New R56 JCW kit set for UK roads
Official MINI UK Press Release: MINI Cooper S. Great driving. The end? Fans of the British-built sports hatch will be delighted to learn that the story continues with the launch of an all-new John Cooper Works tuning kit. MINI Cooper S owners will be able to add the aftermarket kit for just £1,095 inc. VAT, plus approximately four hours fitting.
The 1.6 litre twin-scroll turbo engine in the MINI Cooper S receives a power increase to 192 hp, from the standard unit’s 175 hp. Maximum torque is extended from 240 Nm to 250 Nm and is available between 1750 and 5000 rpm. As with the standard car, an Overboost facility is available for faster power deployment and the Works kit means drivers will feel the full force of 270 Nm (199lbf-ft) through the MINI’s front wheels under hard acceleration. The increased power results in a 0-62 time of 6.8 seconds, and top speed of 144 mph.
External John Cooper Works branding on the front grille and tailgate indicate the tweaks carried out under the skin of tuned cars. Features of the kit include a sports exhaust system, a sports air filter and a revised engine management system: all designed to optimise power efficiency and make the engine more free-revving for rapid acceleration throughout the engine speed range.
Visual appeal of the Cooper S can be further boosted with features including an aerodynamic body kit, 18-inch light alloy wheels in various finishes and numerous carbon-fibre trim and panel units.
The tuning upgrade is available at MINI dealerships from September 2007 and will give hard core MINI fans an eagerly-anticipated performance hit. Appetites were whetted earlier this week with news that the MINI John Cooper Works CHALLENGE car will be unveiled at next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show. The race car developed only for track use is priced at €49,900.
Note for our US readers. Expect JCW Kit availability in the US to be very close to that of UK.
I am completely underwhelmed.
So the old JCW is quicker than the new by a couple of tenths. I thought the new MINI would show quicker 0-62 times being that power was there much earlier. I understand that this is 192hp compared to 210hp, but the power isn’t on until you’re at the top of the RPM range.
i’ve heard from my dealer and it’s $2300 installed.
>So the old JCW is quicker than the new by a couple of tenths.  I thought the new MINI would show quicker 0-62 times being that power was there much earlier.  I understand that this is 192hp compared to 210hp, but the power isn’t on until you’re at the top of the RPM range.
Things to remember: The times above are 0-62 mph and yes that does make a difference due to gearing. Secondly, according to Mike Cooper himself and others who have driven it, it’s faster than any R53 JCW product. Finally official BMW numbers are notoriously conservative. We’ve already seen magazines test the new stock MCS just above the six second mark in 0-60mph.
I’ve already seen a Pepper White R56 with a JCW bodykit and wheels overtake me on the local motorway :S – gosh that was months and months ago now.
4 hours fitting to they work slower in the the uk?
<blockquote>4 hours fitting to they work slower in the the uk?</blockquote>
That time includes fitting an exhaust manifold not included in the US kit.
6.8 0-62mph? they say that is an improvement but on MINIs website and all of their literature they clearly state a 0-62 time of 6.7? is this just because they have no offical numbers or is it now easier to obtain without a proper launch…. whats the deal??
Hopefully Gabe will have his soon so we can find out if Mike Cooper is telling us the truth.
Some guy on mini2 said he drove the demo and it only felt faster above 5500 rpm. That would be dissapointing and contrary to Mike Cooper’s description in his interview regarding the desing parameters.
Waiting for this info is as hard as waiting for the ship to arrive.
A while ago there was a posting here by someone who was considered a reliable source who consistantly ran 0-60 time under 6 seconds on a stock R56. Mini claims 0-60 in 6.7 seconds which is obviously high even if reality is somewhere in the middle.
My guess is this kit will save 3-4 tenths of a second off a stock S.
A faster car than the GP for $2100? I’m getting one! And the suspension too! Add the JCW 18″ wheels, too cool, can’t wait!
just came from prestige mini in mahwah, nj and watched as a 2007 cooper s was being fitted with the jcw engine kit – so it is obviously available now.
>just came from prestige mini in mahwah, nj and watched as a 2007 cooper s was being fitted with the jcw engine kit – so it is obviously available now.
Look for more info in the morning on MF.
I know nothing about the kits. My question, I thought the original JCW kit cost $5000-$6000 installed here in the states? What’s the $ price diff all about? Is it that we don’t get the headers or what?
Also, this top end figure I don’t get either. I’ve had mine up to 140+ up the Interstate 5 here in Ca. I’m bone stock except for the Dinan CAI. I had to drop into 5th to maintain that speed but I nearly hit a buck fifty, and got passed by a Infinity something or other.
>Also, this top end figure I don’t get either. I’ve had mine up to 140+ up the Interstate 5 here in Ca. I’m bone stock except for the Dinan CAI. I had to drop into 5th to maintain that speed but I nearly hit a buck fifty, and got passed by a Infinity something or other.
Possibilities:
A) Most speedo’s I’ve seen are off one way or the other and (B) BMW is very conservative with their published numbers.
<blockquote>Some guy…drove the demo and it only felt faster above 5500 rpm.</blockquote>
That’s exactly what I’m hoping the JCW kit accomplishes. I don’t want any more bottom end that results in more torque steer…I want it to pull harder above 5,500 RPM, which is where the stock MCS starts to run out of breath.