The MINI JCW Coupe in Motion
The MINI Coupe has been released and priced. Now it’s time for us to take a look at the thing actually moving. And as much as the pictures show us, there’s nothing quite like seeing a car under it’s own power to help define the design.
For those who missed the initial announcement earlier this week, the MINI Coupe will be launched internationally October 1st this year in four flavors; Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper SD (N/A in the US) and JCW. The launch will be followed by the Roadster next March.
<p>JIZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ im switching my R56 cooper S chilli for this!</p>
<p>LOL once again Jim McDowell as much as I respect and like him is way off base.</p>
<p>From Forbes</p>
<p>”
In fact, McDowell says, the Coupe may even give Porsche a run for its money.</p>
<p>“It will draw someone to the franchise that might have thought
before, ‘MINI is a great car, but I’m only going to get one chance to
drive a really sporty car, and I want to drive a Porsche,’†McDowell
told me. “This is the car that a Porsche driver might consider.â€Â
“</p>
<p>Sounds like he is still on his lark of MINI < Porsche that he helped prove earlier. Unlike Porsche MINI does not make a sports car. While the Coupe looks sporty and its breathed are sporty drivers the are anything but sports cars.</p>
<p>Just because you and know and understand the ideological difference between the two cars doesn’t mean others will. And I do think there’s some credence in what Jim is saying that that statement. There are many people that want a Porsche who (for many reasons) don’t want to be seen in one. And MINI of offering something that (in some people’s mind) be similar in style and attitude in a more efficient package with less societal baggage.</p>
<p>I doubt however there will be much of any movement from a Porsche to a less powerful sporty car from their true sports car.</p>
<p>Maybe Jim can bring Porsche back to another tiny autocourse track to go against the Coupe so MINI can be spanked again. Try as I might I cannot put the Coupe into any Porsche as competition. I think what Jim is saying is that the Coupe will offer some style for those who cannot afford a true sports car.</p>
<p>Porsche is downsizing engines across its range in the next ten years. They don’t operate in a vacuum any more.</p>
<p>This is true however I doubt they will ever produce a car that aligns with MINI. Porsche clearly stands for performance with a massive history of racing while MINI does have a fun history on the track its pretty irrelevant to the broader world of motorsports than Porsche will ever be.</p>
<p>Maybe… but I’m not convinced that they won’t compete at the high-end of
MINI one day. A $40K MINI Roadster may not look that different than a baby
Boxster for some people.</p>
<p>Maybe… but I’m not convinced that they won’t compete at the high-end of
MINI one day. A $40K MINI Roadster may not look that different than a baby
Boxster for some people.</p>
<p>Back in 1963, I rode in friends’ MGs that I enjoyed very much for their quickness and handling. Those were sports cars; right? Is it because of their capabilities that they earn the title? My 2011 MCS, with similar capabilities, is my affordable “sports car,” though I know most would scoff at the appellation. In your mind, what defines a sports car?</p>
<p>Which color is this car rocking?</p>
<p>White Silver.</p>
<p>camera panning for six minutes does not count as motion!</p>
<p>Go to 7 minutes to finally see something – but notice how much the car bounces on its suspension, and how high off the ground it is.
Then compare with the ultimate MINI driving video – the GP:
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YONRdD66MFc" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YONRdD66MFc</a></p>
<p>One has the JCW suspension and one does not. Obviously we at MF believe everyone JCW should come so equipped but you can always have the dealer install it after purchase.</p>
<p>camera panning for six minutes does not count as motion!</p>
<p>Go to 7 minutes to finally see something – but notice how much the car bounces on its suspension, and how high off the ground it is.
Then compare with the ultimate MINI driving video – the GP:
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YONRdD66MFc" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YONRdD66MFc</a></p>
<p>It looks pretty good in motion and will only look better with JCW suspension, obviously. But I also think the base Cooper, minimally optioned, will make for the driver’s alternative to small city hybrids like Honda’s CRZ. That version of the car may be an interesting one to watch (and for MF to review).</p>