Twin Test: Mini John Cooper Works GP v Nissan Juke Nismo

If you've already read our big hot hatch test, you'll know which we rate as the best of today's bunch. But what if you'd rather get your kicks in something a little less mainstream? Mini's John Cooper Works GP has a formidable reputation – but a formidable price, too. The Nissan Juke Nismo, on the other hand, is considerably more affordable, and offers a quirky mix of unusual looks, strong pace and usability. Both are image-conscious, left-field choices. But which is the best?

Batch: Rockingham. It's a place which seems to have its own micro-climate. Scorching one minute and freezing the next, we've had our fair share of the circuit's dual personas. Which is all the more reason why we shouldn't have been surprised that while the rest of the country was basking in 30-degree heat, we were shivering away in shorts and T-shirts for
this feature.