RE: Mini JCW returns with 306hp!

[Alpinestars]

cerb4.5lee said:

Alpinestars said:

sicasey said:

My JCW with 240BHP is an absolute riot so imagine this to be quite something.

F56? In which case the chassis, without run flats, feels like it can cope with a lot more.

Maybe it is the fact that I only have Michelin Primacy non run flats on my F56 Cooper S(instead of pilot sports or similar)...but Imo the standard car struggles to get the 189bhp it already has down on the road. I wouldn't want any more power because it would just be an unruly nightmare for me.

If running 300bhp then it needs either 4wd or a very decent LSD if it is sticking with FWD.

Lots of fwd making that sort of power now. I agree that you need a LSD to make it work. The FK8 lays down its c320 bhp very easily.

[lestiq]

FerdiZ28 said:

What a horrid looking thing.

Minis started off ugly and have just got worse, and thats before you get into how awkward fellas look driving them

Probably quick though but who'd want one?

obviously not you! I'd have one, but by your logic I'm not allowed to exist!

[fernando the frog]

I really like the new Countryman(men?) in the flesh, particularly in Cooper guise.

[PSRG]

cerb4.5lee said:

Maybe it is the fact that I only have Michelin Primacy non run flats on my F56 Cooper S(instead of pilot sports or similar)...but Imo the standard car struggles to get the 189bhp it already has down on the road. I wouldn't want any more power because it would just be an unruly nightmare for me.

If running 300bhp then it needs either 4wd or a very decent LSD if it is sticking with FWD.

Agreed! Our F54 Clubman Cooper S with the 7 speed ‘DCT ‘box (on 19” runflats) has terrible torque steer on full throttle - I definitely don’t want another 120PS without 4WD

[shavermcspud]

I like how the initial post is under British Cars.

It couldn't be further from British if it tried, Mini by name only and that's where it ends.

[AC43]

WTF. The one at the top is one of the muntiest things I have ever seen.

How on earth did they get from the R53 to THAT!!

Ah'm oot.

[AC43]

jflower said:

The GP Concept Looks interesting

https://www.mini.co.uk/en_GB/home/mini-news/mini-j...

Does that normally live 5,000 feet down on the ocean bed?

[anonymous-user]

Onehp said:

"Three hundred horsepower.
In a Mini."

... weighing a not so Mini estimated 1550-1650kg kerb with some popular equipment. Not so Mini then, more like a Golf R wagon /Tiguan R...

I used to have Mk 7 Golf R (5 door hatch), before all the cheap lease deals and whatnot. Brilliantly engineered, unflappable. I now have an R60 Countryman JCW (the 1.6, 218bhp one - previous gen with the 6 speed manual box). The Countryman is more fun to drive and makes a better noise (something rarely discussed is how good a job BMW have done with the exhaust systems on the MINI's to give them some character). Most 4 banger petrol engines sound very dull IMO.

Countryman's in particular are marmite cars. I didn't get them and a year ago I said on more than one occasion that I hated them. Times change, as did my opinion on them. Funnily enough, the R60 is both shorter and narrower than my old Audi TT. Quite compact, but like a TARDIS on the inside, they're very well designed internally to give occupants loads of room and luggage space, and the switch gear has bespoke feel to it that you just don't get in rival manufacturers. Dare I say it, they're just fun

[tgx]

I'm sure the 'challenging' part will be the massive understeer.

[Alpinestars]

tgx said:

I'm sure the 'challenging' part will be the massive understeer.

Why?

[85Carrera]

garylythgoe said:

My missus has the Cooper S Countryman variant (latest shape), with the Mini Yours pack on it and some tastefully specced bits.

It has completely shocked me. It's a great motor to drive, and great to be in. The steering completely defies physics in my opinion, feels very good.

This JCW Countryman is going to be ... bananas.

I wasn’t aware that the new ridiculously sized and styled “MINI” and the word “tastefully” could exist in the same sentence. Perhaps you could post some pics to prove me wrong ...

