Last month we at MotoringFile reported that MINI (and MINI USA) had planned on releasing both the R56 Suspension and Engine kit in July of this year. While it looks like that will mostly hold true, we’ve learned that the engine kit may be pushed back to an August introduction for the US.

The first R56 JCW engine kits are manufactured and have already left the factory. In fact Mike Cooper told me himself that he helped to pack and ship the crates to get them out the door on time. In Europe and the UK expect the kits to be available at dealers very soon with US sales starting a few weeks later due to some (non-performance related) software tweaking.

The suspension kits on the other hand are ready to go and should be available to dealers shortly. In the US the hold-up is simply getting the springs ordered and in the country to ship out with the JCW suspension kits themselves.

You can read more about both the R56 JCW Engine and Suspension kits below:

JCW R56 Engine Kit Details

With the John Cooper Works Tuning Kit for the MINI Cooper S, the output of the 1.6 litre twin scroll turbo engine is increased to an impressive 141 kW/192 bhp, with maximum torque up to 250 Newton metres in the engine speed range between 1,750 and 5,000 rpm. With the overboost function, the torque level can even be increased temporarily to 199lbf-ft/270nm (with overboost) for powerful acceleration in the engine speed range from 1,750 to 4,500 rpm.

The kit will retail for $2100 in the US and 1689.80 Euros in Europe (both w/2hrs suggested installation time).

JCW R56 Suspension Kit Details

The new version of this kit differs slightly from the previous version in that it now includes both front and rear stabilizer bars. The addition of the larger sway bars is meant to further help with neutral handling at the limit and allow for most stability out of corners. We at MotoringFile have often thought of the previous JCW suspension kit as the most underrated of all factory accessories. With the R56’s lighter aluminum rear suspension and the addition of upgraded front and rear sway bars, this new version promises to be even better.

The new JCW Suspension Kit (like the previous) drops the car around 1cm (or 0.3937 inches). So it doesn’t exactly slam the car but it does subtly lower it without sacrificing everyday driveability.

You can see the official installation PDF below:

[ R56 JCW Suspension PDF ] Official MINI Install Instructions

Note: The above PDF is not really suitable for DYI instructions as it doesn’t detail actual installation procedures.