Mini has released official details of the most powerful iteration of its Paceman Sports Activity Coupé ahead of the car’s arrival here in June 2013.
Due for its official unveiling at the upcoming North American International Auto Show, the Mini Paceman John Cooper Works (JCW) ushers in a host of racing-inspired engine, chassis and cosmetic tweaks.
Power is provided by an uprated version of the Cooper S 1,6-litre turbopetrol engine that develops 160 kW at 6 000 r/min and 280 N.m of torque between 1 900 and 5 000 (300 N.m between 2 100 and 4 500 r/min when using the overboost function). Mini claims that this unit is good for a 0-100 km/h time of 6,9 seconds on the way to a 226 km/h top speed (224 km/h for the automatic). A standard sports exhaust system is fitted to this model to help extract more power and give the car a more distinctive aural signature.
The Paceman JCW is underpinned by a model-specific chassis setup that has been lowered by 10 mm and incorporates MacPherson spring-strut front axle, central-arm rear axle and strengthened anti-roll bars. Power is channelled through Mini’s ALL4 all-wheel drivetrain, which can apportion as much as100 per cent of the car’s drive to the rear wheels should the going get exceptionally demanding. The system is overseen by a DSC with DTC (traction control system). A sport button sharpens up the throttle response and action of the electric power steering and, in the case of the automatic, lessens shift times.
In addition to a smattering of JCW decals, the exterior treatments include 18-inch alloy wheels (19-inch items are an optional extra), chrome exhaust tips and a model-specific body kit. Nine exterior colours are available, including the JCW-specific Chili Red finish while contrasting racing stripes and mirror caps can be specified optionally.
The interior highights include a sports steering wheel, dark-coloured dials, sports seats and piano black interior trim accents. Chili Red trim elements are an optional extra.
The Mini Paceman JCW will arrive in South Africa in June 2013 with pricing revealed closer to that time.
