Ask MINI Anything About the JCW
What do you want to know about the new JCW? We’ll be test driving the new car in weeks and will have plenty of access to MINI executives, designers and engineers during the process. That means we’ll have access to the very people behind MINI’s new halo. What better source to answer the questions many of you likely have about the new JCW?
What do you want to know? Hit us up in the comments below.
<p>why isn’t the speedometer in the center of the dash and a REAL tachometer on the steering column? and while we are at it why are the window switches on the door like every chevy built?</p>
<p>The answer will be something like this…</p>
<p>Blah blah blah it wasn’t really our design language, the speedo wasn’t in the center of all the previous Minis, just most of them. Focus groups didn’t like it…</p>
<p>The focus groups didn’t like the switches on the center stack and that wasn’t our heritage as the original car didn’t have power windows, they had crank and slide windows also the focus groups didn’t like it…</p>
<p>To be fair, the BEST non center speedo MINI was the Ausse R53, it has a huge tach in the center stack and a speedo on the column!</p>
<p>Remember how with the R50 design they made a big deal about the tail lights not sharing a seam with the rear hatch, I miss that! Sure, the car was more expensive to build but it has some awesome character!!!!!!</p>
<p>Dude I’m with you on this!!</p>
<p>Why is the wheel offset so messed up in the F56 model? @ least on the S and JCW? It takes away from the aggressive bulldog image that was so cool about Mini!!!! And the tachometer being one more item in the car instead of giving it the importance it has in a top of the line sport model… So many other things are a step forward while the ones that were right on previous generations are now a step back.</p>
<p>Gabe, as you might remember, I’ve been in quandary on this new JCW for quite a while and test drove one a couple off weeks ago. Here are my questions:</p>
<p>Speedometer/tach/fuel gauge. Isn’t there a better way. The tach looks like an add on feature, and the fuel gauge even more so. Couldn’t the fuel gauge be in the center section as it was in the r series? As for the tach/speedometer, even though I am not a fan of the top down meter on my roadster, why couldn’t the tach/speedometer been done that way, or made a little larger. The tach is important to sport type drivers, and now you, or at least I, had difficulties even trying to read it.</p>
<p>Shrink the taillights, please.</p>
<p>Catfish grille, couldn’t it be brought back into the car instead of sticking out like it does. I’ve actually gotten use to it, a little, but if it was brought back the side view might be improved. Also on the front end, why do we have all those fake scoops? Or, couldn’t a fog light be put in the larger scoops like the new Focus RS has? Or similar. And why couldn’t those scoops direct air flow thru the front brake areas. The drivers side still could direct air into that performance radiator. And couldn’t the fake rear scoops be eliminated? What good are they, just for cosmetic reasons? Smooth it out or make them functional in some way.</p>
<p>The interior: It’s awfully gaudy to me, couldn’t the center entertainment center be less busy? And I know all those lines are for the tach or radio volume, but why do we need them? We’re adults, and figure that the further the lights go, the higher the RPM, that’s why we have a tach, that’s readable. And lastly, still in the interior, HK radio, why can’t MINI/BMW offer the HK that is truly an updated sound system. BMW has it on the 3/4 series up, not on the 2, but couldn’t MINI get a better system?</p>
<p>I know that Ive rambled, but there are some things that have stuck in my crawl since I first saw the new JCW and are keeping me from making a commitment to the new JCW. These are only my thoughts, but I’m sure that there are others feeling the same way too. By the way, I just thought of something else, why can’t MINI have a wheel that is attractive on the car, example is the M6 wheel, but in 18″. That’s all</p>
<p>” Shrink the taillights, please.”
