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2019 Mini John Cooper Works Hardtop International Orange Edition is very bright, expensive, verbose

Mini has introduced a new special edition version of the John Cooper Works Hardtop, and there are three key notable things about it. First, it is very orange. The paint on its body and roof is not available on normal Minis, and its specific hue contributes to this little car's very long name: (deep breath) 2019 Mini John Cooper Works Hardtop International Orange Edition. According to the man in charge of Mini's product planning and aftersales department, that particular shade of orange "is a bold color historically used to make great feats of engineering and aerospace design stand out." We suspect they're referring in particular to the Golden Gate Bridge, which is famously painted International Orange. How it relates to Mini, we're not exactly sure. The second thing about this orange Mini is the abundance of extra standard equipment pulled from the usual Mini options catalog. Visually, this includes black-accented graphics, door handles, fuel door and rear spoiler. The mirror caps are carbon fiber, too. Inside, a bunch of options are standard including heated seats, Harmon Kardon audio, a head-up display, navigation, and a variety of driver aids. It even comes with that neat John Cooper Works Pro Exhaust system with the Bluetooth remote to open flaps and make it louder. This brings us to the third thing about the (deep breath) 2019 Mini John Cooper Works Hardtop International Orange Edition: it's not cheap. Now, a starting price of $40,750 may seem like decent value when you consider that optioning up a non-orange John Cooper Works Hardtop with its Signature trim and comparable options would cost $40,950. So, you save $200 and get the otherwise unavailable fancy exhaust and bridge-inspired paint. Yet, a 40-grand Mini Cooper is still shockingly expensive compared to other hot hatchbacks. The 306-horsepower Civic Type R starts at just $35,595. The 292-hp VW Golf R is basically the same price as the Mini, and it adds all-wheel drive. The 350-hp Ford Focus RS is only about $1,000 more and delivers monster power with all-wheel drive. Then again, those aren't available in orange. Related Video: Featured Gallery Mini Cooper International Orange Edition View 12 Photos Image Credit: Mini MINI Hatchback Performance

BMW will show Mini EV concept at Frankfurt

A month ago, BMW announced that it would electrify all its brands and model lines, including the Mini hatchback. A forthcoming full-electric Mini will enter production in 2019 at the Mini plant in Oxford, England, where the production line would join a German-built electric drivetrain with a British-built body. BMW notes that this will happen exactly 60 years after the original Mini hit the streets. View 5 Photos As the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show is upon us, BMW has introduced the concept version of the aforementioned electric Mini. The manufacturer says the color scheme chosen for the concept matches the previous electrified Mini, the experimental Mini E of 2008. That car was produced in a trial run of 600 units, and it provided BMW with valuable data as it was developing the i3 model, currently on the market. The Mini Electric Concept is powered by a lithium-ion battery, but no numerical specifications or range figures have been announced. It will be interesting to see whether the driving fun inherent to Minis can be translated, as a battery electric vehicle will undoubtedly be heavier than a fossil-fuel hatchback. The closed front grille stands as testament for doing without pistons or a need for engine cooling. Related Video: Related Gallery MINI Electric Concept Image Credit: BMW Green Frankfurt Motor Show BMW MINI Technology Emerging Technologies Hatchback Concept Cars Electric Frankfurt 2017

Recharge Wrap-up: Audi R18 e-tron Quattro wins WEC opener, Toyota Mirai goes to DC

The Audi R18 e-tron Quattro has won the World Endurance Championship season opener at Silverstone. Drivers Marcel Fassler, Andre Lotterer and Benoit Treluyer piloted the number 7 hybrid racecar to a hard-fought win in the six-hour UK race. "This victory is a dream start of the season and a great reward for the whole squad for the hard work last winter," says Audi Motorsport boss Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, congratulating the team. Audi's second R18 took fifth place in the race after a couple of unscheduled pit stops ate up precious time. Read more in the press release from Audi, below. Mini and Spanish designer Jaime Hayon are presenting new versions of the Mini Citysurfer electric scooter concept at Salone del Mobile in Milan, Italy. The installation, called "Urban Perspectives" depicts an idea of the future of urban mobility. The imaginary living space houses two examples of the Citysurfer concept designed by Hayon. The first is painted to resemble blue and while porcelain, with dots and stripes to give it an upbeat look. The second uses more upscale materials like anodized metal, copper and leather to blend modern and classical elements. The foldable Citysurfer scooter can travel 10 to 15 miles on a charge, and is designed fit and charge inside the trunk of a Mini Cooper. Read more from Mini. Tesla has announced the locations of its first Superchargers in Australia. It will install eight charging booths at the Goulburn Visitor's Centre, about 120 miles southwest of Sydney. The Goulburn superchargers will be powered by renewable energy. Tesla plans to install a network of Superchargers in cities along the route connecting the Sunshine Coast north of Brisbane south to Melbourne. Read more at Clean Technica. The Toyota Mirai will be on display at the National Mall in Washington DC to celebrate the 45th anniversary of Earth Day. Toyota is a sponsor of Global Citizen 2015 Earth Day from April 17 to 19, which will include speakers, musical performances and, of course, Toyota's new hydrogen fuel cell car. "Earth Day 2015 is a great platform to educate the public about hydrogen fuel cell technology and the potential of hydrogen as a future fuel," says Toyota's Bob Carter. Also in April, Toyota will continue to enlighten the public about the Mirai and hydrogen technology in Union Square Park in New York on April 19, and at Waterkeeper Alliance's "Keep it Clean" comedy event in Los Angeles on April 22. Read more from Toyota.