... or right

[nickfrog]

Alpinestars said:

tgx said:

I'm sure the 'challenging' part will be the massive understeer.

Why?

I'd like to know why too as MINI set up their car with a surprising amount of neutrality, more than your average BMW saloon for instance.

[drpep]

Fantastic. hideous, but fantastic. Glad you made this, BMW/Mini. Good job.

[sicasey]

Alpinestars said:

cerb4.5lee said:

Alpinestars said:

sicasey said:

My JCW with 240BHP is an absolute riot so imagine this to be quite something.

F56? In which case the chassis, without run flats, feels like it can cope with a lot more.

Maybe it is the fact that I only have Michelin Primacy non run flats on my F56 Cooper S(instead of pilot sports or similar)...but Imo the standard car struggles to get the 189bhp it already has down on the road. I wouldn't want any more power because it would just be an unruly nightmare for me.

If running 300bhp then it needs either 4wd or a very decent LSD if it is sticking with FWD.

Lots of fwd making that sort of power now. I agree that you need a LSD to make it work. The FK8 lays down its c320 bhp very easily.

It's also screwed together better than 99% of anything else I've recently sat in.

[cerb4.5lee]

sicasey said:

Alpinestars said:

cerb4.5lee said:

Alpinestars said:

sicasey said:

My JCW with 240BHP is an absolute riot so imagine this to be quite something.

F56? In which case the chassis, without run flats, feels like it can cope with a lot more.

Maybe it is the fact that I only have Michelin Primacy non run flats on my F56 Cooper S(instead of pilot sports or similar)...but Imo the standard car struggles to get the 189bhp it already has down on the road. I wouldn't want any more power because it would just be an unruly nightmare for me.

If running 300bhp then it needs either 4wd or a very decent LSD if it is sticking with FWD.

Lots of fwd making that sort of power now. I agree that you need a LSD to make it work. The FK8 lays down its c320 bhp very easily.

It's also screwed together better than 99% of anything else I've recently sat in.

When I test drove mine I was expecting it to feel really cheap and nasty inside, but I was really impressed with how it felt inside. It is very well put together and a really good spec too. The Clubman/Countryman look even better inside from the pics that I've seen.

It is just the challenging looks that I struggle with, I avoided the even more ugly 5dr hatch and I've dechromed it(beltline/light surrounds/front grill). Yet it is still a very awkward looking thing to my eyes. It is brilliant fun to drive though.

[jflower]

The wife's Countrman is indeed a hideous thing - One pal said it looked like a taxi - hard to argue really.

Once inside put your sunglasses on and hope nobody spots you - great thing to drive & be in !

Still a step up from her Juke in the looks department - small steps and all that

[Stu08]

AC43 said:

Does that normally live 5,000 feet down on the ocean bed?

[The test driver]

shavermcspud said:

I like how the initial post is under British Cars.

It couldn't be further from British if it tried, Mini by name only and that's where it ends.

I suggest going to do the factory tour if that's what you believe.

Engine made in Birmingham
Body pressed in Swindon
Seats and dash from Banbury
All assembled in Oxford

Or is it because of "Ze Germans" owning the brand now? You'll struggle to find a "British" car company in that case these days then.

[The test driver]

FerdiZ28 said:

What a horrid looking thing.

Minis started off ugly and have just got worse, and thats before you get into how awkward fellas look driving them

Probably quick though but who'd want one?

Aaaarrr the little Mini threatening your masculinity, let me guess V8 driving Managing Director yer?

[Challo]

garylythgoe said:

My missus has the Cooper S Countryman variant (latest shape), with the Mini Yours pack on it and some tastefully specced bits.

It has completely shocked me. It's a great motor to drive, and great to be in. The steering completely defies physics in my opinion, feels very good.

This JCW Countryman is going to be ... bananas.

The missus picked up the same car yesterday, and I took it out for a spin last night. Surprised me how quick it was, and in sport mode you could hear the turbo noise which made me feel like a child.