. Mini's traditional floating roof soldiers on, while the concept wears side grilles that seem borrowed from the Countryman and Paceman. Based on what we've seen in the spy shots, however, that treatment isn't going to make production, at least not on the models we've seen.
It's safe to say that the interior on this concept bears only a slight resemblance to what we'll see on the production car. The integrated Union Jack straps in the door panels are a cool touch, but the Vision's cabin looks like something out of a flying saucer. We'd expect only inspirational traces to arrive on the production model.