Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio Revealed

Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio

New convertible packs 211 hp (155 kW)

By Michael Gauthier
February 10, 2009 2:30 PM
Filed Under: European, Geneva Motor Show, MINI

Mini will unveil the new John Cooper Works Convertible at the Geneva Motor Show just two months after the standard Mini Convertible debuted at the North American International Auto in Detroit.

Power comes from a twin-scroll turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder aluminum engine which produces 155 kW (211 hp) and 260 Nm of torque. The engine is equipped with an overboost function that will momentarily increase the car's maximum torque rating to 280 Nm. This enables the four-seat convertible to run from 0-100 km/h in just 6.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 235 km/h (146 mph). Fuel economy is rated at 7.1-liters/100 km (33 mpg US) in the combined cycle and CO2 emissions are a modest 169 g/km.

The new convertible features a sports suspension, exclusive 17-inch light weight alloy wheels equipped with high performance 205/45 tires, powerful brakes, a new exhaust system and a modified six-speed manual gearbox. Inside, the car features a leather three-spoke sports steering wheel, Piano Black interior trim, an optional six-inch TFT navigation system, a standard AUX port, Bluetooth and USB connectivity, and full Apple iPhone integration.

Look for more information and pricing details to be released next month when Mini officially debuts the high-performance cabrio.

Source: Mini

Press Release (Click to expand)

MINI will unveil the world’s fastest small premium cabriolet at the Geneva International Motor Show on 03 March 2009. The MINI John Cooper Works Convertible will take centre stage at the event and is on sale in the UK from 28 March 2009, priced at £23,470 OTR.

Featuring the same high performance engineering modifications as the Hatch model carrying the John Cooper Works badge, the Convertible’s 1.6-litre twin scroll-turbocharged engine produces 211 hp and up to 280 Nm peak torque with Overboost deployed.

Performance data for both models is therefore equally impressive.

MODEL	POWER (HP)	MAX TORQUE (Nm)	TOP SPEED (mph)	0-62 (mph)	MPG (Combined)	CO2 (g/km)	Ins. Group
JCW Hatch	211	260*	148	6.5	40.9	165	17E
JCW Convertible	211	260*	146	6.9	39.8	169	18E

*280 Nm with Overboost

The newcomer’s petrol power plant is a significantly revised version of the 1.6-litre turbocharged unit found in MINI Cooper S models, and the same as that in the MINI CHALLENGE race car. The engine is lighter, stronger and is supplied with a larger air intake and an exhaust system specifically designed for John Cooper Works cars.

The transmission’s gearing is strengthened to handle the extra available power; power that pushes the car to a remarkable output of 132 hp per litre, yet still able to offer an amazing 39.8 mpg.

The lengthy standard kit list of every MINI John Cooper Works Convertible includes a bespoke John Cooper Works Alcantara steering wheel, sport seats, John Cooper Works floor mats and glossy piano black interior. Air conditioning is fitted as standard, as it is now on every new MINI.

Performance of the Works car is underlined by an exclusive speedometer, which runs to 160 mph to account for the car’s higher top speed than that of any other MINI.

A Sport button is located in front of the gear stick. When pressed it activates a bespoke engine control map producing boost earlier in the rev range and sharpening steering and throttle response. The gear knob featuring a red gearing diagram is unique to the MINI John Cooper Works.

Unique lightweight 17” alloy wheels in Cross-spoke CHALLENGE design, shod with Run-flat tyres, feature on the exciting new Convertible. A John Cooper Works Aero kit is standard and the tuning brand’s logo is positioned on the boot, grille, brakes and door sills.

Extra-large disc brakes paired with upgraded bright red Brembo performance callipers are supplied. Chassis technologies ensuring a sporty and safe driving experience are also standard features of the MINI John Cooper Works:

ABS Brakes
EBD Electronic Brake Force Distribution
CBC Cornering Brake Control
EDLC Electronic Differential Lock Control
DSC Dynamic Stability Control (incorporating Hill Assist)
DTC Dynamic Traction Control

Unique to MINI John Cooper Works models is EDLC. With DSC fully deactivated, the car’s Electronic Differential Lock Control delivers an even sportier driving experience. EDLC works when the car is accelerating hard out of corners or tight bends. In this situation, it electronically slows the spinning inside wheel to enhance grip and ensure that all available power is transferred to the road through the wheel with greatest traction. In contrast to the way DSC and DTC manage power delivery to the wheels, EDLC does not intervene with the throughput of engine power, meaning the driver is in near total control of the handling of the car.

The MINI John Cooper Works Convertible will be built entirely in the UK
With the new MINI Convertible now rolling off the line, several points of operation at MINI Plant Swindon and Oxford have been modified. BMW Group invested in new assembly stations for the Convertible tailgate at Plant Swindon. At Plant Oxford, the bodyshop installed and commissioned all necessary facilities and infrastructure to meet the high quality standards and geometrical accuracy for the Convertible body.

Associates in final assembly have transformed all work areas to integrate production of the new Convertible efficiently, and are now building the complete MINI model line-up once again on a single assembly line.

Jürgen Hedrich, MINI Plant Oxford’s new Managing Director, said: “The launch of the new MINI John Cooper Works Convertible is incredibly important as it signifies that our complete model line-up is now back in production across MINI’s UK production facilities.”