The newest and most powerful Mini, the John Cooper Works Countryman, is also one of the most expensive. With a base price of $35,550 this Mini is pricey, but you get a lot of fun for the cash. The JCW Countryman is the first AWD JCW car, and it comes with a potent (for MINI) 208-horsepower turbo four engine.
While we don’t yet have full pricing for all the options that are going to be available with the JCW Countryman, rest assured, it will help you push that already large number well into higher brackets. The most expensive JCW available on Mini’s vehicle builder is the JCW Clubman, and a judicious helping of extra pieces will push the price of that car well past the $50k mark.
If you want more details on this little pocket rocket, check out the lengthy press release below our gallery of photos.
EXTREME DRIVING FUN ON ANY TERRAIN: THE MINI JOHN COOPER WORKS COUNTRYMAN.
Woodcliff Lake, NJ – September 25 2012
1. Extreme driving fun on any terrain.
The MINI John Cooper Works Countryman.
(Short version)
For the first time, the passion for racing can be enjoyed in combination with four-wheel drive. The MINI John Cooper Works Countryman is equipped as standard with the ALL4 all-wheel-drive system and powered by a newly developed turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Together, its powertrain and chassis technology – developed on the back of extensive motor sport expertise – and the overall concept of the first MINI with five doors and four/five seats allow the hallmark characteristics of a John Cooper Works model to take the leap into another new segment.
New generation of engines, unbeatable output, automatic gearbox available as an option.
The latest-generation twin-scroll turbocharged engine features not only direct injection but also variable valve management based on the BMW Group’s VALVETRONIC technology. The version of the 1.6-liter four-cylinder fitted in the MINI John Cooper Works Countryman develops maximum output of 208 hp, and peak torque of 260nm is available between 1,850 and 5,600 rpm. The sports exhaust system ensures that this impressive power delivery is accompanied by the soundtrack it deserves.
Available as an alternative to the standard six-speed manual gearbox is an optional six-speed automatic. The MINI John Cooper Works Countryman requires just 7 seconds – in manual or automatic guise – to sprint from rest to 60 mph on its way to a maximum 127 mph (205 kp/h). However, the optimized efficiency of the engine keep fuel consumption and emissions impressively low given the performance available. Indeed, the MINI John Cooper Works Countryman records average fuel consumption of 7.4 liters per 100 kilometers (European data)
The first John Cooper Works model with all-wheel drive.
The MINI John Cooper Works Countryman is the first member of this ultra-sporting family to channel its engine’s extreme output onto the road surface through all four wheels. Its ALL4 all-wheel-drive system distributes drive seamlessly between the front and rear axle using an electromagnetic center differential. This means power is always sent to the wheels where it can be transferred most effectively into forward propulsion.
Standard equipment also includes 18-inch light-alloy wheels in Twin Spoke design, red brake callipers and sports suspension with firmly tuned springs and dampers, strengthened anti-roll bars and a 10-millimeter lower ride height. The DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) system includes DTC (Dynamic Traction Control) mode, while the standard Sport Button tweaks the engine’s responses and vocal character, and adjusts the power assistance provided by the steering.
Unmistakable: four doors, large tailgate, standard-fitted aerodynamic kit, sports car ambience in the cockpit.
With four doors and a large tailgate, the MINI John Cooper Works Countryman is equipped to deal with anything life in the urban jungle – and beyond – can throw at it. And it does so in an inimitably sporty manner. The standard aerodynamic kit, for instance, gives the new John Cooper Works model eye-catching looks and optimizes the flow of air around its body. Customers can choose from a selection of seven exterior paint colors, while the contrast paint finish for the roof and exterior mirror caps is offered in a shade of red available exclusively for John Cooper Works models, as well as white and black.
Inside the car, the impressive practicality of the MINI Countryman concept is laced with sporting flourishes. The rear compartment offers a seat bench for three passengers or – as a no-cost option – two individual seats. The rear seats can slide fore and aft in a 60 : 40 split with the three-seat bench option or individually for the bucket seats; and their backrests can be adjusted for tilt or folded down. Folding the backrests increases boot capacity from 16.5 ft3 to a maximum 42.2 ft3. Bespoke sports seats, a sports steering wheel, Piano Black interior trim strips, an anthracite-colored roof liner and dark speedometer and tachometer dials all help to generate a sports car ambience.
