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

Related:

[ EVO Magazine Drives the R56 JCW (Part 1) ] EVO

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