As quick as it looks?
Quicker. We test at Gauteng altitudes which means we were probably not making 155kW at 6000rpm at all times. Second thing is by the time we could get going – thanks to some equipment challenges – the air temperature was already reaching 20 degrees Celcius. Thirdly because of other circumstances we could only use 93 unleaded petrol. All these factors contributed to the 0 – 100km/h time you see on the spec sheet but I’m convinced the John Cooper Works can dip into the mid 6s, perhaps even 6.6 seconds under the right conditions. Remember that MINI claims 6.5 so all in all 6.8 seconds it wasn’t a bad effort at all, I reckon.
That makes it quicker than the new GTI
Indeed it is. The two share a kiloWatt figure of 155 but the GTI is also heavier so naturally you’d expect it to bow down to this car when it comes to sprinting.
And the rest of the drive?
Surprisingly comfortable for such a stiff-tuned performance car. Front wheel drive is fine for the car when in cruise mode but many another time you do feel some torque steer, especially on uneven surfaces. Therefore the DSC button is advisably left on for the novice. The John Cooper Works has a very short threshold of tolerance when it comes to fuel consumption. Keep it steady and you’ll hardly visit the petrol station but prod regularly with the right foot and soon your name will be printed on the “best customers” list.
Is the interior changed a lot?
Not quite. Apart from the aluminium pedals and some John Cooper Works badging everything is still very much MINI. Nothing is over-the-top in styling terms; the minimalist approach has been taken. What’s really cool is the sound emanating from the rear when starting up the engine. There’s definitely more than just a hint of performance from the initial growl and you sense purpose in its intentions. The little twister on the centre console made it easy to navigate through the infotainment system as well as the navigation. I’m still against the speedometer being at the centre of the dashboard; as entertaining as it might be for some passengers, the driver is the person responsible for the car’s speed and should have first and main access to the information.
Otherwise the gear changes are engaging thanks to the short-throw ‘box and its big head. The steering wheel is thick and beefy, just the way I demand it.
As solid as the MINI JCW feels, some of the plastics utilised can get a bit much. A friend of mine has a Cooper S with over 130 000km on it. No issues have come up regarding these plastics (dashboard switches, steering wheel controls, door handles etc) so I guess they are quite durable regardless.
How much utility is in this car?
Not much I’m afraid. Boot space is enough to fit about two backpacks, while the rear seats are made for very short people or small children. I’ll be quite happy to see the arrival of the MINI Coupe and Roadster which don’t pretend to be family hatchbacks.
Who buys a MINI John Cooper Works?
Someone looking for an exceptional premium road performer, but with no qualms about space. Motorists seeking a thrill-a-minute in a daring package have nowhere to look in this price bracket.
QUICK STATS
MINI JOHN COOPER WORKS HATCH
ENGINE: 1.6-litre straight four, turbo
POWER: 155kW / 211hp at 6000rpm; 260Nm between 1850rpm and 5600rpm
0 – 100KM/H: 6.8 seconds
GEARBOX: 6-speed manual
TOP SPEED: 238km/h
FUEL AVERAGE: 10.2 l/100km
CO2 e: 165 g/km
WHEELS AND TYRES: Cross Spoke Challenge wheel 7Jx17” 205/45 R17 with runflat tyres
PRICE STANDARD: R321 000
NATURAL RIVALS: None
*PRICE RIVALS: Audi A4 1.8T Multitronic, Audi A3 2.0T FSI, Volvo C30 T5 Geartronic, BMW 320i Start Auto, Jeep Wrangler 3.8 Sahara 2-door Auto, Ford Focus 2.5 ST 5-door, Dodge Journey 2.7 RT Auto, Honda CR-V 2.0i RVSi, Mitsubishi Triton 3.2 Di-DC 4x4 D-Cab, Renault Koleos Dynamique 2.5 4x4, Volkswagen Scirocco 2.0 TSi, Mazda6 2.5 Individual
OPTIONS ADDED: Leather seats (14 000), xenon headlights (R7 000), Bluetooth interface (R4 200), black bonnet stripes (R850), 6-CD changer (R4 400), professional navigation (R24 700)
BABE-MAGNETIC FACTOR: Very High
*A price rival falls within R20 000 or so of the subject’s price on either side of its price spectrum for cars over R350 000, R10 000 for cars of between R250 000 and R350 000 and R5 000 for cars below R250 000.
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