2012 MINI Cooper Coupe JCW

I have to admit, the frequent announcements of new Cooper derivatives have started to seem less than scintillating, but this Coupe abruptly reverses that trend.  And my tester is a John Cooper Works Coupe, the most extreme example, powered by a motorsports-derived 1.6-liter 4-cylinder with a twin-scroll turbo generating 208 horsepower.  You want to talk about fun, this is the kind of car you daydreamed about when you were a kid playing with your Matchboxes; a 2-seater that looks small enough to be picked-up and played with just like those toy cars.  The Coupe has an endearing, playful look with racing stripes and an athletic, low slung, taut body.  It’s over an inch longer with a roofline about an inch lower than a regular MINI hardtop.  Somewhat surprisingly, this car weighs 33 pounds more, too.  Hands down though, this is the best design MINI has showcased thus far.

The John Cooper Works Coupe wasn’t designed to haul your kids around, take you on vacation or isolate you from the daily commute.  It’s all about motoring for the sheer delight provided by the connection of man and machine; specifically, the ability to control that machine with precision with the promise of exhilarating speed as a foundation.  And this MINI fulfills those visceral wishes in spades.

With 17” ContiSportContact max performance summer tires responsible for the grip, the front-drive MINI Coupe elevates the brand’s go-cart-like trait to new levels.  The steering is razor sharp and the 6-speed manual and clutch pedal work harmoniously to provide connected control.  Push the sport button and the electric power steering requires more input but delivers even more feel and the accelerator pedal becomes more sensitive.  It’s in this mode when the Coupe really launches off the line, with a small amount of tugging at the steering wheel and some intervention from the traction control, the Coupe is good for a 6.1 second 0-to-60mph time making it the fastest accelerating MINI ever and the one with the highest top speed of 149mph.  At 50mph, or whenever you decide to flip the switch, the rear spoiler pops up for a show of strength.  The optional $500 sport suspension ensures you feel everything the road has to offer. And for as much fun as the Coupe is to drive, onlookers can share in the excitement through a JCW-specific twin tailpipe exhaust that loudly plays its song.  When it’s time to shut it down the 12.4” model-specific front rotors do it with astounding ease and quickness.   Gas mileage on premium is rated at 25mpg city/33mpg highway.

So with 2 seats and limited, though relatively generous luggage room, could you live with a JCW Coupe on daily basis?  Yes, as long as you don’t mind feeling and hearing everything.  This is my favorite MINI cabin to date, with the clever integration of infotainment inside the huge speedometer.  New features like MINI Connected, which uses your iPhone to bring internet conveniences into the car, are all accessed through this little joystick, which to my surprise was easy to learn and master.  MINI is all about the options, even the armrest is extra, so how far you take the build is up to you.    A base Coupe starts at $22,000 while a JCW starts at $31,900…this one here is closer to $37,000.  Whether for road or track, the MINI Coupe is ready to provide the smiles.