LONDON: 2015 Mini Convertible John Cooper Works will be on roads in 2016 with 228bhp 2.0-litre turbo engine from a starting price of £22,865.
The Mini JWC is able to produce 320Nm of torque, while JCW hatch from 0-62mph in 6.3 seconds with the manual gearbox, or 6.1 with the Steptronic auto. It also claims 42.2mpg combined with the manual, but an impressive 49.5mpg in auto guise.
Based on the John Cooper Works hatch that was unveiled at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, the Convertible JCW will sit alongside it as the joint most powerful production MINI ever. It is likely to use the same storming 228bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, forcing power to the front wheels through a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox.
From these images we can see the cabrio gets the same muscular styling tweaks as the JCW hatch, with a revised front-end featuring enlarged triple air intakes, pumped-up side sills and a racier rear bumper design. Twin tailpipes and combine with 17 or 18-inch lightweight alloy wheels to complete the look.
The changes combine with the familiar electric canvas hood, that will likely fold back onto the rear boot panel like on the previous car. Inside will be new bucket seats, stainless steel pedals and sportier detailing.
To cope with the extra power under the bonnet, the JCW cabrio will share the same chassis tweaks to make it sharper than before, with firmer suspension (adaptive dampers are optional), a quicker electromechanical steering system and four-piston Brembo brakes.
The MINI JCW hatch will be priced from £22,865, with deliveries this April, but we won’t see this roofless version until the end of the year at least, set to take on hot droptop rivals like the Citroen DS3 Racing cabrio.
