As these spy shots seem to suggest, the right time for a new generation of the iconic Mini Cooper has finally come: currently known by the codename “F56,” these images show us a prototype of the 2014 Mini Cooper caught on camera while undergoing some tests on some European public road. Just a few details are known at the moment, but apparently this new Mini will share its chassis with the next-generation BMW 1-series. Moreover, BMW is considering adding a 3-cylinder option to its usual 4-cylinder line-up.

From our photos, it looks as if the next Mini will come bigger in size than the current generation, adding a bit of width and length. That paintjob surely doesn’t help, but the grille looks a little shorter, and possibly a little wider too, while hood and front overhang also appear to be longer than the current model. However, the possibility that Mini chalked that up in order to fool the onlookers cannot be ruled out. Besides, both front and rear windshields appear to be more raked than the current Mini. Production is expected to start in the first quarter of 2013, with the convertible variant following one year later.

View the2014 brand new Mini Cooper spy shots gallery

Here are a few spy shots revealing the definitive look of the upcoming Mini Countryman Coupe, arguably one of the most ‘eccentric’ projects of the Anglo-German carmaker. The model is the final evolution of what we had seen with the Paceman prototype, meaning a compact crossover with a more ’sporty’ attitude than the standard Countryman model it is basically based upon. For this model the Mini designers decided to get rid of the rear doors, a choice that implied a change of the whole rear section of the car as well.

This new Countryman Coupe will position itself in the same niche of the market ruled by the Range Rover Evoque, although the different size and price-tag of these two models will have them competing in two different segments of the market. The model is scheduled to make its debut at the 2012 Paris Motor Show in September. Just as a reminder, the Mini Paceman measured 4.11 meters in length, 1.79 in width and 1.54 in height.

View the Mini Countryman Coupe spy shots gallery

Mini has prepared a One-Off model to support the Life Ball charity gala in Vienna for the twelfth time. Mini has been involved in this project since its market launch in 2001 and during this time many celebrities have joined the cause by designing 11 unique cars, which has been auctioned at the event. The proceeds from the Life Ball Mini models go to charity combating HIV and AIDS: so far the amount collected has been more than 500.000 Euros.

This year One-Off will be based on the Mini Roadster, reinterpreted by Franca Sozzani, chief editor of Italian Vogue and UN Goodwill Ambassador for Fashion 4 Development. Sozzani described the Mini as “a beautiful woman who put a scarf on her head when she drives a Roadster.”

The car has been painted in Deepest Purple matt paint along with gold rally stripes on the bonnet and a floral design on the roof, as well as steel-coloured accents on the alloy wheels and doors’ mirrors. The car will be auctioned on the 19th May in Vienna during the AIDS Solidarity Gala.

Mini has chosen the 2012 Beijing Motor Show to introduce to the world two new models: the Mini Hyde Park and the Mini Cooper S Countryman ‘The Chinese Job’, with the latter specifically designed for the Chinese market and clearly inspired by the famous ‘The Italian Job’ movie. Fancy name and a few subtle details aside, this model is just a cosmetic variation of the usual range, in the same fashion as other ‘limited editions’ released by the English/German manufacturer in the past.

The Mini Hyde Park instead (that we introduced a few days ago along with the Green Park trim) can be easily recognized by its exclusive color scheme, which features Pepper White as basic color and contrasting Hot Chocolate brown for the roof, wing mirrors and a pair of longitudinal stripes. Inside, the Pepper White/Hot Chocolate theme continues, while the seats use mixed leather and fabric upholstery. This special trim - dedicated to the famous park in London - will be made available for the Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper D and Cooper SD models.

At the Mini stall in Beijing there are also all the current variations of the Mini Cooper S: the Clubman, the Countryman, and the more recent Coupe and Roadster, all of which are equipped with the same 184 hp 1.6-litre 4-cylinder engine. Check the whole lot out in our exclusive photo gallery.

View the full Mini @ the 2012 Beijing Motor Show photo gallery

A spokesman for the Mini brand has confirmed future production of the Clubvan, displayed at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show and aimed to those small business which don’t want to compromise on style and sophistication. The Clubvan will debut in 2013 and will have all the features introduced by the concept car, including the stainless-steel grille that separates the passengers from the cargo compartment. This brand new model is based on the Mini Clubman version, against which loses the rear bench and rear side windows (replaced by polycarbonate lining).

