Updated JCW Mini all about looking faster

A mid-life update for the most fiery car in the family turns up the styling temperature.

NOTHING changes when measured against the stopwatch – where it cuts more of a dash is in the look.

 So it goes for the refreshed edition of Mini’s fastest model.

Unveiled overnight and set to release in New Zealand in the third quarter of this year, the latest John Cooper Works street racer has the same power and performance figures as its predecessor.

 Don’t consider that to be a disappointment. Underneath the bonnet sits a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing a very respectable 170kW and 320Nm, driving the front wheels via either a six-speed manual transmission or an eight-speed torque-converter auto. It’ll smack out 0-100kmh in 6.3 seconds in manual, 6.1 in auto. Quick enough for a hot hatch, right?

As much as the refresh stands as being an easy ride for the BMW-owned make’s engine tuners, it’s certainly kept the styling department plenty busy.

There are numerous upgrades to the look. Most particularly, the entire front fascia has been completely redesigned. 

There’s an imposing matt black grille with a striking hexagonal design, contrasted by a new red stripe along its centre, signifying that it is no regular Mini. 

Tough-looking, body-coloured air ducts sit below the grille on either side of the number plate mounting point, feeding cool air into the braking system. Another set of angular air openings is there to cool the powertrain. 

At the rear, there’s a new, super-aggressive diffuser finished in a shade of matte black that blends into the finishing edge of the flared rear wheel arches. 

Sitting square in the middle of this novel diffuser is a set of 85-millimetre stainless steel sports tailpipes with a contrasting chrome finish. 

To help slow the hot hatch down, Mini has redesigned the Bremdo-provisioned braking system. The four-piston front brake calipers are also painted red and adorned with the John Cooper Works logo. 

The 2021 model also achieves new lightweight John Cooper Works alloy wheels, which can be had in either a 17 or 18-inch sizing. 

A bespoke chassis tune for the suspension comes as standard for the JCW, and as an optional extra, buyers can tick Mini’s Adaptive Suspension box.

These electronically controlled dampers make adjustments to suit the road conditions in just 50-100 milliseconds, for a more dynamic ride. There will also be a number of different modes that can be selected depending on the driver’s mood, which includes ‘Lounge’ and ‘Sport’ mode. In other works, hit the switch to achieve various degrees of joltiness. But, still, it’s not being promoted as a limo, right?

Inside, the updated hatch comes with a host of new features including a redesigned central instrument cluster and an 8.8-inch touchscreen display.

The Mini’s infotainment software has also been updated, benefiting from a revised display that makes interfacing with the audio, navigation, communication and app systems more intuitive.  

The JCW also comes with a host of safety features as standard that include adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality and parking assist.

Boardwalk for seaside jaunts

MINI feels the sand between its toes with a special edition.

AN assault has left the latest from MINI looking black and blue, but no need to involve authorities.  

We’re talking about another style assault from BMW’s Brit brand.

Black highlights and blue paintwork is a hero look defining the Boardwalk, a special edition with specific styling cues and specification that applies to a limited run the Countryman small sports utility.  

Ten Cooper and 20 Cooper S petrol variants are scheduled for New Zealand, respectively priced from $56,990 and $64,600. The cheap is powered by a 100kW/220Nm 1.5-litre turbo three-cylinder while the other a 141kW/280Nm 2.0-litre turbo four.

Both models are front-wheel-drive and feature seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmissions.

Standard equipment includes Deep Laguna Metallic exterior paint, Boardwalk-specific side scuttles and decals, black roof rails, Piano Black mirror caps, roof, grille and badges, 18-inch black alloy wheels, and LED headlights, tail-lights and fog lights.

Inside, standard features include Mini Yours black leatherette trim, Boardwalk Edition dashboard trim and door sills, Piano Black trim accents, anthracite headlining, a 5.0-inch digital instrument cluster, an 8.8-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and a reversing camera, a Harmon/Kardon 12-speaker sound system, and Mini Connected services.

There's also keyless entry, push-button start, front and rear parking sensors, heated sports seats, a panoramic sunroof, autonomous emergency braking and the Picnic Bench, a small cushion allowing the boot to be used safely as a seating area during a picnic.

The Countryman Cooper S Boardwalk adds a black honeycomb pattern for the front grille, a JCW Sport steering wheels, black leather-trimmed 'Cross Punch' seats with electric adjustment and memory, and adaptive cruise control.

And if you think you might have seen the paint colour before? Correct: The same hue offered on last year’s MINI Convertible Sidewalk edition.

MINI says the Boardwalk is intended to “combines signature traits of the iconic British brand like precision engineering and beautiful craftsmanship in a handsome package, celebrating a universal love for the seaside.”

MINI update tweaks trim, tech

The revised editions arrive after June.

THE MINI hatch and convertible have been revised for 2021, with styling tweaks inside and out, adoption of an adaptive suspension system and a revised infotainment system that allows for phone control of some functionality.

The updated line is set to land in New Zealand in the second half of this year. Local pricing will be revealed closer to launch. 

The most obvious styling change is at the front, where MINI has increased the size of the grille, added a body-coloured strip and new black surround.  

Air inlets have also replaced spot lamps in the lower section of the front bumper, while the inside of the headlights is now finished in black rather than chrome.

Three new exterior finishes, Rooftop Grey, Island Blue and Zesty Yellow are also available.

Also, this update brings introduction of a ‘Multitone Roof’; roofs in certain models feature a colour gradient — one colour at the front gradually fading into another colour for the rear. It’s supposedly a world first.

The big interior revision is to the infotainment; the 8.8-inch touch screen is new and the system which now runs a new operating system, which also includes the ability to control various functions with a phone app.

A new sports steering wheel and a five-inch digital instrument cluster now come as standard across the entire line-up, too. 

Among the performance tweaks is an updated adaptive suspension system in all models except for the electric.

This constantly monitors and adjusts the car’s suspension through the use of continuous frequency-selective damping. MINI says it “redefines the brand’s hallmark go-kart feeling”.

Powertrains are unchanged and local market provisions will continue to comprise 100kW280Nm three-cylinder, a pair of turbocharged four-cylinders - the 141kW/280Nm Cooper S unit and 170kW/320Nm version in the John Cooper Works flagship - plus to the MINI Cooper SE’s 135kW/270Nm electric motor.