[Paul]

Just wondering, as most people have no idea what's in store for the next generation MINI Cooper S Works... what are your expectations or hopes?

I'm talking terms of power, performance, speed, even design. What do you hope we'll get, what do you expect we'll get? Hot hatches are getting hotter and hotter, so you'd think the JCW S would look to continue this trend? Or would you?

For example, the next gen S is expected to have 170bhp and 240nm torque, and be lighter than the current model... so for the Works?



It's imagination time folks!

[simeds]

something with lots of 000's on the price tag !

[Hat]

with the way hot hatches are going i think it needs to have a bigger engine than the standard car - 2.5 litre at least, possibly mid-mounted like the Clio V6. All-wheel drive is a must. performance needs to be at 250bhp minimum with some light weight body panels to help get it there - possibly wider front & rear arches.

as important as extra power is differentiating it from the standard car

[Cooper54]

210 bhp is meant to be the safe limit for a front wheel drive car however with new tech developing all the time, it would be nice to see 230bhp and 260lbs torque. Not that I could ever afford one at the mo with new only round the corner...

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by Hat

with the way hot hatches are going i think it needs to have a bigger engine than the standard car - 2.5 litre at least, possibly mid-mounted like the Clio V6. All-wheel drive is a must. performance needs to be at 250bhp minimum with some light weight body panels to help get it there - possibly wider front & rear arches.

as important as extra power is differentiating it from the standard car

Now THAT's imagination!

Well I can't remember where I saw it (I am sure someone can tell me!) but an article a few days back had a tuner coming out with a 265 bhp pack for the existing S...so I say new S Works should be 275 bhp to make sure it is the best Mini and to compete with say 350Z's...wishful thinking but still!

[Brynster]

Be nice if the next generation Works was truly a works car - by which I mean that it's time that "Mini Cooper" meant something again - and the way to do that is to return to competition with a works-backed team. I'm old enough to have been an enthusiast when Paddy Hopkirk and the Flying Finns in rallying were earning the reputation which the current brand still trades on but that's a loooong time ago and current enthusiasts for the marque weren't even born then. So, a new Works should be a Works Team car - and we should be able to buy replicas. That means big horsepower, 4WD cars that have a similar base design to those which a MINI team would be rallying on the world stage. It sounds like the lighter turbo engine allied with the Getrag Twinster layout could give Mini the platform to successfully revive the sporting image of the original Mini.

[minicabrio]

I've got the next model 'S' on order, so I'm obviously really hoping the Works kit will be something special!!

I think with the new engines dual scroll turbocharging, MINI should be able to really give us a healthy dose of BHP without giving us woeful turbo lag... The limiting factor will of course be the ultralight all aluminium block, which probably wont stand as much punishment as the current heavy duty Tritec one.

I would like some subtle styling tweaks, interior sports options, light alloy wheels, and about 220bhp

I think the excellent handling, decent wall of power and lightened frame should see off most competition round the Top Gear Track

[Paul]

Do you think the Works should be a factory only car, making it a little more special perhaps, or still something you can get "after market" from MINI dealers?

[Rakey]

Quote: Originally Posted by Brynster

Be nice if the next generation Works was truly a works car - by which I mean that it's time that "Mini Cooper" meant something again - and the way to do that is to return to competition with a works-backed team. I'm old enough to have been an enthusiast when Paddy Hopkirk and the Flying Finns in rallying were earning the reputation which the current brand still trades on but that's a loooong time ago and current enthusiasts for the marque weren't even born then. So, a new Works should be a Works Team car - and we should be able to buy replicas. That means big horsepower, 4WD cars that have a similar base design to those which a MINI team would be rallying on the world stage. It sounds like the lighter turbo engine allied with the Getrag Twinster layout could give Mini the platform to successfully revive the sporting image of the original Mini.

you read my mind Bryn

The twinster is a must, and making it a model in its own right from the factory, so this car is more than just a factory added tuning kit, it should the ultimate MINI, and racing is key to bringing it back to where the mini used to be, top of its class

[Rakey]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett

Do you think the Works should be a factory only car, making it a little more special perhaps, or still something you can get "after market" from MINI dealers?

factory only, and use the opportunity to build the car that the MINI cooper S should have been.

Add another tier to the range, and give more than just a few bits onto the engine, a larger engine like Hat said would be a good start, but the Twinster from getrag would be the ultimate

[coded2112]

Hopefully something wild and wacky! Yes should be factory only so good and special, 4wd and 275bhp should be a minimum starting point. Although secretly i am still hoping this will be the GP works as i have one on order and will be gutted if the new model immediately outshines it!!

[Rakey]

Quote: Originally Posted by coded2112

Hopefully something wild and wacky! Yes should be factory only so good and special, 4wd and 275bhp should be a minimum starting point. Although secretly i am still hoping this will be the GP works as i have one on order and will be gutted if the new model immediately outshines it!!

I would prepare to feel just like fish then

The GP is just a goodbye to the current car, I would totally expect the new JCW to much better than the GP, its just a case of do you want a Limited Works with the supercharger, thats why to buy the GP.

[coded2112]

Yep! Need a new car though as my MCS will be upto 60k and out of warranty so goodbye to it! And hello GP!

[minicabrio]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett

Do you think the Works should be a factory only car, making it a little more special perhaps, or still something you can get "after market" from MINI dealers?

As I'm ordering one of the first S's, I hope the kit will be retro-fittable to those who have already stumped up the cash for the car!

Quote: Originally Posted by minicabrio-uk

As I'm ordering one of the first S's, I hope the kit will be retro-fittable to those who have already stumped up the cash for the car!

I am sure you should be able to change your order nearer the time if we discover there is no retro-fit. I have signed up to the first S for my dealer group - in any variant I choose. I am hoping for a Works S Traveller but am thinking this is not going to be the first on the production line

[minicabrio]

Quote: Originally Posted by virage1

I am sure you should be able to change your order nearer the time if we discover there is no retro-fit. I have signed up to the first S for my dealer group - in any variant I choose. I am hoping for a Works S Traveller but am thinking this is not going to be the first on the production line

I doubt the JCW kit will be launched at the same time as the Cooper S... if it is factory only, guess I will have to get them to sell me another

[LMB]

Well seeing as the new S will have a Turbo, the Works should defo be twin turbo.

[Rakey]

Quote: Originally Posted by LMB

Well seeing as the new S will have a Turbo, the Works should defo be twin turbo.

why save the twin turbo for just the Works without the twin turbo there would be lag, doubt that would be wanted

[Tone]

Can't see power being much more than the current 210bhp [MCS] for the stand alone factory model - in the same way that the new MCS will be hardly any different - in answer to some of the wildest wishes here - but of course, the devil is in the detail, and hopefully things like weight, torque + other improvements will enable a markedly improved new model to emerge from the Oxford plant - which is what we'd all like to see.