MINI to Introduce Brake Cooling with 2011 Refresh
(Updated) Behold, a 2011 JCW test mule with the front valance almost completely exposed courtesy of Leftlanenews. While there are exposed rivets and the trim isn’t final, this brake test mule does have the final shape of the new brake ducts that will be standard on the 2011 Cooper S. Brake ducts have been a long time coming for the MINI. As any R53 track junky would tell you, one of the first things go after a few hard laps are the brakes. While MINI introduced larger front rotors with the R56 Cooper S, there still wasn’t direct cooling ducts found on most BMWs. As you can see above MINI will be addressing this with the 2011 refresh.
While it’s our best look yet it’s still not the entire 2011 JCW (or MCS). We also expect new headlights, wheels and rear bumpers on all models. In fact for a full rundown on what to expect for the 2011 MINI, check out these articles.
Look for the refresh to launch in September for the R55 Clubman, R56, hatch and R57 convertible. Along with it will be a new diesel line-up engines (not destined for the US market) and uprated Cooper (120hp) and Cooper S (179 hp) Cooper S powerplants.
<p>Hey Gabe,
you’re right, this car is a test mule for TRW Automotive (note the small sticker below the Scuttles) – TRW seems to be the company producing the brake cooling kit for the 2011 MINI. We, bigblogg, stumbled across this car multiple times now at the Nürburgring Nordschleife during the Touristenfahrten.
The absence of the JCW Aerokit is no surprise, because this car is basically a standard 2010 JCW (even the interieur is pure 2010, except for the computer mountings) and the JCW Aerokit is sold separately here in Germany.</p>
<p>looks like some exposed screw heads around the brake vent intake – as if they were swapping out different versions to test the airflow?</p>
<p>Those brake ducts are ugly. They nailed it on the JCW bumper, but these don’t work well with that bumper.</p>
<p>IMO the brake ducts should be hidden behind the black honeycomb grill.</p>
<p>Very similar to the brake ducts on the Cooper S Countryman…</p>
<p>I love the rivets around the ducts. Very retro-functional. More rivets!!</p>
<p>Meh. The JCW Aero Kit looks awesome, the Countryman S looks properly sized and OEM, but this looks like a crappy aftermarket wannabe.</p>
<p>Introducing the aggressive, new bug scoops.</p>
<p>Diffusers, brake ducts, blah, blah, blah. We don’t need no stinking skin job! How about 250hp, an actual LSD, stiffer suspension, sharper steering, and some real seats?</p>
<p>not feelin that bumper</p>
<p>Think the visual change is needed but also think thatguy nailed the main issue with the current JCW.</p>
<p>From the April 2010 Evo magazine speaking about the WC50.
”
It’s a bit of a missed opportunity, then, the 250 buyers will doubtless be happy with their purchase, but in a post-R26.R hot hatch market, we can’t help being left want for more. Especially for 33,000 pounds.
“</p>
<p>While they are making it visually unique they need to make it something of note in the hot hatch market. Its been a long time since I have seen the JCW considered to be a truly hot hatch, Then again BMW though mini Crossovers were more important.</p>
<p>I agree with @that.boy, but regarding JonPD’s comment on BMW building MINI crossovers, well, I think that makes sense when looking at a JCW. BMW has to make some money off of MINI, period. By expanding the MINI brand (I know saying “expanding” will get some comments on BMW car bloat) I think it would allow BMW to fill the coffers and release an awesome JCW down the road.</p>
<p>If BMW just made the M3, they’d be Ferrari and you don’t see many people poking along in those on a regular basis. Granted, my thoughts on the issue don’t do much for the appreciation of the current JCW, but I think more money in the bank allows BMW to really do things for those niche markets (JCW/M) at a somewhat affordable price.</p>
<p>BTW, wasn’t trying to nitpick with JonPD’s point, I just think that the making of crossovers doesn’t mean hopes for a great JCW need to be shelved.</p>
<p>Count me as a doubter. If not, this is a down right ugly partial body kit. Well, time will tell. BMW/MINI continually keeps everyone guessing all the time garnering more and more publicity.</p>
<p>I agree with “walk” about hiding the brake ducts behind the grille. I’ve always preferred a “clean and simple” design, and adding too many details starts to mess with the basic design concept.</p>
<p>At first I thought the Countryman was too plain; but now I think the design is “fairly” successful because it’s so “clean and simple”. That makes it possible for each of us customize it a “million+” deferent ways on the MINI “Configurator”. Basically all I think it needs is the “perfect” color combination and a “killer” set of wheels.</p>
<p>Just compare the design of the Honda Fit to the Countryman which are about the same size. Looking at the Honda Fit gives me a headache.</p>
<p>So… My R53 JCw+ will have 150k miles on it in 2011. I am itching to get another car and would LOVE to get another Mini but the next JCW needs to be bringing some real shizz to the table if it is going to be priced N of 30k. So… Bring it!</p>
<p>Ya know what I’m sayin?</p>
<p>These are PROTOTYPES!!! It is extremely easy to hide brake ducts, or make them look integrated into the fascia. These are a welcome addition.</p>
