| New Range Toppers | 2008 Geneva Motor Show | MINI John Cooper Works |
The new John Cooper Works versions of the MINI Hatch and Clubman will go on sale this July with a 211bhp version of the 1.6-litre turbocharged engine. The JCW has a host of upgrades taken from the MINI Challenge race car and is the first to feature Dynamic Traction Control.
There are a raft of changes to extract 211bhp from the turbo'd 1.6-litre engine, including a breathing system, exhaust, modified cylinder head and a larger turbocharger. The result is 132bhp-per-litre yet the JCW MINI Hatch still returns a combined economy of 40.9mpg and carbon dioxide emissions of 165g/km. The Clubman version is not far behind with consumption of 40.4mpg and 167g/km of CO
2.
The power increase is enough to see the Hatch from 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds (6.7 for the Clubman). Top speed is 148mph for both models and each has a speedo that now reads up to 160mph.
Other identifiers of the new JCW models are unique 17-inch alloy wheels with run-flat tyres and logos on the grille, boot and doors. Inside, there's a new sports steering wheel, piano black trim and anthracite headlining, as well as an upgraded stereo.
Less obvious is the uprated suspension that lowers the JCW models by 10mm compared to standard versions. The front and rear brakes are larger than the standard Copper S's by 22mm.
Both JCW models come with a host of driving aids, including Dynamic Traction Control for the first time on a MINI. This allows a certain amount of wheel spin to help with traction in icy conditions or give the keen driver a little more leeway before the driver aids come into force.
The John Cooper Works models go on sale in the UK following their debut at next week's
Geneva motorshow in July and the Hatch is expected to cost from £20,500 and the Clubman around £21,700.
Alisdair Suttie - 25 Feb 2008