When the Countryman, the larger version of the Mini was introduced last October, the added cargo space made it eligible to be at par with other compact crossover CUV's. There is a John Cooper Works version that can make the Countryman more sporty and high-performing.

The John Cooper Works (JCW) tuning kit makes changes to the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Road And Track reports that the JCW Countryman version utilizes the same engine and sends it to the AWD mode to power the countryman to 60 miles per hour in just 6.2 seconds.

The increase of acceleration in the JCW version is a second faster than the Countryman S and considerably faster than the basic model. This is a clear augmentation of the performance of the Countryman.

The tuning kit includes conversion to a sports suspension, Brembo brakes, seat upgrades and 18-inh wheels in addition to the engine upgrade. The JCW upgrade kit includes an aerodynamic rally type body conversion to keep the car steady at speeds up to 145 miles per hour.

When it comes to the transmission, JCW provides three types that can be installed, the regular six-speed which is the default type, the optional eight-speed and the automatic transmission. The automatic comes with the exclusive Launch Control for the All Wheel Drive function. 

The John Cooper Works version of the Countryman is expected to be featured in April at the Shanghai Motor Show. Soon after the show, car enthusiasts that like the JCW version can inquire from U.S. dealers for the car's availability and price.

The estimated price of the JCW version of the Countryman will be about $6,000 higher than the current most expensive premium car in the market. The price will not be much of a problem since many car enthusiasts are thrilled that the JCW version of the Countryman has succeeded in transforming the larger Mini into a more sporty and high-performing car. 

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