1987 Mini Cooper Austin on 2040-cars

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World record practice jump doesn't go as planned for Chicherit

French rally driver Guerlain Chicherit is a very lucky man. He had hoped to beat Tanner Foust's 332-feet car jump record (which nearly went awry itself) with a 360-foot leap in a specially built Mini to score a new Guinness World Record at the French ski resort of Tignes. However, things didn't go to plan, and Chicherit suffered a massive crash during the attempt. According to The Local, emergency services were on the scene immediately, and he was transported to the hospital by helicopter, but Chicherit is in better condition than anyone could have expected. He has been on Facebook since the crash and appears to be in great spirits. He wrote: "I have to stay to the hospital for the night just for safety, I'm all ok !!!" The jump was originally scheduled for Sunday, March 16, but heavy fog delayed it until today. Warning: The crash is quite graphic, but remember Chicherit wasn't seriously injured. Scroll down to see it all from multiple angles and in slow motion. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

2021 Mini Countryman shows off its fresh face

The 2021 Mini Countryman has been spied once again, and it has shed some of its camouflage. We get a really good look at what appears to be the base Countryman's new front and rear fascias, updated taillights and interior. Otherwise, the little crossover is mostly unchanged. Up front, the bumper changes from three large grille openings to one standard one, and it gets the same slats as the grille between the headlights. On either side are big, round fog lights, which are themselves flanked by openings that probably create wind curtains around the wheels. Looking at the headlights, they have new internals with more squared-off projector surrounds. We also get some good looks at the John Cooper Works model. The shots of it at the Nurburgring give us a good look at the front, which looks generally unchanged with the same front bumper as the current car, but possibly with a new grille and headlight design. At the back, the car reveals new Union Jack taillights similar to those introduced on the Mini Hardtop and Clubman. Another photo shows what seems to be a John Cooper Works Countryman with part of a cloth cover lifted. This shows the rear bumper is mostly the same, but it gets a new mesh grille pattern over the rear diffuser area. Finally, we get a look at the interior. Most of it is the same, but the instrument cluster loses the analog dial of the current model. In its place is the oval-shaped cluster from the Mini Cooper SE electric car, which likely combines analog dials on either side with a screen nestled between. These changes are all relatively minor, and seem to be production ready. As such, we would expect the changes to be introduced for the 2021 model year. The reveal could be later this year. Of course, it's also possible the changes could be pushed back in the wake of the coronavirus crisis. Related Video:

Mini Superleggera patent renderings suggest production prospects

Mini impressed us all when it revealed the Superleggera Vision concept at the Paris Motor Show a couple of months ago. But even before the little roadster concept debuted, there were already rumors of its production potential. And those rumors are only being further entrenched by the emergence of a series of patent renderings. Bearing much more than a passing resemblance to the concept, these images show what could be a revised, production version of the Superleggera, though not without its concessions to reality. For one thing, it looks like it's got a proper framed windshield, but it's hard to tell with the roof in place – something we never saw on the concept, either. It's also got more substantial wing mirrors, but the fin on the rear deck is still there, as are the extractor vents on the hood. We also note that the grille openings are the same shape as the concept's. Of course, the emergence of these images and their filing with the relevant authorities doesn't necessarily mean that Mini is moving ahead with the roadster's production. But if it did, it would likely ditch the concept's electric powertrain, and could stand to fill the void left by the discontinuation of the maligned, outgoing Mini Roadster that was essentially a scrunched Cabriolet with a cowling where the rear seats and stacked roof would be. Parent company BMW is likely taking into account that its rival Daimler didn't have much luck when it slotted a unique roadster of its own into the Smart lineup, so here's hoping that if it does give the Superleggera the green light, it'll have more success in the marketplace.