Auto Design

Giancarlo Perini (c)

After proposing a series of concepts and teasers, Mini is now ready to launch on the market its sixth member of its range: the Mini Roadster. The charming kid is the first open-top two-seater in the brand history and to so me extent it links to the British tradition of open sports cars, with a light and simple manual soft-top roof.

Conceive and designed as a twin, with a different character and mission, of the Mini Coupé the roadster is an addition not a replacement of the 4-seater Mini Convertible.

As such it banks on new proportions and its somewhat classic three-box body structure with more raked A-pillars the strikingly stepped rear end.  The design language is 100% Mini, with short overhangs, powerful over-the wheel stance and high waistline typical plus the usual catalogue of design features and hallmark details uniquely Mini.

Despite its big wheels, the Roadster sits more than 20 mm closer to the ground and comes with a stiffer and slightly heavier structure that adds weight and grip to the front axles.

To add down force (up to 40 kg) on the rear axle a spoiler (normally integrated into the tailgate) extends automatically when the speed reaches 80 km/h (50 mph) and retracts when the speed drops below 60 km/h (37 mph). The active rear spoiler can also be operated manually at any speed.

With two-seater less the Roadster has a larger, 240-litre, stowage with a through-loading system access behind the seats wide-opening tailgate. Finally, a wind protection insert between the roll-over bars is available as option.

Another distinctive feature of the roadster are the stainless steel rollover bars, the front of which are padded. Together with the reinforced windscreen frame, they provide optimised occupant protection in the event of the car turning over.

From launch time, the MINI Roadster will be available with a choice of four powerful yet efficient petrol and diesel engines from launch. The model line-up ranges from the MINI Cooper Roadster (90 kW/122 hp), via the MINI Cooper SD Roadster (105 kW/143 hp) and MINI Cooper S Roadster (135 kW/184 hp), to the sharpest performer of all, the 155 kW/211 hp MINI John Cooper Works Roadster.

The EU average fuel consumption of Cooper SD Roadster (the most fuel efficient but not the least performing) is down to 4.5 litres of diesel per 100 km (62.8 mpg); with CO2 emissions down to118 g/km and yet accelerates to 100 kph (62 mph) in 8.1 seconds, with a potential top speed of 212 kph (132 mph).

The Mini Roadster will be making its official prémiere at the Detroit Motor Show (NAIAS) next January.

First deliveries are due to start on February 25 at price starting from € 22.600 (and up to 31.900) in Germany.

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