When a automobile is that this small, the world looks like an outsized playground. It’s much more enjoyable on a twisty highway like Japan’s winding mountain route within the Nikko area. MINI introduced its newest gasoline scorching hatch for a photograph shoot on the well-known Irohazaka Highway, recognized for its usually slender, difficult corners.
Why now? The “F66”-generation JCW just lately attended the 2025 Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo. From there, the journey continued north for roughly 180 kilometers (112 miles) to Nikko Nationwide Park, the place Irohazaka Highway begins, providing drivers an opportunity to discover the great thing about the Oku-Nikko plateau. It’s particularly beautiful in autumn, however from a driving perspective, it’s value visiting any time of 12 months.
Maybe the one factor that may’ve made the journey much more gratifying is a guide gearbox. Nonetheless, the B48-powered pocket rocket comes solely with a dual-clutch computerized. Nonetheless, almost 230 horsepower in such a small package deal is a recipe for a fantastic day on winding roads. That BMW-sourced four-cylinder delivers a wholesome 380 Nm (280 lb-ft). It’s loads sufficient to place a smile in your face as you shoot out of corners.
Talking of which, Irohazaka Highway packs no fewer than 48 hairpin turns. The surroundings is a bonus, and we’re positive some individuals could be wanting to pattern the JCW system within the “F67” Convertible. For this scenic run, MINI opted for the three-door hatch in Midnight Black with contrasting pink accents. It additionally fitted the optionally available 18-inch wheels, one measurement up from the usual alloys.
We’re nonetheless getting used to the thought of a single-exit exhaust. Some will view it as a downgrade, however it’s value noting that the most recent JCW does have a second tip. MINI hid it underneath the car. Nonetheless, it solely wakes up once you rev the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine previous 3,000 rpm.
For 2025, MINI additionally sells a JCW with out an exhaust in any respect. To fulfill each camps, there’s the totally electrical “J01,” positioned to tackle the Alpine A290 and Abarth 500e. Whether or not electrical scorching hatches will catch on stays to be seen, however there’s nothing fallacious with having a broader vary of selections.
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