Cars/ First-drive/ 2021 Mini Cooper S Convertible | Drop Dead Gorgeous | First Drive review

2021 Mini Cooper S Convertible | Drop Dead Gorgeous | First Drive review

For

Against

Interior

There are one of those days when all your stars align for those rare moments, and you tend to get everything you ever asked for. Now you must imagine that being an auto journalist, we already live the dream, but there are certain cars that you just hold dear to and really want to drive when given the opportunity! For me, it has always been the Mini Cooper, something I have always adored.  So it might not come as a surprise that when the moment came, I was willing to fight everyone in the office for the keys of the 2021 Mini Cooper S Convertible! And since you are reading this, it looks like I won that battle.

Cooper S 5

You must be wondering what the changes made to the Mini Cooper S Convertible for 2021 are. Well, bring along a magnifying glass as you are going to need it. Changes include a redesigned grille, and the fog lamps have also disappeared and made way for tiny cuts in the bumper, and that’s about it. But again, you really need to look at how the Mini looks overall and Oh’ my God, it is a looker. Spec your Mini in this exclusive Zesty Yellow like our test vehicle had, and you are bound to turn heads even when your roof stays up. But in just 18 seconds, you can have every eye-ball stayed glued to you when the soft-top roof goes down. Now that is a special treat in itself. Before you argue that we do not have the weather conditions to enjoy a convertible, I agree. Still, there are certain occasions that can be created to electronically put the roof down and enjoy the experience.

Now, Mini Coopers have always been a fun vehicle to drive, and this Cooper S Convertible is no different from its siblings. Slide the aircraft like drive selector to Sport, and the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol unit will have you grinning from cheek to cheek. At the disposal of your right foot is 189bhp and 280Nm, and expect to hit the 100km/h mark in just 7.2 seconds. Although the Mini has grown in size and weight over the years, it still offers just as much go-kart-like fun as before. The steering feedback of the Cooper S is spot on, and chucking it into corners is extremely easy. Its suspension has been softened a bit as well to make it less noisy over road imperfections, but it is still as unforgiving as you would imagine of a go-kart made for the road.

Cooper S 2

Open those gorgeous frameless doors, and you are greeted to a very chic looking interior, befitting the exteriors. The patterns and textures on the dashboard inlays, along with the unique knobs, the inviting red-coloured ignition switch and the subtle ambient lighting, unquestionably create a sense of a grand occasion. But the hero of the cabin continues to be the huge rotary inspired centre stack. It houses a standard 8.8-inch infotainment system with updated menus, customisable layouts, some new connected features etc. There is a cute digital dash on offer too, which displays all the vitals like speed, revs, fuel etc., in a simple and easy to read layout.

Cooper S 4

If I am being entirely honest, most people looking to shell out the amount of dough required to buy a Mini, they are certainly not considering purchasing a Mini, citing reasons that do make sense to a logical mind. But trust me, some decisions in life need to be taken without listening to the rational bit of your brain and buying a Mini is undoubtedly one of them. And if you are deciding to take the leap of faith, why not go all-out and get this, the Mini Cooper S Convertible.

 

Specifications of the Cooper S Convertible 

Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine Power: 183bhp Torque: 280 Nm @ 1250 rpm Gearbox: 7-speed dual-clutch automatic 0-100km/h: 7.2 seconds Price: Rs 44 lakh (ex-showroom, India)

For: It is a head-turner, outright performance Against: Cramped interiors, options are expensive



TopGear Magazine February 2024