DETROIT MOTOR SHOW: MINI JCW Concept

MINI is wasting no time with the rollout of its third-generation MINI Cooper, which made its world debut ahead of the Los Angeles motor show and will go on sale in Australia soon after its global launch in Puerto Rico in February.

Having revealed full details for the standard F56 Cooper three-door hatch and the hotter Cooper S, MINI has now revealed what the top-shelf John Cooper Works (JCW) version will look like.

Due to make its public premiere at the Detroit show in January, the MINI JCW Concept ratchets up the aggression via a chunkier front bumper with gaping air inlets in place of the standard MINI’s foglights.

Other aero additions include beefier side skirts and a rear bumper with flaps and diffuser element, and the JCW’s footprint is broader than the longer, wider new MINI’s thanks to bigger, wider 18-inch alloy wheels.

The JCW Concept is painted in a unique ‘Bright Highways Grey’ colour scheme with Chili Red ‘Sport Stripes’ decals on the bonnet and bootlid, and white stripes on the contrasting red roof.

There’s also a red roof spoiler, wing mirror caps, grille crossbar, air intakes, side stripes, brake callipers, side indicators and JCW badges, ensuring the range-topping MINI will stand out from the crowd.

At the rear, there are twin central chromed exhaust outlets bearing the JCW name, and the concept is also fitted with LED headlights.

It’s not clear how many other new options from the MkIII MINI range will be standard on the JCW, but the list could include a head-up display, camera-based cruise control system, a pedestrian warning system and near-autonomous parking.

As yet the JCW cabin has not been revealed (but will come with the standard model’s new 8.8-inch TFT multimedia screen), nor have any performance numbers.

However, expect it to up the ante from the n 155kW/260Nm 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine that powers the current JCW Cooper, Cabrio, Clubman, Coupe and Raodster models.

Indeed, it will have to, since the new MINI Cooper S will be powered by a larger direct-injection 2.0-litre twin-scroll turbo four that generates 141kW and 280Nm of torque, with up to 300Nm available during overboost (up 6kW and 40Nm).

The next Cooper S will hit 100km/h in a claimed 6.8 seconds – making it just two-tenths slower than the outgoing Cooper JCW – and return average fuel consumption of 5.7L/100km.

As we’ve reported, the new base Cooper has had its powertrain downsized to three cylinders and 1.5 litres but still makes 100kW (up 10kW) and up to 230Nm, while consuming just 4.6L/100km and hitting 100km/h in 7.6 seconds.

Instead of a twin-scroll turbo as in the 2.0-litre Cooper S, the standard 1.5-litre Cooper employs a variable-geometry turbocharger – as does the 85kW/270Nm Cooper D diesel, which sips just 3.5L/100km.

While the MkIII MINI will be available with six-speed manual and automatic transmissions, the new JCWs are likely to remain manual-only models.

The JCW should also come standard with the 2014 MINI’s optional two-stage damping system, known as Dynamic Damper Control.

Expect JCW versions of not only the new F56-series Cooper three-door, but the F55 five-door, F54 Clubman, F57 Cabrio and, probably, the all-new F53 MINI sedan.

The existing MINI Coupe and Roadster will be replaced by a single sports model, while the new Countryman (F60) and Paceman (F61) will sit on a different architecture to the rest of the MINI family, which will also grow to include a people-mover.

All three models will be based on a larger version of the German maker’s new UKL small-car platform, which will debut under the BMW’s second-generation X1.

Like all new MINIs, the JCW will ride on a 28mm-longer (2495mm) wheelbase, delivering more stability, legroom and a 51-litre larger (211-litre) boot, augmented by a 60/40-split folding rear seat.

At base level, the new MINI is 98mm longer, 44mm wider and 7mm taller than before, and weighs up to 20kg more (1140kg in Cooper S form).

Expect the new Cooper JCW to top the new MINI three-door range at around the same price as the model it replaces ($50,400 plus on-road costs).

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