2009 Factory JCW MCS

Sections: JCW | R56 (Hatch) Jul 16th, 2007 67 Comments

As we reported last winter, MINI has decided to create two distinct JCW models for the R56. The first (which is being released later this month and is available at dealers) is down on power but way up on torque over the previous car. In fact it’s been called the fastest MINI ever by none other than Mike Cooper himself.

However it won’t be the fastest for long. Wedged in between the introduction of the R55 Clubman in the fall of 2007 and the R57 Convertible in the spring of 2009 will be the a new factory JCW MINI that will not only out pace the previous JCW kit and JCW GP but the new R56 dealer install kit as well.

We first reported on the “Stage II” kit (as we’re calling it) last winter with some sketchy details on general performance targets. At the time sources we’re telling us that the factory kit would not only be the fastest MINI ever but would also include some unique standard features; upgraded brakes and electronic LSD for a more well-rounded performance package than that of the previous factory JCW car.

However what we did not know was the time-frame for the car. Our sources are now telling us that the new car will be available from the factory for the start of the 2009 model year. That means production should start in the summer of 2008.

There is one specific way the R56 factory JCW car will differ from the dealer installed kit (other than power output). Because of the need for LSD, this version (like the previous R53 factory JCW car) will only be available with a manual transmission.

Prices are still a moving target at this point as there’s some internal debate as to the positioning of the car. However several sources having been telling us for quite some time that pricing should be at or below the previous factory R53 JCW car despite the addition of the body-kit and suspension upgrades.

Written By: Gabe

Nigel

Jon, prepare yourself to be smoked by the R55 S. :)
Jon

I hear you nuvolari, but think the info we already have seen some info on this. First of all I think long term the stage 1 kit will be available to the entire brand. However as what Gabe shared with us in the initial story above you can already see the automatic isn’t going to be offered. Not sure if this will be true over the long term. I am sure though that they are looking at the development costs versus historical sales data and the proposed sales numbers to figure out what they will do.

Your second statment about after market could be true, but if you take the exact same components and put them on a coupe and then on the clubman, the coupe will still be faster around the track, its just basic phyics.
Nigel

Really Jon? Can you enlighten us with your physics calculations? :)
scott

Yeah Jon, I’m setup man on a race team and am study mechanical engineering, so what are you talking about?
Jon

Probably the best single way to understand what I am talking about its this. Just remember the three basic laws that Newton gave to us and consider the following.

A=M/F

Hence the lighter car will always out accelerate the heavier car. Also the longer car will shift its greater mass further away from the drive wheels. Also breaking will also follow suite, a greater mass takes longer to deaccelerate, though the greater mass moveing over the wheels will assist the car. With equal breaking force the lighter vehicle will stop first.

While cornering the heavier vehicle takes greater force to overcome its inertia to make the corner. Add to this that all cars basically “pivot” on the inner rear wheelbase the longer wheelbase will not turn as sharp as the shorter wheelbase.

If we take two cars with the performance setup the lighter shorter wheelbase car will out accelerate, break, and corner the heaver longer wheelbase. Don’t get me wrong, I am sure the Clubman will move nicely, but never as well as the coupe. I believe that if you build a car with being the best performace possible you ahould stick with the best possible platform.
nuvolari

Jon, I hereby challenge you to a time trial event at Sears Point sometime in 2009. You in a Stage II JCW “coupe”, and me in my aftermarket-tweaked Clubman. You are going down hard, sir. :)
Jon

Ohh love Sears Point, and I would love nothing more that seeing more Mini’s out playing on the track. Win, lose, or draw track time for Mini’s is a win/win process. It allows drivers to improve their control skills and for us to play with performance and speed in an area devoid of others. This is true even for a lumbering Mini station wagons ;).

Would love to have a Clubman’s on the track, but having said that I will keep Mr. Newton riding co-pilot ok :)
John

This will be right about the time I make the final payment on my 05 MCS. As you all say in Jolly Ole England, “Perfect”. This sounds exactly like what I’ll want when it gets here. Whats the USA delivery time expected to be?
PGT

250hp, 8k redline and AWD will get me to sell my R53 for an R56, otherwise I’ll head back to Subaru and get 330hp, AWD and four doors for the same money as an R56 JCW StgII.
ScottRiqui

Jon, I’ll assume that your butchery of Newton’s second law was a typo, but it’s F=MA, or M=F/A, or A=F/M.
Jimny Crockett

Do you suppose MINI would be be as audacious as VW and create a mid-engined monster? The VW uber Golf (nee Rabbit) rockets to 200 mph plus via a transplanted Bentley W12. BMW certainly has the expertise to perform this kind of exciting surgery to stir the imaginations and emotions of MINI-ites everywhere. Why not … what are they waiting for? VW is not content to remain upstaged by any other hot hatches — including MINI. Get movin’ MINI before the keylight does!
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http://www.motoringfile.com Mike Manzi

Well, pursuant to my comment on the 07 JCW kit release board, this seems more like it as far as being like my 04 JCW MCS. Still wondering about the torque steer (and turbo vs supercharger) though. Oh well, I guess I have plenty of time between now and Sept of 08 to think about it.
Dr Obnxs

A longer wheel base will keep more weight on the front wheels. It’s the same reason that some FWD cars use drag bars. If you’re interested into this more, check out the endyn site. There’s a long technical article about it. Has to do with lever arm length.

But we’ll see what’s up here. They have to do something because Minis butt is being kicked all over the map in the HP games. And while I’m the first to admit that HP isn’t the say all, end all, do all, there are a lot that buy based on this number. And like PGT says, for similar bucks, you sure can get more HP in an AWD package.

Matt
http://eight6.com Noel Jackson

Is this story still true? Will there be a Stage II kit?
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

Of course it’s true. The car was released at the Geneva autoshow last month and will be going into production this June.

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