News : MINI JCW Concept confirmed for Detroit

Keith Adams

MINI John Cooper Works concept (2)

The John Cooper Works Concept will be unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show, and previews how the next-generation go-faster MINI is going to look, even before the standard F56 goes on sale. But then, the JCW sub-brand will be pushed even harder with the next generation MINI, becoming what will be effectively the British marque’s M-Sport brand.

The show car features including exclusive body paintwork in Bright Highways Grey, red inserts and highlights, bespoke aerodynamic features and 18in John Cooper Works light-alloy wheels in a newly developed – yet familiar -design. Once again, MINI promises ‘go-kart feeling’ and ‘hardcore driving fun’. Which given the stunning track performance of the current Works GP, we can well believe.

Large air intakes – filling the space reserved for fog lights in the series-produced MINI models – and air-channelling aero tricks mark out the front apron of the MINI John Cooper Works Concept, which also features LED headlights and a black surround for the front grille. It’s an acquired taste, and it will also be interesting to see if the fans take to this far more aggressive look than what came previously.

MINI John Cooper Works concept (1)

John Cooper Works aerodynamic kit also includes contoured skirts and a rear apron with flaps and a diffuser element. The study car further features a roof spoiler and additional body components designed to channel air efficiently around the C-pillars for optimised aerodynamic balance at high speeds. It’s more Works GP than standard JCW, and expect the production version to be toned down somewhat.

The MINI John Cooper Works Concept is fitted with a sports exhaust system, and the twin tailpipes with chrome finish also carry the John Cooper Works logo. There’s no word yet about power, price or availability of the production version, but expect to see a JCW MINI hit the showrooms before the end of 2014.

MINI John Cooper Works concept (3)

Keith Adams

11 Comments

  1. The centre lower air intake makes it look a little overdone, a touch too fussy at the rear, the grey paintwork looks superb.

  2. Over cooked with the graphics I’m afraid. A bit too much go- faster lines. A JCW shouldn’t need it to sell.

  3. Not really much of a ‘concept’, is it?

    More of a slight variation of the same old stick-on tat as standard Coopers.

    Well, s’pose it’s Christmas. So a bit of tinsel on the turkey isn’t really amiss…

  4. looks stunning, cant wait for these new JCW minis to arrive.
    No doubt there will a lot of envious people out there who hate the new mini – only because they cant afford one .

  5. looks stunning, cant wait for these new JCW minis to arrive.
    No doubt there will be a lot of envious people out there who hate the new mini – only because they cant afford one.

  6. @10, Dave,

    I can’t afford one- but I don’t want one either.

    Likewise, I can’t afford a diamond-studded Vertu mobile phone, a gansta-style blinged-up Range Rover. Or Liberace-style interior decorating.

    Just because something is expensive does not make it desirable.

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