This is the new Mini JCW Convertible

Mini are describing the new John Cooper Works Convertible as a ‘unique vehicle concept in the small car segment combining authentic racing feel with intense open-air enjoyment’. Which immediately makes us want to hate it.

After all, there aren’t many four-seat convertible racing cars that we’ve seen hanging around, and if you have to bang on about your ‘extrovert charisma’ chances are you haven’t got any. It’s like telling everyone how crazy mad fun you are.

Still, the new range-topper gets 228bhp and 236b ft from a 2.0-litre four-pot with a turbo, direct-injection and variable cam- and valve- control, and manages 0-62mph in 6.6 seconds with the six-speed standard fit manual (a 6-spd Steptronic auto is an option that’s a smudge quicker at 6.5). Top speed? 150mph.

So it’s lively, though at more than 100kg heavier than the normal JCW hatch, it’s a decent chunk fatter. As ever, it’s front-wheel drive, and gets an electronic front diff and ‘torque steer compensation’ provided by the power steering system to control any squirmy waywardness.

There are dynamic dampers available as an option, with dynamic stability and traction control fitted as standard, Brembo brakes and a bodykit that consists of front and rear tweaks and side skirts, and many, many JCW logos and badges. The roof is as per the standard car: fabric, takes a relatively tardy 18 seconds to move, operates up to about 22mph. Though you can slide the top bit back at any speed for a kind of semi-open targa-feel.

You also get the usual JCW bits inside - leather wheel and JCW gear knob, shiny pedals and bespoke dials - and pretty much any of the usual tech options, though quite what you need a rear-view camera on a car as small as a Mini, we’ll never know. Standard wheels are 17s with an 18-inch option, and you could probably pay half as much again as the £26,630 starting price in options alone. It wouldn’t be worth it, trust us.

Our favourite thing? The ‘Mini Excitement Package’ that includes a MINI Logo projected from the exterior mirror onto the ground in front of the door on the driver's side. If that doesn’t make you cool and exciting, we don’t know what will…