Tuesday 10th February 2009

Mini JCW Convertible

Fast enough to keep the rain out

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* Appropriate weather not included

A convertible version of the high-performance John Cooper Works MINI has been unveiled and the company has announced it will be built in the UK.

The cars will be assembled at the Swindon and Oxford MINI plants and will have the same lightweight 211bhp 1.6-litre engine found in the hatch version. The twin scroll turbochargers and 'Overboost' feature allow for a brief burst of extra power. Torque remains the same with 190 lb/ft on tap, and up to 206 lb/ft with overboost selected.

Top speed is just 2mph off the hatch version at 146mph, and the 0-60 time rises by just 0.4 seconds to 6.9 for the convertible - not bad considering the extra weight incurred in strengthening the open-top body (though MINI haven't divulged the drop top's curbweight just yet).

Same-old new interior

The plethora of confusing acronyms remains, with no-less than six separate electronic systems to keep you on the black stuff. We just hope that the poise and balance of the tin-top isn't altered too negatively by lopping the roof off.

The only other changes from the hatch version are at the corners, where new 17" lightweight cross-spoke alloys are wrapped in run-flat tyres. It may also get some of the stranger features of the latest MINI convertible, such as the 'Openometer', which tells you how much time you had the roof down.

The JCW Convertible will be available from 28th March 2009, hopefully just in time for some more appropriate weather. At any rate, with a pricetage of £23,470, it'll have to be pretty special.

 

[mister.t]

Hope the UK one doesn't get the body-kit like the hatch - Not a fan!

[dwilkie]

I never understand why modern high power small cars seem to sprint so slowly. I'm sure it's just my lack of knowledge on the subject, but going with what I know, the Rover 200 Turbos could hit 60 in 6.2 seconds and reach 150, how can a mini with more power and (I presume) less weight be slower?

I guess it's modern crash safety things and all that gubbins? I guess I'd have to grudgingly admit I'd rather crash in a new mini than in my old coupe...

[Jim V-6]

£23,470
Ouch, that is expensive!!!

[joz8968]

dwilkie said:

...the Rover 200 Turbos could hit 60 in 6.2 seconds and reach 150, how can a mini with more power and (I presume) less weight be slower?...

Ah, but it probabaly ISN'T lighter! (or marginal at best)... Such is the way with today's ludicrous kerb wieghts!

[SleeperCell]

dwilkie said:

I never understand why modern high power small cars seem to sprint so slowly. I'm sure it's just my lack of knowledge on the subject, but going with what I know, the Rover 200 Turbos could hit 60 in 6.2 seconds and reach 150, how can a mini with more power and (I presume) less weight be slower?

I guess it's modern crash safety things and all that gubbins? I guess I'd have to grudgingly admit I'd rather crash in a new mini than in my old coupe...

The Mini droptop is carrying about 100kg in extra weight over a Rover 220 Turbo.

[s33gav]

Gearing has a big affect on 0-60 times as does how much torque a car has - it's not all about power. Also, torque is limited in the lower gears on the mini.

[joz8968]

SleeperCell, LOL. Too late with my response!

[okgo]

First I have heard of it and I work for them

No pricelists have been distributed, no word of this being released at the same time as the new convertible (cooper/s), I am going to Oxford next week to have a nose around, but this has not been mentioned. I think you may have your dates wrong..

[wrighty78]

s33gav said:

Gearing has a big affect on 0-60 times as does how much torque a car has - it's not all about power. Also, torque is limited in the lower gears on the mini.

I'd also say it (the hatch, at least) feels quicker on the move than it does off the line - in part due to the difficulty in getting the power down from a standing start. In-gear acceleration is very good, especially with the over-boost, and the fact that the car is so nimble means it probably feels a bit quicker than the 0-60 times suggest.

[infradig]

Normally detest these things,but I couldn't help thinking what a lightweight(CSL) speedster two seater version would be like. Far more in keeping with the Cooper name than the 4x4 S.P.A.Z or whatever it's going to be called.

[joz8968]

wrighty78 said:

s33gav said:

Gearing has a big affect on 0-60 times as does how much torque a car has - it's not all about power. Also, torque is limited in the lower gears on the mini.

I'd also say it (the hatch, at least) feels quicker on the move than it does off the line - in part due to the difficulty in getting the power down from a standing start. In-gear acceleration is very good, especially with the over-boost, and the fact that the car is so nimble means it probably feels a bit quicker than the 0-60 times suggest.

Yeah, evo are always singing it's praises re. the way it gets down the road...

[turbochrisgti]

okgo said:

First I have heard of it and I work for them

No pricelists have been distributed, no word of this being released at the same time as the new convertible (cooper/s), I am going to Oxford next week to have a nose around, but this has not been mentioned. I think you may have your dates wrong..

Well I work for them too and their dates are correct.

[okgo]

Just had a word, and apparently that model is not being released on the 28th.. A month or so later..

Still had no interest in such a car as of yet..

Where are you at out of interest?

Edited by okgo on Tuesday 10th February 15:23

[turbochrisgti]

okgo said:

Just had a word, and apparently that model is not being released on the 28th.. A month or so later..

Still had no interest in such a car as of yet..

Where are you at out of interest?

Edited by okgo on Tuesday 10th February 15:23

I'm in Sales and based north of london now. 28th still seems to be the correct date, will be launched with cooper and cooper s?

[robert_raw]

Now you can hear people calling you a tt.

nly joking, i quite like the mini, don't think i would buy a convertable though :s

[esuuv]

Why does the text say it has different wheels to the hatch - look the same as the wheels on the hatch to me?

[tr7v8]

Interesting but at 24K no way,a second hand Boxster would be hugely more attractive.

[Skodaku]

tr7v8 said:

Interesting but at 24K no way,a second hand Boxster would be hugely more attractive.

As a friend of mine will doubtless say; "At £24k they're 'avin' a larf, surely?"

With that money to spend you could put a nice MX-5 on the road and a nice sum in the bank under the mattress.

That is an obscene amount of money for such a car.

[joz8968]

Skodaku said:

...That is an obscene amount of money for such a car.

Laughibly, there are plenty of mugs out there all too happy to pay it. What's that saying? "A fool and their money are easily parted..."