$42,460 Msrp John Cooper Works Technology Premium Pkgs on 2040-cars

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Lego Mini Cooper coming in August [w/video]

Lego isn't just for kids anymore. A while back, the company cleverly realized that adults liked its connecting blocks as much as kids but wanted a more sophisticated project to take on. It offers a whole set of Expert models, including a wickedly cool Volkswagen Bus from a few years ago. Now, it's taking aim at automotive enthusiasts again with the recently announced classic Mini Cooper set due to go on sale on August 1 for $99.99.
This is a seriously cool Lego model. At nine inches long, five inches wide and four inches tall, the car is certainly compact (as a Mini should be), but it contains 1,077 pieces. It's finished in the classic Mini look with a British Racing Green body with white roof, hood stripes and mirror caps. The doors, hood and trunk all open up, and there's even a little, simulated engine. The interior includes features like a turning steering wheel and movable gearshift and handbrake. In the boot, there is a cute picnic set, and even a spare tire hidden under the floor. If you want to show off your handiwork after it's built, the roof is removable to peer inside.
Expect dads around the world to be unwrapping these when the holidays roll around. Scroll down to watch one of Lego's designers detailing its latest set and read the full release about it, below. The gallery shows the Mini off from all of its blocky angles, as well.

2021 Mini lineup includes some more equipment and some lower prices

Mini has played the unusual triple for its 2021 model-year lineup: Design revisions, more equipment, and lower prices on a number of models. Two full-body exterior colors, Emerald Gray Metallic and Melting Silver Metallic, won't make the new year. After a hiatus, the six-speed manual transmission returns on eight trims from the Cooper two-door hardtop to the front-wheel drive Cooper S Clubman. It's a third shifting possibility alongside the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic and the eight-speed Steptronic automatic. The hardtops and convertibles were refreshed for last year, so they'll carry on with that momentum. One feature change comes to the mid-grade Signature Trim, which can add 6.5-inch touchscreen nav and Apple CarPlay, and a digital instrument cluster as options. The top Iconic trim makes the digital cluster standard. The Oxford Edition trim holds the line at $19,750 before an $850 destination fee, for a total of $20,600, same as 2020. Mini's made the Oxford available to everyone, not only the recent students and military personnel that began as the exclusive buyer base. Not only are there no price increases among the hardtop and convertible ranges, seven models get $1,000 price reductions. Pricing for 2021 and the difference compared to 2020 is: Hardtop 2 Door Oxford Edition: $20,600 (No change) Cooper: $23,250 ($1,000 lower) Cooper S: $27,250 ($1,000 lower) Cooper SE: $30,750 (No change) John Cooper Works: $33,250 ($1,000 lower) John Cooper Works GP: $45,750 Hardtop 4 Door Oxford Edition: $21,600 (No change) Cooper: $24,250 ($1,000 lower) Cooper S: $28,250 ($1,000 lower) Convertible Cooper: $28,250 ($1,000 lower) Cooper S: $32,250 ($1,000 lower) Sidewalk Edition: $39,250 John Cooper Works: $39,250 (No change) The Clubman got a makeover for this year plus a more powerful John Cooper Works Clubman with 301 horsepower. The sole change here is a 6.5-inch touchscreen navigation unit included on the middle Signature trim. Prices for the 2021 Clubman are: S: $30,750 ($1,000 lower) S ALL4: $33,750 (No change) John Cooper Works ALL4: $40,350 ($100 higher) The big-selling Countryman does almost 40% of U.S. Mini business. Outside come redesigned LED headlights, new Union Jack taillights, LED fog lights on the base Cooper and Cooper S, and piano black trim in places like the light frames and door handles.

2013 Mini Cooper S Paceman All4

In just over a decade, Mini has expanded its modern range from the singular Hardtop model (launched in 2002) to a full range of little runabouts. The latest of these is the Paceman, and while European Editor Matt Davis gave us the full scoop on this model late last year, we recently spent time with the all-wheel-drive model just outside of Ponce, Puerto Rico.
It's weird, this Paceman. It slots in between the Hardtop and the Countryman (on which its based) in terms of size and functionality, and Mini says that it will appeal to a more style-conscious shopper. Key competitors range anywhere from the Nissan Juke on the low end to the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque on the high end.
After spending lots of time with the Countryman, we're convinced that maxi can still be Mini. And the same is true with this Paceman, too.