Tag Archives: Cooper

BMW

The race is on: Bulldog Racing Edition – special model to commemorate the successful 24-hour race at the Nürburgring.

Nürburg. The Bulldog Racing Edition is a special model based on the highly equipped MINI John Cooper Works, featuring a 6-speed manual gearbox and an impressive output of 231 hp / 170 kW, with a maximum torque of 320 Nm.

This special model celebrates the best finish for a MINI in a 24-hour race in the brand’s 64-year history. While the engine and many features of the Bulldog Racing Edition are similar to the race car with the starting number #126 from Bulldog Racing, it does not include the safety features required by competition regulations, making it more suitable for everyday use.

“Finishing in second place and achieving the first podium for MINI after a grueling 24 hours was a great accomplishment. As soon as we crossed the finish line, we knew we wanted to share this moment with our fans. Our main challenge in developing the Bulldog Racing Edition was to ensure it closely resembled our race car while remaining road legal,” explains Alexander Schabbach, Managing Director of Bulldog Racing.

The Bulldog Racing Edition offers a true “racing feeling” for the road through the use of various motorsport components that can be customized according to each customer’s preferences.

The KW V3 suspension, which is adjustable in compression and rebound damping, lies at the core of the edition. It enhances grip, improves turn-in behavior, and increases safety at the limit. The suspension setup is individually performed for each vehicle by one of Bulldog Racing’s professional drivers on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. The 17-inch OZ HyperGT alloy wheels, in combination with the Remus brand sports exhaust, give the vehicle a subtle yet distinctive appearance. Pirelli provides the P Zero Performance tyres, sized 205/45R17, as they have proven to be reliable racing tires. The rear seat is replaced with a strut and fitting mesh and carpet from the Stern Performance Parts Clubsport set, resulting in weight reduction and improved performance.

An exterior highlight of the Bulldog Racing Edition is the large roof decor foil featuring the Bulldog Racing logo, a traditional adornment on every race car of the team. Inside, each Bulldog Racing edition is equipped with an individual badge that signifies it as a numbered limited edition, documenting the day the suspension was set up on the Nordschleife, among other discreet features.

“To cater to a wide range of individual desires, each car is customized according to the customer’s wishes, making each one unique. Our special model demonstrates the modifications we can make to the MINI, and we are proud to offer this service to customers with older MINIs of the current generation from 2014 onwards,” says Alexander Schabbach.

MINI owners interested in the Bulldog Racing Edition can contact: sales@bulldog-racing.com

Motorsport

Mini Cooper EV Spy Photos Show Upgraded John Cooper Works Trim

The next-generation Mini Cooper is set to debut later this year, and the automaker is already generating excitement by teasing the new model. In fact, they have already released details and specifications about the upcoming Cooper Electric three-door hatchback. Notably, this EV will also have a sportier John Cooper Works variant, which can be seen in these new spy photos.

The electric Mini John Cooper Works showcases a distinct front fascia with a sporty front splitter and central support. The car’s pronounced side sills, aggressive rear diffuser, and sizable roof spoiler further emphasize its high-performance nature. In addition, the Mini boasts larger brakes that are discreetly hidden behind its wider wheels.


News

New Mini Cooper EV gets exhaust note and woodland sounds

Mini is bringing back a retro-futuristic cabin design for its 2024 Cooper EV, taking inspiration from the original 1959 car designed by Alec Issigonis.

Prior to its official debut in the coming months, the new Mini’s cockpit has been described as “more Mini than ever before.” The electric supermini will come with an exhaust note and eight different drive modes.

The new model will utilize Mini’s ninth-generation operating system, which has been optimized for touch and voice controls. It will introduce a new ‘Mini Experience’ feature with various drive modes that allow users to adjust the car’s system’s color theme, driving characteristics, and interior lighting.

A standout feature is the Balance mode, which is inspired by sounds from a forest during the day or night. It includes the sound of a rippling stream, crickets, and rustling wind.

Listen to the new Balance mode below…

Another mode called ‘Go-kart’ mode enhances the Mini’s interior with black and red accents, visually replacing the car’s head-up display with a speedometer. This mode optimizes the car’s throttle response for a more dynamic driving experience.

