Mini John Cooper Works: Pocket-Sized Performance

Motoring Channel Staff - 26/February/2008

Oxford, England — Mini has just taken the wraps off it's new go-fast models in Geneva, the John Cooper Works Mini and Mini Clubman.

John Cooper Works (JCW) was bought by BMW in January of 2007 after its tuning packages for the Mini cars proved to be a success. And now the new range of 2008 Mini models will be getting a boost.

Coming to Australia in August, the new JCW models benefit from a range of upgrades to the exterior and interior design, the engine and the chassis.

The net effect of these upgrades result in a bolder, sportier look and improved performance to match.

While the chassis upgrades harden the ride and improve handling, engine upgrades have led to an increase in power from 128kW @ 5500rpm to 155kW @ 6000rpm.

This has improved the benchmark zero to 100km/h dash by more than half a second, from 7.1 to 6.5 seconds and Mini Australia's national manager, Justin Hocevar, says the new John Cooper Works models "will bring the thrill of the race track to the road" for Mini fans.

One of the coolest features of the new Mini JCW models has to be the 'sports button'. Located near the gearshifter, hitting this button changes both the steering  more dynamic characteristic curve with higher steering torque and increased steering precision. In keeping with this, pressing the sports button also changes the accelerator pedal to a much sportier characteristic setting.

"Given the Mini brand's long-term association with racing and the success of the previous John Cooper Works models in Australia, the new cars are sure to be snapped up by eager Mini fans. The best news is that the Mini John Cooper Works brand now covers the Hardtop and the new Clubman," said Mini's national manager.

While the Mini JCW can trounce the zero to 100km/h dash in 6.5 seconds, the longer Mini Clubman JCW needs more time - 6.8 seconds to be exact.

As well as the increase in power, torque rises from 240Nm @ 1600rpm to 260Nm @ 1850rpm, though the overboost function can allow short bursts of increased torque of 280Nm @ 2000rpm.

The engine of both models is based on the engine of the John Cooper Works Challenge racers, which will make their world racing debut at Eastern Creek on the weekend of 7-9 March, 2008.

Built in BMW's Hams Hall engine plant in the UK, the new 1.6-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engines are quite different from the donor engine from the Mini Cooper S models.

A couple of the major tweaks that allow an increase in power is the adoption of a high-flow exhaust system and the ramping up of turbo boost pressure from 0.9 to 1.3 bar (13 to 19 psi).

As well as modifying the turbo, John Cooper Works set about reinforcing the engine to deal with the increased heat and pressure: "The engines are fitted with reinforced and specifically ground pistons as well as a cylinder head with optimised rigidity and modified gasketing," explained the company. 

Fuel consumption levels for the new JCW Mini Cooper and Mini Clubman are as follows:

Mini JCW: 6.9L/100km (CO2 = 165 g/km)
Mini Clubman JCW: 7.0L/100km (CO2 = 167 g/km)

The Mini JCW road cars have more power and torque to make them substantially faster but there's also feature a swag of "competition-sired items" explains the company. This includes exclusive light alloy wheels, high-performance brakes and a modified 6-speed manual transmission.

Sitting inside the new 17-inch wheels are upgraded disc brakes with fixed aluminium calipers finished in red and bearing the John Cooper Works emblem. The car maker claims the brakes are "based on those in the Mini Challenge racing vehicle."

As per BMW doctrine, 205/45 runflat tyres are standard as is a tyre damage display function.

Suspension systems have also been modified for the enthusiasts, with a stiffer ride but greatly improved handling and road holding. Both the Mini and Mini Clubman JCW models get sporty suspension settings as standard but a more extreme setup with harder damping levels and stronger stabilisers is also available. It also lowers the vehicle by 10mm, improving its centre of gravity.

The exteriors of both Mini John Cooper Works vehicles have been tarted up with rear spoilers, contrasting roofs, new ground effects body work, and plenty of John Cooper Works badges. There's also extensive custom options, such as roof and body decals.

Differences between the Mini JCW and Mini JCW Clubman are most obvious at the rear - the Mini gets centrally mounted exhaust outlets, while the longer Mini Clubman's exhausts are pushed wide and it also features black highlights around the brake lights.

There are also a number of interior upgrades - different dash finishes etc. - but it's the options list that is really going to get the attention of performance minded drivers. Things like Recaro racing seats, leather upholstery, and ear-splitting audio/visual systems are all par for the course.

Mini explains that, like all variations of the Mini and Mini Clubman, the new JCW vehicles are manufactured at the company's Oxford plant. 

The new models will be coming to Australia in August.

Related articles:
- Mini Clubman (2008)
- New Mini (2007)
- Mini Concept Tokyo (concept)
- Mini Concept Frankfurt (concept)
- Mini Cooper Cabrio (2005)