MINI Releases the First MINI JCW Video Featuring Tony Hawk
While the covers have just been thrown off the new 2015 MINI JCW and MINI’s marketing blitz has already begun. In the JCW’s first video we find Tony Hawk and French rally driver Guerlain Chicherit (yes the car who attempted to break the long jump record in a MINI) racing around the streets of LA. Why is it important to watch? For one this is the first we’ve heard of the new car. And from what we get from the video, it would seem MINI has taken the exhaust tuning very seriously. Secondly this is the first time we’ve seen the new car in motion and driven in anger.
Click through and check it out.
And for a bonus, here’s the full 12 minute documentary on Guerlain Chicherit’s record jump from earlier this year. It’s also well worth a watch if you haven’t seen it.
<p>Doesn’t have much in the way of exhaust sound.</p>
<p>I have to say I am not a fan of the wheel design and the ride height. Could use 18″ wheels. Also if the entire rocker panel was black, instead of just the bottom edge, I think it would look better. Just my 2 cents.</p>
<p>I don’t agree, height is perfect</p>
<p>The BIG question should be asked to every MINI fan: JCW with sport auto transmision or manual?! Auto is faster and more eco on fuel but manual is more fun! Or is it more fun? :)</p>
<p>Another question : will the manual have auto rev matching for downshifts?</p>
<p>I really don’t know where you get the idea that the manual transmission gets less fuel mileage than the automatic, but it is in my experience quite the opposite. My r59 with auto gets on the highway in the 36 mpg range, in town my average is more in the 27 mpg. In town is a combination of expressway, stop & go driving. The 2011 r56 JCW was a manual. It averaged on the highway 39+ mpg with a high of 42 mpg while on vacation in Texas. My type of city driving averaged 30 mpg except in Winter when it dropped to 27 mpg. The auto barely makes 21 in Winter driving.</p>
<p>Those are my experiences and I stick by them. That is also why I won’t be driving another MINI automatic again. Maybe others have had different experience in mileage, but this is based on equal driving habits. I drive, what I call semi-high performance. That means, that I don’t mash the throttle at every stop light. I’ve out grown that type of driving.</p>
<p>The revised automatic is rated higher than the manual. With technical advances pretty much every auto is now the more efficient choice. Especially those with seven or more gears.</p>
<p>Gabe, I’d agree with you if the new JCW was available with the new 8 or 9 speed transmission available for front wheeled BMW built cars, but it’s not suppose to be, also, that doesn’t work for the in town/or city mpg. The increased torque will help, but it’s still has to build up to 25-40 mph speed. Guess maybe it’s just that I’ve found that the fun if a MINI isn’t there much, with the automatic in my r59. Mileage could be a wash, maybe, or it could be how I drive with both transmissions.</p>
<p>Technically speaking the revised auto is more efficient hands down. The version in the R59 isn’t the revised version and therefore it’s not as efficient as the manual.</p>
<p>Not a bad sound to me. Actually, not bad at all.</p>