MINI’s John Cooper Works, or JCW, division is tasked with one of the crucial enjoyable missions on the planet. They take run-of-the-mill MINI vehicles and SUVs — that are already fairly pleasant proper out of the field — and switch them into extra centered variations of themselves. The subsequent era of MINI is upon us, and meaning 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 system? We sit down with Patrick Häussler, the MINI engineer liable 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 once we ask the place the engineers start in relation to 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 have very heavy steering, a automotive would possibly really feel numb,” Patrick says. “Too mild, and it’d really feel a little bit bit nervous.” The concept is to search out the right medium. One other issue MINI appears to be like 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 likely one of the most crucial elements to how a automotive feels, in keeping 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, speedy bumps and firming up for bigger impacts. It’s not a totally adaptive digital system, however Patrick says it offers the automotive an impressively versatile trip, mixing consolation with sharp physique management. MINI engineers additionally dialed in further camber on the entrance axle, serving to to maximise grip in corners.
The J01 MINI Cooper JCW Electrical, alternatively, makes use of a less complicated sport suspension setup with out the frequency-selective tech. Patrick tells us they tried a extra superior system early in growth, 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 observe, and 40mm increased middle of gravity, it’s an even bigger automotive than both Cooper. MINI initially thought they might 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 an even bigger, heavier automotive could make it really feel gradual 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 car… a sports activities tire isn’t at all times the very best in relation to 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.”
In fact, 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 method makes use of refined braking inputs to scale back understeer and even encourage oversteer, making the automotive extra playful and adjustable—type of like BMW M’s MDM mode. It offers you simply sufficient freedom to have enjoyable, whereas nonetheless providing a security internet should you get in over your head.
Talking of overconfidence, Patrick remembers testing the JCW with DSC absolutely off. “I turned in, bought sideways, and it was cool. However you can’t 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 vehicles—is one other issue MINI needed to handle. Patrick truly embraces a little bit little bit of torque steer, because it offers drivers extra suggestions when pushing the automotive 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 crew fastidiously tuned torque steer compensation so the automotive feels alive however by no means unwieldy.
Three Completely different Automobiles, 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 accidentally. Extra on that within the full opinions developing. In the long run, Patrick and his crew labored exhausting to ensure each JCW product nonetheless feels agile and enjoyable.
Try 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.
