2011 MINI Refresh: JCW Updates
Leading up to the debut of the 2011 MINI we’ve been dropping hints that the revised JCW will be both a little dissapointing and a surprising at the same time. Last week with the official information release it became clear that MINI’s intent was to make the JCW more unique while keeping the price relatively untouched. Untouched you say? Yes we expect a price increase of no more than a few hundred dollars over the 2011 JCW.
The biggest visual change is the optional Chili red roof and mirrors that coordinate rather well with with the new black and red bonnet stripes. However as expected MINI will only allow the roof with these approved exterior colors:
– BRG II
– Pepper White
– White Silver
– Midnight Black
– Eclipse Grey
Now here’s the list if exterior colors that are available but not with the new Chili Red roof:
– Laser Blue
– Spice Orange
– Chili Red
– Horizon Blue
– Ice Blue
– Hot Chocolate
But what about the new standard and optional equippment? Here’s the list:
– Gray faces gauges standard
– Chili Red interior surface available at no charge
– Available contrasting Chili Red roof and mirror caps for approved body colors (option 3A3)
– Available Black Bonnet stripes with red outline ($100)
– Black wheel option for the Challenge Spoke wheel (option 2RV – no cost)
– Black Lounge Leather with red piping (as in the WC50 car)
– Checkered Black Cloth seats with red stitching (exclusive)
– Alternate wheel choice for the R56 and R55 is the 17†Infinite Stream (Silver or White)
– Alternate wheel choice for the R57 is still the 17†Black Bullet Spoke
Now here’s what doesn’t come on the car:
– JCW Aerokit as standard (you must still have it installed at the port via the dealer)
– Factory “MINI” aerokit is not available (more on this later)
– Black headlight housing – biggest miss of the new JCW – this should be a JCW exclusive in our minds
– Upgrades to the engine – MINI didn’t want to spend money on the engine due to needing more of a substancial upgrade to keep it in compliance with EU5 standards.
In all it’s a nice upgrade that is perhaps only (slightly) overshadowed by the new 181 HP Cooper S. We think MINI did a decent job of creating JCW exclusive options but frankly didn’t go far enough.
<p>Black Lounge Leather with red piping (as in the WC50 car)
Checkered Black Cloth seats with red stitching (exclusive)
Factory “MINI†aerokit is not available (more on this later</p>
<p>Gabe: Really curious as to what the pricing will be for the black lound leather with the red piping. Also, any chance of seeing the black cloth seats with red stitching?</p>
<p>Finally, what is the Factory “Mini” aerokit, or a better question, is there another type of Aero kit that will be made available for the JCW?</p>
<p>I like alot of what Mini has done with the JCW, but like you, they are holding back on making this a truly great car. Mini could do more, and should have, but there’s still the after market on power and suspension, if that’s your thing.</p>
<p>Amazing how different the brand values are between M and JCW. Distinctive look, uprated engine and tweaked suspension are all first and foremost in an M car, and completely overlooked by paint options by JCW. A well spec’d Cooper S remains the obvious choice.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.motoringfile.com/2007/02/02/the-mini-aero-kit-first-offical-photos/" rel="nofollow">This is the much hated</a> factory aerokit.</p>
<p>There are two aerokits; a MINI kit that is installed at the factory and a JCW kit that is dealer or port installed. The JCW kit is well liked. The MINI “factory” aerokit is generally disliked.</p>
<p>The options sound good, but have to agree with everyone else I just don’t think it’s enough. Is there any update on a exclusive aerobat for the JCW for thr UK???</p>
<p>William</p>
<p>Any news if the R57 JCW will also have the option of a red roof?</p>
<p>I didn’t realize that the Mini Aero Kit was what is available from the factory. You’re right, that one does suck.</p>
<p>Gabe,</p>
<p>When will we see an actual Black & Red JCW instead of the air brushed model that we see here. Actually, it would be nice to see JCW’s of the other available color options. Also, does this mean that other colors like Spice Orange, Chili Red, Lazer Blue, ect, will not be available?</p>
<p>The Much Hated aerokit looks decent with painted arches…actually I am quite fond of it (with painted arches)…However, knowing that there is the uber-hot JCW kit available makes one wonder why they ever bothered to make 2 kits in the first place. It must cost MORE to invest in 2 different aerokits than have one and use it on ALL the JCW’s. It seems that the regular “S” bumpers will be included on the 2011 JCW…they want to make it more exclusive, but take away something that at least attempted to make it stand out above a regular “S”</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Also, does this mean that other colors like Spice Orange, Chili Red, Lazer Blue, ect, will not be available?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>They’re all available. The list above is what is available with the red roof. Just added a list of other colors available.</p>
<blockquote>It seems that the regular “S†bumpers will be included on the 2011 JCW…</blockquote>
<p>Yes the JCW aerokit will remain a dealer option for the time bring in North America (it’s standard in the UK).</p>
<p>Gabe,
Check the last sentence of your story for a typo</p>
<p>Thats BALLS!!!
Why offer the Aero Kit in one country as standard…but not the other???
