World Cars Motor Show

The 2008 MINI Cooper, with its British inspired design is one of the most identifiable vehicles on the road-and one of the few small cars that is actually just a lot of fun to drive. It is available as a hatchback coupe or convertible, and unlike many other manufacturers, the two different- yet equally charming-versions are vastly different from one another.

Both the hatchback and the convertible version of the MINI Cooper are available in Cooper and Cooper S trim versions. The hatchback base model Cooper is equipped with a 1.6 liter 4 cylinder engine that delivers 118 horsepower; while the Cooper S Hatchback features a 1.6 liter turbocharged 4 cylinder that is capable of 172 horsepower. Both hatchbacks are mated to a standard 6 speed manual transmission, though a 6 speed automatic with manual override is available as an option. Both models include a variety of standard features including power windows and doors, air conditioning, premium grade vinyl upholstery, leather wrapped steering wheel with tilt and telescopic capability and a stereo system featuring 6 speakers, CD player and auxiliary jack.

The MINI Cooper convertible is powered by a similar fuel efficient 1.6 liter, 4 cylinder engine that delivers 115 horsepower in the base model and 168 horsepower in the supercharged MINI Cooper S convertible model. The base model is equipped with a 5 speed manual transmission, while the Cooper S convertible is available with a choice of a 6 speed manual or 6 speed automatic transmission. In terms of features, the base model Cooper convertible and the S model convertible both include the vast majority of the features found in the hatchback version, with the addition of a power operated soft top convertible top with sunroof functionality and rear parking sensors.

The cultural phenomenon continues with the 2008 MINI Cooper, with its distinctive boxy shape and unique style-plus it can be so much fun to drive and is so easy to maneuver through traffic and park in the tightest of spaces. In addition, the ability to tailor the car to your own needs is more than satisfied no matter who you are with the enormous variety of options that are available for both models either individually or as part of an options package. These add ons features include a panoramic dual pane sunroof for the hatchback, and a navigation system, fog lamps, xenon headlamps, heated leather seats, Bluetooth connectivity, a premium audio system, keyless entry are available for both models. There are also a variety of special interior and exterior design components available for both the hatchback and the convertible. This is one car that is exceptionally customizable, handles well and is typically purchased by those who need fuel efficiency and want their identity to shine through their customized choice of automobile.

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In the last generation of the Mini, the John Cooper Works package underwent a slow evolution. It began as a dealer-installed kit that included a revised head, a new supercharger with a smaller drive pulley, and a free-flowing exhaust system. The sum of the parts was a 37-hp bump to an even 200. Eventually, the kits became so popular that they were installed on the assembly line. For its last hurrah, JCW created the Grand Prix kit, a limited-edition model that deleted the back seat in favor of a strut-tower brace and boosted the horsepower to 215.

Mini is starting back at the bottom of the scale with the next JCW package, which will again be dealer-installed. Current Mini owners can drop their car by the dealer any time to retrofit the kit, which will still be covered for the remainder of their car’s warranty.

People are already referring to JCW as Mini??™s M performance arm, but we??™ll wait to hop aboard that bandwagon. An M car with a tepid 17-hp increase over the base model would send people screaming into the streets to roll cars onto their roofs, light them on fire, and proclaim the end of the world, damn the tear gas. But that??™s just what the 2008 Mini Cooper S JCW gets: 17 more horses, from the Cooper S??™s 172 to 189.

This conservative gain is the sort of weekend tweak you might do on a lazy six- or twelve-pack Saturday in your driveway: a sport exhaust, an air cleaner, and an optimized engine controller. Like the Porsche 911 Turbo, the JCW package gives the Cooper S??™s turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder an ???overboost??? function that allows the engine to temporarily produce a higher torque peak of 199 pound-feet under full throttle versus the usual 184. These are increases of 22 and 7 pound-feet, respectively, over a base Cooper S.

No matter how great or small, no power increase goes unadvertised. To that end, the Mini Cooper S JCW gets unique body-colored side skirts as well as front and rear fascias. Carbon fiber adorns the side-view mirrors and the hood-scoop surround. A carbon-fiber rear spoiler is also available, black and shiny or painted body color. A 10mm suspension drop over unique 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 205/40R-18 run-flat tires completes the look.

JCW pilots will sit in special seats and grip a sport steering wheel that can be wrapped in leather or Alcantara. Scattered? around the cockpit? will be carbon-fiber trim pieces. Additionally, the Mini Cooper S John Cooper Works is customizable with Mini??™s full range of accessories. The JCW package will run $2100, plus a recommended two-hours of labor for installation. A kit tailored for automatic-equipped Minis will be available later in 2008.

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