If there's one thing MINI has learned from BMW, it's how to make a show car look really cool. The JCW version of the new Clubman has finally made its debut at the Paris Motor Show, and we have to say the pearl white paint with red stripes is the bomb.
Did the old Clubman have a Works version? Probably, but almost nobody bought one. That might not be the case with this generation, because it's not only very fast but also more practical, thanks to the AWD.
However, the JCW model is also heavy and insanely expensive. The show car seen in these live photos stickers for about €49,000, which is enough to make your eyes water.
The niche this Clubman targets is about as narrow as its injector ports. However, the performance is very real, unlike the old JCW models which were let down by various factors. Under the hood of the largest performance MINI yet is a 2-liter turbocharged engine that makes231 PS and 258 lb-ft (350 Nm).
Those numbers are nearly identical to those of a Golf GTI. However, while the Vdub sends its power only to the front, the JCW crawls around on all fours. This doesn't affect performance in a major way, as the 0 to 100 km/h time of 6.3 seconds is nearly identical to the GTI, but it adds a layer of security and ensures the front wheels aren't overwhelmed.
The JCW treatment includes, as you can see, a full body kit. At the front, extra-large air intakes give the car a more aggressive look and feed the radiator. Down the sides, you've got bigger wheels that conceal red brake calipers. And at the rear, you've got the special exhaust and the obligatory rear spoiler.
If you like going fast but don't fancy changing gear, there's even the option of an 8-speed automatic gearbox, which MINI say most people will choose. And let's not forget the endless list of options that can be used to personalize this compact hot hatch.
However, the JCW model is also heavy and insanely expensive. The show car seen in these live photos stickers for about €49,000, which is enough to make your eyes water.
The niche this Clubman targets is about as narrow as its injector ports. However, the performance is very real, unlike the old JCW models which were let down by various factors. Under the hood of the largest performance MINI yet is a 2-liter turbocharged engine that makes231 PS and 258 lb-ft (350 Nm).
Those numbers are nearly identical to those of a Golf GTI. However, while the Vdub sends its power only to the front, the JCW crawls around on all fours. This doesn't affect performance in a major way, as the 0 to 100 km/h time of 6.3 seconds is nearly identical to the GTI, but it adds a layer of security and ensures the front wheels aren't overwhelmed.
The JCW treatment includes, as you can see, a full body kit. At the front, extra-large air intakes give the car a more aggressive look and feed the radiator. Down the sides, you've got bigger wheels that conceal red brake calipers. And at the rear, you've got the special exhaust and the obligatory rear spoiler.
If you like going fast but don't fancy changing gear, there's even the option of an 8-speed automatic gearbox, which MINI say most people will choose. And let's not forget the endless list of options that can be used to personalize this compact hot hatch.