I loved the Cooper S, especially as a long-wheelbase 5-door. But I seriously don't understand why everybody wants the JCW model to be this shade of green. Tradition is one thing, but just look at how awesome the Focus RS looks in Smurf blue. Why can't they do that?
Anyway, I digress, as usual. This story is all about what AC Schnitzer can do to a JCW MINI Cabriolet, but you already know that because it's the same thing as with any other mode. 2.0-liter turbo engines mean that big power numbers can be obtained easily.
If you are rich enough to afford a John Cooper Works with a fabric roof, you probably don't care about voiding the warranty and all that. So just go to AC Schnitzer and ask them to take your car all the way to 265 PS and 390 Nm (288 lb-ft) of torque.
That's what they offer. We expected more from a freaking 2-liter turbo, as tuners have gone to 300 quite easily. However, the convertible body is not rigid enough to cope with too much strain.
The gallery below and the adjacent video are all about the JCW Cabriolet. It's got a new engine cover, the AC Schnitzer exhaust system, star-shaped wheels and a little spoiler. Seriously, this is the most powerful convertible MINI ever made, and it's green with a little spoiler.
More power than a Ferrari 398 GTB
In 1975, the Ferrari 308 GTB produced 255 PS from its 2.9-liter V8 engine. I bet it wasn't as reliable or easy to drive as the MINI. So why are the Brits playing with greens and browns so much?
If you are scared of power or taxes, there ae other packages available from AC Schnitzer. For example, the regular Cooper's 1.5-liter can be boosted from 136 to 170 PS. That's the way it should have been from the factory if you ask us. As for the Cooper S's version of the 2.0, its output can be raised from 192 to 235 PS.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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