I picked a great time to take a high-powered convertible for a week’s driving.
Typical of my luck, the rain followed me and I only got the fully automatic hood down a few times.
But I didn’t mind too much; I had other things to do with this MINI Convertible. Like finding my way through a stampede of on-screen icons and widgets.
Convertibles are not in that much demand, given our weather, though if this year’s higher-than-average sunshine is anything to go by there may be more looking to drive with the wind in their hair.
Anyway, the latest MINI 3dr soft-top brings completion to this generations range of the hatch ‘family’ – for now.
On the face of it, this is
pricey. It starts with a €36,730 tag and ranges to €43,990 for
the ‘power enhanced’ Cooper S, which was my test car for the
week.
It is typical MINI to look at, except for the soft-top roof,
which I think takes from the look of the car. I’d much prefer a
solid roof; this looked a bit dowdy, side-on, but much better from
the front.
Inside works better. They made a virtue of some fresh ideas for upholstery and materials’ finish.
The whole cabin, but especially the dash, is focused on the brand’s calling card, the 9.5ins, round central OLED display.
It’s mad. And I was mad with it – more later.
As you’d expect, the engines and suspension are key and underpin everything. Isn’t that the case with anything bearing the MINI badge.
The 4cyl twin-turbo 1,988cc engines comprise a 163hp version propelling the C model (6.6l/100km – 6.5 l/100km, 150 – 147 g/km). It is capable of reaching 100kmh in 8.2 seconds.
And then there is the Cooper S model which drums up 204hp and accelerates to 100kmh of 6.9 seconds. Power is via the 7spd automatic transmission to the front wheels in all cases.
With several driving and display modes you also get backdrop colours to accompany them and a chance to sample the various level of dynamics at your disposal.
There is no doubt, if ever there was likely to be, that the emphasis remains on nimble handling and robust thrust.
Damping elements and anti-roll bars played a critical role in making my car display exceptional road-holding and handling.
Funny enough, after going through the options on several modes I took a real liking to the go-kart drive. It felt like (huge cliché alert) my bum was only inches from the ground.
Even with the Cooper S 204hp engine pushing hard, it was taut, tight and responsive but difficult to knock out of its stride. And the steering was pin-point accurate.
Wind and road noise when the automatic soft-top roof was opened didn’t intrude into the cabin too much. It can be fully opened and tucked away in 18 seconds (while travelling at up to 30kmh). The integrated rollover protection system is activated automatically the second the central safety electronics detect a risk.
With the soft top open, the Convertible has a boot of just 160 litres; and it copes with 215 litres with the roof closed.
For a car where space is at a premium (3,879mm long, 1,431mm tall, 1,744mm wide) I found it hard to understand why they bothered with two ‘seats’ in the rear. I mean can you seriously call this a 4-seater?
Look, I was hard pressed to get in and out the front door. Imagine the difference the extra space yielded by not bothering with the illusion of two back seats would create for occupants of the two front ones, or a bit more luggage space.
The three trims I mentioned are called Classic, Exclusive and Sport. They give you a choice of interior and exterior options. Classic trim has a black-trimmed front grille, 16ins alloys silver body colour and black/blue vescin cloth combination seats and dashboard knit as standard.
Exclusive gets a silver front grille, MINI logos on the front and rear, 17ins alloys, Racing Green body colour with nightshade blue vescin seats and light beige/grey dash dashboard knit.
Sport trim has a hexagonal
patterned front grille surround, front and rear apron. Black brake
callipers are standard as are 18ins alloys. Inside there are JCW
black vescin/cord combination seats, black/red dashboard knit, and
shift paddles on the steering wheel.
Textile surfaces in the
cockpit are based on a newly developed knitted material made from
recycled polyester.
The high-resolution 9.5ins OLED display lets you, or your front passenger, operate all vehicle functions via touch or voice.
The temperature is shown permanently for the driver and front passenger. The lower area of the display takes care of Navigation, Media, Telephone and Climate.
That’s where it got a bit hairy for me.
I have to tell you, first time around the system nearly drove me mad. I couldn’t get it to do anything, mainly because it didn’t respond to voice control because I wasn’t logged-in. And there were few meaningful icons I could find to touch into action.
I got increasingly frustrated. These things are supposed to be intuitive.
There are widgets displayed in thumbnail view. If you swipe up from the lower edge of the screen you get a tool belt where oft-used functions can be stored and called up. Everything else is accessed via the menu.
A toggle-switch bar in the centre of the cockpit gives you direct access to the important driving functions (parking brake, gear selector, start/stop button, Experience Mode toggle, volume control).
Depending on the ‘experience’ mode you choose, changes are made to the colour scheme of the display. For instance in the Go Kart mode I became so fond of, black and red colours dominate.
The intelligent Personal Assistant is supposed to react to ‘Hey MINI’ (voice control).
I was quite angry with it, but recognising my own shortcomings with anything too digital I did what I should have done before I left on my first drive; I sat in for 45 minutes and toggled to my heart’s content.
And things began falling into shape. Lesson. There is a logic to it all. Just work through it before damning your soul cursing as I did and forgo the blushes of finding that it can do what they claim.
Would I buy it? Despite its many admiral qualities, I don’t think so, mainly because I don’t like what the roof does to the look of the car.
