The BMW Group has given the go ahead for the newest performance leader of the Mini family—the Mini John Cooper Works.
If the regular Mini is the heir to a car steeped in the tradition of driving fun, then the Mini John Cooper Works is even more so. The JCW uses engine and suspension technology derived from motor racing to up the fun factor, and the three-door hot hatch has enough model-specific design cues on the inside and outside to ensure that everyone knows what Mini version just went by them.
The new Mini JCW contains the most powerful engine ever squeezed into a production Mini. The two-liter, four-cylinder, Mini TwinPower Turbo motor produces 231 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque, which is great power for a car that doesn’t weigh any more than its predecessor. The great power comes at a price; but fortunately, when it comes to fuel consumption, it’s a small price. The JCW equipped with the standard six-speed manual transmission drinks about 35 miles per gallon of gasoline. With the optional six-speed Steptronic sports transmission, fuel use goes to 41 mpg.
Top speed is 152 miles per hour. The JCW with manual transmission will do zero to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds. The car with the Steptronic sport transmission will do it in 6.1.
The Mini John Cooper Works is 152.5 inches long, 68 inches wide, 55.6 inches high, and has a wheelbase of 98.2 inches.
Suspension technology is designed to match the power and performance of the drivetrain. The car comes with a newly developed Brembo sports brake system; exclusive 17-inch John Cooper Works Race Spoke light alloy wheels; electromechanical power steering with Servotronic; Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) including Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), Electronic Differential Lock Control (EDLC) and Performance Control. Dynamic Damper Control is an available option.
The John Cooper Works sports special aero features. In the front is a model-specific apron with large cooling air inlets where the foglights were in the normal Mini three-door model. The rear apron design and John Cooper Works rear spoiler make the back more aero efficient. Open the door to see a distinctive side sill
The Mini John Cooper Works gets LED headlamps with white direction indicators; wheel arch surrounds with distinctive contours; radiator grille, side scuttles, and tailgate with John Cooper Works label; and sports exhaust system with special tailpipes. A new Rebel Green paint is an exclusive color only available on the Mini JCW.
Inside, the John Cooper Works is fitted with special seats with integrated headrests; John Cooper Works entry sills; a John Cooper Works steering wheel with multifunction buttons and shift paddles (if the car has the six-speed Steptronic sports transmission); John Cooper Works gear lever or selector lever; cockpit displays, central instrument display, and car key in model-specific design; pedals and driver footrest in stainless steel; and anthracite roof liner. The Driving Excitement package is standard.
The Mini Head-Up Display with exclusive display content is optional. The roof and exterior mirror covers come in Chili Red. Eighteen-inch John Cooper Works light alloy wheels are standard.
To elevate driving fun, comfort, and safety, the Mini JCW can be delivered with Park Distance Control; parking assistant; rear view camera; Driving Assistant including camera-based active cruise control, collision and pedestrian warning with initial brake function, high-beam assistant and road-sign detection; lighting package with LED interior ambient lighting with continuously variable color adjustment; Comfort Access; electrically operated glass roof; interior and exterior mirror with automatic anti-dazzle function; seat heating; two-zone automatic air conditioning; Mini navigation system; Mini navigation system Professional; Mini Radio Visual Boost; Harman Kardon hi-fi speaker system; additional customization options with roof and exterior mirror graphics, bonnet stripes, seat upholsteries, interior surfaces and Color Lines as well as Mini Yours features.
Of course, the suite of Mini Connected in-car infotainment features is available, to include Intelligent Emergency Call and Mini TeleServices available for use with permanently installed SIM card; a wide range of functions and the opportunity for ongoing expansion due to apps that allow integration in the car via smartphone; exclusive Mini functions such as Mission Control, Dynamic Music, Driving Excitement, and MiniMalism; Mini Connected XL Journey Mate with Real Time Traffic Radar; online connection that allows use of social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, foursquare, and Glympse, the reception of RSS news feeds, and entertainment features such as Spotify, GoPro, AUPEO!, Stitcher, Deezer, Audible, Napster/Rhapsody. and TuneIn.
Look for the new Mini John Cooper Works at next month's North American International Auto Show in Detroit. We will report availability dates and prices as they become known.—Scott Blazey