Who is making that decision? MINI USA or MINI UK?</p>
<p>Sideways Eh,</p>
<p>That’s simple, it’s what they can retail the JCW for. In the UK, they get more for it, so they offer the Aero kit and Recaro seats, while here we get about $4K less in the car. I think that in the UK they get the Sport Suspension, too, but I might be wrong. Canada gets the mini aero factory installed kit with Sport Suspension.</p>
<p>Thats BALLS!!! Why offer the Aero Kit in one country as standard…but not the other??? Who is making that decision? MINI USA or MINI UK?</p>
<p>When I lived in the UK my employer provided a list of approved cars for some employees. As a result there were few new cars owned outright by employees. My salary would have never allowed me to buy a JCW with vat and new car tax. All of this is for tax reasons.</p>
<p>I say wait for 2012.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>I say wait for 2012.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Not a bad idea.</p>
<p>Mini should make the jCWs all like the WC50. I saw one of those at a local dealer and it has to be the best looking mini I have seen in my mind. I like the dark and sinister look of it. Even better they could offer maybe 5 unique colors for the JCW. I think the red roof may have limited appeal.</p>
<p>Also what happened to using silver roofs??</p>
<p>my Clubman S lease is up in May 2011… not sure i can wait…</p>
<p>Will the BRG II and red roof be called the Christmas Edition? (haha)</p>
<p>I said this before, but it would be nice to see some other color combinations than the black and red. That White Silver would be interesting. The Christmas decorations might even be different than all the Chili Red JCW’s that are out there now. It is nice that Mini is looking at a minimum price increase, but in reality, why not a price reduction?</p>
<p>Does this mean that the factory aero kit will not be available to order on any car or is it available but no longer fitted as standard to the JCW?</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Does this mean that the factory aero kit will not be available to order on any car</p>
</blockquote>
<p>It will be available on the Cooper (and One outside NA) only.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>or is it available but no longer fitted as standard to the JCW?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The factory aerokit was never (thank God) standard on the JCW. The “JCW” aerokit is the one that most think should be standard.</p>
<p>When are we going to get some JCW Coupe news 😉 ??</p>
<p>Who is the color co-ordinator at MINI? What are they smoking because I want some too. Red roof and BRG?</p>
<p>As they say in UK – some “Noddy”?</p>
<p>Hey now thats an idea – how about yellow with red body kit and guard spats, and blue grille? Make it in convertible for extra effect.</p>
<p>Give me orange roof and mirror caps and you can have my money now..</p>
<p>Larry,</p>
<p>Body shops all over the world have whatever Orange shade you desire. Plus, they’ll paint the roof and mirrors with ANY contrasting color. Go for it.</p>
<p>Gabe: What’s the cost of the black lounge leather with red piping option?</p>
<p>I can just see it now.
Neimann Marcus Special Christmas catalog where they feature one exclusive car per year:
2007 BMW M6
2009 Special BMW 7 Series..
2011 JCW MINI COOPER – BRG II with Chili Red Roof for the holiday spirit.</p>
<p>MINI has seemingly done an excellent job visually upgrading the JCW. I would anticipate that prices for options like lounge leather to remain the same. The aero kit for the JCW is good, but this is a pricey option. I think the MCS will be the vehicle of choice given that the HP has moved ever closer to the JCW.</p>
<p>Gabe:
Have you heard “Officially” what the option costs will be? It would be nice, beings as the black with red piping is a JCW exclusive, that they give us an exclusive price, ok? Also, what other JCW options are you aware of would be nice to know, as well. And, as I look at the radio/center stack photo’s, it appears that they are showing off the auto a/c. Could it be possible that this is standard this year? Thanks for your help in this.</p>
<p>Don’t have official numbers yet – they’re delayed.</p>
<p>Auto AC isn’t standard.</p>
<p>Gabe:
First is the Multi-Function steering wheel an option this year or standard as it has been in 2010?
Pricing, the pricing you said, will be only a couple hundred dollars more, does that mean that the base price, including the upgraded radio that is standard this year (i.e. the HD and Sirius) or is Mini increasing the price by that $1,000 for the radio?
That may be confusing, but simplfied, is the base cost going to be over $30,000?</p>
<p>Black Lounge with Red Piping: What is the option cost of this?</p>
<p>Also, are there any other good surprises coming for the 2011 JCW?</p>
<p>You do a great job here Gabe, thanks for your tireless work. We can’t expect miracles from Mini/BMW but you l make it all easier. Thanks.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>First is the Multi-Function steering wheel an option this year or standard as it has been in 2010?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I assume it’s the same but don’t know anything more than you do.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Black Lounge with Red Piping: What is the option cost of this?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Likely the same.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Also, are there any other good surprises coming for the 2011 JCW?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>dont believe so.</p>
<p>Gabe,
Thanks, I rather figured that it would be standard, after all the fuss that was made when it was added to the option list, but one never knows. The way that the multi function steering was worded in the write up, well that was the reason for my question. Thanks again. Now the pricing wait begins.</p>
<p>If you look at the JCW interior shots on MINIusa.com you can see red stitching on inside the JCW steering wheel. I don’t see this mentioned anywhere. Can anyone confirm if 2011 JCWs will come with red stitching inside the steering wheel?</p>
<p>Sean: I’ve seen pictures of live 2011 JCW’s and they do, indeed have red stitching on the steerting wheel, along with the leather around the shifter and emergency brake. Oh yes, my 2011 JCW hit port on Wednesday and I should have him next week sometime, hopefully to take advantage of the Mini $1000. incentive being offered for October deliveries. Thank you Mini/BMW Corporate.</p>