We test the MINI John Cooper Works range, behind the wheel of the Countryman JCW and Coupe JCW

Thanks to the dealership Celtamotor, we were able to spend a truly interesting day, since we don’t get to have a fleet of Mini at our disposal every day, and not just any cars, but John Cooper Works.

All the JCW versions of every model Mini were available to test. We opted for two units: the Mini Countryman JCW and the Mini Coupe JCW. They are radically opposite models, but both share sportiness as their common link.

In case anyone is unfamiliar with what the initials John Cooper Works stand for, they are the most high-performance versions of the Mini range, all equipped with a 1.6-litre petrol engine with turbo and 211 CV of power.

Mini Countryman JCW

This is the least “mini” Mini, since it has four doors and a considerably larger size, but that doesn’t make it any less interesting, quite the opposite. The versatility it offers with its four doors is not at odds with the sportiness of the John Cooper Works variant.

The engine is the same one we mentioned with 218 CV petrol, although it’s not only the engine that differs from the other versions; it also features a more sporty design and a tuned suspension.

The Countryman is the typical car in which we can take the children to school without worrying about space, but this JCW variant also lets us enjoy winding roads. To test it, we took a stretch of the Rías Baixas with bends that are not very fast but feature constant changes of direction, generally fun for checking how a car like this responds and seeing whether we can really call it sporty.

The suspension is kind to passengers, especially compared with the Mini Coupe, but that doesn’t make it ineffective when taking corners, where it performs very well and with total firmness, always following the trajectory we set with the steering.

The engine is turbocharged with good response at high revs, specifically from 3,000 rpm, although low-rev response is weaker. That said, the Countryman has a distinguishing feature compared with other Mini JCWs: the All4 all-wheel drive, which keeps us from losing traction in almost any circumstance.

After more than an hour behind the wheel of the Mini Countryman JCW it became clear that it strikes a fair balance between sportiness and practicality, and on uneven asphalt it is quite comfortable. It is a more rational sports car.

Mini Coupe JCW

From a more rational car like the Countryman, we move on to a pure sports car designed for those seeking the ultimate driving experience and who certainly don’t have a large family. What surprises most about the Coupe is its design, although it’s not very practical, since it’s a two-seater; it has many fans, and its lines are widely recognised. Wherever it goes, people look, ask questions, and in short the general reaction is that people like it.

Inside we find a low, very sporty driving position, a vertical steering wheel and firm suspension, which feel every minor irregularity in the asphalt but deliver driving sensations closer to a kart than to a road car, which is appealing to lovers of pure sportiness.

Its low weight, just 1,200 kg, combined with the powerful 211 CV petrol engine, means that simply pressing the accelerator makes the car respond forcefully. On winding roads it is a very fun car; its low weight and good weight distribution make it stable and at the same time effective when tackling the most demanding corners.

That said, the spoiler is not a mere decorative element. It rises automatically above 80 km/h and helps add some downforce to the rear axle.

The Mini Coupe JCW is not a rational car, and the Roadster would arguably be the more sensible choice, since at least it is a convertible, but it is a car designed to enjoy driving with the most sporty sensations, and when you add the JCW’s petrol engine to that, the end result is very entertaining.

Photos | Diego G. Moreira