Who Says A MINI Convertible is a “Girls Car”?

A lot of people, or so it would seem. And what’s wrong with that? When people start calling a car “girly” it’s usually because it’s a small car (because girls cant drive bigger cars, or so these people seem to think?!) or because it’s a good looking car. The MINI is both, so was almost bound to be labeled a fashion item, a girly car, a cute car. Well,
from day one MINI has tried to fight this soft edged reputation by offering performance, and certainly handling characteristics, that can put many more “manly” vehicles to shame.

So what happens when you release a soft top version of a little, good looking car. Surely the result is the vehicle that lazy commentators would consider the ULTIMATE girly transport. Well, this was again a label slapped on the MINI Convertible, and once again MINI came up trumps with a car that looks great, and still, despite loosing a lot of metal, handles fantastically well. That said, the MINI Cooper and MINI One Convertible have lost a bit of that driving sparkle due to the increased weight, which slows the vehicles down just enough to stop even the Cooper feeling “sporty” under most conditions.

Well, there’s only one solution. You have to top off the range with the 170 bhp Cooper S Convertible… or maybe even the 210 bhp John Cooper Works S Convertible… but that’s a story for another time. Today is all about the top of the range factory Convertible in the MINI range, the powerful, chuckable, MINI Cooper S.

Our test drive took place on a sunny day in late summer, taking in some of the finest roads the Oxfordshire countryside has to offer. From long, fast stretches, to roads that barely pass being called roads, with pot holes and tight bends that are enough to test any car’s suspension and handling characteristics, let alone a soft top’s!

I’m pleased to report the Cooper S passed these tests, all tests, with flying colours. The new 170 version of the Cooper S, with engine and drive train revisions, is quite an incredible improvement from the now “old” 163bhp MINI Cooper S. You wouldn’t think that 7 horses would make that much difference, especially with the additional weight of the rag top, however the new gear ratios, along with the other modifications, really make the car pull so much better, and smoother, through theentire rev range. MINI have managed to make a big improvement to a car that, when all is said and done, didn’t really need improving as it was!

The overall Convertible S experience is very similar to the MINI One or Cooper Convertibles, which have already been reviewed in full on MINI2, but the extra power of the Cooper S gives you the MINI Convertible that the brand really deserves. It looks cool, but the most important thing is that it feels quick, it sounds quick, and it corners quick too! If pressed you can make the Cooper S Convertible do everything the Cooper S hatch can do, and with the roof down, wind in your hair, the amplified engine, intake, and exhaust noises, the feeling when you’re really motoring in this car is very hard to beat!

Everything you ask of the MINI Cooper S Convertible, it delivers. The acceleration is smooth and swift, up hill the engine pulls strong, and when you really let fly, the supercharger whine and exhaust crackling and popping makes for a wonderful soundtrack. The perfect soundtrack for the summer. Or just any day the sun might be shining, no matter what time of year!

If you’re considering a Convertible, and can afford the extra cash for the top of the line MINI, go for the Cooper S, even if you have to scrimp and save on options, this is the car the MINI Convertible really ought to be. It’s fantastic. And a final quick message for MINI, bring on the 2 seater speedster, we’ve had a taste now, and we want more!