MINI track day with Clubman JCW 306hp | Promoted
Four JCWs, Anglesey circuit booked exclusively and a bunch of MINI-mad PHers to share the fun with - perfick!
John Cooper Works stands for the proud motorsport traditions that turned a road-going icon into a competition hero. A proven innovator, Cooper himself was a key player among the British 'garagistas' whose engineering skills turned racing on its head in the late 50s and early 60s. A generation of racing drivers learned their craft in diminutive Cooper 500s, among them Stirling Moss who used his appreciation of the rear-engined layout to take the first F1 championship victory for such a car with the Cooper Climax T43 in 1958. Having kickstarted a revolution in single-seater racing cars, Cooper then worked his magic on the original Mini and turned it into a winner on track and rally stages alike, forging an association that lives on to this day.
So where better to put modern-day JCW MINIs to the test than a race track? And how better to understand the power and performance of the new, 306hp Clubman JCW than driving it alongside its illustrious predecessors to explore the brand's evolution?
PHer Chris Szafranek's 'R53' is among the first modern MINIs to carry the illustrious JCW badge. Offered as an officially approved upgrade package, the uprated supercharger increased power on the standard Cooper S from 163hp to 200hp. The kit was boosted further in 2004 with a new intake system, increasing power to 210hp. As a later JCW, Chris's car benefits from this more powerful engine, revised gearing, track-ready brakes and a full package of accessories including the desirable John Cooper Works Sports Seats and carbon fibre rear wing. No wonder he's so proud of it!
Mike Fleming's second-generation JCW takes things further, applying a similar philosophy to the distinctive Clubman shape. The all-new engine switched from a supercharger to a twin-scroll turbo - technology carried through to the new Clubman JCW. Sharing technical upgrades with the MINI Challenge race car, the JCW features a larger turbo than the standard Cooper S of the time, combined with a revised intake system and an uprated exhaust. 211hp and up to 206lb ft of torque on overboost are tamed with a brake-actuated Electronic Differential Lock, uprated suspension and brakes keeping it all under control.
Ian's 'F56' JCW is a third-generation hatch and, at the time of its launch, was the most powerful MINI ever. Its 2.0-litre TwinPower engine boasts 231hp and 236lb ft of torque - the latter nearly a quarter more than its predecessor. As before, a dedicated turbo installation for the JCW improves response over the standard Cooper S, this model hitting 0-62mph in just 6.1 seconds. New features for this generation included bigger Brembo brakes (complete with JCW branding), Torque Steer Compensation with specially designed driveshafts and - as fitted to Ian's car - optional Variable Damper Control for a more sophisticated interpretation of MINI's trademark 'go-kart' handling.
Taking us to the all-new Clubman JCW we've brought along for everyone to enjoy - the car that inherits the title of 'most powerful production MINI ever' with its mighty 306hp engine. A shared platform with the Countryman opens scope for even more technology, including ALL4 all-wheel drive and a new Torsen limited-slip differential on the front axle. As standard the Clubman JCW boasts a Steptronic eight-speed automatic gearbox and, thanks to launch control, can hit 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds en route to a top speed of 155mph.
Best of all the Clubman looks like a true JCW, thanks to a number of unique design features inside and out to set it apart from other MINIs. These include a bespoke aero kit and look, with a rear spoiler, JCW-branded brake calipers and John Cooper Works Dinamica/leather sports seats. This particular car has also been fitted with the optional 19-inch JCW Circuit Spoke wheels and classic racing stripes in contrasting red for the traditional Cooper look. Everyone agrees it looks the absolute business, the finishing touch of its Union Jack rear lights setting its unique look off to great effect.
On the road it's a comfortable, sophisticated and refined cruiser. But the track is a chance to unleash its wild side and prove itself a true hot hatch contender. Sport mode makes the central display glow red while a flap in the sports exhaust system opens, unleashing a potent growl from the turbocharged engine. Knock the gearshifter left into 'S' mode for faster response, select the track-ready Dynamic Stability Control if you dare and hold on tight...
Launch control is a temptation too good to pass up and perfectly demonstrates how the combination of the new limited-slip differential and ALL4 puts the extra power down to the track. Upon releasing the brake there's a momentary scrabble from the front wheels before the all-wheel drive system diverts power to the rear axle and the Clubman takes off like a rocket, putting nearly a second and a half into Ian's front-wheel drive JCW off the line.
You feel the benefits of this powertrain all the way round the track too. The front-wheel drive hatches have that trademark MINI agility while the Clubman translates that into a more sophisticated and potent package. Confidence it can use all its power all of the time means you can pick up the throttle early in the corner, the front axle hauling the JCW out of the turn with stabilising drive from the rear axle holding the line. So far, so MINI. But the new JCW really shows its increased power on the fast sweeper leading to the circuit's back straight. The slingshot of acceleration out of the turn simply doesn't abate, the extra power and grip meaning the Clubman is pulling hard through 100mph and beyond.
Good thing the brakes are up to the job of slowing it all down for the tighter, more technical bits of the track. The big stop into the 90-degree blind left is a big test of car and nerve but the JCW pulls up solidly, shifter paddles on the wheel letting you take control of gears if you fancy a bit more involvement. Truth be told 'S' mode does a fine job of downshifting just when you need but the choice is there.
Enjoying all this performance is a treat. Enjoying it with a convoy of hard-charging JCWs in the mirrors even more so, the evolution of the breed into this new Clubman fully living up to MINI's 'thrills - maximised' philosophy. And while our PHers are - accordingly - thrilled to have the chance to push their own cars on the track it's clear from their responses the new car moves the game on by a significant margin. A true JCW and worthy of the esteemed badge? Absolutely.
To find out more about the Mini Clubman JCW 306hp, and to book a test drive, click here.
I do remember how much effort BMW made when first launching the 'new' Mini. I remember even the N/A Cooper had a tuning pack you could buy as a dealer fit option I believe. I think it was a revised head and other bits - the sort of effort unheard of by modern manufacturers. I think the BMW Mini must have been the first real effort in exhaust 'character' too; they did a good job given the humble Chrysler Neon origins.
It's a shame they are going more mainstream with every iteration.
In all seriousness the new 306bhp MINIs are really impressive bits of kit and they're bloody great inside, but they are so ugly. I say this as someone who originally thought the F56 was ugly until I saw the 60th Anniversary one and then even more so when SWMBO picked up her 17 plate JCW.
I still cannot get behind the Union Jack lights either.
Ahm oot.
Having come from much larger capacity performance I’ve never found it wanting for more power but the lsd is something I’d like to see if it can retro fit.
Torque vectoring is good but you’re never quite sure what it’s doing and can tighten up turn in with a less natural feel.
I’m just not sure more power is a requirement, it’s nice to have but can detract from the fun of keeping it on boil, something my jcw never suffers anyway due to the down low torque
Having come from much larger capacity performance I’ve never found it wanting for more power but the lsd is something I’d like to see if it can retro fit.
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