Prior to his current job as head of Mini, Kay Segler ran BMW’s M division. It seems almost obvious, then, when he tells us that he wants JCW to serve the same purpose for Mini that M does for BMW.

Once the JCW Countryman arrives, Mini will offer John Cooper Works packages for all of its models, but Segler wants to further differentiate JCW products in the future. This means that vehicles wouldn’t so much be equipped with the John Cooper Works package, but rather positioned as standalone models.

Mini already thinks about the standard JCW powerplant—a turbocharged 1.6-liter four making at least 208 hp—a “unique” engine, and not a standard Cooper S mill with more boost. But we interpret Segler’s remarks to mean that the John Cooper Works engine will come in for additional work in the future; that could mean it will get some unique internals, or that the displacement will be increased. Segler’s sentiments also suggest that more hard-core, limited-edition models like the upcoming new-gen Mini GP could be produced.

Even though Minis have a real penchant for getting absurdly costly with options and accessories—see our $46,244, ex-long-term JCW convertible as a prime example—Segler states the company will be careful about pricing future John Cooper Works offerings. Take a note from the relatively reasonable pricing of the BMW 1-series M and M3 GTS, we’re told. Considering that the 1-series M was something of a bargain at $47,010, that’s encouraging.

The single most common request that Mini gets from American customers, however, isn’t for more JCW models—it’s for diesel engines. “We’re delighted to hear it,” Segler stated enthusiastically. “We are looking into this not for the short term, but for the medium term.” The current generation of Minis will run on gasoline only, but when the third-generation model arrives in a few years, we’re almost certain that a diesel engine will be offered. The 143-hp, 225 lb-ft diesel four in the Mini Cooper SD in Europe is a gem, and we concur with Mini execs that a subset of the brand’s fans in the States would love it. (We have previously tested a less-powerful Mini Cooper D; you can read that review here.)

If a Mini dizzler does happen, figure on it arriving in 2014 at the earliest.

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Submited at Thursday, January 26th, 2012 at 4:02 pm on Uncategorized by Alina
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