2009 MINI John Cooper Works Review | Buyer Guide
A Hotter Pocket Rocket
If you’ve had a yen for a MINI Cooper, but wanted a car with more serious power, wait no longer, there’s a new John Cooper Works version that comes straight from the factory. This MINI is known to aficionados as the “JCW, ” or the “Works” car. Up until now, owners could only get a JCW dealer-installed kit for a boost in performance, but for 2009, they can get a substantialy re-engineered vehicle.
The Works delivers 208 horsepower, which is 36 more than a Cooper S. It also generates 192-lb.-ft. of torque that can actually increase to 207-lb.-ft. for short bursts. To accomplish this, MINI beefed up the 1.6-liter engine with stronger pistons, valves and rings, then bumped up the turbo pressure from 13 to 19 psi. They also installed a freer-flowing exhaust system. The JCW will get to 60 in about 6.3 seconds. Yet, even with the increased output, it still gets good gas mileage, 25-City/ 33-Highway, just one mpg less than a Cooper S.
To transfer the increased power to the wheels, MINI had to strengthen the six-speed manual transmission. (No automatic is offered on this model.) This gearbox feels solid, and the shifter slides easily from gear to gear. Clutch engagement is smooth, and the pedal pressure is moderate.
MINI also enlarged the brakes to cope with the increased performance of the Works. The fronts are now 12.4-inch vented discs, up from 11.6 on the Cooper S, and the rears are 11-inch solid disc, up .08 inches. The calipers are painted bright red. Completing the package is a set of 17-inch alloy wheels that weigh just 22 pounds each. The stopping power with this combination is mighty impressive. Hit the brakes hard, and it feels like you just threw out an anchor.
The JCW is a car that wants to play. It almost baits you to go fast. And with so much power on tap, it’s not fussy if you are in the wrong gear. But if you do drop the hammer hard, and make a full banzai start, you’re likely to encounter some fierce torque-steer. But on the other hand, the throaty roar you’ll hear will sound like music to your ears.
The Works was made for cut-and-thrust driving. The steering is quick and precise, and conveys a good feel of the road. A stiffer suspension, with thicker anti-roll bars and wider tires on 17-inch rims, enables the JCW to slice through corners with the feel of a go-cart. And if you press the “Sport” button near the shifter, the steering feel becomes a tad heftier, and the throttle response increases. But don’t expect a comfy ride—this car is focused on performance.
MINI equips its pocket rocket with helpful electronic features to assist the driver. Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) is designed to keep the wheels pointed in the right direction. Dynamic Traction Control and Electronic Differential Lock Control monitor wheel spin and intervene, when necessary, to enhance traction. For those who prefer minimum intervention, the DSC can be shut off.
In other respects, the Works is similar to other MINIs. The interior features retro styling touches of the original MINI. The tachometer is perched on the steering column in front of the driver. The speedometer, which is the size of a pie plate, is mounted in the center of the dash. Within this gauge are the radio controls, which are small and inscrutable. Continuing the retro theme are toggle switches to operate things, like the windows. The MINI seats four passengers, and surprisingly, adults can fit in the back, if they’re not too large.
The JCW is available as Cooper coupe, or as a Clubman wagon, but these cars are not cheap. They sell for over $7000 more than the respective MINI S models. The base price for the Cooper is $29,200. The Clubman sells for $31,450.
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