Munich/Como. mobile.bg team from the event site.
The Mini Cooper S Convertible has long been synonymous with fun, style and a sense of freedom, and its latest generation continues this tradition with a refreshed design, improved dynamics and even more personalization options. But is this little gem the perfect car for you? Let's take a detailed look at its advantages, disadvantages, what it feels like behind the wheel, as well as the key differences compared to the previous generation and the new Mini Cooper S Hatchback.
Pros:
Incomparable style and charm: The Mini Cooper S Convertible has a unique, iconic design that instantly attracts attention. Its retro-modern look, short overhangs and a wide range of colours and personalisation options make it extremely attractive and recognisable. With the roof down, it simply exudes youthful energy and joie de vivre.
Driving pleasure ("Go-Kart Feeling"): This is one of the strongest advantages of the Mini.
Quality materials and interior: Despite its compact dimensions, the interior of the Mini Cooper S Convertible is made with high-quality materials and attention to detail. The ergonomics are good, and the central round OLED display is not only functional, but also contributes to the unique style. The seats are comfortable and offer good lateral support.
Foldable roof in seconds: The soft top is folded extremely quickly and easily at the push of a button, even at speeds of up to 30 km/h. This allows for quick adaptation to changing weather conditions and maximum enjoyment of open-air driving.
Good sound insulation for a convertible: When the roof is closed, the Mini Cooper S Convertible surprises with quite good sound insulation, especially for a convertible. This makes long-distance trips more comfortable, reducing wind and road noise.
Personalization options: Mini offers a huge number of personalization options - from body and roof colors, through different rim designs, to decorative elements in the interior. This allows each owner to create a unique car that reflects their individuality.
Driving Impressions:
Getting behind the wheel of the Mini Cooper S Convertible is an experience that is rarely forgotten. The 2.0-liter turbo petrol engine is a real jeweler's tool that not only provides agile acceleration (0-100 km/h in around 6.7 seconds), but also sounds incredibly good, especially at higher revs, when the characteristic sporty roar spreads from the exhaust. The power of 201 hp (an increase over the previous generation) is palpable, especially during intermediate acceleration.
The steering is one of the Mini's strongest points. It is direct and precise, giving you exceptional feedback from the road. Every movement of the steering wheel is transmitted instantly to the wheels, which inspires enormous confidence when cornering and makes even the most ordinary section a pleasure. The "karting" feel is there and it's not just a marketing ploy - the Mini feels agile and nimble, reacts instantly to commands and makes you feel one with the machine. The chassis has been further strengthened and widened compared to the previous version, which contributes to even greater stability and precision in bends, reducing the feeling of body roll characteristic of some convertibles.
The sports mode further sharpens the car's senses. The throttle response becomes faster, the transmission (a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic, as a manual gearbox is no longer an option) shifts to a lower gear and holds the revs longer, and the steering becomes even tighter. This is the mode in which the Mini Cooper S Cabriolet truly reveals its playful and sporty spirit.
The suspension, although stiffer, provides excellent body control and minimizes body roll in corners. On smooth roads, it is extremely pleasant, allowing you to enjoy the dynamics. With the roof folded down, every trip becomes a feast for the senses - the wind in your hair, the sun on your face and the roar of the engine create a unique atmosphere of freedom and adventure. Even at higher speeds, the windscreen manages to reduce turbulence in the cabin, allowing for more comfortable conversation.
Changes compared to the previous generation (F57):
The new Mini Cooper S Convertible, although retaining the familiar platform, brings a number of significant changes:
Design: While the silhouette remains recognizable, the front end has been refreshed with a cleaner grille and modernized LED headlights with new light signatures. Interestingly, the taillights remain almost identical to those of the previous model, as the structural requirements of the convertible do not allow for the integration of the new, slimmer LED taillights seen on the new Hatchback.
Engine and Transmission: The 2.0-liter turbo engine now produces 201 hp (an increase of 13 hp over the previous model), resulting in quicker acceleration. The most significant change here is the removal of the manual transmission, with the only option now being the 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This may be a disappointment for enthusiasts who value maximum engagement with the car.
The Cooper S's engine is quick and responsive, and the gearbox is well calibrated. In "karting" mode, available on the huge central screen, it easily shifts to lower gears, compensating for the lack of feathers. In calmer modes, the shifting is smooth, helping to achieve consumption below the claimed 6.6 l/100 km. We drove this car for 1,500 kilometers in urban and suburban conditions, including highways, and the average consumption reported by the trip computer was under six percent.
Interior and Technology: This is the area with the biggest improvement. The interior has undergone a major "renovation", with the dominant element being the new 9.5-inch circular OLED display. It replaces the traditional analog instruments and serves as the central hub for infotainment and control of numerous functions. Materials have been improved, with Mini using a combination of soft-touch plastics and new synthetic "Vescin" upholstery (instead of genuine leather) for a more durable and premium look.
