MINI’s John Cooper Works, or JCW, division is tasked with probably the most enjoyable missions on the planet. They take run-of-the-mill MINI automobiles and SUVs — that are already fairly pleasant proper out of the field — and switch them into extra targeted variations of themselves. The subsequent technology of MINI is upon us, and which means a brand new spherical of JCW merchandise, too. However what precisely goes into turning a MINI right into a JCW? Maybe extra importantly, how does electrification issue into the enjoyable method? We sit down with Patrick Häussler, the MINI engineer answerable for the J01 JCW Electrical and J05 Aceman JCW, to study extra.
Beginning From the Floor Up
“The very very first thing is at all times the springs,” Patrick begins after we ask the place the engineers start in terms of JCW-ing a MINI. After the springs come the dampers, however that’s not all that will get tinkered with. New anti-roll bars, stabilizers, bump stops are added, and extra camber will get dialed in. After locking within the “{hardware},” as Patrick calls it, MINI turns its consideration to the steering. “When you’ve got very heavy steering, a automobile may really feel numb,” Patrick says. “Too gentle, and it would really feel slightly bit nervous.” The concept is to seek out the proper medium. One other issue MINI seems at is at-speed steering; clearly, round city, you don’t need heavy steering. However at freeway speeds, you need one thing with some heft to keep away from twitchiness. Steering is among the most crucial elements to how a automobile feels, in line with Patrick. We agree.
Right here’s the place the {hardware} begins to vary. The gasoline-powered F66 MINI Cooper JCW options frequency-selective dampers (FSD). These mechanical dampers regulate themselves primarily based on street inputs—softening for smaller, fast bumps and firming up for bigger impacts. It’s not a totally adaptive digital system, however Patrick says it provides the automobile an impressively versatile experience, mixing consolation with sharp physique management. MINI engineers additionally dialed in additional camber on the entrance axle, serving to to maximise grip in corners.
The J01 MINI Cooper JCW Electrical, however, makes use of an easier sport suspension setup with out the frequency-selective tech. Patrick tells us they tried a extra superior system early in improvement, however they weren’t pleased with the way it felt on the heavier electrical platform. So as an alternative, they went with a standard mechanical sport suspension, balancing consolation and efficiency the old style approach—with cautious tuning of spring and damper charges.
Then there’s the Aceman JCW, which shocked us essentially the most. With its longer wheelbase, wider monitor, and 40mm larger heart of gravity, it’s a much bigger automobile than both Cooper. MINI initially thought they may carry over a lot of the J01’s setup to the Aceman, however Patrick says that didn’t work in any respect. That they had to return to the drafting board, retuning the springs, dampers, stabilizers, bump stops, and steering to make it really feel worthy of the JCW badge. Curiously, the steering on the Aceman was made deliberately lighter than the Cooper JCW. Why? He explains that including an excessive amount of steering weight to a much bigger, heavier automobile could make it really feel sluggish and sluggish. Lightening it up helps protect the MINI’s signature agile really feel—particularly round city.
Get a Grip: Traction Issues
The electrified J01 MINI Cooper JCW brings a maybe understated problem with it: tires. “Because it’s an electrical automobile… a sports activities tire isn’t at all times one of the best in terms of rolling resistance,” Patrick explains. Rolling resistance impacts EV vary. MINI wanted to suit a tire that balanced sportiness with effectivity, and Patrick thinks they “did fairly good.”
After all, with all that electrical torque on faucet, traction administration turns into much more vital. “For this one, we actually labored on yaw momentum enhancement,” Patrick says. This technique makes use of delicate braking inputs to cut back understeer and even encourage oversteer, making the automobile extra playful and adjustable—type of like BMW M’s MDM mode. It provides you simply sufficient freedom to have enjoyable, whereas nonetheless providing a security web should you get in over your head.
Talking of overconfidence, Patrick remembers testing the JCW with DSC totally off. “I turned in, received sideways, and it was cool. However you can not try this for a buyer,” he says. MINI tunes the DTC (Dynamic Traction Management) mode to offer a steadiness between freedom and stability—what Patrick calls a “parachute within the background” to assist save drivers when issues get sketchy.
Torque steer—one thing you usually really feel in highly effective front-wheel-drive automobiles—is one other issue MINI needed to handle. Patrick truly embraces slightly little bit of torque steer, because it provides drivers extra suggestions when pushing the automobile to its limits. “We wish to have as a lot suggestions as doable—particularly for the Cooper—with out it pulling you someplace out of the nook,” he explains. The workforce fastidiously tuned torque steer compensation so the automobile feels alive however by no means unwieldy.
Three Completely different Vehicles, Three Personalities
Whereas we loved our time with all three JCW merchandise, every had distinct character traits that made every one pleasant otherwise. That’s not by chance. Extra on that within the full critiques developing. In the long run, Patrick and his workforce labored exhausting to verify each JCW product nonetheless feels agile and enjoyable.
Take a look at the video for extra insights and tell us which one you’d choose. Gasoline? Electrical? Or the do-it-all Aceman? We’d love to listen to your ideas.
