MINI’s New JCW Challenge Race Car

Sections: JCW | Motorsports | Official News Aug 14th, 2007 90 Comments

Official MINI Press Release: MINI performance is to be taken to new levels with the new MINI John Cooper Works CHALLENGE, a MINI Cooper S built specifically for track use and ready to race. Set for its first public appearance at the forthcoming IAA Motor Show in Frankfurt, deliveries of the new car will take place from spring 2008. Key characteristics of the new car include a higher top speed, increased torque, faster acceleration and optimised traction.

Power enhancements are at the core of the striking CHALLENGE car’s modifications. As well as a re-developed twin-scroll turbocharger, the standard MINI Cooper S engine receives modified pistons, air filter, air intake passage, catalytic converter, exhaust components, electronic sensors and engine management system.

Numerous chassis and suspension tweaks add to what is a finely-tuned racing package. The new suspension system features adjustable damper units from KW Automotive, designed specifically for motorsport. A six-speed manual gearbox transmits power to 17″ front wheels made by Borbet and shod with exclusive new racing tyres manufactured by Dunlop.

Body revisions based on the John Cooper Works Aerodynamic Kit, currently available from all MINI dealers, are key features of the CHALLENGE car’s set-up. To generate increased downforce at higher speeds, CHALLENGE car owners can expect a new adjustable rear spoiler, rear diffuser and performance front spoiler. The new braking system performs exceptionally. Large four-piston calipers mean the car can go from 62 Ã¢â‚¬â€œ 0mph in just 3.1 seconds. A race-specific ABS configuration and an air-pressure elevating system complete the product modifications, which together equate to a vehicle 30kg lighter than the previous CHALLENGE car.

Safety measures perfect the array of MINI CHALLENGE car features. A roll cage welded firmly to the body of the car houses RECARO bucket seats combined with a six-point safety belt, along with the HANS (Head And Neck Support) system used in Formula 1 cars.

Although the car is designed for race participation, private owners may find owning a MINI CHALLENGE car a compelling prospect. However, the car will not be licensed for public roads and as such is expected to maintain its appeal among racing enthusiasts.

The MINI Challenge race series is fast gaining presence and popularity around the world. Since 2004, Challenge races have been staged in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria and New Zealand. In 2008, MINI Australia will also hold a Challenge competition.

Race teams will receive the first MINI CHALLENGE cars from March 2008. Private customers not competing in the MINI Challenge series can expect deliveries of cars from June 2008. An order form for the car can be downloaded from 11 September 2007 at www.MINI.com/challenge-car and the expected price is Ã¢â€šÂ¬49,900 inc. VAT.

MINI John Cooper Works Challenge performance data:

Model	Power Hp	Torque Nm	0 Ã¢â‚¬â€œ 62mph Seconds 0 – 62	Top Speed Mph
MINI Cooper S	175	240*	7.1	140
MINI CHALLENGE	210	260**	6.1	149

* 260Nm with Overboost ** 280Nm with Overboost

MotoringFile Analysis: As promised MINI will be debuting the new JCW Challenge car at Frankfurt with hopes of selling quite a few for the 2008 racing season. But what does this mean for those waiting for a JCW factory car? Quite a bit as it turns out. We have it on good authority (Dr. Kay Segler himself) that the new Challenge race car will form the basis of the new JCW factory car. So we’re effectively getting a sneak peak at the specification of the 2009 factory JCW today.

The look of the car will also likely preview the factory JCW with the current JCW aerokit forming the basis of all the visual modifications. The key difference with the race car are the brake ducts where the fog-lights and driving-lights are currently located on the road car, the huge GP-esque wing and rear defuser.

Look for the factory JCW road car to debut next year.

Extra Large Image Downloads

You can see some extra large versions of the JCW Challenge car images below. Right click on each link to download to save to your computer:

Front View / Side View / Rear View

Written By: Gabe

dark06mcs

and the attached document? i was hoping to see performance figures and some engine specs
DavidB

I think it looks awesome and I can’t wait to see (and hear) it on the track..
JeffH

… and just like that, the wheel gap is totally gone! I wonder how they keep this guy from bottoming out. Is the suspension a preview of JCW car also, or just the engine?
http://www.rustysteeldesigns.com rustysteel

I was just about to link this but of course Motoring is always ahead of the game. Looks awesome…
Jon

Very interesting indeed. Would love to see all three modifications (Front brake ducts, rear diffuser, wing) to come with the factory JCW. With the addition of the rear diffuser wonder what they have done with the underside of the car.

