MINI Cooper - 2009 Mini Cooper JCW Test Drive: 207-HP Rocket Hits 33 MPG, but Is $42K Too Much?

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2009 Mini Cooper JCW Test Drive: 207-HP Rocket Hits 33 MPG, but Is $42K Too Much?

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September 3, 2008

Mini Cooper John Cooper Works

LOS ANGELES — Ninety-five percent of Mini buyers dig the Cooper just the way it is. And why not? Spec out a Cooper S model, and you'll have plenty of scoot under your right foot, a robust and sporty chassis, and a rather economical car to drive to work everyday. But then, 95 percent isn't the full monty is it? So what does that last 5 percent want? These are the guys who revel in owning only the most unique and powerful version of the Mini. The normal Cooper is just too pedestrian.

Well, for 2009, these hardcore Mini fans are in luck. The new John Cooper Works (JCW) edition pumps out 207 horses, features four-piston Brembo brakes, and is in showrooms now. Unlike the piecemeal approach to the previous JCW, this one comes fully equipped when you tick the John Cooper Works option box. Good news indeed for the Mini cognoscenti. —James Tate

2009 Mini Cooper JCW

The Specs

Under the hood, you'll find what is essentially the same 1.6-liter engine that powers the Cooper S—this time with a revised cylinder head, a bigger turbocharger and slightly different intake plumbing. According to Mini, the exhaust valves have a slightly thinner back cut than those of the Cooper S. Subtle though the changes may seem, they're enough to get the car to 60 mph in a claimed 6.2 seconds (6.5 for the four-door Clubman), and to a top speed of 148 mph.

The turbocharger is essentially the same Borg Warner unit found on the Cooper S but with a slightly bigger exhaust housing. Peak boost of 11.6 psi (14.5 psi in overboost) is available at 1850 rpm, as compared with 1600 rpm in the Cooper S. An enlarged catalytic converter and downpipe help evacuate exhaust gases into an aggressive-looking cat-back exhaust. The revised system nets 207 hp at 6000 rpm, with 192 ft.-lb. of torque available from 1850 to 5600 rpm—not too bad from a mere 1.6 liters. Gas mileage suffers a little bit, but the JCW still offers econobox thrift, at 25 mpg city and 33 mpg highway. That's just 1 mpg less than the 175 hp Cooper S.

The JCW gets all that increased power to the ground by way of a beefier clutch, a slightly modified transmission and BMW's Electronic Differential Lock Control (EDLC). This device slows the spinning wheel(s) through the brakes, like a more refined version of traction control, and sends more power to the wheel with traction. It's a lot like a limited-slip differential, but without the torque-steer.

Inside, things are standard Cooper S fare: The car comes with grippy cloth seats as well as standard piano-black dash trim and an anthracite headliner. The John Cooper Works will be offered in the same array of paint colors as the Cooper S.

2009 Mini Cooper JCW engine

The Drive

Peak power may arrive a bit later than on the Cooper S, but you'll never notice. Turbo boost seems to be available any time you need it. And in the lower gears, it's more than enough. It's an absolute blast, and you hot-shoe around town completely guilt-free—knowing even the hottest Mini of them all still sips fuel.

Electric steering usually guarantees there will be precious little information transmitted to the driver about what those front tires are doing. But that's simply not the case here. The steering is quick and direct, with the weighting you might expect from the BMW-owned company. The rack makes a perfect companion to the short throw shifter, which offers neat rifle-bolt snicks into each gear. Throw the shifter down a couple gears for a corner, and the delightfully raucous exhaust will offer the occasional pop and gurgle. It's a great sound that's reminiscent of race-equipped Minis of the 1960s.

The only thing we might find cause to complain about is the highway ride. It's no stiffer than a Cooper S, mind you, as they share the same suspension, and both cars have run-flat tires (ours was equipped with Continental ContiSport Contact 3 rubber in 205/45R17 sizing; production cars will be shod with Dunlop SP Sport tires in the same size). But we've found even the Cooper S is a bit stiff on California freeways. The optional dealer-installed John Cooper Works suspension stiffens things up further and lowers the car by 10mm for the more hardcore. But you may want to try the car as it comes from the factory first—stiffer is not always better. JCW cars will feature 12.4-in., four-piston Brembo brakes up front, with 11-in. brakes out back. As one might imagine, pedal feel and stopping power from this Brembo setup is vastly improved over the Cooper S.

2009 Mini Cooper JCW

The Bottom Line

The Mini Cooper JCW may just be the most economical way to go fast in these days of $4-a-gallon gasoline. That is, if you can get over the sticker shock: The JCW starts at $29,200, but a decked-out Clubman can run you in excess of $42,000. That, friends, is not cheap. But the upshot is you will have a lot of fun as a member of this very exclusive club.

Source: Popular Mechnics

Article Date: Sep 04, 2008
Car Accociations: NEW_MINI
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