Geneva motor show 2012: Mini Countryman JCW

The hottest version yet of the Mini Countryman, the John Cooper Works, has been unveiled at today's Geneva motor show.

Powered by a 215bhp 1.6-litre turbo four, the car is claimed by Mini to cover 0-60mph in 7.0sec and hit 140mph. Peak torque of 207lb ft is on tap between 2000rpm and 5600rpm, and an overboost function adds a further 14lb ft.

See pictures of the Mini Countryman JCW

However, the aim is to make the car less aggressive than other JCW Minis. So the sports suspension, which reduces the ride height by 10mm, isn’t as firm as other JCWs. The car runs on unique 18-inch alloy wheels as standard.

Read our first drive review of a Mini Countryman JCW prototype

The Countryman is the first JCW to have an automatic gearbox option. Its 0-60mph dash is identical to the manual’s and its top speed 1mph less.

However, the auto has 35.3mpg fuel economy to the manual’s 39.2mpg and it emits 20g/km more CO2 at 187g/km.

Sales start in September with a price of £27,800, which is a £5k premium over the Countryman Cooper S.

Julian Rendell