What remains unchanged are driving performance and the characteristic rear-hinged side door opening, while the cargo area is flat and has some useful accessories such as integrated 12v power socket and six tie-down hooks to secure the load.

View the full Mini Clubvan Concept photo gallery

In the wake of the recent Mini Baker Street and Mini Bayswater, the English/German automaker presents another two limited editions inspired by two of the most famous park in London. The new Mini Hyde Park and Mini Green Park are special variants for both Hatch and Clubman body styles and will be made available worldwide.

The Mini Hyde Park can be easily recognized by its Pepper White / Hot Chocolate paint scheme that involves also the roof and the exterior wing mirrors. The bottom section of the Mini’s C-pillars are usually black, but they have also been painted Pepper White the look of this version. The Mini Green Park uses the same sort of theme of the Hyde Park, but with British Racing Green bits replacing the Hot Chocolate parts to create the contrast with the Pepper White bodywork.

In the cabin the Pepper White theme continues and is pretty much identical for both trims, with also cloth or leather seats offered in Carbon Black or Polar Beige, whereas the dashboard is lined in Black/Polar Beige leather. These two brand new themes will be made available for the Cooper, the Cooper S, the Cooper D, the Cooper SD and the Clubman variants.

View the full Mini Hyde Park and Mini Green Park photo gallery

Mini has released a new funny commercial that features the Countryman. The model is powered by a four-cylinder engine (petrol or diesel) offered in several variants with related powers, ranging from 98hp of the Mini One to 143hp of the Cooper S. The S accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.6 seconds reaching a top speed of 215 km/h, with CO2 emissions of 143 g/km.

During the 2012 New York Auto Show Mini displayed a sportier racing variant. We are obviously talking about the Countryman John Cooper Works powered by a 1.6-litre engine with output of 218 hp and 280 Nm of torque and 300Nm in overboost, coupled to the ALL4 four wheel drive. Aesthetically the car features an aerodynamic kit, sports chassis with lowered suspension, chromium plated sports exhaust system and 18-inch alloy wheels.

At the American Auto Show was also displayed the “Mini 10 Years Anniversary” special edition to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the British brand on the US market. As expected the car based on the Mini Cooper with 122hp, it is available in the three colours that make up the American flag: red, blue and white.

Mini Coupe will soon be available in a GP special edition of the John Cooper Works setup. At least this seems to emerge from the spy shots snapped in Germany, where the British sports car, lightly disguised, has been recognised from some features already seen on the John Cooper Works GP hatchback prototype. We refer in particular to the flashy four-spoke alloy wheels and the streamlined setup, which includes a new front bumper and a more aggressive rear diffuser with twin exhaust pipes.

The GP kit presents a racing setup with no back seats, rigid chassis and larger braking system. Under the hood is fitted an advanced version of the famous 1.6-litre twin-scroll turbo engine, whose power should increase to 220hp. The final model will be presented by the end of 2012.

The top-of-the-range Mini model from the last generation was the John Cooper Works GP, which was produced in a limited series of 2000 units. Now it seems like a new GP version of the current Mini is also in the works, as these spy shots taken just outside the famous Nürburgring would suggest.

Looking at the pictured mule, there are a few key indicators that would confirm this theory: the new front bumper and spoiler, the massive rear diffuser (clearly derived from the Challenge race car), the lower suspension (see the very small wheel-tire gap) and, most of all, the massive spoiler at the back end of the roof. Besides, those wheels are pretty reminiscent of the set used by the original GP too, although they have a more modern touch.

The new Mini Cooper S JCW GP is expected to come with - at least - 220 hp, and should be significantly lighter than its predecessor, which would make it that sort of pocket rocket that many Mini fans around the globe have been eagerly waiting for. The new model might actually be ready to debut by the end of the current year.

Mini has dedicated a special version of Cooper and Cooper S to Rauno Aaltonen, winner of the 1967 Monte Carlo Rally on his Mini: the cool Anglo-German B-segment is only available in red with white chequerboard decals, matching top and rearview mirrors shells, it also features additional lights installed on the grille and 17 inches alloy wheels. Inside stands out the particular finish of the steering wheel, with the lower part made of red leather. The same colour is used to decorate the large speedometer located in the centre of the dashboard. Whoever buys a Cooper S will be able to attend a driving course on ice at the rally school owned by Rauno Aaltonen and his son Tino.

