► New Mini John Cooper Works Convertible tested
► Turbo motor punches out 228bhp and 236lb ft
► A tempting alternative to a Mazda MX-5
The MINI John Cooper Works makes a lot of good noises – a purposeful burble at low revs, a raspy top end, and all manner of turbo whistles and flutters in between. Once the exhaust has warmed up it comes alive, crackling and banging like a box of fireworks on a barbecue.
In the hatchback it felt like everyone outside got a better listen than you. In the convertible, which can drop its roof in 18 seconds, you get the best seat in the house. Plus, park it roof-down and the car keeps an eye on the weather, sending a message to your smartphone if it senses impending rain.
Under the bonnet is an uprated 2.0-litre Cooper S unit with a boostier turbo and stronger pistons for an additional 38bhp. That means 236lb ft of torque from a barely-above-idle 1250rpm. It feels incredibly flexible and quite happy to bimble around all day in third gear. However, 228bhp and the full concert hall of noise requires 6000rpm on the tacho.
Suspension and steering are carried over from the Cooper S, so you get a fierce turn in, bags of front-end grip, and a planted feel mid-corner. It forgives a clumsy right foot and only washes wide with serious provocation – and plenty of warning squeal from the tyres. The standard six-speed manual is mildly more polluting than the auto, plus the lever’s too long and set too far back, but it’s streets ahead in terms of engagement.
For this price and size of car it’s this or a Mazda MX-5. The latter offers more finessed handling but its engines sound and feel a little flat; not an issue with the Mini. If you value engine character over rear-wheel-drive dynamics, this is the small performance soft-top for you.
The specs: Mini John Cooper Works Convertible
Price: £26,630
Engine: 1998cc turbocharged 4-cyl, 228bhp @ 5200rpm, 236lb ft @ 1250rpm-4800rpm
Transmission: Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Performance: 6.6sec 0-62mph, 150mph, 43.5mpg, 152g/km CO2
Weight: 1385kg
On sale: Now
Rating: ****
Verdict: Fabulous soundtrack piped directly to your ears
Read more from the June 2016 issue of CAR magazine