Sections: JCW, Marketing, Video Jul 22nd, 2008 5 Comments This video could be considered a trailer for the just released MINI JCW. It features the same two cars that we’ve seen in much of the promotion footage so far.
Sections: JCW, Official News Jul 21st, 2008 12 Comments 
This bit of information was part of the recent JCW press release from MINI UK but we felt it deserved it’s own published post. It’s a great way to take a look back at all the various JCW products throughout the years.
John Cooper Works under the ownership of BMW Group
The Cooper name originates from John Cooper, an engineering legend inextricably linked to the golden age of British motor racing throughout the 1960’s. With the introduction of new MINI in 2001, the Cooper name was reborn under the guidance of John’s son Mike, who began developing aftermarket tuning kits for the new MINI at the original John Cooper premises in East Preston, West Sussex.
Sections: Best of the Web, JCW, Video Jul 21st, 2008 8 Comments Here is a good way to start the week.
Sections: JCW, Official News Jul 17th, 2008 3 Comments 
Technical features of the new MINI John Cooper Works
MINI UK Press Release: Motorsport is the single greatest influence in the development of the MINI John Cooper Works. In fact, the four-cylinder, common rail direct injection unit found in the standard MINI Cooper S has received the same modifications as the MINI CHALLENGE car, which is a model only licensed for track use.
Engine tuning
The 2008 International Engine of the Year (1.4-1.8-litre category) found in the MINI Cooper S was a strong base unit on which to begin John Cooper Works tuning. The basic structure of the engine - a pressure die-cast aluminium crankcase with grey cast-iron liners and bed plate - has not received any modifications. Nor has the forged crankshaft or conrods. continued →
Sections: JCW, Video Jul 17th, 2008 13 Comments Sections: JCW, Official News Jul 16th, 2008 7 Comments
MINI UK Press Release: Production of the new MINI began in 2001 in Oxford and soon after, the Cooper Car Company in East Preston launched a wide range of John Cooper Works tuning kits and accessories for MINI. This gave MINI owners, obsessed with personalisation and performance, an even greater opportunity to create their perfect MINI. John Cooper’s achievements in world motor sport laid the foundations for the John Cooper Works brand. Now in 2008, fans of MINI and the John Cooper Works brand have something new to lust after: the new MINI John Cooper Works, hot off the production line at MINI Plant Oxford. continued →
Sections: In the Press, JCW Jul 16th, 2008 12 Comments Another in what has been a long line of reviews. You’ve seen all the pictures, read all the complaints about the speedometer and torque steer. So, what’s left? Car Magazine would like to leave you with this.
However, this is a special car. It signals the proper debut of JCW as a sub-brand and marks the occasion with a machine that is suitably different in character to not only the Cooper S but everything else in the hot-hatch class. It is fascinating – switching from benign to barmy in an instant and leaving a grin on your face like few other cars on sale today. Yes, we like it. A lot.
Sections: In the Press, JCW Jul 16th, 2008 15 Comments 
And the hits just keep on coming. This time from Honestjohn.com, starting with a word on the torque steer.
That’s okay when you’re on a track that you can learn every nuance and undulation of. But it’s not okay on a public road full of surprises.
Then you could get into trouble. Because the car torque steers and tramlines like an old Mk II Golf 16v tweaked to 200bhp. Any variation in surface will have it shifting and squirming all over the place. So best leave it in Sport (if you want) and just switch first stage DSC off.
Sections: In the Press, JCW Jul 15th, 2008 9 Comments I mentioned earlier about the embargo lift, right?
This time, Channel4.com gets a chance at the JCW MINI and have quite a bit to say. Their review stretching across 10 pages including a gallery.
The added bonus is that the JCW is emits just 165g/km of carbon dioxide and fuel consumption is a very creditable 40.4mpg on the combined cycle. You get the best of both worlds: awesome performance and cheap running costs. So what’s the catch? That’ll be the £21K purchase price, which certainly concentrates the mind. You have a simple choice: do you want to pay an extra £4,750 to get a little extra performance, or hand over £16,245 for the standard Cooper S, which still takes you from 0-60mph in a pretty handy 7.1 seconds?