View the full Mini Cooper and Cooper S Rauno Aaltonen gallery

The future of the prototype Mini Paceman was written since its first appearance. In January 2011, Ian Robertson revealed that “there will be a seventh member of the Mini family – the MINI Paceman Concept!” The words of the Head of Sales & Marketing of BMW are now confirmed by a recent indiscretion, which Car and Driver credit to an insider of Mini: the crossover will make its debut in late 2012 and will be called Countryman Coupe. No details are held about the aesthetics, but almost certain are the engines in petrol and diesel versions, already offered by the Countryman 5-door.

Just a reminder: the Paceman measured 4.11m long, 1.79m wide and 1.54m high. It was powered with a 1.6-litre twin-scroll turbocharged engine developing 211 hp and coupled to an ALL4 four wheel drive, while the aesthetics of the body was characterised by strong horizontal lines that enhance its muscular look, fleeting rear and large headlights. The car was displayed at the 2011 Detroit Motor Show.

The new Mini Roadster represents just what the hallmark of Mini has always been: pure pleasure to drive. We ran a test drive with the JCW version, the most powerful, and we can say that the Cooper Roadster is serious fun, and the option to pull the roof down ensures that you are at one with the elements.

Mini is pushing ahead with the rigorous expansion of its range and its latest addition, the Mini Roadster, is going to attract a willing army of fans with a penchant for elegant sportiness. Less glamourous, practical and feminine than the Cabrio, the Roadster is going to find its audience and its place in the market thanks to its irresistible design, says the maker.

The elimination of the rear seat and a price slightly higher than its sibling will not discourage its fans. Some of its features, like the manual soft top roof, are specific choices of the manufacturer, showing the Roadster’s “pure” soul, in line with the true British tradition.

Design

The new car is based on the uniquely styled Mini Coupe and is the first two-seaters in the whole history of the brand. The Roadster is less an all-new model than another reinterpretation of existing themes and seeks to score a new audience with its charm and exclusivity. Two centimeters lower than the Cabrio, the Roadster’s windshield frame, like the Coupe’s, is 13 degrees inclined. The fabric roof is manually operated: a twist of a latch releases the header and the top smoothly collapses just behind the headrests.

The passenger compartment is exquisitely Mini and it’s a faithful reproduction of Mini’s signature style: in fact the Roadster presents all the details that have underlined the brand’s identity in the Mini Cabrio, Coupé and sedan. In the John Cooper Works version, the dashboard is in Alcantara fabric with red seaming, which gives it a sporty look. The interior has some odd fit-and-finish issues like the hazard key, difficult to reach and made in plastic, not exactly what you expect to find especially for the price of this luxury toy.

Technical and safety features

Engine wise, the Roadster will be offering a choice of three petrol motors as well as a diesel one and in the Cooper, the 1.6 l Valvetronic improves the dynamic performance by providing continuous and precisely variable intake valve lift. Valvetronic-equipped engines in fact rely on the amount of valve lift for load control rather than a butterfly valve in the intake tract which translates in the gas pedal giving a quicker response.

Mini Cooper Roadster

Four-cylinder petrol engine with fully variable valve management.
Displacement: 1,598 cc, output: 90 kW/122 hp at 6,000 rpm, max. torque: 160 Nm/118 lb-ft at 4,250 rpm.
Acceleration 0–100 km/h (62 mph): 9.2 seconds, top speed: 199 km/h (124 mph).
Average fuel consumption according to EU: 5.7 liters /100 kilometers (49.6 mpg imp), CO2 emissions: 133 g/km.

Mini Cooper S Roadster

Four-cylinder petrol engine with MINI Turbo technology.
Displacement: 1,598 cc, output: 135 kW/184 hp at 5,500 rpm, max. torque: 240 Nm/177 lb-ft at 1,600 – 5,000 rpm (260 Nm/192 lb-ft with Overboost at 1,730 – 4,500 rpm).
Acceleration 0–100 km/h (62 mph): 7.0 seconds, top speed: 227 km/h (141 mph).
Average fuel consumption according to EU: 6.0 litres/100 kilometres (47.1 mpg imp), CO2 emissions: 139 g/km.

