2015 MINI Cooper JCW Hatch Review: Stove-Hot Master Blaster Launched
What’s Hot: Terrific handling, entertaining dynamics, punchy engine, keen standard feature list
What’s Not: Road noise, a proper LSD would be handy.
X-FACTOR: The JCW is back and - on road or track - a fitting tribute to a much-loved original.
Vehicle Style: Three-door light performance hatch
Price: $47,400 (manual), $49,950 (auto)
Engine/trans: 170kW/320Nm 2.0 turbo petrol 4cyl | 6sp manual or 6sp automatic
Fuel Economy claimed: 5.8 l/100km (auto) | tested: 7.9 l/100km
OVERVIEW
Sequels don’t always live up to your expectations - neither cinematic nor automotive. And while the original may have a cherished place in your heart, it only takes one subpar follow-up to tarnish that memory.
Just look at Jaws: The Revenge, Alien Resurrection and the nonstop cringe-fest that was the most recent Indiana Jones movie. I won’t mention its name, it doesn’t deserve it.
The list goes on.
Yet while creating a successful sequel can be a risky task, there are more than a few that absolutely hit the mark. Case in point: the MINI Cooper JCW.