Good, the basics were right about the Mini JCW. It will have 231hp, there will be two gearbox options and all the tech mentioned in yesterday's story. The images were correct too, which perhaps isn't such good news...
Expect many a pop and crackle from here
Anyway, let's fill in the blanks of the leaked story with Mini's official information. In best new Mini parlance, we are promised 'precisely controllable go-kart feeling'. Contributing to this are a host of suspension upgrades including aluminium swivel bearings on the front axle, model-specific axle kinematics and lighter rear axle components. The electronic diff lock mentioned yesterday will be supplemented by 'Performance Control', which we're told 'supports agile turning when taking bends at speed'. The JCW's brakes are indeed designed 'in collaboration' with Brembo and use four-piston front calipers to ensure 'consistently high deceleration performance' even on track. The red Brembo calipers sit behind 17-inch Race Spoke Design Design wheels with optional 18-inch Cup Spoke Design items available.
And what of that front end? The grilles and vents and inlets are indeed functional, the fog lights replaced by more cooling capacity for the ancillary units and brakes. The air ducts and side sills contribute to improved aero also, working in conjunction with the rear spoiler and diffuser.
Control your go-kart from here!
The power and torque peaks of 231hp and 236lb ft represent gains of 10 and 23 per cent respectively over the old JCW but there is a significant difference in terms of efficiency between the two gearboxes. Stick with the manual and the Mini JCW will officially return 42.2mpg and 155g/km; the auto improves these to 49.5mpg and 133g/km. DIN kerbweights for the two models are 1,205kg (manual) and 1,220kg for the automatic.
Inside there is the usual array of JCW extras including new bucket seats, embossed sills, new pedals and so on. There's also a 'Driving Excitement' package as standard. Consider us intrigued on that one.
As expected, the Mini Cooper S John Cooper Works will make its public debut at the Detroit motor show next month. Prices have also been confirmed ahead of UK sales beginning in April; without a single option (including a JCW head-up display and new Rebel Green paint), it will cost £23,050. That compares very favourably with the £24,905 asked for a three-door Audi S1. Twin-test to follow as soon as possible!
Original story, as reported 10/11/2014:
The John Cooper Works is always the Mini we're waiting for. The Cooper and
Cooper S
models have always been good right back to the R53 but the Works have always been a good chunk more fun. The
GPs
have been downright hilarious but we're getting ahead of ourselves now. This is the third generation Mini JCW, set to be shown at the Detroit motor show but leaked through Australian media today.
In the hot hatch power wars the John Cooper Works stacks up well. It matches the
Audi S1
to the horsepower (231) and the 236lb ft torque peak equals that of a
Mountuned Fiesta ST
. It uses the same 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder as used in the Cooper S, with both six-speed manual and automatic gearbox choices. A 0-62mph time of 6.3 seconds for the manual has been suggested, with the auto a fraction quicker. Make your own guesses as to how close each car will get to the claimed 42 (manual) and 49 (auto) combined fuel economy figures.
Amongst the upgrades over the Cooper S, the JCW gets brakes 'designed in collaboration with Brembo', retuned adaptive dampers and an electronic diff lock. Standard wheels are 17s, with 18s optional.
On first glance it doesn't seem to be quite as wild to look at as the JCW concept seen early this year which is rather a shame. Minis are often quite spec dependent however so let's see see how it looks in the flesh. It will definitely take more than a JCW badge to make that front end pretty!
Expect official confirmation of the JCW soon with full spec and pricing details around the Detroit show in January. And if you really can't withstand the looks of the current car, early JCW Minis are now available from £5K.
[Sources: WCF, Caradvice]
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