Auto Sport Tests the JCW at the ‘Ring
German magazine Auto Sport recently tested the new JCW MINI at the famous Nurburgring (which must be nice to have in your backyard) and were impressed with the results. The JCW with sport suspension managed an 8:35 around the ‘Ring. To give you some perspective here are some other cars recently tested:
– BMW 335: 8:26
– Audi TTS (2.0 Turbo): 8:29
– BMW Z4 3.0si Coupe: 8:32
– Lotus Exige: 8:32
– Honda Civic Type-R: Â 8:47
– VW R32: 8:49
We can only imagine what the time would have been if the car was fitted wit the JCW suspension. You can read more (provided you can read German) here:
+ JCW Warum Starkere Sportwagen den MINI Beneiden / Sport Auto
Thanks to everyone who sent this in!
<p>Now THIS is the kind of thread I like. The JCW basically tied the Exige??? I have yet to read the article but the question we always have to ask in JCW articles is what suspension set up? Since this usually is not addressed we are left wondering “what if”.</p>
<p>Wow — that close to the Z4 and Exige?!! That is great news.</p>
<p>Anyone out there who can sprechen zi deutch please give us the reader’s digest version. This is very cool!</p>
<p>In theory JCW has already beaten Z4 and Exige:
JCW uses factory Conti SportContact 3 summer tire(normal road tire), where Exige use semi-slick Yokohama (or club-sport tire). Semi-slick tire alone can save A LOT more than 3 seconds.</p>
<p>Use Google translate ;-)</p>
<p><a href="http://translate.google.com/translate_t?hl=en#" rel="nofollow ugc">http://translate.google.com/translate_t?hl=en#</a></p>
<p>Well, on second thought, maybe not. It’s pretty funny though…</p>
<p>@<a href="#comment-262295" rel="nofollow">greg</a>: As stated in the article it ad the sport suspension.</p>
<p>@gabe: yes the sport suspension. but this is the standard sport suspension from any cooper s in germany. so the testcar (tested july 2008) was not fitted with a JCW suspension. in fact the setup from the r56 (suspension and DSC) is much better then from the r53. i tested it on the ring in 2007 with the 192hp version. in comparsion to my r52 jcw fitted with KW version 2 and non-RFT i really had to fight to drive as fast as the r56 fitted with the JCW kit.</p>
<p>Decent article, missing a little meat but still a fun read.</p>
<p>Now just imagine if Mini would have put a decent suspension (JCW) on the car by default. Still good results. Still a nice lap at 8:35</p>
<p>@Gabe. As previously stated I barely read english much less german. Surprised to hear it had SS as they usually don’t bother. This is very impressive indeed.</p>
<p>Anybody know what the GP did round the ring?</p>
<p>@<a href="#comment-262309" rel="nofollow">greg</a>: No I meant above in our article. It was mentioned briefly. BTW I believe SS comes standard on the JCW in Germany.</p>
<blockquote>VW R32: 8:49</blockquote>
<p>Weak sauce.</p>
<p>As one of the many that sent this in, I got hooked on the Supertest from when the new M3 hit the streets. They try to be as close to similar on the tests (weather is an excluded factor, as they test all year – if your car tests on a day with damp spots, sorry – but they note that in the test write up).</p>
<p>The basic rules are stock, and stock only – if you, the average joe, can tick the check box (in Germany, I believe), then they will use it. Ergo, no dealer (ie: JCW suspenstion) add-ons are allowed. Also, factory-ordered rubber.</p>
<p>As one of the many that sent this in, I got hooked on the Supertest from when the new M3 hit the streets. They try to be as close to similar (driver- and course-wise) on the tests (weather is an excluded factor, as they test all year – if your car tests on a day with damp spots, sorry – but they note that in the test write up).</p>
<p>The basic rules are stock, and stock only – if you, the average joe, can tick the check box (in Germany, I believe), then they will use it. Ergo, no dealer (ie: JCW suspenstion) add-ons are allowed. Also, factory-ordered rubber.</p>
<p>I have a JCW 2009 and I really don´t know, and @ the dealer nobody could clarify me the difference i would have with the JCW sport suspension…I already bought the strut brace…and I love the handling</p>
<p>Stock R53, first version(163PS), did 8:55 in a very similar test back in the days.</p>
<p>@carlos sorry to hear no one at your dealer could explain the difference. we are able (and glad) to thoroughly explain the differences!!</p>
<p>great article…makes me proud to own a 2009 JCW (DS/Black) – alta intake on the way, need to do suspension.</p>
<p>PS: i have the sport suspension – time to take it to the ‘ring!</p>
<p>Wo ist Hans Stuck? Slap that man in the seat, give it the JCW suspension and who knows what could happen!</p>