One of the apparent keys to creating a viral video is mimicking reality by showing young people attempting stunts. The main difference is that in Virals, the injuries aren't real, and the camera work is better. Oh, and the payoff is usually CG that's been fussed over, versus pimply little Johnny trying to figure out chromakey in his bedroom. MINI wants to put across the point that the Cooper S with the John Cooper Works package is more extreme than extreme. The very definition of extreme, perhaps. Extremus maxiumus. Whatever. Corralling a big-power MINI is first rate entertainment, but a lesson in how levers work from a massive crane would tickle the adrenal gland more. The fact that we just expended a bunch of words about the video means that MINI hit its mark, though -- the whole point of Viral ads is to get people talking, so... as Linda Richman would say - "tawlk amongst yuhselves..." Video posted after the jump.
We've had the opportunity to get behind the wheel of a few MINI variants, including a 2007 Cooper S and more recently a 2008 Cooper Clubman. Despite some quirky interior design cues and limited practicality, it's hard not to love the MINI for its superb handling and slick-shifting transmission. Still on our to-do list, however, was to experience some of the John Cooper Works options that were absent on our previous test cars. Fortunately we were able to schedule a short drive with a 2008 MINI Cooper S with a few select JCW options. Are the upgrades worth the price of admission? Read on...
Click above for a high-res gallery of the JCW MINI
The intrepid (and trustworthy) scribes over at MotoringFile have confirmed with their sources that the softest available suspension tuning in the brand's lineup will be standard on the high-performance John Cooper Works model, while a sport suspension or a dealer-installed JCW suspension kit will be optional equipment. MINI cites the fact that it wants the JCW to appeal to as many potential buyers as possible as the real reason for the decision, though it's a choice that's causing some ire among diehard MINI fans. Some are going so far as to suggest the brand should drop the car's brake upgrade in favor of an actual sport suspension as standard equipment.
Click image for more hi-res pics of the John Cooper Works MINIs
Hitting the bull's-eye for enthusiasts, BMW's MINI brand is launching two hot new models next month at the Geneva Auto Show. Loaded with performance upgrades and new interior appointments, each race-bred model serves as the basis for the MINI CHALLENGE 2008 race car.
Based on the three-door MINI and the five-door MINI Clubman, the heart of each model is a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder massaged to 207 hp. Pedal to the floor, it should be good for a sprint to 60 mph in just under 6.5 seconds (the MINI Clubman, a bit heavier than the three-door, is a few tenths slower). Unique light alloy wheels, a new performance exhaust system, upgraded suspension, and a modified 6-speed manual transmission are just some of the mechanical upgrades. Aesthetically, the John Cooper Works models will be differentiated by their distinctive body kits and unique interiors. With a base price of under $30,000, get ready to storm your dealers when they're released in late summer. Follow the jump for MINI's endless press release.
Back in December of 2006, we reported that BMW had officially acquired the John Cooper Works garage with the intent of making it the MINI brand's official performance label, much like the M division is to BMW. Over a year later, Munich has finally relaunched the JCW division, which is headlined by the evolutionary new logo you see here.
The rebranding of JCW is more than an exercise in badge engineering, however. The new effort draws on the decades-long heritage that has been shared between Cooper and MINI, starting with the first MINI that F1 engineer John Cooper tuned and continuing through the resuscitation of the MINI brand by BMW to today's rapidly expanding second-gen range. John's son Mike Cooper continues on as chief executive to oversee JCW's activities under the Bavarian wing, which will include products for both road and track.
In addition to the one-make John Cooper Works CHALLENGE racing series (spec car shown above), JCW will also continue to offer the John Cooper Works Tuning Kit as well as a catalogue of individual components for the top-of-the-line Cooper S versions of the MINI hatch, convertible and Clubman. The bottom line is that with JCW under the same white roof, MINI can now offer even more packages and options than the gazillion choices already in store for buyers, all with full factory backing.
BMW released a bunch of retro-licious MINI Cooper JCW pics, which we've put into the gallery below along with descriptions of what you're looking at. The official BMW/MINI press release can also be found after the jump.
We've covered the JCW kits for the new R56 MINI already, but it seems we may have gotten some of the details wrong. According to our pal Gabe over at MotoringFile who knows what he's talking about concerning all things MINI, the tiniest division of BMW has two different JCW kits in mind for the R56. We already discussed how the US version of the Stage I kit (shown above) is slightly different than the Euro kit because of the already-upgraded exhaust manifold we get in the States, but we've also learned that the Stage I that went on sale last month produces 192 HP and a hefty 199 lb-ft of torque. That makes the Stage I about equal to the previous-gen JCW GP edition because of its increased torque. But some people want to see a higher horsepower number as well, and that's where the Stage II kit comes in.
