The following report was done in conjunction with our friends at Bigblogg.
Remember that 2011 Clubman we spotted outside of the BMW Environmental Test Center last week? While most of our attention (and yours) was to the front and rear refresh, there was something not so subtle we casually mentioned that no one picked up on – the red roof and mirrors.
Turns out it was they weren’t there by chance. MINI will be offering 2011 model year JCWs with the exclusive no cost option of a Chili Red roof potentially in place of black. This is MINI’s answer to those who thing the JCW is not visually distinctive enough. It’s unclear at this time if black will remain an option.
There were many inside the company that wanted to see various carbon fiber accessories or even the JCW aero-kit standard (as it is in the UK). However cost was a factor with each of those options – especially with the carbon fiber bits. So the idea of simply allowing a different color roof (one that maps back to JCWs brand color) was born. There’s still a slight chance for the JCW aero-kit to make the cut but it’s looking highly unlikely at this point.
Moving inside MINI will be turning to two special editions for inspiration. First up will be standard gray dials on the speedometer and tachometer reminiscent of the GP. Secondly MINI will take the black and red pipped lounge leather seats as found in the WC50 and make them an exclusive option on the 2011 JCW.
What about power? As we know MINI has added Vanos (infinitely variable valve timing) to the standard MCS and that has resulted in an output of around 181 hp (final US numbers are still being verified). However due to European EU5 regulations (vs EU4 which the JCW engine was designed to accommodate), MINI will not be upgrading the JCW engine in a similar way and thus we do not expect any power increases for 2011.
The 2011 JCW will debut alongside the rest of the line-up in September of this year. Look for official photos to be revealed on MF after the rest of the line-up debuts in a few weeks time.
<p>Oh, that is some extremely weak sauce.</p>
<p>A bit tough to decipher that penultimate paragraph. So do you mean that the 2011 S gets VANOS and the 2011 JCW does not? In other words, does “no power increase” = 2010 engine?</p>
<p>yep, no power increase for the JCW. according to our german article on bigblogg one fan created a JCW for rFactor based on our description of the 2011 model: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/2vv5l6o" rel="nofollow ugc">http://tinyurl.com/2vv5l6o</a></p>
<p>Glad they listened to some of the feedback from their customers. I do have to wonder though if they took note of the major push back on the stock suspension? The interior changes are decent.</p>
<p>Now instead of installing wheels and badges you will have to have a sheet of chili red vinyl to have a JCW clone visually speaking from the exterior. I think this leaves JCW still very short of being really unique. Please don’t get me wrong I am happy that they have tried to fix some of the issues. Still in a great many ways the Factory JCW feels like a kit still versus a MINI ///M car. I do wonder if MINI has given up on having a competitive model to the mass of hot hatches in Europe.</p>
<p>Sad to say this seals the deal on me bothering to order a JCW when the Coopster comes out. I can take the same money to modify the car into something I consider the car should be. Sorry MINI but I think you have missed the boat with this one in my book.</p>
<p>One other small thing I noticed, its very similar to the press images of the Citroen DS3 Racing edition (though its using more of a orange/red color). Give the JCW red wheels and trim in that color and you have a visually close relative lol.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.motorward.com/2010/02/limited-edition-citroen-ds3-racing-for-geneva/" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.motorward.com/2010/02/limited-edition-citroen-ds3-racing-for-geneva/</a></p>
<p>I’m curious if we can expect an JCW aero-kit for the 2011 model when it will be released. As far as I’ve seen, there are no photo’s of the 2011 JCW aero-kit, so maybe it won’t be available at launch..(?)</p>
<p>After reading this I am so glad I got one of the WC50’s. I would have gained nothing by holding out on the 2011 JCW</p>
<p>@ Gary Horn
You would have been able to get a red roof :D</p>
<p>Red roofs, so kool but not on the one shown…. give me black with red roof and I’d be a happy camper.</p>
<p>You chose well Gary, no doubt on that. Besides if he wants to update it its easy enough to lay down a sheet of chili red on it lol.</p>
<p>As I just picked up my WC50 after a year long wait. I am not happy that my special seats will be common in a few months.</p>
<p>I do like the red roof concept.</p>
<p>I wish MINI would have offered the PEPPER WHITE roof option! That on the Black would look aces!!!
