British car marquee Mini has launched the 2019 Mini Cooper JCW in India. The prices for the JCW version of Mini Cooper starts at Rs. 43.5 lakh (ex-showroom, India). The JCW tag in the name stands for John Cooper Works, JCW is to Mini what AMG is to Mercedes. The BMW owned company had launched the model in India in 2018 and now it has received a facelift here. The facelifted model not only brings changes to the looks but also brings mechanical upgrades to the performance hatchback.
As of now, Mini Cooper JCW comes as a 3-door hatch and is placed at the top of the Mini line-up in India. The updated model comes with JCW at the rear that marks the performance version of the car. Although the engine displacement has not changed in the JCW version of Mini, the 2L turbocharged petrol engine now comes with upgraded pistons, turbo and exhaust that further boosts the performance of the already quick Mini. This upgrade means that the JCW version of Mini now comes with a 24 PS power boost and the 2L engine in the car now produces 234 PS and 320 Nm. The last performance Mini that was sold in India was the JCW Pro Edition and it had a power output of 210 PS.
The low powered Cooper S comes with a 7-speed DCT gearbox, but with the JCW the brand is offering a new 8 speed automatic transmission unit. The new gearbox and the increased power of the JCW Mini lends it the capability to propel itself from a naught to a ton in just under 6.1 seconds, an impressive feat for a hot hatch. As far as other features are concerned, the safety kit has been updated to tame the sporty nature of the JCW and the company offers adaptive suspension as standard on the car. The hot JCW Mini also comes with larger 4-piston Brembo brakes, which are cooled by the functional vents in the front bumper. The interiors too make it amply clear that this is a JCW version of Mini and the cabin comes with numerous sporty touches. The cabin also has features like an 8.8-inch central touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, sports seats, heads-up display, and a Harman and Kardon music system.
Mini JCW will be imported in India as a completely built unit and has no direct competition as such. It will be available in the country in 11 colour options -- Chilli Red, Electric Blue, Emerald Grey, Melting Silver, Midnight Black, Pepper White, Solaris Orange, Starlight Blue, Thunder Grey, White Silver and the exclusive John Cooper Works Rebel Green.