The 2019 MINI JCW Knights Edition is here and we had an opportunity to go hands-on with it recently at the LA Auto Show. Can this (mostly cosmetic) special edition truly be that special? After spending some quality time with the Knights Edition and a conversation with MINI USA Product Planning Manger Ishaan Khatri we came away rather convinced. Here’s why.

MINI JCW Knights Edition
MINI JCW Knights Edition

2019 MINI JCW Knights Edition – What Makes it Special

This is a Midnight Black JCW that is well specced. But why it’s special is what MINI has brought together to make this car happen. The Melting Silver roof (unique for 2019 JCW) is combined with a Melting Silver stripe that are striking against the Midnight Black exterior finish. It’s then completed with the first matte finish piece of bodywork ever on a MINI sold in the US. Yes that hood scoop is Melting Silver with 75% matte, 25% gloss finish which looks gorgeous in person and perfectly finishes off the car. It looks so good hands-on that we asked MINI USA Product Planning Manger Ishaan Khatri what the likelihood of us seeing more matte finish in MINI’s future. He smiled and said, “who knows, we may just see another special edition with a matte finish on more than just the hood scoop”. Count our interest piqued.

Mini JCW Knights Edition

The thing most notice immediately is that MINI USA has made gloss black MINI Wings badges available for the first time with the Knights Edition. The looks reminds us of the optional blacked-out badges Porsche has been offering for years but here the new MINI logo (in all of its detail) has form and depth that doesn’t simply blend in with the bodywork. The piano black gloss helps as does the design of MINI’s new logo. And yes, for this curious these badges will be available as an after-sales accessories soon. As always check with Outmotoring or your local MINI dealer.

Of course this is a JCW so it’s got the sporting credentials that you’d expect. 227 hp, four-pot brembo brakes, JCW tuned suspension and those lovely JCW seats create one of the more compelling driving experiences that be had at any price. But here MINI has chosen to add the rapturous JCW Pro exhaust with its bluetooth control and track only mode. It’s a great addition to any JCW but fits especially well with the menacing look of this car.

Mini JCW Knights Edition

2019 MINI JCW Knights Edition – Pricing and Availability

While pricing hasn’t been announced, MINI typically takes an approach with these special editions that ends up delivering a pretty fair price given all that’s included (thanks to the volume pricing approach).

The MINI JCW Knights Edition is in production now at Oxford and should hit US shores in the next four weeks. If you’re interested you’ll want to get in touch with your dealer soon. While production numbers haven’t been announced we don’t expect the Knights Edition to sit on lots for too long.

2019 MINI JCW Knights Edition – Gallery