This is the first Australian review we’ve seen yet. Although review might be a loose term as nowhere can I can any mention if actual driving experiences. Our money is on this being nothing more than a re-written press release with no attribution.
>The resulting acceleration improvement over the standard 2007 MINI Cooper S is significant.
>The 0-100 km/h time for the six-speed manual transmission model drops from a brisk 7.1 seconds to a rapid-fire 6.8 seconds, while in-gear acceleration is also improved.
>A MINI Cooper S equipped with the John Cooper Works Tuning Kit will rush from 80-120 km/h in just 5.3 seconds in fourth gear (5.5 seconds in a standard MINI Cooper S). The same 80-120 km/h acceleration takes 6.6 seconds in fifth gear (7.0 standard car) and 7.6 seconds in sixth gear (8.0), underlining the low and mid-range boost the new turbocharged engine delivers.
>Compared with the standard MINI Cooper S, top speed is now 232 km/h (145 mph), up from 225 km/h (where legal).
>Fuel consumption and emissions are unchanged from the standard MINI Cooper S according to the European composite cycle test. The John Cooper Works equipped MINI Cooper S will return 6.9 l/100 km on the test cycle and emit just 164 g/km of CO2.
Not bad info but it reads pretty close to the US JCW press release the more you read. You can decide for yourself below:
[ New MINI gets a John Cooper Works Tune Up ] Fullboost.com
It aways amazes me how journalists can just re hash the stats given from the factory papers and publish it in a different way with more filler.
Also funny how a 0.3 second difference changes acceleration from “brisk” to “rapid-fire”. Maybe decimal places confuse them. Or numbers.
That was a full blown advertisement for JCW accessories masquerading as an independent review. Mini dropped a few bucks there.
Anyway, I’m sold. I pick up my “triple” JCW TOMORROW!!!
Go pick up this month’s EVO for a real review.
I’ll give everone a review. This thing SHREDS my ’05 JCW. Much faster. The JCW suspension in razor sharp too. Could not be happier!
This set up doesn’t feel any slower or handle any worse than my Cayman S.
And about the Hi Fi stereo. I think it’s a bargain at twice the price.
Stop the Presses! As time allows i’ll give you all a full genuine owners review of THE FIRST customer delivered R56 JCW in AUSTRALIA with all the JCW kit performance parts added, except a few cosmetic things. Delivered 3 weeks ago after a 6 and a half month wait I might add. It actaully my wife’s (yes, you read that right) and she kindly allows me to have a go 🙂
Just quickly though, if you are thinking of buying one of these R56 JCW’s and you’re umm-ing & ahhh-ing regarding dollars – DON’T! With apologies to Nike…”Just Do It”.
The suspension is hard.
Firm & positive yes, hard no.
The tuning kit makes no difference? Ummm…it does.
How?
Allow 1500 ks to let the shocks & springs to settle in then it will let you know what the road and your car is doing. It’s rewarding so go with it. If you’re American it will freak you out at first-a car that handles corners!
Does the JCW Tuning Kit do anything?
Torque spread all through the rev range from 1600 RPM onwards it grunts its ass off,,,(makes serious noises too).
NIce.
It’ll pull 100Mph no sweat. Idiotic little info elecro window though…
I’d like to boast having the first Aussie R56 JCW, but I won’t. Don’t need to. Marvel in it’s beauty and glory.