<p>There is no point in increasing HP without sorting out the brakes, and the downforce, for that matter. BMW is FINALLY doing what we begged them to do from the beginning with the JCW, please, let’s not complain!!</p>
<p>Hopefully they’ll address the suspension. For LSD (and I agree LSD is a better option for a track car than an ediff–ediff may be great for a few hot laps, but not so great for an all day event), you’ll have to go aftermarket, or live with frequent brake pad changes. The ducts should help though.</p>
<p>The JCW didn’t sell as anticipated; it truly represented a “lost opportunity.” Seems like BMW is making amends. I haven’t been a huge fan of the R56, but I applaud what’s going on with the JCW, coupe, and roadster, and I’m really excited about what they’re doing with the next generation as well.</p>
<p>As a current owner of the JCW Aerokit on my R55 JCW Clubman: the above mock design is disgraceful. Agreed, looks like an aftermarket hack job. I doube – well, hope actually – that this will be the final design. The style, ducts and overall quality of the JCW Aerokit are magical. A wonderful addition to any MINI. See link for shots: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markcichy/sets/72157623606834137/" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.flickr.com/photos/markcichy/sets/72157623606834137/</a></p>
<p>What a bunch of cry babies here wait till they put it for real then you can be a CRITIC sort of speak. Send you comments ideas to MINI and maybe someone will listen to you guys wine!!!</p>
<p>Gabe, any idea of how much after the September launch that we’ll see the JCW available?</p>
<p>@ Mark – Your Clubbie looks very sleek and clean with a good dose of “attitude”! (And I agree wholeheartedly that the JCW Aerokit improves the look of the R56 1000%.)</p>
<p>When will we finally see the official release of the 2011 refresh? We’ve been waiting a long time.</p>
<p>Couple items to ponder…. eDLC adds heat into the brake system. They need to get that out somehow, and just letting the pedal go soft wasn’t the right way to go.</p>
<p>While loosing the HP wars on paper, for anyone who has been on a track with a car has learned that HP doesn’t do squat without a chassis that can really handle turns. While the MINI is difficient on paper, it can more than hold it’s own against significantly higher HP cars because of the basic competence of the chassis. But even with it’s low power levels, the brakes aren’t up to the task of an eDLC equipped car on the track.</p>
<p>For those that just want a mechanical LSD, I think you’re living in the past. Yes, they are good for certain driving situations, but they are fundimentally reactive, and add parts. Pretty much every car maker is going to some sort of torque vectoring arangement via intelligent, predictive torque distribution technologies, and while the current eDLC system is the very cheapest implementation, you can bet that the days of the locker diff or pure mechanical systems are numbered for all but a very few new vehicles. Face it, the chances of mechanical LSDs coming back into the MINI are pretty much zero.</p>
<p>It makes sense that you’d see these getting tested at a track, as that would stress the brake system the most and if the fade is gone even with eDLC, then they can work on the integration into an expensive part (front bumper cover) to make.</p>
<p>Cool that decent ducting is coming stock on the S. It’s a welcome addition.</p>
<p>Matt</p>
<p>Post of the month so far Matt. A couple of points to emphasis:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>eDLC adds heat into the brake system. They need to get that out somehow, and just letting the pedal go soft wasn’t the right way to go.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>That is a huge point and could very well be one of the reasons this change was made.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>For those that just want a mechanical LSD, I think you’re living in the past. Yes, they are good for certain driving situations, but they are fundimentally reactive, and add parts. Pretty much every car maker is going to some sort of torque vectoring arangement via intelligent, predictive torque distribution technologies, and while the current eDLC system is the very cheapest implementation, you can bet that the days of the locker diff or pure mechanical systems are numbered for all but a very few new vehicles.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Very very true. The key there is that this is MINI’s first stab at the concept. BMW will be bringing a torque vectoring rear axle to the M5 and already has a torque vectoring AWD system on the X6 and X5M and X6M. It is incredible technology.</p>
<p>Still will take a mechanical system over yet another layer of technology. I really dislike the eDLC but have to say I think the torque vectoring axles hold promise. Still odd that more than one of the exotic car builders are still using a mechanical LSD on their cars, this to me likely shows that the LSD system has some legs under it.</p>
<p>I agree with you. Electronics are a double edged sword. Some of the high tech stuff in the M3’s for example, can make anyone look good. And that’s ok, but on the other hand, for some, it takes away from the driving experience when the electronics cover your mistakes and make an average driver look great.</p>
<p>does any supplier make an R53 JCW grill with vents?</p>
<p>John Cooper Garages used to before they liquidated when BMW bought them. Not sure if you could find any one eBay. That was 5 years ago if I remember correctly.</p>