Automotive Reviews
Posts tagged MINI
2009 MINI Cooper S Convertible
0941 days
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
2003 MINI Cooper
01036 days
After an hour with the MINI Cooper I had made up my mind: they couldn’t have it back. The MINI people were just going to have to build another one to give to the next journalist, because this one was mine. I’d write them a check for any amount. I’d barricade myself in the garage with it if I had to. I wouldn’t be taken alive. The MINI and I could escape to Canada and start a new life for ourselves, on the run.
Was it simple holiday madness, or is the MINI really that good? In order to remain some shred of journalistic objectivity, I’m not going to answer that question, but let’s just say that it’s gotten a lot easier to answer when people ask me, “So what’s your favorite car, of the new ones you’ve driven?”
Let’s start from the beginning. The happy, cheeky little box of a car you see here is the all-new 2003 MINI Cooper. It’s spiritually descended from the British-built BMC Mini of the 1960s and 1970s, the revolutionary commuter turned pop-culture icon by movies like The Italian Job. The new MINI is built by BMW, however.
The result is immediately recognizable. The round headlights, stubby nose and tail, and squared-off roof are clear hallmarks to the MINI’s famous predecessor. It’s bigger in every dimension, but at just over eleven feet long it’s still petite for a modern car, at least in the United States. Fully open both doors and the MINI is wider than it is long. The hood opens clamshell-style, taking the headlights with it, resulting in a nose that’s free of seams. This quiet elegance is carried through the design; the windows are frameless, the fenders slightly flared, and the windows seem to be continuous from windshield to backlight. Even if you don’t like hatchbacks, there’s something timelessly cool about the MINI’s tough but compact shape. Cooler yet, the roof and mirrors can be ordered in contrasting black or white as well as body color at no additional cost. The MINI offers a 12-color palette and a choice of cute hood stripes, too. My blue and white test car had hotel valets sprinting for the privilege of parking it.
Inside, the MINI’s art-house look continues. The first thing to catch the eye is the speedometer, which is mounted dead center and about the size of a dinner plate. A smaller tachometer rides atop the steering column. Chrome aircraft-style toggle switches for the windows and a nice fat ball of a shifter are retro touches. They’re balanced by much more futuristic, spaceship-ovoid turn signal stalks and minimalist door panels. The MINI makes a great travel/commute companion for one or two people only. There’s seating for four inside the MINI, but do your best to win the coin toss to ride up front as the rear seat legroom leaves something to be desired. Cockpit storage and luggage space are also at a serious premium. Apart from the lack of space, which should be pretty obvious considering the petite exterior, there’s only one real downside to the inside; it looks cool, but the some of plastic feels toylike and cheap. I could complain about the placement of the dead pedal, too, but I won’t.
Why complain? It’s academic. Turn the key, and comfort and ergonomics will soon be forgotten. The MINI practically redefines the concept of “fun to drive.” Thanks to a “Z-link” multi-link rear axle borrowed from BMW and MacPherson struts up front, the MINI drives like no economy car you’ve ever met. It is equally happy playing econobox commuter or hot rod, and that’s the idea, of course. My test MINI was the “base” Cooper model, and it was happy to run rings around anything in its class, including the more powerful Ford Focus SVT and Toyota Celica. It even felt happier over our curvy, hilly test loop than even some dedicated sports cars like the Audi TT. With the wheels pushed out to the corners and grippy 15″ wheels, the flyweight Mini’s responses are almost telepathic. The ride is a bit stiffer than the average economy car, but not so harsh as to be uncomfortable, and the nimble handling is a huge payoff. Assisting the nut behind the wheel are standard anti-lock brakes with Electronic Braking Distribution (EBD) and Cornering Brake Control (CBC), a system which counteracts rear-end looseness when braking through turns.
The MINI is eager to chirp the tires when launching, so it’s a surprise to learn that it’s only got 115 horsepower to work with. The 1.6 liter four-cylinder makes the most of its 110 foot-pounds of torque throughout the powerband. Just between you and me, there’s enough power to cruise easily at ridiculous speeds. Better yet, it returns 28/37 mileage, even when driven in anger. On road trips, the MINI’s 13-gallon tank means that there aren’t many fuel stops to interrupt the fun. I never found myself wishing for more grunt, but it’s available in the form of the 163-horse supercharged MINI Cooper S. The standard five-speed manual transmission is quick and smooth, well-suited to aggressive driving. A continuously variable transmission is offered, but would take much of the fun out of driving the MINI.
BMW calls the MINI a “premium compact.” That means that in addition to the cute-as-a-button looks and slick interior, you get six standard airbags, a flat tire monitor, and a CD player . The options list includes stability control, a spoiler, a full-length panoramic sunroof, rain sensing wipers, heated seats, a reverse parking aid, automatic climate control, a navigation system, a choice of sound systems…in short, it’s easy to outfit the MINI just like a seven-eighths scale luxury car. Sticking to the basics will net a shocking pricetag, though. MINIs start at $16,425, and our test car stickered for just $17,250. But you’ll have to find your own; this one is mine. They won’t get this test car from me until they pry it from my…you know the rest.
Specifications:
All specs are for the 2003 MINI Cooper, which we tested.
Length: 142.8 in
Width: 66.5 in.
Height: 55.4 in.
Wheelbase: 97.1 in.