Still would love to see something more than the 210 hp in the factory car but then again the 260NM of torque is nice. Down 5 hp on the GP but up ~15nm torque over the GP. I have little doubt that the factory car is going to be a cool car, though I have absolutely no doubts that this will a great starting point to modify make make all mine.
lavardera

The rear fascia is also altered for those two big air extractors. The front spoiler lip looks larger too and thank god it does not have those stupid turn-buckles on it.

What are the two tear-drop shaped black forms on the rear hatch?

I’d also like to know what the two digital displays at the tach and speedo are about.
Ken

My guess is that those tear drop shapes might be vents to allow air to pass through the open windows to stop that lovely buffeting you get at higher speeds.
TomB

This is the first R56 that has actually looked good to me, there is hope…
Josh

So my question is, should I get a 2008 BMW 135i this spring or 2009 JCW MCS next fall? I currently have a 2003 MC and assume the price will be rather close between the two.
http://www.mini2.info Axel (bigagsl)

gabe, you have to come back to germany in 2008, to make another taxi-ride with chris in the new challenge mini!
Josemaria

I would like to know when we you should expect the JCW Stage II in US. Also, is the JCW Stage II will resemble somewhat the Mini JCW Challenge? I read somewhere (may be here -Motoringfile-) that it would be close to 220 hp and 0-60MPH under 6 sec. Is it true?

Thanks in advanced for the response!
Nigel

This is the first R56 that has actually looked good to me, there is hopeÃ¢â‚¬Â¦

Alleluia! Same here. When I first saw the photo I thought it was a preview of the R56 facelift…Hehe.

You know what totally transforms the look of the car? Lowering it! Gone is the 4WD stance of the stock R56.

Memo to MINI: Lower the stock ride height of your cars!!
Josh

If you look closely, there is one of those tear drop things on the left side of the hood too.
Scott

Has anyone heard anything about a MINI Challenge series in the US? I would be very interested.
Ken

“Private customers not competing in the MINI Challenge series can expect deliveries of cars from June 2008.”

Is this going to be street legal?
http://TheBlackBrian.com BrianBlack

(Drooling)
miamijag

Uff, very nice. Would love to have a street version a la Porsche RS. Get rid of the wing, the roll cage and put some friendlier Recaros, leave everything else on and it would sell better than the R32. On the mean time a Lotus will do.
FH

Wow.

That’s the first thing I thought when I saw that photo. Up until now, I have been underwhelmed by the R56, but that one just totally made blew me away and made me want a new MINI again.
heyduard

Love that negative camber up front!!!

And from the FA, the Challenge cars are NOT street legal.

As for the ride height, I’m guessing the KW’s are short bodied shocks along with “coilover” goodness to keep a reasonable amount of travel for a race car (read “no travel for the street”).
Brian

Lower ride = MUCH better looks. Thanks MINI for removing the off-road hight. Big difference for me.
MauiMac

“Wow.

Thats the first thing I thought when I saw that photo”… then I saw the back with that airplane wing… I vomited a little bit in my mouth…
http://www.alldigitalnyc.com drew

that’s it.

i’m converted now.

give me a factory r56 with that kind of stance and you’ve just sold me a car…
TomB

Gabe,

Can you post a hi-rez version of the interior photo?

Thanks
Doug

The JCW factory car specs–if this is the basis–are promising. Very promising… But then… cost. I kinda wonder what BMW is going to do, since the upcoming 135i coupe in the US will have 300hp and all the driving dynamics you’d want in a smaller BMW. It will probably be about $40k.
Ian F

I swear some of you guys didn’t even read the article…

It’s a race car… no it won’t be street legal… and the wing is designed to WORK, not look pretty…

Current Challenge teams will get their cars first. “Customer car” refers to other would-be racers or just well-healed folks who want a dedicated track car…

Often cars like this are made with no stamped VIN number so the car could never be registered for street use. Well legally, anyway… there are, of course, ways to get around anything if you are will to pay for it… ;)
snid

photoshopped?

The front brakes look to be the same size (too small) as the rear brakes.
gokartride

Nice car…and I agree, all business. Should make the Challenge series very interesting. Quite a car considering it’s coming from the factory!!
andreas

MINI John Cooper Works CHALLENGE.

