Review: Mini Cooper convertible is pure fun
There's no other way to describe the new Mini Cooper convertible except as fun.
Top up or down, weaving through city traffic or out on the open highway, purring at a stoplight or pedal-to-the-metal, it really doesn't matter. The new Mini convertible was designed to keep drivers entertained whether the car is moving or not.
Considering how long the modern Mini has been in the U.S. market now, it's startling how little it has changed from its basic concept: Take a small car and push its wheels to the corners. Make it a blast to drive by giving it a tight suspension and go-where-you-point-it steering.
The analogy is as true as ever: This is a little roller skate of a car.
The convertible only adds to the enjoyment. It rolls back to open partially like a sunroof, or disappears entirely to become a full droptop.
And then there's the power. In the Cooper S version, the Mini is no speedster, but its 2-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine is spirited enough at 189 horsepower. For those who don't mind less pep, there's the standard Cooper convertible with a three-cylinder, 135 horsepower engine. Those who want more can opt for the John Cooper Works convertible with 228 horsepower.
The Cooper S comes with a six-cylinder manual as standard equipment, which certainly helps the engagement with the car, and has an available six-speed automatic transmission.
Either way, this Mini has the kind of high-revving engine that enthusiasts will want to thrash all over town.
Performance counts in the Mini because it is at the heart of what makes the car important, but it was designed to be a bit quirky — setting itself apart from other models. You notice it right from the start — literally.
Starting the engine doesn't involve a mere button push or turn of the key like many models these days. Rather, it's a toggle switch.
One of the car's best features is its innovative infotainment system, impossible to miss given the huge circular surround in the middle of the dashboard. The screen is easily controlled by a knob on the center console, like those pioneered in BMWs, that can perform functions from choosing phone options to digitally thumbing through the owner's manual.
Another colorful detail is the choice of driving mode. Rather than a simple notification on the dashboard that the car is in sport, normal or economy mode, the car designates each with a "Let's motor hard," or a simple "Let's motor" or "Let's Mini-mize." With each change, that giant circle around the infotainment system lights up in red, yellow or green.
Besides the dash, the lighting theme is carried through the rest of the car. There are nifty interior lights and door handles that are backlit at night, and another beam projects the Mini logo on the pavement outside the driver's door.
For all that it has to offer, pricing could prove challenging for some of the younger buyers who are prime Mini convertible targets.The base price is $26,800, then $30,450 for the Cooper S that we drove and $36,450 for the John Cooper Works, all including $850 in delivery charges. But these days, when there are fewer convertibles on the market, these may be among the better buys.
Think of it as the price of fun.
What Stands Out
Fun: Whether it's driving or just playing with the switches, it's a joy
Handling: Like a roller skate
Infotainment: Easy to get around
2016 Mini Cooper S Convertible
What? A four-seat compact convertible
When? On sale now
Where? Made in the Netherlands
How big? 12.6 feet long
How much? $30,450, including $850 in destination charges
What makes it go? A 2-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine
How thirsty? 23 miles per gallon in the city with the manual transmission, 33 mpg on the highway and 27 mpg overall
Overall? Driving as entertainment