Is the MINI John Cooper Works Convertible closest to that MINI go-kart feeling?

The 2nd top athlete of the new MINI generation, after the MINI John Cooper Works 3-door hatch, is this new MINI John Cooper Works Convertible.

New MINI John Cooper Works Convertible for accessible open-air pleasure

John Cooper Works (or JCW) performance is now accessible in open-air pleasure, thanks to this new JCW Convertible by MINI. 

The MINI Convertible is already a unique proposition in the small convertible premium car sector, so adding the JCW model extends the niche – a small performance convertible.

Closest to MINI’s go-kart feeling anthem?

The performance part comes in the form of a 2.0-litre with MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology engine, giving the same 170kW and 320 Newton metres as in the 3-door.  Although the 5-door Hatch has been launched and is selling well, the John Cooper Works treatment skips this body style, to be applied only to the sportier 3-door and now the Convertible.  The new MINI Clubman has also arrived, and the internet rumours are that a Clubman John Cooper Works is in the… works.

The MINI John Cooper Works 3-door runs the stop-to-100 in 6.3 seconds with the driver-shifter (manual) and a quicker 6.1 with the 6-speed Sport-Steptronic automatic.  We know any convertible is heavier than the hardtop, but the John Cooper Works Convertible still makes the mark at 6.6 / 6.5 with manual / automatic.  Top speeds?  242 / 240 km/h.

Opening the automatic roof just adds to the driving drama… in a good way.  More of that rorty exhaust note can be heard, more speed-feeling is sensed as the air rushes into the cabin, and the sportier suspension and grippy brakes make the John Cooper Works version of the MINI Convertible a rare sporty open car.

As a go-kart and this MINI JCW are both open “cars”, and with the MINI Roadster production ceased, perhaps this new JCW Convertible gets closest to MINI’s go-kart feeling anthem.

Extrovert charisma

Combining the JCW identifiers (like the red line running the width of the grille, the pair of centre-mounted exhaust outlets, red-caliper Brembo brake discs, and the John Cooper Works oval logo) with the fun character of the MINI Convertible-ness give this car extrovert charisma.

MINI Convertible models in SA?

While the MINI Convertible recently landed in South Africa in Cooper sans-S and Cooper with-S, there is some upside-down-face news… the John Cooper Works Convertible will not be sold in South Africa.  Why not?!

For your open-air fun, you will have to choose a new MINI Cooper Convertible or MINI Cooper S Convertible, and get that partial JCW look:  you will have to add the John Cooper Works exterior package (sport-style aerodynamic kit including bumpers and bigger rear roof spoiler) and John Cooper Works interior package (sports seats on Cooper, and both models with JCW steering wheel (with badge) and anthracite headliner) or look for a used MINI Convertible.