Update: Thanks to an intrepid reader we’ve now learned that JCW isn’t aware of this product being sold as an accessory despite it being shown in the JCW tent along with other JCW parts. While we’ve had this product confirmed by someone at MINI, there still seems to be a real question as to whether this will actually make it to the public.
Yes, that was full carbon fiber bonnet/hood seen recently at the Let’s MINI event in Germany. Despite assumptions, we’ve recently received word that this is not something specifically for a potential special edition MCS Lightweight (which is reportedly still up in the air) but as an option that may simply be a dealer accessory.
<p>Ohhh Very cool, Finally something offical!</p>
<p>any info on the possibility of doors, fenders or a boot in CF Gabe?</p>
<p>Any info on carbon fiber bonnet stripes? <em>rollseyes</em></p>
<p>Who wants to take a guess on what it will cost?</p>
<p>$2500 installed is my guess</p>
<p>Are those factory wheels in the picture? Name/price? Wow I like those!</p>
<p>Those are the R105s we reported on a few times in the last month or two.</p>
<p>Looks like a sweet item to get with a new car when getting the Aero kit. Maybe have it painted at the same time 😀 Expensive of course but oh so sexy.</p>
<p>Yeah if I had the cash and was just dying to accessorize this would definitely warrant a look. However painted would be strongly preferred.</p>
<p>I think it would look pretty nice unpainted with the new Royal Grey color.</p>
<p>That’s gorgeous, don’t paint it!</p>
<p>Looks nice with a all black body.</p>
<p>Looks hideous unpainted on anything other than black or possibly dark silver. I wonder how much weight is actually saved. The MINI bonnet with it’s wings and headlights is pretty heavy.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Looks hideous unpainted on anything other than black or possibly dark silver. I wonder how much weight is actually saved. The MINI bonnet with it’s wings and headlights is pretty heavy.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I agree but then again to each their own. It actually looks kinda cool on the Chili Red here… just as long as it’s not my Chili red ;-)</p>
<p>Yes the bonnet is quite heavy and saving weight in that particular area is quite useful. This would be one of those carbon fiber additions that would actually be quite purposeful. In fact the only other CF piece that i can think of that actually saves weight (especially in a strategic area) is the carbon fiber hood scoop.</p>
<p>I like it. I think it would look great unpainted with my LY/B MCS with the Aero kit!</p>
<p>Wow… those wheels are CLEAN</p>
<p>Looks like that Mini is still in the dealership, thus brand new wheels.</p>
<p>If you try to match the color ie black or dark silver it would look wrong and like a bad match. You need to go way different to accentuate it, make it look like a feature (which it is.)</p>
<p>My choice would be LY. Not fond of LY but it would look good in this combo.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Looks like that Mini is still in the dealership, thus brand new wheels.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The MINI was photographed at the recent Lets MINI event in Germany.</p>
<p>sorry but that is the ugliest thing i have ever seen if it is left unpainted. keep if for the honda civics please.</p>
<p>I like it, if it helps performance enough.</p>
<p>thats HOT</p>
<p>The only reason i would get this over another aftermarket cf bonnet is the assurance that this one would fit and work right. Is that worth the $2500 price tag Jimmy predicted? Im not sure…</p>
<blockquote>In fact the only other CF piece that i can think of that actually saves weight (especially in a strategic area) is the carbon fiber hood scoop.</blockquote>
<p>Isn’t the stock hood scoop plastic? If so, I’d be surprised if a CF replacement saves you much weight at all.</p>
<p>So will this be DOT approved seeing that it’s not aftermarket and from MINI themselves?</p>
<p>Looks like the M7 bonnet.
which saved what… 13lbs? </p>
<p>^I could be wrong…</p>
<p>MINI = Slowpokes.</p>
<p>here is the reply came from JCW to my mail about CF hood I’am directly posting it:</p>
<p>“”—–Original Message—–
From: Paul Cooper [mailto:xxxxxx@johncooper.co.uk]
Sent: Tuesday, August 30, 2005 11:26 AM
To: <a href="mailto:u.karakus@masscable.com.tr">u.karakus@masscable.com.tr</a>
Subject: RE: JCW Carbon Fiber Hood</p>
<p>Dear Ugur</p>
<p>Sorry for the confusion. I am not aware of a JCW Carbon Fibre Hood, so I
assume this must have been produced by another company.
Regards
Paul Cooper
Parts Manager
John Cooper Works””</p>
<p>They must just be using the JCW name as a catch all for all their performance parts…</p>
<p>The thought of an AWD Mini – ooohhhh !.
If Mini put their marketing mind to it tey could do just what the rest of the BMW folk do – have a base model at affordable levels and an ‘M4’ Mini with JCW and AWD for the nutters amongst us. I would pay just for the grin !</p>
<p>hmmm…undecided…
i’ve never been a big fan of wicker furniture…</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Isn’t the stock hood scoop plastic? If so, I’d be surprised if a CF replacement saves you much weight at all.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I thought that too until I felt both of them in my hands.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Sorry for the confusion. I am not aware of a JCW Carbon Fibre Hood, so I assume this must have been produced by another company. Regards Paul Cooper Parts Manager John Cooper Works””</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Well that’s interesting. This was shown in a JCW tent along with other accessories at Let’s MINI in Germany. Then it was verified as an upcoming product by someone within MINI. Unless it was just meant as a prototype or design study.</p>
<p>I liked the one I saw at NAM where the guy had his painted except for an area the exact size and placement of a bonnet stripe unpainted so it looked like he had black stripes until you looked closer. Pretty darn cool.</p>
<p>How about the entire body in CF? Awesome but pricey.</p>
<p>What about painting it body color & leaving the bonnet stripes as CF?</p>
<p>might work on a few color combos…</p>
<p>-jac</p>
<p>Hey I just googled “MINI Carbon Fiber” and found some CF Bonnets that are made by VIS… here’s the link that I got:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.carbon-fiber-hoods.com/enter.html?lang=en-us&target=d36.html" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.carbon-fiber-hoods.com/enter.html?lang=en-us&target=d36.html</a></p>
<p>Cheers</p>
<pre><code> Jono
</code></pre>