2015 Mini John Cooper Works: Moving Up In The World

Selecting the Sport drive mode engages stiffer settings for the Cooper's adjustable dampers.

Performance sells, but luxury keeps butts in seats.

The 2015 Mini John Cooper Works moves to the all-new chassis and body style introduced last year on the standard Mini.

The car has gained very little weight to go with its pushed-out dimensions.

The John Cooper Works model is more powerful than ever before.

Air vents and rear spoilers jut out to visually extend the hatchback's silhouette.

The car's wider track further accentuates the Cooper's bulldog stance.

I discovered that the auto was capable of turning in a respectable performance when pushed hard.

It doesn't feel particularly bulky out on the road.

The JCW's strength isn't straight line speed, although it's reasonably quick.

It's not quite Volkswagen Golf GTI-big.

The 2015 Mini John Cooper Works is an interesting proposition for fans of subcompact speed.

The 2015 Mini John Cooper Works has seen its 1.6-litre turbo four swapped for a larger 2.0-litre unit.

The round speedometer matches the circular centre stack.

People will soak up as many leather-wrapped heated seats and sparkly infotainment screens as possible.

You'll find a cabin that has been decked out with multi-adjustable leather sport seats.

My tester was somehow outfitted with a six-speed automatic transmission in place of the JCW's standard six-speed manual.

There are a few ergonomic missteps.

A manual shifter is what this car deserves.