Funny how a colour can change perspective on a car. Where the original pics of the
Mini Cooper S JCW
in red made it look gawky, Rebel Green (which looks a lot like British Racing Green) does seem a little more agreeable. Still very far from beautiful but certainly an improvement.
Festive colour scheme not too bad!
Mini used rally hero Rauno Aaltonen to introduce the JCW at the Cobo Center. Perhaps cynical given he is notable for winning the 1967 Monte in an old Mini but there is a motorsport link with the new car. At Detroit Mini announced a partnership with LAP Motorsport to compete in the
Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge
. The what? Yeah, us too. It's a US series featuring everything from Camaros to Civics with cars carrying only 'minor modifications' from standard. The JCW will compete in the 'Street Tuner' class against MX-5s, Boxsters and the like. Sounds rather cool.
Moreover, it's cheaper in America than the UK. Mini confirmed a $30,600 (£20,100) base price for the JCW, a fair bit less than the £23,050 to be asked over here. A reminder that the first cars will arrive in Britain in the spring. Hopefully not in red.