2019 Mini Millbrook Edition adds luxury to JCW hot hatch

Mini has released a special Millbrook Edition of its three-door hatchback model, which takes the high-performance mechanicals of the Mini Cooper John Cooper Works halo variant as its basis, and adds a host of luxury and styling extras for a more exclusive package.

And it sure will be exclusive. Available to order now, customers will be asked $57,275 for their own little Millbrook, which represents an extra $7375 over the cost of a standard JCW hatch. The Millbrook price includes a number of deal sweeteners starting with a sport automatic transmission with launch control – ordinarily a $2950 option - but interested parties will still need to be quick, given only 20 cars will be offered in Australia.

10

Beyond the gearbox, the Mini Millbrook gets 17-inch black wheels shod with a more pliable performance tyre rather than the more rigid run-flat rubber of the standard JCW.

The Millbrook Editions will stand out courtesy of their unique Ice Blue paint jobs complemented by black highlights including the bonnet stripes, mirror caps and roof. But perhaps the most recognisable and historic touch are the standard driving lamps with black-cross covers, which hark back to Mini’s early history in European rallying.

There’s also tinted window glass and a sunroof as standard – both normally cost options on the regular Mini John Cooper Works.

10

Embellishments continue on the inside with high-grade Lounge leather upholstery and heated front seats, while gloss ‘piano’ black cabin trims continue the exterior theme.

Beyond that, it’s familiar JCW fare. Power is courtesy of a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder petrol engine with 170kW and 320Nm, which is sent to the front wheels via the eight-speed auto transmission.

10

Performance figures are not detailed for the Millbrook Edition but are likely to be similar to the standard JCW, which does the zero to 100km/h dash in 6.1 seconds when fitted with an automatic transmission. No manual is on offer for the Millbrook.

A top-shelf Harman Kardon stereo with 12 speakers, 8.8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay compatibility and digital radio are all included. As are Mini’s most premium ‘professional’ grade navigation, cordless device charging and adaptive suspension for altering the driving characteristics according to driving conditions.

10

The British car maker makes no specific mention where the Millbrook takes its name, but we presume it’s a nod to the iconic proving ground in central England, where vehicles have been honed and perfected since 1970.

Other possibilities include the Victorian rural district of Millbrook near Geelong, which has little to no automotive heritage, or a luxury golfing resort on the south island of New Zealand which would appear to be an equally tenuous connection.