NAIAS 2015: 2015 MINI John Cooper Works Hardtop Revealed

by Cameron Aubernon

Published: January 12th, 2015

naias 2015 2015 mini john cooper works hardtop revealed

Looking for a high-performance MINI? Meet the 2015 John Cooper Works Hardtop.

The latest addition to the MINI family has a 2-liter turbo-four that makes 228 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque. Zero to 60 comes in under 6 seconds, but the brand adds that it can jump from 50 to 75 in 5.6 seconds. Six-speed auto or rev-matching manual helps direct the power to the front.

Suspension for the JCW Hardtop includes a single-joint strut axle up front and multi-link in the rear, with optional dynamic damper control for those who want to switch between comfort and sport modes.

Inside, the driver is greeted by a new gauge styling, including a dark dial for speedometer and engine speed. Bolstered seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, automatic headlights, and rain-sensing automatic windshield wipers are standard, with heated front seats, glass roof and heated folding mirrors as some of the options available.

Price of admission for the JCW Hardtop begins at $30,600, and will go on sale this spring.

#Detroit2015 #JohnCooperWorksHardtop #MINI #Naias2015

Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

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4 of 23 comments

Corey Lewis on Jan 13, 2015

Why do they need to add the word "Hardtop" to the title? When I hear Mini JCW, I don't think "Oh yes, that's the convertible surely." Just seems like it's putting on more heirs than necessary. And the interior on these has always put me off. It's trying SO SO hard to be retro and cool. I hate the circular thing in the center - it puts me in mind of an 02 Taurus. Then of course the leather, piping, velour, quilted, race, contoured seats. It's all too much. EDIT: Looks like there is no sat nav option in this expensive premium car by the looks of the center set up. Is this true? And FWIW, I agree with the commenter above about the photos issue. Mine load much more slowly since a couple days ago.

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- Signal11 on Jan 13, 2015
  
  Nah, that circular area gets replaced with a screen and a different button layout on satnav and/or infotainment screen options that's controlled with a pared down iDrive stick.
  
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- OzCop on Apr 26, 2016
  
  @Signal11 The "hardtop" moniker comes from the frameless door windows...hardtops of old used that descriptive term all the way back in the 50s...two door hardtop, and four door hardtops were pretty popular in those days..
  
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Carguy on Jan 13, 2015

"JCW Hardtop begins at $30,600" So well equipped it will cost as much as a Golf R?

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