This past week at the New York Auto Show, MINI officially announced the new JCW lineup of both the R56 and the Clubman. With a price tag of $29,200 for the R56 version and $31,450 for the Clubman version, I have to ask – is it worth it? For those wanting a factory car that they can call “stock” and intend not to do anything to it, I suppose the value is there. Not to mention the aftermarket on the “new” generation MINI is still relatively new. I would love to test drive one and see how it handles (would really love to get one on the track). Until then I will withhold judgment. Here is the official press release that came out two days ago:

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – March 20, 2008… MINI USA announced today the debut of two all new performance models at the 2008 New York International Auto Show. Following their successful World Premier in Geneva, the MINI John Cooper Works hardtop and the MINI John Cooper Works Clubman are showcased at MINI’s display and represent the first new models from the recently integrated John Cooper Works Brand.

In addition, pricing for both new models were announced today. The MINI John Cooper Works hardtop will be offered at $29,200. USD. The MINI John Cooper Works Clubman will be offered at $31,450, USD. Both prices include a $650 destination and handling charge, MINI USA’s Free Full Maintenance Coverage for 3 years/ 36,000 Miles and a 4 year-50,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty.

For more than four decades, the name John Cooper has been synonymous with the high-performance members of the MINI family. In January 2008, MINI and John Cooper Works announced they would transition from being two separate entities to merging the John Cooper Works into the MINI family as a MINI sub brand. These are the first high-performance MINI models that will be launched under this new MINI John Cooper Works brand and are expected to arrive in the US this summer.

Both John Cooper Works models will feature a newly developed high-performance version of the highly-acclaimed 1.6 liter 16-valve 4-cylinder engine with twin scroll turbocharger and direct injection. Delivering 208 horsepower and maximum torque of 192 ft-lb between 1,850 and 5,600 rpm, overboost torque momentarily increases to 207 ft-lb under heavy acceleration. The revised powerplant propels the MINI John Cooper Works from 0-60 mph in just 6.2 seconds, with the MINI John Cooper Works Clubman shadowing this figure at 6.5 seconds. Top speed comes in at 147 MPH.

Complementing the significantly upgraded engine, both John Cooper Works models will also be equipped with an array of race-bred equipment including high-performance brakes, sports suspension, a low-back-pressure exhaust system, a specially-modified 6-speed manual transmission and exclusive 17-inch light alloy rims with high-performance tires.

In addition to electrically powered-assisted steering (EPAS) with a “sports” setting calibrated to the high-performance disposition of the John Cooper Works models, the sophisticated standard-equipment Dynamic Stability Control System (DSC) now incorporates Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) for the first time in a MINI. DTC allows controllable slip on the drive wheels for optimized performance as well as enhanced capabilities in adverse traction conditions. Another new feature of DSC unique to the John Cooper Works models – Electronic Differential Lock Control is activated in the DCS-Off mode, enhancing stability and cornering ability during “sporting” driving maneuvers.

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