MINI JCW Convertible pops up

MINI has come clean on its latest – and most powerful – convertible, the MINI John Cooper Works Convertible.

Gone is the previous 1.6-litre turbo four-cylinder engine, replaced by a beefier, brawnier 2.0-litre turbo donk that raises power from 155kW to 170kW.

The four-seater has been designed to tackle the race track and also the boulevards, the powered roof operated via push-button and taking 18 seconds – which is three seconds slower than its predecessor.

The flipside is that the roof still operates at up to 30km/h.

The current JCW cabrio starts at $58,5000 and although BMW Group Australia's General Manager of Corporate Communications, Lenore Fletcher, said it was too early to talk about the new model's local arrival, she noted it was on the importer's radar.

"We'd consider it, yes. It's not confirmed but it is a halo model for the MINI brand and is something to like to see here."

Faster but more efficient, the new MINI JCW Convertible's more advanced engine is hidden beneath new-look bodywork that brings the drop-top in line with the renewed MINI JCW hatch.

That means flashy new circular LED driving lights, an assertive front fascia with scarlet pin-stripe and various JCW stylings, such as badging, distinctive 18-inch alloy wheels and red brake callipers.

Peak power of 170kW and 320Nm is a significant hike on the previous MINI JCW Convertible model's 155kW and 260Nm, and it's reflected in the benchmark 0-100km/h acceleration times -- now 6.5 seconds with a conventional six-speed automatic transmission.

The six-speed manual takes slightly longer to reach the triple digit speed, at 6.6 seconds.

Similar to the metal-roofed MINI JCW hatch, the fastest convertible MINI has ever built gets a number of chassis tweaks to match its boosted power, including sports-tuned suspension. European models are optioned with adaptive dampers, which may be standard on Australian models.

Bigger four-piston Brembo brakes are fitted, 330mm in diameter, and the front-drive baby Brit also features an electronic front differential to ensure effective power delivery under hard acceleration.

Although MINI and its hot-shop partner JCW insists the car has been "optimised for use on the race track" and features a larger engine, it uses less fuel on average, with a claimed fuel consumption of 6.5L/100km, down from around 7.1L/100km.

MINI and JCW have also upgraded the interior in "extremely sporty style" with body-hugging sports seats (leather is optional), a new more powerful infotainment system with lots of new techno-doodads and improved interior materials.

The new model is also larger than its predecessor, which affords more space for all four occupants, and with the tailgate open it can withstand up to 80kg, a makeshift seat.

Boot space is 215 litres, reducing to 160 litres in open-top mode, and the car features 50:50-split folding rear seats for expanding cargo room.

If the MINI John Cooper Works Convertible does get the green light for Australia, it's likely to arrive here later in 2016.