The Stage II should be able to match the 218 bhp of the JCW GP, as well as adding even more torque to the mix. The Stage II kit includes a larger turbocharger, a new intake and a reprogrammed ECU. MF is also reporting that for the first time ever the new MINI will be wearing multi-piston brake calipers. The Stage II will be sporting 4-piston pots in place of the customary single piston numbers on all other MINIs. While pricing hasn't been set, MF says the decision has been made to NOT include the JCW Sport Suspension, perhaps because of cost. Unique JCW wheels will also be available for ordering separately when the Stage II kit arrives in the second half of 2008.
UPDATE: Apparently these shots are of an accessorized version of the Clubman, and not official pics of the full-bore JCW variant. Thanks to Gabe for the heads up. Click the image above for more.
With the first few details about MINI's Stage II JCW Cooper S emerging, it was simply a matter of time before we saw a similar package for the brand new Clubman S. As we speculated, the John Cooper Works edition Clubman is somewhat similar to the MINI Challenge safety Clubman that we featured last month. The revised front bumper isn't quite as radical as its track-bound compatriot, but the JCW Clubman makes up for it with a unique stripe design, new exhaust tips, red brake calipers peering behind 18-inch wheels, plus carbon fiber side mirrors and (non-functioning) hood scoop.
Naturally, power output will be bumped up -- somewhere in the realm of 200 HP -- while torque will likely increase to around 200 lb.-ft. Beyond that, expect to see some carbon fiber trim on the inside and an F1-style shift light on the instrument cluster. All standard practice for the JCW crew.
The MINI franchise is finally facing some stiff competition in the compact performance segment, particularly abroad where buyers can now get their retrotastic kicks in the 180-hp Fiat Punto Abarth SS or the Clio Renaultsport 197. It's been simply a matter of time before MINI let loose the John Cooper Works team again on the new R56 Cooper S, and the fruits of their underground labors have been caught on the Nurburgring in the form of a Stage II version of the R56 Cooper S JCW package.
Sporting a set of 18-inch rollers pilfered from the JCW GP Limited Edition Cooper S, this test mule also receives a set of upgraded brakes, a JCW-spec sports suspension package and a restyled aero kit. A proper tune of the turbo'd 1.6-liter mill, coupled with a new JCW exhaust, is expected to bring output up from to around 215 horsepower.
Expect the JCW-massaged version of the Cooper S to debut in Geneva next year, with sales beginning later in '08.
Our main-MINI-man Gabe over at MotoringFile procured a handful of shots showing the safety car for the 2008 MINI Challenge, and the series' organizers have commissioned a one-off Clubman S to be built with a host of modifications to make it track worthy. Although there's no mention of what changes were made under the hood, according to the site, a John Cooper Works (JCW) exhaust is fitted and the new rear spoiler will be an option for the Clubman come 2008. The obvious changes to ride height would imply that some serious suspension tweaks were in order, while the new front and rear diffuser could foretell the future of JCW-equipped Clubmans.
You can read over our previous posts about the MINI JCW Challenge racer here and here, and check out more shots of the Clubman safety car here.
MINI quietly parked the hottest Cooper ever in front of its booth here in Frankfurt, letting everyone just discover it on their own. It's pretty hard to miss, though. As we told you when the info dropped last week, this new John Cooper Works CHALLENGE is a race-ready hatch with some serious changes to the engine and suspension that add up to a weekend track car for all intents and purposes. Things like new pistons, a reworked turbocharger, new intake and exhaust plumbing, a reprogrammed engine management system, race suspension, and new four-piston brakes hidden behind Dunlop-shod Borbet wheels are just some of the upgrades to make the Cooper race ready.
The CHALLENGE also features a John Cooper Works aero kit with an adjustable rear spoiler, a rear diffuser, and a new front spoiler. The full roll cage inside is a pretty big tip-off that this car means business. It's welded into the car, right behind the upgraded Recaro buckets with six-point harnesses and HANS device. Like we said, it's basically a track car pre-made for racing teams participating in the regional MINI Challenge Series races. You don't HAVE to participate in the series to buy one, so just pony up the €49,900 including VAT and wait until March when the cars will be delivered. If you're a privateer you'll have to wait until next June.
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