MINI Cooper John Cooper Works Convertible

Big things come in small packages, but few are smaller than a MINI Cooper John Cooper Works Convertible. To carry that a bit further, very few are mightier than a John Cooper Works car too! Napleton News had a chance behind the wheel of one recently and we are here to tell you about it!

What’s so special about the John Cooper Works car?

The original Mini Cooper (notice Mini is upper and lower case) was designed around 1958 by Sir Alec Issigonis due to a challenge issued by his boss. At the time (around 1957), the Suez Crisis jacked up fuel costs and caused many to search for an alternative to the larger cars that were becoming popular in post-World War II. It was powered by a transverse-mounted engine and used front-wheel drive to maximize rear seating and cargo space. This layout allowed 80-percent of the car’s floorpan for passengers and luggage.

In 1994, BMW bought the Rover Group, of which Mini was a part. After selling off Rover, they retained Mini and renamed it MINI. Cars made up to 2000 are known as “Classic Mini” to distinguish them from the modern BMW-influenced vehicles built since that time.

John Cooper Works is a tuning division whose namesake was responsible for the original Mini Cooper. His son, Michael Cooper, founded the company in 2002 as a tuning shop to modify and create “hotter” versions of the Mini Cooper. BMW bought the company outright in 2008. The current lineup includes a variety of JCW MINI vehicles that reflect a high-performance ethos for enthusiast drivers everywhere.

The MINI John Cooper Works Convertible

The MINI Cooper John Cooper Works Convertible (JCW Convertible for short) is a four-passenger convertible version of the two-door MINI Cooper. Considered a “Premium Standard in the small car segment,” it is a power-packed tour de force that begs you to drive it hard and fast, wherever you may go.

Power for the JCW Convertible comes from a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine that delivers 228 horsepower and 235 lb-ft of torque. It is matched to an 8-speed automatic transmission, although a six-speed manual is available for those who like rowing it themselves. Our test vehicle featured Dynamic Damper Control, MINI-speak for an adaptive suspension that conforms to the road surfaces you are driving on. Already a fun ride, this new system, available for the first time, makes it even more so.

How does the MINI Cooper JCW Convertible look?

The JCW Convertible is largely carryover for 2022, with a few tiny exceptions. It does receive a styling tweak through a revised front grille and new air intakes. LED lighting rings serve as daylight runners. Above the “safety bar” is a red-accented trim strip spanning the grille opening. Gloss black air intakes/air curtains help create an aerodynamic flow over the front wheels, helping the JCW cheat its way through the wind.

A rear diffuser with center dump exhausts lends a performance vibe not present in many other subcompacts. The convertible roof goes from closed to fully locked and opened in roughly 30 seconds. And of note in the form of an Easter egg, the MINI’s taillights feature lenses that show the right and left sides of the UK’s Union Jack flag when drivers apply the brakes. It’s a subtle reminder to outside observers where the MINI Cooper John Cooper Works Convertible hails from.

A look inside the JCW Convertible

New for the 2022 MINI Cooper John Cooper Works Convertible is an 8.8-inch digital display screen at the dashboard’s center. SiriusXM Satellite radio is now standard. Our tester is equipped with the Iconic trim, which includes dynamic damper control, a heated, leather-covered steering wheel and a Harman Kardon premium audio system.

The JCW includes a Nappa leather steering wheel with two thumb rests. The seats are JCW Sport seats with great support when you want to whip wheel, which should be fairly often. An ambient light kit keeps a light mood inside.

Because it’s a convertible, the JCW’s cargo-hauling capacity is rather limited. Still, compromises are made to ease the loading and unloading of packages from the trunk. A hidden lever inside unlocks a latch that allows the rear deck to be lifted to store bulkier items. Plan on packing a soft-sided duffle bag for your next weekend road trip!

Behind the wheel of the Works car.

Bebop deluxe is what it’s like in the Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Convertible. It fits like a glove, offers loads of technology in a compact space and drives like a bat outta hell. At least that’s what it feels like. The free-revving 2.0-liter turbo engine pulls strongly, and the 8-speed automatic steps quickly through the gears. If you are more of an enthusiast, flick the steering wheel-mounted paddle shift levers to take full control over the JCW’s forward motion.

The electrically-assisted steering cuts a clean corner, and the dynamic damper controls help the MINI to corner flat. It’s just as Sir Alec would have desired.

Stepping into this roller skate-sized hot-rod will guarantee you take the long route to wherever your destination is.