MINI is having a stellar 2015, with sales up 59 per cent year on year thanks to its new-generation F56 three-door and 5-door Hatch.

While the addition of the all-new John Cooper Works version of the three-door is unlikely to add significant volume, it will give Mini lovers a performance flagship that is faster, more powerful and has more standard gear than previous JCWs.

BMW Group’s UKL platform, which underpins the latest Mini Hatch, has proven to be a winner, and the spicy Cooper S variant has won a lot of praise from both buyers and critics alike.

But the JCW ups the power and torque further and challenges the performance figures of some iconic hot hatches a full segment larger.

We drove it on road and track to see if the new version lives up to its legendary name.



Click here for the full review...