Latest news with #MiniCooper
New York Post
a day ago
- New York Post
Reckless driver launches Mini Cooper off ferry dock into Puget Sound during high-speed police chase, killing 2 passengers
A wild high-speed police chase ended in tragedy when a reckless driver launched his Mini Cooper off a ferry dock into a Washington waterway this week — killing two passengers as the car sank, according to reports. Harrowing police bodycam footage obtained by KOMO News captured officers frantically trying to save the 29-year-old driver and his four passengers as the car submerged in Puget Sound after flying off a dock at Edmonds Ferry Terminal at more than 100 mph late Tuesday night. Screams of panic echoed from the vehicle as cops tossed life vests and flotation devices into the frigid water, instructing the victims on how to use them, the chilling footage showed. 4 First responders frantically try to rescue passengers from the car submerged in the Puget Sound. Edmonds Police Department Four people, including the erratic driver suspected of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol, were rescued and taken to a nearby hospital, while two others died in the car, the outlet reported. It remains unclear if the victims — a 45-year-old Lakewood woman and a 48-year-old Auburn woman — drowned. 4 Bodycam footage of first responders rushing to save people from a car that drove into Puget Sound. Edmonds Police Department The horrific ordeal began around 11 p.m. when a Washington State Patrol trooper tried to stop the speeding Mini on Interstate 5 in Edmonds, sparking a brief pursuit, the outlet reported. A Snohomish County Sheriff's deputy launched another chase after spotting the same car dangerously weaving through traffic at speeds of up to 120 mph before exiting the highway and plowing through a gate at the ferry terminal. 'They went around the cones and went through the gate up there at the head of the dock and off,' Randal Viernes, a Washington State Ferries employee, told the outlet. 'Sounded like he launched it. He did not slow down at all.' 4 Screams of panic echoed from the car as cops tossed life vests and flotation devices into the frigid water. Edmonds Police Department 4 Aerial view of a car that drove off a ferry dock into the water. KOMO News Ferry service was temporarily suspended following the crash, with recovery crews hauling the Mini Cooper from 40 feet of water around 3:30 a.m., according to KING 5. The careless Tulalip motorist — whose identity hasn't been revealed — was taken into custody, though no charges have been filed. 'It is super tragic,' Edmonds resident Pam Blanchard told the outlet. 'Thank heavens another ferry wasn't docked there because if people were coming to get off of the ferry more people would have been involved. Honestly, it is really lucky that nobody else was involved.'
NZ Autocar
2 days ago
- Automotive
- NZ Autocar
2025 Mini Cooper SE Review
Mini's first electric Cooper went well enough but couldn't roam that far out of town. The new SE remedies that. The second-generation of the Mini Cooper Electric is here, in a couple of guises; the E with a 41kWh (37kWh usable) battery and the SE that you see here with a 54kWh battery pack (49 usable). Contrast that with the original 2020 version that had a 32.6kWh pack (29kWh usable). It offered a range that Mini claimed was around 230km but only in town. Used beyond city limits, and you'd be lucky to see 180km. That's similar to Mazda's MX-30 for range, and that expensive experiment lasted just two years. Equally, no surprise that the new electric Mini Cooper comes with either a modest battery (still bigger than before) or an acceptable size one in the SE and decent enough range (up to 402km WLTP). While this is primarily an urban car, it's one that Mini says has the kind of dynamics that make you want to take it beyond the city. So then you need a bit of range to get you there and back again. The bigger version has more power too. Yes, it is more expensive by $6k than the E ($61k vs $67k) but that's probably the best $6k you will ever commit to. Moreover, with a modestly sized battery pack of around 50kWh you can replenish from 65 to 90 per cent odd overnight using a 2kW portable charger. Zero to 80 per cent takes roughly five hours using an 11kW wallbox. A 10-80 rezip on a 50kW DC unit takes about half an hour. The point here is that charging is a chore and a bore so the less often and the less time taken the better. As mentioned dynamics are key here, so big battery packs are out of the question. But as lithium-ion tech slowly advances, the batteries tend to be more energy dense without growing in size. Not quite the same for the car overall, however; the original we tested in 