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MINI Roadster's Interior Design
The interior of the MINI Roadster features - in typical brand style - a
large Center Speedo and a rev counter positioned directly behind the steering
wheel. The sports seats fitted as standard in the MINI Cooper S Roadster, MINI
Cooper SD Roadster and MINI John Cooper Works Roadster offer outstanding lateral
support through quickly-taken corners. Standard specification also includes air
conditioning (MINI Cooper S Roadster, MINI Cooper SD Roadster, MINI John Cooper
Works Roadster), Park Distance Control with rear sensors, height-adjustable
seats and electrically adjustable exterior mirrors.
The comfort and individuality of the MINI Roadster can be further enhanced with
items from the range of high-quality options, some unique in the small car
segment. For example, Adaptive Headlights and black headlight housing are
available in conjunction with the optional xenon headlights. Among the other
options customers can choose from are Comfort Access, an on-board computer, a
multifunction steering wheel, the Always Open Timer, automatic climate control,
heated seats, automatically dimming rear-view mirror and exterior mirrors, an
armrest, the storage package, and preparation for a rear luggage carrier rack.
Also available as an option are Recaro sports seats in a leather/Dinamica
combination with optimized lateral support, extended thigh support, integrated
head restraints and an embossed John Cooper Works by Recaro logo. Customers can
also dip into the selection of exclusive options available from the MINI Yours
range and ultra-sporty John Cooper Works options and accessories.
Entertainment and Communications Functions
The MINI Roadster comes as standard with the radio MINI CD audio system
(MINI John Cooper Works Roadster: radio MINI Boost CD), while an extra dose of
entertainment pleasure can be specified in the form of the Harman Kardon hi-fi
loudspeaker system and USB audio interface. The radio MINI Visual Boost and MINI
navigation system link up with a 6.5-inch, high-resolution color display in the
Center Speedo. If these options are specified, MINI Connected allows Apple
iPhone owners access to internet-based services inside the car. The MINI
Connected App opens the door to a web radio function, use of Google services,
Facebook and Twitter, reception of RSS news feeds, the MINIMALISM Analyser,
Mission Control and Dynamic Music functions, as well as the latest Driving
Excitement functions, such as Condition Check, Force Meter and digital sports
instruments.
Latest-Generation Four-Cylinder Engines
The MINI Roadster is available with the three most powerful petrol engines and
the highest-output diesel unit in the brand's line-up. The state-of-the-art
engines all boast sporty power delivery combined with exemplary efficiency, and
all variants of the MINI Roadster carry the Cooper name in their model titles.
This reference to legendary ex-Formula One racing car designer John Cooper, who
used to race the classic Mini, marks out a car with particular sporting
capability.
The latest model variant from MINI's John Cooper Works sub-brand showcases its
sporting potential with even greater intent. The MINI John Cooper Works Roadster
is powered by a 211 hp (155 kW) four-cylinder engine with MINI TwinPower Turbo
technology. The 1.6-liter unit generates its maximum output at 6,000 rpm, with
peak torque of 192 lb-ft (260 Newton meters) on stream at 1,850 rpm. The
Overboost function briefly pushes this figure up to 207 lb-ft (280 Newton meters).
6.3 seconds is all it takes the MINI John Cooper Works Roadster to blast from
0 to 60 mph. Top speed is 147 mph (237 km/h). Added to which, with average fuel
consumption in the EU test cycle of 7.3 liters per 100 kilometers (38.7 mpg imp)
and CO2 emissions of 169 grams per kilometer, the MINI John Cooper Works
Roadster boasts extraordinary efficiency for an open-top car in this output
class.
The Manually Operated Soft-Top Roof
Another example of the faithful transposition of MINI design into the compact
roadster template comes in the form of the robust, all-season durability of the
soft-top roof. When closed, the roof - which shares the simple style of classic
British roadsters - "cascades" downwards, broadening as it heads towards the
body and underlining to fine effect the typically MINI, powerful over-the-wheel
stance. When opened, the roof folds down flat behind the seats, keeping the
car's elegantly sweeping lines intact. And since the outer skin of the roof
faces upwards, there is no need for any additional cover.
