Automotive Reviews
Posts tagged MINI
North American International Auto Show 2012
Jan 16th
It’s practically a tradition that the North American International Auto Show in Detroit is accompanied by the worst weather of the season. The second week in January in Detroit is rarely a pleasant place, but this year’s show was preceded by unseasonably warm and sunny weather. All thoughts of global warming aside, it seemed to indicate a subtle change in the climate of the automotive industry as well. No-shows included Mitsubishi, Suzuki and Jaguar/Land Rover, but all of the major industry players were present.
Several years of economic hardship (and more than a few casualties) have left the auto industry cautious; the wild abandon that characterized auto shows past is long gone. In its place, there’s a pragmatic realism–but for 2012, that realistic outlook is also optimistic. In addition to the upcoming products that are useful refinements of existing vehicles, Detroit also saw the debut of some honest-to-goodness concept cars, showing that the industry may have scaled back on the wildest flights of fancy, but it hasn’t forgotten how to dream. More >
2004 MINI Cooper S
May 21st
I just have to admit that automotive-journalistic integrity goes right out the window when it comes to the MINI Cooper. Whether you’re a car guy who likes a responsive, excellent-handling vehicle, or a commuter who only wants to get from Point A to Point B, there are few finer pleasures than nipping through traffic in a MINI, and that’s just the way it is. Personally I’d rather have a MINI than a Ferrari, even though I certainly wouldn’t be able to keep up with the Italian sports car. It’s all about personality.
2009 MINI Cooper S Convertible
Oct 24th
How do you improve upon the fun-to-drive genius that is a MINI Cooper? This car’s tossable suspension, funky styling and excellent fuel economy make it one of the better all-around daily vehicles for both the style-conscious and driving enthusiasts. Well, there’s the Cooper Clubman, which adds a bit more room. And for summertime fun, there’s the Cooper convertible, which provides all of the same thrills as the MINI Cooper, but without a roof to contain the exuberance.
The previous MINI Cooper convertible didn’t have many downsides other than a lack of rear-seat interior space, so there wasn’t much for designers to address when updating the ragtop for the second-generation body. This compact, high-performance package won’t fail to put a smile on your face.
The styling is instantly familiar, of course. The adorable, stubby MINI Cooper is made stubbier and more adorable by the removal of the roof. With the top down, the one-box MINI Cooper looks not unlike a bathtub on wheels, with comfortable seating for four, of course. The new body is slightly longer than before, but the unmistakable large oval lamps and chrome grille remain true to the aesthetic. Emergency rollover hoops are located behind the rear seats and pop up in the event that they’re necessary. The new MINI convertible’s top stack is slightly lower than before, offering a sleeker, more finished appearance. The MINI Cooper convertible’s roof is power-operated, and can be raised and lowered at speeds up to 20mph. It also includes a sliding section that mimics a sunroof.
The interior appointments are not all that different from those of the hardtop, either. The centrally mounted pie-plate speedometer and love-‘em-or-hate-‘em toggle switches are the same. If the Cooper makes you feel claustrophobic, then the roofless version is the way to go. MINI’s quirky designers have included an “Openometer” that will tell you how much of your time has been spent with the top down.
The trunk isn’t that large, but the lid pivots up and out of the way to provide easy access to the six cubic feet of space within. The rear seats also fold down, expanding space to just over 23 cubic feet, and there’s a small two-tiered shelf for additional storage space.
Entertaining performance is a part of the package, of course. The MINI Cooper convertible is offered with the same new 1.6 liter four-cylinders that power the hardtop, in 118-horsepower naturally aspirated and 172-horse turbocharged guise. The naturally-aspirated engine uses VALVETRONIC variable valve timing borrowed from parent company BMW to improve fuel efficiency and response. The Cooper S’ more powerful turbocharged powerplant features direct-injection fuel delivery and a twin-scroll turbocharger. The Cooper S is capable of creating a bit of torque steer, but it’s never unmanageable.
The MINI Cooper convertible is nothing if not tossable, of course. This is especially true in Cooper S trim; a low curb weight and comparatively wide track mean that some serious twisty-road heroics are possible. MacPherson struts are used in the front, with a multi-link rear. It’s not an exotic setup, but the MINI’s diminutive, wheels-out stance and light weight mean that the seemingly mundane suspension is capable of serious performance. I experienced no significant chassis flex, even when hammering the MINI Cooper S convertible around a race track. MINI offers a range of driving aids to improve things even further, including Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with an electronic limited-slip differential and anti-lock brakes that include Cornering Brake Control and Brake Assist. Run-flat tires are available if you want to save the weight of a spare. Nervous about flinging the roofless MINI Cooper around at high speeds? A pop-up roll bar lives behind the rear seats.
The MINI Cooper S convertible will staple a smile to your face, whether the top’s up or down–and if you were already smiling, then the 172 horses motivating a curb weight of significantly less than 3000 pounds are likely to turn it into a mad cackle. It’s okay. Just try to behave yourself, and wear sunblock. The MINI Cooper S convertible starts at $27,450, while the standard Cooper convertible stickers for $24,770.
Specifications: All specs are for the 2009 MINI Cooper S convertible
Length: 146.2 in.
Width: 66.3 in.
Height: 55.4 in.
Wheelbase: 97.1 in.
Curb weight: 2855 lb.
Cargo space: 6.0 cu.ft. (seats up); 23.3 cu.ft. (seats folded)
Base price: $27,450
Engine: 1.6 liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder
Drivetrain: six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Horsepower: 172 @ 5500
Torque: 177 @ 1600-5000
Fuel capacity: 13.2 gal.
Fuel economy: 23/34