New 2.0-litre Mini JCW does 155mph
The Fiesta ST and i20 N have gone, but the Mini lives on - for almost £15k less than a GR Yaris
Likely nobody would have predicted Mini as the brand to keep the vaguely affordable, reasonably interesting hot hatch alive, yet here we are. The new JCW is a three-door, 2.0-litre, 155mph turbocharged pocket rocket, and it’s going to cost £31k. No denying they ain't what they used to be and all that (no manual, of course) but bear in mind the £21,000 a 1.6 turbo JCW cost in 2008 is now just over £33,000. Something to think about.
Anyway, like the already available petrol-powered Coopers, this JCW is a heavily updated version of the previous F56 model rather than a whole new thing like the electric model. Which would explain the identical 231hp from the four-cylinder B48 turbo. But note that the 0-62mph time has dropped to 6.1 seconds (pretty nippy for something of this calibre) and the top speed climbed a couple of mph to 155 (ditto), thanks to some extra torque. What was 236lb ft has been boosted to a sizeable 280lb ft - or more than a Golf GTI - which ought to make the JCW feel usefully faster than before. There’s a seven-speed dual-clutch installed now as well, instead of the old eight-speed auto, which seems a tad more appropriate for a car with some sporting pretence.
Marking the flagship out from the rest of the range is a similar overhaul to the electric JCW, albeit with a couple of crucial differences - the new centre-exit exhaust being one of them. For the first time since you spent Saturday job money on a silly Janspeed for a 998cc, it’ll be a single exit system. (All previous JCWs had two pipes.) Note as well the black diffuser, rear spoiler, red calipers, and unique wheels - standard 17s can be upgraded to an 18-inch rim. Mini reckons the latest suspension enhancements ‘increase handling ability.’
The familiar black and red theme is continued inside the JCW, with a lot of synthetic leather, contrast stitching and chequered flag patterns. The seats ‘provide firm support for dynamic driving’. As with every other new Mini, the 24cm OLED display dominates the dash, with a JCW mode (alongside Vivid, Core, Green, Timeless, Balance and Personal) adding displays like engine temp and g-force. Standard kit includes a head-up display, wireless charging, heated seats and a harmon kardon stereo.
Joining the hatch in what’s almost a retro JCW lineup is a John Cooper Works Convertible, with the same mechanical configuration for 6.4 seconds to 62mph and 152mph. It costs from £35,200. The hatch’s £31,200 asking price (an EV JCW is £38,420) leaves it without many new rivals; a Polo GTI is probably the closest rival on paper, with its own 2.0-litre turbo and seven-speed dual-clutch, but it was never the most exciting small hatch. A £30k asking price isn’t doing it any favours.
The Toyota GR Yaris is a much more serious proposition than both, obviously - but with the new automatic gearbox is now £45,750 - if you can get an allocation. There isn’t an Audi A1 with more than 150hp. Hyundai suggests to check with your retailer if an i20 N is still available; there’s not a Fiesta of any kind mentioned on the Ford website. So if a small, fast, new hatch is for you - and there are many reasons why it might be - then the Mini looks to have that class sewn up. Time for a drive to see if it warrants more than a by-default recommendation asap.
I’m sure the brakes are decent but it’s strange, the calipers look a step back from previous JCW brakes.
The one thing that is a shame these days is the lack of options and accessories. Back in the R53 days the amount of factory aftermarket parts was huge, Sparco/Recaro seats, strut bars, all sorts.
They are apparently stopping that model though as it looks too much like the JCW.
Seems good for a new car to be honest, the only things I didn’t like were the way too thick steering wheel (and I liked the one in my F31) and a bit too much hard plastic in the cabin.
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