Yes, you read it correctly, dogs are driving cars and while you might think it is some sort of ridiculous spoof, it is actually spot on. The SPCA in Auckland New Zealand wanted to find some innovative ways to show how smart dogs are and how you should adopt a rescue dog as a new additional to your family. What other way to show off a smart dog than to put him behind the wheel of a car? That is exactly what this particular SPCA is doing. While you might think they would have used only super, perhaps genetically enhanced dogs to take on this feat, they choice rescue dogs themselves to help them show you that even though they were tossed aside by someone else, they are still lovable, and obviously, very teachable.

The first three dogs to step in the driver’s seat, first in a tester and then in an actual Mini Countryman are Porter, Ginny and Monty. Different breeds with different stories, but all three seem to really enjoy their time behind the wheel. Porter, is the first and he was found wandering around all alone. Ginny was abused by her owners and the SPCA rescued her from a sad life. Monty was surrendered by his owners for unknown reasons, being un-trainable could not have been one of them.

The dogs are strapped into the driver’s seat in their own style of seatbelt, are trained to start the car with their paw, steer it and work the gas and brake. The gas and brake pedals obviously had to be modified, much the same as they would be for a special needs driver. Now, if they can train these dogs to drive down to the corner store to pick up milk, bread and eggs, everyone will want one.

Source YouTube

No one knew what Mini was thinking when they put out the last Mini John Cooper Works GP. It was disappointing a many levels including power and performance. Well, Mini heard the critics, saw the sales numbers and figured they better ramp up their game if they wanted to keep the Mini John Cooper Works lineup in the running to become the iconic classic they hope it will someday be. With this in mind, enter the brand new 2014 Mini John Cooper Works GP.

The good news is that Mini has created a vehicle that drivers are sure to fall in love with from the first rev of the engine. The bad news is that only 2,000 models and we aren’t sure how many of those will make it to the United States. American drivers who are lusting after this model should get in line now though because they are set to go on sale on March 16, 2013, just in time to sport the new model for St. Patrick’s Day festivities on March 17. That also gives you time to save your pennies because you can expect to pay $39,950 to drive home a base model 2014 Mini John Cooper Works GP.

The 2014 Mini John Cooper Works GP has lost 165 pounds from the previous version and has been reengineered to handle all aspects or city and highway driving with ease and confidence. It’s not the fastest coupe on the block by any means, but going from 0 to 62 in 6.3 seconds isn’t exactly shabby either. This is accomplished with 211 horsepower which actually quite a few more over the other little cars coming out today. The little coupe will reach a top cruising speed of 150 miles per hour, but we don’t suggest you attempt that at home.

Source YouTube

Mini is hard at work getting their 2013 Mini Cooper and Mini John Cooper stable ready to hit the market. Dealerships are expecting to arrange the first test drives. The crowning glory of this lineup is the 2013 Mini John Cooper Works GP is on schedule for a fall release and is set to a starting price of $39.950. That includes the $700 destination fee.

The 2013 Mini John Cooper Works GP is a hardy looking, tiny vehicle that’s small in size, but big in everything else. It has a turbocharged four cylinder engine that offers an amazing 218 horsepower and up to 207 pound feet of torque. That might not be much for a full sized sedan, but in this little coupe, it’s very aggressive, especially since this model is 121 pounds lighter than a normal John Cooper Works Hardtop.

Of course if the almost $40,000 price tag is too much for you for a 2013 Mini John Cooper Works GP, you can relax because that is the most expensive Mini being released. You can pick and choose through the entire collection of Mini’s and add features and options as you like to create a Mini that is personalized to your taste and style.

Mini Pricing

• Cooper: $20,400
• Cooper S: $24,000
• John Cooper Works: $30,800

MINI Coupe

• Cooper: $22,150
• Cooper S: $25,450
• John Cooper Works: $32,050

MINI Roadster

• Cooper: $26,250
• Cooper S: $29,250
• John Cooper Works: $36,400

MINI Clubman

• Cooper: $22,100
• Cooper S: $25,800
• John Cooper Works: $33,000

MINI Convertible

• Cooper: $25,850
• Cooper S: $28,850
• John Cooper Works: $36,000

MINI Countryman

• Cooper: $22,700
• Cooper S: $26,300
• Cooper S ALL4: $28,000
• John Cooper Works: $35,550

MINI John Cooper Works GP

• GP: $35,950

Options for these models include Sirius at a $250 increase that includes one year of service and a Premium Package at an increase of $1,250 for the Mini Hardtop and Clubman that includes a panoramic sunroof, automatic windshield wipers and climate control.

Source Mini

The Mazda MX-5 Miata might have some competition in the works according to reports that BMW is considering adding a collection of versions to their Mini lineup. Rumor has it a CUV, a four door sedan and a sports car might be in development for this brand and if they come to fruition it will give buyers the option to pick and choose through ten versions of the well loved Mini. Sources are pretty sure that at least one of these new versions will be closely inspired by the Rocketman Concept that was shown off at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. The concept, while big news at the Geneva show was put aside because BMW thought it was too expensive to put through further research and development, but, if our thinking is correct, they have been hard at work coming up with a more cost efficient way to create it.

Harald Kreuge, a recently appointed Mini brand Board Member says, “A lot of customers would like to stay with the brand when they need something bigger and a Volvo or a BMW will not do. All Minis will have “go-kart handling, emotional design, exude Britishness and be profitable.

He sounds confident that whatever BMW comes up with for the Mini will be a big hit. With this in mind Mazda might want to do a double take at their MX-5 Miata version to make sure it’s up for the competition. Especially for people who can’t wait to get their hands on an affordable Mini version to call their own.

The Minis are designed and engineered primarily in Munich, but they rely heavily on input from BMW’s DesignworksUSA studio based in sunny California. This gives them the opportunity to keep the British appeal with a splash of American ingenuity.

Source Inside Line

The Mini line is similar to the breed of pug dogs, short, stocky and ridiculously hard to stop looking at because they turn from ugly to adorable to irresistible depending on how you are looking at it. This new 2013 Mini Countryman John Cooper Works All4 is no different. It’s a bit rolly looking, low to the ground with some slightly augmented aero bits for that added touch of irresistible, and like other minis, it is expected to sell faster than a penny sale at WalMart.

Of course, the pricing won’t be the same as a WalMart sale could offer. This model starts at $34,000 and with options it adds up quickly. Those options includes an automatic six speed transmission with paddle and sport shifting map for $1,250 additional. You can also opt for Recaro sport seats for another $2,750. The JCW strut brace and JCW-specific sport suspension will be a bit extra as well and you are getting close to a $45,000 investment quickly. There are nine body colors to choose from, so the chances of running into a Mini twin with this model is going to be few and far between, unless of course everyone chooses the black and red model shown.

As mini as this model is, the 2013 Mini Countryman John Cooper Works All4 has some impressive storage space. It can range from 12.4 cubic feet up to 41.3 cubic feet and there is additional cargo space beneath the floor which is super handy for just about anything you’d like to take on the road with you.

The critics do give kudos to how the steering feels and while they would appreciate a bit more power, the 1.6 liter N18 transverse turbo four-cylinder engine gives a pretty aggressive 215 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque which is more than enough to haul yourself, passenger and cargo around the roadways.