MINI's going to be busy over the next few months, with new product debuts already scheduled for Geneva (the MINI One Clubman) and Frankfurt (MINI Crossover). If the rumors are correct, you can add one more to the mix, as the John Cooper Works edition of the new convertible looks to join its fixed-head stablemate at the Geneva Motor Show in March. As in the JCW hardtop, the ragtop version will be blessed with a more powerful version of the Cooper S model's turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, which can send its 211 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels through either an automatic or manual shift gearbox, each with six forward ratios. As with the hard-hat JCW, an overboost function allows for a torque peak of 207 lb-ft for a short period of time of quick bursts of acceleration.

Chassis improvements include new 17-inch alloys (with optional 18-inchers), an upgraded brake package and standard sport suspension. Of course, no upgrade package would be complete without a few visual modifications, and the JCW delivers with a revised front fascia, aero kit and plenty of badging inside and out. Want one? Expect to pay at least 30K for the privilege.

30k before options surely not!!

That my friends is alot.

I'll be very surprised if the waiting list is long for that one.

Excellent! Look forward to hopefully seeing it there and reporting back with photos!

The new MINI John Cooper Works Convertible
02/10/2009

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 132hp 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 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 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 calipers 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.”

can somebody explain why a dedicated mini site gets this info so long after all the other sites, madness.

Used to be the place for up to the minute news on Minis

can somebody explain why a dedicated mini site gets this info so long after all the other sites, madness.

Used to be the place for up to the minute news on Minis
I only got the press release at 7.33 this morning ????

Just though it was nice to share:puzzled:

I only got the press release at 7.33 this morning ????

Just though it was nice to share:puzzled:

its a dig at the site not you,

was on pistonheads all day yesterday and with pictures too.


PistonHeads Headlines (http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/news/default.asp?storyId=19355)

What you on about, it was on theSwitchback on the 3rd Feb: MINI JCW Cabrio confirmed, PSA partnership speculation denied, MINI wins again | theSwitchback (http://theswitchback.com/news/mini-jcw-cabrio-confirmed-psa-partnership-denied) The new news is photos and prices, but that's going to be featured today with some other news on that site too. ;)

There was news of this in our local newspaper last night. A good idea and could you imagine listening to that exhaust burble with the top down?:D

Nearly £24k for a basic? Think I'll pass!:o

Well I've got my flights, hotel and tickets for the Geneva show all booked, so looking forward to the un-veil. G

Here are some pictures that I took yesterday:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_iNj-U9uQtIc/Sa6jHWInRfI/AAAAAAAALLA/Ft4NQC6EMFA/s912/IMG_6242.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_iNj-U9uQtIc/Sa6jLGDxeWI/AAAAAAAALLU/-y3ogVzlpdk/s640/IMG_6240.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_iNj-U9uQtIc/Sa6jPGkb5cI/AAAAAAAALLs/nYqZEKCvRMc/s912/IMG_6244.JPG

For more pictures you can have a look at my photo album (http://picasaweb.google.com/BridgetAroundTheWorld/SalonAuto2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCNvwqZHNhoHs8AE#)

Here are some pictures that I took yesterday:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_iNj-U9uQtIc/Sa6jHWInRfI/AAAAAAAALLA/Ft4NQC6EMFA/s912/IMG_6242.JPG


Nice. :cool:

Forgot this thread, some photos here too: Geneva 09: MINI looks to past and future in 50th year | theSwitchback (http://theswitchback.com/news/geneva-09-mini-looks-to-past-and-future-in-50th-year) :)