Mini Cooper JWC

At the top of the petrol engine range there is the JCW version 211bhp and 260Nm, with an engine similar to the one mounted on cars running the Mini Challenge racing . Specific features of the Cooper S are the turbocharger and four cylinder petrol engine with MINI turbo technology.
Displacement: 1,598 cc, output: 155 kW/211 hp at 6,000 rpm, max. torque: 260 Nm/192 lb-ft at 1,850 – 5,600 rpm (280 Nm/207 lb-ft with Overboost at 2,000 – 5,100 rpm).
Acceleration 0–100 km/h (62 mph): 6.5 seconds, top speed: 237 km/h (147 mph).
Average fuel consumption according to EU: 7.3 litres/100 kilometres (38.7 mpg imp), CO2 emissions: 169 g/km.

Cooper SD

Four-cylinder turbodiesel with MINI Turbo technology.
Displacement: 1,995 cc, output: 105 kW/143 hp at 4,000 rpm, max. torque: 305 Nm/225 lb-ft at 1,750 – 2,700 rpm.
Acceleration 0–100 km/h (62 mph): 8.1 seconds, top speed: 212 km/h (132 mph).
Average fuel consumption according to EU: 4.5 litres/100 kilometres (62.8 mpg imp), CO2 emissions: 118 g/km.

All versions, apart JWC, come with a standard package called Minimalism, that include Brake Energy Regeneration, start & stop, gear shift indicator and a smart management system for the oil pump. As an alternative to the standard 6-speed manual transmission, there’s the six-speed automatic Steptronic with optional steering wheel paddles, available for all version apart JCW.

With the Sport Button, standard on the JWC version, the driver can change the response of accelerator pedal and steering wheel, which combined with the automatic transmission, shortens gear shifting time. Front and head-thorax airbags, an extremely rigid windscreen frame and polished stainless steel roll-over bars fixed to the body, ensure a high level of protection for the occupant. The aerodynamic balance of the Mini Roadster is optimized by an active rear spoiler.

Mc Pherson front wheel suspensions and multilink rear wheel suspensions combined with chassis technology (stabilizer bars and Electric Power Steering with speed-sensitive power assistance) make Mini Roadster pure driving fun. There is also a sport version with stiff shock absorbers, more solid stabilizer bars and bigger springs. DSC, ABS and EBD are standard on all versions, while Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) with Electronic Differential Lock Control (EDLC) is standard on the MINI John Cooper Works Roadster, optional on all other models and it adds even greater reassurance on slippery surfaces and additional sports performance under dynamic cornering.

Special strengthening elements in the rear part enhance the torsional rigidity and, together with solid lateral chassis, increase the handling agility and safety of the MINI Roadster. Moreover the car is equipped with innovative systems to protect pedestrians and strengthening elements in the front. The active rear spoiler extends automatically once the car reaches a speed of 80 km/h and it goes back to its position when speed is below 60km/h. It can be manually activated with a button and it generates, at the maximum speed , an additional down force of 40kg.

The Road Test

Mini Raodster, expecially in its most aggressive version can be as soft as a surf board: its flat chassis and the large tires that respond so quickly to the steering wheel commands, are not the best features for comfort seekers. And we can say the same for the fabric soft roof: it is pretty light, not designed to isolate the passenger compartment from the external noise. In this regard, maybe we should say something about the engine’s sound: on the John Cooper Works it is a pleasure to hear.

To all of this just add the full-blooded go-kart feeling and the amazing performance: in the sharpest performer of all, the 1.6turbo version, the engine pulls with a shocking intensity and when it reaches 7000 rpm, shows all its power. The Roadster feels impressively solid and as every time you get in a Mini, you feel surprised of how quick it responds to commands. The steering is quick-witted, the transmission precise. Mini Roadster has an incredible road holding and it delivers a level of agility matched by few other cars.

Prices

Mini Cooper range is simple and there are four different versions: Cooper from £ 24.950, Cooper S from 29.950, Cooper JWC - the top range and the one we drove - can reach £ 34.950 as well as Cooper SD, the only diesel version from £ 30.800.

View the full Mini Roadster: the Test Drive gallery.