Mini Countryman JCW (2024): barely presented and already condemned in France?

After presenting the new generation of its Countryman, Mini quickly released its sporty John Cooper Works version. This acronym, also used on the more classic Minis, is synonymous with heightened sportiness from the British manufacturer, even if this new version loses a few horses on the altar of anti-pollution standards.

As you can see in the visuals presented by Mini, the Countryman JCW does not play the discreet card, particularly with its 20-inch rims, its specific bumpers, or its shades of black and red. Inside, leather mixes with Alcantara, in an atmosphere that is as high-end as it is sporty.

Same engine, but less power

Under the hood, we find the famous 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, but this time increased to 300 hp and 400 Nm and not 306 hp like the previous generation. European standards have been there. Proof of this is that the version sold in the United States develops 316 hp.

Performance is slower than the old generation, with a 0 to 100 km/h which goes from 5.1 to 5.4 seconds. The maximum speed is still limited to 250 km/h. Power is transmitted to the non-permanent four-wheel drive via an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

A Mini that’s way too expensive?

But why is it already almost unsaleable in France when it has just been presented? Its price has not yet been announced, but it should sell for around 62,000 euros, like its technical cousin, the BMW X1 M35i xDrive.

To this it will certainly be necessary to add a similar penalty of around 15,000 euros from next yeardue to CO emissions₂ of 176 g/km. We must not forget the few essential options, and the final invoice, turnkey, will exceed 80,000 euros. It’s starting to get expensive for a 300 hp SUV.

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