Watch The New MINI JCW Hot Hatch Lap A Busy Nürburgring

Europe’s small scorching hatch section is dying. In recent times, we’ve needed to say goodbye to the Hyundai i20 N and Ford Fiesta ST. Automobiles just like the Renault Clio RS, Peugeot 208 GTi, and Skoda Fabia RS are already distant reminiscences. However there are nonetheless choices, albeit restricted. Volkswagen nonetheless sells the Polo GTI, whereas MINI has this – the John Cooper Works (F66).

Presumably the final gas-fueled scorching hatch from Oxford, the JCW made the journey to Germany for a scorching lap of the Nürburgring. French journalists from L’Argus took the pocket rocket across the Inexperienced Hell. As if the observe wasn’t already difficult sufficient, onboard footage exhibits the driving force having to weave by heavy visitors.

Small, nimble, and packing first rate energy, the John Cooper Works is the right device for the Nordschleife. The motive force clearly knew what he was doing, overtaking loads of vehicles from a section above. There have been even a number of exotics, such because the Lotus Emira and the Porsche Cayman. The pint-sized efficiency automobile even managed to maintain tempo with the BMW M5 CS Ring Taxi whereas overtaking one automobile after one other.

Something lacking? Sure, a guide gearbox. The motive force did make good use of the paddles to manage the seven-speed dual-clutch automated, nevertheless it’s not fairly the identical. Some will argue {that a} DCT is at all times quicker than a guide on observe, and so they’d be proper. Nonetheless, rowing your personal gears by the Nordschleife’s countless corners is at all times extra rewarding.

Even and not using a three-pedal setup, we ought to be grateful that MINI remains to be providing the JCW with a combustion engine, given Europe’s strict laws. The turbocharged “B48” doesn’t sound as aggressive as you would possibly count on, with synthetic noise piped by the audio system.

It’s value noting that the F66 has one other occasion trick for additional drama. When the two.0-liter four-cylinder reaches 3,000 rpm, a secondary exhaust pipe angled towards the bottom opens a valve to launch extra decibels. Whereas the JCW does growl, most of what you hear remains to be digitally enhanced.

However make no mistake, the JCW can transfer. It effortlessly reaches 144 mph (231 km/h) and surges ahead shortly out of corners. Its small footprint makes the Nürburgring really feel like an outsized playground. It is a veritable observe toy and one of many final gasps in a dying section.

Video: L’argus / YouTube