2020 Mini Clubman JCW: Power Meets Style!

I thought I had already posted the test drive review...

But it turns out I hadn't! Haha!

I was wondering why I couldn't find anything when I searched for it, and here it is!

This is the test drive review of the 2020 Mini Clubman JCW. Personally, the Clubman is my favorite model among all the Mini lineups, and now the high-performance model, the JCW facelift, has been released!

Right from the start, the excitement is palpable. The previous Mini Clubman JCW had 231 horsepower, but this new model boasts a whopping 306 horsepower and 45.9 torque... This might be the highest output among all the JCW models released so far.

The acceleration and punchy feel have definitely changed from the beginning. It’s not an exaggeration to say that this is the JCW experience that John Cooper Works has always aimed for. Plus, the longer body compared to the three-door Mini provides much better stability in corners for the Clubman JCW.

Wow, I have to buy this!

So, what exactly has changed?

Actually, all Minis look quite similar.

Whether it’s the regular Cooper, Clubman, or Countryman, whether it’s the 2020 model or any other, haha!

However, if you look closely, you can see the new grille, which is wide open all the way down to the lower part, compared to the old Clubman JCW. The headlight DRL has also changed to a round shape.

The S model has some noticeable differences when compared side by side.

The wheel design has also become more stylish. If you look closely at the brake calipers, they seem to have a slightly different shape, but the previous JCW also had a 4-piston large brake system, so I expect the performance difference to be minimal.

Since it’s a facelift, the side design doesn’t seem to have changed.

The biggest change is that the bizarre tail lights from the 2020 Clubman JCW have finally been replaced with Union Jack LEDs. You can instantly recognize it as the new model!

The difference in tail lights is quite significant, right? Haha!

Unfortunately, that’s about all the changes.

Other than that, it’s pretty much the same...

The detail of the lower bumper has slightly changed, with a quirky air breather appearing below the reflector. The muffler tip is also chrome... So, can we expect the exhaust sound to be more vibrant?

However, that wasn’t the case.

Unfortunately, the unique backpressure exhaust sound that used to burst out from the standard three-door Mini Cooper JCW is disappointingly absent in the Clubman JCW. The recent test drive of the Countryman JCW was the same... In overseas YouTube videos, both the Clubman and Countryman JCW models showcase some awesome exhaust sounds, so what could be the reason?

Still, it’s louder than the Cooper S, so I don’t think you should be too disappointed. While it’s subtle, there is still a noticeable difference in exhaust sound, even if it’s not very audible inside the cabin.

If you’re truly disappointed, aftermarket tuning could significantly improve this aspect, so it might be worth tolerating the hassle of structural modification reports and giving it a try. In the past, tuning the exhaust sound through a sound generator was possible, but I’m not sure about the current options.

Anyway... just because a car has a loud exhaust doesn't mean it drives well, and aside from this aspect, the fun of driving the new 2020 Mini Clubman JCW, which boasts over 300 horsepower, is truly exceptional, so you can look forward to it.

By the way, I hope that during the next full change, they expand the trunk space of the Clubman. It looks like it should easily fit four golf bags, but in reality, you have to fold down one of the rear seats to fit a golf bag.

If it had a small and unique design, over 300 horsepower performance, and sufficient trunk space, that would be perfect. Still, the split-opening trunk is undeniably stylish... that’s the charm of the Clubman!

The 2020 model has added such beautiful ambient lights to the door trim. You can change the colors according to your preference, so it’s worth testing out in the evening.

Let’s take a look at the video.

The interior design remains largely unchanged. The sports bucket seats made from a mix of Alcantara and leather still require manual adjustments, and of course, options like ventilated seats are not available.

The space is quite adequate, and the second row can comfortably seat four adults. However, if you want to carry golf bags, it becomes a three-seater, which is a significant drawback. Haha!

The electronic gear lever has changed... Honestly, I think this electronic gear doesn’t really suit the Mini Cooper. Especially for the JCW, wouldn’t a thicker manual gear stick feel better?

This is what I mean.

This concludes the test drive review of the 2020 Mini Clubman JCW. If only the tail light design changed, I would have definitely wanted to own this model, but personally, due to several disappointing aspects, I’ll have to look forward to the next generation. The exhaust sound, the electronic gear stick, and the trunk that can't fit golf bags, among other things...

Nevertheless, the charm of the Clubman JCW still shines brightly.

For vehicle inquiries: Branch Manager Geum Jeong-eun 010 2325 6060