Pretty sure it’s the only review to mention fuel economy, emissions and price. Looks like it’s even expensive in the UK. But there’s still more.
Sections: In the Press, JCW Jul 15th, 2008 9 Comments 
Looks like an embargo was lifted as we have a bunch of reviews from the UK coming in. This one from Autocar.
It feels properly rapid – the turbo spools up with almost no lag and the engine’s strong mid-range makes for effortless urge in any gear. Passers by get to enjoy a rorty exhaust note, into which some over-run ‘crackle’ has been carefully engineered. But, unfortunately, inside the cabin it sounds flat and insipid.
Sections: In the Press, JCW Jul 14th, 2008 17 Comments Another review of the ultimate MINI.
The standard suspension setup of the Works is unchanged from the standard Cooper S, although Mini’s Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) is standard, so the threshold for the Dynamic Stability Control’s (DSC) intervention leaves room for a little fun. The DTC can be switched off if you want to play it safe, and the DSC can be switched off if you don’t. There is also the usual Sport function that changes the throttle map to provide more boost lower in the rev range and reduces the steering assistance.
continued →
Sections: In the Press, JCW Jul 14th, 2008 38 Comments 
The reviews are going to start pouring in this week and Driver’s Republic has one of the first. Here’s an excerpt:
It doesn’t seem to matter whether the road is smooth or bumpy, flat or cambered, there’s always an intense tug-of-war between tyres and tarmac. The only thing you can do to minimise this behaviour is to leave the Sport button alone in an effort to keep the throttle response soft, but even then the steering wheel comes alive in your hands when the twin-scroll turbo spools up. When it happens the temptation is to fight the car, pulling it back into line, but this only seems to make it worse, for the JCW decides to pull in the direction of your last steering input, which can make for some serious zigzag progress. Better then to stay calm, tense but not lock your forearms and try to get a grip on the front-end without over-correcting it.
It’s a shame, for while there’s no doubt the JCW is blindingly rapid when stoked, its propensity to sniff around on bumps, cambers and white lines ultimately limits your point-to-point pace. It also makes you think twice about overtaking if the road is anything less than wide and smooth, which is a sure sign of too much torque steer in my book.
continued →
Sections: JCW, Motorsports, Video Jul 12th, 2008 7 Comments Our friends down at AUSmotive.com have got some great footage of the Eastern Creek MINI Challenge from Sydney Australia.
This is why we want the JCW Challenge MINIs to come to the US.
Sections: JCW, MTTS Jul 2nd, 2008 14 Comments 
After quite a bit of feedback from attendees at both MTTS Miami and Boston, MINIUSA will be making a few minor changes to the Chicago and LA events.
They are still working on LA, but for Chicago, the Sunday events will be trimmed down at Road America. The early word is that the party will head back down to the Chicago area mid day on Sunday for a wrap up and a pleasant surprise at our good friends Ridemakerz. That will still allow plenty of time Sunday morning for you to get some seat time in the Factory JCW MINI at Road America! In addition, for those Chicago-landers who couldn’t make it up to Road America, this will, potentially, allow another local opportunity to get in on the fun.
You already knew about the Factory JCW MINIs being available to drive, right? MINIUSA felt bad that Rauno was not going to make all 4 MTTS venue’s, so Chicago and LA will have a limited number of these special MINIs available to you to drive. Win win in my book.
Sections: JCW, MTTS, Podcast Jul 1st, 2008 14 Comments 
The JCW Show! We talk about the Factory JCW, the JCW Challenge Car and I give my thoughts on the R53 vs R56.
See that R/C car up there? Ridemakerz are only making a limited number of them, and they will only be available at the last 2 MTTS events!
Speaking of limited number, Todd is also selling a very limited edition Motoringbadge that is also only available on-site at MTTS. If you want one, you’d better find him early ’cause they go quick!
Woofcast 254:
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