What's this then?
It is the production version of the MINI John Cooper Works, billed as the most powerful production MINI to date.
How powerful is it?
With a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine the latest JCW has up to 231hp. When fed through the standard six-speed manual gearbox MINI claims 0-62mph in 6.3 seconds; that figure drops to 6.1 seconds with the Steptronic automatic transmission. Fuel economy is 42.2mpg for the manual or 49.6mpg for the Steptronic - with CO2 emissions of 155g/km and 133g/km respectively.
What about the suspension?
MINI has given the John Cooper Works a sports suspension set-up, using single-joint struts at the front and a multi-link set up at the rear. To save weight there are plenty of aluminium components and high-strength steel wishbones. Standard wheels are 17-inch alloys with 18-inch items on the options list. Brakes are by Brembo and there is a full range of electronic driver aids including stability and traction control plus Electronic Differential Lock Control. The power steering includes Torque Steer Compensation, while Dynamic Damper Control - switchable between sport and comfort - is another option.
Does it look like the concept?
As far as we can tell from the press photographs there haven't been any significant changes from the concept, which appeared a year ago. The contours of the black wheel arch surrounds are designed specifically for the JCW and this model gets LED headlamps and daytime running lights. Eleven paint colours are available, including Rebel Green metallic, which is exclusively available on the John Cooper Works model. Customers can also choose white, black or Chili Red paint for the roof and door mirrors at no extra cost.
And the interior?
Plenty of exclusive John Cooper Works parts inside the MINI to distinguish it from lesser models. Sports seats with integral head restraints are fitted and upholstered in black with red trim, a colour scheme that is continued throughout the interior. Even the instruments get a unique look with a dark dial for the speedometer and a white scale for engine speed, said to enhance readability.
When can I get my hands on one?
Well, the MINI JCW gets its world debut at next month's Detroit Auto Show and it goes on sale in the UK in April, starting from £23,050 on-the-road.
John Lambert - 10 Dec 2014