Mini JCW Challenge Unveiled - Restricted For UK Market Only

MANILA: It seems like a season of Limited Edition cars. Just a couple of days ago, the Japanese automaker revealed its 2017 BRZ Series.Yellow sports car which would be available only in 500 units cumulatively for the global market and now the elite British auto brand Mini has unveiled a more stunning and aggressive version of its highly selling John Cooper Works under the label of Mini John Cooper Works Challenge. This model is restricted to 100 units only and will debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed which is scheduled between 24th and 26th June 2016 at Goodwood House. Since this drive is arriving with limited units, the manufacturer has decided to not make it global and narrowed the availability to its domicile only. New Mini Challenge is claimed to have all the benefits and traits of a track car along with the refinement and comfort for which Mini cars are known.

Let's throw a quick look at the new Mini JCW Challenge which is built to deliver for the UK market only -

Same Engine Configuration

The British manufacturer has not reworked on the engine front and the same engine, as of Mini John Cooper Works, has been packed under the Challenge. It has been some months when Mini introduced its first ever turbo power-unit which comes packed under the JCW model. This 2.0-litre powertrain has been equipped under the striking hood of new Challenger to deliver a maximum power counting to 234 PS along with a peak torque measuring to 320 Nm. Mingled with 6-speed manual transmission, this TwinPower engine races from naught to 100 kmph in just 6.3 seconds with a top speed of 246 kmph.

Appearance of Mini Challenge

There are no big changes given to the JCW Challenge and just like the engine configuration, the structure and cosmetics have been kept similar to that of the standard JCW model. The only couple of noticeable changes or rather we should address them as tweaks are at the wheel arch extensions and rear spoiler. The front air intakes have been enlarged in comparison to the standard model to encourage the performance. All these features are also available for JCW but as optional JCW Pro Accessories pack, whereas, the JCW Challenge gets all these as a part of standard package. The jet black sporty alloys appointed in this limited edition version counts to 17-inch which are 0.5-inch wider than the standard model. Also, to give a distinctive appearance to this limited edition model, white silver paint, a black roof and a graphics package has been added as standard specifications to it.

The Interior Package

Slip inside and you would find a cabin designed with sporty elements and features to offer utmost comfort, that's the new Mini JCW Challenge. The seats are wrapped with carbon black upholstery and the intelligently designed dashboard is well equipped with all the necessary gauges and gadgets without making it appear cluttered. The manufacturer has added rear parking sensors as standard equipment in this limited edition version. Apart from upgrading the aesthetics, Mini has also provided a unique feature of adjusting the exhaust's sound via a Bluetooth link in Challenge. Now this sounds innovative!

What Makes Challenger A Track Car?

Surely this must be a big question rolling in your mind since you first read that the new Mini JCW Challenger is a “Track Car” as claimed by the manufacturer. Well, with most of the specs and features same as the standard JCW, Challenge comes with adjustable Nitron suspension, Quaife limited-slip differential, bigger Mintex brakes and lightweight alloys. All these features are standard equipment and features of any high-end performance or motorsport car. They make sure that this supermini hot hatch delivers 'maximum track ability and on-road driving thrills' to its occupants, for which it is actually designed.

Mini has already announced that this track car would be available in 100 units only and the deliveries would start by the end of the year 2016. While this limited edition version is available only for British customers, the Philippines auto market recently received a new Convertible Cooper with striking features, which is doing pretty well in the local market.