‘Timeless’ mode aims to replicate the exhaust note of internal combustion Minis, along with a “futuristic interpretation of the Mini” and an “acoustic journey through time.”

‘Vivid’ mode syncs the car’s ambient lighting color with the album art of the currently playing song and projects those colors throughout the cabin. Other modes include ‘Trail,’ ‘Core,’ and ‘Green.’ The ‘Green’ mode transforms the interior lighting to green, while optimizing the accelerator pedal for more fuel-efficient driving.

The redesigned interior includes a prominent central touchscreen, reminiscent of the iconic central speedometer found in all Mini hatch models since the original Austin Seven.

Motorsport

Next-Gen Mini Cooper: New Features and Technology Enhancements

The next-generation Mini Cooper is set to be officially unveiled later this year, but Mini has already shared some exciting details and photos of the car’s cabin. The upcoming hatchback will feature new gimmicks and enhancements in both the audio and visual aspects of its technology.

One standout feature that Mini takes pride in is the circular OLED display positioned in the center of the dashboard. With a diameter of 9.44 inches (240 millimeters), this is the industry’s first display of its size to utilize OLED technology. This display will debut in the next-generation Mini models, incorporating the Mini Operating System 9. It should be noted that the Mini Operating System 9 is the latest version of BMW Group’s infotainment software, which is built on an Android Open Source Project (AOSP) software stack.


Motorsport

Mini Cooper EV Spied In John Cooper Works Trim For First Time

According to our sources, the Mini Cooper range will be expanding with more electric models in the future. These spy shots may provide the first glimpse of the high-performance John Cooper Works variant of the electric vehicle.

Compared to the official teasers of the upcoming electric Mini, the car in these spy shots has a different front fascia with a vertical upright in the center. The headlights have the same shape, but the development vehicle showcases stacked horizontal running lights.

(Image: Mini)

There are no visible styling differences between the vehicles in profile. The new Mini maintains the boxy silhouette reminiscent of the revived Mini that was introduced in 2000. The spy shots reveal that this particular model features wheels with five U-shaped spokes and machined faces.

BMW

Postcard Story: The MINI Cooper SE Convertible

Picture yourself cruising in the MINI Cooper SE Convertible with the top down, feeling the wind in your hair and enjoying the exhilarating sensation of driving a go-kart. This remarkable vehicle not only excels on scenic coastal roads but also offers impressive performance on the challenging mountainous terrain of Mallorca. Thanks to its 135 kW/184 hp electric motor, the all-electric convertible provides agile and easily manageable handling.

Moreover, the MINI Convertible SE stands out from the crowd with its unmistakable design and stylish 17″ aluminum rims in Electric Power Spoke 2-tone design. This convertible is truly a winner in every aspect.

 

NewsNew

Cooper Webb and KTM Factory Racing Part Ways: Effective Immediately

After months of speculation, it has been officially announced that Cooper Webb is leaving KTM Factory Racing. Both parties have mutually agreed to part ways immediately.

Photo by Travis Fant.

Ian Harrison, the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager, expressed his gratitude to Cooper Webb for their successful partnership. Together, they achieved 52 podium finishes in the 450SX class, including 21 victories. They won the 450SX titles in 2019 and 2021, had a strong second-place finish in 2020, and finished third this year despite Webb’s season-ending crash in Nashville.

Webb had the option to race in the AMA Pro Motocross series in 2023 but decided against it after his season-ending crash in Nashville. However, he later contacted KTM about racing in the MX series, and they agreed to support him for the summer. Unfortunately, a practice crash before RedBud caused Webb to be sidelined once again.

Both Webb and the team have now decided to go their separate ways. This will give Webb time to recover and move on to the next chapter of his racing career. The team and Ian Harrison wish him the best. Webb’s championship bikes and trophies will continue to be proudly displayed in the KTM race shop lobby.

Webb joined Red Bull KTM Factory Racing in 2019 and won his first 450SX Championship in that same year. He then claimed another premier class crown in 2021 riding the KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION.

During their partnership from 2019 to 2023, Webb and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing recorded a total of 21 Main Event wins in the 450SX division of the AMA Supercross Championship. They also secured a single round victory in the AMA Pro Motocross Championship 450MX in 2019. The entire team wishes Cooper Webb all the best in his future endeavors.