MINI’s 50th Anniversary JCW

July 26, 2009 Staff New Cars Comments Off on MINI’s 50th Anniversary JCW

This year MINI celebrates 50 years of the iconic Mini, and as a part of that celebration MINI is releasing a limited edition of the Cooper Works car, the John Cooper Works World Championship 50, of which only 250 will be produced and made available in Europe.

Inspired by John Cooper’s son Mike who was heavily consulted during development, the vehicle will be adorned with the British racing green of days gone by. According to the BMW press release, the car will be powered by a “155 kW/211 hp four-cylinder engine with Twin-Scroll turbocharger and petrol direct injection. The production version of the MINI John Cooper Works World Championship 50 features numerous exterior and interior details reflecting the racing pedigree of the brand.

Ensuring both an optimal view and a striking look are bi-xenon headlights with black interior surfaces and additional driving lights with black housings. The MINI John Cooper Works World Championship 50 also features a plethora of carbon fiber features, among them the bonnet scoop on the bonnet, rear diffuser, exterior mirror caps and tailgate handle. These provide the link to the modern racing era. Special numbering on the side scuttles finishers identifies each MINI John Cooper Works World Championship 50 as an individual entity of an exclusive limited series.”

Considerable work has gone into the whole package, the 1.6-litre four-cylinder unit is based on the engine of the MINI John Cooper Works CHALLENGE that was first intorduced in the 2008 MINI CHALLENGE. The 211 horsepower is mated to a six-speed, manual gearbox. All this enables the MINI John Cooper Works World Championship 50 to accelerate from standstill to 100 km/h in just 6.5 seconds, going on to a top speed of 238 km/h. Average consumption in the EU test cycle is 6.9 liters per 100 kilometers, with a CO2 figure of just 165 grams per kilometer.

It is a fabulous looking machine and according to MINI the car also includes electromechanical power steering (EPS) which helps guarantee safe and extremely precise handling. A Sport button on the centre console activates a more dynamic setting with sharper even steering response and enhanced precision. By depressing the button you will switch the accelerator pedal control map to an even sportier mode.

Large sports brake system with red aluminum calipers guarantee short stopping distances both on the road and track. Standard equipment also features Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) including Hill Assist, Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) and Brake Assist. With DTC switched off, furthermore, an Electronic Differential Lock Control system (also fitted as standard) is activated for the drive axle, supporting more dynamic driving when accelerating out of corners. The Works World Champion 50 will be the ultimate MINI for the lucky 250 able to afford one.

Staff

Related Articles

No Picture
Corporate Business

MG Rover Inspectors Open Door to Action Against the Phoenix Four

September 16, 2009 Staff Corporate Business Comments Off on MG Rover Inspectors Open Door to Action Against the Phoenix Four

West Midlands car industry activists are poring over the fine detail of the government report into the collapse of MG Rover to establish whether there are grounds to bring a civil action against the so-called Phoenix Four, the executives who bought the car company from BMW for £10 in May 2000. MG Rover watchers are said to be angry at the extent to which the Phoenix Four benefited personally while overseeing the demise of Britain’s last volume car manufacturer. They believe the report, compiled after a four-year investigation by two government inspectors, has opened the door to civil action. “Company law on fiduciary responsibility is complex and unclear,” said Nick Matthews, an academic at Coventry University and car industry analyst for 15 years. “The inspectors agree that it is uncertain, particularly in respect of the deal to buy MGR Capital. […]

Video of the Week - Owning A Classic Mini
Classic Cars

VotW – Owning a Classic Mini

November 18, 2015 Michael Carnell Classic Cars, Highlights, MINI, People 2

OK, I will admit it, I love Minis. I love old ones and new ones and large ones and small ones and … well, you get the picture. Something about the A-series engine, the transverse drivetrain, and the squat looks just appeal to me. Yes I drive a Vanden Plas Princess 1100, but in truth, all forms of the ADO16 are just large Minis. Yes, I said it. And I mean it. Anyway, our video this week is titled “Owning A Classic Mini”. Just below the clip you will see the information about the young man who made the video and why. I think it is a wonderful effort and just goes to show the kind of devotion these cars inspire.   Here is a short look into what it’s like to own a Classic Mini. Before I brought the […]

No Picture
Classic Cars

Phil Wicks Driving Academy at Brainerd International Raceway June 27-28

June 6, 2009 Staff Classic Cars, Events 1

It is only three weeks away — the biggest celebration of the 50 years of the Mini/MINI — MINI East Meets West. The Phil Wicks Driving Academy will hold an event at Brainerd International Raceway on Saturday and Sunday, June 27-28. The days will consist of driving academy — all makes and models of cars — with instruction in classroom and on-track for Novice, Intermediate, and Expert; North American Can/Am Challenge races (classic Minis); Vintage car races — all makes and models; and North American MINI Cooper Challenge Time Trials. There will be a dutch treat banquet and awards presentation in the clubhouse at Brainerd on Saturday evening. All are invited to attend. Fees for the driving academy are $300 for one day, $500 for two days. And there will be lunch-time touring laps for non-participants for a fee of […]