When a car is so small, the world feels like an oversized playground. It’s even more fun on a winding road like Japan’s winding mountain route in the Nikko region. MINI brought its latest petrol hot hatch for a photoshoot on the famous Irohazaka Road, known for its often tight and challenging corners.
Why now? The “F66” generation JCW recently took part in the Japan Mobility Show 2025 in Tokyo. From there, the journey continued north about 180 kilometers (112 miles) to Nikko National Park, where the Irohazaka Road begins, offering riders the opportunity to explore the beauty of the Oku-Nikko Plateau. It’s particularly beautiful in the fall, but from a driving perspective it’s worth visiting all year round.
Perhaps the only thing that would have made the trip more enjoyable would have been a manual transmission. However, the B48-powered pocket rocket is only equipped with a dual-clutch automatic. Still, nearly 230 horsepower in such a small package is a recipe for a great day on twisty roads. The four-cylinder from BMW delivers a whopping 380 Nm (280 lb-ft). That’s enough to put a smile on your face when you shoot out of the corner.
Speaking of which: Irohazaka Road offers no fewer than 48 hairpin bends. The scenery is a bonus and we’re sure some people would like to try the JCW formula in the ‘F67’ convertible. For this scenic drive, MINI chose the three-door model in Midnight Black with contrasting red accents. The optional 18-inch wheels were also installed, one size larger than the standard alloy wheels.
We’re still getting used to the idea of a single exit exhaust. Some will consider it a downgrade, but it’s worth noting that the latest JCW includes a second tip. MINI hid it under the car. However, it only wakes up when you rev the 2.0-liter turbo engine above 3,000 rpm.
For 2025, MINI will also sell a JCW without an exhaust. To satisfy both camps, there’s the all-electric ‘J01’, positioned to take on the Alpine A290 and Abarth 500e. It remains to be seen whether electric hot hatches will catch on, but there’s nothing wrong with having more choice.
