Mini will bring John Cooper Works World Championship 50 to the United States

Mini USA has confirmed that it will bring a limited number of the John Cooper Works World Championship 50 to the U.S. market after all.

Previously, the company said that it would produce 250 of the hatch-based special editions and distribute them only in Europe.

Apparently, demand in the United States was strong enough to warrant a change of heart, and Mini will now bring 50 of the 250 to the States. They will begin trickling in this summer, and all of them have been accounted for by eager dealers. Pricing is expected to be $40,300.

Based off the John Cooper Works Mini Cooper, the special World Championship 50 edition celebrates the John Cooper race team's Formula One constructors' and driver's championship with Jack Brabham in 1959. The idea for the special model came from John Cooper's son, John Michael Cooper, who will autograph the right hood racing stripe and dash plaque on each car.

Exclusive details include a Connaught green paint job, 17-inch cross-spoke jet-black wheels, xenon headlights, carbon-fiber hood scoop, mirror caps, interior trim and black leather seats with red piping. Power comes from a 1.6-liter, 208-hp turbocharged I4.

By Jonathan Wong