Mini Cooper

2009 MINI John Cooper Works: Serious MINI Tuning and a Factory Warranty!

The 2009 MINI John Cooper Works is one of those special, hard to classify sports cars that comes along once in a great while. Since the reintroduction of the iconic MINI brand by BMW AG as a 2001 production model, MINI fans have turned to John Cooper Works, tuner of MINI cars for many years, for bolt-on performance parts and even full conversion kits. The BMW group has cemented that relationship with John Cooper Works for the 2009 model year in offering John Cooper Works MINI cars as factory drive-off models.

Nearly every component of the MINI John Cooper Works drivetrain is upgraded over the standard MINI Cooper S, and a dizzying array of performance and customization options present themselves to the potential buyer. For the truly hardcore tuner set who want to keep a factory warranty, JCW MINI has you covered. An autocross-worthy full John Cooper Works suspension setup is available from the factory. While the 2009 MINI John Cooper Works base price is a reasonable $28,550, our dream JCW MINI with all the performance upgrades and fancy carbon fiber trim came to a rather ridiculous $43,800. That will net you a BMW's own 135i and plenty of cash left over for tuning. Still, for under $30,000 base price, the MINI John Cooper Works deserves a look from buyers of potential FWD monsters like the VW GTI and Mazdaspeed3.

Munich. A big name, a long tradition, outstanding performance, figures and an incomparable driving experience: the MINI John Cooper Works arouses motor racing passion which goes beyond the race track. In August 2008 the new model - produced at the British MINI plant in Oxford - will be coming to Germany along with the MINI John Cooper Works Clubman. With their world premiere at the International Automobile Salon in Geneva (March 6th–16th 2008), these versions are the first two models to be launched by MINI under the brand MINI John Cooper Works. The heart beating under the bonnet of each of the two new extreme sports cars is that of a racer. The 1.6 litre 4-cylinder engine with Twin Scroll turbocharger and petrol direct injection delivers 155 kW/211 bhp (207 hp US) and develops its maximum torque of 260 Newton-metres (192 lb-ft US) between 1,850 and 5,600 rpm – by means of overboost the torque can actually be increased to 280 Nm. (207 lb-ft US). The power unit is based on the engine of the John Cooper Works CHALLENGE, which will see its premiere at the MINI CHALLENGE 2008. It accelerates the MINI John Cooper Works in 6.5 seconds from 0–100 km/h, the MINI John Cooper Works Clubman manages the spurt in just 0.3 seconds more.

Fascinating power due to motor racing expertise.

The MINI John Cooper Works and MINI John Cooper Works Clubman are driven by a true power package based on the current engine of the MINI Cooper S, extensively revised for the MINI John Cooper Works CHALLENGE racing vehicle and now back on the road with refreshed power. Even the basic design of the 1,598 cc 4-cylinder engine has details which are drawn from motor racing. The cylinder block and bearing housing are made of aluminium, the four valves per cylinder are controlled by two upper camshafts, friction-optimised cam followers and hydraulic valve clearance compensation elements. The outlet valves are filled with sodium so as to meet the increased cooling needs of a turbo engine. The camshafts of the 4-cylinder are composite. Instead of using the conventional die-cast procedure, the cam rings are made of high-strength steel and shrink-fitted to the actual shaft. The intake camshaft has a continuously variable phase adjustment function by means of which the valve control times can be adapted to the relevant performance requirements.

The engines for the MINI John Cooper Works and the MINI John Cooper Works Clubman are made at the BMW Group engine plant Hams Hall (Great Britain) where the engine units for all MINI model variations are manufactured. In the case of the top-of-the-range engine, there are a number of special modifications to the production process to do justice to the increased output and the resulting higher temperatures in the combustion chamber, thereby guaranteeing maximum reliability of the drive system. The engines are fitted with reinforced and specifically ground pistons as well as a cylinder head with optimised rigidity and modified gasketing. The intake valves and valve seat rings are also made of especially resilient material, and as compared to the engine of the MINI Cooper S there is a slight reduction of the compression.

More air, more power, more torque – the formula for increased driving pleasure.

