There’s not a body style that’s not been catered for in the comprehensive range of MINI models that have launched one after the other in recent years. One of the most recent new MINI model launches was the MINI Roadster; a convertible two-seater that’s drives as good as it looks. Here’s our guide to the jazzy little roadster.
If it’s just you, or indeed you and your buddy, and you like plenty of wind in your hair, then the MINI Roadster convertible makes a great choice for urban or countryside life, with an open roof on the open road.
MINI Roadster Review
It’s a strict two-seater, which is probably its only practicality draw back, but what it lacks in any kind of rear seating, it makes up for in the extra chunk of rear space being donated to the front seat drivers. It’s a selfishly spacious car for two and it makes absolutely no bones about it! However, it’s not totally selfish, with a reasonable size boot and a quickly folding and unfolding electric fabric roof. But, really, the MINI Roadster is all about fun for two on the open road, and less about the weekly shop or terrible trips to Ikea.
The MINI’S now familiar and ever popular cute ‘n’ curvy body gets its roof removed for the first time in MINI history, and it was what many potential new MINI customers were looking for. They wanted the build quality and badge status of the BMW built MINI, but all the fun of a convertible. And so the MINI Roadster was built and very well received.
The MINI Roadster is offered with a full range of price, performance and trim options, so there should be a Roadster to suit almost every budget. The entry-level MINI Roadster is the Cooper, rising to the rather fast Cooper S, the fast yet frugal Cooper SD diesel, and finally the top of the range John Cooper Works which gets all the speed and some pretty stunning styling.
Handling and road-holding wise, and like the rest of the MINI range, the MINI Roadster impresses most who take one for a test drive. The MINI chassis could be described as quite firm, but this more than suits the car’s quite sporty and dynamic nature. While it is quite firm – to dispatch the corners with race-car-like aplomb – the springs and dampers are still correctly set up in order to soak up the bigger bumps and dips that we find on UK roads. Firm but fair, as they say.
The MINI Roadster also benefits for direct and fast-feeling steering; a feeling that very well complements the sporty suspension set up. Every MINI gets a road wheel at each corner of its chassis and this wide and flat chassis style, coupled with the firm and controlled suspension and direct-feeling steering, means that the MINI Roadster will be nicely nippy to drive. Just like a sporty convertible should be.
The MINI range is very popular with consumers, and for good reason, but if you are worried about your MINI looking the same as the MINI next to you, then worry no more because you can customise. Every new MINI can be designed just the way you want it, almost to the point where there would be no two the same.