Ya thats right…ACES!!!LOL</p>
<p>Ok, I get it, the cool things we want cost money, like more JCW power, and the JCW Aero Kit standard in the US…But really? Just a red roof option? Sorry, but, 2011 JCW FAIL!</p>
<p>I could understand your feeling James about the seats. I do think though in a way it it does link the JCW into being the baby brother of the WC50.</p>
<p>What would be interesting Gabe is once we have all the details on the revamped JCW would be to see if people feel if its going to be sell better than the current JCW.</p>
<p>I’m really surprised that there isn’t even a slight power increase offered. Really? That makes the JCW like bad dog food; mostly filler…</p>
<p>This is curious. I can understand the issue with the emissions regulations, but that puts things in a funky place. Assuming the same price differential continues between the S and the JCW, it amounts to paying the same differential for a smaller difference in horsepower. In other words, the current difference between models is about $7000; I think. Along with the big brake kit and other goodies, that buys you a useful 36hp over the S. So, presumably that same $7000 will now only buy you 27hp (plus the other goodies) and the only upside is essentially the red roof. This doesn’t sound like a good deal. There was discussion about MINI being disappointed with the 2009 JCW sale numbers. I don’t think this “improvement” is going to help. And thanks, but I’ll stick with my 2009 JCW Clubman which seems to be gaining in value compared to this 2011 model…</p>
<p>Some also believe that the vanos is the final nail in the coffin of the cold start death rattle, so its disappointing that the JCW won’t get this nice engine update.</p>
<p>So… let’s recap: If you want a performance-oriented MINI in 2011, sounds like you should buy a standard S with the better, more tune-able VANOS mill and spend the JCW “premium” on suspension, brakes and a tune. You will end up with a better car, likely for less $.</p>
<p>From marketing surveys – BMW must be assuming that the majority of JCW buyers are all about the bling and bragging rights, and not about any real performance. Who knows, they may be right ;-P</p>
<p>BREAKING NEWS: BMW renames John Cooper Works brand to John Cooper Weak. More to come…..</p>
<p>It may be difficult for MINI to justify development costs for an updated mill when sales of the JCW have not been up to expectations. Maybe there’s already an oversupply of JCW engines in stock, awaiting chassis?</p>
<p>In any case, standard JCW suspension and/or JCW aero, and the distinctive red roof, probably should have been offered a while ago. Hindsight often is not a fun process.</p>
<p>-ve comment: JCW suspension should be standard on all factory JCW’s if MINI product planners care about the JCW brand’s credibility as a driver’s car!</p>
<p>+ve comment. Absolutely love the red roof option! Yes, it reeks of the “lowest cost/maximum impact” design solution but it will look great with most colours and after 9 years of white, black and – occassionally – silver contrasting roofs, it will really stand out at a club meet. I’d spec it – with no sunroof – if I were shopping an r56 JCW and since this is a fantasy build, would pair it with R53 Indi Blue. :)</p>
<p>I like the look of the front brake cooling ducts and grill surround without the chrome line. But very disappointed with MINI not offering any engine update on the JCW. A red roof and gray dials are not going to get me to buy a JCW over an S.</p>
<p>Looks like my next MINI (if I decide on a MINI) may be a Cooper S with aftermarket or JCW suspension, and maybe some kind of engine/exhaust update.</p>
<blockquote>Some also believe that the vanos is the final nail in the coffin of the cold start death rattle, so its disappointing that the JCW won’t get this nice engine update.</blockquote>
<p>Puhlease. The cold start noise is done. It was an out of spec timing chain from a subcontractor. There was never any “Death” associated with it. Put it to bed already.</p>
<p>I cant believe the comments about getting a colored roof. If you want a different color then go see a paint shop and have your roof resprayed in the color you want. You do not have to have a contrasting roof color from the factory.
