BMW announced today the arrival of the MINI John Cooper Works in Australia. BMW also announced the MINI John Cooper Works Australian price.
The MINI John Cooper Works is powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged aluminum 4-cylinder engine that develops 155 kW and 280 Nm of torque at 1,850 rpm thanks to the Overboost function. The tops peed of the MINI John Cooper Works is 238 km/h (the same for the Clubman version) and the 0-100 km/h time is 6.5 seconds (6.8 seconds for the Clubman version)
The MINI John Cooper Works price for the Australian market starts at $48,800 ($51,300 for the Clubman) and will become available for delivery in August 2008.
MINI Press Release:
MINI expands its family of world famous fun cars, and welcomes the arrival in Australia of the MINI John Cooper Works brand.
Boasting a dynamic duo of new models: the MINI John Cooper Works (Hardtop) and MINI John Cooper Works Clubman, MINI Garages will shift up another gear to handle a barrage of interest from the extreme end of the sporting spectrum.
Available for delivery starting in August 2008, the new models may be ordered now by fans of fast cars with impeccable pedigree.
Both MINI John Cooper Works models are powered by the same 155 kW version of the 1.6-litre turbocharged aluminum four-cylinder engine. This produces a maximum of 280 Nm of torque at just 1,850 rpm thanks to the unique Overboost function.
In the rare circumstances when foot-flat acceleration is not required, the high-performance engine churns an enticing 260 Nm of torque, available again from as little as 1,850 rpm.
The MINI John Cooper Works Hardtop model accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 6.5 seconds, while the MINI John Cooper Works Clubman cracks the same sprint in 6.8 seconds. Both share an identical top speed of 238 km/h (where legal) and are extremely frugal given their potent performance potential, with the Hardtop using just 6.9-litres per 100 km on the combined cycle and the Clubman 7.0l/100 km.
The engine is all-but identical to that fitted to the MINI CHALLENGE race cars currently doing battle in the inaugural MINI CHALLENGE race series touring the country on the V8 Supercar Australia calendar.
All MINI John Cooper Works models are only available with a six-speed manual gearbox.
Both MINI John Cooper Works cars models are based on the Chilli specification of their respective models and additionally feature the following:
- John Cooper Works exhaust system
- 17-inch Cross Spoke Challenge S light alloy wheels
- Bigger brakes (316 x 22 mm front and 280 x 10 mm rear)
- 260 km/h speedometer
- John Cooper Works Badges
- Dynamic Traction Control (DTC)
- Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
- Fascia Piano Black
- Anthracite Headliner
- Sun protection glazing, darkened side windows in rear as well as rear window
- Sports leather steering wheel
The standard Cross Spoke Challenge S light alloy wheels (7 J x 17-inches) are shod with 205/45 R17 run-flat safety tires. Available as a no-cost option are17-inch Crown spoke light alloy wheels fitted with the same size tires.
There are more than 40 possible exterior color combinations for the MINI John Cooper Works models, so high performance MINI enthusiasts have plenty of scope to build exactly the MINI they want.
The inside story is exactly the same, with options aplenty. Standard sport seat specification is the cloth/leather 'Ray' upholstery with the choice of four color schemes. Each matches the Piano Black interior surface fitted standard, or the Fluid Silver interior surface finish available as an option.
The arrival of the MINI John Cooper Works brand delivers a new iconic nameplate to the Australian motoring scene.
The MINI John Cooper Works brand will appeal to drivers who desire a compact, luxurious, hard-charging thoroughbred sportscar, that is as unique as it is cheeky and engaging to drive.
The MINI John Cooper Works (Hardtop) is priced from $48,800, while the MINI John Cooper Works Clubman is priced from $51,300. Neither of the above prices includes dealer delivery or on-road costs.
"The MINI John Cooper Works brand has created a dynamic duo of collectable future classics," said Justin Hocevar, National Manager for MINI.
"These are the fastest cars yet that MINI has brought to Australia but it is not their outright performance alone that will endear them to our customers. The cars are the complete package with bigger brakes, sportier exhaust, and an even higher degree of exclusivity.
"Given the race pace of the MINI CHALLENGE cars, on which the MINI John Cooper Works road cars are based, it will be easy to see why we expect many uber-MINI enthusiasts to seek out these models.
"Racing MINIs in the hands of John Cooper's drivers forged the legend that remains indelibly etched into Motorsport folklore in Australia, and around the world, and made the 1960s MINI Cooper S the car to drive on road and track.
"Now with MINI John Cooper Works branded cars we are authentically returning to the showroom, road-going versions of today's MINI racers, the MINI CHALLENGE cars.
"The launch of the MINI John Cooper Works brand reinforces the commitment MINI has to providing pulse-racing excitement for enthusiasts in an increasingly confused, crowded and conformist market.
"It will be love at first drive," Justin said.
