LIKE shelling peas, Mini has popped yet another model into its John Cooper Works colander of performance cars. The Mini JCW Cabrio takes its place alongside the Mini John Cooper Works hardtop and the John Cooper Works Clubman.
Like its siblings, the Mini JCW Cabrio is powered by the race-bred Challenge engine, making it the best performing open-top vehicle under $100,000. The 1.6 litre four-cylinder motor, with twin-scroll turbocharger and direct fuel injection squirts the car from rest to 100km/h in 6.9 seconds.
Maximum power output is 155kW from 1850rpm to 5600rpm, with peak torque of 260Nm being pushed a further 20Nm under overboost conditions. The six-speed manual transmission helps to rein in fuel consumption to 7.1 litres per 100km in the combined urban/highway cycle.
Backing the track-like performance, the Cabrio is kitted out with an extensive list of John Cooper Works goodies including 17in cross-spoke Challenge alloy wheels and bonnet stripes, performance brakes and exhaust, plus badging and speedo to 260km/h (maximum speed is put at 235km/h). Active safety features include dynamic stability control with electronic differential control, traction control, sports suspension and Xenon lights.
Inside the cabin are sports seats in a cloth/leather combination, plus piano black trim and tinted windows, while the little luxuries are topped off by a premium Harmon Kardon sound system. There’s also the quirky Mini driving clock which encourages the driver to take a break from the journey.
Needless to say, as with all Minis, there is ample opportunity to add the unique personal touch to the vehicle with something from a long list of options. The cloth roof is true to the Mini tradition in design with its multi layers offering good insulation and one-press button operation with self locking convenience.
However, inside is not all sweetness and light. The JCW Cabrio suffers from the main Mini shortcoming of limited leg room in the rear. And with the cloth roof stowed, boot space is likewise squeezed. One ingrate travelling in the back of the test car, who admittedly is the owner of an ‘exxy’ convertible adorned by a three-pointed star, complained about the buffeting with the top fully down – like being lashed in the face by a bunch of cut flowers. The power lid can be partially opened, reducing this.
Add to this the comment that riding in the back on anything but a smooth-as-silk road was like sitting on the top of a washing machine on full spin cycle and there could be sufficient reason for reducing the four-seater to 2+2 status. If the ride left a bit to be desired, with the wheels firmly planted to the bitumen at the four corners of the car, the handling was second to none for a vehicle such as this. The 10.7m turning circle, suffering the tyranny of front-wheel drive, is not the best for this size vehicle.
However, the six-speed shifter, backed by responsive accelerator and steering, puts the performance up with the best in class. The $56,000-plus price tag may be cause for some hesitancy to buy but what price pure driving delight?
MINI John Cooper Works Cabrio (R57)
SPECIFICATIONS
John Cooper Works Cabrio
Cylinders: 4 in-line
Valves: 16
Capacity: 1598cc
Maximum power:155kW @ 6000rpm
Maximum torque: 260Nm @ 1850rpm (280Nm at 1850-5600rpm with overboost)
Exterior Dimensions
Length: 3714mm
Width:1683mm
Height: 1414mm
Wheelbase: 2467mm
Front track: 1453mm
Rear track:1461mm
Boot capacity: 170-660 litres
Fuel tank capacity: 50 litres
Turning circle:10.7m
DIMENSIONS
Shoulder room – front:1278mm
Shoulder room – rear: 996mm
Elbow room – front: 1349mm
Elbow room – rear:1128mm
Head room – front: 976mm
Head room – rear: 978mm
Weights
Kerb weight:1230kg
Payload: 430kg
PERFORMANCE
Drag co-efficient: Cd 0.37
Acceleration, 0-100km/h: 6.9sec
0-1000m: 26.8sec
Maximum speed: 235km/h
Fuel Consumption (EU)
City: 9.3l/100km
Highway: 5.8l/100km
Combined: 7.1l/100km
CO2 emission output: 169g/km |
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