2012 Mini Cooper Roadster: Small car, big fun

When the MINI returned in 2001, there were doubts as to whether or not it could be successful over the long term. It’s one thing to launch a model successfully when you have a clearly defined target market, but ensuring its long term success is something else entirely. For example, the Smart was very popular a few years ago, and then its sales plummeted. And many people believe that the Fiat 500 could suffer the same fate once the honeymoon ends. In the case of the MINI, however, the manufacturer has risen to the challenge and one of the keys to this success is the multiplication of versions. By introducing a MINI for all tastes, the clientele can evolve within the line, while still maintaining interest and attracting new buyers.

Some time ago, the MINI Coupé, the first two-seater in the line-up, was introduced. Now we meet a sixth trim level – much like the Coupé but with a retractable top – the MINI Cooper Roadster. While not terribly practical, it remains one of most fun MINIs to drive. It’s a real toy!

The MINI Roadster has the same basic features as the Coupé, but with the added touch of a retractable soft top. Why not a hardtop? For starters, it’s a matter of cost. They wanted to keep the price of the MINI Roadster at a relatively affordable price of less than $30,000. Plus, there’s the fact that opting for a soft top helped keep development time down. Components from the Z4’s old soft top were used, which explains the round side windows.

More classic style

The MINI Roadster’s dimensions are slightly different than the Coupé’s. It’s 7 mm longer, but 30 mm shorter. Style-wise, the Coupé’s key feature is its roof, which looks something like a backwards baseball cap. The cabriolet doesn’t have this same “cap”, as it sticks with more classic lines, more like the regular MINI Cabriolet. The Roadster, which is now slowly rolling into dealerships, will initially have a soft top that opens manually – but an optional automatic opening system will be available soon.

As for variations, they’re using the same strategy as with the other models. First, there’s a base version with a 1.6-litre naturally-aspirated engine that develops 121 horsepower. Probably the most interesting of the three, the Cooper Roadster S, features more pep thanks to its turbocharged engine with 181 horsepower. This figure may seem very conservative, especially in this day and age, but considering the car’s relative lightness, it’s a real beast. Just like the base version, it can be equipped with a six-speed manual or optional automatic gearbox.

Finally, at the top of the line there’s the MINI John Cooper Works. This veritable rocket develops 208 horses at 6,000 rpm and 192 lbs-ft of torque between 1,850 and 5,600 rpm. It goes from 0-100 km/hr in just 6.5 seconds, which isn’t bad for a car sold for less than $40,000. This car can put many of its much more expensive rivals to shame.

On board, the passenger compartment is identical to the Coupé’s and includes all the usual MINI style features. They’re even getting away with flashy interior colour schemes, including a toffee passenger compartment. Removing the back seats gives the driver and passenger a little more room, while the cargo space has also been improved. This two-seat convertible has a practical side too, with a shelf and storage compartment behind the seats.

Toy story

The MINI has always had a reputation for being fun to drive. Multiply this factor by ten in the case of the Roadster. It includes all the DNA of the other models, with an added pinch of dynamism. You’ll like its compact size and agility, and you’ll feel like you’re literally tied to the road, as much by the car’s reduced height as by on-board visibility, the good driving position and especially, the steering that communicates directly with the road. This is a car of choice if you decide to cut loose on a track from time to time.

Our test car, a Cooper S Roadster, turned out to be the most interesting of the bunch. Its price isn’t obscene and performance is more than sufficient. Its 181 horses deliver power instantly and even at higher speed, it doesn’t lose any of its enthusiasm, which is rare for a turbo engine. A Sport command both activates more dynamic settings and modifies the sound of the exhaust. You even get a few additional injections of gas when you release the accelerator, producing backfire in the exhaust, an attractive little detail. As for comfort, with its slightly softer suspension, the Roadster drives a little more smoothly than the Coupé, which is ultra-rigid.

It’s no secret, the MINI Cooper Roadster will definitely attract more clients than the Coupé. The ride is almost as exciting and, in mere seconds, you can opt to drive with the wind in your hair. Meanwhile, the Coupé will continue to attract purists and people who especially like its original roof.