2011 MINI John Cooper Works Review
Price
RM275,888
Installment
RM2,631/mth
2011 MINI John Cooper Works at a glance
The 2011 MINI John Cooper Works ups the ante on everything the MINI Cooper stands for. The sportier styling is matched by the wonderful performance and sweet handling. This is one hot hatch that would make John Cooper proud.
2011 MINI John Cooper Works quick specs
| Body Style | Hatchback |
| Class | Sports/GT |
| Assembled | - |
| Engine Range | - |
| Fuel Options | - |
| Seating Capacity | 4 |
2011 MINI John Cooper Works ratings (overall rating : 4/5.0)
| Styling | |
| Handling | |
| Comfort | |
| Quality + Reliability | |
| Performance |
| Roominess | |
| Running Costs | |
| Value for Money | |
| Equipment | |
| Environment |
Styling
The 2011 MINI John Cooper Works adds a series of sporty enhancements to the exterior and interior. These include a rear spoiler, side scuttles, side sills, rear bumper, twin stainless steel exhaust, more prominent front grille, air intake on the bonnet, and a number of ‘John Cooper Works’ badging throughout the car: on the lower front grille, tailgate, front brake calipers and door entry strips.
Handling
The MINI Cooper is fun to drive. And the sportier-looking MINI John Cooper Works is no different. The responsive, communicative steering, coupled with taut body control and endless grip, give the 2011 MINI John Cooper Works extremely fine road manners. There is also a ‘Sport’ mode which brings a livelier throttle, a deeper exhaust note and a weightier, sharper steering. The Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) further allows the chassis's potential to shine through.
Comfort
The suspension setup is left unchanged from the MINI Cooper's, thus the ride remains slightly firm but never harsh. Refinement is good enough for the 2011 MINI John Cooper Works to be used for long-distance cruising, even if some wind and road noise is noticeable at speed. The driving position is improved, seats are comfortable, and the footwell is no longer cramped. There is a comprehensive range of steering and seating adjustments, but ergonomics are less ideal, with the climate and audio controls rather difficult to reach and read.
Quality + Reliability
The cabin is stylish and well-built. Having a premium image with a price tag to match, the 2011 MINI John Cooper Works however has some cheap-feeling cabin plastics and switchgear, although for the most parts, the material quality is suitably classy. The MINI brand has always been rated well in JD Power customer satisfaction surveys, and the 2011 MINI John Cooper Works can be expected to be reliable.
Performance
A larger air intake, higher boost pressure, and less restrictive exhaust flow system are the major enhancements under the bonnet that give the MINI John Cooper Works an astonishing 208 bhp at 6000 rpm and 260 Nm at 1850-5600 rpm. All this power from the same 1.6-litre serving the MINI Cooper S! The 2011 MINI John Cooper Works is, as a result, faster than most hot hatches, including the class-leader Volkswagen Golf GTI. The six-speed manual gear-change is rather sloppy, though, letting down the excellent engine performance.
Roominess
Like in the MINI Cooper, the 2011 MINI John Cooper Works has seats for four, with the front driver and passenger enjoying plenty of head- and leg-room, but the rear two passengers make do with no more than adequate room. Access to the rear is awkward as the door opening is rather narrow. The boot is small compared to other hatchbacks', but at least the rear seats can 50:50 split-fold for more loading space.
Running Costs
Fuel economy stands at 14.5 km/litre. Servicing costs are not quite as high as for other premium brands, and should be affordable for a MINI owner. MINI models hold their values in class-leading fashion, and you can expect the 2011 MINI John Cooper Works to carry on that trend.
Value for Money
The Volkswagen Golf GTI and BMW 1-Series Hatchback are the most comparable to the MINI John Cooper Works in terms of the market segment they serve, but not so much in pricing as the 2011 MINI John Cooper Works is more expensive by some margin. The MINI Cooper brings charming style, brilliant handling, impressive running costs and a strong performance; the 2011 MINI John Cooper Works brings the same entertaining package, but with more power and pace—this is one hot hatch that would make John Cooper proud.
Equipment
The essentials such as automatic air-conditioning, electric windows, electric mirrors, alloy wheels, remote central locking and alarm are standard. A host of customisation is available. Standard safety kit includes six airbags, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), Electronic Differential Lock Control (EDLC), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist.
Environment
The 2011 MINI John Cooper Works' carbon dioxide emissions of 165 g/km and fuel consumption of 14.5 km/litre are impressive considering the power output. BMW has replaced the previous inefficient MINI engines with modern units that are efficient and less polluting. What's not to like?
Live Life Drive Verdict
Iconic styling with a sporty twist
Wonderful performance and handling
Still impressive running costs
Some cheap-feeling cabin plastics
Small boot and poor access to rear
Expensive compared to rivals
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