Oh please 100 times yes.</p>
<p>I love my 2015 JCW since I picked it up back in April, I’m just curious why when using the launch control, it barks the tires quite aggresively and speeds off very nicely, yet oddly enough though, even with traction control off, if I floor it from a stop without using launch control, it doesn’t bark the tires when shifting gears. Any idea why?</p>
<p>That’s easy. The launch control system loads the engine against the brakes and builds up turbo boost so that you’re right smack dab in the middle of the power band. No load = no boost = no power.</p>
<p>I get why you get off the line quickly in using launch control, but when shifting into second, it barks the tires hard only when using launch control. Without using launch control it’s just a firm shift in sport mode, both are at the same RPM’s and both times I tried had the traction control off.</p>
<p>Not sure why shifting is so much more harsh using launch control actually, by then all things should be roughly equal. Definitely interested in the answer.</p>
<p>When can we expect a redesigned front end with a more mature, classy look, and functional detailing without fake hood scoops, ridiculous intakes for the sake of being trendy. Please, specify a proper tachometer… full round!. Keep it simple!</p>
<p>Still those questions about the F56 in general, not particularly the JCW
And these are rather comments, than questions…</p>
<p>When can we expect the manual version in the U.S. and what is the specific difference between it and the manual in the S?</p>
<p>The manual transmission JCWs are starting to arrive. Mine is currently at the VDC in New Jersey and dealer says delivery is likely next week. A careful look at the specs shows the ratios for gears III-VI are slightly taller in the JCW but the final drive ratio is shorter.</p>
<p>Will carbon fibre be used or offered at any point in the JCW? I believe that MINI have stated that the JCW brand is the be the M for MINI and there is carbon fibre options offered and used in the M brand.</p>
<p>I’d like to know anything you can get on the clubman JCW, which will most likely be nothing but I had to ask.</p>
<p>Have they addressed the JCW brake caliper piston degradation issue of the previous version with true performance oriented pistons?</p>
<p>Will the 2016 JCW be affected by that clutch problem that other F56’s been having? That MINI has to replace the WHOLE engine just to alleviate the problem?</p>
<p>Since BMWs offer limited slip differentials on their performance models (ex M235i) why not offer a limited slip differential on the JCW as a port installed option?</p>
<p>Why does it seem the JCW isn’t marketed very well? I don’t see /Drive, Everyday Driver, Chris Harris or other popular YouTube reviewers doing reviews of the F56 JCW. Or send me one. I’ll do track days, YouTube vids tweets all day long.</p>
<p>Oh also when you do let them please send them cars with a manual and the best suspension.</p>
<p>I also love the red roof of the JCW how about some other cool exclusive roof colors like bright green, and bright blue? I’m thinking those colors would also look awesome on black / silver / white cars.</p>
<p>Any tasty tidbits on the GP3 are welcome too ;-)</p>
<p>I want to know why they couldn’t figure out a way to keep the front fog lights, Surely they could figure out a way to satisfy both the increased cooling needs and still put the fog lights somewhere.
Related question: is the fog light wiring still present so I could mount a couple of aftermarket fog lights somewhere and take advantage of the existing wiring?</p>
<p>I’d also like to know why they decided to limit the output to only 228 hp for the JCW. At 114 hp/L the specific output is almost exactly the same as the Gen II Cooper S 1.6 L. The 2 L motor should be good for so much more. There are plenty of 2 L turbo motors out there with 240-250 hp or more installed on FWD cars. 250 hp seems like a really good number for the JCW and it should be pretty easy to achieve.</p>
<p>I”ve wondered about this too, why only 228 hp? Especially when this same engine,( i’m led to believe by BMW), makes over 240 hp in the 28i series of BMW? And most believe that figure is under rated. Well, so maybe is the JCW engine, but come on now, can’t even break the 6 second barrier in the 0-60 dash! Why? So it’s front wheel drive, Ford RS had over 300 hp with a front wheel drive, and there have been others.</p>
<p>So, if MINI wants to keep people like me in the fold, and my lease is up early next year and is why I’m starting to look at these cars, I’d like to stay with MINI, but others are trying their best to get me away. Yes, BMW 228i with the M-package, Ford Focus RS. Why not VW GTI? I think that they’re boring, plus the dealer in my area sucks, that’s why they didn’t get the MINI franchise, as they’re the BMW dealer too. Chicago again for buying again. But, VW brought the Polo R/GTI over, or the Audi S1, I might be tempted. But, has to be a two door, that’s whats killing the Focus RS for me.</p>
<p>The Focus RS will have 345 hp, but it’s a 2.3L, will be AWD and manual transmission only. Available in the US next year. The Focus ST, however has 252 hp, is FWD and is currently available. The JCW should be able to match that. The Golf R makes 292 hp out of 2.0L. It is also AWD and currently only available with a DCT, but they’re promising a manual transmission soon.</p>
<p>The Focus St weighs 200-300 lbs more than the JCW. The power to weight ratio is what is important.</p>
<p>My point wasn’t to compare cars, but to show that the JCW is at the low end of what other manufacturers are doing with 2.0L turbo engines.</p>
<p>But they all only are available with two too many doors. Hotrods and high performance cars should be two doors, in my humble opinion……</p>