306 HP 2020 Mini John Cooper Works Clubman, Countryman Revealed

We've long argued that BMW was intentionally holding the MINI brand back for way too long. Oher companies were letting their 2-liter turbos push to 300 horsepower. But despite the red-hot JCW branding, the Countryman crossover and Clubman hatch were stuck at 231 PS (228-hp in America).

The German automaker hinted that testing for its more powerful four-cylinder hadn't been completed yet. And about a year after debuting in the X2 M35i, this new system is now ready to power MINI models too.

The output is the same, 306 HP (225 kW or 302-hp) and 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) of torque. That's 75 HP (55 kW) and 100 Nm (74 lb-ft) more. It's been a while since we've seen these kinds of gains, and as expected, performance is substantially improved. The standard sprint to 100 km/h now takes 4.9 seconds in the Clubman and 5.1 seconds in the Countryman, about a second and a half less than before. The top speed remains the same, electronically limited to 250 km/h (155 mph).

Crucially, these very expensive MINI models are finally able to compete with rivals such as the Golf R and the new Audi SQ2 or Cupra Ateca.

The two cars look about the same, though we're sure MINI has invented some expensive 3D-printed sticker or interior trim made from fishing nets. But what struck us the most while looking through their photos is that weird new shifter.

It's connected to an 8-speed automatic, which sends all that power to the 4All system like a good little socialist gearbox. This also means no manual for you, but the Steptronic sports auto is supposed to integrate some kind of mechanical differential lock, which shuffles power away from a slipping wheel. Make sure to sample the soundtrack in the videos below.