The MINI Cooper Convertible was the first ever production drop-top to bear the British automaker's name. It shares the platform and base engine from the MINI Cooper Convertible, but adds a turbocharger and goodies for extra fun and style.
The Cooper S Convertible is powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder motor delivering 181 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 177 pound-feet of torque at 1,600-5,000 rpm. Standard is a Getrag six-speed manual, and optional is a six-speed Aisin automatic transmission with a semi-manual mode with paddle shifters. The addition of the turbocharger to the MINI Cooper S Convertible whisks the little open-top from zero-to-60 mph in 7 seconds and accelerates from 50 to 75 mph in fourth gear in 6.6 seconds.
Fuel efficiency is an estimated 35 mpg on the highway and 27 mpg in the city for the manual edition, and 34 mpg on the highway and 26 mpg in the city for the automatic version.
When sipping fuel is not your primary concern, the MINI Cooper S Convertible offers a "Sport" mode with the push of a button. When engaged, this mode will adjust settings to maximize acceleration and tighten steering for maximum fun.
The MINI Cooper S Convertible comes standard with 16-inch seven-fin spoke design light alloy wheels mounted with 195/55 R16 run-flat tires. There is also a 16-inch v-spoke wheels with all-season tires that can be selected. Optional sport wheels and tires for the Mini Cooper S Convertible include a set of sporty 17-inch Five-Spoke Bullet or 17-inch web-spoke light-alloy wheels with 205/45 R17 run-flat tires.
MINI says it engineered the Cooper S Convertible to deliver the same go-kart like handling as its hardtop counterpart -- something not all convertibles manage to do effectively. MINI developed an extra-stiff chassis for the convertible, which provides sharp handling and good crash protection.
The car's canvas roof takes just 15 seconds to open or close, and comes with a unique sunroof that provides a semi-open-air experience when dropping the whole roof is just too much. Not all convertibles offer a heated rear window, but that comes standard on the Cooper.
The MINI Cooper Convertible in S trim comes stealthily with a black mesh grille up front, but a loud and proud dual chrome tailpipe out back. The S also enjoys standard sport seats and aluminum alloy foot pedals over its tamer sister car.
New - MINI Yours
In case the standard options aren't enough for you, MINI has added something entirely new known as MINI Yours, which allows further customization. The options include: an instrument panel covered in a smooth two-tone, soft-touch leather with exposed stitching, a two-tone steering wheel, a new MINI Yours 17-inch wheel, special pattern "Soda" mirror caps with a three-dimensional effect and MINI Yours Soda pattern Lounge Leather with unique Soda pattern on the sides of the backrests and headrests, as well as a contrasting black leather stripe that runs down the middle of the seats and is offset with premium piping.
Safety
The Cooper S Convertible comes standard with four airbags. A sophisticated computer system takes into account occupant position, seat-belt use, and crash severity when determining how to deploy the airbags. Special side airbags are attached to the seat and deploy upward to protect the head.
Anti-lock ABS brakes are also standard, as are Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBFD) and Cornering Brake Control (CBC). Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) is optional.
Key competitors
The list of convertibles with the similar size, driving dynamics and price is virtually non-existent, but there are a few alternatives to consider, including the Mazda MX-5 Miata, Ford Mustang Convertible, Chevrolet Camaro Convertible and Fiat 500c.