Mini updates John Cooper Works for 2021
New equipment and a fresh look for Mini's 231hp range-topper
Given how often hot hatches are a subject of discussion, it's notable that the Mini JCW is seldom talked about. Or so it seems, at least. Here's a car with more power and torque than a Ford Fiesta ST or a Hyundai i20 N, meaning it has genuine 155mph potential. It's lighter than the Fiesta, too, at just 1,205kg, which is even more of a surprise given its larger engine. And there's a standard manual gearbox. Keen to ensure the JCW remains at the front of buyers' minds, Mini has just updated the flagship hatchback.
Much is cosmetic, as per the recent Convertible revision. Note the Rebel Green paint seen here, offered alongside Chili Red, Island Blue and Rooftop Grey as new choice. There are now also LED lights and a hexagonal radiator grille, plus JCW-specific intakes for brake cooling. The rear is also redesigned, featuring a new diffuser and prominent 85mm exhausts. The wheels seen here are optional 18s in a new 'John Cooper Works Circuit Spoke' design. 17s are standard, and all JCWs get brakes developed with Brembo - not just a poseur's hot hatch, you see.
There's additional intrigue for the enthusiast in this new car, too, with a rework of the Adaptive Suspension on the extras list. Mini says it operates with more than 10 per cent greater damping force, keeping the wheels in contact with the road "during sporty driving" and with a better balance now between sportiness and ride comfort. Given some questioned the benefit of the optional dampers over the standard set up before - especially given the other decisions to be made on wheels and tyres - it'll be interesting to see how they perform this time around.
The rest of the mechanical package is unchanged, with 231hp and 236lb ft from the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo, plus a choice of six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmissions. Mini says the auto needs just 6.1 seconds to hit 62mph, making it almost as quick as the 300hp hot hatches in the segment above. Those chunky exhausts promise an "emotionally powerful" sound.
Finally, the latest refresh has seen the interior tweaked as well. There's a new 8.8-inch touchscreen as standard, and more options like a heated wheel, lane departure warning and 'colour worlds' for the dash displays. JCW or not, this is still a Mini, and customisation remains a big part of its appeal.
With the car only just revealed, there's isn't any information on UK spec or pricing just yet. Given the Mini's continued popularity, however, the new JCW is unlikely to be far away. Still, if you want one now, the classifieds is teeming with them: this manual JCW has a useful saving off list despite just 875 miles. It's just a few hundred quid more than the i20 N is likely to cost, in fact...
And failing miserably, it reminds me of the 1980’s when the last editions of most British cars had additional tat added to the run out models, to make them more “attractive”.
I run a fine example of a 2014 F56 SD, and can see nothing here that encourages me to upgrade, assuming that existing owners must be part of the target market, then getting into a new well optioned jcw will cost just too much without bring anything extra to the table.
Would rather see a “Gp-3 light” with say 275hp and a stick. The jcw power has climbed only a few percent since 2003, this car will soon be outgunned by even slightly warm hatches.
On the other hand I had a test drive the F56 JCW and whilst it felt quicker, the car was plagued by torque steer, even in a straight line in the damp.
I don't really think the external upgrades do much for the car either.
We have an F56 Cooper S Works 210 edition which in my humble opinion drove and sounded way better than the JCW we test drove back to back with. It’s just what you want a mini to be.
Let’s hope Oliver and the design team keep that connection to the Mini design language in future years. I think Fiat have done a really good design job with the new 500
On the other hand I had a test drive the F56 JCW and whilst it felt quicker, the car was plagued by torque steer, even in a straight line in the damp.
I cured the torque steer on mine(17" wheels/none run flat) by ditching the crappy Michelin Primacy 3's that were on it for a set of Michelin PS4. They made a really big difference under heavy braking as well and they gave me much more confidence.
I was never a fan of the stying of the S to start with and I didn’t think this has made it much better, especially the front.
I always got the impression that you just can't polish a turd with it sadly.
I try not to get all grumpy about modern car design but that is a "trim panel" if ever there was one ...
Also those two ducts on the front look like something off a truck to help you get up to clean the windscreen. No attempt to make it look clean and aerodynamic.
The only thing I would do differently if I knew then what I know now is spec a manual transmission. The 8 speed Aisin auto isn't a patch on the ZF8 fitted to RWD BMWs, and does some very odd things sometimes. I also think a manual would suit the car better, but was overruled by the wife who, in fairness, uses it as her daily, and pays the finance
I was never a fan of the stying of the S to start with and I didn’t think this has made it much better, especially the front.
I always got the impression that you just can't polish a turd with it sadly.
Of the four MINI’s I’ve owned, it was the F56 that I bonded with the least. It barely registered when it went.
And yes always better tyres...
She loved it, loads of toys, was a nice place to be inside, but she doesn't drive fast.
Everytime I took it for a 'proper' drive, it fell to bits. Handling was 'okay' at best, the gearbox didn't like to be rushed (Manual), the brakes SHOULD have been brilliant, they're the same discs and calipers as on all of the ///M 40i cars but I had no confidence in it and the engine was the most boring 230bhp I've ever had a hold of. Ridiculous bottom end but it just felt flat and diesel like throughout the rev range. And the seats were naff, uncomfortable and not particularly supportive.
The optional Bluetooth exhaust was a laugh like.
The 308 GTi 270 that replaced it was a better car in every way (apart from running costs) and it was much better on fuel. I'm not convinced that new tyres and a diff would take it from a straight 6/10 car to the 8 or 9/10 that the 308 was and the 308 was cheaper...
They have the GP3 with that powertrain, but it's fking gopping so no one will buy it.
Having the hatch, MINI and JCW's figurehead, with a significantly lower-powered engine than the rest of the JCW range is nonsensically idiotic.
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