Mini Roadster News

It means every Mini model including hatch, Clubman, Coupe, Cabriolet, Roadster, Paceman, Countryman and GP now includes a John Cooper Works, or JCW, variant.All are powered by a new generation 1.6 litre four-cylinder direct injection engine featuring twin-scroll turbo technology, variable valve control and a host of technical features.Highlights include reinforced cylinder head and pistons, sodium filled exhaust valves and lightweight crankshaft which help the excellent revving capability With a maximum output of 155kW and 260 Nm of torque (280 Nm with overboost), which increases to 160kW and 280Nm (300Nm with overboost) in the all-wheel-drive JCW Countryman and  JCW Paceman.The exhaust note is trumpeted through a JCW sports exhaust system, which produces a deliberately tuned raw note under acceleration, along with a symphony of burbles and crackles on over-run.In two-wheel drive variants, the drive is transferred to the front wheels via a  six-speed manual transmission. In the case of the JCW Paceman and JCW Countryman, power is channelled via the electromagnetic centre differential of the all-wheel-drive system between the front and rear axles to all four wheels.An optional six-speed automatic transmission is available for all JCW variants except the JCW GP limited edition model. JCW sports suspension, which comes as either standard or a no-cost-option depending on the model, has dynamically tuned dampers and anti-roll bars.  Stopping power is enhanced by a high performance sports-brake system.A Sports button in the centre console allows the driver to tweak the engine's responses and soundtrack, as well as the power assistance provided by the steering. In models fitted with automatic transmissions, pressing the Sport button also quickens shift times.

The Roadster makes number six. It's the first model designed for two people, but not the first soft top version of the car. The Mini Roadster will be available with a choice of two petrol engines from launch. The model line-up includes the 135kW Cooper S Roadster and an even more powerful John Cooper Works Roadster with 155kW on tap. The aerodynamic balance of the Mini Roadster is optimised by an active rear spoiler, which extends automatically once the car reaches a speed of 80 km/h.A torsionally rigid body complete with special strengthening elements and low centre of gravity enhance both the handling agility and safety of the roadster. It's fitted with front and head-thorax airbags, an extremely rigid windscreen frame and polished stainless steel roll-over bars in the name of occupant protection. But the question remains. After the convertibles, the barn doors, the odd -side-door - and the shrunken  SUV version - what more can Mini add to the range? A plane? A boat?Let us know your thoughts in the comments box below. No matter how weird or unlikely, you just never know...

The upcoming Mini Coupe and Roadster are getting a thorough workout at the Nurburgring in readiness for showrooms, including the go-faster John Cooper Works model.Carparazzi caught the car with plenty of evidence of a typically-JCW performance upgrade, including a retractable rear spoiler, a centre-mounted twin-pipe exhaust and bigger wheels than other Roadster prototypes.

This time the baby brand that's being pushed and pulled in all directions has come up with a second droptop.  The difference between the upcoming Mini Roadster and the existing Cabrio is obvious from the rounded lines and a shorter roofline that covers a smaller two-seater cabin.The car is caught by Carparazzi without any major disguise - apart from the silly swirls on the tail - and is clearly developed from the Mini Roadster Concept from the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.The Roadster has a swept-back windscreen and a Porsche-style retractable rear spoiler, but we'll have to wait until later this year- perhaps the next Frankfurt Show - for full details and the on-sale date.

BMW has followed up its the coupe concept by rolling out a two-seater Mini roadster. Like the coupe, the roadster provides a new take on the Mini brand, which is celebrating its 50th birthday this yea

The Frankfurt Motor Show literally roared to life this morning when a classic BMW 507 roadster ran laps of a custom-built oval track inside the German carmaker's $30 million stand.

It was also the start of a countdown to production for two all-new models of Mini.The first, the Coupe Concept was shown in the lead-up to the German motoring milestone but Mini kept its all-new droptop a secret until the first-day action at Frankfurt. It also saved the best until last because the Mini Roadster Concept - already confirmed, like the coupe, for production in Britain next year - is a sure-fire hit with Gen-Y buyers.It slightly odd looking, and has only two seats, but has the quirkiness which will set it apart on the road and turn heads around the world.The second open-air Mini in the family, after the existing four-seat Cabrio, was introduced at Frankfurt by BMW Group's global head of sales and marketing, Ian Robertson, who believes it and the new two-seater coupe will be winners for the brand. "Mini is a brand which is so exciting and has so much potential. Mini will continue to grow and create new segments," says Robertson.Both pick up the turbocharged 1.6-litre engine from the Mini Cooper S with 128kW and 240Nm of torque. The basic body is much the same as the regular hatch, at least from the window line down. But the screen is raked backwards, there is a good looking rollbar just behind the seats, and the boot space has been much larger with the loss of the back seats. The result is a much more low-slung stance, helped by a folding canvas roof that disappears when it is not in use.To make it more fun for Y-buyers, there is a multi-function display that shows Nature Guard (how eco-friendly you are driving), Highspeed Shifter (when to shift for maximum power), Gravity Indicator (lateral and g-forces), Heart Beat (engine speed reflected in a beating heart) and Buddy Radar (showing the location of other Mini drivers)."The focus of the Mini Roadster Concept is maximum driving fun with nothing but the sky above. The soft top opens and closes manually in a very quick and easy action. The Roadster comes with extra-short body overhangs front and rear, emphasising that it is also a top-athlete," says Robertson.