Popular Mini flips its lid.
With all the oversized SUVs on the market,
the Mini Cooper has made small cool again. Since
BMW took over Mini brought it to U.S. consumers
in 2002, it seems there aren't enough of
them to go around. More than 500,000 have been
sold worldwide (more than 36,000 in the U.S.) last
year.
While the buzz has died down from when we first
tested the Mini three years ago, no car yet prompts
more smiles and elicits more questions and appreciative "thumbs
up." Which means it's time for a
new model.
For 2005, Mini Cooper introduces a convertible - available
as both a Mini Cooper and Cooper S - on
sale since September. They are perfect Arizona
cars, where all but summer and early fall brings
agreeable temperatures and sunny days.
When it comes to automotive marketing, nobody
has done it better than Mini. It first began
with clever billboards and continues with ingenious
magazine ads. And, clever marketing continues
where buyers of the new convertible are lightheartedly
asked to sign a contract agreeing to drive with
the top down at least 90 percent of the time
with exceptions for "rain, car washes,
hair plug surgery and being within earshot of
a kazoo concert." It's no wonder
there are waiting lists and Mini enjoys the highest
percentage of resale value for all cars sold,
other than Porsche.
Mini Cooper comes in two model designations,
the 115-horsepower Mini Cooper and the 168-horsepower
Mini Cooper S (S for "supercharged").
Either model is available as a convertible with
seating for four. Barely.
Standard equipment on all Minis includes air
conditioning, CD stereo with six speakers, power
windows with auto-down, power locks, keyless
entry, intermittent wipers, five-speed manual
transmission and 15-inch alloy wheels.
The Mini Cooper S adds a supercharged engine,
a six-speed manual transmission, firmer front
and rear anti-roll bar suspension and 16-inch
wheels and run-flat performance tires. No spare
tire! The Cooper S has exterior trim that distinguishes
it from the base Mini including a hood scoop,
sport bumpers, lower intake grille, wider wheel
arches, fender mounted side grilles with a red "S" designation
and twin exhaust tips below the middle of the
rear bumper. The Mini grille is chrome where
the S gets a body-colored with chrome-trim surround.
Additionally, there's an S logo on the
rear, and a chrome fuel-filler cover completes
the performance styling cues.
All Mini models get a mild facelift for 2005,
including new headlights and taillights, a three-slat
grille (the previous Minis had four), a new map
light and illuminated door handles. We think
only Mini buffs will know the difference. Also,
the rear cup holder has been increased in size,
a tray added under the center column and an additional
tray under the brake handle. But the big news
is the arrival of the convertible Mini.
To begin, the convertible arrives with a roof
that is completely automatic, no manual latches
to twist or snap open. A single-button operates
a choice of two open-air modes. There's
a partway mode that leaves a sunroof section
open some 15 inches at the front of the cockpit.
Since the first 15 inches is a rigid panel, there's
no convertible-top material flapping in the breeze.
Or, just keep the single button pressed and in
a mere 15 seconds the top completely retracts
behind the rear seats in traditional convertible
fashion.
Retracting the top exposes twin roll bars with
built-in headrests behind the rear seat. They're
completely functional, but do hinder rear visibility
much more than desired. In anticipation, BMW
engineers have included standard sensors that
beep and alert the driver if he or she is getting
too close to an obstacle in back.
My test vehicle, the S convertible, came with
the only transmission available - a very
capable six-speed manual shifter. On the road,
the Mini is go-kart quick and handles efficiently.
It goes where it's directed without complaint
as though on rails, but don't expect a
smooth ride. As the shortest vehicle sold in
the U.S. (just 12 feet long), the Mini's
ride is firm and choppy yet handling is secure.
That's especially true with the S version,
which has a stiffer suspension and wider, run-flat
tires to help cushion bumps. The trade off is
a car that is fun to drive with quick steering,
fast acceleration and excellent braking. Simply
put, this car is a blast!
Everything about the Mini Cooper, however, is
bodacious. Its design, especially the interior
use of bold colors, exaggerated gauges, retro-toggle
switches and classic lighting is inviting. The
interior features polished aluminum-finish bezels
on the switches and instruments that carries
over to the ball shifter and hand brake. Even
the pedals are stainless steel.
Seats are firm yet comfortable. At 6'6" I
drew numerous stares and unsolicited comments
as I unfolded from the Mini. Yet front-seat room
is ample if not excessive. However with the driver's
seat adjusted for my position, the back of my
seat was literally touching the rear seat.
What is ample on the Mini are safety features.
All Minis come with anti-lock brakes with electronic
brake force distribution, front and front side-impact
airbags, thorax head and body airbags, a crash
sensor that automatically unlocks the doors and
side-impact door beams. The S model adds traction
control. Electronic stability control is offered
as a highly recommended option. Amazingly, all
this comes in a car that starts under $17,000.
The Mini Cooper is a fun, wind-in-your-hair
car that won't set you back a fortune,
and when you're ready to move on to another
Mini or some other car its high resale will get
you most of your money back.
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