NEW YORK MOTOR SHOW: MINI to unveil Clubman ALL4 and JCW Convertible

MINI will debut the all-wheel drive version of its Clubman wagon and a John Cooper Works variant for the Convertible range at the New York motor show this week.

The MINI Clubman ALL4 promises to appeal to American buyers in the snowbound northern states, while the JCW Convertible is the polar opposite – delivering furious performance for consumers living in sunnier climes.

MINI claims that the ALL4 part-time system in the Clubman will go from front-only to all-wheel drive in a quarter of a second.

The Convertible with the JCW drivetrain promises a more engaging drive from the folding-roof range. Specifications are expected to fall in line with the JCW hatch at the show, with added weight for the Convertible.

Lenore Fletcher, the General Manager Corporate Communications for MINI Australia, has told motoring.com.au that the Clubman ALL4 is unlikely to reach Australia, but the door is still open for the JCW Convertible.

"The JCW… probably, although the [sales] volume is very small for Convertibles – and we do need to be mindful of that," she said.

"But again, it's a very cute little thing, we have seen it; it looks fantastic. It certainly pumps up the volume with the MINI Convertible, in that JCW way."

Further details to follow…