301-HP Countryman JCW

• The 2020 Mini Countryman JCW All4 sprinted from zero to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds in our testing.
• This result makes it the quickest Mini we've ever tested.
• It's powered by a 301-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four and carried an as tested price of $51,800.

We recently were able to put some substance to the updated 2020 Mini Countryman John Cooper Works All4. The Countryman JCW is now powered by a 301-horsepower turbocharged inline-four that also generates 332 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic—the sole transmission available—handles shifting duties and all-wheel drive is standard. Sound familiar? The hardware is identical to that of the BMW X2 M35i we also recently tested.

With launch control activated, the Countryman erupts off the line, chirping its front Pirelli Cintuarto P7 Run Flat summer tires during the one-two shift. With the glorious BMW-sourced engine churning away, the Countryman JCW rocketed to 60 mph in a brisk 4.4-seconds and hustled though the quarter-mile in a swift 13.1-seconds at 105 mph. By those metrics, the Countryman even beats the pricier BMW X2 M35i by 0.1 second to 60 mph and matches both the quarter-mile time and trap speed.

The 228-hp 2019 Mini Hardtop John Cooper Works previously held the quickest Mini crown, with a 5.5-second run to 60 mph and a 14.1-second quarter-mile time. Despite weighing 888 pounds less than the Countryman, its acceleration was limited by the fact that it made do with only front driven wheels and a six-speed automatic.

For now, the Countryman JCW may be the top dog, but with the equally powerful, presumably lighter, and track-focused Mini John Cooper Works GP on the horizon, its time at the top may be limited. We’ll have a full rundown of the speedy Mini Countryman JCW coming soon.





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