With its eyes set on conquering a slice of the convertible market from the popular Mazda MX-5, MINI has revealed the final production version of the Roadster.
The Roadster is the soft-top variant of the Coupe introduced earlier this summer, and is the sixth model to be added to MINI's line-up as well as the first open-top two-seater in the brand's history.
As is the case with the Coupe, the Roadster is based on the current Mini hatchback so it doesn't come to much of a surprise that its dimensions largely mirror those of the Mini Convertible at 3,734mm long, 1,683mm wide and 1,390mm tall.
However, unlike the Convertible, the Roadster has space only for two with other changes including a more steeply raked windshield (by 13 degrees) and a 20mm lower height. The absence of the rear seats has almost doubled the capacity of the boot that stands at 240 liters.
The British brand also promises a more "go-kart feeling" than the four-seat Convertible thanks to the lower center of gravity, bespoke chassis set-up, improved rigidity and optimized aerodynamic properties.
Besides the soft top, there are no other cosmetic differences inside or out between the Coupe and the Roadster, while the engine offerings are the same.
In Europe, the Roadster will launch next spring in four flavors including the base Cooper with a 122HP 1.6-liter petrol, the Cooper SD with a 143HP 2.0-liter turbo diesel, the Cooper S with a 184HP 1.6-liter turbocharged petrol and the flagship John Cooper Works model fitted with a 1.6-liter turbo petrol pushing out 211HP.
In North America, the Roadster will most likely be available exclusively with gasoline engines.
Transmission choices include a standard 6-speed manual gearbox for all models and a 6-speed automatic for all variants aside from the JCW.
EU Engine variants:
MINI John Cooper Works Roadster:
Four-cylinder petrol engine with MINI TwinPower Turbo technology and numerous technological details carried over directly from motor sport.
Displacement: 1,598 cc, output: 155 kW/211 hp at 6,000 rpm,
Max. torque: 260 Nm/192 lb-ft at 1,850 – 5,600 rpm (280 Nm/207 lb-ft with Overboost at 2,000 – 5,100 rpm).
Acceleration 0–100 km/h (62 mph): 6.5 seconds
Top speed: 237 km/h (147 mph).
Average fuel consumption according to EU: 7.3 litres/100 kilometres (38.7 mpg imp),
CO2 emissions: 169 g/km.MINI Cooper S Roadster:
Four-cylinder petrol engine with
MINI TwinPower Turbo technology. Displacement: 1,598 cc,
Output: 135 kW/184 hp at 5,500 rpm,
Max. torque: 240 Nm/177 lb-ft at 1,600 – 5,000 rpm (260 Nm/192 lb-ft with Overboost at 1,730 – 4,500 rpm).
Acceleration 0–100 km/h (62 mph): 7.0 seconds,
Top speed: 227 km/h (141 mph).
Average fuel consumption according to EU: 6.0 litres/100 kilometres (47.1 mpg imp),
CO2 emissions: 139 g/km.MINI Cooper Roadster:
Four-cylinder petrol engine with fully variable valve management based on the BMW Group’s VALVETRONIC technology.
Displacement: 1,598 cc,
Output: 90 kW/122 hp at 6,000 rpm,
Max. torque: 160 Nm/118 lb-ft at 4,250 rpm.
Acceleration 0–100 km/h (62 mph): 9.2 seconds,
Top speed: 199 km/h (124 mph).
Average fuel consumption according to EU: 5.7 litres/100 kilometres (49.6 mpg imp),
CO2 emissions: 133 g/km.MINI Cooper SD Roadster:
Four-cylinder turbodiesel with mini twinpower turbo technology.
Displacement: 1,995 cc,
Output: 105 kw/143 hp at 4,000 rpm,
Max. Torque: 305 nm/225 lb-ft at 1,750 – 2,700 rpm.
Acceleration 0–100 km/h (62 mph): 8.1 seconds,
Top speed: 212 km/h (132 mph).
Average fuel consumption according to eu: 4.5 litres/100 kilometres (62.8 mpg imp),
co2 emissions: 118 g/km.• Exterior dimensions:
Length: 3,734 millimetres (MINI Cooper Roadster: 3,728 millimetres, MINI John Cooper Works Roadster: 3,758 millimetres)
Width: 1,683 millimetres
Height: 1,390 millimetres (MINI Cooper Roadster: 1,384 millimetres, MINI John Cooper Works Roadster: 1,391 millimetres)
Wheelbase: 2,467 millimetres
