Some great performance cars including the VW Golf GTI and BMW M3 had their production runs halted in 2018 as they couldn’t meet the latest emissions regs in their current state of tune. Mini, however, has managed to make its John Cooper Works (that’s the supermini with three chillies on the label) green enough with a new petrol particulate filter. It’s also whacked on those divisive Union Jack rear light clusters.
Mini JCW hatch/convertible
Power still comes from a 2.0-litre turbo producing 228bhp, sent to the front wheels by a six-speed manual or an eight-speed auto ’box. There are now more personalisation options inside and there’s always the droptop if you’re after an even less practical Mini. Launch sprints to 62mph are logged at 6.3sec for the hatch and 6.6sec for the convertible.
NEED TO KNOW
1 What is it? A cleaner, greener hot Mini
2 Tech specs Petrol particulate filter, Britpop lighting
3 Aimed at? Getting past Euro-6d Temp emissions regs
4 When can I get one? Will pollute a smidge less from March 2019
