MINI Readies 300 HP All Wheel Drive JCW Clubman And Hatch To Combat Focus RS And RS3

MINI is looking to hit Volkswagen and Ford where it hurts, with a new 300bhp four-wheel-drive hot JCW hatchback – and our exclusive image shows how it could look.

Auto Express has received exclusive information from a MINI insider about the brand’s desire to up the ante in its hot hatch range. Our source told us: “There’s room for expansion in the hot hatch market.”
 

valhallakey - 11/18/2015 2:30:00 PM

+1 Boost

Nose is better resolved! 300hp, awd, sounds like a winner if they can balance the handling/ride equation.

MDarringer - 11/18/2015 9:01:09 PM

-1 Boost

Even though they have sort of fixed the torque steer and "dartiness" of the handling with the current platform, it is far from ideal. How is it that VW can get the GTI so perfect in its handling, but BMW can't seem to do so with the Mini? With as much as this Mini will cost, give me the Focus RS.

valhallakey - 11/20/2015 2:11:11 PM

+1 Boost

They will definitely have to price it right. The Focus RS seems like a killer and if it comes in significantly less than the Clubman and Golf R it should be very successful! I think with awd torque steer should be far less of an issue, the last gen Mini S was terrible in that area.

TheSteve - 11/18/2015 4:26:15 PM

+1 Boost

In *my* mind, very, very few of the people who are drawn to a MINI are seeking several hundred horsepower, drag-racing people at stop lights, or drifting through corners. A 300 hp MINI seems like a solution without a problem.

MDarringer - 11/18/2015 8:58:16 PM

0 Boost

Their demographic skews heavily to middle-aged divorced women. So a road devouring Mini is a pointless effort.

W208 - 11/19/2015 9:58:31 AM

+1 Boost

Man, I can't wait until the 300hp awd mini comes out...SAID NOBODY EVER. I can only imagine how much this will cost...BMW 435 territory when it's all said and done.

Subaru STI(discontinued), Focus RS, Megane RS, Scirocco R, R32/36.....these are cars people think of when they think hot hatch. This thing, no.

focal - 11/23/2015 11:15:35 AM

+1 Boost

focus RS costs more than a Golf R here in Canada. this MINI will be more than both. I like my cars simple in design and execution. The Golf R may be boring, but it meets my budget and style preference. The Mini interiors are just too busy.