Curb weight: 2524 lb
Cargo space: 5.3 cu.ft. (seats up); 23.7 cu.ft (seats folded)
Base price: $16,425
Price as tested: $17,250
Engine: 1.6 liter SOHC inline four-cylinder
Drivetrain: five-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Horsepower: 115 @ 6000
Torque: 110 @ 4500
Fuel capacity: 13 gal.
Est. mileage: 28/37
2009 MINI Cooper S Clubman
01272 days
Lots of cars will say, “Hey, let’s go,” when you hop in. Ford’s F350 wants to go and haul stuff. Chevrolet’s Corvette wants to go to the track. The Honda CRV wants to go to the mall. The MINI Cooper is one of the few that doesn’t ever specify a destination. “Let’s go,” the MINI says. If you ask it where, it says, “Wherever.”
Going “wherever” in the MINI just got a bit more fun and a lot easier with the introduction of the just-right sized Cooper Clubman. Nine and a half inches longer than the standard MINI Cooper, the Clubman offers the same driving pleasure and relatively cheap automotive thrills, but also makes it easier to bring friends and cargo along for the ride.
In the ways that count, the MINI Cooper Clubman is just like the short version. The only obvious difference from the driver’s seat is that you no longer feel like you can reach over your shoulder and touch the backlight. The dinner plate-sized, centrally-mounted speedometer and cool retro toggle switches are the same, and the Cooper S Clubman sports the same wide range of personalization options as the standard MINI Cooper. At night, elegant ambient lighting gives a theatrical look to the interior. The hard-ish, grippy seats and upright, snug driving position are also familiar, though the Cooper S Clubman’s checkered-flag upholstery is unique. From the B-pillar back, the Cooper Clubman is a new vehicle, with a longer body and a three-inch longer wheelbase. Nearly all of the extra wheelbase length goes into adding legroom for rear-seat passengers, so the back seat of the Cooper Clubman is actually livable, and effectively doubles the MINI’s people capacity. Options for the stretched top include roof rails for carrying surfboards, skis and other sports equipment, a roof spoiler and a two-panel panoramic sunroof, though the lack of an opaque cover for the glass roof is a glaring (no pun intended) omission. Heated seats, bi-xenon headlamps and a navigation system are also on the available-equipment list.
Fold down the rear seats and there are 32.8 cubic feet of cargo space, which is a 37% increase in space that brings the Cooper Clubman up to about average for the class. MINI makes the additional length easy to get to, with split, “barn” style doors at the rear that allow easy access to the cargo area. They’re hinged at the extreme outer edges of the pillars to provide a wide, though low, cargo-loading space, and they’re styled after the doors found on the estate wagon versions of the 1960s Mini. Passenger entry is also eased with a rear-hinged “clubdoor” behind the passenger door. From the outside, it’s immediately recognizable because of the squared-off tail and additional chrome.
The extra body length and weight don’t have a noticeable effect on the Cooper S Clubman’s acceleration or handling. Break out the stopwatches and you’ll probably see a small difference in lap times and outright acceleration, but out in the real world there’s not enough of a difference to matter. The 172-horsepower 1.6 liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine under the hood of the Cooper S Clubman offers enjoyable, enthusiastic motivation. Direct-fuel injection improves performance and fuel efficiency. MINI promises a seven-second 0-60 run. The Cooper S Clubman returns 26/34 fuel economy as well, one of the benefits of being a small car with a big interior. The more frugal Cooper Clubman, with its non-turbocharged, 118-horse engine, will return 28/37 economy. I drove the Cooper S Clubman with the optional six-speed automatic transmission, which was probably considerably less fun than the standard six-speed manual despite the racing-style paddle shifters. With either gearbox, the Cooper Clubman keeps the MINI’s instantaneous reflexes and its ability to dart through traffic as though you were the hero of an action movie.
That ultra-stiff MacPherson strut front, five-link central arm rear suspension translates to a violent ride on rough roads however, especially in the stiffer-sprung S version of the Cooper Clubman. The MINI is tough, but feels somewhat delicate–it doesn’t invite splashing through puddles or romping across rough pavement the way some small cars do. Detroit’s got rough pavement in spades, and the MINI Clubman was adept at dodging potholes, but not so happy with the ones it had to hit. Electronic power steering with a razor-sharp sport mode makes it easy to avoid any road irregularities that come up, though you may be accused of driving erratically.
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) are standard equipment, as are anti-lock brakes, Corner Brake Control and six airbags. Run-flat tires are also standard on the Cooper S Clubman.
It’s the same delightful MINI Cooper S, but with more space. What’s not to like? Other than a steep-ish price tag, not much. The Mini Cooper S Clubman starts at a reasonable $23,450, but the options drive the price up quickly. My tester featured a leather interior, power-fold mirrors, heated seats, a dual-pane sunroof, automatic climate control, MINI’s sport package and xenon headlamps, the automatic transmission and an interior chrome package, and stickered for $32,950.
Specifications: All specs are for the 2009 MINI Cooper S Clubman.
Length: 155.8 in.
Width: 66.3 in.
Height: 56.4 in.
Wheelbase: 100.3 in.
Curb weight: 2855 lb.
Cargo space: 9.2 cu.ft. (seats up); 32.8 cu.ft. (seats folded)
Base price: $23,450
Price as tested: $32,950
Engine: 1.6 liter turbocharged direct-injection four-cylinder
Drivetrain: six-speed automatic transmission, front-wheel drive
Horsepower: 172 @ 5500
Torque: 177 @ 1600-5000
Fuel capacity: 13.2 gal.
Est. mileage: 23/32