New MINI John Cooper Works hatch review

On the face of it the fastest-ever production MINI is also the most expensive at a fiver under £21,000 for the Hatchback version which goes on sale from 22 July after it debut at the British International Motor Show.

MINI argue that not only do they now deliver with the new 211bhp John Cooper Works Hatchback, and the forthcoming JCW Clubman version the distinctive snap, crackle and pop characteristics desired by MINI enthusiasts, but the new additions have loads of extra equipment and technical enhancements.

If priced individually, or indeed if they were even available as aftermarket items, the enhancements would be significantly more expensive than £20,995. The 175bhp MINI Cooper S Hatchback is currently priced at £16,245 and the Cooper S Clubman at £17,210.

More 'snap, crackle and pop'

Because the MINI is marketed by BMW Group as a ‘premium’ brand small car it is solidly built and has loads of specification and equipment fitted. All this adds weight and weight dulls performance and most of all it has compromised the go-kart agility that made the original British Minis performance icons.

The German owned company has responded to that by giving the JCW models edgier snap performance, more power and torque and a return to the distinctive exhaust note with its signature ‘crackle and pop’.

So exactly what are we talking about in terms of performance? Well the JCW specification provides 211bhp from the 1.6-litre turbocharged four cylinder petrol engine and just as importantly 260Nm of torque, or 280NM in overboost mode from 1,850 to 5,600rpm.

This gives the new models a top speed of 148mph, 0-62mph takes 6.5 seconds and the combined fuel consumption is officially 40.9mpg and CO2 emissions are 165g/km putting them in Band D for road tax costing £145 this year and £175 from next April.

Not only is this fastest production MINI built to date it also offers the most torque and it is the most costly to buy and to run. Real-life fuel consumption during a hard test driving session over A and B roads saw my JCW Hatchback return 24.4mpg.

More sympathetic driving will improve of this figure but even more enthusiastic driving on roads or a racetrack will see figures around 20mpg.

But you cannot put a price on pure driving pleasure and the smiles on the faces of the motoring scribes after the world-first pre-launch test session last week was priceless.

Performance and engineering

So those are the performance figures at a glance. Delving deeper into what a John Cooper Works model is reveals the 1.6-litre turbo power direct injection petrol unit as used with the Cooper S to have been substantially modified.

The basic structure of the die-cast aluminium four cylinder engine has not changed, nor has the forged crankshaft and conrods. But the intake valves and valve seats have been upgraded with more durable materials to cope with the increased operating temperature.

The pistons have reinforced sidewalls and new design of crown and the compression ratio is reduced to 10:1. The cylinder head has wider diameter water channels and the walls are thicker to overcome increased stress and hotspots.

The engine mapping has changed as has the air mass sensor and induction is speeded up with a larger air intake. A larger and stronger twin-scroll turbocharger and exhaust manifold are central to the performance improvements.

A completely new exhaust system, available only for the JCW models, has a larger bore and catalytic converter to speed up gas flow and of course to return to the MINI its long missed exhaust note. Large polished stainless steel twin tailpipes enhance the burble, crackle and pop signature sounds.

Driving dynamics

The six-speed manual transmission and clutch have been strengthened to cope with the extra power and driving stresses. Without getting too technical the John Cooper Works models also have as standard, ABS anti-lock braking operating four-pot Brembo brakes with larger discs, electronic brakeforce distribution, cornering brake control, a new electronic differential control which improves cornering traction by 20 per cent, traction control and dynamic stability control.

There are various controls, including a Sport setting, which will switch on or off some or sharpening still further these handling packages depending on how the customer wants to drive their car. The suspension is beefed up to handle the extra power and improve handling over the Cooper S version but there is also a JCW sports suspension option available for £140.

JCW equipment

Other standard equipment including a host of airbags includes John Cooper interior styling details, air conditioning, electric windows and door mirrors, distinctive cloth upholstery and front sports seats.

Outside the JCW MINIs have exclusive lightweight 17-inch alloy wheels shod with run-flat tyres, a bespoke factory fitted body styling kit which includes the usual side sill, front and rear bumper extensions, rear roof spoiler, honeycomb grille and various airflow vents.

With the added visual specification that sets this MINI apart from any other, the unseen modifications to the engine, gearbox, suspension and brakes, not to mention the very real increase in performance, the extra cost of the John Cooper Works Hatchback over the Cooper S will be worth it for many customers even though £21,000 for a MINI will leave some people unconvinced.

Go-kart handling

The doubters need only to book a test drive just to see how great this car really is. The plentiful supply of power and torque is seamless and the responsive delivery is superb right throughout the rev range. It is at home being driven in top gear at low speeds, or in stop start traffic, as it is being thrashed on the open roads or around a race track.

Yes there is lots of torque-steer despite the ‘trick’ traction control and electronic differential; yes you do need to keep a firm grip on the steering wheel under hard acceleration and cornering due to the grip available and it being front wheel drive. But the car is totally predictable, the go-kart handling has returned and the brakes are strong.

Some road surfaces, deep potholes and oddly cambered corners will unsettle the car and the ride comfort when being driven at full tilt due to the short wheelbase, but the car deserves your attention. I guarantee your smile will be as big as mine was when I’d finished my test drive.

Happy motoring.

MINI John Cooper Works milestones

MINI John Cooper Works Hatchback

Price: £20,995

Engine/transmission: 1.6-litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged, direct injection petrol engine, 211bhp, 260-280Nm of torque from 1,850rpm, front-wheel drive, 6-speed manual gearbox

Performance: 148mph, 0-62mph 6.5 seconds, 40.9mpg (24.4mpg actual), CO2 165g/km, VED Band D £145

Insurance group: tba

For: Not for boring passive ‘green’ motorists, real fun driving, performance, handling, image, smile-making in a currently glum motoring world

Against: Sounds expensive, high fuel costs if you enjoy really fast driving

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