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MINI JCW Convertible: wind-in-the-hair-MINI-but-even-faster

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21 April 2009

MINI Cooper JCW Convertible

MINI Cooper JCW Convertible

MINI Cooper JCW Convertible

What is it?

Topless version of MINI’s performance flagship – the JCW (John Cooper Works) Convertible. It gets the same 211bhp 1.6-litre turbocharged engine as the fixed roof JCW model, uprated springs and dampers and a mild bodykit. Plus an electrically operated folding roof.

What’s hot?

  • The performance. Zero to 60mph in 6.9 seconds…
  • …while 260Nm of torque provides real in-gear thrust
  • Exhaust barks and crackles
  • Frugal at 39.8mpg combined, 169g/km of CO2…
  • …thanks to Efficient Dynamics
  • Steering is crisp and full of feel
  • Agile, grippy go-kart handling
  • Great driving position
  • Hood operation is smooth, fabric high quality
  • Strong residuals

What’s not?

  • Despite being 10% stiffer than before, it’s still wobbly
  • Torque steer under full throttle
  • Poor rear visibility roof-up
  • Virtually no rear space, boot is tiny
  • Cooper S version is almost as fast but costs £4,500 less

What you need to Know?

P11D Value: 23,456
Monthly Rental*: 400 (CH)/£460 (PCH)
Tax Band when posted: 21%
Monthly BiK: 81 (20%)/£163 (40%)
Engine: 1.6 turbo
CO2 Emissions: 169g/km
Power/torque: 211hp/260Nm
Economy: 39.8mpg

Monthly contract hire (CH) and personal contract hire (PCH) rentals generated by Concept Vehicle Leasing. Based on a 36 month lease at 10,000 miles a year, 3+35 payments.

Business Car Manager Road Test Rating

A car that really puts a smile on your face. MINI JCW Convertible is great fun to drive, beautifully made and one of the best small drop-tops on sale. However, at that price so it should be. Buy the Cooper S version instead – it’s no less fun, more economical, emits less CO2 and costs a lot less.

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Ralph Morton

Ralph Morton

Ralph Morton is an award-winning journalist and the founder of Business Car Manager (now renamed Business Motoring). Ralph writes extensively about the car and van leasing industry as well as wider fleet and company car issues. A former editor of What Car?, Ralph is a vastly experienced writer and editor and has been writing about the automotive sector for over 35 years.

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