Driving enthusiasts will love the performance and unique style of new race-bred MINI John Cooper Works Convertible. This car gives you the fun driving experience that you expect from MINI combined with an exhilarating open-air experience.
This new model uses the same 2-liter TwinPower Turbo engine found in MINI John Cooper Works Hatch, complete with its impressive 231 hp and 320 nm of torque. The engine propels the MINI Convertible from 0-60 in 6.6 seconds before reaching a top speed of 150 mph. The standard 6-speed manual transmission is characterized by low effort and short shift distances. A ‘rev matching’ function built into the manual transmission ensures jerk-free clutch engagement, thereby enhancing comfort when shifting down a gear. The optional 6-speed Steptronic sport transmission combines excellent efficiency with smooth yet fast gear changes. In manual mode it’s possible to change gear using shift paddles at the steering wheel.
Another standard feature is the high-performance brake system developed exclusively for John Cooper Works models. Designed in collaboration with Brembo, the 4-piston fixed caliper disc brakes are particularly resistant to fade. The brake calipers are finished in red and bear the John Cooper Works logo, cited behind the standard 17-inch John Cooper Works light alloy wheels in Track Spoke silver.
The performance potential of the new MINI John Cooper Works Convertible is evident in its design. The front section has large air inlets that feed the high cooling requirements of the engine, its ancillary units, and the brakes. Air ducting elements in the lower section of the front apron help optimize the car’s aerodynamic properties, as do the side sills and the rear apron with flaps and a diffuser element. The hexagonal radiator grille has a honeycomb pattern and a cross member at the bottom edge finished in red. The John Cooper Works logo also appears here, as well as on the luggage compartment lid. Paint finishes for the body include ‘Rebel Green’, which is exclusively available for the new MINI John Cooper Works models. As an option at no extra cost, exterior mirror caps are available in white, black or – also exclusively for the MINI John Cooper Works models – ‘Chili Red’.
Like its predecessor, the new MINI John Cooper Works Convertible also features a fully automatic textile roof. The roof operation is purely electric and therefore very quiet, and it can be opened and closed in just 18 seconds, even while traveling at speeds of up to 19 mph. Another new feature is the ‘rain warner’ function. If the vehicle is parked with the roof open and the forecast is bad, the driver is sent a message via his smartphone suggesting that it might be time to close up. If the MINI Convertible is being driven and there is rain forecast ahead, the driver will be alerted on the center console.
Inside the cabin, there are new John Cooper Works sports seats with integrated headrests and upholstery in Dinamica/fabric. Other standard fittings include the newly designed John Cooper Works leather steering wheel with multifunction buttons, the John Cooper Works door sill cover strips, the John Cooper Works gear or selector lever, stainless steel pedals including driver footrest, and cockpit displays with dark dials. Interior trim in a Black Checkered pattern with red design accentuations appears not only on the seat surfaces but also on the steering wheel rim, the gear or selector lever, and the central instrument surround.
The MINI John Cooper Works Convertible has an extensive array of optional equipment available. For example, low-speed maneuvering is aided by the Park Distance Control (PDC) and rearview camera which are fitted as standard to the rear of the vehicle. Additional parking sensors can be fitted in the front apron as an option. A Parking Assistant can also be selected, and there’s a Driving Assistant system including camera-based active cruise control, collision and pedestrian warning with initial brake function: the high beam assistant and road sign detection are also available. Other optional enhancements include MINI Navigation XL which features an 8.8-inch version of the central display, the MINI Touch Controller with a touch-sensitive surface, and Harman Kardon hi-fi speaker system.
The new MINI John Cooper Works Convertible will be available in Spring 2016.
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Frederick J. Goodall is the Editor-in-Chief of Mocha Man Style, media spokesperson, event host, photographer, and a top social media influencer in Houston, TX. He likes to write about fashion, cars, travel, and health.