Mini Cabrio 2005 Review

A Wee Ripper

Statement of pecuniary interest first: In my role as one of the management team of CarPoint's print stablemate, Unique Cars, over the last month or so I have the opportunity to drive the magazine's long term Mini Cooper S coupe regularly... and I love it (watch this space in the new year for regular updates). From the supercharger's distinctive timbre -- which uncannily matches the gearbox whine of the original 1960s Coopers -- to the much talked about kart-like handling and steering response, it is, to quote the famous Goggomobile collector, "a wee ripper!"

Thus Mini was on a hiding to nothing by penciling in a place for yours truly on the local launch of the Cabrio, the first model variant of what to date has been a one-car brand. Especially, if the new car failed to match the dynamics and refinement of the coupe...

Well, the bad news for Mini is the open car does not match the vault-like characteristics of the hardtop -- least not the pre-production cars we sampled in wet and dreary conditions on Victoria's Great Ocean Road. The good news, however, is the gap is not too wide and, quite frankly, we're prepared to forgive a couple of shakes and rattles for the fun an open top Cooper is likely to generate. Somehow, methinks we won't be the only ones.

Available in both Cooper and Cooper S versions, the new Cabrios (they'll likely be called Convertibles in the UK and US markets) feature an innovative electric hood that offers a 'sunroof' style function as well as true open top motoring.

The two-stage opening sequence takes a spritely 15sec, is one-button (no manual latches) and can be easily be undertaken between green lights. One press of the windscreen top button opens up a 40cm or so 'sunroof' -- perfect for round town. Another press and you're topless before you know it. The remote key fob also operates the roof.

The rear window is glass and heated so demisting shouldn't be an issue. Unfortunately there's no wiper and the wet conditions we sampled meant before long rear vision was marginal at best. Mini's answer to reduced rear and rear three-quarter vision with the hood up is the standard fitment of electronic Park Distance Control on both versions.

The addition of PDC into the standard spec is indicative of the bespoke nature of the Cabrio's equipment list. Both Cooper and Cooper S models differ from their hardtop stablemates in spec, the open cars getting softer suspension settings (though still 'sporty' by our measure) and some equipment and trim changes, eg: the Cooper S Cabrio gets distinctive 16-inch seven-spoke alloy wheels.

Of course, the ability for owners to further personalise their cars carries over from coupe to Cabrio -- the options and accessory shopping lists for the Cooper and Cooper S are getting longer with both Mini and aftermarket specialist John Cooper Works offering everything from beach towels to blowers. According to outgoing Mini Oz boss, Shawn Ticehurst, there's one (afflicted) owner waiting to take delivery of a circa $86,000 Cooper S Cabrio!

Those with a little more restraint will be able to purchase a standard 85kW five-speed Cooper Cabrio from $35,900, a price premium of $6400 over the equivalent hardtop model. The 125kW six-speed Cooper S Cabrio will set you back $44,900. Automatic transmissions will be available on both models (the Cooper S from March) at a price premium of $2200. The Cooper gets a CVT unit, while the S receives an all-new Aisin-sourced conventional Steptronic six-speeder.

Of course both models offer colour and trim options unique to the Cabrio as well as a choice of three soft top colours.

As noted above, we sampled both Cooper and Cooper S versions of the new Cabrio during the local launch drive -- most of the 400km of which had to be done with the roof firmly battened down thanks to wind and rain. At least the conditions yielded the opportunity to confirm that both wind noise and inclement weather are well controlled. No leaks and even at elevated speeds we never needed to raise our voices.

On bumpy roads the cars were well-behaved. Turn-in is just as sharp as the hardtop and little if any of the standard car's sporting ability has been lost. There was no mistaking you are in a soft top however with some scuttle shake on bad bumps and a few rattles with the roof up (the culprit seemed to be plastic trims adjacent to the main roof fold).

In reality, the standard Cooper struggles to match the appeal of the S model, soft or hardtop. Certainly the five-speed manual Getrag box is improved on the first generation of cars, but the naturally aspirated 1600cc engine is lacklustre in terms of character and only just there in performance. The extra 100kg or so of the Cabrio doesn't help despite the shorter gear ratios the new gearbox ushered in.

What a difference the blower makes though. The Cooper S benefits from more than just a 50 per cent increase in neddies. As with the hardtop, the blower injects a real dose of character into the Chrysler-sourced four. With the roof down there's a little more of the Cooper S exhaust crackle too. Top stuff. For the record, while it's a fraction slower than the coupe, Mini claims the Cooper S is the best performing four-seater convertible priced under $100,000. Oh, and have we mentioned the new 155kW 'Works' tuning kit is available on the Cabrio too?

Not the most roomy of four-seaters the Cabrio is even snugger in the back than the hard top and luggage space is also reduced. To help alleviate the squeeze when packing Mini has incorporated a smart function that allows the trailing edge of the soft top to be lifted to increase the boot loading aperture. Forget about super sized Samsonites, but at least it makes the soft bags a little easier to get in -- especially the Mini-branded Mandarina Duck duffles.

Like the car's distant cousin, BMW's 1 Series, it's likely criticism of the Mini Cabrios is somewhat moot. With supply limited, Mini Oz is almost certain to sell out the Cabrio in 2005. Indeed, it's likely that, by the end of summer, a fair proportion of the 600 Cabrios set to arrive Down Under next year will already have names on them. They're names that will, in our estimation, also be linked to owners with smiles a mile wide.