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Basic Specs
| Base Price | $31,900 |
| Drivetrain | Front Wheel Drive |
| Curb Weight (lbs) | 2701 |
| City (MPG) | 25 |
| Hwy (MPG) | 33 |
| Horsepower | 208@6000 |
| Torque (lb-ft) | 192@1850-5600 |
| Wheelbase | 97.1 |
| Length (in.) | 148.0 |
| Width (in.) | 66.3 |
| Height (in.) | 54.5 |
The MINI Coupe John Cooper Works is the no holds barred, all-out performance version of MINI’s most sporting model. The Coupe represents MINI’s foray into what it refers to as the super compact sports car class, but price-wise the John Cooper Works variant faces stiff competition in the form of the Hyundai Genesis Coupe, Fiat 500 Abarth, Chevrolet Camaro SS and the Ford Mustang GT.
The Coupe John Cooper Works is smaller and significantly slower than many of its competitors, but its also more agile than those modern-day musclecars. But what the Coupe JCW really has going for it is its unusual interpretation of a roof and small packaging, making it an ideal car for people looking for something completely unique and city-friendly.
With a “torsion wall” chassis reinforcement where the MINI Cooper has rear seats, the Coupe John Cooper Works is strictly a two-seater. Somewhat counter intuitively, it actually weighs about 50 lbs more than its four-seat counterpart because it’s based on the meatier unibody of the Cabrio, which has reinforced rocker sills for greater structural rigidity and improved handling.
Like all Coupes, the Coupe John Cooper Works distinguishes itself visually from normal MINI Coopers with an unusual “helmet” roof (available in black, red and silver) supported by black pillars. There are oval-shaped recesses in the roof liner for increased headroom inside, while the rear section of the roof houses an active spoiler that extends automatically at 50 mph to optimize airflow. The steeply raked windshield is slanted an additional 13 degrees compared with a normal Mini Cooper for a sportier look.
For all of the structural and aesthetic changes, the Coupe John Cooper Works is still heavily based on the MINI Cooper John Cooper Works. For example, the pair share the same engine, a turbocharged and direct-fuel injected 1.6-liter inline-four cylinder. The little engine sports parent company BMW’s flexible VALVETRONIC variable valve timing technology and makes a front-tire endangering 208 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque at 1,850-5,600 revs (207 lb-ft in overboost mode), good for a quoted zero-to-60 mph time of 6.1 seconds and a top speed of 149 mph. The only transmission is a six-speed manual.
Inside, the Coupe John Cooper Works utilizes the traditionally quirky Mini control and instrumentation layout, with an enormous speedometer in the center of the dash and a steering-column mounted tachometer. In keeping with the nature of the car, sport seats are fitted as standard. A pass-through feature links the trunk to the passenger compartment for extra cargo versatility to go along with the car’s racy styling.
Befitting the brand’s quasi-premium intentions, the Coupe John Cooper Works features a healthy list of standard equipment including speed-sensitive power steering, electrically adjustable exterior mirrors, height-adjustable seats, air conditioning and an audio system with MP3-compatible CD player and AUX IN connection.
Optional equipment includes Park Distance Control, black headlight housing, xenon headlights, Adaptive Headlights, Comfort Access, automatic climate control, automatically dimming rear-view mirror and exterior mirrors, a storage package and for the aesthetically challenged, a rear luggage carrier rack. Entertainment options include a Harman Kardon sound system, Bluetooth mobile phone preparation, a USB audio interface and a navigation system with a 6.5-inch display in the center of the speedometer.
Additionally, a wide variety of racing stripes, graphics and unique upholstery options are available for customers desirous of additional personalization.
Safety
Active safety features include Dynamic Stability and Traction Control systems and, as an option, an Electronic Differential Lock Control that helps keep the inside front wheel from spinning excessively when exiting tight turns.
In the event of a collision, the Coupe John Cooper Works comes equipped with dual front and head-thorax airbags, which are integrated into the sides of the seat backrests and protect the head, upper body and hip area from injury in the event of a side-on impact.
Key competitors
The MINI Coupe JCW is as close to a hot-hatch as a coupe can be, destined to be matched up against a myriad of competitors, almost all of which are larger. The list ranges from the Scion tC, to the Volkswagen GTI, to the Ford Focus ST, to the Honda Civic Si and probably its closest competitor, the Fiat 500 Abarth.
Similar Cars
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2012 Honda Accord Coupe
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2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe
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2012 Cadillac CTS Coupe
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2012 Chevrolet Camaro
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2012 Chevrolet Camaro SS
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2013 Ford Mustang
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2013 Ford Mustang GT
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2013 Nissan 370Z
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2012 Nissan Nismo 370Z
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2012 Dodge Challenger
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2012 BMW 1-Series
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2012 BMW 3-Series Coupe
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2012 Infiniti G37
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2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe
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2012 MINI Coupe Cooper
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2012 MINI Coupe Cooper S
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2012 MINI Coupe John Cooper Works
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2013 Subaru BRZ
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- General
- Body Style: Coupe
- Size: Compact
- Market Segment: Sports
- Weight: 2701 lbs
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- Exterior
- Length: 148.0 in.
- Width: 66.3 in.
- Height: 54.5 in.
- Wheelbase: 97.1 in.
- Ground Clearance: TBD
- Front Track: 57.2 in.
- Rear Track: 57.5 in.
- Weight Distribution: 63.3/36.7
- Drag Coefficient: 0.35
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- Interior - General
- Seats: 2
- Passenger Volume: TBD
- Cargo Volume: TBD
- Cargo Volume (Seats Folded): TBD
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- Interior - Front Row
- Volume: TBD
- Leg Room: TBD
- Head Room: 38.4 in.
- Shoulder Room: 50.3 in.
- Hip Room: TBD
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- Propulsion
- Fuel Type: Gas
- Engine Type: 1.6L I4
- Power: 208 hp @ 6000 rpm
- Torque: 192 lb-ft @ 1850-5600 rpm
- Transmission: 6-Speed Manual
- Highway Fuel Economy: 33 mpg
- City Fuel Economy: 25 mpg
- Forced Induction: Turbocharger
- Direct Injection: No
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- Chassis
- Layout: Front Wheel Drive
- Front Suspension: Strut-Type
- Rear Suspension: Multi-Link
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- Wheels
- Front: 17" Aluminum
- Front Tires: 205/45 R17
- Rear: 17" Aluminum
- Rear Tires: 205/45 R17
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- Trailering & Hauling
- Trailer Weight: TBD
- Payload: N/A
- Tongue Weight: TBD
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