Geneva '08 Preview: JCW MINI Cooper S speeds into focus
Following the relaunch of John Cooper Works as MINI's in-house performance division, the little carmaker that could is preparing to unveil the new JCW MINI Cooper S at Geneva auto show, which is now approaching as rapidly as the hot hatch itself. Meanwhile details are emerging over what the first factory JCW will include, and it looks good.
In brief, JCW has reworked, upgraded and optimized the turbocharger, the pistons, the air intake, the transmission, the clutch, the brakes, the wheels, the exhaust and the ECU. The crew at MotoringFile, those intrepid gurus of everything MINI, says that while the bigger turbo, upgraded induction, cat-back exhaust and electronics do their part, the pistons are where it's at, revving higher and smoother than those in the conventional Cooper S. Output is expected to be around 210-220 hp (versus the stock 172 hp), with torque skipping up to 206 lb-ft. To handle the extra juice, MINI fits a heftier six-speed with a chunkier clutch, putting the power down with lightweight rims and keeping it in check with JCW logo-shaped calipers, which will join an array of the new-look emblems placed around the car. We don't yet know what the extra spec will amount to in discrenable performance numbers, but MINI has reportedly upped the top notch on the speedometer to 260 km/h (~160mph) instead of the 240km/h (~150mph) on the stock Cooper S.
All in all, the JCW Cooper S promises to amount to more than the sum of its parts, offering a complete factory performance vehicle. When the car launches next month, MINI is expected to highlight the close relation between the new JCW MINI, which will eventually be available in hatchback, Clubman and convertible forms, to the Challenge racer it prepared for the track.
Thanks for the tip, Gabe!
[Source: MotoringFile]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Seoultrain 5:10PM (2/10/2008)
shame that it'll be considerably more than $30k. for 25-26k I would consider it.
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Eric L 5:51PM (2/10/2008)
When I saw the title JCW Mini, I thought it meant JC Whitney. The picture didn't surprise me since the rendering (production model?) shown looks exactly like the result of a JC Whitney shopping spree with the overdone aero kit and disgusting wing on the back. Why would ANYONE give up $30k of their hard earned money for a street tuned MINI? Why not put that same money towards a WRX or a 335i, something with tangible performance and doesn't illicit chuckles from others.
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Rocketboy 8:46PM (2/10/2008)
A: This is the track-only MINI Challange racer. Not the JCW MINI Cooper S.
B: Unlike most bolt-on (or in the case of many exterior mods, sticky-tape on), the wing/ground effects in the pictured MINI are there for go, and not just show.
C: Render? Not even close.
steve 7:13PM (2/10/2008)
some people will pay for lightweight and slotcar handling and 30s gas mileage-it is a little funny looking though,but the clubman is a bit less cute looking and more functional
crossman s jcw is going to be really cool
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marcos_19 7:47PM (2/10/2008)
Awesome !!!
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Frank Rizzo 10:51PM (2/10/2008)
I'm a big guy. 6 foot tall and a large build. Not someone who would typically look at a small car and say hey I like that.
Let me tell you, while the backseat was rendered useless for passengers, I was amazingly comfortable. I truly am amazed how big it is inside. It's a kick in the pants to drive, and slot car like handling just adds to the experience. I'm looking for a daily driver with spunk to make up for the hour plus drive to and from work.
The 335i Base is 37K not exactly the same ballpark
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ansky 11:31PM (2/10/2008)
eric L, you couldnt possibly know less.
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why not the LS2/LS7? 11:53PM (2/10/2008)
Go home spammer.
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tenfifteen 5:34AM (2/11/2008)
We'll be replacing the Missus's '04 Cooper S this year, though I'm hanging on to my '02 for a little while longer.
For hers, I'll probably add the $2100, dealer-installed JCW kit (exhaust, ECU), but just guessing, this thing is going to carry a very heavy pricetag. The old JCW (~$4k factory, $6k when the dealers did them, iirc) was far too much for me, and I'd wager this is going to be the same, if not much, much more. The old JCW was CAI, intake, ECU, injectors, exhaust and (the big ticket item) the head work. This thing doesn't have a polished/ported head, but otherwise adds to that list a different tranny and clutch, and uprated pistons. Seriously?
I would drop $30k for a JCW, but you could get the 'old' JCW north of $40k pretty easily, and if this carries a $6k-$8k premium, it'll be the same drill. I know they are "different" cars, but a $40k Cooper with the 1-series on tap is a tough sell. If the JCW's target market--performance minded small car lovers--can get into an RWD Bimmer for the same price with 100 more ponies, they're going to do it, or they're going to mod their own.
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JD 2:40AM (2/11/2008)
You've clearly never driven a mini. They have plenty of tangible performance- just not necessarily in a straight line. And comparing a Mini to a 335 is absurd, lol. Get the mini into the Twisties and the 335 will be struggling to keep up.
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nagmashot 2:42AM (2/11/2008)
the car in the Gallery is not the Mini Cooper JCW..it is the Mini Challenge and this car is a little bit more expansive as $30,000.. the Mini challenge cost in Germany 62,000Euro and is a ready to race car build for the Mini Challenge. The price includes the starting bill for a complete Mini Challenge season.
Specs and perfromance for the Mini Challenge in the pictures
210hp 6950rpm
245Nm 4500rpm
FWD
6speed sequetial race tranny
1180kg
230km/h
6.8s 0-100km/h (62mph)
16.9s 0-160km/h (100mph)
62-0mph 31m
inside pic
http://www.autobild.de/ir_img/52133766_b7861bf5cf.jpg
engine
http://www.autobild.de/ir_img/52133772_cf9da5437d.jpg
brake
http://www.autobild.de/ir_img/52133773_af90dd51ba.jpg
Autobild made a compare between the
Mini Challenge
Fiesta Cup
Polo Cup
Clio Cup
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JD 2:43AM (2/11/2008)
And why the f**k is the reply button broken since the updated comments system was implemented? I'm running firefox, if that helps with the problem at all. I appreciate being able to vote, but making sure your reply goes in the right place is more important, in my opinion.
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tek 3:36AM (2/11/2008)
As a Mini owner and media I'm looking forward to test-driving this new JCW edition! In the R52 JCW, there was much more than just bolt on parts... the entire head was redone to JCW spec, the supercharger blades were teflon-coated, and the ECU made a huge difference. It's not relatively hard to get that kind of performance out of a regular Cooper S, I am at what you might call "Stage One" and it's only cost me about $1200 so far. Next up... ECU and some suspension work!
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Brandon 9:40AM (2/11/2008)
Well said...I hope they have very low sales expectations because a $35 MINI just isn't worth it.
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Brandon 9:42AM (2/11/2008)
Oops...I meant $35,000
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