Sitting at the top of the second-generation MINI Countryman range is this, the high performance John Cooper Works Countryman. The introduction also completes MINI Malaysia’s JCW model range, from the JCW Cooper 3-Door and 5-Door to the Clubman and now the Countryman.
Under the hood is a hotter 2.0-litre inline-four engine equipped with MINI TwinPower Turbo technology, tuned to produce 231 hp and 350 Nm of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels (MINI All4) through the sole eight-speed Steptronic Sports automatic transmission. Paddle shifters come as standard too.
QUICK FACTS
| Name | MINI John Cooper Works Countryman |
| Engine | 1,998cc; inline-4, twin-scroll turbo |
| Transmission | 8-speed Steptronic Sports auto |
| Max Power | 231 hp |
| Max Torque | 350 Nm |
| 0-100 km/h; Top Speed | 6.5 seconds; 234 km/h |
| Price | RM348,888 (OTR excluding registration) |
There are three drive modes to choose from – Sport, Mid and Green, each altering engine acoustics, shift characteristic and throttle response. Exclusive to the JCW Countryman is Dynamic Damper Control which adjusts stiffness according to the selected drive mode. In Green mode, the drivetrain is decoupled between 50 km/h to 160 km/h when the driver’s foot is off the pedal. This reduces engine drag and improves fuel efficiency. Braking power comes from Brembo with a 4-piston callipers that’s finished in red.
To match the grunt, the JCW Countryman comes dressed with go-quick bits that are exclusive to the variant. These include JCW aerodynamic bodykit, 19-inch JCW Course Spoke wheels finished in Burnish Black, JCW grille, Chili Red roof and side mirror caps, Chili Red body stickers, rear spoiler, JCW side scuttles, Door Sill and stainless steel exhaust pipes.
Inside, the sports seats are wrapped in black Dinamica Leather that’s contrasted in bright red. The seats also come with better bolster support, and the driver now benefits from a high contrast head-up display which feed vital data such as speed, current gear and ideal shift times.
In the centre dash rests a super crisp 8.8-inch screen with split-screen function that’s surrounded by a multi-coloured LED ring. The head unit supports MINI Connected, Bluetooth and has 20GB built-in storage for multimedia consumption. The Countryman is fitted with a 410-watt Harman Kardon sound system with two central bass speakers positioned beneath both front seats.
Several convenient features such as foot-activated automatic tailgate, reverse camera, a Picnic Bench that folds out of the boot and LED MINI logo that’s projected onto the ground from the side mirror.
The MINI JCW Countryman is available in Rebel Green, Midnight Black and Light White, all of which come with the mandatory dual-tone Chili Red finish. Every purchase comes with a 4-year unlimited mileage warranty with free scheduled service, as well as MINI Roadside Assistance.
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