Old Classic Coopers had the choice of White or black roof which contrasted with the body color, i.e. Red body/black roof, Green body/white roof, Grey body/white roof, White body/black roof.
White roof was only on later Rover Coopers in the 90’s.
Some Cooper S cars made in Australia had red/wine roofs.</p>
<p>@Greg W:
Very true, have the roof painted in any colour at a body shop.</p>
<p>Still I want BMW to try this with the new M5. Lets make a 5 series with a very slightly tuned engine over stock, unique wheels, upgraded brakes and a very lightly changed interior. Next balance it on the standard 5 series suspension and give it /M badges. Then make the only attempt at making it look different from the 5 series a colored roof. I wonder just how many BMW would sell.</p>
<p>This is a performance car by bean counters. The more I think about the mid-cycle interior refresh and JCW refresh I cannot help but feeling MINI is on cruise control until the next product redesign in 2013.</p>
<p>Just keep hoping that the R58/R59 are treated more than a Blacksheep distant cousin to BMW.</p>
<p>I just spent three days with a WC50, a few GPs and Works, along with Coopers and Coopers S on a driving holiday around Scotland. Sixteen Mini’s in total right up the West coast on some of the best roads. And what did we conclude well here goes.</p>
<p>The WC50 looks the part but really it could have been so much more. Mini needs to fire up the imagination and give us a new GP, even if it’s a Works with a “Race pack†option that takes the car back to its racing pedigree. Every brand needs its Bonkers car and Mini needs a new one.</p>
<p>I take it if I was buying a white Works, I could drop the red roof that looks silly? And while I’m on colour an actual White would be nice too, Think Audi!</p>
<p>I totally agree with that.guy
“So… let’s recap: If you want a performance-oriented MINI in 2011, sounds like you should buy a standard S with the better, more tune-able VANOS mill and spend the JCW “premium†on suspension, brakes and a tune. You will end up with a better car, likely for less $.”</p>
<p>when I first started reading this I thought it was an April fools joke and had to check my calendar.
Seriously, a red roof?? The only people that will even know that this signifies anything special is the people that buy it.
-“You see that red roof? Yeah I had to pay extra for that. Pretty cool huh?”
So much for considering the JCW for my next purchase.
For the first time, I’m disappointed in Mini</p>
<blockquote>BREAKING NEWS: BMW renames John Cooper Works brand to John Cooper Weak. More to come…..</blockquote>
<p>MINI enthusiasts around the world ask JCWTF?</p>
<p>Wow…. well, this pretty much crosses this car off my shopping list for next year.</p>
<p>Well, this is certainly a dissappointment, and I am in the market for a JCW in five months. No engine upgrade for both power and fuel economy? No mention of a JCW suspension as being standard, or even factory offered? Now, after for months the mention that JCW will have it’s own aero package to deferentiate from the regular Mini S, now they say that it costs too much, get real. They have to put some sort of bumper covers on it, so what’s so expensive in the JCW Aero bumpers? Really, Mini/BMW wake up! You’ve got a good product, albeit over priced, the least you could do is add some pzazz for that extra $3-$7K that differentiates you in cost. Depending on whom you believe in the financial department</p>
<p>Me? It’s looking more like a Mini S, JCW suspension, JCW tune, or after market, Cold, Convenience maybe leather and still save over $3k. Sounds like a plan…….Wake up Mini!</p>
<p>How ridiculous. MINI’s answer to “make it look distinct” is to paint the roof red? Please.</p>
<p>So let me get this straight…
red roof 335i = M3? red roof 550i = M5.
Maybe if we had a white roof A4 = S4?
or an white roof A8 = R8?
