√2024 Mini Countryman JCW revealed, due in Australia next year

The Mini Countryman John Cooper Works has grown for 2024, with the performance SUV expected to become more expensive when it arrives in Australia.

The new Mini Countryman’s performance John Cooper Works variant has been officially unveiled, two months after the hot SUV prematurely appeared on the BMW-owned car-maker’s website.

Mini’s flagship performance Countryman is due in Australia between July and September 2024, following the expected arrival of the Countryman C and S grades from January to March.

The new Countryman John Cooper Works (JCW) carries on from the outgoing model by adopting a more aggressive appearance and higher performance credentials than other variants in the line-up – even though, in Europe, it is now less powerful than its predecessor.

It is the first high-performance Mini road car to wear the new JCW logo.

As previously reported, the Countryman JCW’s turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine now produces 221kW and 400Nm in Europe – down on the 225kW/450Nm outputs of the outgoing model – though US-delivered versions receive a power bump up to 233kW.

These specifications are identical to the BMW X1 M35i xDrive – which shares its engine, transmission and all-wheel-drive system with the Mini – with Australia examples of the BMW SUV receiving the higher 233kW/400Nm outputs.

Mini Australia is yet to confirm which engine tune will be available in locally-delivered cars, however it is more likely local examples will match the US outputs.

Drive is sent to all four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, replacing its predecessor’s eight-speed torque-converter auto.

According to Mini, the Countryman JCW can be ordered with a choice of 19- or 20-inch wheels – depending on the market – which are wrapped in 245mm-wide tyres (up from 225mm wide), now with a taller sidewall than before.

Inside, the JCW adopts the Mini Countryman’s new 9.4-inch round OLED infotainment and digital instrument display in the centre of its dashboard, along with a centrally-placed gear selector among its climate-control switches.

Specific John Cooper Works highlights include red stitching on the seats, mirrors and dashboard.

While Mini is yet to reveal an Australian price for the new Countryman JCW, the new model is expected to be more expensive than its predecessor.

The current Mini Countryman JCW is priced between $68,625 and $75,946 – excluding on-road costs – in Australian showrooms.

In Germany the new-generation SUV starts from €60,120 plus on-road costs (equivalent to about $100,000 locally), though there it is hit with higher taxes not present in Australia.

Australian deliveries of the new Mini Countryman John Cooper Works are due to commence between July and September 2024.

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