Renault Sport will be directly involved in building the Renault Gordini revival, a first model of which will be made at the Dieppe workshop of the company. The first Gordini to be built will be based on a Renault Sport Twingo model and should make its appearance soon.

Renault Sport will build the Gordini Twingo with the classic blue livery and white stripes, to bring back a tuning version that should rival Abarth and John Cooper Works. The Gordini Twingo model is likely to include far more than just an external paint job, but there’s no news on what technical innovations may be coming our way.

Initial reports had indicated that a Gordini Twingo would be available in 2010, with the full revival of the Gordini brand occurring by 2012. We’re getting a little twitchy at the idea of another nifty European city car getting the tuning treatment. Move over Abarth 500!

Source | LeBlogAuto

Continue reading: Renault Sport Twingo Gordini revival

The Mini Roadster concept and the Mini Coupe Concept, presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show, will have different engines, with the former equipped with the classic 1.6-litre unit, without the John Cooper Works treatment. It will therefore have 175 hp. Apart from that, the “Oxford Twins” are very similar, with the Roadster demonstrating itself to be the soft-top version of the coupe.

The Roadster is 3.71 metres long, 1.68 metres wide, and 1.35 metres tall. It takes on a few elements of the cabriolet, including the ‘Always Open Timer’, along with the ‘Nature Guard’ driving system, Highspeed Shifter for transmission, Gravity (acceleration indicator) and other fancy stuff like the Hear Beat indicator and Buddy Radar.

Mini Roadster Concept official pics

Continue reading: Mini Roadster Concept pics

From 2010, Mini will have its own Crossover version and from 2012, that crossover will in turn have its own John Cooper Works version. So in a leap of imagination, Autocar has produced this rendering of a John Cooper Works crossover, that will be equipped with the current turbo engine with a few extra horse power and one aim: to challenge the Golf GTI.

The challenge could also see a low blow from BMW in the form of an all wheel drive version, in addition to reports that a range of three different crossover models is being developed.

Source | Autocar

Continue reading: John Cooper Works Mini Crossover render

My first reaction was “oh my God!” on seeing this spy shot of the Mini Crossover, which looks like one of those magic eye puzzles from the 90’s. This Mini Crossover is doing testing rounds of the Nurburgring, with an all-wheel drive system.

The engine range will include current options, along with additional units developed with Peugeot, and also a set of BMW diesel units with higher performance for the John Cooper Works versions.

Source | Motorauthority

Continue reading: Spy shots of Mini Crossover testing on the Nurburgring

According to Autocar reports, tests of the BMW 120d engine on a Mini have had the desired effect and we could soon be seeing this transverse 2.0 litre diesel from the Series 1 on a Mini.

The project is set to present the first diesel Cooper S which could have 150 hp (27 less compared to the current power step). For more impressive figures though, a John Cooper Works diesel derived from the BMW 123d engine could be in the plans, which would result in 204 hp.

Source | Autocar

Continue reading: Mini diesel for Cooper S and John Cooper Works

While purists are probably aghast at the idea of a Mini SUV in itself, it appears that this model could receive John Cooper Works version as well, after Mini declared that a JCW version will be available for every model in the range.

The Mini SUV will be launched next year, with a John Cooper Works version possibly in the offing sometime at the end of 2010, or early 2011. The Mini SUV is currently known as Cross, and the version will likely look a lot like the Crossman concept seen at last year’s Paris show, less some of the more extravagant features.

Source | Autocar

Continue reading: Mini Crossover to receive John Cooper Works version

Mini is resuming production of the John Cooper Works-tuned Mini, both in the hatch and Clubman version.

The engine of the new John Cooper Works Mini will be the 1.6-litre turbo-charged 4 cylinder unit, tuned to produce 211 ps and a torque of 260 Nm (temporarily boostable to 280 Nm). The sprint from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) will take only 6.5 seconds. The modifications are extensive (details in the press release below) and include a bigger turbocharger with a higher charge pressure. As an added bonus, the JCW Mini will be the first to comply with the Euro5 emission regulations.

Sales of the Mini John Cooper Works and Mini John Cooper Works Clubman will start in July 2008. Prices are yet to be announced.

Continue reading: Mini John Cooper Works