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EVO Magazine Drives the R56 JCW (Updated)

When we last told you about this review, it was only available in print. Now behold, it’s online. The car is equipped with the dealer installed “Stage I” JCW Engine Kit but has the standard suspension. Here’s an excerpt:

I had a hunch it’d be quick on track as well, and couldn’t resist sneaking over to the Bedford Autodrome to find out. The times are unofficial, as I didn’t have the requisite passenger and full tank of fuel, but the Works went considerably faster than any Mini we’ve timed before. In fact, it went faster than every other hot hatch, too. It requires a distinct technique to extract the best from it, though, braking very late for the faster turns, still squeezing the middle pedal as you turn in, keeping the weight over the nose. It won’t arc its tail like a Clio, instead it’ll keep you neatly on line, ready to deploy that extra power well before the apex. It’s a method that also works on the road, making the drive all the more involving.

Of course this is the “Stage I” kit – not the factory JCW (aka “Stage II”) that we reported on last week. Don’t expect press to get their hands on the factory JCW car until well after it’s introduction at the Geneva Motorshow in March. You can read the entire review below:

[ MINI Cooper S Works ] EVO Magazine

[ EVO Magazine Compares the R56 JCW and the Clio 197 ] EVO

greg Nov 12th, 2007 Link

Nice article. Thanks Gabe!

Mark Smith Nov 12th, 2007 Link

Thank you Gabe. Please people who are reading this don’t think the Stage One is a lesser setup because it excersises and flexes it’s muscle wonderfully. I absolutely love mine!

Davidvano Nov 12th, 2007 Link

This article confirms my own test drive at Mini of Nashville. This car is crazy quick. Mine is now awaiting shipment.

Fussner Nov 12th, 2007 Link

Gabe, if you hadnt noticed or was not informed yet MINI topped the Forbes most value-packed cars list. WOOOOOOO!!!

http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/autos_content_landing_pages/288/most-value-packed-cars;_ylc=X3oDMTE4a20wZTBtBF9TAzI3MTYxNDkEc2VjA2ZwLXRvZGF5BHNsawN2YWx1ZS1wYWNrZWQ-

Baddog Nov 12th, 2007 Link

Gabe, did you read the tire review in the same EVO issue? Thoughts?

Yucca Patrol Nov 13th, 2007 Link

If only I could go into a coma for the next 6-8 months so I don’t have to wait for the stage II to become available.

As much as I think the current JCW kit would please me, I know I would kick myself for not waiting a few more months for the factory kit.

nuvolari Nov 13th, 2007 Link

Yucca, I think you could achieve your goal with a steady diet of alcohol and barbituates. :)

YuccaPatrol Nov 13th, 2007 Link

I’ll get right on that nuvolari! LOL

greg Nov 13th, 2007 Link

Bet you need to stay in that coma for a year to wake up happy. If stage to was coming in the spring I would have waited.

Gabe. How about setting upp an “over/under” pool for stage 2 to hit the us with 9/1/08 as the middle?

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EVO Magazine Drives the R56 JCW (Updated)

Sections: In the Press | JCW Nov 12th, 2007 9 Comments

Written By: MF Staff