In the name of racing: MINI John Cooper Works and MINI John Cooper Works Clubman.

Newly developed models offer racing feel with 155 kW/211 bhp - world premiere
at the International Automobile Salon in Geneva, market launch in August 2008.


Munich. A big name, a long tradition, outstanding performance, figures and an
incomparable driving experience: the MINI John Cooper Works arouses motor
racing passion which goes beyond the race track. In August 2008 the new model -
produced at the British MINI plant in Oxford - will be coming to Germany along
with the MINI John Cooper Works Clubman.
With their world premiere at the International Automobile Salon in Geneva
(March 6th-16tth 2008), these versions are the first two models to be launched
by MINI under the brand MINI John Cooper Works.
The heart beating under the bonnet of each of the two new extreme sports cars
is that of a racer. The 1.6 litre 4-cylinder engine with Twin Scroll
turbocharger and petrol direct injection delivers 155 kW/211 bhp and develops
its maximum torque of 260 Newton-metres between 1,850 and 5,600 rpm - by means
of overboost the torque can actually be increased to 280 Nm. The power unit is
based on the engine of the John Cooper Works CHALLENGE, which will see its
premiere at the MINI CHALLENGE 2008. It accelerates the MINI John Cooper Works
in 6.5 seconds from 0-100 km/h, the MINI John Cooper Works Clubman manages the
spurt in just 0.3 seconds more.

It is not only the engines of the MINI John Cooper Works and the MINI John
Cooper Works Clubman that provide genuine racing feeling. Both models are also
fitted with extensive motor racing technology as standard: exclusive light
alloy rims with especially light and extremely high-performance brakes, a new
exhaust system and the modified 6-speed manual transmission, also created with
close reference to the new racing car for the 2008 MINI CHALLENGE. Rarely
before has motor racing expertise found its way so directly onto the road. The
MINI John Cooper Works will be available in Germany at a price of 27,700 Euros,
the price of the MINI John Cooper Works Clubman will be 29,500 Euros.

Fascinating power due to motor racing expertise.
The MINI John Cooper Works and MINI John Cooper Works Clubman are driven by a
true power package based on the current engine of the MINI Cooper S,
extensively revised for the MINI John Cooper Works CHALLENGE racing vehicle and
now back on the road with refreshed power. Even the basic design of the 1,598
cc 4-cylinder engine has details which are drawn from motor racing. The
cylinder block and bearing housing are made of aluminium, the four valves per
cylinder are controlled by two upper camshafts, friction-optimised cam
followers and hydraulic valve clearance compensation elements. The outlet
valves are filled with sodium so as to meet the increased cooling needs of a
turbo engine. The camshafts of the 4-cylinder are composite. Instead of using
the conventional die-cast procedure, the cam rings are made of high-strength
steel and shrink-fitted to the actual shaft. The intake camshaft has a
continuously variable phase adjustment function by means of which the valve
control times can be adapted to the relevant performance requirements.

The engines for the MINI John Cooper Works and the MINI John Cooper Works
Clubman are made at the BMW Group engine plant Hams Hall (Great Britain) where
the engine units for all MINI model variations are manufactured. In the case of
the top-of-the-range engine, there are a number of special modifications to the
production process to do justice to the increased output and the resulting
higher temperatures in the combustion chamber, thereby uaranteeing maximum
reliability of the drive system. The engines are fitted with reinforced and
specifically ground pistons as well as a cylinder head with optimised rigidity
and modified gasketing. The intake valves and valve seat rings are also made of
especially resilient material, and as compared to the engine of the MINI Cooper
S there is a slight reduction of the compression.

More air, more power, more torque - the formula for increased driving pleasure.
The power increase as compared to the engine of the MINI Cooper S is mainly
achieved by means of optimised air intake and outlet due to an adapted
turbocharger. The air filter, air mass sensor, exhaust system and catalytic
converter have been modified so as to achieve a power-enhancing dethrottling on
the induction and exhaust side. This is also reflected in an engine sound which
is peculiar to this model. Due to the adaptation of the exhaust system,
a significant reduction of counterpressure is achieved. The MINI John Cooper
Works and MINI John Cooper Works Clubman fulfil the requirements for adherence
to the particularly stringent threshold levels defined by the exhaust norms EU5
in Europe and ULEV II in the US.

The through-flow capacity of the clean air duct to the turbocharger has also
been increased. The design of the Twin Scroll turbocharger enables an
especially spontaneous power build-up. In the exhaust manifold and the
turbocharger, the channels of two cylinders are separated in each case. The
supercharger blades are set in optimum motion even at low engine speeds.
A turbine was developed in very high-quality material especially for the MINI
John Cooper Works and the MINI John Cooper Works Clubman, and the maximum boost
pressure was increased from 0.9 to 1.3 bar overpressure.

