Mini JCW Convertible launched

Not exactly the purist's choice, here are the details on the latest Mini cabrio

By Matt Bird / Friday, 15 January 2016 / Loading comments

Take one

, add to it one

and the result you can see here: the Mini JCW Convertible. So now you can drive away more swiftly when people are gawping at your car...

Who you looking at?

Mechanically then the Convertible is standard to the JCW hatch, using the same 231hp 2.0-litre turbo and choice of

six-speed manual

or Steptronic auto. The Brembo brakes are carried over and the sports suspension with "a thrilling racing feel" is also fitted. Weight is said to be reduced and component rigidity increased through aluminium swivel bearings on the front but it's still a bit of a chubber: with a 75kg driver the claimed kerbweight for an auto is 1,395kg.

Performance has therefore taken a hit but the claimed 0-62mph for the Works Convertible is still 6.6 seconds, or a tenth quicker for the auto. Top speed is 150mph, or 149mph with the auto. The parpy sports exhaust will of course be all the more audible with the roof down.

The exterior design is described as a "dynamically stretched silhouette" with "striking signs of athletic performance." Naturally there are many JCW badges and plenty of red accents. What's the point of owning the fastest Mini if people don't know about it? The usual range of colour and wheel personalisation options will be offered too.

Well that's not a flattering view either

Fans of making the Mini truly personal will be pleased to know the 'Mini Yours' Union Jack roof available on the standard Minis is also offered. Can't get that on your

now, can you?

We could go on about the black chequered interior trim, the ISOFIX mountings or the rollover protection but you get the point now: it's exactly what could have been expected from the flagship Mini drop-top. Buyers will love it, and there are certainly plenty of those. Detractors will continue to criticise and the world will continue to turn. Price? Well it won't be less than £25K with the hatch at just over £24,000. Remember quite a lot can be added in options too...