Now I see it clearly, performance is in the color of the roof.
red roof + lots $$$$ = JCW. Got it.</p>
<p>Lame, lame, lame. Agree with the idea of just modding an MCS.</p>
<p><b>JCW</b>
<b>J</b>ust <b>C</b>osmetic <b>W</b>anking</p>
<p>Sure hope the consensus of views on this move so far is opening eyes at BMW/MINI. Quite painful to think a brand I have so much respect for can constantly get the answer so wrong to the “performance” oriented owners. I know that BMW/MINI must have a very tough business case to address the shortfalls of the JCW brand. Still I think the feedback with the current sales and automotive press have shown that the direction of the “performance” brand has been received widely with a lack of enthusiasm.</p>
<p>Some people may believe the R60 can injure the brand badly, though not a fan of it I think the push back on the interior and questionable demi-built performance cars can actually do much more damage to the brand image.</p>
<p>Still believe MINI needs a baby /M, one thing they never do is leave a partially developed production clone onto the market.</p>
<p>@JonPD: Totally agree with the baby /M division for Mini. I would love and would buy a <strong>///M</strong>ini and not even take a second look at <strong>J</strong>ohn’s <strong>C</strong>osmetic <strong>W</strong>aste.</p>
<p>Wow this blowback from everyone (and I agree with most of it, although a red roof is a great thing to have if it comes with performance hardware too) is really making me appreciate my 2006 R53 Factory JCW Competition Edition even more… more than just cosmetic stuff (though it has that), the cars were built with various powertrain changes adding up to +40HP, larger brakes, JCW SUSPENSION (imagine that!), a real LSD, aero body kit, etc. End result is a model that “earns” its JCW badges front and back as pretty much everything from acceleration to handling to appearance was upgraded significantly by MINI – and at the factory no less.</p>
<p>The equivalent factory JCW in 2011 will get a less desirable engine than the S (since no VANOS), not even the sport suspension let alone a JCW suspension, and no visual distinction from S models. I agree with those above saying the smartest move for 2011 is to get an S, add the dealer-installed JCW tuning kit, and also have the dealer install the JCW suspension. MINI wanted to sell MORE factory JCW’s in 2011 but they have made the car less appealing to the hard-core MINI drivers, who tend to be the ones buying Factory JCW cars to begin with! (or are they?)</p>
<p>that’s the problem with enthusiasts – you people are never satisfied.</p>
<p>I really don’t have any issue with a 30k,35k, or 40k MINI if it is developed appropriately. The ugly truth is that BMW/MINI hasn’t turned out a MINI since the GP that has done much compared to its competition on the performance side (Even the GP could have been much more, but at least it is unique with a modicum of performance).</p>
<p>Gabe I would be interested in your view, I am thinking that your likely waiting for the full story but how does this change read to you?</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Gabe I would be interested in your view, I am thinking that your likely waiting for the full story but how does this change read to you?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I’m waiting to know more before I write anything more. They are in a tough spot with pricing though. They have to balance against accessory sales, Cooper S sales and ultimately what else is on the market. Then there’s the issue of designing new components and or adding new items (JCW suspension or aerokit) to an already very crowded Oxford assembly line. Believe me when I say that it’s not an easy thing to do. I think they see the issues but they also see a 100 other variables we don’t have insight into.</p>
<p>Anyway I’ll withhold judgement until we know more. But for my take on the JCW as it stands in 2010, read our <a href="https://www.motoringfile.com/2009/01/07/jcw-re-imagined-our-take-on-the-factory-jcw/" rel="nofollow">previous story</a> on it.</p>
<p>Gabe, is it accurate that the engine in the 2011 JCW is the same as 2010 and will not get VANOS? As I wrote in comment #1, that is still a little unclear (to me).</p>
<p>Yes the engine is the same as the 2010 and will not get VANOS.</p>
<p>”
What about power? As we know MINI has added Vanos (infinitely variable valve timing) to the standard MCS and that has resulted in an output of around 181 hp (final US numbers are still being verified). However due to European EU5 regulations (vs EU4 which the JCW engine was designed to accommodate), MINI will not be upgrading the JCW engine in a similar way and thus we do not expect any power increases for 2011.</p>
