 2010 Mini Cooper S convertible JCW. Click image to enlarge |
Rear seating is sculpted for two, and average sized adults will find the space comfortable as long as the front passengers don’t require their seats to be set in the rearmost position. I must admit however, that the wide rear buttresses of the cloth top and limited window access can make the rear compartment feel a bit claustrophobic when the roof is in place. On the other hand, when the roof is stowed, this is a very pleasant place to spend a sunny afternoon.
As a convertible design adds the need for extra passenger protection in the event of a rollover, the Mini is equipped with active roll bars which will deploy instantaneously if system sensors detect such a crash. The body structure has also been designed with extra reinforcement in the two door panels to help protect occupants in the event of a side impact. Passengers riding up front benefit from smart airbags as well as side head / thorax units.
 2010 Mini Cooper S convertible JCW. Click image to enlarge |
Enthusiast drivers will appreciate the very stiff, racetrack-oriented, fully independent suspension system, larger brakes (ventilated front discs are a significant 316 mm in diameter), and unique, lightweight 17-inch alloy wheels, but it’s the work done to the 1.6-litre engine that brings the magic. Engine internals were reworked to better withstand abuse, as were the pistons and cylinder head. A large, twin-scroll turbocharger with direct injection abolishes turbo lag, while a larger air intake and less restrictive exhaust system helps the peppy engine breathe. Blessed with 208-horsepower and 192-lb-ft of torque (36 hp and 15 lb-ft more than a Cooper S), the JCW has the jam to hustle this lightweight machine wherever you point it.
These horsepower and torque numbers may not seem impressive at first as there are a host of sporty cars packing substantially more clout under the hood – but don’t forget, the Mini JCW is a diminutive package, and the bulk of that torque is available at low r.p.m. (1,850 – 5,600) due to the efficiency of the turbocharger, the direct injection, and a slick over-boost function that delivers an extra 15 lb-ft of torque. The official 0 – 100 km/h time is just 6.5 seconds.
  2010 Mini Cooper S convertible JCW. Click image to enlarge |
At first I was surprised by the light action of the clutch, but I soon remembered that this car might be called on to perform every day transportation duties. Rowing through the six-speed, close ratio manual gearbox was a delight, as was the precision operation of the lightly assisted steering and other controls. Activating “Sport” mode via the touch of a simple button located near the shift lever sharpens the car’s handling as both the steering and throttle are recalibrated to react quicker to driver inputs.
The short wheelbase makes the car very tossable, and the wide stance and low centre of gravity help keep G-forces working on the side of the driver. Getting power to the ground requires some finesse, as under hard acceleration there’s plenty of torque-steer, but if a hard edged driving experience is not on your want list, Mini offers the more docile Cooper ‘S.’ I make this statement with a wink as the Cooper ‘S’ offers its own unique thrill ride, and the driving experience delivered by its capable package has landed it in the garage of many enthusiast drivers.
Structural rigidity is impressive on this little pocket-rocket – I only noticed a slight cowl shake while bisecting a series of train tracks during one of my test loops. The car feels solid, and its dynamic handling and obvious ability to carve corners with aplomb makes it one of the automotive world’s big smile-factor cars. Having a bad day? Drop the top and find some serpentine back roads and I guarantee your mood will improve ten-fold.
The trickledown effect has brought many of BMW’s safety minded technologies to the JCW, including Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) which is effectively an umbrella of various traction controls that works in partnership with the car’s advanced ABS brake system to help maintain traction so that the car keeps moving as intended and the driver maintains full control. In “Sport” mode these systems are switched off, but an Electronic Differential Lock Control steps in to inhibit inside wheel lock during hard cornering.
