Ever since causing a sensation back in 2003 with its reintroduction, the MINI continues to be the poster boy for "most fun with your clothes on-style fun to drive" cars. If the MINI Cooper in its normal trim was a six, and the Cooper S was an eight, then what will it be with the MINI John Cooper Works Convertible?
We can safely say: "This one goes to 11."
What is it?
A two-door, four-seater that is about the size of the proverbial pregnant roller skate, the MINI John Cooper Works Convertible is the perfect car for old Uncle Al-Fresco and his desire to go topless. Actually the JCW has the ability that is shared with all the MINI convertibles to open in two stages: Front or full open. In fact, it's so slick it can do it up to 20 miles per hour.
Yet this JCW package adds more than just an historic nameplate to the MINI Cooper S Convertible. Look for more grunt, a less restrictive exhaust, a retuned sport suspension and stronger brakes to help live up to Mr. Cooper's storied name.
What's it up against?
Even in a crowded field, the MINI stands alone. Logical competitors from strictly a size standpoint include the Honda Fit, VW GTI, Volvo C30, and BMW 1-series. From another view, the most evenly matched of all its rivals is the Mazdaspeed3. With the exception of the others, the BMW is the only brand to offer a convertible top, however.
Any breakthroughs?
If MINI could bottle cool, they would make bazillions. No matter. They did equip the new convertibles with new Openometers, which are gauges that inform you how long you have been exposing yourself to ultraviolet rays and solar flares. Cheesy? Yes. Different? Also yes. At least they could have added a buzzer function telling you it was time to flip over.
Speaking of flip over, the MINI Convertible has an active roll bar that pops up when sensing a rollover situation.
Oh, and did we add the engine is the direct-injection, twin-scroll turbo kit that tops out at 208 horsepower in U.S. production trim? With an overboost mode that deploys during hard acceleration, peak torque jumps from 192 to 207 lb-ft.
How does it look?
Pretty much like the pop-top MINI Cooper S,with the addition of added ground effects side skirts and a new lip spoiler.
Before you scroll through the photo gallery, imagine a MINI Cooper. Throw on a tasteful bodykit. Then lop off the top. What do you have?
Oh and add in lots of functional scoops and intakes both in the front fascia and sides just in front of the rear tires. The familiar, and functional hood scoop adds to the street cred of the JCW. That, and there's the great four-banger growl.
And on the inside?
A car that outdoes Saab for quirkiness, the MINI features the exaggerations that made it famous. From its Flava center-mounted speedometer to the technical check seat fabric and aircraft-inspired toggle switches for windows, locks, and roof mechanisms. Just looking through the MINI's interior makes it clear that things operate in just a slightly parallel universe. The previously mentioned Openometer adds a sense of whimsy to its already over-the-top style.
Materials are hardly top notch, but assembly quality is strong and most cheap plastics are reasonably well hidden. At the MINI's sub-$20,000 base price, the interior is top notch. Here in the world of entry-luxe, it ekes by on account of its personality.
Our JCW's audio system was, contrary to reports from other sources, up to the task of providing an alternative to the wind noise that would penetrate the MINI at highway speeds. So too, the Bluetooth/iPod integration, which is an available, albeit rather pricey option at $ 500. We were surprised to see the radio was not equipped for Sirius-XM Satellite. Rather than suffer through the constant drone of terrestrial radio, we made good use of the iPod hookup.
We haven't driven the MINI hardtop in a while but in our mind's eye it has more rear legroom than the convertible version. Vehicle specs bear this out, showing 29.9 inches in the hardtop and 28.1 in the convertible. A couple of inches are a couple of inches, and it makes the difference between back seat agony and ecstasy.
But does it go?
With the steroid-like enhancements found on the direct-injected turbo inline-four cylinder, the MINI JCW just stomps. It's kind of like that scrappy playground kid who is the runt of the litter, but doesn't realize it. As a result he tends to take on all comers, regardless of how big they may be. And from the stoplight, he generally succeeds because he's been working out. Start with the 1.6-liter inline four-cylinder, which is the basis for the MINI Cooper S. Add direct-injection with a beefier twin scroll turbocharger, plus larger intakes and a special JCW exhaust system. Finally, strengthen the six-speed Getrag transmission to handle the extra power. The result? A MINI with hair on its chest!
A sport button resides just north of the shift lever on the center console. When engaged, it remaps the engine and turbo, providing more power in the lower ranges, while at the same time tightening up the steering and throttle response. Where many sport buttons are there more for looks, this one really livens things up. It turns the grunty JCW into an absolute hoot to drive. Press it every time you start if you enjoy driving!
The typical alphabet soup can of acronyms is available here as well and includes ABS, EBD, Cornering Brake Control (CBC) and Electronic Differential Lock Control (EDLC) which slows the rotation of an inside spinning wheel while on a tight turn so the differential can provide optimal acceleration when leaving the turn. When all is said and done, the JCW is brought back under control by the red Brembo calipers that squeeze the 12.4-inch rotors up front.
MacPherson struts in front and a multi-link rear suspension helps to keep the MINI JCW firmly planted on challenging roadways. By the way: With a curb weight of 2,877 pounds, it's no wonder the EPA sees 25 mpg city and 33 mpg highway for its mileage ratings. Why, that's almost as good as a Smart ForTwo.
Turning hot laps at Palm Beach International Raceway proved the MINI JCW's fun-to-drive street creds. Acceleration was stellar. Everybody who has been behind the wheel of a MINI boasts of its "go-kart-like" abilities, including a handful of professional drivers.
We heartily agree, even if we are mere amateurs masquerading as pros!
With steering that makes guiding the JCW through its turns with no drama, to brakes that slow you down in a hurry, the MINI helps to save you from yourself. Flick on the sport mode, and disable the Dynamic Traction Controls, and all bets are off. The Getrag gearbox is one of the best we've encountered in a front-driver. Quick and smooth shifts were the order of the day both on and off the track. We did enjoy the ability to lift slightly in a turn to feel a bit of trailing throttle oversteer, where the JCW's tail started to slide outward in a turn. Catch it quickly by powering up again and the front wheels bring things under control once again.
Why you would buy it:
You are a fan of the Italian Job, go-karts, and cars that women find adorably cute. You'll just take yours with extra caffeine, please.
Why you wouldn't:
You think that Smart ForTwo you saw at the Cineplex last night looked mighty attractive.
Leftlane's bottom line:
The MINI John Cooper Works Convertible is a car that likes to be driven fast. From a fun to drive standpoint it succeeds in almost every aspect. Drop the top and except for the threat from the extra doses of UV rays it really doesn't get any better than this. Sure, you can spend less, but you can also spend more. The MINI JCW isn't a lot of metal for the cash, but you can't put a price on fun.
As they say in the adverts, Let's Motor.
2010 MINI John Cooper Works Convertible base price, $34,000. As tested, $35, 300
Black stripes, $100; Bluetooth, $500; Destination, $700.
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