Mini has lifted the wraps off its new John Cooper Works Clubman and Countryman; billed as the company’s most powerful models ever approved for road use.
Both performance variants have been equipped with the firm’s latest generation four-cylinder petrol engine featuring TwinPower turbo technology. Coupled to an eight-speed steptronic sports transmission, with integrated mechanical diff, this unit sends 225 kW and 450 N.m of torque to all four wheels. That’s that’s 55 kW and 100 N.m more than the previous 2,0-litre unit.
Mini claims a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 4,9 seconds for the Clubman JCW (1,4 seconds quicker than before), while the Countryman JCW now completes the sprint in 5,1 seconds, shedding 1,5 seconds off its forebear’s time. The top speed of 250 km/h, which Mini says is a first in its vehicles, has been electronically limited.
An uprated John Cooper Works brake system incorporating larger discs and four-pot callipers aft has been fitted to bring these models to a halt, while a new exhaust system lends some aural drama.
According to Mini, the Countryman returns a combined fuel consumption figure of 7,3 L/100 km and The Clubman a slightly less economical 7,4 L/100 km.
LED headlights, replete with Matrix high beam functionality, and LED taillights featuring a Union Jack design (only on the Clubman) are among the exterior highlights.
