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On Location in California with BMW and Mini

A mid-winter escape from frigid Michigan to drive a trio of new BMW and Mini products? It'd be a busy couple of days, but you can't argue with Southern California in February. The temperatures in LA, where we drove the Mini Cooper S Convertible, hovered in the mid-80s, and it was solidly in the 70s further north, at Monterey, where we drove the M2 and X4 M40i. The highlight of the trip was Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, which is a rewarding track to drive in a street car. The M2 was a blast there. The canyon roads above Malibu in the Mini were a close second, but even the lazy drive down the PCH to Big Sur was a blast. More important is the California state of mind we were in when driving all three of these cars. I've spent a lot of time in this state, and it has a complicated relationship with the car – and there's also a huge difference in attitude between the greater Bay Area and Southern California. Ample sun and twisty roads clash with image-consciousness, eco-consciousness, and brutal urban gridlock, and each BMW dealt with that paradox admirably, in its own way. Take a quick jaunt to California with me and check out the locations and experiences that helped form our impressions of these vehicles: the 2016 BMW M2 First Drive, the 2016 Mini Cooper S Convertible First Drive, and the 2016 BMW X4 M40i Quick Spin.

2018 Mini Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 Drivers' Notes Review | Plug and play

The second-generation Mini Countryman debuted at the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show. In addition to the standard and S models, Mini added a new E Countryman plug-in hybrid model. That's what we have here, making our model's full name the Mini Cooper S E Countryman ALL4. It's distinguishable from other models by the green badges on the front and rear and on the charging port on the fender. There are a few changes inside, most notably a power gauge in place of the tachometer. The plug-in model combines a turbo inline-three cylinder engine with a 7.6-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The gas engine motivates the front wheels while two electric motors power the rear. Three drive modes — Max eDrive, Auto eDrive and Save — adjust the amount of battery pack usage, with Max using all battery and Save mode using the starter generator to keep the battery charge above 90 percent. The biggest Mini (for what that's worth) is still far smaller than nearly every other crossover in its class. It's three inches shorter than a Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class and four inches shy of an Audi Q3. As compact as it is, there's still a good bit of usable cargo space thanks to the wide hatch and flat-folding seats. Our tester rang up for exactly $40,000 and includes features like 18-inch wheels, keyless entry and ignition, Cooper S heated sport seats, a heads-up display and LED lighting. Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore: The only thing I don't like about this electrified Mini is its name: Mini Cooper S E Countryman ALL 4. That's a mouthful. You'd probably just say you bought a plug-in electric Mini Countryman and roll from there. And why would you spend time overthinking the name? The driving dynamics are razor sharp. Launches from stoplights with the electric fortification are brisk. Not in a cliched "this V6 Camry feels brisk" sort of way, but in a 29-degree February morning where the dog is walking too slow kind of way. I give Mini and its parent, BMW Group, a lot of credit for having the foresight to invest in electrification, adding performance and efficiency in a manner that's true to the character of Mini. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Then there's the traditional Mini goodness that shines through in the cornering and handling. I'm late for work. The light turns yellow. Am I stopping? Oh hell no. I'm not even slowing down. In this and all Minis, taking corners at full steam is expected.

John Cooper Works Mini rolls into Detroit, asks 'GTI who?'

Mini marched into the 2015 Detroit Auto Show and introduced its very own competitor to the Volkswagen GTI with new John Cooper Works Hardtop. Blessed with 228 horsepower and 236 pound-feet from its 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder, the new JCW should provide a more thrilling drive than the standard Cooper S (not that the 189-hp model lacked in terms of entertainment value). The 6.4-second sprint to 60 falls to 6.1 in the JCW, while owners should expect an even more agile handling experience courtesy of an uprated version of the Cooper S' sports suspension. Upgraded Brembo brakes, larger wheels and stickier tires and an electronic differential round out the performance upgrades, although Mini also paid significant attention to the aesthetics. A revised aero kit doesn't do the third-generation Works car many favors in the appearance department, but as both driver and front passengers will find themselves in a set of exclusive JCW sports seats, they'll probably be too comfortable and supportive to care. A JCW steering wheel, shift lever, door sills and instrument cluster tweaks mark the extent of the interior updates. Take a look at our full live gallery of images of the new JCW Mini direct from the floor of the 2015 Detroit Auto Show. The new MINI John Cooper Works. 10.12.2014 - Green light for the latest edition of the top athlete in the small car segment; the new MINI John Cooper Works combines authentic race feeling with the premium characteristics and extended product substance of the latest MINI Generation; distinctive, tradition-steeped, based on a vehicle concept combining MINI and John Cooper Works, with performance qualities which are exceptional within the competitive environment. - Extreme driving fun and exclusive charisma based on technology for engine, suspension and aerodynamics derived directly from motor racing as well as model-specific design features for the exterior and interior; greater differentiation from the MINI 3 door highlights the model's individual character.