The maximum torque of 260 Nm is available even at an engine speed of 1,850 rpm
and up to a level of 5,600 rpm. During acceleration, torque is raised to 280 Nm
by means of a brief increase in boost pressure between 2,000 and 5,300 rpm.
This overboost function gives the MINI John Cooper Works and the MINI John
Cooper Works Clubman an even more powerful response. The engine reaches its
maximum output of 155 kW/211 bhp at 6,000 rpm. The spontaneous response is also
reflected in the car's acceleration figures. The MINI John Cooper Works takes
6.5 seconds to accelerate from 0-100 km/h, the time required by the MINI John
Cooper Works Clubman is 6.8 seconds. Both have a maximum speed of 238 km/h.

Petrol direct injection: fuel is precisely measured and efficiently used.
With a specific output of 132 bhp per litre of capacity, the MINI John Cooper
Works and MINI John Cooper Works Clubman advance into the realm of the purebred
sports car. What is more, both new models have the characteristic MINI quality
of offering unique driving fun in combination with exemplary efficiency. The
key function here is the fuel supply system. The turbo 4-cylinder is fitted
with petrol direction injection according to the common rail principle.
Injection valves positioned laterally in the cylinder head feed the fuel in
precise doses under a pressure of 120 bar from the tank directly into the
combustion chamber. This means that in every situation on the road, precise
fuel supply is guaranteed which is adapted to the given load requirements. The
average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle is at an unusually low level for
vehicles of this output category. The MINI John Cooper Works makes do with 6.9
litres per 100 kilometres, the MINI John Cooper Works Clubman requires 7.0
litres. The respective CO2 figures are 165 and 167 grams per kilometre.

Conceived for maximum driving fun: chassis, brakes, assistance systems.
The standard range of features of the MINI John Cooper Works and the MINI John
Cooper Works Clubman not only includes a particularly high-performance engine
but also a wide range of other components which ensure that this irrepressible
power is put safely onto the road. As is characteristic of MINI, the engine
powers the front wheels. The MINI John Cooper Works and MINI John Cooper Works
Clubman are fitted with a 6-speed manual transmission whose components have
been adapted to the very high level of torque of this new top-level engine. In
addition to the sophisticated chassis technology with McPherson struts at the
front axle and the central control arm rear axle, which is itself unique in the
small car segment, the electromechanical EPAS (Electrical Power Assisted
Steering) is a further guarantee of reliable
and precise handling. The electrical servomotor also contributes to efficiency
in that it is only activated when steering support is required or desired by
the driver.

The steering system EPAS allows various settings to be programmed. The basic
set-up guarantees balanced steering support depending on road speed. With the
sports button, which is positioned as standard next to the gearshift lever in
the centre console in the MINI John Cooper Works and MINI John Cooper Works
Clubman, it is possible to activate a perceptibly more dynamic characteristic
curve with higher steering torque and increased steering precision. In keeping
with this, pressing the sports button also changes the accelerator pedal to a
much sportier characteristic setting.

The MINI John Cooper Works and MINI John Cooper Works Clubman are fitted with
sporty suspension settings as standard. As an alternative, a sports chassis
with harder damper characteristics and stronger stabilisers is available for
the front and rear axle. For a more extreme racing orientation, there is also a
John Cooper Works chassis available in the accessory range for the MINI John
Cooper Works. It includes a lowering of the suspension by 10 millimetres, even
harder damper characteristics and stabilisers with a diameter which is larger
than those of the sports chassis.

The standard sports brake system guarantees short braking distances and is
characterised by precise response and fine controllability. The fixed calliper
disc brakes with aluminium callipers finished in red - inner vented on the
front wheels and bearing the John Cooper Works emblem on the callipers - are
large in their dimensions. The type and function of the brake system is based
on those in the MINI CHALLENGE racing vehicle. The same applies to
the exclusive 17-inch light alloy wheels in John Cooper Works Cross Spoke
CHALLENGE design. Weighing less than 10 kilos, they are the lightest standard
wheels within the competitive environment of the MINI John Cooper Works and
MINI John Cooper Works Clubman. The high-speed tyres in 205/45 W 17 format have
runflat properties, and both models are equipped with a tyre damage display
function.

As standard and unique in front-wheel-drive vehicles: DSC with DTC.
In addition to sporty suspension settings and powerful brakes, the MINI John
Cooper Works and MINI John Cooper Works Clubman also have sophisticated driving
stability systems. Their standard equipment includes ABS, EBD (Electronic
Brakeforce Distribution), CBC (Cornering Brake Control) and DSC (Dynamic
Stability Control) including hill-start assistance and DTC (Dynamic Traction
Control). By applying the brakes to individual wheels and reducing engine
power, DSC applies a stabilising effect when required, intervening early on to
prevent the vehicle from swerving at the front or rear wheels in especially
dynamic driving situations or on slippery surfaces.

