With the latest F56 JCW, MINI has produced their most powerful engine to date. A BMW derived B48 2.0 litre turbo engine, the F56 JCW achieves 228bhp and 320 N·m torque with smooth power delivery throughout the range thanks to Mini’s ‘twinpower’ technology. 

What is twinpower? Marketing spiel surely, but what does it mean? The four cylinder engine uses a twin-scroll turbo, wherein two exhaust paths are cast into the one turbine housing. Cylinders 1 and 4 feed one scroll, whilst cylinders 2 and 3 feed the second scroll. This keeps conflicting pulse timings separate and dramatically improves the efficiency of the turbine, ensuring smooth power delivery throughout the rev range. With light modification, this new engine is able to achieve over 300bhp!

Fitted with a 6-speed automatic, the JCW propels itself from a standing start to 62mph in 6.1 seconds, only 0.2 seconds slower than a manual transmission in the right hands. Speaking of the automatic gearbox, it’s brilliant. Historically, an automatic gearbox in a hot-hatch should make no sense, but in this more evolved generation of MINI, it excels. 

Engage ‘Maximum Go-Kart Feel’ and you can almost treat the JCW like a fairground dodgem. Throttle response and engine note increase in audacity, whilst feedback through the steering wheel yields reassuring heft and firmness, changing direction like a barstool swivel. The JCW is a weekday car for the weekend warrior.