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Mini adds limited-edition Coral Red model to 2021 Hardtop line-up

Mini stylists took a trip to the design well and came back with a limited-edition model named Coral Red inspired by the brand's heritage. Offered with two or four doors, it's scheduled to arrive in showrooms this month. As its name clearly implies, the Coral Red edition primarily stands out from the Cooper S it's based on with Coral Red Metallic paint borrowed from the Clubman's palette. Black paint on the door mirrors and on the roof adds a touch of contrast. Mini also added 17-inch Rail Spoke wheels, LED lights at both ends, plus a long list of piano black trim pieces including the headlight bezels, the door handles, and the emblems. Photos of the interior haven't been published yet, but the BMW-owned firm noted the Carbon Red edition gains additional piano black trim in the cabin. It also receives black leatherette upholstery. Mini made no mechanical changes, so power for the Coral Red comes from the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine as the Cooper S. It's turbocharged to deliver 189 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 207 pound-feet of torque at 1,350 rpm, and it once again spins the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. Alternatively, buyers who want two pedals can order a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic at extra cost. Approximately 300 examples of the Coral Red have been earmarked for the American market. Pricing starts at $34,125 for the two-door and $35,370 for the four-door, figures that include a mandatory $850 destination charge. In comparison, the standard Cooper S costs $28,100 with two doors and $29,100 with four. Why Coral? Although the pink-ish Coral Red color comes from the Clubman, the first Mini to wear something like it was the 1100 Special model introduced in 1979 to celebrate the Mini's 20th anniversary. It was one of the first in a shockingly long line of limited-edition variants released largely to hide the fact that British Leyland (and, later, the Rover Group) either didn't know how to replace the original Mini or didn't have the money required to fund the project, depending on the era, market conditions, and who was in charge of either company at a given time. Sold exclusively in England, the 1100 Special was available in two metallic colors named Silver Grey (shown above) and Rose, respectively; the latter was close to 2020's Coral Red hue. Silver cars featured a black vinyl roof, while Rose cars were topped with beige vinyl.

Mini Countryman plug-in hybrid out for a snowy stroll

When Mini launched the Countryman in 2010, it emerged as the brand's first all-wheel-drive model. Now there's a new Countryman on the way, and it's also set to mark a Mini first by incorporating not just a mild hybrid system, but a plug-in hybrid powertrain. And that's just what we're looking at here. How do we know this prototype is packing a hybrid powertrain, you ask? A fair question, and we'll tell you: because the manufacturer chose to mark "Hybrid Test Vehicle" on the door. And because parent company BMW is already known to be working on a PHEV system for the 2 Series Active Tourer on which the new Mini crossover will be based, it's fairly safe to say it won't be developing a separate system for the Countryman. Expect the hybrid mega-Mini to combine a 1.5-liter inline-three driving 136 horsepower to the front wheels, and an electric motor good for another 102 hp on the rear wheels for through-the-road all-wheel drive and a combined output of nearly 240 hp. That's more than even the John Cooper Works performance model has offered. Scope out the spy shots in the gallery above, where you'll also find an interior shot of a conventional next-gen Countryman.

2016 John Cooper Works Clubman is torquiest Mini ever

Mini fancies its latest Clubman as more an executive car than a typical premium compact. Think BMW 5 Series to the regular Hardtop's 3 Series. With that in mind, you can think of the new John Cooper Works Clubman as a Mini M5 of sorts. The new JCW Clubman boasts a number of features not offered on its little brothers. Mini engineers are squeezing 228 horsepower out of the 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder, just like on the Hardtop model. But the bigger John Cooper Works gets a significant bump in torque, up from 236 pound-feet of torque to a more robust 258 lb-ft. And with a standard All4 all-wheel-drive system, the JCW Clubman maximizes the ability to deploy that extra power. View 15 Photos Regardless of transmission, the new Works model hits 60 in 6.0 seconds and runs up to 147 miles per hour, 0.9 seconds quicker and five miles per hour faster than the S model we drove last year. A sportier suspension, meanwhile, drops the ride height 0.4 inches, so expect at least slightly better handling from Mini's newest Works model. Exclusive two-piece sport seats should keep drivers in place while exercising the newfound handling ability. But beyond the extra power, all-wheel drive, upgraded suspension, and neat seats, the JCW Clubman is largely a mishmash of parts we know and like. It uses the same standard six-speed manual and optional eight-speed automatic as the regular car, while the polarizing six-doored body wears the usual JCW tinsel – 18-inch wheels and a more aggressive body kit that promises better engine and brake cooling. And it still has a weight problem – the new car weighs in just under 3,500 pounds to the standard car's 3,300-pound curb weight. Mini hasn't published pricing, but if the trend set by the Hardtop and Convertible continues, we'd wager the new JCW will start around $35,500, tacking $6,000 onto the S model's $29,450. Well, at least Mini has the executive-level pricing down. The John Cooper Works Clubman should hit US dealers in December. Related Video: Related Gallery 2016 Mini John Cooper Works Clubman View 18 Photos News Source: MiniImage Credit: Live photos copyright 2016 Drew Phillips / AOL MINI Wagon Luxury Performance mini clubman