Did anyone else read that Car and Driver article in the latest issue...'Best handling car under $40k'?

The JCW hardtop was in it and finish 5 out of 6 I think...cant' remember how many there were now. The Mitsu Evo finished first.

But I don't recall the article saying which suspension was on the JCW car so I'm kinda guessing it was with the base suspension. I really wanted to see how the car would do with the JCW suspension vs the competitors.

 

1. 2011 EVO
2.2012 Maxda MX-5
3. 2011 Ford Mustang GT
4. 2011 370Z
5. 2012 JCW
6. 2012 GTI

I liked the story about the JCW Coupe even better myself. The above finish is what it is but the comments below I thought were priceless for the new Coupe. I can't wait until mine gets here.

"Surprisingly, the coupe’s charms lie at speed. Our Austrian seat time was limited to John Cooper Works models, only on a smooth track, and only in the dry. In that idyllic environment, everything worked. The John Cooper Works four is a torquey symphony of farts, fizzes, and pops, a candy-coated gem of an engine. The cockpit isn’t too noisy, and wind noise isn’t excessive. With stability control on, this coupe reminds you of other Minis—talkative steering, taut body motions, progressive brake and clutch feel.

Turn off the stability control, however, and all hell breaks loose. Freed from the bonds of computer-managed balance, the JCW giddily backs itself into corners, chucking its *** out at the slightest rough turn-in or throttle lift. Inside wheelspin is everywhere, understeer only present if you abuse the gas with too much steering cranked in. It’s wonderful. This is what you thought front-drive cars were like when you were five years old: small, manic, and desperately in need of, to quote Aaltonen, side-screen wipers. And it’s one step crazier than the rest of the Mini lineup."

Now that is classic and what I am looking forward to.

 

Wow! If this an accurate representation of Car & Driver's comments on the JCW, my hat's off to the author. He/she has stimulated the imagination to cause a few to get out and take this car for a spin.

I have always felt that auto journalists had a difficult time writing something about a particular car while so many others were doing the same thing. This writeup goes above and beyond. If there were a "Pulitzer" for auto journalism, this should be in the running!

 

Pretty long thread about the Car and Driver comparison already

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d-oct-but.html

 

Awesome - can't wait until my JCW Hatch arrives in two months!

 

One thing I read somewhere is that the Coupe is heavier that the hatch. Infact the hatch is the lightest of all three. You would think that would mean something.

 

The Coupe is 45 lbs heavier than the MCS, but I think that is without the sunroof. The extra weight comes from the spoiler (13 lbs) and the extra bracing they have in the car. It's actually the stiffest car that Mini has made thus the better handling.

 

Does the Coupe have better front/rear weight balance? That could improve the handling slightly as well.

 

I can't tell you the difference between the two. I remember reading what it was somewhere but can't recall right off the top of my head. And I'm not sure how it compared to the hatch.

 

I really think the JCW model should include the JCW suspension, and at least JCW models should dump the run-flats for stickier oem tires like the Michelin Pilot Super Sport. It would definitely score higher on track times, slolams, skid pads, G's, braking test, maybe even 0-60mph and 1/4 mile times.

 

I believe the Coupe is even more "nose" heavy than the hatch. However, Mini tuned out a lot more of the understeer so the car rotates a little better. I think that was discussed in the first drive of the Coupe on motoringfile.com

Totally agree, treat it like an M car, good rubber, upgraded suspension and a M-tech kit for flats in the boot. They are half way there with a great motor and good brakes.


-Steven

 

And ALL of them should get the aero kit instead of ONLY us Clubman owners getting screwed.