2009 Mini John Cooper Works Detroit MI

2009 Mini John Cooper Works By Brian Alexander, Road Test Editor



2009 MINI Cooper Hardtop
DriverSide Overview
There’s no denying that the Mini Cooper is a bit of a phenomenon in its own right, a thoroughly modern Germanic take on Britain’s quirky yet lovable front-wheel drive classic. A simple web search will pull up a plethora of Mini sites, providing anything from forums and community services to Mini-focused driving academies. With a following this unwaveringly obsessive, a high-end performance model is a no-brainer. In steps the Mini John Cooper Works, a Cooper S on turbocharged steroids aimed at popular compact performance icons like the Volkswagen GTI and Honda Civic Si . However, in this company the rowdy Mini is the loudest guest at the party, the guy who shows up with the beer bong and will only part with the karaoke machine when dragged away kicking and screaming. Its exhaust system is about as subtle as fishing with hand grenades, and the turbo whooshes and sputters like a rally car that has escaped from a nearby special stage. Add to this Brembo brakes and a stiff sports suspension and the result is one cracking front-wheel drive monster. Commence with the front-axle burnouts.

What's to Like
As a weapon for dissecting the zigs and zags of mountain roads and racetracks, the JCW succeeds marvelously. Compact dimensions make it a good compromise for buyers looking for a city car with a wild side, especially when it maintains the fuel economy numbers of the Cooper S. Parent company BMW’s quality is apparent throughout the interior.

What's Not to Like
At a hair under $30k, JCW ownership comes at a price. Compounding the problem is Mini’s decision to take a page out of Porsche’s book, tempting buyers with a never-ending options list. Inherent to the Mini design is styling that limits functionality, such as the planet-sized centrally mounted speedometer. A navigation system is offered as an option, of course, but we think a simple multimedia screen would work best.

The Drive:
DriverSide Driving Impressions
At just 1.6-liters, the JCW’s engine is unashamedly turbocharged. Swollen midrange torque is accompanied by the whistle of turbo vanes compressing air under acceleration, an orderly mechanical symphony that finds itself at odds with the engine’s off-throttle violence as unburnt fuel in the exhaust ignites upon contact with fresh air. Gear changes flow well with a notchy yet light tactility, and the steering is properly direct with minimal kickback over rough surfaces. Uncork the JCW on a back road and it performs superbly, the DCT system sorting out whatever torque steer is present in lower gears. Fully defeating DCT activates electronic differential lock control, a sort of limited-slip stand-in that does its best to eliminate wheel slip by braking the inside wheel when slip is detected. Like a lot of Brembo systems, the brakes are very grabby at the top of the peda...

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