MINI Cooper S Chilli Cabrio 2009 Review

MINI Cooper S Chilli Cabrio

What we liked
>>Plenty of torque
>>Dramatically improved rear visibility
>>Always-Open-Timer is a bit of fun

Not so much
>>Always-Open-Timer is in the wrong spot
>>Stiff ride on rough roads
>>Big price for a small car

Overall rating: 3.5/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 4.0/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 2.5/5.0
Safety: 3.5/5.0
Behind the wheel: 4.0/5.0
X-factor: 4.5/5.0

About our ratings

OVERVIEW
For such a small company MINI has been busy recently. Since the launch of the second generation Anglo-German hot hatch in early 2007 (see here), the brand has launched the Clubman, John Cooper Works and the MINI Challenge race series locally. But there was one noticeable absentee -- the new Cabrio.

Production of the previous generation stopped in August last year before the official word on this new car was announced. After a nervous pause the drop-top is back and has been treated to the same makeover as the hardtop.

Dubbed the R57, the new model features the same design and engineering changes as the hatch including new turbocharged and naturally aspirated engines to replace the supercharged/atmo units as well as a raft of updates to the chassis.

In addition to the mechanical changes, the new models Cooper and Cooper S are equipped with some important new features like a pop-up rollover bar that dramatically improves rear visibility and gives the new car a much cleaner true cabrio look.

And then there are the slightly silly features that you would only find on a MINI, such as the Always-Open-Timer that measures how much driving has been done with the roof down.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
Where to begin! MINI's business model is largely based on optional extras that give the customer an opportunity to customise his or her car to very precise standards.

The basic price for the Cooper Cabrio is $39,800 while the Cooper S Cabrio starts at $48,000... But these numbers are simply starting points for buyers. It's not unheard of for MINI customers to spend close to six figures to give their Cooper a unique look.

Starting with the Cooper the biggest difference between the models is what's until the bonnet. The base Cooper is equipped with a 1.6-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine that is mated to the six-speed manual gearbox. It also comes equipped with 15-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, a black soft top, rear park assistance, air-conditioning, central locking, ambient lighting package, six-speaker stereo system and leather steering wheel.

Moving up to the Cooper S, your money buys a turbocharged powerplant with six-speed manual trannie. The car also gains 16-inch alloys, foglights, clear indicator lenses, chequered pattern interior trim and seats, as well as a Sports button that improves throttle and steering responsiveness.

According to MINI Australia over 65 per cent of customers choose to purchase the Chilli package for an additional $3600 on both models. For that price you get 16-inch alloys, Chromeline exterior, cloth/leather trim, foglights, sports seats, Always-Open-Timer, floormats and upgraded Hi-Fi system on the Cooper. On the Cooper S the extra package includes 17-inch alloys, cloth/leather trim, sports suspension, the Always-Open-Timer, Bi-Xenon headlights, automatic climate control floormats and and upgraded audio system.

Before you worry about the myriad colour and trim options, the only other major options is the automatic gearbox for $2350.

One thing to be aware of when buying a MINI is the Luxury Car Tax. Tick enough options and the price will exceed the $57,180 threshold and set you back even more than expected.

MECHANICAL
As is the case with the hardtop, the new Cabrio is powered by new 1.6-litre four-cylinder engines.

Developed by BMW, in conjunction with French firm PSA (Peugeot and Citroen), but built at MINI's own engine facility in the UK, the engine has essentially nothing in common with the Chrysler-sourced four in the first gen 'new' MINIs.

The new naturally-aspirated unit produces 88kW at 6000revs and 160Nm at 4250revs, while in the Cooper S, the turbocharged version cranks up its output to 128kW at 5500rpm and 240Nm from 1600rpm.

Mini’s engine boffins have not only improved the performance of this generation of engines, they also managed to reduce consumption and CO2 emissions significantly on both variants. The Cooper economy is down to 6.1L/100km (a drop of 16 per cent of the old model) with emissions of 145g/km. Consumption on the Cooper S has been cut by 18 per cent to 7.1L/100km and 171g/km.

Both the six-speed manual and automatic gearboxes have been updated. Thankfully the manual retains its impressive short-throw action and delicate feel.

Cooper S models fitted with the automatic are able to adjust the speed of the shifts with the Sports button. The steering wheel mounted paddles have been carried over from the previous model.

Macpherson struts at the front and multi-link rear suspension are carried over from the hardtop and combine to give the Cabrio its sharp handling. It's arguably the cars' biggest selling point, because very few compact convertibles offer such impressive manners.

Also carried over from the hardtop are the brakes. They are ventilated discs all-round which measure 280mm at the front and 259mm at the rear on the Cooper. The Cooper S also cops ventilated discs but a larger 294mm disc up front with the same rear discs.

PACKAGING
Perhaps the biggest change on the new Cabrio is the Active Rollover Bar. Not only is it a significant safety change (more on that below) but it has the biggest impact on the look of the updated model. While every panel has been changed or modified, the Cabrio has retained the same trademark MINI look. But by sliding the rollover bar inside the bodywork behind the rear seats the designers have given the car a freshen-up and something unique to the class.

The changes also have a major effect on rear visibility. The previous model's separate chrome rollover loops severely restricted rearward vision with the roof up. While the large cloth C-pillars still compromise over-the-shoulder vision, the hidden rollover bar is a welcome change.