The brake assistance function, likewise an element of DSC, detects emergency
braking situations and ensures instant build-up of maximum brake pressure
should the need arise.
DTC is a sub-function of DSC which is available here for the first time in a
vehicle with front wheel drive. It enables the response threshold levels of
driving stability regulation to be increased so as to allow controllable slip
on the drive wheels. In this way, the models MINI John Cooper Works and MINI
John Cooper Works Clubman can be controlled on snow-covered surfaces or loose
sand with slightly spinning front wheels, or taken more intensively to the
physical limits in highly dynamic driving situations. When the threshold range
is reached, the stabilising intervention of DSC is also guaranteed in DTC mode.
If necessary, DSC can be entirely deactivated.

What is more, in DSC-Off mode an electronically controlled lock function for
the differential of the drive axle is activated. This system is also a standard
feature and known as Electronic Differential Lock Control: it supports an
ambitious, sporty driving style when accelerating out of bends and hairpins,
for example. The electronically controlled lock function has the effect of
applying specific, appropriate brake force to a spinning drive wheel on tight
bends. This enhances the forward propulsion of the vehicle without having a
negative impact on self-steering response. The bend can thus be taken more
smoothly but also more swiftly.

Interior: sports car ambience and a wide range of individualisation options.
In the interior, the standard fittings of the MINI John Cooper Works and the
MINI John Cooper Works Clubman boast a strikingly impressive elegance which is
both simple and sporty in style. A three-spoke steering wheel in leather is the
point of connection between the driver and his sports machine, while the
anthracite roof liner and the interior surfaces in a glossy Piano Black finish
create a calm atmosphere which promotes concentration on the road. Another
feature of the two top-of-the-range sports cars is a speedometer scale which
goes up to 260 km/h.

In addition, MINI also offers a wide range of individualisation options for
configuring the two new extreme sports cars. In terms of exterior paint
finishes, interior design, seat upholstery types, interior colours and decor
options as well as the comfort features, the full breadth of variety is
available as for the other model variations. Additional comfort, versatility
and sporty flair can be achieved with items from the extensive accessory range
of MINI and of John Cooper Works.

Ten exterior paint finishes are available to choose from for the MINI John
Cooper Works and the MINI John Cooper Works Clubman. Contrasting roof finishes
and roof decor options provide a wide range of possible combinations. The basic
fittings of the interior include seat covers in the fabric Chequered. Optional
extras include leather upholsteries, sports seats with fabric/leather covers,
sports leather seats and Recaro sports seats from the John Cooper Works
accessory program. The decor strips of the interior can be selected in Fluid
Silver as an alternative to Piano Black. The accessory program also includes an
interior strip in Carbon.

The high-quality entertainment and navigation systems of the MINI equipment
range are also available for the two top-of-the-range sports cars. The controls
of the audio system - with CD player as standard - and the 6 ½ inch TFT colour
display of the optional navigation system are situated in the central circular
instrument. The standard AUX socket enables music saved on an MP3 player to be
played through the audio system, for example. A special interface for full
integration of an Apple iPod is also available as an accessory. For optimum and
safe communication on the road there is an optional mobile phone preparation or
integrated hands-free facility with Bluetooth interface and USB connection. An
interface for integrated operation of the audio and telephone functions is also
specially available for the Apple iPhone.

Performance at premium level: John Cooper Works accessories.
The highlights of the John Cooper Works accessory program include the
aerodynamics package and sports chassis with springs finished in red for the
MINI John Cooper Works, as well as perforated brake discs and rear spoilers for
both model versions. Other items include a suspension cross-brace for the
engine compartment, mirror caps in carbon finish and so-called side scuttles -
direction indicator surrounds with a sporty grid structure. To match this
there are also decor strips, handbrake handles and sports gearshift levers in
carbon decor which provide an even sportier ambience. The gear shift indicator
in the John Cooper Works accessory program also contributes to an intensive
driving experience.

With the John Cooper Works Performance components, the character of the two new
models is given even greater emphasis and visually highlighted, too.
Premium-quality sporty flair characterises them as it does the two new models
themselves, both of which bear the John Cooper Works logo.

The MINI John Cooper Works and MINI John Cooper Works Clubman have to be able
to meet both the extreme challenges of the race track as well as the extensive
requirements of everyday traffic in terms of functionality, design, reliability
and durability. Together, the brands MINI and John Cooper Works stand for a
promise of quality which is uniquely powerful within the competitive
environment of MINI.

MINI and John Cooper Works: shared roots in motor racing.
The two top sports cars are sold through the MINI dealer network. Like all
variations of the MINI and MINI Clubman, both models are manufactured at the
MINI plant in Oxford according to customer wishes. In this way, the integration
of the John Cooper Works label under the umbrella MINI is now also reflected in
the range of vehicles available ex works. The close connection between MINI and
John Cooper Works, based on a motor racing tradition stretching back decades,
has a defining influence on the development of new vehicles and components. The
MINI John Cooper Works and MINI John Cooper Works Clubman represent the shared
values of driving fun, premium quality and individuality in an especially
concentrated form. In terms of reliability, quality of workmanship and
authenticity of design, they fulfil the high standards of the BMW Group, as do
the John Cooper Works Performance components with their perfect adaptation to
MINI. The new models are thus also subject to the warranty conditions
applicable to MINI.