All-new MINI John Cooper Works Hatch unveiled

Alfardan Automobiles, the official BMW Group importer in Qatar, unveiled the all-new MINI John Cooper Works Hatch at the opening of the Qatar Motor Show, marking the Middle East arrival of the most powerful MINI yet.MINI fans, car enthusiasts and visitors flocked to the Qatar National Convention Centre to witness the region’s first appearance of the new MINI powerhouse, which packs the most powerful engine ever for a production MINI – a 2.0-litre TwinPower Turbo engine delivering 231 hp and 320 Nm of torque. Compared to the previous MINI John Cooper Works, the new model delivers 10% more power and 23% more torque. As a result, it reaches 0-100 km/h in 6.3 seconds, 0.2 seconds quicker than the older model and comes with upgraded suspension, steering, brakes and styling.“MINI continues to grow in popularity among Qatari audiences. To put this in perspective, the brand has experienced double digit growth for the past five consecutive years, most recently achieving a 25% climb in sales for 2014,” said Mohamed Kandeel, chief operating officer, Alfardan Group – Automotive Operations.  “This is a result of many factors, but put simply, it’s MINI’s fun, exciting and dynamic personality that is present across the entire portfolio – the all-new MINI John Cooper Works Hatch being the perfect example – that retains and attracts new people to the brand,” he noted. “Through our participation at the show, we aim to further promote the MINI brand and of course, introduce the newest family member; the perfect way to start the year.”The MINI John Cooper Works Hatch draws on motorsport expertise with a package of suspension, brake, aerodynamic and interior modifications to deliver race-car sensations without losing sight of MINI’s premium position.Kandeel said the new model holds an unmistakable appearance due to model-specific design and equipment features. These include the LED headlamps with white direction indicators, wheel arch surround with distinctive contours, radiator grille, side scuttles and tailgate with John Cooper Works label, sports exhaust system with special tailpipes and a new Rebel Green body paint finish available exclusively for the new MINI John Cooper Works. The sports car’s interior has exclusive John Cooper Works sports seats in Dinamica/fabric with integrated headrests, John Cooper Works entry sills, John Cooper Works steering wheel with multifunction buttons and shift paddles in conjunction with a 6-speed Steptronic sports transmission, John Cooper Works gear lever or selector lever, cockpit displays, central instrument display and car key in model-specific design and more.Additional special features include the optional MINI Head-Up Display with exclusive display content, roof and exterior mirror covers in Chili Red, 18-inch John Cooper Works light alloy wheels and John Cooper Works bonnet stripes. Customers can also have harmonised exterior and interior components via the John Cooper Works Pro design line available as part of the MINI Original Accessories programme.For extreme driving fun with comfort and safety, the new model will also be available with the latest technologies, including park distance control; parking assistant; rear view camera; Driving Assistant, including camera-based active cruise control, collision and pedestrian warning with initial brake function, high beam assistant and road sign detection; lighting package with LED interior ambient lighting with continuously variable colour adjustment; Comfort Access: electrically operated glass roof; interior and exterior mirror with automatic anti-dazzle function; seat heating; 2-zone automatic air-conditioning; MINI navigation system; MINI navigation system Professional; MINI Radio; Visual Boost and the Harman Kardon hi-fi speaker system.Other stars of the show include the MINI 5-Door Hatch and the MINI Countryman.