Options available exclusively for the MINI John Cooper Works Countryman include 19-inch light-alloy wheels, sports seats with Lounge Leather trim in Carbon Black Championship Red, and interior trim strips and Sport Stripes in Chili Red. Air conditioning and the radio MINI Boost CD are both fitted as standard, but customers can also order their cars with all the comfort and individuality-enhancing options available for its MINI Countryman stablemates, as well as a full complement of MINI Connected features and bespoke John Cooper Works accessories.
Price
MINI John Cooper Works Countryman Cooper S ALL4: $35,550
2. At a glance
MINI John Cooper Works Countryman is the performance model of the range and the first to come with MINI ALL4 all-wheel drive; MINI John Cooper Works Countryman combines racing passion on the road with extreme driving fun on rough terrain; authentic embodiment of traditional motor sport expertise and the current rally racing program; introducing this distinctive racing feel into another new vehicle segment opens up additional target groups for the John Cooper Works brand.
Newly developed four-cylinder turbocharged engine with 1.6-liter displacement and maximum output of 208 hp; peak torque: 260nm.; innovative combination of twin-scroll turbocharger, direct injection and fully variable valve management based on the BMW Group’s VALVETRONIC technology; compelling performance – acceleration from 0 to 62 mph (100kp/h) in 7 seconds – and stand-out efficiency in this output class.
Six-speed manual gearbox fitted as standard, six-speed automatic gearbox with Steptronic function and steering wheel shift paddles available as an option; standard sports exhaust produces stirring soundtrack; standard Sport Button tweaks the engine’s responses and vocal character, the power assistance provided by the steering and the shift dynamics of the optional automatic gearbox.
MINI ALL4 permanent all-wheel drive available for the first time in a John Cooper Works model; distribution of power varied seamlessly between the front and rear axles by an electromagnetic center differential positioned directly on the final drive; DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) including DTC (Dynamic Traction Control) and EDLC (Electronic Differential Lock Control) linked up to ALL4 all-wheel drive as standard; hallmark MINI handling characteristics expressed in maximum intensity and with a new, traction-led character.
Sophisticated chassis technology with MacPherson struts at the front axle and a central-arm rear axle adapted specially for the MINI John Cooper Works Countryman; standard sports suspension with particularly firmly tuned springs and dampers, strengthened anti-roll bars and a 10-millimeter drop in ride height; powerful brakes with red calipers; extra-lightweight 18-inch Twin Spoke light-alloy wheels fitted as standard; exclusive 19-inch wheels available as an option.
High-quality standard equipment includes the MINI Center Rail, air conditioning and the radio MINI Boost CD; variety of individualization options and comfort-enhancing features, such as xenon Adaptive Headlights, Comfort Access, automatically dimming rear-view mirror and exterior mirrors, electrically operated tilting/sliding glass sunroof, Park Distance Control, harman/kardon hi-fi loudspeaker system, MINI navigation system; range of MINI Connected functions include web radio, in-car use of Facebook and Twitter, Dynamic Music, Driving Excitement, Mission Control and the MINIMALISM Analyzer.
Technical specifications and performance: MINI John Cooper Works Countryman: Four-cylinder petrol engine with twin-scroll turbocharger, direct injection and fully variable valve management based on the BMW Group’s VALVETRONIC technology.
Displacement: 1,598 cc, output: 208 hp at 6,000 rpm, max. torque 260nm at 1,850 – 5,600 rpm.
Acceleration 0 – 62 mph (100kp/h): 7 seconds, top speed: 127 mph.
Average fuel consumption according to EU test cycle: 7.4 liters per 100 kilometers, CO2 emissions: 172 g/km (184 g/km).
Exterior dimensions:
Length: 4110 inches (US Length TBC)
Width: 70.4 inches
Height: 61.5 inches
Wheelbase: 102.2 inches
3. More power, more space, more individuality.
Concept and design
The MINI family is constantly expanding, and new additions have also been made to the range of John Cooper Works models. For the first time, race-bred thrills can be experienced in combination with the transfer of power through all four wheels. The MINI John Cooper Works Countryman, fitted with the most powerful engine in the MINI model range and equipped as standard with the ALL4 all-wheel-drive system, assures the driver of extreme driving fun on any terrain. Powertrain and chassis technology underpinned by extensive motor sport expertise teams up with the vehicle concept of the first MINI with four doors, a large tailgate and up to five seats to introduce the famed handling characteristics and looks of John Cooper Works models to additional target groups in another new segment.
