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54 COOLEST CARS / ROLL-OUT THE COOL WALL
MINI JOHN COOPER WORKS
THE MAXIEST MINI
WORDS BY FERMAN LAO
It’s no secret that the ‘John Cooper Works’ badge brings with it
the expectation of a Mini that’s much badder, sportier, and more
powerful than the standard car. The Cooper name, after all, is a
legend in the racing world, and was instrumental in Mini’s three
Monte Carlo Rally victories in the ’60s, just a few years after the
production model hit the road in 1959.
The 2016 Mini John Cooper Works epitomizes this racing
spirit. It looks the part with unique aero aids that actually
function effectively, apart from making the car look totally
badass. The appearance is sure to polarize most people save for the brand’s
most loyal fans.
But for sure, no one will complain about the 228hp and 320Nm on tap.
These figures allow the launch-control-equipped automatic variant to get
to 100kph from a standstill in 6.1sec. The manual lags behind with a
time of 6.3sec, but both versions continue on to a top speed of just a shade
over 240kph. You can thank the turbocharged 2.0-liter mill under the
hood for that.
Multi-piston Brembo brakes residing under the 17-inch wheels are
tasked with bringing the car down to saner speeds. Some electronic
wizardry is thrown into the mix to mitigate torque steer and enhance
handling. As for the cabin, it reflects the same obsession with performance
by having the speedometer in front of the driver.
It’s a departure from tradition, true, but then again, this isn’t your
ordinary Mini.