BULLDOGSPIRIT Back to the future with the new viva

TIMESTEST

BASED on the latest threedoor bodystyle, the hottest Mini on sale seeks to challenge the notion that only conventional hot hatches can deliver the appropriate thrills to satisfy the demands of serious petrolheads. The presence of the John Cooper Works branding is no lightweight marketing exercise, though.

In a bid to ensure the car’s considerable hype is matched by genuine ability, BMW has ramped up the horsepower count to a sizeable 228bhp.

That won’t trouble the hyper hatches from Ford, Vauxhall and Renault, but it’s still enough for rapid progress over a challenging B road. Changes to the car’s ride, exhaust system and the inclusion of additional performance-focused driver modes complete the transformation.

The latest generation threedoor Mini is a beefy-looking car in its own right, but the JCW additions do much to further boost its appeal among keen drivers. New bumpers fore and aft are both attractive and, in the case of the front item, also prove functional by increasing much needed airflow.

The obligatory John Cooper Works branding is subtle but effective, while the car’s purposeful stance easily sets it apart from the not-much-slower Cooper S.

If you want to combine speed with genuine family-friendly space, you’ll be better served by the five-door Cooper S. For everyone else, the three-door JCW offers ample cabin space up front, with useable space in the back for children.

This car is all about the driving experience, which means the ownership experience will contain a few compromises, namely rear seat access and boot space. The upside is a car that’s easy to park and fits right into the cut and thrust of city life.

Forget any grumbles about modest rear legroom as this is what the Mini JCW is all about. In auto gearbox trim as tested here, the car offers easy-as-pie urban motoring and brutal race car levels of efficiency away from the city limits.

There’s ample grip in the dry and the various electronic driver aids can be turned down and, crucially, off if you know what you’re doing.

The result is a blisteringly quick car displaying a pleasing and confidence-inspiring progressive character – just what you need when grip levels are marginal, or for those times when you want to properly lean on the car to extract its maximum performance.

All the while, you’re serenaded by a genuinely naughty exhaust note, complete with pops, bangs and a mischievous growl that wouldn’t be out of place on something with twice the number of cylinders.

As befits a flagship Mini, the JCW attracts a premium over its slower stablemates. Only you can decide if it’s worth the extra cash, but there’s no denying that the pint-sized motor looks and feels special.

Assuming you’re sensible, running costs shouldn’t be too bad, although don’t expect textbook fuel consumption if you push on. And you’ll need to demonstrate ample self-restraint when it comes to options; some are worth the expense, but it’s easy to rack up a big bill on items that look good on paper.

If you’re tired of the stereotypical hot hatch, the Mini JCW possesses a more extrovert character and boasts plenty of distinctive styling details. The JCW offers ample performance for fast road driving, yet is composed enough to flatter moderately talented drivers.

Crucially, the JCW looks and sounds the part; its appearance is the right side of macho while the specially tuned exhaust delivers the expected pops, bangs and snarls that you’d expect from a genuinely exotic sports car.

If this car was a pet dog it would be the cliched British Bulldog – loyal, loveable but always capable of bearing its teeth.