When the BMW Group revived the Mini brand in 2001, it only offered one model series, the hatchback, but the Bavarian firm had much more in store for us in the future.

Today, Mini's lineup consists of six separate models including the three door hatch, the soft-top Convertible, the Clubman estate, the Countryman crossover and the recently launched, two-seater Coupe and Roadster.

At last year’s North American International Auto Show, Mini previewed a seventh model with the Paceman Concept, which it confirmed for production. The Paceman is essentially a three-door version of the brand's biggest model, the Countryman crossover, with a roofline that slopes downwards at the rear and redesigned rear quarters for a more sportier, coupe-like profile.

In one way, the Epic Hotel in Downtown Miami justified its name on Friday night when the driver of a Maserati GranTurismo crashed into a host of cars including a latest generation Jeep Grand Cherokee, a Mini Cooper Countryman and a classic Porsche 356 speedster – though we don't know if the latter is original or one of the many replicas.

There are many conflicting reports about the incident circulating around the web, including that the Maserati driver was a valet and not the owner, but nothing that we can confirm.

The BMW Group has presented a new way for Mini hatchback, Clubman and Countryman owners to enjoy their vehicles with the presentation of two unique camping outfits on the same day a year after it revealed the BMW M3 pickup truck.

The first solution goes by the name "Cowley caravan" and offers everything one needs for a luxurious camp out including two sleeping berths, a twin-burner gas-stove, a water tank with pump and dish-washing facility, a solar module to charge the on-board battery and a 230-volt power connection to supply the refrigerator, TV/DVD and hi-fi stereo system.

The retro-styled trailer is only 120mm (less than five inches) wider than a MINI Clubman from mirror to mirror and tips the scales at just under 300 kg (661 lb).

If you don't like carrying around a trailer at the back, the German colonizers of MINI have designed a second solution called the "Swindon" roof-top tent, which can be fitted on all three models.

The largest Mini of them all, the Countryman crossover, will soon accept a new member into its family as the BMW Group owned British automaker will debut the John Cooper Works (JCW for short) model at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show.

The new JCW Countryman is fitted with Mini's all-wheel-drive system known as ALL4 as standard with power coming from the latest iteration of the firm's 1.6-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine featuring a twin-scroll turbocharger, direct injection and a variable valve control system.

In European specification, the turbo'd unit is rated at 215bhp (218PS) and 280Nm (207 lb-ft) of peak torque or 300Nm (221 lb-ft) with the overboost function.

Despite not taking place in Africa anymore but in South America, the Dakar Rally remains a very tough race. To finish is in itself a unique experience but to win is a truly great achievement.

Imagine now how Stephane Peterhansel must have felt on January 15, after 38 hours, 44 minutes and 56 seconds and 4,000 competitive kilometers from Argentina’s Mar del Plata to Peru’s capital Lima.

Not only did he win what is probably the most demanding off-road endurance rally in the world but he also did it for a record 10th time, having won six times riding a motorbike and four driving a car.

The BMW Group announced a global recall of approximately 235,00 turbocharged Mini models because of an issue with the circuit board controlling the electric auxiliary water pump that cools the engine's turbocharger.

The company said that the circuit board might malfunction and overheat which could result in a vehicle fire adding, however, that there have been no reports of any injuries or accidents related to the glitch.

The MINI Countryman may be, you know, British, but that hasn’t stopped Italian tuning house Romeo Ferraris from creating a special edition in celebration of Italy’s 150th anniversary as a nation.

The festive MINI is based on the flagship Countryman Cooper S that is powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged petrol churning out 184-horses and a peak torque of 240Nm. After Romeo Ferraris technicians remap the ECU and add a new intercooler, a sports air filter and a race-spec exhaust system, the aforementioned numbers grow to 227HP and 328Nm (241.9 lb-ft).

The MINI Countryman may be, you know, British, but that hasn’t stopped Italian tuning house Romeo Ferraris from creating a special edition in celebration of Italy’s 150th anniversary as a nation.

The festive MINI is based on the flagship Countryman Cooper S that is powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged petrol churning out 184-horses and a peak torque of 240Nm. After Romeo Ferraris technicians remap the ECU and add a new intercooler, a sports air filter and a race-spec exhaust system, the aforementioned numbers grow to 227HP and 328Nm (241.9 lb-ft).

Carscoop’s spy photographers have snapped some of the first images of the sportiest edition yet of the Mini Countryman bearing the John Cooper Works logo. The…high-hoon version of Mini’s urban crossover model will come with all the usual styling upgrades and performance modifications we’re used to seeing in the other JCW models.

First and foremost, the Countryman JCW will get a juiced up version of the Cooper S’ 1.6-liter twin-scroll turbo engine. Being that the Countryman is much heavier than the other Mini JCW variants, engineers may further hone the four-cylinder powerplant to deliver more than 211-ponies it normally produces, possibly approaching the 230HP mark.

Carscoop’s spy photographers have snapped some of the first images of the sportiest edition yet of the Mini Countryman bearing the John Cooper Works logo. The…high-hoon version of Mini’s urban crossover model will come with all the usual styling upgrades and performance modifications we’re used to seeing in the other JCW models.

First and foremost, the Countryman JCW will get a juiced up version of the Cooper S’ 1.6-liter twin-scroll turbo engine. Being that the Countryman is much heavier than the other Mini JCW variants, engineers may further hone the four-cylinder powerplant to deliver more than 211-ponies it normally produces, possibly approaching the 230HP mark.

From the depths of Germany’s tuning industry comes our next custom build, based on the MINI Countryman Cooper S. Wetterauer Engineering GmbH, one of the lesser-known design shops, has come up with a new package for MINI’s first all-wheel drove model.

The aesthetic treatment starts with a new foil wrap in a matte brown color for the body and in carbon fiber for the roof, side skirts, front and rear aprons, exterior mirrors, spoilers and air vents. The package also gives the Countryman a matching set of 18-inch wheels from ATS shod in 225/45 R18 rubber and matte exhaust tips.

From the depths of Germany’s tuning industry comes our next custom build, based on the MINI Countryman Cooper S. Wetterauer Engineering GmbH, one of the lesser-known design shops, has come up with a new package for MINI’s first all-wheel drove model.

The aesthetic treatment starts with a new foil wrap in a matte brown color for the body and in carbon fiber for the roof, side skirts, front and rear aprons, exterior mirrors, spoilers and air vents. The package also gives the Countryman a matching set of 18-inch wheels from ATS shod in 225/45 R18 rubber and matte exhaust tips.

MINI's preparations for the brand's imminent return to the World Rally Championship have culminated with the official launch of the team less than a month ahead of its first WRC event, the Rally d'Italia Sardegna (May 5 - 8). At the company's plant in Oxford, England, the MINI WRC Team unveiled its two MINI John Cooper Works WRC cars, the driver/co-driver lineup and its plans for 2011.

German tuner AC Schnitzer has launched its first tuning package for the MINI Countryman . The focus is clearly on the wheels, as clients can choose between four different designs in two different sizes (18- or 19-inch) to go with the two-tone white and black exterior paint job. In fact, AC Schnitzer has just broken a personal record: in a company first, it has fitted a MINI with 19-inch rims. As for the interior, the tuning house offers an aluminum pedal set and gear knob or various knobs clad in leather with incorporated, digital gear display unit.