Driving Dynamics: Mini has made small but meaningful changes to the chassis and suspension. The new model features a slightly wider track, additional reinforcements for improved body rigidity, and recalibrated steering. The result is a sharper "turn" and better cornering stability.
Differences with the new Mini Cooper S Hatchback:
Although they share many common components and driving philosophy, there are a few key differences between the Mini Cooper S Convertible and the new Mini Cooper S Hatchback:
Coupe and Roof: Obviously, the biggest difference is the presence of a folding soft top in the convertible versus a fixed hard top in the hatchback. This is the main reason for the differences in weight, structural rigidity and practicality.
Tail lights: As mentioned, the Convertible retains the older taillight design due to structural limitations, while the Hatchback features the new, slimmer and more modern LED taillights.
Chassis rigidity and weight: Due to the need to strengthen the body to compensate for the lack of a hardtop, the Convertible is generally slightly heavier and may have a slightly more pronounced "torsion" of the body (although significantly reduced in the new generation) compared to the stiffer Hatchback.
Space and practicality: The Cabriolet's trunk is significantly smaller, especially with the roof down. The Hatchback offers more cargo space and easier access to it thanks to the fifth door. The rear seats in the Hatchback are also slightly more comfortable for passengers, although still compact. The interior of the new Mini Cabriolet, however, is impressive.
The large central touchscreen with OLED display is not only beautiful, but also easy to use for the driver and passenger. Even with the roof down and strong sunlight, the screen retains its clarity and brightness. The materials in the interior are high-quality, and the dashboard, with ambient lighting that changes colors according to the driving modes, is particularly attractive. The only downside to this new screen and multimedia is that it's a bit less intuitive to use, but if you become the owner of such a car, you'll quickly get used to its quirks.
Price: The convertible is more expensive than the equivalently equipped Hatchback due to the more complex roof mechanism and additional structural modifications. The soft top is almost the same as before - a large fabric element that retracts electronically in 18 seconds. There's also a half-open sunroof mode. With the roof fully down, rear visibility is slightly reduced, and the trunk is limited to 160 liters. With the roof up, the volume increases to 215 liters, which is actually not much at all, but we are still talking about a Mini.
Cons:
Limited rear space: As with most small convertibles, the rear seats in the Mini Cooper S Convertible are more of a token affair. They're fine for kids or short-distance adults, but they don't offer enough room for two adults to comfortably ride in the back.
Small trunk: Trunk space is limited, especially when the roof is down, as it takes up some of the space. This makes it less practical for long trips with a lot of luggage or for family needs.
Price: The Mini Cooper S Convertible isn't a cheap car, especially when you add in the many options and packages. The price can quickly increase significantly, positioning it as more of a luxury toy than a practical car.
Fuel economy (for more dynamic driving): Although the 2.0-liter engine is efficient for its size, with more dynamic driving and frequent use of the sport mode, fuel economy can be higher than some would expect from a compact car.
Hard ride (for some): The "Go-Kart Feeling" comes at the cost of a harder ride, especially on roads with bumps or potholes. For those who prefer maximum comfort, this can be a drawback.
Limited rear visibility: With the roof folded and the wind deflector raised, rear visibility can be a bit limited.
Wind and noise at high speeds (with the roof open): Despite the presence of a windshield, at high speeds with the roof open, more wind and noise are inevitably felt in the cabin, which is typical of all convertibles.
Lack of manual transmission: For many purists, this is a big minus, as it takes away some of the pure, analog driving experience.
Conclusion:
The latest Mini Cooper S Convertible is a car you buy with your heart, not so much with your head. It offers unparalleled driving pleasure, unique style and a sense of freedom that few other cars can offer. The changes compared to the previous generation are mainly in the direction of more power, a more modern interior and better driving refinement, albeit at the cost of a manual transmission. Compared to the new Mini Cooper S Hatchback, the Convertible offers the feeling of open skies at the expense of less practicality and a higher price.
If you're looking for a practical family car with a large boot and a spacious interior, this isn't the car for you. But if you're someone who values emotions, seeks fun on wheels and wants to make a statement with your car, then the Mini Cooper S Convertible is the perfect choice that will bring a smile to your face every time you drive it. It's perfect for city driving, weekend getaways and anything that involves driving with the sky open and a smile on your face.
The Mini S Convertible is a real pleasure to drive. Our first tests in the Austrian Alps showed the model's performance to be extremely positive. The car is precise and agile, with a front end that obediently inserts itself into bends and a rear end that eagerly follows the front. The ride is tight, but without serious jolts, which shows that keeping some older elements, such as the taillights, for example, is not a compromise on comfort.