Mini unwraps new John Cooper Works Clubman All4

Mini has unveiled a new range-topping version of the Clubman ahead of a public premier for the powered up model at next week's Paris motor show.
 
Planned for Australian sale in 2017, the four-wheel drive John Cooper Works Clubman receives a series of performance upgrades, including an upgraded version of Mini's turbocharged 2.0-litre engine already used in the front-wheel drive John Cooper Works Cooper S hatchback and John Cooper Copper S cabriolet.
 
The transversely mounted four-cylinder unit kicks out 29kW more than the similarly configured engine used by the existing Cooper S Clubman at 170kW. Torque has also increased by 70Nm over the existing top-of-the-range Clubman model to a new peak of 350kW at 1450rpm.
 
For context, the previous John Cooper Works Clubman ran a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine delivering 155kW and 260Nm.   
 
The improved reserves are channelled through a standard six-speed manual or optional eight-speed automatic gearbox and a new generation of Mini's electro-hydraulic ALL4 four-wheel drive system to standard 18-inch wheels shod with 225/40 profile tyres at each corner.
 
With a kerb weight of 1475kg in manual guise, the John Cooper Works Clubman boasts a weight-to-power ratio of 8.7kg/kW. By comparison, the existing four-wheel drive Cooper S Clubman serves up 10.3kg/kW. 
 
Mini claims a 0-100km/h time of 6.3sec with both the manual and automatic gearbox, together with the a 238km/h top speed. This compares to Mini's official 7.0sec and 225km/h figures for the Cooper S Clubman.
 
Accompanying the increase in power and torque, the John Cooper Works Clubman also receives a sports exhaust, upgraded Brembo brakes and an enhanced Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) function featuring Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), Electronic Differential Lock Control (EDLC) and Performance Control as standard. Among the optional equipment to be offered by the new Mini model is Dynamic Damper Control (DDC) and 19-inch alloy wheels.
 
Helping to distinguish the John Cooper Works model from other Clubman models is a new front bumper featuring larger air ducts instead of parking light and fog lamps, honeycomb pattern grille insert with red highlights, standard LED headlamps, wider sills underneath the doors, a spoiler above the so-called barn door at the rear and a re-styled rear bumper housing dual centrally mounted tailpipes.
 
As with the John Cooper Works Cooper S and John Cooper Works Cooper S cabriolet, Mini's latest performance model features a rebel green exterior paint scheme with contrasting red for the roof and mirror housings. Sport stripes in either red or black are offered as an option.
 
Inside, the John Cooper Works Clubman receives model specific sport seats, door sills, steering wheel, instrument graphics as well as a stainless steel foot rest and pedals.

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