2011 MINI Cooper Convertible, the tech specs and details

Best suited for two, this sporty auto has a compact chassis. A great car for not so seasoned drivers, you can buy this for your enthusiastic kid who is ready to take on the wheel. The car is lightweight and all machinations are of high quality coupled with excellent safety features. This roadster comes in three different models, so you can pick features you want and buy one that fits in your budget. The three different trims are; the standard model, MINI Cooper S convertible and John Cooper Works.

2011 MINI Cooper Convertible

What does it offer?

All the three models have the same engine but horsepower differs. The standard model has 121 HP, S convertible has 181 while John Cooper boasts of 208 HP. John Cooper is quite swift due to the turbo engine fitted in. The airbags and computer controlled security system make this auto a good choice for recent drivers. The sun roof is a huge plus and the attractive sporty exterior makes the car irresistible to buyers.

The beauty

The car is attractive and bound to make heads turn when you are on the road. A British inspired design combined with Union Jack decals is quite innovative. Not only is the car cool and good looking but the make is sort of affable - sure to put a smile on face of onlookers. The design has a retro vibe to it.

The beast

The car can attain a speed of 35 mpg on the highway while it runs at 27 mpg in the city. It has a 1.6 L engine. The 6-speed manual transmission is available with all makes while the automatic transmission is optional. The standard manual transmission used is the Getrag 6-speed manual. While the optional one is a 6 speed Aisin automatic transmission which has a semi manual operation. It is a hi-tech car equipped with gear like a good quality audio system as well as Bluetooth and iPod connectivity.

For smooth braking you have Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBFD), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Cornering Brake Control (CBC) and the usual anti-lock ABS brakes. For protection there are four airbags and also special side airbags affixed to the seat that swell upwards to shield your head. To make sure that the occupants seating position and safety belt strapping is right a computerized system is fitted which also monitor crash severity to inflate airbags.

The thrill

The car has go kart style maneuvering and the chassis is quite stiff making the drive easier. The vehicle can whizz around with 6000 rpm when it can attain a horsepower of 120. Also, it is capable of producing a hefty torque of about 114 pound feet. It can pick up a speed of 60 mph is less than 9 seconds. To boost the performance simply couple it with a turbo. The car has a special sport mode that can be activated by pushing a button. In this feature, the auto will tighten steering and accelerate at a faster pace.

Interiors

The car has space for two people comfortably ahead. However the back seats are not as capacious so you cannot have company behind all the time. Also, the storage space is limited. So, you’re better off stashing luggage on the backseat rather than seating other people, especially on long drives. The leather work in the interiors adds to the classy touch.

Picture Gallery

2011 MINI Cooper Convertible

2011 MINI Cooper Convertible

The auto has a shiny chrome façade, a silver grille and sizeable headlights. The roof moves over and out smoothly within 15-20 seconds and is made soft yielding canvas. There is a brilliant sun roof to enjoy your ride in semi open with breeze flurrying by. You can use it on sunny days when you don’t want to lower the entire roof. It also has a heated rear window.

Should I buy one?

It is slightly difficult to maneuver it around the corners requiring you to twist and turn the wheel quite a bit. The ride can be awkward and slightly noisy. In addition, the leg room behind is quite cramped. Not all models offer a speedy joyride when on the road. If you are into a high powered driving experience then go for the turbo engine powered John Cooper Works version. If you are concerned about the budget, then opt for the more affordable standard version of the MINI Cooper Convertible.

Price and availability

The standard model will cost you less than $20,000. You can own the sporty S convertible for about $28,000 and for the John Copper you have to shell out $35,000.