MINI John Cooper Works Clubman and Countryman launched in Malaysia – 306 PS; RM359k and RM379k

The introduction of the MINI F54 Clubman facelift today also saw the debut of the MINI John Cooper Works Clubman and F60 Countryman.

The two JCW models, which were unveiled in May this year, are both equipped with a revised BMW B48 engine, the 2.0 litre turbocharged four-pot now offering 306 PS (or 302 hp) at 5,000 to 6,250 rpm and 450 Nm from 1,750 to 4,500 rpm. This is an increase of 75 PS (74 hp) and 100 Nm over the previous JCW power unit.

Paired with an eight-speed Steptronic sports automatic transmission driving all four wheels through the automaker’s ALL4 all-wheel drive system, it’s all good enough to get the JCW Clubman to 100 km/h from standstill in just 4.9 seconds (previously, 6.3 seconds), while the JCW Countryman does the same in 5.1 seconds (previously, 6.6 seconds). Both cars have an electronically-limited 250 km/h top speed.

The improved performance comes as a result of extensive enhancements to the powertrain, including the incorporation of a bigger turbocharger, a reinforced crankshaft and a redeveloped air intake duct, among other things.

To keep up with the increase in power, the cooling system has also been upgraded to ensure proper temperature management – on go two external radiators, a larger-volume expansion tank, an independent cooling module mounting, an electric ventilator with increased output, and a third cooling level via a condenser.

The cars also get a newly-developed, model-specific sport exhaust system and a redesigned sport brake system that now contains four-piston, fixed-calliper disc brakes on the rear wheels.

Externally, the JCW Clubman features a restyled front bumper, and there’s also a larger splitter for the front spoiler as well as a new lower grille insert. Additionally, there are now enlarged air intakes at both sides of the bumper to improve cooling efficiency.

Like the regulation Clubman, the JCW also gets a new honeycomb design grille as well as the new LED headlights from the standard car. At the back, there’s a revised bumper and Union Jack design LED tail lights, and the tailpipes have grown larger in diameter, now 95 mm units.

The JCW Countryman also gets a new bumper trim panel with open air intakes on both sides for more efficient cooling of the updated engine, and also gets bigger 85 mm diameter tail pipes.

Both the JCW models are fitted with the same wheel design, in this case a 19-inch JCW Circuit Spoke two-tone unit. Elsewhere, a JCW sport suspension lowers the ride by 10 mm, but the JCW Countryman adds on to this by going the Adaptive Suspension route.

Inside, the two JCW variants come dressed in Carbon Black Dinamica Leather upholstery, and a MINI Yours interior cockpit surface in Piano Black provides illumination in 12 different colours. Aside from JCW specific cues such as the side sills, the cars also come fitted with a panoramic sunroof.

Standard fit equipment on both variants include a head-up display and an 8.8-inch touchscreen Navigation System with a split-screen function, allowing two map views to be displayed at the same time. There’s also a 360-watt Harman Kardon sound system, an electric tailgate, dual-zone automatic air-conditioning and Comfort Access.

Connectivity levels are also up, with the inclusion of a new, in-vehicle 4G SIM card and updated MINI Connected App, which features items such as remote services, Apple Carplay, concierge services and MINI Online.

Safety and driver assistance kit includes front and side driver and front passenger airbags and head airbags for all four outer seats, front/rear Park Distance Control and a rear-view camera. Like the standard Clubman, there’s still no autonomous emergency braking to be found, which does take some of the gloss off.

As for exterior colours, choices available for the JCW Clubman are Rebel Green, White Silver, Midnight Black and Chili Red, while that for the JCW Countryman are Rebel Green, Light White, Midnight Black and Chili Red.

The MINI John Cooper Works Clubman is priced at RM358,888, while the John Cooper Works Countryman goes for RM378,888, both on-the-road without insurance. They come with MINI 4 Years unlimited mileage warranty with free scheduled service.

Check out the full specifications of the MINI John Cooper Works Clubman and John Cooper Works Countryman on CarBase.my .

GALLERY: MINI John Cooper Works Clubman

GALLERY: MINI John Cooper Works Countryman

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