Say hello to Mini’s new John Cooper Works Clubman, the most powerful Clubman to date thanks to its 228bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged engine and 6.3sec 0-62mph time. Making its debut at the Paris Motor Show next week, the JCW Clubman is available to order now with prices starting from £29,345.
Joining the current JCW hatch and convertible models, the new Clubman has undergone the same upgrades including work to the TwinPower turbocharger, sports suspension, and brake system. Despite a top speed of 148mph the new JCW Clubman is a little off the pace of today’s hyper hatches.
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The 2.0-litre engine is the same TwinPower single fitted to the other JCW models in the Mini line up. Over and above the regular Mini models it features a modified turbocharger made from an uprated heat resistant material and a larger intercooler. Turbo boost pressure is increased, the engine’s compression ratio lowered to 10.2:1 and JCW-specific pistons are also used. There is also an uprated cooling system with the fitment of a second cooling radiator installed behind the left-hand front wheel arch. A sports exhaust is the final performance modification, reducing backpressure and increasing the JCW’s dB rating.
Performance increases are pronounced over the outgoing 1.6-litre JCW models. Peak power is rated at 228bhp produced at 5000-6000rpm (up from 215bhp at 6000rpm), torque increases from 206lb ft produced between 1900-5000rpm to 258lb ft between 1450-4500rpm.
For the first time the JCW Clubman will only be available with Mini’s ALL4 all-wheel drive system, with either a standard six-speed manual gearbox or optional eight-speed Steptronic auto. Under normal driving conditions torque and power is sent to the front wheel with the DSC system detecting when drive needs to be sent to the rear axle via a electro-hydraulically controlled ‘hang-on’ clutch mounted on the rear axle.
In line with existing JCW models, the Clubman’s spring and damper rates have been revised to provide a firmer set-up but have also been further enhanced to take into account the Clubman’s longer wheelbase and weight distribution. Variable damper control is available as an option.
With dynamic stability control fitted as standard (DSC), the JCW Clubman also features dynamic traction control (DTC) and an electronic diff lock (EDLC), Mini’s Performance Control is also fitted and is designed to aid turn-in. the steering is an electro-mechanical system.
Four-piston Brembo callipers are fitted to the front axle of the JCW Clubman and 18-inch wheels are standard fit with 19s available as a cost option. Other visual clues to identifying the JCW Clubman include a bespoke front apron with additional brake cooling intakes in place of the standard Clubman’s fog lamps.
With its sub-£30,000 starting price the six-door, five-seat JCW Clubman will be gunning for Audi’s three-door S3, BMW’s recently introduced five-door 140i and Volkswagen’s Golf R estate.
