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by C.J. Hubbard

March 10, 2009

With 208 horsepower, a zero-to-62 mph time of just 6.9 seconds and a 146 mph top speed, this new Mini drop-top is sure going to be a fast way to dry your hair.
 
We’ll cut the name down to just the JCW Convertible if you don’t mind — we’re getting out of breath even thinking about typing it — but Mini certainly hasn’t cut any corners when it comes to constructing this car. It uses the exact same hardware as the John Cooper Works Cooper S Hatch.
 
That means the 1.6-liter turbocharged engine is identical to that used in the Mini Challenge race car. So while it’s essentially similar to the 1.6 turbo in the regular Cooper S Convertible, the JCW’s powerplant is lighter and stronger, and fitted with bespoke Works air intakes and exhaust system.
 
The result is a compact firecracker; 208 horses translate into an incredible 130 horses per liter, and if our experience with the JCW hatch is anything to go by, it’ll sound utterly awesome with the roof down. Punching out 192 lb-ft of torque — 206 lb-ft of overboostgthere’s no wonder Mini had to specially strengthen the transmission.
 
Keeping everything under control, the JCW Convertible not only includes upgraded Brembo brake calipers gripping "extra-large" discs, it’s being deployed with a whole phalanx of entertainment-enhancing abbreviations, as well. This ranges from the usual ABS and DSC (dynamic stability control) through to EDLC, or electronic differential lock control.
 
So it’s not enough that the JCW Convertible has cornering brake control (CBC), electronic brake force distribution (EBD) and dynamic traction control (DTC). Mini has also seen fit to include something that thrives when all the other electronics are switched off. The EDLC maximizes cornering traction without cutting power.
 
It does its best work with the DSC disabled — helping the JCW accelerate hard out of turns by electronically slowing the inside wheel if it starts to spin up. Mini reckons that since the EDLC doesn’t interfere with the engine’s output, "the driver is in near total control of the handling of the car."
 
Who cares how it operates, just so long as it means we can pull ridiculous cornering Gs. The EDLC is unique to JCW Minis. Further upping grip levels are the striking, lightweight, cross-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels, modeled after the Mini Challenge race car wheels. The JCW gets a full aero body kit, too.
 
On the inside, there’s a bespoke Alcantara steering wheel — great to the touch and likely to provide plenty of sweaty-palmed grip on the track — sports seats, gloss black trim and a new 160 mph speedometer. It also includes a unique shift knob, and a "sport" mode for even more aggressive throttle response.
 
Sitting alongside the JCW Convertible on the Mini stand is another world debut — albeit a somewhat less exciting one. The Mini Clubman is now available in entry-level One specification — a reaction to the slowing world car market, perhaps, but more likely a long-planned product-line expansion.
 
What’s missing is the anticipated Mini SUV. This debuted in concept form in Paris last year, and we were hoping for a production version at this show. Maybe we’ll see it at Frankfurt instead. The only other news is that every Mini now includes air conditioning as standard. Cool.
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