The MINI Countryman has displayed its sporting potential in a string of impressive performances in the World Rally Championship (WRC) – proof, if it were needed, that the brand’s first five-seater shares the racing genes which define the character of every MINI. Now John Cooper Works has polished these inherent talents to dazzling effect in a production model.
Unique combination: variable-usage interior, impressive output, poise and assurance in an extremely wide range of road conditions.
Within its class, the MINI John Cooper Works Countryman brings an unrivalled combination of race-focused powertrain technology, all-wheel drive, premium profile and versatile interior to the table. And its inimitable style also comes to the fore through various design features and an exclusive selection of paint finishes, light-alloy wheels and interior materials. The standard equipment of the sixth model in the John Cooper Works line-up includes an aerodynamic kit which lends extra muscle to the front and rear apron, as well as bespoke side skirts, 18-inch light-alloy wheels and the sports car cockpit ambience which has become a specialty of John Cooper Works models.
The MINI John Cooper Works Countryman captures the imagination by imbuing the traditional MINI go-kart handling characteristics with an even sharper edge. The fast and precise responses of the all-wheel-drive system allow it to demonstrate impressive poise and assurance in challenging road and weather conditions and off the beaten track. The MINI John Cooper Works Countryman is equally adept when it comes to crossing the boundaries of urban mobility, and its generous levels of space and seating comfort encourage the driver and passengers to admire the qualities of this versatile performance athlete over longer journeys as well.
Four or five seats and up to 42.2 ft3 of luggage space.
With short overhangs, a high waistline and a powerful over-the-wheel stance, the MINI John Cooper Works Countryman draws its design inspiration from the time-honored MINI template. The family ties are also emphasized by styling cues such as the characteristic contours of the radiator grille, large headlights set into the bonnet, voluminous wheel arches and vertical rear light clusters. Features particular to this model include the John Cooper Works badges on the radiator grille and tailgate, and red-backed, anthracite-colored side indicator surrounds on the diagonal link between the A-pillars and the front wheel arches. Customers can choose from a selection of seven exterior paint shades. The contrast paint finish for the roof and exterior mirror can be ordered in the red shade exclusive to John Cooper Works models, as well as white and black. Sport Stripes in the same colors are available as an option.
The rear of the MINI John Cooper Works Countryman can be specified with either a seat bench for three passengers or two individual seats (as a no-cost option). The rear seats can slide fore and aft individually or in a 60 : 40 split if the three-seat bench is specified; and their backrests can be adjusted for tilt and folded down individually (in a 40 : 20 : 40 split for the three-seat bench) to increase boot capacity from 16.5 ft3 to as much as 42.2 ft3. The Center Rail storage and attachment system is also part of standard specification.
The MINI John Cooper Works Countryman will be built at the BMW Group’s partner firm Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik in Graz, Austria. Production will take place alongside the other variants of the MINI Countryman on a separate assembly line set up and operated according to the exacting standards of the BMW Group. As with all the brand’s models, the high-performance powerplant for this sharpest of all MINI Countryman models will be sourced from the Hams Hall engine plant, one corner of the MINI Production Triangle in England.
4. Cutting-edge technology delivers unbeatable performance.
Engine and gearbox
The motor sport roots of John Cooper Works are reflected in a constant thirst for new performance benchmarks. This ambition has inspired even more power from the new four-cylinder engine in the MINI John Cooper Works Countryman, as well as ensuring further gains in efficiency.
The latest generation of the twin-scroll turbocharged engine benefits from both direct injection and variable valve control based on the BMW Group’s VALVETRONIC technology. This throttle-free load control system significantly improves both the engine’s responsiveness and its efficiency. Reinforced pistons and intake valves, and further optimization of the cooling, air supply and exhaust gas discharge system, enable additional increases in output and torque. Added to which, the 1.6-liter engine’s turbocharger is given a particularly large intercooler.
