MINI USA has officially sent dealers information on the new US Specification JCW Engine Kit. There is one key difference between the US version of the kit and the version sold in Europe. While the normal kit gets a new “exhaust manifold”, the US version does not. Why you ask? Apparently the US cars have been getting the upgraded exhaust manifold all along.

JCW Kits meant for demo cars were sent to a handful of US dealers late last week and should be ready for test drives later this week. Among the dealers chosen by MINI USA to debut the car are MotoringFile sponsors Knauz MINI and Prestige MINI.

Here’s an excerpt from the official release sent to dealers:

>We have already launched a wide range of sport accessories for the R56 under the John
Cooper Works Brand. However, a tuning kit, the product which made JCW so successful in
the US was missing in the product line. Aftersales is therefore very pleased to announce the
release of the John Cooper Works Tuning Kit for the (model year ’07) MINI Cooper S hardtop with manual transmission.

>The new John Cooper Works tuning kit drives the MINI Cooper S to completely new heights of
performance. The kit boosts the output of the Twin Scroll turbocharged engine to 189 hp
(SAE) (141 kW). The maximum torque is 185 Nm between 1750 and 5000 rpm. In fact, with
the over boost function, temporary peak values of as much as 200 lb-ft are possible in the
range from 1750 to 4500 rpm.

>The tuning kit for the R52/R53 was somewhat costly and required very labor intensive
installation. The new R56 tuning kit has been developed more towards an Aftersales Dealer
installation. The new tuning kit has a MSRP of $2,100 and a recommended installation time
of 2hrs.

>The new kit includes for improved power output new air filter housing and new exhaust
system whitch improves exhaust guidance flow. The combination of the new air filter and
the exhaust provides sportier interior and exterior sound. For a more aggressive look, the tips
of the dual exhaust are significantly larger than the stock exhaust tips. A special ECU
programming provides faster throttle response, leading to an increased performance feel.
John Cooper Works badging on the front grille, the boot lid and on top of the air filter are
obvious signs that the car is powered by a JCW engine.

>Sales features/Benefits

>- Improved performance
>- Sporty Sound
>- Optical differentiation through the exhaust and the John Cooper Works badges
>- Limited New Vehicle Warranty is maintained

>John Cooper Works tuning kits are designed and developed according to the guiding
philosophy that only serious tuning can satisfy the high requirements of the BMW Group. This
particularly applies in terms of endurance, effect on other components and compliance with
statutory regulations. After all, tuning is not just a question of improved performance but also
of quality and safety. John Cooper Works tuning kits are set apart from many other tuning
kits available on the open market.

>Customers may ask why the kit produces only 189hp as the R53 kit produced 207hp. First of
all the kit is priced lower with a significantly lower installation time. Tuning the R56 engine to
higher hp and maintaining the Limited New Vehicle Warranty would require the change of
additional components which would raise the installation time as well as the price of the kit.
The best way to sell the kit to a customer is the comparison of the acceleration times on both
models. The JCW R56 meets the same 6.5s from 0 to 60 as the 207hp R53. This is possible
due to significantly higher torque at low and medium revs.

  R56 JCW R53 JCW
0-60 mph 6.5s 6.5s
50 – 75mph (4th gear) 5.3s 6.4s
50 – 75mph (5th gear) 6.6s 6.7s
50 – 75mph (6th gear) 7.6s 8.9s

Warranty

The consistent overall technical concept also means that the JCW tuning kits have
successfully passed the extreme loads of extensive hot and cold endurance tests conducted
by the BMW Group development departments. As a result of these tests the MINI New
Vehicle Limited Warranty is retained.

The JCW Tuning Kit is a genuine MINI Part covered by the two-year / unlimited mile MINI
Parts and Accessory Warranty if installed by an authorized MINI dealer. In addition, it will be
covered for the remainder of the MINI New Vehicle Limited Warranty, whichever is greater.

ORDERING OF the Tuning Kit

To make sure all John Cooper Works Tuning Kit installations are registered with the warranty
department, the tuning kits need to be ordered VIN specific. Every kit comes with a CD
containing a release code (VIN number specific) allowing the installation only for that specific
car. The release code is required to install the John Cooper Works ECU software. The CD is
protected by a special seal. If the seal is broken, the tuning kit can not be returned to the RDC
for credit.

John Cooper Works Tuning Kit Part #: 11 12 0 440 236