2012 MINI Cooper Roadster

A new MINI.

-Info-

MINI has officially revealed the 2012 Cooper Roadster.

Essentially a production version of the MINI Roadster concept, it "embodies unadulterated sportiness" and "irresistible charisma." The overall design echoes the MINI Coupe, but the Roadster has a manual soft top and a more striking silhouette. Notable highlights include a steeply raked windscreen, stainless steel roll bars and an active rear spoiler which deploys at 80 km/h (50 mph).

Inside, the cabin is instantly recognizable thanks to a center-mounted speedometer, a wide dashboard and circular air vents. The boot only holds 240 liters (8.5 cubic feet) of luggage, but a pass-through opening enhances practicality.

The entry-level model features a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that develops 122 PS (90 kW / 121 hp) and 160 Nm (118 lb-ft) of torque. As you'd expect, it's a tad slow as the dash to 100 km/h takes 9.2 seconds and the top speed is 199 km/h (124 mph). On the upside, the car averages 5.7 L/100km (49.6 mpg imp / 41.3 mpg US) with CO2 emissions of 133 g/km.

Next up, the MINI Cooper S Roadster is powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 184 PS (135 kW / 181 hp) and 260 Nm (192 lb-ft) of torque. This allows the convertible to run from 0-100 km/h in 7.0 seconds, before topping out at 227 km/h (141 mph). It averages 6.0 L/100km (47.1 mpg imp / 39.2 mpg US) and emits 139 g/km.

The JCW also has a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine, but it produces 211 PS (155 kW / 208 hp) and 280 Nm (207 lb-ft) of torque. Thanks to the extra power, the car accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 6.5 seconds and hits a top speed of 237 km/h (147 mph). In terms of efficiency, owners can expect to average 7.3 L/100km (38.7 mpg imp / 32.2 mpg US) with CO2 emissions of 169 g/km.

Lastly, the Cooper SD has a turbocharged 2.0-liter diesel engine with 143 PS (105 kW / 141 hp) and 305 Nm (225 lb-ft) of torque. It enables the car to run from 0-100 km/h in 8.1 seconds, before maxing out at 212 km/h (132 mph). Thankfully, it returns 4.5 L/100km (62.8 mpg imp / 52.3 mpg US) with CO2 emissions of 118 g/km.