Mini will unveil the world's fastest small premium cabriolet at the Geneva Auto Show on March 3. Featuring the same high-performance engineering modifications as the hatchback model carrying the JCW badge, the Convertible's 1.6 liter twin-scroll turbo engine produces 211hp and up to 206 lb-ft peak torque with overboost.
The newcomer's powerplant is a significantly revised version of the 1.6 liter turbo unit found in Mini Cooper S models, and the same as in the Mini Challenge racecar. 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 power.
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.
Performance of the Works car is underlined by an exclusive speedometer, which runs to 160mph 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 shifter. When pressed, it activates a bespoke engine control map producing boost earlier in the rev range and sharpening steering and throttle response.
Unique lightweight 17" wheels in cross-spoke Challenge design, shod with Run-flat tires, feature on the new Convertible. A John Cooper Works Aero kit is standard and the tuning brand's logo is positioned on the trunk, grille, brakes and door sills.
Extra-large brake rotors paired with upgraded bright-red Brembo performance calipers are supplied. Chassis technologies ensuring a sporty and safe driving experience are also standard features of the MINI John Cooper Works include ABS, EBD, CBC, EDLC, DSC and DTC. 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 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 engine power.
With the new Mini Convertible now rolling off the production 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 on a single assembly line.