Revised 2011 JCW: More Power & Unique Styling

I swore not to read posts anymore and I should have stuck to it. I’ve never seen such a bunch of Negative Nancy’s before. I thought how could anyone be upset about them making improvements to the JCW? Wrong! Mini is making improvements to the JCW, you should be happy. This is a step in the right direction. You don’t even know all of the details yet you still complain. Just because you think you’re a die hard Mini Enthusiast, and you have a certain view as to what Mini should be doesn’t mean you’re right. Maybe if you don’t like what Mini is doing it means you’re not an enthusiast and instead you’re clinging on to something else and should just let Mini go and move on.

@ that.guy, +1.

@ Huckleberry, I don’t think people are intending to be overly negative. The big pic is as stated by most here – the R56 JCW changes announced are welcome. However, a key improvement – suspension upgrade to JCW level – is conspicuous by its absence.

It does seem the hardest-core model is being reserved for the R56 Coupe, so that model may stoke the greatest enthusiasm.

To me, one of the attractions of the current JCW is that it does sort of blend in. There’s nothing external that shouts Boy Racer. There’s nothing wrong with a degree of visual exclusivity, but it shouldn’t draw undue attention. That’s what options and aftermarket parts are for if you want to go that route.

i may have fallen behind on my MINI news–will there be an all new JCW for 2012 to go with the next gen?

@Haemish I wasn’t even singeling you out, or even paying you much attention. But I still managed to get your panties in a bunch? Although I agree, it would be nice to have the JCW suspension as standard, I just wasn’t upset about it. I was more annoyed at some of the people that give their default negative response because they are “old school die hard mini enthusiast” so their opinion is the only one that counts. They haven’t been happy since the R56 came out, probably has nothing to do with the R56 but due to the fact that they are just unhappy people and are coming to terms with getting old. I myself am glad that at least they are starting to address some concerns, and have taken a step in the right direction. Also a little annoyed at the ignorance of people with the rear diffuser. Most race cars have them because they serve a purpose not because it looks good. But hey lets complain about it. eh whatever feel free to write whatever as I won’t be coming back to read it

“They haven’t been happy since the R56 came out, probably has nothing to do with the R56 but due to the fact that they are just unhappy people and are coming to terms with getting old.”

Can you kindly let us off your psychoanalyst couch now Dr. Strangelove? Because I am pretty sure: (i) you can’t legitimately group everyone who has ever expressed a negative opinion of the R56 let alone dismiss them summarily; and, (ii) your comment is preposterously off the mark, but redeemed by being so funny. ;)

As I have said many times, I would have much less reservation about lauding the R56 and even recommending it to my friends looking for a scrappy euro hatch (putting styling aside entirely and letting them judge that for themselves) if MINI didn’t take half-steps towards handling performance and driving feel. More power is not the answer… the JCW and even stock S has PLENTY of power and more power only exaggerates their softness and FWD-itis (something years ago you would say about a VW GTI, but definitely not about the MINI)… but as Haemish writes above, the factory cars no longer stand out as class-leading fantastic real-world point-to-point speed, steering wheel feel, FWD-that-doesn’t-feel-like-FWD (most of the time), etc. This is not because people have “moved on”… it is because MINI has “moved away” from some core driving dynamics that in the gen1 car they deservedly won accolades for and gained a new generation of fans – many who have stayed with the brand and are buying the gen2 family of cars, for that matter.

The suspension parts have been developed, and MINI should be less shy about speccing them as standard, especially on Factory JCW cars. Especially since it is the halo car, it does the entire range a disservice to ship Factory JCW’s with base suspension.

I want MINI product planners finalizing spec on the upcoming “twins” to take note and release at least a top-end model that makes no apologies about its handling, driving feel, and engine/exhaust sounds. I personally really do believe they’ll nail the Coupe…

I just reread this, and I’m scratching my head…

For those who want to leave the look of the JCW the way it is, read the first line of the article. JCW sales have been disappointing–keeping it as is isn’t an option. If you want engine performance similar to the JCW, buy an S, and get it tuned by RMW or Mynes. If it’s just the JCW badges you’re after, by a few on ebay, tack them on your car, and problem solved. I won’t tell anybody. I promise.

Now, for those calling the add ons “boy racer” parts, get over it. These are parts directly off the Challenge cars, they are FUNCTIONAL. The under body panels started with the GP, are standard on the R56, and a rear diffuser will only make things better. I’ll bet those complaining about the rear diffuser never take your car to the track–if you did, you’d see this as a godsend, not an anomaly. The MINI feels like it’s ready to take off at high speed–the front end lifts noticeably, the steering gets light. Anything that helps with downforce–front splitter, rear diffuser, is a GOOD thing. The same people that are complaining about the diffuser are probably the same ones who are in love with the faux hood scoop on the R56…

But it doesn’t make sense to go through the motions of improving aerodynamics and leaving the suspension alone. At the very least, add the JCW suspension–factory installed, the cost difference is negligible, or better yet, adjustable coilovers. That’s probably a reach though.

Brakes are good. Maybe stainless steel lines, otherwise they’re spot on.

The JCW should be about performance primarily, luxury secondarily. That’s the JCW heritage, and BMW goofed on the first R56 JCW. Make the JCW like a BMW “M”–that’s what the JCW badge deserves, and that’s more along the lines of it’s heritage. It looks like BMW is making amends for it this time around.

And maybe they could make an “AMG” version to satisfy the other crowd: throw in a boatload of power, minimal other improvements, and a bunch of luxury equipment for a fast (in a straight line) but heavier than hell MINI….