Launched late last year, along with the larger Clubman model, the John Cooper Works (JCW) version of the MINI Convertible dispels any notion of being a hairdresser’s car. Having said that, an appointment with your hairdresser may be necessary as the JCW Convertible will literally blow your hair back.

The MINI JCW Convertible’s main attraction is, of course, the engine. A reworked version of the 1,6-litre twin-scroll turbocharged unit found in the MINI Cooper S Convertible is responsible for churning out 155 kW and 260 N.m of torque. JCW engineers have made a number of changes to achieve these figures, including improved air flow to the turbocharger, improved exhaust gas management for better turbo response at low engine speeds, as well as increased charge pressure from 0.9 to 1.3 bar. The result is a healthy torque curve between 1 850 – 5 600 rpm, with an additional 20 N.m ‘Overboost’ function available between 2 000 rpm and 5 300 rpm.

In the real world this means the MINI JCW Convertible doesn’t hang about. In-gear acceleration is impressive, even when using higher gears at lower speeds. With less weight to cart around (1 230 kg’s) compared to larger, similarly powered hot hatches, the MINI JCW Convertible rockets off the line and reaches 100 km/h in a claimed 6.9 seconds and has a top speed of 235 km/h. MINI claim the average fuel consumption to be 7.1 l/100km and CO2 emissions to 169 grams per kilometre. Thanks to the wide spread of torque this figure is not overly optimistic, as we were able to achieve 7.4 l/100km in the extra urban environment. It is optimistic to think that you’d be able to resist experiencing the MINI’s tantalising performance at any opportunity.

But as the saying goes, with great power comes great responsibility and so when you decide to bury your right foot, you’d better be able to keep up. Under full acceleration you’ll be single-handedly fighting fierce torque-steer as you snap through the gears. The short-wheelbase and sports suspension mean the car responds to every bump and imperfection in the road, following the camber and demanding focus to keep the car on your chosen line.

The JCW’s suspension is hard and not very forgiving. On pristine, smooth road surfaces the JCW is fantastic, with loads of grip exploitable via the accurate and quick steering. In fact, the JCW’s grip levels feel pretty much on par with the latest, and well sorted, Renault Clio RS, which sticks to the road like a gecko to a wall. As on the Coopers S, the ‘Sport’ button sharpens throttle response and firms up the steering, placing the MINI in ‘attack mode’. Pressing the ‘DTC’ button (Dynamic Traction Control) activates the electronic diff-lock on the front axle. This system limits slip from a drive wheel by applying the brakes appropriately, allowing you to floor the accelerator pedal out of corners without understeering off into the bushes. The DTC system does allow a smooth and controllable amount of wheelspin, with the DSC system still able to assist in avoiding potential disaster – beware the lift off oversteer though. The MINI JCW is fitted with a set of John Cooper Works emblazoned, red aluminium brake callipers, with 316 mm discs up front and 280 mm at the rear.

As with the Cooper S Convertible, the JCW’s body has been crash-optimised and reinforced to provide extra rigidity. With the roof up there is still a fair amount of chassis flex evident through the creeks and rattles of the folding roof. The low profile 17-inch run flat tyres and taught sports suspension don’t help in this regard, but fold down the canvas roof (in just 15 seconds) and the car transforms into a smooth operator, with any obvious signs of scuttle shake dissolved. The topless driving experience is similar to that of the Cooper S Convertible we tested a few months ago, but with the major difference being the sound from the sports exhaust. The ‘wooosh’ from the turbocharger and a raspy exhaust note resonate at the slightest touch of the accelerator, while the two large tail pipes emit crackles and pops each time you lift off the throttle. And, if you lift off the throttle at high revs in 2nd or 3rd gear, you’ll be rewarded with a satisfying backfire and a scowl from innocent bystanders.

It’s an eye-catching car, especially in bright red and easily stands out from more ‘standard’ MINI’s in the range, thanks to a sporty bodykit consisting of deep bumpers, gloss black accents around the grille and on the side mirrors, vented side skirts, exclusive 17-inch JCW wheels and large twin exhaust protruding beneath the rear bumper.

At R378 850, before selecting any options, the MINI JCW Convertible is not cheap. But you don’t buy the JCW Convertible for its practicality or fuel economy. You buy a MINI Cooper JCW Convertible for its head turning looks and sound, its involving drive and the heightened experience of it all with the roof off. Plus, you can rest assured knowing you can blow off any pretenders from robot-to-robot.