MINI’s four-door Countryman becomes the sixth member of the range to join the JCW family, and the first to combine the extra fizz with MINI’s ALL4 all-wheel drive system.
The Countryman receives the full complement of JCW features including an advanced aerodynamic kit, lowered sport suspension, 18-inch light alloy wheels, sports stripes and exclusive design features.
It will take centre stage for its world debut at March’s Geneva Motor Show and go on sale in the autumn priced at £27,800 in the UK.
The most powerful MINI production model of all time
Powered by a newly developed 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, the JCW Countryman uses a twin-scroll turbocharger, direct injection and variable valve control to produce 215 bhp at 6,100 rpm, with a peak torque of 280 Nm between 2,000 and 5,600 rpm – making it the most powerful MINI production model of all time. An Overboost function briefly pushes this up to 300 Nm.
The debut of MINI’s six-speed automatic transmission as an optional extra is another unique feature on this car.
Despite the additional weight of the all-wheel drive Countryman, performance is in keeping with the JCW philosophy – 0-62mph in 7.0 seconds is achievable with either the manual or automatic transmission, whilst top speed is 140mph – or 139mph when fitted with the auto transmission.
MINI’s energy efficiency technology, MINIMALISM, which includes Brake Energy Regeneration, Shift Point Display and Auto Start/Stop for models with a manual gearbox enables the JCW Countryman to achieve 39.2mpg and CO2 emissions of 167g/km respectively (35.3mpg and 187g/km on the auto).
Chassis/Drivetrain
The chassis has been developed specifically for the JCW Countryman and features a front axle with MacPherson struts, central-arm rear axle, electric power steering and a high-performance braking system unique to the Countryman.
The ALL4 all-wheel-drive system uses an electromagnetic centre differential to distribute drive seamlessly between the front and rear axles, which in normal conditions allows 50 per cent of power to the rear wheels, rising to anything up to 100 per cent when the going gets tough.
John Cooper Works sports suspension is standard, with stiffened spring and damper settings, strengthened anti-roll bars and a 10mm drop in ride height over the standard Countryman. The standard Sport Button sharpens the engine’s responses, retunes the exhaust note and adjusts the weighting of the steering’s power assistance.
Styling
In keeping with the John Cooper Works theme, the JCW Countryman is distinguished from its siblings by muscular aprons and bespoke side skirts, optimised for aerodynamic performance.
Customers can choose from seven exterior colours and a contrasting finish can be specified for the roof and door mirror caps. The iconic ‘John Cooper Works’ logo appears on the radiator grille, tailgate, door sills and near the side repeaters.
The car’s interior – available as a four or five-seater – also gets unique styling details including sports seats in diagonal track carbon black cloth trim with contrasting red stitching.
Piano Black trim strips around the cockpit, door panels and centre console are standard, whilst chili red trim on the cockpit, door and centre console are exclusive options available only on the JCW Countryman.
You can catch a first glimpse of the John Cooper Works Countryman in the metal, at next month’s Geneva Motor Show.
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