SYDNEY: Mini’s new Cooper John Cooper Works performance flagship will wear a $47,400 price tag in manual guise when it arrives in local showrooms in third quarter.
Powered by a 170kW/320Nm version of the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine used in the regular 141kW/280Nm Cooper S hatch, the JCW will also be available with a six-speed torque converter automatic gearbox priced from $49,950.
The manual is $3000 cheaper than the previous R56 155kW 1.6-litre version, while the auto model is $2800 more affordable.
The new JCW is quicker too, capable of hitting 100km/h in 6.3 seconds in manual guise or 6.1 seconds with the paddle-shift automatic (down from 6.5/6.7s).
The JCW also gets upgraded bakes over the standard $36,950 Cooper S designed specifically for the hot hatch by Brembo.
The suspension has also been returned with stiffer springs and dampers for better handling, and the JCW features multi-mode adaptive dampers as standard.
Other standard features include 18-inch JCW-specific alloys, reversing camera with front and rear parking sensors, electable drive modes, satnav, head-up display, LED headlights and JCW sports seats and steering wheel.
The range-topping hot hatch also brings a number of styling tweaks to give it a more aggressive appearance over the standard Cooper S.
There’s a new front bumper incorporating additional cooling vents, revised rear bumper and a new roof spoiler.
Fuel consumption over the previous JCW has also been reduced, with the new model boasting 6.7L/100km combined in manual form, while opting for the automatic sees that figure drop to 5.7L/100km.
When it arrives in local showrooms later this year, the Mini JCW’s nearest rival will be the all-wheel drive 170kW Audi S1 which is priced from $49,900 but isn’t available with an automatic transmission.
2015 Mini Cooper JCW list pricing
John Cooper Works manual $47,400
John Cooper Works automatic $49,950
