German Tuner Thinks Louis Vuitton-esque MINI JCW with up to 252HP Looks Kewl

We're no luxury handbag experts, but the first thought that comes to mind upon seeing CoverEFX's MINI John Cooper Works [JCW] tuning proposal is a....Louis Vuitton bag on wheels. For obvious reasons, the monogram canvas is different than the one found on the products of the famous French design house, but its styling as well as the colors and the leathery texture of the special foil wrap all point to an inspiration that come from Louis Vuitton.

The new look is complemented by a set of matching matte black and matte gold metallic 17-inch OZ LM alloy wheels surrounded by Toyo R888 205/40 R17 84W tires.

In the performance department, CoverEFX says it offers two stages of tune for the 1.6-liter twin-scroll turbo engine. The first adds an ECU upgrade along with a 2.5-inch exhaust system with Milltek downpipe, sports catalyst and extra large sports air filter to lift output from 211HP and 280Nm to 236HP and 350Nm. The second stage includes a more aggressive software tune pushing output to 252HP and a maximum torque of 382 Nm.

A short shift kit for the gearbox and a stainless steel KW Variant 3 suspension round off the performance upgrades.

MINI Announces New JCW Sport Packages and Clubman Hampton Edition

The newly developed 2.0-liter turbo diesel we told you about in our previous post isn't the only fresh addition to MINI's lineup for 2011. The new year also brings a John Cooper Works [JCW] Pack option for the hatch and convertible models, a performance kit for the Cooper S and the Clubman Hampton special edition.

The JCW pack option for the Cooper and Cooper S Hardtop and Convertible vehicles is due to be available from the second quarter of 2011 as a factory option. It includes an aero kit with front and rear aprons, plus side skirts, as well as 17-inch weight-optimized aluminum alloy wheels.

The interior is upgraded with a new leather steering wheel with red stitching, gearshift knob with red shift pattern lettering, plus a leather handbrake boot featuring -what else- red stitching.

In addition, the package will include Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), which has a special mode that raises the intervention thresholds of the stability control system, as well as EDLC (Electronic Differential Lock Control.) These two features are on top of the already-standard stability system, DSC (Dynamic Stability Control.).

Next up on the menu is the JCW Tuning kit for the Cooper S Hardtop, Convertible, Clubman models. The highlight of the package is the engine kit that optimizes the ECU and adds a specifically designed air filter system to raise output by 11-horsepower to 195HP. The twin-scroll turbocharged 1.6-liter unit also delivers 184 lb-ft of torque between 1,250 and 5,000 rpm, while this can be raised to as much as 199 lb-ft between 1,800 and 5,000 rpm courtesy of the Overboost function.

A model-specific sports silencer with polished tailpipes, which is said to optimize the exhaust gas discharge and gives the engine sound a particularly sporting note, and the newly designed 18-inch Cross Spoke Red Stripe light-alloy wheel, complete the package.

Finally, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the original 1961 Morris Mini Traveller, the British company has introduced a new special edition of the Clubman called Hampton. MINI has designed a new Reef Blue metallic color specially for this model, which also sports a silver color for the rooftop and door surrounds.

The exterior colors Pepper White, Midnight Black and Eclipse Grey can also be specified as an option, while Black and Reef Blue are available as contrast colors for the roof and C-pillars.

The Hampton also gets unique 17-inch Twin Spoke alloy wheels that can be ordered in either silver or black with a dark red trim ring, black headlamp surrounds, plus “Hampton” lettering on the B-pillar, door entry sills, side scuttles and radiator grille.

Inside, special features include the Black Lounge Leather seats with an “H” on the seat tags, red edging and contrast stitching in orange, the anthracite headliner, anthracite gauge faces and a matt dark red border on the central speedometer.

This Hampton special edition will be available for the MINI Cooper Clubman and MINI Cooper S Clubman models, with production to be limited to one year.

Mini John Cooper Works Convertible

Cute only goes so far. Fast and cute goes a lot farther (comments posted about girls you knew in college will be deleted upon reciept).

But fast and cute will cost you money, just like that girl in college (I'm invoking one-time editor/founder privilege).

This is the story of the Mini John Cooper Works Convertible. Its base price is $10,000 and change more than a base Mini Cooper Convertible, but that ten grand buys you the difference between 118 horsepower and 208....between a top speed of 123 and a top speed of 146...while giving up only 3 miles per gallon in both city and highway fuel economy (the EPA says 25 city/33 highway).

                       

It also gets you a six-speed manual Getrag transmission, 17 inch alloy wheels with run-flat tires, and red Brembo front brake calipers. All of which covers going and stopping. And it handles like a slot car.

                      

Inside, it's six-way adjustable sport seats with height adjustment, an on-boarad computer, a leather three-spoke steering wheel and the Sport button...which produces quicker throttle and steering response....neither of which was in short supply to begin with.

This is one of those cars that will put a grin on your face that will take days to go away.

No, $34,700 for a Mini convertible isn't cheap....nor is the $38,400 as-tested price (Mini threw in a cold weahter package, premium package with alarm, automatic air conditioning and chrome interior and exterior accents), Xenon headlights, custom paint, a Bluetooth and USB/iPod adapter (frankly, Mini's got....what's the German word for cojones?...charging $500 for that piece...which most automakers are including free of charge)...and white turn signal lights ($100? Really?) .

But find another convertible with this blend of speed, handling and fuel economy...and then find one anywhere near $38,400....much less $34,700.

A truly exciting car today...and, because it's likely to sell in smallish numbers, a collector's performance machine you'll be glad you kept years from now.