MINI John Cooper Works Performance Motor:
Vierzylinder-Reihenmotor mit Twin-Scroll- Turbolader und Benzin-Direkteinspritzung,
vorn quer eingebaut Rennsport-Abgasanlage Hubraum: 1598 cm3
Leistung: 154 kW/210 PS
max. Drehmoment: 260 Nm (mit Overboost: 280 Nm)

KraftuÃŒË†bertragung: Frontantrieb, Sechsgang-Handschaltgetriebe

Fahrwerk: EinzelradaufhaÃŒË†ngung, McPherson-Federbeine vorn, Zentrallenker-Hinterachse, EPAS (Electrical Power Assisted Steering), 17 Zoll-Aluminiumfelgen (Borbet)
im MINI CHALLENGE Design, in Zug-Druckstufe
einstellbare StoÃƒÅ¸daÃŒË†mpfer (KW Automotive), verstellbare Federbein-Domstrebe vorn, Rennsport- Bremsanlage, rennspezifische ABS-Konfiguration, Sperrdifferenzial, Rennsport-Reifen (Dunlop)

Karosserie: John Cooper Works Aerodynamik Paket, verstellbarer HeckfluÃŒË†gel, Heckdiffusor, Luftdruck-Hebevorrichtung zur Beschleunigung des Reifenwechsel-Vorgangs

Fahrleistungen: Beschleunigung (0Ã¢â‚¬â€œ100 km/h) in 6,1 Sekunden, HoÃŒË†chstgeschwindigkeit: 240 km/h, VerzoÃŒË†gerungswerte (100Ã¢â‚¬â€œ0 km/h): 3,1 Sekunden bzw. 31 Meter

Sicherheit: eingeschweiÃƒÅ¸ter UÃŒË†berrollkaÃŒË†fig, Sechspunkt- Sicherheitsgurt, automatische FeuerloÃŒË†schanlage,
Rennsportsitz inklusive Head And Neck Support
(HANS)-System

Gewicht: max. 1150 Kilogramm (einschlieÃƒÅ¸lich Fahrer)

(Bei den Technischen Daten handelt es sich um vorlaÃŒË†ufige Werte.)
http://calabashcattery.com pbraun

We need this series in the USA and Canada!
http://mini2.co.za Timmee

yum. those wheels. omg.
Jon

Pretty sure the tear drops on the tailgate and hood are latches.

Will really look forward to seeing the first race with these new cars. Hope Mini learns a lot about what people are looking forward to on a factory JCW car. No way a eventual factory car will be that lowered though it does look sharp.
http://mini2.co.za Timmee

now why is the JCW badge on the lower grille all of a sudden?
phaedrus

Vierzylinder-Reihenmotor mit Twin-Scroll- Turbolader und Benzin-Direkteinspritzung, vorn quer eingebaut Rennsport-Abgasanlage Hubraum: 1598 cm3 Leistung: 154 kW/210 PS max. Drehmoment: 260 Nm (mit Overboost: 280 Nm) KraftuÃŒË†bertragung: Frontantrieb, Sechsgang-Handschaltgetriebe Fahrwerk: EinzelradaufhaÃŒË†ngung, McPherson-Federbeine vorn, Zentrallenker-Hinterachse, EPAS (Electrical Power Assisted Steering), 17 Zoll-Aluminiumfelgen (Borbet) im MINI CHALLENGE Design, in Zug-Druckstufe einstellbare StoÃƒÅ¸daÃŒË†mpfer (KW Automotive), verstellbare Federbein-Domstrebe vorn, Rennsport- Bremsanlage, rennspezifische ABS-Konfiguration, Sperrdifferenzial, Rennsport-Reifen (Dunlop) Karosserie: John Cooper Works Aerodynamik Paket, verstellbarer HeckfluÃŒË†gel, Heckdiffusor, Luftdruck-Hebevorrichtung zur Beschleunigung des Reifenwechsel-Vorgangs Fahrleistungen: Beschleunigung (0Ã¢â‚¬â€œ100 km/h) in 6,1 Sekunden, HoÃŒË†chstgeschwindigkeit: 240 km/h, VerzoÃŒË†gerungswerte (100Ã¢â‚¬â€œ0 km/h): 3,1 Sekunden bzw. 31 Meter Sicherheit: eingeschweiÃƒÅ¸ter UÃŒË†berrollkaÃŒË†fig, Sechspunkt- Sicherheitsgurt, automatische FeuerloÃŒË†schanlage, Rennsportsitz inklusive Head And Neck Support (HANS)-System Gewicht: max. 1150 Kilogramm (einschlieÃƒÅ¸lich Fahrer) (Bei den Technischen Daten handelt es sich um vorlaÃŒË†ufige Werte.)