Central construction principles of the four-cylinder engine and many of its technical details betray a direct link to the development of race-trim engines. Its cylinder block and bearing mounts are made from aluminum and join forces with reinforced pistons, a particularly high-strength cylinder head and low-weight crankshafts. The four valves of each cylinder are operated by two overhead camshafts, low-friction rocker arms and hydraulic valve clearance compensation elements. The exhaust valves are sodium-filled to help provide the extra cooling required by a turbocharged engine.
High output, extra torque via the overboost function, distinctive soundtrack and the option of a six-speed automatic gearbox.
The MINI John Cooper Works Countryman’s engine develops its maximum output of 208 hp at 6,000 rpm. Peak torque of 260nmis on tap between 1,850 and 5,600 rpm. The sports exhaust system – its slanting tailpipe embellishers providing an extra dose of the hallmark John Cooper Works design – gives this outstanding power delivery a fitting soundtrack.
As an alternative to the standard-specification six-speed manual gearbox, customers can also order a six-speed automatic as an option. Detailed tweaks have been made to both the gearboxes themselves and the clutch for the manual variant to take into account the extra engine power and ensure outstanding performance combined with optimized efficiency. The automatic transmission’s Steptronic function allows the driver to change gear manually using either the selector lever on the center console or the steering wheel shift paddles. Pressing the standard-fitted Sport Button, located in front of the selector lever on the center console, speeds up the gear changes in automatic mode to enable particularly rapid acceleration. The Sport Button also tweaks the engine’s responses and acoustic profile, and the power assistance provided by the steering, in both automatic and manual models.
Intoxicating acceleration, impressive efficiency.
The MINI John Cooper Works Countryman needs just 7.0 seconds to dash from 0 to 62 mph (100kp/h) – with either the manual or the automatic gearbox. Top speed is 127 mph for both transmission options.
The standard-fitted MINIMALISM technology and the engine’s inherent efficiency combine to provide levels of economy that are all the more remarkable given the performance available. The MINI John Cooper Works Countryman records average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle of 7.4 liters per 100 km (European data).
Among the components helping to give the John Cooper Works Countryman its efficiency edge are the Electric Power Steering, whose electric motor only uses energy when power assistance is actually required, a map-controlled oil pump, an on-demand coolant pump, lightweight construction elements and optimized aerodynamic properties.
5. Poise and assurance on the road and beyond.
Power transfer and chassis
The MINI John Cooper Works Countryman delivers extreme driving fun on any terrain through the confluence of unbridled engine power, traction optimized to the situation at hand and assured road-holding.
The racing expertise of John Cooper Works, built up over many years of competition experience, is also reflected in the precise interplay of engine, power transfer systems and chassis. Spirited acceleration, enthralling handling and variable power distribution between the front and rear wheels combine to imbue the MINI John Cooper Works Countryman with a fresh take on the classic racing feeling.
MINI ALL4: the key to extreme driving fun on and off the beaten track.
The MINI John Cooper Works Countryman is the first model from the fold to send the imposing output from its motor sport-inspired engine through all four wheels. The ALL4 all-wheel-drive system uses an electromagnetic center differential to distribute drive seamlessly between the front and rear axles. This ensures the engine’s power always finds its way to where it can be converted most effectively into forward motion.
The control electronics of the MINI ALL4 system are integrated directly into the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) management unit, which gives ALL4 response times of less than a tenth of a second. The system examines the data collected by DSC precisely and uses it to carry out pre-emptive adjustments in the distribution of power. And that means the driver enjoys outstanding agility combined with surefooted – in other words, typically MINI – driving characteristics. The MINI ALL4 system’s proactive interventions optimize stability and traction through dynamically taken corners, for example, by distributing drive as required and therefore delaying the moment when DSC has to step in to prevent spinning wheels.
Sports suspension, including lower ride height, as standard.
Another central element in defining the MINI John Cooper Works Countryman’s elite sporting character is its chassis technology, which includes a single-joint MacPherson spring strut front axle and forged cross members, a central-arm rear axle, Electric Power Steering with speed-sensitive power assistance, and extremely effective brakes with red callipers. The front brake discs are 307 millimeters in diameter and 24 millimeters thick, while the rear discs measure 296 x 10 millimeters.
