MINI John Cooper Works

10:34am Tuesday 15th July 2008

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THERE’S a new breed of MINI. Playful, potent, aggressive and dressed to kill, this is the one the enthusiasts have been waiting for. It’s been a long time coming, but they won’t be disappointed.

Eight years ago, the new MINI exploded on to the scene in one of the most successful marketing campaigns ever witnessed in the automotive industry.

Since then, MINI has sold more than 1.1 million cars in more than 70 countries. Now the John Cooper Works variant is here, developed from the Cooper S, and bringing new levels of thrills.

But where to show off the Special One, in Jose Mourinho-speak.

MINI chose Donington Park, one of the great cathedrals of British racing, to where myself and dozens of other motoring journalists were invited to test its performance qualities on track and road.

I first took a spin (not literally) in the MINI Challenge race car, from which the John Cooper Works is derived before getting behind the wheel of the JCW for time trials and brake tests, in which the car was able to able to demonstrate its competence, safety features and performance capabilities.

Then it was time to head out on a 40-mile route through the heart of England. Oh joy.

The first thing you notice is the effortless power delivery. A strengthened, larger version of the award-winning turbocharger found in the Cooper S is the heart and lungs of the beast. Developing 211 hp and 260 Nm of torque, turbo boost can be extended even further to 280Nm on deployment of the car’s Overboost system. This gives the John Cooper Works the highest peak torque figure of any production MINI.

The horse power just keep on coming as the speedo and rev dials veer to the right, with no hint of breathlessness. It only remains for the driver to keep all that muscle in harness, and things can get slightly twitchy when the car is fully extended.

A 0-62mph time of 6.5 seconds has been achieved, and that famous over-large speedo in the centre of the dashboard has been revised to accommodate 160mph (the car is actually capable of 148mph).

Yes, it’s still a MINI through and through, but a performance car too. All this and a potential 40 miles per gallon if you are not exploring its full potential.

To ensure power is transferred to the wheels with maximum dynamic performance, the John Cooper Works employs Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), ABS, Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Electronic Differential Lock Control (EDLC), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Hill Assist.

DTC is activated by the press of a button. Hold down the button for three seconds and both DSC and DTC are switched off, leaving the driver in complete control of the go-karting qualities.

The 2008 International Engine of the Year (1.4-1.8-litre category) found in the MINI Cooper S was a strong base unit on which to begin John Cooper Works tuning. The basic structure of the engine has not received any modifications.

The intake valves and valve seat rings have been upgraded with more durable materials to withstand the increased temperature caused by the free-revving engine. The pistons have had their sidewalls reinforced, which means the compression ratio is reduced, and the cylinder head has similarly had its wall thickness increased to reduce any localised stress or hot spots when running at peak output.

Air supply is improved through fitment of a larger air mass sensor and charge air line, meaning greater throughput of clean air and a reduction in the loss of throttle power. At the exhaust end, a strengthened and larger twin-scroll turbocharger and exhaust manifold are central to performance improvements. And the beloved snap, crackle and pop sound is back with a vengeance.

Making the MINI John Cooper Works stand out from a standard MINI Cooper S is a range of specific styling and performance features. An aerodynamic kit, bespoke 17-inch alloy wheels, John Cooper Works badges, large disc brakes with upgraded bright red performance callipers, side skirts, gills and large twin tailpipes denote this car has something special under the metal. .

The MINI John Cooper Works went on sale in the UK from July 22, priced at £20,995.. If you want pack in all the accessories on offer, such as lowered suspension, navigation system and all-leather sports seating then you will be looking at a price tag nearer or even higher than £30,000.

That compares with £16,245 for the Cooper S, which musters 175 hp, reaches 62mph from standstill in 7.5 seconds and goes on to a top speed of 140mph.

But then we are also talking exclusivity here. MINI expects to sell only 730 units in 2008, 820 in 2009 and 850 in 2010.

First deliveries of the Clubman edition will not take place until early in 2009, when a bespoke aerodynamic kit will have been developed for that model. Pricing for the MINI John Cooper Works Clubman will be confirmed nearer the time.

This is only the beginning of this new chapter of the John Cooper Works story, because a JCW brand will be available for every model in the range, in much the same way that MINI’s owners, BMW, expands its portfolio with the M performance series.

At a glance
Model: MINI John Cooper Works
Price: £20,995
Power: 211 hp
Performance: 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds; top speed 148mph
Fuel economy: 40.9mpg combined
CO2 emissions: 165 g/km