Just as we were checking out the brushed aluminum finish of the Concept John Cooper Works in Detroit, word came that all the way at the way in Europe, a test prototype had been spotted.
Detroit might be witnessing the coldest winter in years, but it's nothing compared to what the Arctic Circle has to offer, a non-stop barrage of nature's worst. Some might consider testing a hot hatch at -25 degrees is pointless, but the German bosses in charge of MINI will not stand for compromise.
The new JCW will mark a big departure from its predecessor. No longer will it be powered by a 1.6-liter turbo, as a new 2-liter has stepped in and it's similar to the ones BMW will use in its RWD sedans. It's already on sale in the Cooper S, but will get a bump in output to about 220 hp for the Works model.
That might sound weak compared to the 360 hp engine offed by the A45 AMG or the 300 hp of the Audi S3, but the JCW is a smaller B-segment car and not a serious lap time record setter. Still, expect - to 100 km/h in about 6 seconds and a top speed in the region of 245 km/h.
The new JCW will mark a big departure from its predecessor. No longer will it be powered by a 1.6-liter turbo, as a new 2-liter has stepped in and it's similar to the ones BMW will use in its RWD sedans. It's already on sale in the Cooper S, but will get a bump in output to about 220 hp for the Works model.
That might sound weak compared to the 360 hp engine offed by the A45 AMG or the 300 hp of the Audi S3, but the JCW is a smaller B-segment car and not a serious lap time record setter. Still, expect - to 100 km/h in about 6 seconds and a top speed in the region of 245 km/h.