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Mini at the London motor show 2008

By Guy Bird and CAR reader reporter Carcare

23 July 2008 22:14

Mini went ‘all intellectual’ on us with a university theme to its London stand on account of its Oxford connections. It also served up some quality crumpet (more of which later)…

So what’s new on Mini’s London motor show stand?

The ultimate Mini – the John Cooper Works version – went on sale on press day of the London motor show, offering 208bhp, 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds, a 148 mph top speed and a cool body kit. Click here for CAR's first drive of the JCW hot hatch.

The £20,995 JCW hatch is the first of many planned JCW-badged Minis, with a Convertible version tipped for an unveil at the Detroit show in January 2009 and a Clubman JCW to follow in the same year with a similar price premium over existing models of about £1500.

CAR’s Mini highlight

Aside from the JCW car, the stand’s university theme made it one of the more original at the event. A wall display in a neat graphic periodic table style showed all Mini’s customisable options alongside two computer screens where punters can spec up their dream Mini online. Crumpets dripping with Marmite served up on a black slate (press-day only I’m afraid) was a genius British-themed touch too.

What were they thinking?

Along the right lines again as usual.

In a nutshell

The John Cooper Works badge – now fully absorbed into Mini – looks set to be another successful extension for the brand that can seem to do no wrong.

To read CAR's reader reporter's verdict on the Mini stand, click 'Next'