MINI John Cooper Works Challenge Edition

MINI Australia brings us news that followers of the brand will have already known for a few months now. That is, the exclusive availablilty in Australia of a MINI John Cooper Works Challenge Edition. Essentially the Challenge Edition is a bunch of goodies cobbled together for a bargain basement price. Kind of like a chilli pack on steroids. How does an extra seven grand of kit for $2500 sound? Not too bad, hey.

Only thing is those closely following MINI Australia’s movements would have thought availability of the Challenge Edition had expired which is what their website said prior to Christmas and is still saying today—”only until 31 December 2009″ (see screen grab below).

But with a press statement being launched in time for Australia Day I guess buyers can once again consider taking advantage of this offer. So what does the Challenge Edition consist of?

You start with one ripping MINI John Cooper Works model (hardtop, cabrio or Clubman), which is fitted with the same 155kW engine found in the MINI Challenge racecars. Then, for your extra $2500, you get the full JCW body kit, including the John Cooper Works Carbon spoiler. Also thrown in is a JCW Aluminium cross brace, JCW Alcantara and Carbon steering wheel, JCW Carbon gearshift knob with Alcantara shroud, JCW Carbon handbrake lever with Alcantara surround and unique Challenge Edition badging.

MINI say this offer is only available for a limited time, so if you’re keen, you best get on down to your local MINI Garage to see just how serious they are about limiting this special deal.

Full release and extra images available after the jump.

MINI JCW Dressed for the Challenge

More performance. More customisation. More MINI. Introducing the new and exclusive race-inspired MINI John Cooper Works Challenge Edition – bringing the MINI John Cooper Works even closer to the track.

In recognition of the pure pedigree that underpins MINI, the release of the MINI John Cooper Challenge Edition draws John Cooper Works even closer to the MINI CHALLENGE race car, both in its appearance and performance.

The MINI John Cooper Works Challenge Edition is powered by the same powerplant as the MINI CHALLENGE race cars; delivering 155kW from a twin-scroll turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine. Developing a maximum of 260 Nm of torque (280 Nm torque available during Overboost) the MINI John Cooper works propels from 0-100km/h in just 6.5 seconds.

Exclusive to the Australian market, the John Cooper Works Challenge Edition includes the following features over the already highly optioned MINI John Cooper Works model: John Cooper Works aerodynamics package consisting of front, rear and side aprons, John Cooper Works Carbon spoiler, John Cooper Works Aluminium cross brace, John Cooper Works Alcantara and Carbon steering wheel, John Cooper Works Carbon gearshift knob with Alcantara shroud, John Cooper Works Carbon handbrake lever with Alcantara surround and unique Challenge Edition badging.

The Challenge Edition is available with all new MINI John Cooper Works Hardtop, Clubman or Cabrio models. Representing over $7,000 worth of value, the Challenge Edition is available for a strictly limited time as a $2,500 option.

A testament to the strength and success of the MINI Challenge race series, last year the sales of MINI John Cooper Works reach unprecedented heights, accounting for 26 percent of MINI Cooper S Hardtop sales and 10 per cent of the entire model range.

The 2010 MINI Challenge season kicks off in March with the categories debut at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide.

Standard John Cooper Works model pricing*

• MINI John Cooper Works – $48,800
• MINI John Cooper Works Clubman – $51,300
• MINI John Cooper Works Cabrio – $56,900

*Manufacturer’s Recommended List Price is shown and includes GST and Luxury Car Tax (LCT) but excludes Challenge Edition extras, dealer charges, stamp duty, statutory charges and on-road charges which are additional and vary between dealers and States/Territories. Customers are advised to contact their nearest BMW dealer for all pricing inquiries.