Cooper

BMW is busy electricking all kinds of things. The latest is the MINI Countryman hybrid, the first of the British brand’s line to get a power cord and go mainstream. Unlike MINI EV experiments of the past, the Countryman PHEV retains all of the good qualities of the (wait for it) biggest MINI.

We spent a week in the redesigned 2016 BMW Mini Cooper Clubman and found that it keeps the quirky, fun nature of the Mini intact, but loses some of its appeal in exchange for added practicality. Mini fans will no doubt enjoy this pricey four-door, but non-enthusiasts may not be so keen.

The power output of Mini's John Cooper Works continues to grow. For the latest John Cooper Works, Mini has managed to serve up 231 hp (172 kW), making it the brand's most powerful car ever.

The new Mini Cooper SD, with a 170 hp (125 kW) twin-turbo diesel, is the most powerful diesel Mini has ever produced. And, with a 0 - 62 mph (100 km/h) sprint time of just 7.2 seconds in manual form, it's the fastest ever diesel Mini too.

MINI's new John Cooper Works models - more power, less thirst, all-wheel-drive.

The MINI John Cooper Works GP will be the fastest MINI ever, capable of lapping the Nürburgring-Nordschleife circuit in 8 min. 23 seconds, 19 seconds faster than its predecessor, the MINI Cooper S with John Cooper Works GP Kit

Best-known for its racing and sporty automobiles, in recent times the Cooper has turned its hand to bicycles.

The MINI Cooper SD 2.0-litre turbodiesel produces 143 bhp, 305 Nm of torque, a top speed of 215 km/h plus EU test cycle economy of 65.7 mpg imperial - it will hit showrooms in Q2.