New Challenge for Mini

A RANGE of cosmetic and mechanical John Cooper Works-badged components are now available as a $2500 option across Mini’s Australian JCW model range, grouped under the Challenge Edition banner.

Exclusive to Australia, the race-oriented Challenge package includes JCW front, rear and side aprons, a JCW carbon spoiler, JCW aluminium cross-brace, JCW Alcantara and carbon steering wheel, JCW carbon gearshift knob and handbrake lever with Alcantara shrouds, and unique Challenge Edition badging.

The Challenge kit, which is claimed to represent more than $7000 worth of value, is available across Mini’s JCW range, pricing for which remains unchanged at $48,800 for the JCW Hardtop hatch, $51,300 for the JCW Clubman wagon and $56,900 for the JCW Cabrio soft-top, which went on sale in Australia last September.

All models continue to be powered by the same 155kW twin-scroll turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine that motivates the Mini Challenge racecar, which will make its 2010 debut in March at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide.

With 260Nm of peak torque available (280Nm during overboost), the JCW Minis accelerate to 100km/h in a claimed 6.5 seconds.

BMW Australia says JCW models accounted for 26 per cent of Mini Cooper S Hardtop sales here last year, and 10 per cent of all Mini vehicle sales.