And the new system also has a positive on luggage capacity. Because it is now a single bar the rear seats can now be folded 50:50 or completely to increase the load space to 660 litres. With the seats in position and roof up the boot will take 430kg. Put the roof down and capacity drops to 125 litres.

Aside from opening and closing within 15 seconds (at speeds up to 30km/h) another clever function of the soft top is its sunroof option. The front section of the roof opens 40cm to give the front seat passengers some sun while leaving the rest of the interior undercover. It is able to be used at speeds up to 120km/h which means as long as you obey the law you are fine to use it at any speed in Australia!

To ram home its open top mission, MINI has added the Always-Open-Timer as an option on the new car. It measures the roof down time in minutes and runs up to six hours before logging all the data into the car's computer. It's the type of gimmick only MINI can come up with, but it remains to be seen just how many people will take up the challenge.

The rest of the interior is standard MINI fare with the giant centre speedo and stylish switchgear.

The speedo remains largely for looks because with the small needle running around the outside of the dial it is too difficult and distracting to read quickly. It's both easier and safer to bring up the speedo function on the digital display incorporated into the steering column-mounted tacho.

SAFETY
As already mentioned the Active Rollover Bar is a major design breakthrough, but MINI has worked hard to ensure there is no compromise on safety. In the event of a rollover accident the bar is engaged and in position within 150 milliseconds. The single piece of aluminum runs across both rear seats and works in combination with strengthen A-pillars to provide safety for all occupants.

But the beefy A-pillars and roll bar are only one part of the strengthening story. All up the passenger cell has been stiffened by 10 per cent on the new Cabrio courtesy of high load-resistant carrier structures and crumple zones.

In addition to those passive safety measures there are also a raft of active systems. All the usual BMW Group acronyms are onboard including ABS (Anti-lock brakes), EBD (Electronic Brake Force Distribution), CBC (Cornering Brake Control) and DSC (Dynamic Stability Control).

A new option is Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) with Electronic Differential Locking Control (EDLC) which had previously only been available on BMWs. It allows the driver more freedom to explore the limits of the car before the computer's brain takes control. It's a $300 cost across the range.

COMPETITORS
It's hard to pinpoint exactly where the MINI Cabrio fits into the market because almost no other convertible blends open air fun and serious driving enjoyment with the same success.

There is no shortage of competition with most brands now offering a drop-top option, but in terms of handling prowess and sheer chuckable fun, the MINI Cooper S cab takes some beating.

Some of the more enjoyable driver's cabrios include Volkswagen's Eos and Audi's A3 Cabriolet. MINI's parent BMW is now offering the 1 Series Convertible at a fair price premium and from a performance point-of-view the Mazda MX-5 is an obvious rival.

ON THE ROAD
Mini kept things simple on the local launch by only offering the Cooper S Chilli to sample on our drive down and around the Mornington Peninsula.

Despite the gloomy Melbourne weather and the strong chance of rain, the top remained down for much of the drive. The Chilli's heating system works well and the aerodynamics keep the wind buffeting to minimum (even on the motorway), allowing conversation with our passenger, but we still needed a jumper and thick coat to be truly snug.

Ironically, the main problem regarding temperature and comfort came from the Always-Open-Timer (AOT). Due to the car's left-hand-drive origins it is mounted to the left-hand side of the tacho. That's fine on a left hooker because it would sit in front of an empty piece of dashboard trim. But in our right-hand driver the AOT was blocking the driver's air vent. That meant a warm right hand but a freezing cold left one!

Unless you are mad keen to keep a log of your top down hours, the AOT is probably an option box that can go without ticking. It's a nice novelty and adds a bit of fun, but for the sake of $300 and better air circulation give it a miss.

Getting off the freeway and climbing the mountain up the famous Arthur's Seat Tourist Drive, the Cooper S Cabrio comes into its own. As we mentioned earlier no other convertible on the market offers quite the same mix of convertible fun with driving enjoyment.

But the twists and hairpins on the climb up the mountain not only highlights the agility and responsiveness of the MINI but also expose some of its flaws. Accelerating hard out of the hairpins there is noticeable (and very annoying) torque steer as the front rubber struggles to put the 240Nm of torque to the road. The traction control does what it can to help the situation but the end result is disappointing corner exit. If MINI intends to increases its performance, it really needs to consider fitting a 'proper' limited slip differential.

Coming down the mountain and heading deeper into the Peninsula and its flowing roads, the Cabrio is in its element. The steering is sharp and direct, responding to even the slightest inputs. While the suspension is so stiff it becomes uncomfortable on long spells of uneven surfaces, get it on smoother tarmac and it stars. The 'go-kart like handling' marketing spiel actually lives up the hype.

And the chassis is mated to a superb engine and gearbox combination. The torque that overwhelms the chassis at low speed is brilliant when carrying more momentum. It pulls so strongly in a straightline that overtaking is a cinch and if you keep up your mid-corner speed it will rocket you out the other side as good as any hot hatch.

The six-speed manual gearbox remains a gem. It has a smooth feel and direct action that makes it among the best on the market. It's so good it makes the optional automatic unit (which isn't a bad gearbox by any stretch) a waste of $2350.

It may be an expensive proposition for its size, but the Cabrio Cooper S Chilli is a very impressive proposition. It's not perfect but based on its mix of performance and fun, it's still hard to beat.