Ja. What he said :)

But seriously, though, like many above, this is the first R56 whose aesthetics have actually caught my attention.

But the performance figures, while impressive, don’t seem to match the eye-popping appearance. (Yet?)
b4mmy

looks brilliant :)
GregW

Those lucky Australians will get these cars for their series starting in 2008. New Zealand will be the year after. I would have thought that a series like this would be of interest to Canada and USA – a Can-Am series. As far as I know the instructions on where to mount the JCworks badge is in the fitting instructions and is on the lower air intake grille.
Chad

Attack of the awful photoshop! Icky.
micah

I’d race one (if I had an extra $60-70K that is)… :)

Any plans for a series in the states?
mytreesneedwater

O.k I may have to mortgage my house now and that roll cage is bad AXX. But on to a lighter note we all want new MIni colors!!!!!!!!Come on everyone (even Gabe) let’s make this happen!! Lets spread it through the virtual world- We are sick of old Mini colors it’s time for some new colors!!Pepper white is gross and boring blue has got to go- Chili red not even on a yugo!!
Astro S

Attack of the awful photoshop is right !!

Are any of the pic’s real?
Jon

A rouge translation of what Andreas said

CHALLENGE cause MINI John Cooper.

MINI John Cooper cause Performance motor: Vierzylinder-Reihenmotor with Twin-Scroll Turbolader and gasoline direct injection, ahead Rennsport-Abgasanlage Hubraum diagonally incorporated: 1598 CM3 achievements: 154 kW/210 HP max. Torque: 260 Nm (with Overboost: 280 Nm)

. Front wheel drive, Sechsgang-Handschaltgetriebe

Load work: McPherson-suspension struts ahead, headquarters handlebar-rear axle, EPAS (Electrical Power Assisted Steering), 17 customs aluminum rims (Borbet) in the MINI CHALLENGE design, in train pressure step adjustable (KW of car subject), suspension strut-Domstrebe adjustable ahead, Rennsport- brake concern, ABS-configuration race specific, Sperrdifferenzial, race sport-tires (Dunlop)

Car body: John Cooper cause aerodynamics of package, adjustable Heckdiffusor, air pressure elevated device to the acceleration of the tire of change-process

Performances: Acceleration (0Ã¢â‚¬â€œ100 km/h) in 6.1 seconds. 240 km/h, (100Ã¢â‚¬â€œ0 km/h) : 3.1 Seconds and/or 31 meters

Security: support (HANS)-System tease shrink-wrapped Sechspunkt- security belt, automatic race sport seats inclusive Head And

Weight: max. 1150 Kilograms (including driver)

(In the technical data concerns it values).
Jon

“Rough” that is ;)
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

Is the suspension a preview of JCW car also, or just the engine?

The JCW Sport Suspension that was released to dealers this week is more likely a preview of what the JCW Stage II car will have.

Very interesting indeed. Would love to see all three modifications (Front brake ducts, rear diffuser, wing) to come with the factory JCW. With the addition of the rear diffuser wonder what they have done with the underside of the car.

I’ve found that Euro spec MCSs already have underside panels similar to the GP where US version do not. Why.. I have no idea.

The front spoiler lip looks larger too and thank god it does not have those stupid turn-buckles on it.

What’s a turn-buckle? If you’re talking about the front airdam that gets lower in front of the wheels on the JCW aero-kit, that’s an aero trick that BMW uses on most of their M products in place of a less than road-worthy front splitter.

This is the first R56 that has actually looked good to me, there is hopeÃ¢â‚¬Â¦

That’s kind of an odd thing to say as this car is basically a MCS with the JCW kit aero-kit that has been available since last winter. Obviously the meaty rubber and extreme lowered suspension are nice touches but the combination would present some real clearance and comfort issues on public roads.

gabe – you have to come back to germany in 2008, to make another taxi-ride with chris in the new challenge mini!

Tell me when and where ;)

I would like to know when we you should expect the JCW Stage II in US. Also, is the JCW Stage II will resemble somewhat the Mini JCW Challenge? I read somewhere (may be here -Motoringfile-) that it would be close to 220 hp and 0-60MPH under 6 sec. Is it true?

Don’t mean to come off wrong… but please take look at some of our previous JCW articles for these answers. They are there and they’re easy to find.

