New 2017 MINI JCW Countryman: official images and details
MINI’s hot John Cooper Works crossover debuts with 228bhp and all-wheel drive, set to arrive in April
Just after we drove the regular new MINI Countryman, the brand has revealed the flagship John Cooper Works range addition. The Countryman JCW features 228bhp, all-wheel drive, and will make its public debut at the Shanghai Motor Show in April.
As with its JCW stablemates, the MINI hatch and Clubman, there’s a host of racy styling additions to leave you in no doubt of this model’s performance potential. A new front bumper with chunky cooling inlets, a model-specific bodykit, and new roof spoiler and either 18 or 19-inch John Cooper Works alloy wheels feature. As usual, there’s also plenty of JCW badging to mark it out.
Like the standard Countryman, the JCW is 190mm longer and 30mm wider than the old car, offering more passenger and boot space as a result. Inside, there are also new sports seats with integrated headrests, an upgraded multifunction steering wheel, a sportier gearknob and anthracite rooflining. Standard kit includes LED headlamps, cruise control with auto braking, rear parking sensors and the 6.5-inch sat-nav system. A larger and more feature-packed 8.8-inch unit can also be specified.
The MINI JCW Clubman uses the same 228bhp 2.0-litre twin-scroll turbo four-cylinder petrol engine as other John Cooper Works models, meaning a 13bhp increase on the outgoing model's engine.
Producing 350Nm of torque between 1,450 and 4,500rpm, it’s capable of firing the crossover from 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds – although MINI doesn’t specify whether that’s with the standard six-speed manual gearbox or the optional eight-speed automatic. CO2 is quoted at 169g/km with the manual (158g/km with the auto) and the claimed combined fuel economy is 38.2mpg (40.9mpg for the auto). The eight-speed automatic gearbox also features a launch control function.
To help the Countryman put that power onto the road, it’s only available with MINI’s electronically-controlled ALL4 all-wheel drive system – it’s said to be a more efficient setup than previous ALL4 systems, and can send almost all of the power to the rear axle if required. Stiffened springs and dampers, Servotronic variable steering, and four-piston Brembo brakes are added, too.
More specs and full pricing will be announced later in the spring, with the car set to appear at the Shanghai Motor Show before deliveries commence in middle of the year.
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