The best of open top motoring in a small yet powerful package.
BMW India has finally launched their first Mini product of the year, the Mini Cooper Convertible at Rs 34.90 lakh (ex-showroom). The updated version embraces quite a number of changes with the most important being the revised electrically operated roof-top.- The Mini Cooper S Convertible comes with a 2.0 litre, twin turbocharged petrol motor. This is mated to a 6 speed steptronic gearbox. The engine spews out 192 horsepower and 280 Nm of toque. That is a lot of power for a car of this size.
- The Mini comes loaded with a host of safety features. You get Automatic Stability & Traction control. Other onboard safety systems include Anti lock brakes & brake force distribution. The car also comes loaded with touches like the direction adapting headlamps and active roll bar system that spring into action in case of a roll over.
- Between the driver & passenger seat is a touchpad system to control the multimedia system, quite similar to the systems on Mini's parent company, BMW. The rear is the biggest let down. Even with increased knee-room when compared to the previous edition, the rear is simply not accommodating. This renders the car a 2 seater in our books.
- The whole dashboard is separated by two red L shape elements with certain elements on the dash get a carbon fiber like pattern. On either ends are circular air vents while the ones adorning the center console are rectangular. Each get an old school knob to control airflow.
- Move further down and an array of airplane cockpit theme flip switches get individual slots. All of the elements on the center console get chrome bezels that gleefully bounce off sunlight when the roof is pulled down.
- The center console houses one of the biggest circular elements in the cabin, other than the steering wheel. It nestles the rectangular multimedia system along with complementing control buttons below it.
- The dials have an eclipse design with the large speedo taking center stage. The rev counter peeps out from the side. All other details are displayed on the Multi Information Display on the bottom half of the speedo.
- The steering wheel is a chunky unit with neat red-stitch detailing. The ergonomics was evident from the second I placed my hand on this wheel. The optional paddle shifters and the steering mounted buttons are perfectly accessible.
- Step into the driver's seat and you find a snug fit. The cushioning, side bolstering & lateral support is the best we've seen till date. The only drawback, they are not electrically adjustable. Manual seat adjust in a car that costs INR 50 lakh is just not done!
- A retro design that's functional. Something that you rarely come across The same design philosophy of modern meets retro continues on the inside. Almost all elements on the interior run a circular theme. While rounded designs may seem boring, the choice of a black and red interior livens the cabin.
- The Mini Cooper's exteriors is basically a modern canvas with old school design cues. It is hard to execute, but we have to admit, Mini has pulled it off.
- At the back, the dual chrome tip exhaust immediately catch your attention. The tail lamps have a roundish design to go along with the retro theme and get thick chrome surrounds. A neat strip of glossy black flanks the number plate and gets the Mini logo.
- Move to the side, and the center of attraction is the lack of a roof. The fabric roof folds away in 18 seconds flat. Neat black cladding skirts the entire length on the side. The rear view mirror gets some optional checkered detailing to bring out the karter in you.
- The front gets the same characteristic round headlamps and a hexagonal grill finished in chrome. In terms of overall design, the lines are more curvy than they have ever been before. The headlamps are updated with LED DRLs. As the version we drove was the S, it gets the badging in red. The other elements on the front include a Mini Badge and an air scoop.
BMW India has finally launched their first Mini product of the year, the Mini Cooper Convertible at Rs 34.90 lakh (ex-showroom). The updated version embraces quite a number of changes with the most important being the revised electrically operated roof-top.
The best of open top motoring in a small yet powerful package.
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