2020 was 1404kg, this latest, admittedly in SE guise with more gear and a bigger battery, is now 1680kg. It has more range of course but the performance increment isn't huge. Back then with a 135kW/270Nm motor, it could get to 100km/h in 6.85sec. Now, with 160kW and 330Nm it did the same thing only half a second quicker, and that's much the same with the overtake, at 4.0 vs 4.6sec. However, with at least 50 per cent more range, no-one will feel hard done by, particularly when it's only $7k more than before. If you're just not up for an electric Mini Cooper, you can still buy a range of petrol variants, with the three-pot 115kW/230Nm 1.5 kicking off at $49,990. This also comes in a better specified Favoured flavour for a few thousand more. The $56,990 Cooper S gets a motor more befitting of a go-kart car, its 2.0 150kW and 300Nm motor giving it a sprint time of 6.6 seconds. There's still the JCW hot-shot as well, costing a few thou less than the Cooper SE. Mini looks with better tech This car is still a front driver, now with a 160kW and 330Nm motor. It has a bewildering range of drive modes, borrowed from the BMW mode book. But it's really only Eco, Normal and Sport that matter. The latter is accompanied by a 'wahoo' exclamation from the speakers when selected and that wears thin. Normal will do for the most part, as usual. There are three regen settings too, low, medium and high. Well, four if we're counting, the Adaptive mode. We preferred the high setting which is similar to single-pedal driving, only without being so abrupt. There's a new look too, better in that you can scarcely pick it apart from the ICE power variants. The original electric Mini featured a horizontal yellow line across the grille, signifying the electric innards. That's gone, and in its place a couple of yellow S badges instead. The larger mainly solid grille and low ride height impart a real impression of width, like it's set to pounce. There's still the iconic Mini Cooper shape, the big round LED headlights, and abbreviated overhangs. It remains recognisably Mini, something that hasn't really changed from the model's inception in 1959. It's much the same as the 911 in that regard then. Inside, there's the still iconic circular IFT and control screen, now a 240mm OLED offering for even greater clarity. Like all central controllers, this takes time to master. But there are several buttons on the dash that make the process simpler. One of these is the start-stop button, which some EVs don't have. We prefer this, especially as the Mini detects the key approaching and unlocks automatically. Same for locking; just leave and it does that for you. Alongside is a wee lever for D and R, and a button to the right is for P. Towards the left is the Experience button (drive modes then) while a little below those is another that is a shortcut to the menu that changes driver assistance stuff. And there's a shortcut to nixing lane keeping as well. Serious drivers may want to as they go about straightening curvy roads. This bongs a few times at you gently, quietly if it detects you're exceeding the local speed limit. You can cancel it if you want in the control screen. And it stays off. Mini makes use of recycled plastics and the like – there's no leather or chrome – so much of the dash and door cards are covered in a fabric-like textile. What look like leather-clad seats aren't real then, vegan something or other. Harder charging The latest Cooper E rides on a new dedicated EV platform co-developed by BMW so benefits from a touch more room in the rear. But the 210L boot remains marginally useful. Think grocery shop up for two. Splitfold the rear seats to enlarge it to 800L (69L more than before) and it swallows oodles of gear. The dynamics are even better than before, as the battery is between the axles for a better weight split. There's generous steering heft but it's still the darty thing it used to be. Ride will seem firm initially but at open road speeds it makes lots of sense. And even at town pace it's not sharp; good seats help. It's premium priced for a weenie but comes with premium items, like powered and heated leatherette seats with lumbar pump, seat memories and a massage function. The sports wheel is heated but the rim is a bit fat, like BMW items. Overhead is a full length fixed panoramic roof with ambient lights around the edge and a powered slide beneath. There's also one of the polycarbonate head-up displays, this one pretty good for clarity. And there's stop and go for the adaptive cruise while smartphones integrate wirelessly and there's a surround camera system for safer parking. Harman/Kardon supplies a premium sound system too. And there are enough crash smarts for a five-star