Page 41 - Layout 1

AUTO
REVIEW

2021 John Cooper Works Mini

By Stephen Schutz, MD

In 1994 BMW AG purchased the Rover Group, which included can also be navigated using a wheel and buttons on the center con-
Rover, Land Rover and Mini. Just five years later, BMW mostly exited sole—a setup otherwise known as iDrive in BMWs.
the British car business by dumping Rover and selling Land Rover to I have no problem with all of this BMW-ness being present in
Ford, although they elected to keep Mini. And in 2000 they launched Minis. BMW makes upscale vehicles that we all like and admire, and
the new Mini, a fun two door hatchback that was a modern (and if Mini had to develop their own systems from scratch, their cars
much larger) reinterpretation of the original Mini, in an attempt to would cost a lot more. And Minis are indeed affordable—my loaded
create a brand that would capture desirable customers who couldn’t JCW model stickered for just over $40,000, but a base two door hatch-
yet afford BMWs. back starts at just over $23,000.
20 years later, where are we? The original two door Mini hatch- Interestingly, JCW versions of all Minis are available. Much as M
back has been joined by a convertible, four door hatchback and two versions of BMWs are the performance models, so JCWs are the sporty
small crossovers. And Mini has been thoroughly integrated into the Minis. The JCW two door hatchback makes sense to me—and would
BMW family. be the version I’d get if I were buying one—but a JCW Countryman
My week with a 2021 two door John Cooper Works (JCW) hatch- seems slightly incongruous. It’s not a big crossover by any means, but
back reminded me that the company has evolved in a good way during neither is it a zippy hot hatch like my press car.
their 20 years of BMW ownership. For the record, the front wheel drive JCW two door Mini is totally
For one thing, all Minis now share a platform with the BMW 1- a hot hatch. Its potent 228HP turbocharged 4-cylinder engine is “the
and 2-series cars and X1 and X2 crossovers. Engines, transmissions jam,” as the kids might say, and driving one on my favorite deserted
and most of the electronics are also shared, despite the fact that Minis back road was a delight thanks to it and its fantastic suspension tuning.
continue to be manufactured in the UK. There’s virtually no understeer, and the combination of all that power
The Mini’s exterior design retains its retro vibe from 20 years ago, and handling is really enjoyable. Honestly, there are few cars for sale
but it’s become (slightly) more contemporary with time. While the today as fun as the two door JCW Mini.
old Mini-ish profile is retained, the headlights are smaller and sleeker, Of course, all the things that make it fun detract from it being a
and the taillights, now larger and squarer, feature British flag-esque truly practical car. Its diminutive size means that passenger and luggage
LED lighting. space is limited; you’re safer in a big pickup or SUV, and being able to
Inside, many Mini standbys such as big round gauges and numerous see above or around vehicles in front of you isn’t happening. In addi-
toggle switches remain, but otherwise things are much more BMW- tion, those space limitations and a buzzy engine mean that long road
ish than they were in 2001. The gear lever in automatic transmission trips in the Mini will be less pleasurable than in an F-150.
Minis—most Minis will come equipped with a 7-speed dual clutch The JCW two door Mini hatchback is a seriously fun hot hatch that
automatic, but thankfully a 6-speed manual is still available—looks will entertain you every time you get behind the wheel. Just don’t ex-
slightly different from BMW units, but it works just like BMW’s. And pect it to carry lots of people or stuff, or be a great long-distance trav-
as with BMW automatics, pushing the lever forward in manual mode eler. But if you want a zippy everyday driver that’s terrific around town
shifts the transmission down a gear, the opposite of what happens with or on twisty back roads, this is your car.
every other manufacturer’s gear levers.
One fun touch is the start/stop function. In most vehicles today, As always, call Phil Hornbeak, the Auto Program Manager at
you keep a fob in your pocket or purse, touch the door to get in and BCMS (210-301-4367), for your best deal on any new car or truck
then push a big “start” button on the dash to start the engine. In brand. Phil can also connect you to preferred financing and lease rates.
Minis, there’s no button on the dash, just a red “start” toggle switch
protruding from the center stack. It works the same as a button, but Stephen Schutz, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist
is definitely cooler. who lived in San Antonio in the 1990s when he was stationed
The infotainment system is very BMW too, with a central touch here in the US Air Force. He has been writing auto reviews
screen that accesses and controls all of the usual functions, but which for San Antonio Medicine since 1995.

Visit us at www.bcms.org 41