Mini John Cooper Works
Latest version of Mini’s hot hatch offers more performance than before, while undercutting rivals On sale Now Price from £33,265
DAN JONESdan.jones@haymarket.com
KARTING HAS LONG been one of the best and most affordable ways to dip your toe into the world of motorsport. Indeed, whether it’s just for a couple of hours or as part of a long-term journey to become the next Lando Norris, karts offer an approachable way to have some motorsport-inspired fun.
And, clichéd as the metaphor might be, that kart-like feeling of approachable sportiness and fun has always been the promise of Mini models that bear the JCW (or John Cooper Works) badge.
The racy JCW treatment is now offered on Mini’s Aceman small electric SUV, Cooper electric hatchback and Countryman family SUV, but its first appearance was on the original three-door Mini hatch 20 years ago. And the direct descendant of that car is what we’re looking at here.