Mini Cooper S JCW Competition Edition Revealed (CA)

Press Release

MINI Canada announced today that 64 exclusive MINI Cooper S John Cooper Works (JCW) Competition Editions will be offered at Canadian MINI Retailers starting this month. The MINI Cooper S JCW Competition Edition is inspired by MINIs lengthy motorsport pedigree bookended by the classic Mini’s historic win at the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally and an unlimited class win by a JCW-equipped MINI Cooper S in the 2005 Targa Newfoundland.
The 2006 MINI Cooper S JCW Competition Edition also comes to market just in time to play a feature role in the upcoming 2006 Targa Newfoundland Rally. Joining a combined MINI Canada/MINI U.S. team entry comprised of two rally-prepared MINI Cooper S JCW cars, the MINI Cooper S JCW Competition Edition will have the honor of being this year’s official Targa Newfoundland pace vehicle.

The 2006 MINI Cooper S JCW Competition Edition equipment list includes a full complement of John Cooper Works performance components:

• JCW Engine Tuning Kit producing 208 horsepower.
• JCW Sport Brake Kit including larger 294mm front brake discs, red powder- coated front calipers and high-performance compounds used in both front and rear pads.
• JCW Sport Suspension Kit with tuned struts and performance calibrated, powder- coated springs and 10mm lower ride height .
• Limited Slip Differential and Dynamic Stability Control.
• Aerodynamics Package and 17” Web Spoke 2 Piece Alloy Wheels.
• Front and Rear Foglights.
• Alcantara leather upholstered steering wheel with leather inserts.
• Carbon/Alcantara Shift Knob with JCW logo and Carbon/Alcantara Hand Brake grip with JCW logo, along with JCW logo door sill strips and Anthracite Roofliner.

The MINI Cooper S JCW Competition Edition will be available in the Chili Red with a white roof - emulating the signature color scheme of the Monte Carlo-winning predecessors, with Hyper Blue with Black roof and Astro Black with a body-colored roof offered as alternates. Upholstery choices include Panther Black leatherette and Silver Space Cloth with Alloy Patina and Anthracite High Gloss trim filling out trim options.

Each of the MINI Cooper S JCW Competition Editions will be uniquely identified with a sequentially-labeled JCW Competition Edition tachometer indicating its sequence in the exclusive production run of 64.

The newly-introduced MINI Checkpoint 3-year/60,000 km no-charge Scheduled Maintenance also complements the MINI Cooper S JCW Competition Edition as standard equipment. An optional Premium Package is also available, featuring Glass Sunroof, Power Folding Exterior Mirrors, Heated Front Seats, Rain Sensor with Automatic Headlamps, On-Board Computer, Harman/Kardon Sound System and Chrome Line Interior.

“Their dominance at the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally has become part of the lore of the original Mini - a powerful testimony to an unprecedented combination of compact size and high-performance ” said Stephen McDonnell, Director of MINI Canada, continuing: “The MINI Cooper S JCW Competition Edition reiterates this same philosophy in 2006 and provides a very rare opportunity for 64 special customers to recapture that magic in a modern, premium incarnation.”

Commemorating an outstanding legacy in motorsport, the MINI Cooper S JCW Competition Edition will go on sale at MINI Retailers across Canada in September with an MSRP of $ 39,990.

The Legacy Continues

In 1964, a Mini Cooper S powered by a 1071 cc, 70 horsepower engine, and piloted by Irish rally ace Paddy Hopkirk, surprised the motorsport world by winning outright the grueling Monte Carlo Rally, triumphing over a stable of larger and securing forever a place for the Mini in motorsport history.

Echoing this Monte Carlo success some 40 years later, a MINI Cooper S with John Cooper Works package, equipped with a 1598 cc supercharged and intercooled 208 horsepower engine, challenged all comers in the Unlimited Class at the 2005 Targa Newfoundland Rally. Piloted by Jim Kenzie and navigated by Brian Bourbonniere, secured a resounding first place, continuing the “David vs. Goliath” winning tradition inaugurated in 1964.

On September 9, 2006, a trio of MINI Cooper S will again invade “The Rock”, with two MINI Cooper S entries with John Cooper Works packages challenging a powerful field at the 2006 Targa Newfoundland, with entrants from MINI Canada and MINI USA teaming up to take on the Open Class once again.

This year, a third MINI Cooper S will also spend a lot of time in a familiar position – the front of the pack. As Official Pace Car of the 2006 Targa Newfoundland Rally, the new MINI Cooper S JCW Competition Edition will lead off each of the Targa Newfoundland Rally’s grilling 39 stages – a fitting role for a Rally legend.

BMW Group Canada, based in Whitby, Ontario, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BMW AG and is responsible for the distribution of BMW luxury performance automobiles, Sports Activity Vehicles, Motorcycles, and MINI. BMW Group Financial Services Canada is a division of BMW Group Canada and offers retail financing and leasing programs on new and pre-owned BMW and MINI automobiles, as well as retail financing for new and pre-owned BMW Motorcycles. A total network of 39 BMW automobile retail centres, 18 BMW motorcycle retailers, and 22 MINI retailers represents the BMW Group across the country.