At October’s Johannesburg International Motor Show, Mini showed the Mini Coupé – local launch within the next few days – and now the official pictures have been released of the drop-top version, the Roadster. This is the first two-seater convertible to ever wear the Mini badge, as the standard Mini Convertible hatch offers tiny rear seats.
As we have experienced in the rest of the Mini range, the Roadster will feature safety systems such as Dynamic Stability Control, Dynamic Traction Control while the top of the range John Cooper Works will offer Electronic Differential Lock Control as a standard feature. This system helps to better put down the power on the road, especially through corners.
The roof of the Roadster will be manually or semi-automatically operated. Unfortunately once the roof is up it loses the signature helmet design of the Coupé. Also expect the Roadster to handle better than the Convertible, partly because the former sits more than 20 millimetres closer to the ground. The neat rear spoiler will deploy automatically once 80 km/h is achieved.
As can be expected, the boot capacity is rather limited, but still, it offers – according to Mini – a loading capacity of 240 litres. Longer items can be placed into the cabin using the rectangular opening of the front boot wall.
Although four engine derivatives will be available overseas, the three 1,6-litre petrol engines will form part of the local line-up, starting with the 1,6-litre turbocharged 155 kW/260 N.m JCW Roadster, the Cooper S Roadster with 135 kW/240 N.m, and the naturally aspirated 1,6-litre engine with 90 kW/160 N.m.
Cabin comforts will extend to a Harman/Kardon sound system, navigation system, Google services and even in-car use of Facebook and Twitter. The full options list for local specification will be released closer to the South African launch date.
A spokesperson for BMW confirmed that the Mini Roadster will be launched during the first quarter of next year.
Specifications:
John Cooper Works Roadster:
Power: 155 kW at 6 000 r/min
Torque: 260 N.m from 1 850 r/min (280 N.m with overboost)
0-100 km/h: 6,5 seconds
Top speed: 237 km/h
Fuel consumption: 7,3 L/100 km
CO2: 169 g/km
Cooper S Roadster:
Power: 135 kW at 5 500 r/min
Torque: 240 N.m from 1 600 r/min (260 N.m with overboost)
0-100 km/h: 7,0 seconds
Top speed: 227 km/h
Fuel consumption: 6,0 L/100 km
CO2: 139 g/km
Cooper Roadster
Power: 90 kW at 6 000 r/min
Torque: 160 N.m from 4 250 r/min
0-100 km/h: 9,2 seconds
Top speed: 199 km/h
Fuel consumption: 5,7 L/100 km
CO2: 133 g/km
• A Mini Countryman has joined CAR magazine’s long-term fleet. Look out for an introduction report on our blog in the near future.
CAR Blogs
MORE