Has anyone heard anything about a MINI Challenge series in the US? I would be very interested.

Again answers are on the site. There’s even a link to a related article within this post.

“Private customers not competing in the MINI Challenge series can expect deliveries of cars from June 2008.” Is this going to be street legal?

Answers are on the site elsewhere and in this case in this very article.

I swear some of you guys didnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t even read the articleÃ¢â‚¬Â¦

It’s amazing how few people actually read the entire article before commenting isn’t it? My favorite are the semi-nasty emails or comments we’ll get when we don’t answer questions that have been answered countless times already.

The front brakes look to be the same size (too small) as the rear brakes.

As with most automotive photography these days, these images are heavily processed. They’re best viewed from a distance.

As far as I know the instructions on where to mount the JCworks badge is in the fitting instructions and is on the lower air intake grille.

This is not true for the R56 “Stage I” dealer installed kit about to be released. The correct location (as indicated by MINI) is right side of the upper grille.

BTW how about that wicked rear JCW badge placement? I may just go this route as it’ll finally give me a good reason to lose that God-forsaken “S” logo.
Nigel

Gabe admit it……. This JCW Challenge R56 S is the best looking R56 I have ever seen. Lowering the car makes a huge difference visually and simply enhances the lines of the car. You can’t tell me the 4X4 ride height of the stock car is aesthetically pleasing to the eye because it isn’t. And that lowering the car will have an impact in ride quality and would pose a challenge in public roads is simply…well unsubstantiated opinions.

If you lower your car, you’ll come to appreciate what many of us have been saying here.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

Gabe admit itÃ¢â‚¬Â¦Ã¢â‚¬Â¦. This JCW Challenge R56 S is the best looking R56 I have ever seen. If you lower your car, youÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ll come to appreciate what many of us have been saying here.

Frank – Why do you need my affirmation? I’ve been saying the same thing since day one and I’ve written about it countless times. It was the same situation on the R53 – the stock ride height just wasn’t entirely aggressive. The R56 ride is the same but it’s magnified by the greater space in the wheel wells (allowing for more travel). Naturally the race car looks better slammed. Do you want me to say it as an asterisk in every single comment so you can remember?
gokartride

Some people sure like their cars lowered!!!
Drill

Great, as if I needed ANOTHER reason to look forward to the Frankfurt Auto Show, lol.
Jon

Gabe “IÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ve found that Euro spec MCSs already have underside panels similar to the GP where US version do not. Why.. I have no idea.”

Maybe a good point to remember the next time your exchanging emails with some of your contacts at Mini. Seems more than a little silly to offer different aero pieces. Can’t imagine it does anything to the crash worthiness. Maybe its just all about the cost to product these parts for the US. Depending on the kit they develop for the factory JCW I will be doing a major exhaustive search of components from Europe. I was very excited to see the undercarriage panels in some of the previous shots and very put out that they aren’t on the current kit. I also think the diffuser would look much better than the current design, although I think the current one looks decent.

Would love to pursue the race version but without a series in the States it would put you into a very tough class which has a lot of better cars in it. Going to be a tough wait to watch and see what they do with the factory JCW. Still holding the #1 delivery spot at my dealership, so you might say more than a little eager.
Jon

Hands down the most interesting info in the story

“As well as a re-developed twin-scroll turbocharger, the standard MINI Cooper S engine receives modified pistons, air filter, air intake passage, catalytic converter, exhaust components, electronic sensors and engine management system”

Twin-scroll turbo – wishing hard that they would have gone for a twin turbo.

Air intake – Will the mail slot finally have a purpose

Electronic sensors – lots of possibilities here.
MINI Fireman

BTW how about that wicked rear JCW badge placement? I may just go this route as itÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ll finally give me a good reason to lose that God-forsaken “S” logo.

So shave it already. ;D

Some people sure like their cars lowered!!!

Stance is EVERYTHING. :D

Let’s hope much of this makes it into the street version. I second the new colors mantra, but first bring back Jet Black.
lavardera

WhatÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s a turn-buckle? If youÃ¢â‚¬â„¢re talking about the front airdam that gets lower in front of the wheels

A turn-buckle is a piece of adjustable hardware used like this:

I’m just saying that I’m glad they did not give the Mini challenge car this kind of treatment with the splitter and hardware, since it seems to be popular with some Mini owners. This jumped the shark when they put it on the nascar car-of-tomorrow…

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