MINI John Cooper Works Convertible 2.0 (A) First Drive Review

Facelift (What's New)

Comes with an eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission

Adaptive LED head lights with matrix function

Apple CarPlay Preparation available as standard

There are quite a number of convertibles in the market for serious drivers that offer stunning good looks and top notch driving performance in one package. There's the Audi R8 Spyder, the Jaguar F-TYPE and the Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet just to name a few.

The moniker that's reserved only for the mightiest MINIs

But seldom do you come across a well-rounded one that offers a generous dose of fun with a tinge of mischief without coming across as downright childish.

That's exactly what the MINI John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible is all about.

It's not just about looking funky

We start off slow on the track just to make sure we get our lines right before man-handling the MINI like a cocaine-fuelled rockstar. That's when you feel just how seriously firm the car really is. The body fidgets in a sort of angry manner and eggs you on to let it loose, which is a very compelling character for a hatchback of its size.

More than just its quirky looks, the MINI JCW Convertible is a hoot to pilot on the track

And when you push the car to its limits as you get familiarised with the track, as we did in Khao Yai, the MINI is all about being absolutely serious and utterly fun.

This has certainly got to do with the dynamics of the car, making it progressively more playful and yet more engaging for the driver as you take it corner to corner in an aggressive manner.

You do not even need to be in Sport mode to feel the MINI's bad-tempered nature. Leave it in its normal mode and you'll be able to enjoy its full-on 228bhp and 320Nm of torque with every throttle application, with the sort of punch that will leave you a little dizzy in the head.

Look at where you're going, turn the precise steering and squeeze the throttle - off you go!

Century sprint takes just 6.5 seconds for this car here, but it feels a hell lot faster when you're really flooring the right pedal from behind the wheel. And when the time calls for it, the MINI is capable of shedding its relentless speed via its brakes effectively and accurately before you throw the topless car into corners.

And when you do, the front-wheel driven MINI is right at home, feeling eager to change directions and maintaining its composure as it resists any forms of roll or understeer.

Eight-speed gearbox shifts with alacrity and precision

It looks like the way it drives

The cabin looks and feels similarly sporty, with racy red adorning the impressive alcantara benches. Seats are set low and supportively bolstered, while the centre console looks instantly recognisable as a MINI.

Nothing in here looks out of place. If any, it just makes the car a whole lot more aggressive than it already is. The Start/Stop engine button, for instance, looks like a missile launcher. Shame the paddle shifters feel a tad tacky, even if it snaps convincingly and help to change the eight different gears responsively.

Fire up the car by way of depressing this hot red button

And then there's space...

More than just looks, the MINI JCW Convertible isn't just about the go without the show. With an eye towards function, rear seats are still very much useable for two adults. And should you decide to drive in a coupe fashion, a decent 215 litres will be available for your and your occupants. In convertible styling, on the other hand, 160 litres will be at your serving.

Small car with a big attitude

In more ways than one, the MINI JCW Convertible is like a big car trapped in a small body, and it reserves the right to be as potent as any sizzling hot hatch in the market, considering how the JCW moniker is reserved only for the mightiest MINIs.

2.0-litre four-pot engine shoots out 228bhp and 320Nm of torque from the word go

But it isn't just about how powerful or fast this car is. It's the ability to combine the best of good looks, wind-in-your-hair mobility as well as all that excellent handling that makes this drop-top MINI such a joy to drive.

Facelift (What's New)

Comes with an eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission

Adaptive LED head lights with matrix function

Apple CarPlay Preparation available as standard

The moniker that's reserved only for the mightiest MINIs

More than just its quirky looks, the MINI JCW Convertible is a hoot to pilot on the track

Look at where you're going, turn the precise steering and squeeze the throttle - off you go!

And when you do, the front-wheel driven MINI is right at home, feeling eager to change directions and maintaining its composure as it resists any forms of roll or understeer.

Eight-speed gearbox shifts with alacrity and precision

Fire up the car by way of depressing this hot red button

2.0-litre four-pot engine shoots out 228bhp and 320Nm of torque from the word go

Facelift (What's New)

Comes with an eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission

Adaptive LED head lights with matrix function

Apple CarPlay Preparation available as standard

The moniker that's reserved only for the mightiest MINIs

More than just its quirky looks, the MINI JCW Convertible is a hoot to pilot on the track

Look at where you're going, turn the precise steering and squeeze the throttle - off you go!

And when you do, the front-wheel driven MINI is right at home, feeling eager to change directions and maintaining its composure as it resists any forms of roll or understeer.

Eight-speed gearbox shifts with alacrity and precision

Fire up the car by way of depressing this hot red button

2.0-litre four-pot engine shoots out 228bhp and 320Nm of torque from the word go