2019 CONVERTIBLE Video Review
September 11 2019, Max Landi
The MINI Cooper continues to be a British hero packed with personality. There is nothing quite like the MINI Cooper on the road today. Its design and the statement this car makes would be impossible to replicate without the history of this quirky brand. The MINI Cooper Convertible further extends the honest character of this company by removing the roof and bringing the driver and passengers closer to the environment. The MINI Convertible has a cloth roof that can raise and lower in 18 seconds with the MINI travelling up to speeds of 30kph. The roof has a halfway open mode where the centre of the roof folds back whilst keeping the roof fully intact. The refinement of modern convertibles is outstanding since front row passengers are able to hold a conversation with the roof down at highway speeds without raising their voices significantly.
The MINI Cooper Convertible starts with a three-cylinder twin-scroll turbocharged engine with the choice of a six-speed manual transmission or an automatic transmission with the same number of gears. This 1.5L engine sends 134hp and 162lb/ft of torque to the front wheels. The automatic transmission has a sport mode and a manual shifting mode if the driver wants more involvement with the MINI's drive. The Cooper S and John Cooper Works versions of the MINI Convertible receive a larger 2.0L engine with noticeable power upgrades. However, this three-cylinder engine does not lose the MINI's sporting character. The engine is eager to rev, suffers from little turbo lag, and has a decent exhaust noise. The sport mode makes the noise even louder with a few more pops and crackles as well.
Of course, the MINI wouldn't be a MINI without the distinctive comparison to the thrill of driving a go-kart. Describing the driving experience is as easy as that. The heavy but direct steering is unlike anything else for this size and segment. The darting movement of the front wheels make the driver perk up for every incoming roundabout. The MINI is simply fun; there's nothing better than the immediate smile that covers the drivers face as soon as they fire up the motor.
Inside the cabin, the MINI offers a good assortment of standard technology. The heated seats, reversing camera with backup sensors and the touchscreen are included in the base trim with a lot more technology available in higher trim levels. A tall driver won't feel cramped behind the wheel of the MINI as the steering has a lot of motion for rake and depth. When the cloth roof covers the cabin, the front-row passengers will be able to enjoy lots of headroom in this model.
The MINI Cooper Convertible and the hardtop version offer a lot of fun and a unique identity that is hard to find in the industry today, so have a look at this model and the rest of the MINI lineup today at MINI Calgary.
