Home - Automobile Reviews - 2005 MINI Cooper S Convertible Road Test
2005 MINI Cooper S Convertible Road Test
The Same, Only Better
Climbing into the MINI Cooper is much like climbing into the Audi TT; theres no center armrest to brace oneself against. Vehicles without this much anticipated ingress aid ought to be clearly marked with a warning sticker big enough to be viewed from across the street. I jest of course, but the absence of a center armrest sticks in my craw like nylon to Velcro, especially when the offending vehicle is a pricey import.
Although an armrest isnt one of the gains for 2005, horsepower is, but only in the Cooper S. Its supercharged 1.6-liter (98 cu in) 4-banger has been enriched with an extra five ponies for a total output of 168-horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 162 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. Also on the credit side of the balance sheet are new headlights and taillights, plus a revised front fascia and grille. Under the debit column | | Its supercharged 1.6-liter (98 cu in) 4-banger has been enriched with an extra five ponies for a total output of 168-horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 162 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press) |
is the MINIs roof, which is gone. For 2005 the MINI is available as a convertible, featuring a power-retractable fabric roof.
The drop-top arrangement is really quite a slick design, which can be partially retracted to create a sunroof effect over the front seats or opened fully to expose all four seating positions to the sun, stars, and wind - of which there is plenty. This isnt one of those cabriolets that minimizes buffeting and hair repositioning with the | | Legroom in the two-person rear bench is crushing. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press) |
use of pop-up screens and turbulence-reducing roll bars. Expect a full-on hurricane at high speeds, making music hard to hear and complaints from rear seat passengers even harder. But if its wind in the cheeks and go-cart performance that puts a smile on your face, the MINI Cooper S convertible will stretch your kisser ear to ear, its just that much fun.
Unfortunately practicality sometimes impedes upon fun, and in the MINI, practical impediments can be severe. Legroom in the two-person rear bench is crushing unless the front seats are moved far forward, more so than I as a long-legged driver can tolerate.
Combined with its limited human space is limited cargo capacity. | | Folding the rear seatbacks down increases the MINIs cargo volume significantly. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press) |
The trunk, or boot- reminiscent of the original Austin Mini, is dreadfully small. Folding the rear seatbacks down increases the MINIs cargo volume significantly, but its still no wagon any way you slice it.
I found capacity limitations in the MINI convertible a little frustrating to live with. The vehicle is clearly targeted at youthful, active urbanites. So where do the skis go? How does the bike rack attach and what about the white water kayak? Theres no provision for installing a roof rack to the soft-top. On several occasions I stood my road-bike on its rear wheel behind the front passenger seat and let the frame and front wheel extend above the interior of the car like a NASA satellite dish; great on a sunny day, but otherwise impractical. | | Accompanying a run to the 6,800 rpm redline is a Kujo-like growl from the center-mounted twin exhaust tips. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press) | | />
Extraneous accommodation issues aside, the MINI Cooper S possesses many fine automotive talents sure to please even the most jaded of commuters, starting with its gutsy powerplant and robust exhaust note. Listen carefully and the hiss of the supercharger is plainly audible at low rpm levels, a device that gives the little mill plenty of low-end torque. Dip the right foot and the engines punch firmly kicks-in as the tachometer needle swings past 2,500 on the dial. For such a small engine, it produces an astonishing powerband as wide and flat as the Prairies. Accompanying a run to the 6,800 rpm redline is a Kujo-like growl from the center-mounted twin exhaust tips.
Making full use of the generous powerband in my Cooper S tester was a cinch thanks to its slick-shifting 6-speed manual gearbox. Throws were clear and direct, although not | | The 17-inch 205/45/R Dunlop Sport 9000 rubber, enabled the little cart to attack twists and turns with inertia-defying speed. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press) |
as well defined as in the Honda Accord Coupe I recently tested. The Coopers clutch actuation was progressive, leading to smooth gear changes and engine engagements.
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