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Mini juices up Convertible with John Cooper Works model

Almost one year ago today, we caught our first and only look at the new Mini John Cooper Works Convertible, courtesy of a set of spy photos. Now, the new hot droptop has arrived, and no surprise, it's basically the same thing as the JCW Hardtop. The new model blends the standard three-door hardtop's 2.0-liter, 228-horsepower, 236-pound-foot, four-cylinder with the folding canvas roof of the new Mini Convertible, which debuted in October of last year. Available with a standard six-speed manual or an optional six-speed automatic, the three-pedal JCW Convertible will hit 60 in 6.4 seconds while the two-pedal will do the run a tenth of a second faster. The brawnier powertrain is backed up by a standard sport suspension – dynamic damper control is an optional extra – and convertible-specific chassis enhancements, including a new stiffening plate underneath the engine. To bring proceedings to a halt even quicker, Mini attached JCW-specific Brembo brakes. There's also the usual array of interior and exterior enhancements. Outside, there's a sportier body kit, standard, JCW-specific 17-inch wheels (or optional 18s), and standard LED headlamps. We're aching to try out the new JCW sport seats, which feature a fixed headrest and some serious bolstering. They're also rocking a pretty nifty black-and-red color scheme. Mini has paired its latest announcement with a full pricing release for the Cooper, Cooper S, and JCW Convertibles. Adding the softtop kicks up the price $5,000 to $5,500, with the base model starting at $26,800. The S model just barely cracks the $30,000 mark, coming in at $30,450, while the Works model is $36,450. That, friends, is a lot of money, and you'll be putting it down before even dipping into Mini's deep options catalog. Read on for both official press releases from Mini. EXTREME DRIVING FUN, INTENSIVE OPEN-AIR PLEASURE: INTRODUCING THE NEW MINI JOHN COOPER WORKS CONVERTIBLE Woodcliff Lake, NJ – January 14, 2016... When passion for motor racing is the driving force and intense open-air pleasure the goal, the new MINI John Cooper Works Convertible takes the ideal line from the word go. The second John Cooper Works model of the latest generation combines engine and suspension technology optimized for use on the race track with distinctive design and equipment features as well as the extensively refined qualities of the new MINI Convertible.

Mini teases new Clubman

Mini is expected to expand its refreshed lineup with the reveal of the new Clubman, at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show. So to give us something to look forward to, it has released the teaser image you see here. Previewed in concept form in Geneva last year, by the Vision Gran Turismo a few months ago, and by numerous prototypes spied undergoing testing in between, the new Clubman promises to be even longer and more versatile than the previous model. That's due in part to the emergence of the five-door version of the core Mini Hardtop, which already packs more (or at least more-conventional) doors than the previous Clubman. The new one, then, is expected to go with a similar front-hinged door setup, and keep the split rear cargo doors from its predecessor (and the concept) in place of the smaller model's liftgate. The sketch was revealed on a promo page for Mini's "Go With Your Gut" campaign. Dark and sketchy as it is, there's little to be told from the teaser rendering above, but you can just make out a different roof design from the show car and an offset exhaust in place of the concept's center-exit pipes. We'll just have to hold on for a while longer to see the finished product. Related Video:

Mini Minor to be co-developed with Toyota

It was back in 2011 when Mini first showcased the prospect of an even smaller hatchback with the Rocketman concept at the Geneva Motor Show. In the nearly four years since, parent company BMW has hemmed and hawed on the possibility of putting it into production, but the latest word from Europe has it that the project is a go. According to Automobile magazine, Mini is realigning its product portfolio into five pillars: the essential hardtop we've already seen (available in two/three- and four/five-doors), the convertible, the upcoming new Clubman wagon (coming this summer with full-size auxiliary suicide doors on both sides), the next-gen Countryman crossover in 2016 and two new model lines. One will be the production version of the Superleggera roadster concept, earmarked for 2018. The other will be the Minor, a smaller city car reviving a long-gone model name and presaged by the aforementioned Rocketman concept. But for that last one, Mini won't go it alone. To develop the mini Mini, BMW will reportedly turn to its partnership with Toyota. The relationship is already set to yield a new Supra and Z4 and share fuel cell and other technologies. But this would broaden the partnership to include a small hatchback. However rather than use the existing (or next-gen) Aygo, which is already built under joint venture with PSA Peugeot Citroen (with which BMW previously had a joint engine venture), word has it that the BMW and Toyota will develop a new platform for the project – one that will be used by both partners. The new product plan doesn't leave much room for the Mini Coupe and Roadster (which have already been discontinued), for the Paceman three-door crossover (which will suffer the same fate) or for the projected seven-seater minivan. But the addition of the new Superleggera roadster and super-mini Mini aren't likely to leave us wanting for either. Related Video: