DETROIT MOTOR SHOW: MINI JCW Concept

MINI is calling the new JCW hot hatch a "Concept", but the production model of the new range-topping MINI Cooper three-door hatch is virtually guaranteed to retain many of the same design elements.

Unveiled wearing a brushed alloy effect paint job, dubbed 'Bright Highways Grey' the new MINI JCW sports distinct 18-inch wheels, red highlights, pumped wheel arches and a chunky front apron.

The busy front end with dominant air intakes is matched with a full body kit to differentiate the new pocket rocket from garden-variety MINIs.

Based on the upcoming Mk3 MINI, the all new MINI JCW is expected to retain a four-cylinder engine, despite many of the third generation Coopers moving to more fuel efficient three-cylinder engines.

The updated turbo-petrol four-cylinder power pump should produce up to 160kW of power, making it the most powerful production MINI JCW yet.

Current JCW three-door hatches generate 155kW/260Nm from a blown 1.6-litre four-banger, but to put things in perspective the new generation MINI Cooper S already kicks out 141kW/280Nm thanks to its larger, direct-injected 2.0-litre engine.

Though MINI released no details or even what engine will power the new JCW Concept at the Detroit motor show, it will almost certainly make use of a tweaked version of the Cooper S's 2.0-litre mill.

A firmer suspension set-up, wider track, tweaked steering ratio, bigger brakes and a specialised ESP system should see the latest JCW retain the fun factor of its predecessor and give current hot hatch kings like the Renault Clio RS 200 EDC and Ford Fiesta ST something to chew on.

No launch date or pricing has been officially released, but expect to see the new MINI JCW to go into production later this year for a 2015 release.

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