The History of the Modern JCW Tuning Kits

This bit of information was part of the recent JCW press release from MINI UK but we felt it deserved it’s own published post. It’s a great way to take a look back at all the various JCW products throughout the years.

What’s in a name?

John Cooper Works under the ownership of BMW Group

The Cooper name originates from John Cooper, an engineering legend inextricably linked to the golden age of British motor racing throughout the 1960’s. With the introduction of new MINI in 2001, the Cooper name was reborn under the guidance of John’s son Mike, who began developing aftermarket tuning kits for the new MINI at the original John Cooper premises in East Preston, West Sussex.

In December 2006 BMW Group acquired the rights from Mike to the John Cooper Works Brand. Early in 2007, this transaction became effective and gave BMW Group the opportunity to develop this sub-brand and strengthen the MINI brand and product range.

The deal was agreed with the then owners of the John Cooper Works brand and in 2008, Mike Cooper remains as a consultant on the BMW Group’s John Cooper Works brand strategy. Mike has been involved in the design and production of the aftersales tuning kits available for the MINI Cooper S.

Although no longer producing their own tuning kits or accessories under the name John Cooper Works, Mike Cooper’s Cooper Car Company develops and supplies car accessories for various other corporate clients. The Cooper Car Company supplies BMW AG with hardware components for the current MINI Hatch aftersales tuning kit as well as sports air filters and sports exhausts for the BMW 3 Series. These parts bear the name John Cooper Works or BMW Performance respectively.

No formal cooperation agreement exists between the Cooper Car Company and BMW AG but given the successful relationship forged between both parties, it is planned and desired that the Cooper Car Company will be a partner of BMW AG for many years to come.

John Cooper Works tuning and MINI since 2003

The John Cooper Works tuning brand is a developing MINI story. Prior to the launches of the Oxford-built MINI John Cooper Works and MINI CHALLENGE cars in 2008, a line of aftermarket tuning kits and factory-built models plot the history of John Cooper Works back to 2003. In 2008, close to four thousand John Cooper Works-tuned MINIs are on UK roads.

2007 John Cooper Works Tuning Kit for MINI Cooper S

UK sales to date: 402

Technical specification

• Sports exhaust with chrome finish tailpipes
• Adapted air filter
• Modified engine control unit
• John Cooper Works badges Performance data
• 192 hp
• 250 Nm peak torque between 1,500 and 5,000 rpm. With Overboost deployed, peak torque is increased to 270 Nm between 1,750 and 4,500 rpm.
• 0-62 mph in 6.8 seconds

2006 MINI Cooper S with John Cooper Works GP Kit

UK sales: 454 (Limited production of 2,000 models for worldwide sale)

Technical specification

• Limited Slip Differential
• ASC+T
• EBD
• DSC as a no-cost option
• Rear seat bench removed to accommodate a polished reinforcement tube connecting the spring strut domes on the rear axle
• 16-inch John Cooper Works disc brakes
• Thunder Blue/Pure Silver paintwork with red caps on the exterior mirrors
• Adapted air filter
• Modified outlet ducts
• Modified injection nozzles and spark plugs
• Sports exhaust system with chrome finish tailpipes
• Modified engine control unit
• 18 inch light alloy wheels with low profile tyres
• John Cooper Works GP Aerodynamic Kit
• Recaro leather seats in Panther Black
• Bose audio system with CD player
• John Cooper Works GP badges

Performance data

• 1.6 litre supercharged engine
• 218hp
• 250 Nm peak torque at 4,600 rpm
• 149 mph top speed
• 0-62 mph in 6.5 seconds

2005-06 Sound Kit for MINI Cooper (Performance equal to standard MINI Cooper)

UK sales: 525

Technical specification

• Air filter system
• Stainless steel sports exhaust
• Modified engine control unit
• Engine cover finished in silver with John Cooper Works emblem
• John Cooper Works badges
• John Cooper Works certificate of authenticity

2004-06 John Cooper Works 210 hp Tuning Kit for MINI Cooper S

UK sales: 1209

Technical specification As 2003-04 John Cooper Works 200hp Tuning Kit for MINI Cooper S, but with: * JCW upgrade kit to increase power output, consisting of a complete JCW air filter system, injection nozzles with increased throughput and modified engine control unit

Performance data

• 210 hp
• 245 Nm peak torque at 4,500 rpm
• 143 mph top speed
• 0-62 mph in 6.6 seconds

2003-04 John Cooper Works 200 hp Tuning Kit for MINI Cooper S

UK sales: 1197

Technical Specification

• Complete John Cooper Works air filter system
• Modified cylinder head including valve drive and gaskets
• Sport rear silencer in stainless steel
• Modified supercharger
• Injection nozzles with increased throughput
• High power spark plugs
• Modified engine control unit
• John Cooper Works badges
• Engine cover finished in silver, including a John Cooper Works emblem
• John Cooper Works certificate of authenticity

Performance data

• 200 hp
• 245 Nm peak torque at 4,500 rpm
• 143 mph top speed
• 0-62 mph in 6.6 seconds