ANCAP result. So it's a properly sensible update here, especially the SE. Somewhere out on the far horizon, the next-generation Minis will be rear or AWD, as they adopt BMW's Neue Klasse platform. The Gen6 800V architecture will also mean even more range and quicker charging. Mini Cooper SE $66,990 / 14.8kWh/100km / 0g/km 0-100 km/h 6.33s 80-120 km/h 4.02s (114m) 100-0 km/h 38.96m Speedo error 98 at an indicated 100km/h Ambient cabin noise 74.4dB@100km/h Motor output 160kW/330Nm Battery 49.2kWh Range 382km Drivetrain Single-speed auto / FWD Front suspension Mac strut / swaybar Rear suspension Multilink / swaybar Turning circle 10.8m (2.2 turns) Front brakes Ventilated discs (335mm) Rear brakes Discs (280mm) Stability systems ABS, ESP Safety AEB, ACC, BSM, LDW, RCTA, ALK, AHB Tyre size f/r-225/40R18 Wheelbase 2526m L/W/H 3858 / 1756 / 1460mm Track f-1521mm r-1524mm Luggage capacity 210-800L Tow rating 500kg (750kg braked) Service intervals Condition based Scheduled servicing 3yrs Warranty 5yrs / 100,000 km ANCAP rating ★★★★★ (2025) Weight (claimed) 1680kg
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Radically-improved Nissan Leaf is now a proper ‘made in Britain' EV with bigger battery, cabin & quirky nod to its maker
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EVERY Five Guys has a sign on the wall that says: 'Today's potatoes are from . . .' Somewhere local. 5 The next 'Made in Britain' motor coming our way is the radically improved Nissan Leaf Credit: David Shepherd 5 This new Leaf has the option of a 270-mile battery or a 375-mile battery Credit: David Shepherd 5 Up front, that slick twin-screen dash has built-in Google for maps, music and more Credit: David Shepherd That makes me happy. Because not only does it mean the chips will be fresh and tasty, it's a reminder that you're backing British farming. Helping to put food on the table for someone else. It's the same with some cars. If you buy a Mini Cooper or a Toyota Corolla or a Nissan Qashqai or a Nissan Juke, you get a tasty motor first and foremost. But you also support tens of thousands of people who work in the British car industry. So everyone wins. The next 'Made in Britain' motor coming our way is the radically- improved Nissan Leaf. Now a proper long-distance family motor that happens to be electric. Rather than a fugly eco car with phish range. Nissan leaf being sold for £19,000 - but there's a catch as it's dubbed 'Nissan grief' by viewers Let's just say the original Leaf was a rubbish getaway car. You'd be better off on foot. This new one has the option of a 270-mile battery or a 375-mile battery. So you might need to charge it once a fortnight. The smooth body and flat belly help it slice through the air. Steering wheel paddles adjust the levels of braking regen to add more electrons on the go. After trying a prototype, I am pleased to say Leaf 3.0 drives nicely too. Smooth, quiet, sophisticated, fast when you want to go fast, relaxed when you don't. The new multi-link rear axle, compared to the old torsion-beam set-up, really improves ride and handling. It's actually shorter than the old car, with a smaller turning circle, so it's easier to park and manoeuvre in town. Yet the cabin is bigger. There's room for a rear-facing child seat in the back. There wasn't before. The boot is bigger and more useful with luggage dividers from a Qashqai. Up front, that slick twin-screen dash has built-in Google for maps, music and more. Bose headrest speakers direct satnav and calls to the driver's lugholes. So they don't spoil the song for everyone else. The big glass roof, with thermal protection, dims in sections. And actually increases headroom. There's lots of charging ports for devices and drink holders for your Five Guys milkshakes. Like I said, proper family car. Other observations. The 3D rear lights. I like them. Two upright bars and three horizontal bars. That's because 'two' and 'three' in Japanese sound like 'Ni' and 'San'. 5 The big glass roof, with thermal protection, dims in sections. And actually increases headroom Credit: Supplied 5 Those striking 3D rear lights aren't just for show – they spell out 'Nissan' in Japanese numbers: two (ni) and three (san) Credit: David Shepherd That's also why Nissan's legendary race cars wear the number 23. Let's hope there's a sporty Leaf NISMO further down the line because I'm told there's room for a rear e-motor to make it 4WD. For now, though, we applaud Sunderland for giving us a practical electric car we would be proud to own. It just needs a badge that says it's home-grown.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Radically-improved Nissan Leaf is now a proper ‘made in Britain' EV with bigger battery, cabin & quirky nod to its maker
