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 automobiles and SUVs — that are already fairly satisfying proper out of the field — and switch them into extra centered variations of themselves. The following era of MINI is upon us, and which means 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 formulation? We sit down with Patrick Häussler, the MINI engineer answerable for the J01 JCW Electrical and J05 Aceman JCW, to be taught extra.
Beginning From the Floor Up
“The very very first thing is all the time the springs,” Patrick begins after we ask the place the engineers start relating 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’ve got very heavy steering, a automotive may really feel numb,” Patrick says. “Too mild, and it would really feel somewhat bit nervous.” The thought is to search out the proper medium. One other issue MINI seems 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 without doubt one of the most crucial parts to how a automotive feels, based on 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 modify themselves primarily based on highway inputs—softening for smaller, speedy bumps and firming up for bigger impacts. It’s not a completely adaptive digital system, however Patrick says it provides the automotive an impressively versatile experience, 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 an easier sport suspension setup with out the frequency-selective tech. Patrick tells us they tried a extra superior system early in improvement, however they weren’t pleased with the way it felt on the heavier electrical platform. So as an alternative, they went with a conventional 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 stunned us probably the most. With its longer wheelbase, wider monitor, and 40mm larger heart of gravity, it’s an even bigger automotive than both Cooper. MINI initially thought they may 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. Apparently, 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 sluggish 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 all the time the perfect relating 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.”
After all, with all that electrical torque on faucet, traction administration turns into much more necessary. “For this one, we actually labored on yaw momentum enhancement,” Patrick says. This method makes use of delicate braking inputs to cut back understeer and even encourage oversteer, making the automotive extra playful and adjustable—form of like BMW M’s MDM mode. It provides you simply sufficient freedom to have enjoyable, whereas nonetheless providing a security internet in the event you get in over your head.
Talking of overconfidence, Patrick recollects testing the JCW with DSC absolutely off. “I turned in, acquired sideways, and it was cool. However you can’t do this for a buyer,” he says. MINI tunes the DTC (Dynamic Traction Management) mode to offer a stability 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 automobiles—is one other issue MINI needed to handle. Patrick truly embraces somewhat little bit of torque steer, because it provides drivers extra suggestions when pushing the automotive to its limits. “We wish to have as a lot suggestions as potential—particularly for the Cooper—with out it pulling you someplace out of the nook,” he explains. The staff fastidiously tuned torque steer compensation so the automotive feels alive however by no means unwieldy.
Three Totally different Vehicles, Three Personalities
Whereas we loved our time with all three JCW merchandise, every had distinct character traits that made each satisfying otherwise. That’s not accidentally. Extra on that within the full critiques arising. In the long run, Patrick and his staff labored exhausting to ensure each JCW product nonetheless feels agile and enjoyable.
Take a look at the video for extra insights and tell us which one you’d decide. Gasoline? Electrical? Or the do-it-all Aceman? We’d love to listen to your ideas.
