In a fiercely competitive supermini hot hatch segment, the current Mini JCW has struggled to succeed. Though improved with the
manual
automatic
gearbox, it never matched the excitement levels of a 208 GTI Peugeot Sport or a Fiesta ST, or even an Audi S1. This despite it being more expensive than all of them.
Still no stunner, but it promises a lot
Here's Mini's riposte, the JCW Challenge. Described as "a genuinely credible track day machine", it has been developed by a small group of Mini employees at Oxford. You may have seen the involvement of another motoring publication too, but we'll leave that as just a mention for now...
The Challenge is so called because - you've guessed it - the car takes inspiration from the Challenge race car. So it uses Nitron NTR R1 suspension, adjustable for bump, rebound and ride height, that's derived from the technology used in the Challenge car. The road car is supplied with recommended settings, but of course owners are free to tinker as they wish also. And there's nothing that makes you look cooler in a paddock than clicking through your dampers. Camber and castor are tweakable on both axles too.
One significant criticism of the standard JCW was its tyres, the standard Pirelli Cinturatos providing limited turn-in bite and pretty poor traction. This has (hopefully) been addressed in the Challenge with the fitment of Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2s, to our knowledge the first time those tyres have been fitted on a junior hot hatch. They're 10mm wider than standard too, using a 215/45 R17 profile. Wheels are now Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2s, saving 1.5kg per corner of unsprung mass - it's definitely serious when they're talking about unsprung mass. In fact, thanks to the tyres as well, Mini is claiming a reduction of 2.5kg in unsprung mass per corner.
A Quaife automatic torque biasing limited-slip diff is also standard, which should further help give the Challenge some precision so sorely lacking from the JCW. Additional motorsport kudos comes from Mintex pads on the 330mm front discs, providers of brakes for the race car.
Interestingly power is unchanged from the standard car, meaning 231hp and 236lb ft plus the same vital stats of 6.3 seconds to 62mph and 153mph. A manual gearbox is standard and is the only option - they really are making a comeback!
Marking out the Challenge over a standard Mini are a JCW Pro Aerokit (front and rear splitters, plus an additional rear spoiler), carbon mirror caps and a JCW Pro exhaust, promising a "purposeful roar". Each of the 100 cars will be White Silver with a black roof; interestingly there are no optional extras available. Is this even a Mini?!
So it all sounds pretty good from an enthusiast's perspective, this Mini JCW Challenge. The bad news? Aside from the very limited production, it will cost £32,000. Which is quite a lot. Yes, Focus RS money, as well as a host of other more powerful hot hatches. Worth the premium? We'll hope to find out soon. The Challenge is available to order now, and will make its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Renaultsport, the perfect R.S.16 rival is here...