MINI John Cooper Works will debut at Detroit Motor Show

The hottest ticket in town at next month's Detroit Motor Show will be the new MINI John Cooper Works.

Packing the most powerful engine ever for a production MINI - a 2.0-litre TwinPower Turbo unit delivering 231bhp and 320Nm - the JCW also draws on the brand's motorsport expertise with a package of suspension, brake, aerodynamic and interior modifications to deliver race-car sensations without losing sight of MINI's premium position.

Compared with the previous MINI JCW, the new model delivers 10 percent more power and 23 percent more torque. This brings the 0-100km/h time down by 0.2 seconds to 6.3 seconds with the six-speed manual gearbox, and by 0.6 seconds to 6.1 seconds with the optional six-speed Steptronic sports transmission.

Equally impressive is the greatly improved driving flexibility, courtesy of the increased torque, accompanied by an emotive rasp from twin tailpipes of the sports exhaust.

In true MINI style, the driving fun does not involve any fuel consumption penalty. Combined consumption with the manual gearbox is 18km/L, with CO₂ emissions of 155g/km. With the optional Steptronic sports transmission fuel economy improves by 20 percent to 21km/L, with CO₂ emissions of 133g/km.

The suspension and the Servotronic electromechanical power steering have been tuned to allow drivers to exploit the new JCW's extra power and torque in complete safety, and there are newly developed four-piston Brembo brakes within 17-inch John Cooper Works Spoke light-alloy wheels. John Cooper Works 18-inch alloys are optional.

Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), Electronic Differential Lock Control (EDLC) and Performance Control allow drivers of all abilities to get maximum enjoyment from the car, and Dynamic Damper Control is an option.                  

The aerodynamic changes have been designed with a purpose rather than for purely aesthetic reasons. A new front apron with large engine air intakes, distinctive side sills, a model-specific rear apron and a John Cooper Works spoiler differentiate the JCW from the standard MINI Hatch. A new colour option, Rebel Green, is exclusive to the JCW.

JCW highlights of the sporty interior include sporty side sills, a multi-function steering wheel with shift paddles (in conjunction with Steptronic transmission), gear selector, instrument displays, stainless steel pedals and footrest, Driving Excitement package and key.