Mini John Cooper Works refreshed for 2019
New cleaner-breathing JCW models meet the latest emissions regulations; performance unchanged
2018 has been a strong year for hot hatchbacks but Mini has been curiously absent from the fray, despite effectively fielding an entire range of hot hatches in its Cooper S models.
Not for much longer though, as from March 2019 Mini will launch refreshed versions of the John Cooper Works hatchback and the John Cooper Works convertible.
> Click here for our review of the previous Mini JCW
At least part of the reason for the refresh is that both models now meet the Euro 6d-Temp emissions standards as part of the WLTP economy shakeup that has seen dozens of cars across the market disappear from sale over the past year.
While we’ll not go into it in too much detail, current regulations will allow some deviation in terms of emissions compared to the cars’ WLTP economy figures in road driving, before stricter standards arrive in 2020.
Like most, Mini has met the new regulations by fitting petrol particulate filters to both models, integrated into the JCW models’ sports exhaust systems, so each should still emit a suitably sporty tone despite its cleaner output.
Both John Cooper Works models remain equipped with Mini’s 2-litre, TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder petrol engine, which kicks out 228bhp and allows the hatch to sprint to 62mph in 6.3sec. In case you’re wondering, those figures are identical to the outgoing JCW, so emissions tweaks don’t appear to have impacted performance. With a six-speed manual economy is 40.9mpg, and up to 46.3mpg with the Steptronic eight-speed auto.
The John Cooper Works convertible is just a shade slower at 6.6sec to 62mph, and a touch less frugal too, returning 39.8mpg with the six-speed ’box and up to 44.1mpg with the auto. Like the performance numbers, Mini says the economy figures remain unaffected from the outgoing models.
Along with the changes you can’t see, the 2019 John Cooper Works offerings feature piano black interior and exterior trim elements, synthetic leather bucket seats, and black, 17-inch alloy wheels. Automatic front and rear LED lights are also standard.
A full equipment list is yet to be revealed and pricing is also currently unknown, but expect a small increase on the old JCW’s £23,650 tag, with the convertible in the region of £4000 more than the hatch. Order books open on 18 January 2019.
