  2009 Mini John Cooper Works. Click image to enlarge |
|
Related articles on Autos
Manufacturer’s web site
|
Join Autos’s Facebook group
Follow Autos on TwitterReview and photos by Greg Wilson
Find this vehicle in Autos’s Classified Ads
Photo Gallery:
2009 Mini John Cooper Works
North Vancouver, British Columbia – There’s an impressive duality about the Mini John Cooper Works, or ‘JCW’ as enthusiasts call it. Though this high performance version of the Mini Cooper S is street legal, it is at home on the race-track as it is on the boulevard. In fact, regular production Mini JCWs (with added safety equipment) currently compete in a Mini-sponsored racing series in Europe called the Mini Challenge.
That’s a good reason for weekend racers to consider buying a JCW, but there’s another group of people that will warm up to the JCW: well-heeled buyers who want the best-looking, best-equipped, most exclusive Mini there is: Mini JCWs are sold in limited numbers and JCW hatchbacks like the one here have a base price of $38,390, about $8,500 more than a base Mini Cooper S.
For that extra $8,500, the John Cooper Works package gives you a high-performance version of the Mini’s 1.6-litre DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder engine with twin scroll turbocharger and direct injection to produce 207 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque (up from 172 hp and 177 lb-ft in the Cooper S); a modified six-speed manual transmission (an automatic transmission is not available), P205/45R 17-inch performance run-flat tires on unique 17-inch alloy wheels, sport suspension, high-performance disc brakes, low back-pressure exhaust system, 260 km/h speedo, Piano Black interior trim, and anthracite roof liner. You’ll also find John Cooper Works logos scattered around the car: on the alloy wheel centres, the red brake callipers, the door sills, the front air dam, and the rear hatch.
You’d think that for $38,390 the Mini JCW would be fully loaded, but no, there are still many options and option packages you can buy: a Comfort Package that includes automatic climate control, a twin moonroof, heated front seats, and rain sensor with automatic headlamps ($1,900.00); leather upholstery ($1500-$1900); six-disc CD changer ($700); Hi-Fi Sound System ($750.00); a Navigation system ($2,500); a Comfort Access package ($490.00), Bluetooth and USB audio ($490); hood stripes ($130); Chrome Line interior trim ($190); electric front window defroster ($190); and Park Distance Control ($450).
 2009 Mini John Cooper Works. Click image to enlarge |
There are also some accessories available. The Mini.ca web site shows a Mini JCW with a unique front air dam, side sills and rear valance that are different to those of my JCW test car. As well, a front tower strut brace is available. I couldn’t find prices for these, though.
My test car was equipped with the Comfort Package ($1,900.00); Redwood Red Lounge leather upholstery ($1,900); Comfort Access ($490.00); Hi-Fi Sound System ($750.00), and Bluetooth, USB audio ($490). Including $1,350 Freight charge and $100 a/c tax, my test car came to $45,370. That’s pretty steep. And conceivably, a fully loaded Mini JCW would come close to $50,000!
In addition to the Mini JCW hatchback, there’s also a new Mini JCW Clubman model ($39,990), and coming soon, a JCW convertible. I don’t quite see the point of a high performance JCW Clubman, but the JCW convertible should create quite a stir.