Rob Gill Published: Invalid Date, EVERY Five Guys has a sign on the wall that says: 'Today's potatoes are from . . .' Somewhere local. 5 5 5 That makes me happy. Because not only does it mean the chips will be fresh and tasty, it's a reminder that you're backing British farming. Helping to put food on the table for someone else. It's the same with some cars. If you buy a Mini Cooper or a Toyota Corolla or a Nissan Qashqai or a Nissan Juke, you get a tasty motor first and foremost. But you also support tens of thousands of people who work in the British car industry. So everyone wins. The next 'Made in Britain' motor coming our way is the radically- improved Nissan Leaf. Now a proper long-distance family motor that happens to be electric. Rather than a fugly eco car with phish range. Nissan leaf being sold for £19,000 - but there's a catch as it's dubbed 'Nissan grief' by viewers Let's just say the original Leaf was a rubbish getaway car. You'd be better off on foot. This new one has the option of a 270-mile battery or a 375-mile battery. So you might need to charge it once a fortnight. The smooth body and flat belly help it slice through the air. Steering wheel paddles adjust the levels of braking regen to add more electrons on the go. After trying a prototype, I am pleased to say Leaf 3.0 drives nicely too. Smooth, quiet, sophisticated, fast when you want to go fast, relaxed when you don't. The new multi-link rear axle, compared to the old torsion-beam set-up, really improves ride and handling. It's actually shorter than the old car, with a smaller turning circle, so it's easier to park and manoeuvre in town. Yet the cabin is bigger. There's room for a rear-facing child seat in the back. There wasn't before. The boot is bigger and more useful with luggage dividers from a Qashqai. Up front, that slick twin-screen dash has built-in Google for maps, music and more. Bose headrest speakers direct satnav and calls to the driver's lugholes. So they don't spoil the song for everyone else. The big glass roof, with thermal protection, dims in sections. And actually increases headroom. There's lots of charging ports for devices and drink holders for your Five Guys milkshakes. Like I said, proper family car. Other observations. The 3D rear lights. I like them. Two upright bars and three horizontal bars. That's because 'two' and 'three' in Japanese sound like 'Ni' and 'San'. 5 5 That's also why Nissan's legendary race cars wear the number 23. Let's hope there's a sporty Leaf NISMO further down the line because I'm told there's room for a rear e-motor to make it 4WD. For now, though, we applaud Sunderland for giving us a practical electric car we would be proud to own. It just needs a badge that says it's home-grown.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Honda dips its toes in cargo delivery micromobility
Walk around a big city like New York or Amsterdam long enough and you're bound to notice something: tiny four-wheeled cargo carriers zipping down bike lanes. These battery-assisted vehicles, often called e-quads, are distinct from cargo e-bikes, which tend to be geared toward households. E-quads are larger and sport enclosed cargo holds, making them a darling of delivery companies, including Amazon and UPS, allowing them to sidestep congestion that bogs down regular box trucks. Now, Honda is offering its own take on vehicle type, the Fastport eQuad. The eQuad comes in two sizes built on at the same basic platform, small and large. Both are smaller than the smallest Mini Cooper, but can carry between 320 to 650 pounds. They have pedals, and their top speed is limited to 12 mph (20 kph), both requirements to keep them bike lane legal. To keep the eQuad trucking, Honda is using its Mobile Power Pack batteries. The 22-pound batteries can be swapped for a fresh pack much like Gogoro or Zeno. By grabbing the build-in handle, drivers (or riders?) can drop them into a caddy located just behind and below cockpit. Inside the cockpit, drivers have the usual bike seat, pedals, and windscreen. A display helps the driver stay on route. Based on the number of mentions in the press release, Honda really wants this to be considered a software-defined vehicle, which it says will over 'continues value and improvements over the vehicles lifetime,' though it doesn't specify what those are. U.S.-bound eQuads will be built at the Honda Performance Manufacturing Center in Ohio. For the craftspeople who work there, the trundling eQuad will be a very different assignment. Previously, they were best known for hand assembling the second-generation Acura NSX, a 500-plus horsepower supercar capable of 191 mph. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
