If you’re familiar with Mini’s John Cooper Works concept revealed earlier this year at the Detroit Auto Show, the production version will not surprise you at all.
Scheduled to debut at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show, the new Mini Hatch John Cooper Works carries over the design upgrades seen on the concept including the unique grille, more aggressive front and rear bumpers with additional air intakes and outlets, LED headlights, new exhaust pipes, and John Cooper Works badges on the grille and tailgate. Inside, the new JCW features leather wrapped steering wheel and gearshifter, stainless steel pedals, as well as red accents on the seats and center console.
But what’s beneath the skin is more important for a performance model, and the Mini JCW will likely not disappoint. Just like the concept, it is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo petrol engine producing 228hp (231PS) between 5,200 rpm and 6,000 rpm and 320Nm (236lb-ft) of torque from 1,250 rpm to 4,800 rpm. These numbers make it the most powerful production model in Mini’s history, outgunning the previous generation’s 208hp (211PS) and 260Nm (192lb-ft) of torque.
Mated with the optional six-speed automatic transmission, the engine allows the new Mini JCW hatch to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds, 0.6 seconds quicker than its predecessor. With the standard six-speed manual, the car needs 6.3 seconds to hit 100 km/h from standstill. Despite the added performance, fuel economy is improved by 23 percent to 5.7 l/100 km (41.2 mpg US) with the automatic, while the manual improves 4 percent to 6.7 l/100 km (35.1 mpg US).
The JCW features a similar suspension setup to the Cooper S, but is further honed for added performance. Adaptive dampers with sport and comfort settings are optional. The Brembo brakes and 17-inch (18-inch optional) alloys are exclusive to the JCW.
Story references: Mini via CarAdvice
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