The power increase as compared to the engine of the MINI Cooper S is mainly achieved by means of optimised air intake and outlet due to an adapted turbocharger. The air filter, air mass sensor, exhaust system and catalytic converter have been modified so as to achieve a power-enhancing dethrottling on the induction and exhaust side. This is also reflected in an engine sound which is peculiar to this model. Due to the adaptation of the exhaust system, a significant reduction of counterpressure is achieved. The MINI John Cooper Works and MINI John Cooper Works Clubman fulfil the requirements for adherence to the particularly stringent threshold levels defined by the exhaust norms EU5 in Europe and ULEV II in the US.

The through-flow capacity of the clean air duct to the turbocharger has also been increased. The design of the Twin Scroll turbocharger enables an especially spontaneous power build-up. In the exhaust manifold and the turbocharger, the channels of two cylinders are separated in each case. The supercharger blades are set in optimum motion even at low engine speeds. A turbine was developed in very high-quality material especially for the MINI John Cooper Works and the MINI John Cooper Works Clubman, and the maximum boost pressure was increased from 0.9 to 1.3 bar overpressure.

The maximum torque of 260 Nm ( 192 lb-ft US) is available even at an engine speed of 1,850 rpm and up to a level of 5,600 rpm. During acceleration, torque is raised to 280 Nm (207 lb-ft US) by means of a brief increase in boost pressure between 2,000 and 5,300 rpm. This overboost function gives the MINI John Cooper Works and the MINI John Cooper Works Clubman an even more powerful response. The engine reaches its maximum output of 155 kW/211 bhp (207 hp US) at 6,000 rpm. The spontaneous response is also reflected in the car’s acceleration figures. The MINI John Cooper Works takes 6.5 seconds to accelerate from 0–100 km/h, the time required by the MINI John Cooper Works Clubman is 6.8 seconds. Both have a maximum speed of 238 km/h.

Petrol direct injection: fuel is precisely measured and efficiently used.

With a specific output of 132 bhp per litre of capacity, the MINI John Cooper Works and MINI John Cooper Works Clubman advance into the realm of the purebred sports car. What is more, both new models have the characteristic MINI quality of offering unique driving fun in combination with exemplary efficiency. The key function here is the fuel supply system. The turbo 4-cylinder is fitted with petrol direction injection according to the common rail principle. Injection valves positioned laterally in the cylinder head feed the fuel in precise doses under a pressure of 120 bar from the tank directly into the combustion chamber. This means that in every situation on the road, precise fuel supply is guaranteed which is adapted to the given load requirements. The average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle is at an unusually low level for vehicles of this output category. The MINI John Cooper Works makes do with 6.9 litres per 100 kilometres, the MINI John Cooper Works Clubman requires 7.0 litres. The respective CO2 figures are 165 and 167 grams per kilometre.

Conceived for maximum driving fun: chassis, brakes, assistance systems.

The standard range of features of the MINI John Cooper Works and the MINI John Cooper Works Clubman not only includes a particularly high-performance engine but also a wide range of other components which ensure that this irrepressible power is put safely onto the road. As is characteristic of MINI, the engine powers the front wheels. The MINI John Cooper Works and MINI John Cooper Works Clubman are fitted with a 6-speed manual transmission whose components have been adapted to the very high level of torque of this new top-level engine. In addition to the sophisticated chassis technology with McPherson struts at the front axle and the central control arm rear axle, which is itself unique in the small car segment, the electromechanical EPAS (Electrical Power Assisted Steering) is a further guarantee of reliable and precise handling. The electrical servomotor also contributes to efficiency in that it is only activated when steering support is required or desired by the driver.

Specifications

Drivetrain
Final Drive Ratio	3.647:1
Layout	Front Engine, FWD
Transmission	Getrag 6-Speed manual
Engine
Bore x Stroke	3.03 x 3.38 in.
Displacement	1.6 Liters
Engine Type	Twin Scroll Turbocharged 4 Cylinder
Horsepower	208 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	192 lb-ft. @ 1850 rpm
Exterior
Body Type	Fixed Roof Coupe
Height	55.4 in.
Length	146.2 in.
Tires	205/45 R17 84W RSC
Wheelbase	97.1 in.
Wheels	7J x 17 alloy
Width	66.3 in.
Performance
0-60 mph	6.2 sec
1/4 mile	14.5 sec
Fuel Economy	25 city/ 33 highway mpg
Top Speed	147 mph