The red trim and stitched leather add a premium feel to the cabin, but this is offset by the presence of some hard plastics – and manually adjusted seats are surprising at this price point. In fact, it led one of my passengers to quip “this isn’t bad for a $30,000 car.” Unfortunately, this Mini retails for more than $50,000, all-in.
Most of the switchgear is located in the centre stack, including the characteristic over-the-top gigantic round speedometer – resembling an art deco grain scale. The circular screen also houses the optional navigation system. Rounding off the interior goodies list is a 10-speaker Harman/Kardon audio system and Bluetooth connectivity.
Underneath that bulging bonnet is the same 1.6L turbocharged engine found in the rest of the JCW lineup – but it’s been tuned to produce an extra 10 hp and 14 lb-ft of torque, for a total of 218 hp and 207 lb-ft (221 with overboost). While this is a feisty little mill, a lot of its character is lost in translation through the six-speed automatic transmission. Pushing the Sport button does a lot to improve the gearbox’s soggy character by quickening up the shift points as well as altering throttle response and increasing steering weight. Even better – the exhaust erupts with staccato barking and pops with every rev-matching downshift. Still – Mini makes some of the finest manual gearboxes on the planet, it’s a shame to see a performance-badged model kitted out with a slushbox, even if it will probably prove to be the volume seller.
 2013 Mini Countryman JCW All4. Click image to enlarge |
Steering is precise and sharp as befitting any of Mini’s sporting lineup, and the brakes bite hard.
The JCW Mini lineup’s reputation was founded on its “go-kart” handling, but the Countryman’s extra bulk is evident while cornering. At 1,480 kg, my tester is tuned more for comfort than hard performance, and it tends to wallow somewhat when pushed hard. Still, its 10-mm lower sports suspension and firmer springs and dampers impart a much more composed feeling than the regular Countryman I tested last year, and the added ALL4 all-wheel-drive system should make it mighty attractive to Canadian buyers. It’s a front-biased setup with a centre differential that can send power up to the rear when traction is needed – whether on gravel or in snowy or rainy conditions.
Official Energuide ratings are 8.7 L/100 km city and 6.5 highway – I averaged roughly 10 L/100 km over a week of mixed driving.
It’s an odd little car that attracted a lot of attention during my week spent with it. Most of its admirers were shocked at its price, however. Tack on any extras and the Mini Countryman JCW All4’s price can skyrocket to well over $50,000.
While it’s an enjoyable car, and brings a modicum of practicality to the Mini faithful, only an intense loyalist would shell out fifty large ones for the as-tested model. True Mini performance enthusiasts would be better off ditching the $1,300 automatic transmission option in favour of the stick – or even better yet, opting for one of the smaller JCW variants.
Still, judging by the reaction every time I parked it, the maximum-sized Mini will no doubt have its share of fans. But many of those will probably opt for the regular Countryman ALL4 and forgo all the JCW-spec fun bits.
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2013 Mini Countryman JCW All4
Base Price: $38,500
Options: Exterior Mirror Package: $500, Sound Package: $990, Wired Package: $1850, Premium Package: $1990, 6-speed automatic transmission $1300, Black Sport Stripes $500, 19″ Cross spoke Crusher alloy wheels $750, Park Distance Control $450
Freight: $1,595
A/C Tax: $100
Price as tested: $46,735
Crash test results
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