The standard sports suspension includes extremely firm tuning for the springs and dampers, strengthened anti-roll bars and a 10-millimetre drop in ride height. 18-inch Twin Spoke light-alloy wheels with polished spoke fronts and black rim wells are fitted as standard and come with 225/45 R18 format tires. 19-inch light-alloy wheels designed exclusively for the MINI John Cooper Works Countryman are also available as an option. The standard DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) system also comprises DTC (Dynamic Traction Control) mode, which allows a degree of wheel spin to help the driver pull away on loose sand or snow, for example.
In DSC Off mode, an electronic locking function for the front axle differential comes into play. In tight corners, it brakes a spinning wheel as required to improve handling. Known as Electronic Differential Lock Control (EDLC), this system enhances the car’s traction without adversely affecting its steering properties.
The MINI John Cooper Works Countryman’s assured road manners are complemented by a comprehensive array of safety equipment. The car’s high-strength body structure teams up with standard safety features that include front and side airbags, side curtain airbags for the front and rear seats, three-point inertia-reel seat belts for all occupants, belt tensioners and belt force limiters for the front seats, and ISOFIX child seat attachments in the rear to provide outstanding occupant protection all-round. The MINI Countryman was awarded the maximum five-star rating in Euro NCAP crash testing. Note: US NHTSA crash test results are not yet available.
6. That racing feeling – with an individual touch.
Equipment and accessories
Exclusive equipment features underline both the premium character of the MINI John Cooper Works Countryman and its unmistakable racing focus. The all-wheel-drive performance model matches its distinctive exterior details with a bespoke interior that conjures up a full-blooded sports car ambience. Also included in standard specification are front foglamps, air conditioning, a tire pressure monitor, electric windows front and rear, remote control central locking, the Center Rail storage and attachment system, and the radio MINI Boost CD. Customers can also order their cars with all the comfort, functionality and individuality-enhancing options available for the other MINI Countryman models, a full complement of MINI Connected features and bespoke John Cooper Works accessories.
Racing ambience for the cockpit.
Sports seats in Diagonal Track John Cooper Works Carbon Black cloth trim with red contrast stitching have been designed specifically for the MINI John Cooper Works Countryman, while exclusive options such as the sports seats with Lounge Leather trim in Carbon Black Championship Red can also be ordered. The trim strips around the cockpit, door panels and centre console come in Piano Black as standard. The optional Chili Red trim elements, meanwhile, are exclusive to the MINI John Cooper Works Countryman and include red flourishes for the cockpit and doors, and a red stripe for the black trim elements on the center console.
The door sills come with special John Cooper Works lettering. Added to which, the sports steering wheel with red contrast stitching and John Cooper Works logo, the dark speedometer and tachometer dials, an anthracite-colored roof liner, a gearshift lever with red shift pattern lettering, red contrast stitching for the gearshift lever gaiter, and floor mats with red stitching add further depth to the cockpit’s racing ambience.
High-quality options for enhanced comfort, functionality and individuality; innovative MINI Connected functions.
The John Cooper Works model can also be ordered with all the options offered for its MINI Countryman siblings. Highlights include xenon Adaptive Headlights with black headlight housing, Comfort Access, automatic climate control, heated seats, Park Distance Control, multifunction buttons for the steering wheel (including cruise control), an electrically operated tilting/sliding glass sunroof, a rain sensor with automatic headlamp activation, and automatically dimming rear-view mirror and exterior mirrors. Among the features available to further enhance the car’s functionality are a storage package, a level load compartment floor with removable cover and a luggage compartment partition net.
As alternatives to the standard radio MINI Boost CD, options such as the harman/kardon hi-fi loudspeaker system, radio MINI Visual Boost and MINI navigation system are on hand to take care of entertainment and navigation requirements. They are joined on the options list by a voice control system, a hands-free system/mobile phone preparation and a DAB tuner for receiving digital radio programs.
The MINI Connected option also gives John Cooper Works Countryman owners access to a wide range of infotainment, communications and driving experience-related services, and allows full Apple iPhone integration. Specially developed apps enable numerous functions to be accessed inside the car, such as web radio, Facebook and Twitter usage, Dynamic Music, Driving Excitement, Mission Control and the MINIMALISM Analyser.
