MINI has been known for creating cars that bear a quirky yet extremely appealing design and also for how well they handle. My earliest memory of the modern day MINI came from watching the remake of The Italian Job, which featured the 2003 MINI Cooper S. Since then, the Cooper S has been an icon of sporty youthfulness amongst Singaporean drivers.
However, what if the Cooper S with its 'go-kart' handling abilities just isn't enough for you? What do you do if you are a performance-oriented driver who craves for something a step beyond what the Cooper S is capable of? Well then, the answer is definitely the new MINI John Cooper Works (JCW).
The JCW is everything we love about the Cooper S, but on steroids. But even with an increase in power, it is still a car you can drive comfortably to work, as well as to the racetracks up north on the weekends.
Up close and Personal
From a visual perspective, the JCW has a more stimulating and spirited semblance than the slightly listless Cooper S. An aggressive combinition of seven grilles up front are in place to fulfill the high-cooling requirements of the car, a hint at how hard it can be driven. MINI engineers have opted to replace the foglights found on the Cooper S with air inlets to keep the more heavily boosted engine of the JCW cool.
Buyers can choose between four different wheel designs, three of which are 17-inch but the set on the unit we drove were the signature, forged 18-inch John Cooper Works Cup Spokes. They fill the wheel arches beautifully and are complemented by the pair of red hot four-piston, fixed-caliper Brembo brakes up front.
Do not be fooled by the little wing that is perched at the rear of the car, it is actually capable of delivering some actual downforce. Matching the party of grilles on the front bumper is an equally snazzy rear diffuser, which houses the JCW's high-performance sports exhaust that cantillates an addictive, throaty snarl.
The interior of the car is just as, if not more enticing than the exterior. A black and red theme extends throughout the cabin and the amalgamation of a newly designed John Cooper Works steering wheel, entry sills, gear lever, stainless steel pedals and sports seats exude an exotic charisma.
This JCW now comes with a MINI Controller in the centre console and a colour display in the central instrument, replacing the famed MINI speedometer. The features of the MINI navigation system Professional include an 8.8-inch version of the on-board computer and the MINI Touch Controller with touch-sensitive interface.
The Drive
For those that are drawn mainly to the JCW's pint-sized allure, then this is not the car for you. What should impress, is the new 2.0-litre four-cylinder MINI TwinPower Turbo engine, somewhat similar to that in the Cooper S but tweaked to deliver 228bhp and 320Nm of torque, making it the most powerful MINI ever created.
The JCW takes 0.6 seconds lesser than the Cooper S to reach 100km/h from start. Put that power together with the cars' ability to handle like a 'go-kart' and that loosely translates to hours of smiles.
Unfortunately for purists who believe a stick is the only way to shift, this car is only available with a six-speed Steptronic sports transmission with flappy paddle shifters. According to MINI, the six-speed manual version takes 6.3 seconds to get from start to 100km/h, a fifth of a second slower than its automatic counterpart.
Aside from the low centre of gravity, short overhangs, wide track and rigid body structure that enable the JCW to approach an apex with confidence, you now get Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), Electronic Differential Lock Control (EDLC), Dynamic Damper Control and Performance Control as standard - all of which equate to contained torque steer, reduced understeer and different modes of comfort or performance.
'Normal' mode takes the edge off the JCW's stiffness and sharpness compared to the settings served up by selecting 'Sport.' Should you choose to ride in 'Comfort' mode, you are again, in the wrong vehicle.
Having driven the JCW, words just don't do justice to the excitement you get from downshifting a gear or two as you prepare to enter a bend, hearing the cackling of the sports exhaust and gunning the car right through it like a bat out of hell.
Conclusion
The 2015 MINI John Cooper Works is a car that can double up as your daily and your weekend toy. Even your mother won't have a problem driving it to get her grocery shopping done. It is easy on the eyes, simple to drive, yet fun and fast when you need it to be.
However, if your driving style won't fully utilise the capabilities of the JCW, which is priced at $193,300 (as of 20th August 2015), you may just be better off settling for the Cooper S, which will only set you back by $166,300 (as of 20th August 2015) and will probably offer just as much fun albeit with a less brutal power delivery.
