Performance Review: Mini Cooper John Cooper Works - [2012]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mini Cooper Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mini Cooper John Cooper Works is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2012. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged.This particular Mini Cooper has a 1598cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Cooper shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Cooper's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1235 kgs (2722 lbs) this makes the Mini Cooper John Cooper Works in the same weight category as the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line or the give or take 50kg.

The Mini Cooper shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 1598cc 16V St4 engine produces 215 bhp (160 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 207 lb-ft (280.6 Nm) @ 2000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Mini Cooper you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2017 Land-Rover Velar 3.0 V6 Supercharged 360 (199.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mini Cooper.

The Mini Cooper has a Power to weight ratio of 174.0 bhp per ton and 167.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2012 Cooper competing with the 2017 Land-Rover Velar 3.0 V6 Supercharged 360 (199.0 bhp per ton) or the 2003 Mercedes CLK 55 AMG Cabriolet (198.9 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Mini Cooper generating around 167.6 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1955 Ford Thunderbird 292 Fordomatic 1st Gen. (192.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 1997 Ford Mustang GT 4.6 V8 (192.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.3 secs, this made the Mini Cooper John Cooper Works as fast as the 2017 Maserati Ghibli 3.0 V6 Diesel (6.10 secs) the 2017 Hyundai i30 N 2.0 Turbo (6.10 secs) the 2017 Land-Rover Velar 3.0 SDV6 300 (6.10 secs) the or the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo Auto (6.10 secs). This Mini Cooper John Cooper Works is also faster than the 2019 Toyota Supra SZ-R 2.0 Turbo (6.20 secs) the 2019 Toyota Supra SZ 2.0 Turbo (6.20 secs) the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0 TDi SCR 4Motion (6.20 secs) the and the 2014 Peugeot 208 Gti 1.6 Turbo 30th (6.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Cooper and the 2004 Ford Mustang GT 4.6 V8

When talking about the performance of the Mini Cooper on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.41 secs @ 95.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2004 Ford Mustang GT 4.6 V8 (14.35 secs), the 1960 Chevrolet Impala 348 Hardtop (14.37 secs), and the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Wagon (14.37 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2012 version of the Mini Cooper John Cooper Works has a maximum speed of 150mph.

Top Speed of the 2012 Cooper equals the 2013 Porsche Panamera 3.6 V6 (161 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works then how about the 2013 Porsche Panamera 3.6 V6 (161 mph), the 2013 Porsche Panamera Diesel 3.0 V6 Turbo (161 mph), or the 2011 Radical SR3 SL 2.0 Turbo (161 mph).

Related Links:

2012 Cooper Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mini

Car Comparison