Mini to Use Rolls Royce-Prepped Goodwood as a Sub-brand for Bespoke Models

In the same way the John Cooper Works moniker designates high-performance models, Mini plans to use the Goodwood name as a sub-brand for high-end luxury versions of its cars. According to British magazine Autocar, which quotes sources from within the company, the Goodwood badge will be used on luxurious, bespoke Minis just like the JCW badge is put on its high-performance models.

The first model of the Goodwood line is the “Mini Inspired by Goodwood”, which made its world premiere at the Shanghai auto show. The car is essentially a Cooper S that sports unique styling cues and trim options designed “in close collaboration” with Rolls-Royce. The name itself pays tribute to Rolls-Royce's headquarters, while the Shanghai unveiling signals the importance of the Chinese market for very expensive Minis.

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German Tuner Thinks Louis Vuitton-esque MINI JCW with up to 252HP Looks Kewl

We're no luxury handbag experts, but the first thought that comes to mind upon seeing CoverEFX's MINI John Cooper Works [JCW] tuning proposal is a....Louis Vuitton bag on wheels. For obvious reasons, the monogram canvas is different than the one found on the products of the famous French design house, but its styling as well as the colors and the leathery texture of the special foil wrap all point to an inspiration that come from Louis Vuitton.

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MINI Announces New JCW Sport Packages and Clubman Hampton Edition

The newly developed 2.0-liter turbo diesel we told you about in our previous post isn't the only fresh addition to MINI's lineup for 2011. The new year also brings a John Cooper Works [JCW] Pack option for the hatch and convertible models, a performance kit for the Cooper S and the Clubman Hampton special edition.

The JCW pack option for the Cooper and Cooper S Hardtop and Convertible vehicles is due to be available from the second quarter of 2011 as a factory option. It includes an aero kit with front and rear aprons, plus side skirts, as well as 17-inch weight-optimized aluminum alloy wheels.

The interior is upgraded with a new leather steering wheel with red stitching, gearshift knob with red shift pattern lettering, plus a leather handbrake boot featuring -what else- red stitching.

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Nowack Motors Releases Mini Cooper S Packages with up to 260HP

The latest Mini Cooper S and its JCW brother have gotten the option of more oomph from German tuner Nowack Motors.

The packages, dubbed N210, N230, and N260 are pretty self-explanatory: 210 horsepower (filter/ECU work), 230 horsepower (add an exhaust), and 260 horsepower.

The N260 adds a little extra Nowack touch: Nowack cams and downpipe, improved intercooler setup, and a rebuilt cylinder head with better flow.

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WC50 Mini Special coming to America, Priced at $40,300

$40,300 for a tuned-up Mini? REALLY? That's the opening price - including a $700 shipping fee, for the 50 coming-to-these-here-shores versions of Mini's World Championship 50 (WC50) model (read all about it in out previous post here).

It features the JCW turbo'd 1.6 rated at 208 horsepower, all the other standard Works fixin's, and special green paint (to sound like it's worth the money, call it Connaught Green). Seriously though, it looks good. Just not THAT good.

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