Auto News 5

It's called Ultra4, or unlimited four-wheel-drive racing. The few rules that are written down address safety, environmental, or team-behavior issues, but vehicle construction generally falls to the builder's innovation and boldness.inline_mediumwraptextright0028543411/features/racing/1005_2010_king_of_the_hammers1005_z_01+2010_king_of_the_hammers_race+modifed_jeeps.jpgtrue

Despite having only $1600 worth of "options," this John Cooper Works Mini Clubman costs a whopping $33,300. Given a price like that, I really wonder what the fate of the Clubman will be once the new Mini Countryman, Mini's first crossover SUV, goes on sale. Because it seems that Mini buyers will split into two camps: those who want the purest, most basic Mini two-door, whether it's a hardtop or a convertible; and those who want a "bigger" Mini. And I wonder if the people who want the Mini styling and attitude but with a little more space will just skip over the Clubman and go straight to the Countryman?inline_mediumwraptextright0032933613/reviews/editors_notebook/1004_2010_mini_john_cooper_works_clubman1004_01+2010_mini_john_cooper_works_clubman+front_three_quarter_view.jpgtrue