Handling rules
The beauty here is that you can drive like Mr. Chow after having captured the monkey. The MINI JCW is built like a tank – solid like a rock. Its chassis is uber stiff and with wheels literally at each corner, a relatively long wheelbase and wide track, the Cooper sticks to the road like gum in your hair; it won't ever let go. But wait, it gets better.
This car has the most responsive and intuitive steering this side of a go-kart. It's a common comparison; however, it stands true in the JCW's case. A quarter millionth of a degree turn of the steering wheel is all that is required of your forearms to make the Cooper dance on the pavement. Reaction times are incomputable to such an extent that you'd swear the car was psychic. It is that good. Equally impressive are the car's red JCW-branded red callipers clamping down on 4 discs. As the car tips the scale at just over 1,200 kg (2,650 lbs), the brakes do wonders.
Style rules
The MINI's only fault is that it's cute. Even with functional air scoops, a very business-like British Racing Green coat, dual centre-mounted tailpipes and euro-love 17” alloys, the John Cooper Works still has that chipper grin that makes you want to pinch its cheek.
On the inside, the JCW is near typical Cooper S fare. The seats are cozy and supportive and all the important driving tools fall perfectly in hand thanks to an ideal driving position. That is also to say that MINI quirkiness abounds and simply put, if you don't like it at first, you probably never will.
The beauty here is that you can drive like Mr. Chow after having captured the monkey. The MINI JCW is built like a tank – solid like a rock. Its chassis is uber stiff and with wheels literally at each corner, a relatively long wheelbase and wide track, the Cooper sticks to the road like gum in your hair; it won't ever let go. But wait, it gets better.
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| Reaction times are incomputable to such an extent that you'd swear the car was psychic. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com) |
This car has the most responsive and intuitive steering this side of a go-kart. It's a common comparison; however, it stands true in the JCW's case. A quarter millionth of a degree turn of the steering wheel is all that is required of your forearms to make the Cooper dance on the pavement. Reaction times are incomputable to such an extent that you'd swear the car was psychic. It is that good. Equally impressive are the car's red JCW-branded red callipers clamping down on 4 discs. As the car tips the scale at just over 1,200 kg (2,650 lbs), the brakes do wonders.
Style rules
The MINI's only fault is that it's cute. Even with functional air scoops, a very business-like British Racing Green coat, dual centre-mounted tailpipes and euro-love 17” alloys, the John Cooper Works still has that chipper grin that makes you want to pinch its cheek.
On the inside, the JCW is near typical Cooper S fare. The seats are cozy and supportive and all the important driving tools fall perfectly in hand thanks to an ideal driving position. That is also to say that MINI quirkiness abounds and simply put, if you don't like it at first, you probably never will.
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| The seats are cozy and supportive and all the important driving tools fall perfectly in hand thanks to an ideal driving position. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com) |