How do small cars perform so well and be so fun to drive?

mini Currently, the company is a company that offers a series of vehicles with very different options from each other. But the three-door silhouette and its sporty character are the combination that best encapsulates the brand’s heritage. But depending on the version john cooper worksall of which are taken to extremes.

A new version of this special option has arrived on the local market, clarion I drove it for a week to see the evolution compared to the previous model. And the advances are varied and significant, both aesthetically and technically, as well as in behavior and performance.

Mini is such a brand. Always found very interesting ways to reinvent yourself. Coming from a company that had produced essentially a single vehicle for decades, this millennium phase brought in all types of silhouettes: country, SUV, coupe, roadster, etc. under the BMW umbrella. But it’s the traditional three-door body that best represents it.

And all of this is further enhanced in this John Cooper Works version. This version is the sportiest version of the whole range and comes from a tradition exemplified by the association between the British brand and trainer John Cooper in the 1960s.

This new edition stands out in maintaining the brand’s young identity, while Strong elements that highlight the spirit of sport intervene.

It’s good to briefly mention it at a time when F1 is undergoing a media explosion around the world, especially in Argentina, due to the Franco Colapinto effect. john cooper And the relationship with Mini.

Cooper was an engineering legend associated with the golden age of British motorsport in the 1950s and 1960s. His Cooper T43 made its Highlights debut at the 1957 Monaco Grand Prix with Jack Brabham at the wheel, and the following year at the 1958 Argentine Grand Prix, driven by Stirling Moss. First victory for a rear-engine car in F1 historya design that became popular and is still used today.

Cooper’s success in F1 lasted nine years, with the team achieving 16 Grand Prix wins, 11 pole positions and 14 lap records. But most notable were the back-to-back World Championships in 1959 and 1960, when Brabham won the unmistakable dark green Cooper.

in parallel, Alec Issigonis created the Mini in the late ’50s. As a low consumption response to fuel shortages. He had his friend Cooper test the prototype, and he noticed that it turned corners like no other. He convinced Issigonis to prepare the Mini for the Monte Carlo Rally. This is how the sporty approach of this model was born.

During the new Mini era, launched in 2001 under the guidance of BMW, the Cooper name was reborn under the direction of John’s son, Mike, with the development of a preparation kit offered at the brand’s dealerships. Since 2003, versions identified by the acronym JCW have appeared with all factory improvements.

The latest index was released this year, Retains all the sporty spirit of the previous one. You can tell it right away by looking at it. It retains the Mini ‘language’, but has a large air intake in the nose, a spoiler at the end of the bumper and red details that emphasize its virility.

The design of the wheels (18 inches) is also unique to this version and sits closer to the ground than other options in the series. The rear sector reveals its intentions with a spoiler along the roofline and a rear diffuser at the bottom, where the central exhaust vents are the main attraction.

This JCW has 2.0-liter supercharged 4-cylinder with 231 horsepower. It is mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and front-wheel drive.

It has a special setup with a firmer suspension system and a configuration that allows it to be closer to the ground, but it also has management controls that allow you to adjust some parameters depending on the handling performed.

The interior combines simplicity and practicality while maintaining a youthful spirit. Currently, the interior scene is dominated by: Large circular screen with extremely high quality OLED technology and response speed.

The interior features very supportive front seats and surfaces with textile upholstery and LED lighting in some sectors. Red details are used abundantly for a sporty feel.

This environment is just sitting, we are behind the wheel of another car. The position close to the ground also proves this. And when you start the engine, all your assumptions are confirmed.

It is a car that has become more docile with the passage of time and advances in technology. Now, thanks to electronic management, I can handle it calmly without any jerkiness. The shock of the suspension is also softened.

But those who are looking for such a car choose it for their courage and nerve. Yeso is more present than ever. The ability to increase speed is scary. Combined with excellent dynamic movements, it provides amazing agility on a daily basis. Unlike the previous generation, it is not too uncomfortable on uneven or cobbled terrain.

But if you can take it to the track, you’ll have the most fun. Despite its compact size, it provides excellent stability when driving at high speeds. The curves are done very straightforwardly and without sapping the driver’s confidence in the slightest. On the contrary, it always challenges us to conductivity.

There is a driving option called “Go-Kart” which celebrates go-kart-like behavior. And in reality, this will be the closest thing to a cart. Be careful, though, as this option disables all electronic assistance, so it’s very likely that you’ll spin the wheels if you press the accelerator too hard.

But once you get the hang of it, there’s no more fun way to drive this Mini John Cooper Works.

Wheelbase 2,495 mm

44 liter fuel tank

Trunk capacity 210 dm3

Gasoline engine, 2.0L turbo

231 HP output at 5,000-6,000 rpm

Torque 380 Nm (1,500 to 4,000 rpm)

Automatic transmission, 7 speed.

Maximum speed 250km/h

0-100km/h acceleration 6.1 seconds

Average consumption 7L/100km

Front and front side airbags

Unintentional lane change warning

Cross traffic warning

rear view camera

wireless charging base

heated seats and steering wheel

electric panoramic roof