MINI MINI (F56) JOHN COOPER WORKS 2016

The renaissance of MINI under the BMW brand has gone from strength to strength. We were huge fans of the R53 Mini Cooper S, both as an exciting hot-hatch on the road as well as a budget friendly track car for the aspiring racedriver.

In relaunching a British icon, the German manufacturer had seemingly pulled off the impossible. Despite fair criticism (it was after all, not so mini) the R53 was a hit. A small capacity, supercharged engine with plenty of room for tuning, packaged in a well equipped lightweight chassis that handled every bit as well as the 60’s icon.

With the latest F56 JCW, MINI has produced their most powerful engine to date. A BMW derived B48 2.0 litre turbo engine, the F56 JCW achieves 228bhp and 320 N·m torque with smooth power delivery throughout the range thanks to Mini’s ‘twinpower’ technology.

What is twinpower? Marketing spiel surely, but what does it mean? The four cylinder engine uses a twin-scroll turbo, wherein two exhaust paths are cast into the one turbine housing. Cylinders 1 and 4 feed one scroll, whilst cylinders 2 and 3 feed the second scroll. This keeps conflicting pulse timings separate and dramatically improves the efficiency of the turbine, ensuring smooth power delivery throughout the rev range. With light modification, this new engine is able to achieve over 300bhp!

Fitted with a 6-speed automatic, the JCW propels itself from a standing start to 62mph in 6.1 seconds, only 0.2 seconds slower than a manual transmission in the right hands. Speaking of the automatic gearbox, it’s brilliant. Historically, an automatic gearbox in a hot-hatch should make no sense, but in this more evolved generation of MINI, it excels.

Engage ‘Maximum Go-Kart Feel’ and you can almost treat the JCW like a fairground dodgem. Throttle response and engine note increase in audacity, whilst feedback through the steering wheel yields reassuring heft and firmness, changing direction like a barstool swivel. The JCW is a weekday car for the weekend warrior.

Purchased new from Halliwell Jones Mini of Chester in 2016, this Thunder Grey Metallic JCW redefined the meaning of ‘fully loaded’. With the optional extras list reading like the Iliad, I can only imagine the salesman's pen was running low on ink by the end of the day.

In the hands of a good friend and customer of Hero Motor Company, the JCW enjoys a full main dealer service history, spare keys, rubber floor mats and original handbooks.

Prior to handover to the new owner, the JCW will pass through our workshop for an Oil & Inspection Service, PDI and new MOT.

Our Thoughts:

The JCW, while harking back to the golden era of hot-hatch frivolity, has grown up. It stirs fond yet mature nostalgia when driving, like reuniting with an old school chum at a friend's wedding. You might have mortgages now, but you’re both sure as hell going to try and ride that mechanical bull later.