The BMW-owned brand launched the Cooper S JCW Pro Edition last year and we at MotorBeam have finally managed to get our hands on one. So what is this JCW Pro Edition all about?
MINIs have always been fun to drive cars thanks to their go-kart like driving feel.
Starting with the exteriors, the Cooper JCW Pro Edition looks more or less similar to the Cooper S JCW but gets subtle changes.
The Cooper JCW Pro Edition is available only in two colours - British Racing Green and Sinister Black with a Blazing Red finish on the roof and ORVMs.
The hot hatchback gets a sportier front bumper, matte black and red racing stripes on the hood and the tailgate, 17-inch black cosmos alloy wheels, JCW rear spoiler and centrally-mounted carbon-fibre tailpipes.
Rest of the car is identical to the Cooper S JCW.
The interiors of the Cooper JCW Pro Edition get subtle tweaks too.
The dashboard layout is identical to the Cooper S but the JCW Pro Edition gets sporty red inlays on the dashboard, door trims and the seats.
It gets JCW badging on the steering wheel, gear lever, door sills along with Sport leather seats.
The front seats offer good support and comfort (even for the lumbar) while the rear bench is strictly for children.
In terms of features, you get a 6.6-inch MINI central information display, Harmon Kardon Hi-Fi Sound System, head-up display, leather upholstery and an Anthracite headliner.
Like the Cooper S, there is a 211-litre boot.
It's time to talk business.
The MINI Cooper JCW Pro Edition comes powered by a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder TwinPower Turbo petrol motor that produces 210 PS of power at 4700-6000 RPM and 300 Nm of torque (18 PS and 20 Nm up over the regular S trim).
The front-wheel-drive car gets a 6-speed automatic steptronic transmission with Launch Control.
The 2.0-litre powerplant is a hoot to drive and turbo lag, what's that? The car hits a ton in just 6.5 seconds while the top speed is rated at 233 km/hr.
The gearbox is smooth shifting and shifts cogs seamlessly.
The best part about the JCW Edition is the exhausts.
The exhausts make a bassy and loud noise and click the device (remote) placed inside the cabin twice, the sports exhaust gets activated and then, the exhausts make an even louder rumble.
Other than the default mid mode, there are Eco and Sport modes on offer as well. There are steering mounted paddle shifts to manually take control of things.
With all those praises for the motor, there has to be a downside, isn't it and you guessed it right, it's the mileage.
Why would someone who's conscious of the 'kitna dethi hain' buy the Cooper JCW Pro Edition?
But still, it's our responsibility to mention it and hence we do.
Drive the JCW Pro Edition like it's meant to be driven and it'll return around 6-7 km/l but drive it sedately and that number will go up to 10-11 km/l.
While the ride quality is on the stiffer side, the vehicle does supremely well in the corners.
Swapping the 205-section Runflat tyres could help but by a very very slight margin.
The steering provides immense feedback and has the right feel.
The brakes do a phenomenal job of bringing the car to a halt while the grip from the tyres are good enough if not great.
However, hit a bad patch and you will feel the thud inside.
NVH levels inside the cabin aren't all that great and you will hear the wind and suspension noise due to the design and of course the short spring suspension.
When it comes to safety features, the MINI Cooper JCW Pro Edition has you covered.
It gets multiple airbags, ABS with EBD and Brake Assist, ESP, Traction Control, ISOFIX child seat mounts, automatic lights and wipers and Hill Assist.
MINI has after-sales service centres in all the metro cities so getting your car serviced will not be an issue.
The MINI Cooper JCW Pro Edition is clearly for someone who's looking for a second/third car for his/her garage.
This MINI is fairly loaded in terms of features and equipment, offers insane levels of thrill and gets you noticed on the roads like no other car does at this price.
It has its downsides but come on, no car out there is perfect.
The MINI Cooper JCW Pro Edition is a car that you buy with your heart and not the head.
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