<p>Gabe your review of the 2010 JCW still reads like what the JCW should have been… oh well there is always next year for MINI to get it right… :)</p>
<p>Thanks <b>JonPD</b>. I either missed that <i>“not be upgrading in a similar way”</i> bit or it was updated.</p>
<p>I’m betting there is still room to safely tweak another 10hp out of the current engine for 2011, as BMW did with the original JCW kit when they added the intake and injectors, but even so… I would go with the stock S and spend a couple of $K in the aftermarket.</p>
<p>I think that even with a few extra hp the JCW will still be spanked by the general media for still not being up to its direct competition. My main issue is still that JCW reeks of being a kit. Add a suspension, add this, add that, add the other thing. You end up not with a factory performance car but rather a car that has been kitted together.</p>
<p>I think the Cooper and Cooper S are near perfect against their competition but JCW has not really come close it its. I think leaving this car partially built basically says MINI is more interested in selling bits and pieces than making something interesting to the perspective buyers of the car. I do feel this was a step forward for MINI but the tiny movement feels underwhelming.</p>
<p>I do hear where your coming from Gabe and it makes good sense. Just had my hopes that JCW would stand for more than a performance poser cash cow.</p>
<p>JCW should be to Mini as <em>///M</em> is to BMW.</p>
<p>If you think about <em>///M</em>, you can buy all the aftermarket parts or even <em>///M</em> components and add it to a regular 3 series or 5 series and it still will not be a M3 or M5. And that is how JCW models should be.</p>
<p>If JCW is just going to be avail as an accessory/specialty parts for Mini, then BMW should have the <strong><em>///M</em></strong>ini division.</p>
<p>Just ask AMG to sell any Mercedes product with barely any performance components. Or Mazdaspeed3 with no aerodynamic or suspension compared to Mazda3. Or a golf vs the GTI. Come on, who are they trying to target? People who look into the JCW are willing to pay for performance. Just like people buy <em>///M</em> cars for performance.</p>
<p>Just look the 335i starts(in USA) @ $40k and the M3 @ $55k. The 550i starts @ $59k vs the M5 @ $85k. Yet BMW still manages to find buyers for those cars. I wonder why…</p>
<p>L-A-M-E!!! Why not drop $2k on the Stage One JCW tuning on the new 182HP engine? Gets you over 200 HP with more torque AND tail pipes that have “John Cooper Works” printed on them. Of course you can’t see it because the pipes are shortened now because of one lame ass complainer.</p>
<p>So glad to have walked away from this weak marque to a Lotus Elise SC. A real British car that understands that people want performance, not red paint on the roof.</p>
<p>This is pretty weak. I like the grey gauges and I think the MINI should have red and silver and roof options, but this is not enough to make it that distinct and doesn’t seem like good value. No power increase either? I have a RMW tune on my otherwise stock S and it puts out more power than a stock JCW…</p>
<p>I was planning on getting a JCW in a year or so, but I’m really starting to reconsider that decision. Maybe a 135i (with Euro delivery) would be better value for me.</p>
<blockquote>Maybe a 135i (with Euro delivery) would be better value for me.</blockquote>
<p>It is a better value. Period.</p>
<p>Well I guess I’ll just have to hope for the brand new MINI Coupe to come out in 2011.</p>
<p>Anyone know if they’ve started production yet?</p>
<p>I will second that J.S, I think the R58/R59 are likely the only chance for MINI to retrieve some measure of respect for the JCW brand until the redesign. I keep watching the web and talking to friends and so far the only word I’ve had on the twins is that they have only produced a few models for testing. I am sure they will start moving that direction though after they get the R60 selling.</p>
<p>Is the stage one JCW still available?</p>
<p>Good question, DUDE. I was assuming it would not be available in 2011 for the new VANOS engine, but that would be awesome. On the new engine, chances are good it could match or exceed the output of the old-school 2011 JCW engine. Gabe?</p>
<p>Question: Just what i new about the 2011 JCW other than a couple of paint options, red roof? Sure, I suppose, the new appearance will look like the Mini S, again, with the new brake ducts, larger rear fog lights, and LED, partial, taillights, then of course the black/gray upgraded plastic. Just what else will we get for the addition $5K or so? Is there an August Surprise, pleasant that is, for us Gabe, or whomever?</p>