Next generation (J01) MINI Cooper revealed

I was looking at the mini uk and de websites. Once I figured out how to access the the page showing the trim levels I was surprised to see a jwc .is it just a style package or the real thing?

 

The Motoring File explains it's a trim package, not a performance package. I think it's a mistake on MINI's part. A JCW MINI should be easy to identify as the real deal. There are other ways to spiff up a regular MINI without making it look like more than what it really is. Even Chevy refrained from making a Camaro SS with a 6-cylinder engine.

JCW Trim
Similar to BMW’s M Sport trim, MINI will offer a JCW Trim even on non JCWs. The JCW Trim has a distinctive front and rear design. The frame of the front grille and the logo in high-gloss black are unique to this trim. Additionally the JCW Trim will offer a Chili Red roof for the first time on a non-JCW car. Finally JCW bonnet stripes will be offered in Chili Red or black. Inside, the JCW Trim offers multi-colored knitted textile and black synthetic leather with red stitching.

 

I discovered quite early in the game that one could read my '03 speedometer from the vehicle behind (as seen from my van as my girlfriend was driving my Mini).

 

... to be made in the UK.
More articles here.

 

Time horizon seems pretty far out to me, my SE is already three years old and what if I want something more modern? I also wonder if SE sales will crash when people realize there's a better MINI Cooper EV in the world, just not in North America.

 

It is really frustrating that mini won’t say what the official plan for usa market is. I don’t think people realize how cheap it is to manufacture cars in China. If bmw is smart they will absorb the tax and bring this car to the usa next year. If we have to wait till 2027 the mini brand becomes irrelevant. I don’t think mini or their dealers can afford to leave this segment vacant for so long. If you compare other Chinese cars the new se is probably really a 25000 car so bmw has room to juggle the numbers. Even if they don’t make any money on it it would be a wise move to have a fluid transition from old se to new one. Could that be why bmw and mini are keeping their mouths shut. They don’t want to tank sales of current se.

 

Eh, the new electric Countryman will be more popular anyway. I wouldn't worry about it too much.

 

The head of MINI North America last week said to expect an announcement in the fourth quarter that should please us.

 

I definitely prefer the current design.New car doesn’t look as sporty from the front without the hood bulge.Rear taillight design also looks terrible.What's with the new shape?I don’t know why BMW would mess with such a radical design change.They shouldn’t mess around with key design elements.

 

Looks like digital keys will be a thing.

https://www.macrumors.com/2023/11/17/apple-digital-car-key-mini-vehicles/

 

I don't remember anyone posting this yet, but if so my apologies.

MINI UK has the official models of the J01 online, ready for reservations. Includes a configurator, I'm not sure how I feel about the "4-Square Spoke" wheels and "Sunny Side Yellow" body color.

 

Looks like there's no real black color? Maybe that'll come along before the US release.

 

Will MINI will be able to stay in business without the income from selling black waistline trim kits for $550?

 

I can't find the original article but essentially black trim pieces on BMW vehicle distribution centers are retrofitted port side. That is, the chrome trim is ripped out and black trim is attached (also goes the same for ///M performance parts). So MINI will make money because they don't need someone port side to rip out the chrome and put on the black waistline kit (and recycle the chrome plastic parts).

The closest thing that is quoted was:

After waiting in line and having had some, but not all, of their protective film and other materials removed, the cars receive the real work . Vehicles are given a brief but thorough inspection, while things like manuals, miscellaneous documentation, and simple accessories such as first-aid kits are loaded in their appropriate places. The process obviously differs for special-order cars, which have their so-called “port- installed” options fitted here. In this part of the facility, you’ll find bins filled with plastic waste like brand-new kidney grilles which have been broken in preparation for destruction and recycling, after being replaced with an M Performance set. Things like splitters, carbon-fiber bits, and various other offerings of the BMW M Performance catalog are also installed, in addition to vinyl graphics and smaller additions like door-edge protection film.​

 

Have any forum members had the black waistline trim installed at the port? Every report I can remember of entails buying the ultra-expensive trim pieces from places like ECS Tuning and installing them at home.

I don't know anything about J01 MINI options, but I'll be flabbergasted if stripes cannot be ordered. Will they still be installed at the port?

 

BMWs get the black trim installed portside, and the second-class MINIs have to do it themselves since 2021. As for J01, I don't know if it's even going to make it to the US.

 

BMW's re-fitting Plant Oxford to make the J01, and that may be the J01 coming to the US. However, it seems to me it will cost more to build the J01 in the UK than in China. Which will cost more, building the J01 in the UK (with a 2.5% US import tariff) or paying the steep 27.5% US import tariff on Chinese vehicles?

Other than in the UK, exactly where will it make financial sense to sell Plant Oxford J01s in the post-Brexit era? Probably not even in Canada.