Skip advert
Advertisement

New 2017 MINI JCW Countryman: official images and details

MINI’s hot John Cooper Works crossover debuts with 228bhp and all-wheel drive, set to arrive in April

Just after we drove the regular new MINI Countryman, the brand has revealed the flagship John Cooper Works range addition. The Countryman JCW features 228bhp, all-wheel drive, and will make its public debut at the Shanghai Motor Show in April. 

As with its JCW stablemates, the MINI hatch and Clubman, there’s a host of racy styling additions to leave you in no doubt of this model’s performance potential. A new front bumper with chunky cooling inlets, a model-specific bodykit, and new roof spoiler and either 18 or 19-inch John Cooper Works alloy wheels feature. As usual, there’s also plenty of JCW badging to mark it out. 

Like the standard Countryman, the JCW is 190mm longer and 30mm wider than the old car, offering more passenger and boot space as a result. Inside, there are also new sports seats with integrated headrests, an upgraded multifunction steering wheel, a sportier gearknob and anthracite rooflining. Standard kit includes LED headlamps, cruise control with auto braking, rear parking sensors and the 6.5-inch sat-nav system. A larger and more feature-packed 8.8-inch unit can also be specified.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The MINI JCW Clubman uses the same 228bhp 2.0-litre twin-scroll turbo four-cylinder petrol engine as other John Cooper Works models, meaning a 13bhp increase on the outgoing model's engine.

Producing 350Nm of torque between 1,450 and 4,500rpm, it’s capable of firing the crossover from 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds – although MINI doesn’t specify whether that’s with the standard six-speed manual gearbox or the optional eight-speed automatic. CO2 is quoted at 169g/km with the manual (158g/km with the auto) and the claimed combined fuel economy is 38.2mpg (40.9mpg for the auto). The eight-speed automatic gearbox also features a launch control function. 

To help the Countryman put that power onto the road, it’s only available with MINI’s electronically-controlled ALL4 all-wheel drive system – it’s said to be a more efficient setup than previous ALL4 systems, and can send almost all of the power to the rear axle if required. Stiffened springs and dampers, Servotronic variable steering, and four-piston Brembo brakes are added, too.

More specs and full pricing will be announced later in the spring, with the car set to appear at the Shanghai Motor Show before deliveries commence in middle of the year.

What do you think of the new MINI Countryman JCW? Let us know below...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

New MINI Countryman JCW 2024 review: fails to live up to its potential
MINI Countryman JCW UK - front
Road tests

New MINI Countryman JCW 2024 review: fails to live up to its potential

The bigger MINI Countryman SUV is now a genuine family car, and we try the hot JCW version for the first time
15 Mar 2024
New MINI Countryman JCW aims to deliver performance and practicality
MINI Countryman JCW - front
News

New MINI Countryman JCW aims to deliver performance and practicality

The new MINI Countryman JCW gets 296bhp and four-wheel drive
10 Nov 2023

Most Popular

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay
Road tax documentation
News

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay

Drivers with newer cars will now pay £10 more per year, although the biggest gas guzzlers fare even worse
28 Mar 2024
Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power
Dacia Sandero - front
News

Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power

Both the Sandero and Sandero Stepway ranges have been tweaked, gaining more safety features to meet the latest regulations
26 Mar 2024
Huge Audi new car blitz to bring us 9 models in 2 years
Upcoming Audi models - four-way image
News

Huge Audi new car blitz to bring us 9 models in 2 years

After a quiet few years, the German giant is gearing up for its biggest product onslaught to date
25 Mar 2024