Like the new Fiat 500, there's a wealth of history behind BMW's retro-styled pocket rocket. While Fiat tapped into the cutesy appeal of its 1950s original to rejuvenate its city car, BMW set about recreating a car that was originally driven by only a handful of people.
The Mini JCW is a homage to John Cooper, the British racing engineer who took standard Austin Minis and transformed them into giant-killing rally 'works' winners. Cooper's stripped-down, souped-up creations won a clutch of rally titles from 1963-67, against much heavier opposition in a host of European rallies, including three wins at Monte Carlo.
With such a strong heritage and cachet attached to the Cooper name, BMW took the prudent step of acquiring independent tuner the Cooper Car Company in 2006 and establishing a dedicated tuning division for future Mini projects.
Unlike the new Fiat 500, which is an exercise in deft retro-restyling, the Mini JCW is more of a 'what-if?' interpretation of how a Cooper Works car would perform technically if it were engineered today. It's exciting stuff for car boffins - but there's also still plenty of scope for the average punter to buy into this flight of fancy and pep up the commute home.
The JCW is the most potent Mini created since BMW launched its update of the British classic in 2002. A ubiquitous sight on Hong Kong streets, the new Mini has enjoyed enduring appeal, despite having been given only one mild facelift since its inception.
Yet the new Cooper is a very fresh proposition - and a clear notch above even the grin-inducing second-generation Cooper S, which caused a stir when it was launched.
