U.S. R56 MINI Cooper S owners finally get the JCW treatment

If you're a U.S. citizen hankering for a factory-tuned R56 MINI Cooper S, you're officially in luck. MotoringFile has received the press release on the new JCW tuning package, and according to our friend Gabe, some dealers already have demo vehicles and you might be able to score a ride in one later this week.

The primary difference between the Euro kit we've reported on before and the kit to be sold Stateside is the exhaust manifold. Apparently, U.S.-spec vehicles are already equipped with the new exhaust plumbing, making the addition to the kit irrelevant.

The kit boosts power to 189 hp and up to 207 lb.-ft. of torque between 1,750 and 4,500 RPM, and while MINI admits that the package equipped on the last generation hatch was cost prohibitive, both with respect to parts and labor, this new kit will come in at $2,100 with only two hours of shop time to install.

The gains in power are provided by a new air filter housing, exhaust and a revised ECU tune, which supposedly provides faster throttle response. On the outside, tuned MINIs also get John Cooper Works badging on the front grille, trunk lid and atop the air filter housing.

After the jump you can scour through all the details, including comparisons in performance times between the stock and JCW-equipped R56.

[Source: MotoringFile]

PRESS RELEASE

We have already launched a wide range of sport accessories for the R56 under the John Cooper Works Brand. However, a tuning kit, the product which made JCW so successful in the US was missing in the product line. Aftersales is therefore very pleased to announce the release of the John Cooper Works Tuning Kit for the (model year '07) MINI Cooper S hardtop with manual transmission.

The new John Cooper Works tuning kit drives the MINI Cooper S to completely new heights of performance. The kit boosts the output of the Twin Scroll turbocharged engine to 189 hp (SAE) (141 kW). The maximum torque is 185 Nm between 1750 and 5000 rpm. In fact, with the over boost function, temporary peak values of as much as 200 lb-ft are possible in the range from 1750 to 4500 rpm.

The tuning kit for the R52/R53 was somewhat costly and required very labor intensive installation. The new R56 tuning kit has been developed more towards an Aftersales Dealer installation. The new tuning kit has a MSRP of $2,100 and a recommended installation time of 2hrs.

The new kit includes for improved power output new air filter housing and new exhaust system whitch improves exhaust guidance flow. The combination of the new air filter and the exhaust provides sportier interior and exterior sound. For a more aggressive look, the tips of the dual exhaust are significantly larger than the stock exhaust tips. A special ECU programming provides faster throttle response, leading to an increased performance feel. John Cooper Works badging on the front grille, the boot lid and on top of the air filter are obvious signs that the car is powered by a JCW engine.

Sales features/Benefits

* Improved performance
* Sporty Sound
* Optical differentiation through the exhaust and the John Cooper Works badges
* Limited New Vehicle Warranty is maintained

John Cooper Works tuning kits are designed and developed according to the guiding philosophy that only serious tuning can satisfy the high requirements of the BMW Group. This particularly applies in terms of endurance, effect on other components and compliance with statutory regulations. After all, tuning is not just a question of improved performance but also of quality and safety. John Cooper Works tuning kits are set apart from many other tuning kits available on the open market.

Customers may ask why the kit produces only 189hp as the R53 kit produced 207hp. First of all the kit is priced lower with a significantly lower installation time. Tuning the R56 engine to higher hp and maintaining the Limited New Vehicle Warranty would require the change of additional components which would raise the installation time as well as the price of the kit. The best way to sell the kit to a customer is the comparison of the acceleration times on both models. The JCW R56 meets the same 6.5s from 0 to 60 as the 207hp R53. This is possible due to significantly higher torque at low and medium revs.

R56 JCW R53 JCW
0-60 mph 6.5s 6.5s
50 – 75mph (4th gear) 5.3s 6.4s
50 – 75mph (5th gear) 6.6s 6.7s
50 – 75mph (6th gear) 7.6s 8.9s

Warranty

The consistent overall technical concept also means that the JCW tuning kits have successfully passed the extreme loads of extensive hot and cold endurance tests conducted by the BMW Group development departments. As a result of these tests the MINI New Vehicle Limited Warranty is retained.

The JCW Tuning Kit is a genuine MINI Part covered by the two-year / unlimited mile MINI Parts and Accessory Warranty if installed by an authorized MINI dealer. In addition, it will be covered for the remainder of the MINI New Vehicle Limited Warranty, whichever is greater.

ORDERING OF the Tuning Kit

To make sure all John Cooper Works Tuning Kit installations are registered with the warranty department, the tuning kits need to be ordered VIN specific. Every kit comes with a CD containing a release code (VIN number specific) allowing the installation only for that specific car. The release code is required to install the John Cooper Works ECU software. The CD is protected by a special seal. If the seal is broken, the tuning kit can not be returned to the RDC for credit.

John Cooper Works Tuning Kit Part #: 11 12 0 440 236