The words ‘Mini’ and ‘cool’ have been interchangeable since the original Mini was born in 1959. Today, ‘napkin entrepreneurs’ are the ‘cool kids’ who flesh out “the next big thing” on the back of a napkin, in between mouthfuls of bagel and lukewarm latte in their college canteens. Alec Issigonis was doing this back in the 1950s already, but the difference was that he tucked his shirt in, sipped Earl Grey tea and ate shortbread. Of course, his sketch actually did become the next big thing, albeit physically quite small, and its been with us for over 50 years, touch millions of lives in that time, become a cultural icon and, as if that’s not enough, it can even connect to Twitter and Facebook. The Mini then, is pretty darn cool.
So how do you make a car cooler? Well, you get rid of the roof. Nothing makes a car cooler than giving cool people the ability to allow others to see how cool they are, and Mini refer to this as a ‘Roadster’. The Mini Roadster is the first open-top two-seater in the brand’s history and, having sampled the model line-up this week, it’s also the best open-top Mini in the brand’s history.
The Mini Roadster is equipped with a fabric roof that opens and closes manually. While this isn’t entirely cool, it does save weight and is simple enough to open with the twist of a handle, followed by a brief pull and a final push, to lock it in place in front of the boot. Mini say a semi-automatic roof option will be available later in the year, meaning you’ll just need to turn said handle and an electric motor will take care of the rest. Top up or down, however, the Mini Roadster retains its hallmark identity and offers 240-litres of boot space.
While on the topic of space, there is also a load-through hatch between the cabin and boot for longer items, as well as a small shelf behind the seats that’s ideal for a handbag or other personal items. Also behind each seat is a roll-over bar, which serves to maximise safety in the event of an accident, along with front and head-thorax airbags, as well as an extremely rigid windscreen frame that is 13 mm more steeply raked than the conventional Mini and adds to the Roadster’s sporty look. The aerodynamic balance of the Mini Roadster is optimised by an active rear spoiler, which extends automatically once the car reaches a speed of 80 km/h.
Added rigidty is essential to a convertible that is more prone to chassis flex without the inherent bracing of a roof. To this end, the Mini Roadster features strengthened side sills, a cross-brace between the front and rear axle, as well as extra strength steel in the A-pillar. This has resulted in a slightly high axle load in front, but also slightly better traction. The added rigidity means the new Roadster wobbles less than expected over uneven road surfaces, while the stiffer suspension of the John Cooper Works model reduces any such inclinations further still.
Available with a choice of three petrol engines, the Mini Roadster range includes the Roadster Cooper with 90 kW and 160 Nm, the Roadster Cooper S with 135 kW and 240 Nm, as well as the range-topping Roadster John Cooper Works with 155 kW and up to 280 Nm. All models are mated to a 6-speed manual transmission as standard, while a 6-speed Steptronic automatic is available for the Cooper and Cooper S models.
The Mini’s compact dimensions and low weight have always been the basis for its performance, but with the latest 1.6-litre TwinPowerTurbo engines, the Cooper S and Cooper JCW models – complete with popping exhausts on the overrun – are just plain fast. With 0 – 100 km/h sprint times of 7.0 and 6.5 seconds respectively, the Mini is easily capable of clearing ahead of the rat race. The non-turbocharged Cooper is markedly down on power compared to the S and JCW, but is still more than capable of keeping up with and edging ahead of traffic, although the manual transmission is your best bet if you’re still looking to have the most fun. Mini claim fuel consumption of 5.7 L/100km, 6.0 L/100km and 7.3L/100km for the manual transmission equipped Roadster, Roadster S and Roadster JCW respectively.
The Roadster’s electric power steering with speed-sensitive power assistance doesn’t seem as scalpel-like as in the hardtop Coupe or Hatch models, but is still nicely weighted and precise. DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) and Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) is standard on all models, while Electronic Differential Lock Control (EDLC) is standard on the John Cooper Works Roadster (optional on all other models) and provides even greater assurance on slippery surfaces and additional grip under hard cornering.
Top down motoring is, dare I say it, a breeze. The launch route took us along the False Bay coastline before heading into the hotter Overberg. The roof tucks away cleanly behind the passengers and is soon forgotten about. A removable wind deflector is a recommended optional extra that fits between the roll-over bars. It does a good job of preventing swirl inside the cabin, allowing you to build up plenty of speed before getting the feeling you may need to hold onto your hat.
The roof provided some welcome respite from the sun as we darted across the Overberg and performed within expectations are far as wind noise is concerned. While no wind whistles were evident and you are able to comfortably hold conversation, an interior shy of a couple more decibels would be ideal bearing in mind the Mini’s premium character.
Affirming that premium character is standard equipment such as air conditioning (Cooper S Roadster and John Cooper Works Roadster), electrically adjustable exterior mirrors, Park Distance Control, height-adjustable seats and a radio/CD/MP3-player with Aux-In connection. Your Mini can be personalised in a number of ways, with options such as xenon Adaptive Headlights, black headlight housing, Comfort Access and the Always Open Timer, to name a few. The Mini Roadster can also be equipped with the Mini Connected infotainment and communications functions, which provide Internet and access to associated applications, such as Twitter and Facebook, via your mobile phone’s data network.
The new Mini Roadster is cool to look at, cool to drive and without direct competitors. It’s an evocative little package and one which will appeal to the heart far stronger than the head when it comes to the purchase price.
| Pricing (incl. VAT, excl. CO2 Tax) | |
| Mini Roadster Cooper | R295 000 |
| Mini Roadster Cooper A/T | R311 100 |
| Mini Roadster Cooper S | R349 000 |
| Mini Roadster Cooper S A/T | R365 100 |
| Mini Roadster John Cooper Works | R397 000 |
Pricing includes a 5-year/100 000 km warranty and 3-year/75 000 km motorplan.