The manual opening and closing mechanism of the soft-top roof allows the driver
to usher in his next dose of open-top driving pleasure without a second's
thought. And the roof can be closed again equally quickly to protect the driver
and passenger from less welcome weather. The roof is opened by turning the
release lever on the windscreen frame though 130 degrees and swivelling the
soft-top back in a single movement behind the seats, where it locks into place.
The process for closing the roof again is triggered by pressing a button
positioned between the roll-over bars, which allows the roof to extend back out
of its anchorage points assisted by gas-pressure springs. It can then be pulled
forward with the help of the release lever and fixed in
place again against the windscreen frame.
Sport Stripes Offer the Key to Individuality
A range of two non-metallic and six metallic paint shades are available for the
exterior of the MINI Roadster. In keeping with British roadster tradition, the
roof remains in black. Sport Stripes, available in three colors for the bonnet,
boot lid and rear apron, allow owners to add an extra personal touch.
The light-alloy wheels fitted as standard on the MINI Roadster come in 15, 16 or
17-inch formats, depending on the model variant. A selection of other
light-alloy wheels are available as an option in the same sizes. The customary
MINI variety of seat and upholstery variants includes ultra-exclusive piped
sports seats in the color shade Toffy. Added to which, black sports seats are
also available in Punch Leather with beige-colored perforations. Trim strips can
be ordered in any of six variants, while an extra Chili Red option is also
offered for the MINI John Cooper Works Roadster. A choice of five Color Lines is
also available, and customers may likewise choose to explore the additional,
extremely exclusive interior design options offered by the MINI Yours range.
Chassis
The absence of a rear seat bench allows the MINI Roadster to offer 240 liters of
luggage space. Plus, the high-opening tailgate and low boot sill makes it that
much easier to load up items of luggage, while a 14 in (36 cm) wide and approx.
8 in (20 cm) high through-loading system that can also be opened from the
driver's or passenger's seat provides added versatility. The MINI Roadster also
comes with larger door bins, three cupholders, and a cross-rack behind the
seats.
Another stand-out feature of the MINI Roadster are the stainless steel rollover
bars, the front of which are padded. Together with the reinforced windscreen
frame, they provide optimized occupant protection in the event of the car
turning over. Dynamically formed contours ensure that the roll-over bars and
windscreen frame combine to impressive effect in terms of design, too. The
safety equipment on board the new MINI Roadster also includes front airbags and
head-thorax airbags integrated into the outer sides of the seat backrests,
three-point inertia-reel seat belts including belt force limiters and belt
tensioners, and a Tire Defect Indicator.
Bodyshell stiffening at the rear increases the torsional rigidity of the body
and combines with extra-sturdy side sills to enhance the strength of the
passenger cell. In addition, the MINI Roadster also features built-in innovative
pedestrian protection measures and special stiffening elements in the front
section. These result in a slightly higher front axle load rating compared with
the MINI, which gives the front wheels extra traction. In addition, the use of a
comparatively lightweight, manually operated soft-top roof lowers the car's
center of gravity. The impressive body rigidity of the MINI Roadster and its
dynamically favorable weight distribution provide the ideal platform for agile
and precise handling.
Optimized aerodynamic properties also play their role in a vehicle concept
geared to enjoying driving fun to the full. The heavily raked A-pillars and
windscreen reduce the frontal area of the body and therefore levels of drag.
Added to which, the MINI Roadster is fitted with an active rear spoiler.
Integrated into the tailgate, the spoiler extends automatically as soon as the
MINI Roadster reaches 50 mph (80 km/h). When the car's speed drops back below 37
mph (60 km/h), a four-part control mechanism returns the spoiler to its rest
position. The active rear spoiler, which can also be operated manually using a
button in the control panel on the windscreen frame, provides 88 lb (40
kilograms) of extra downforce when travelling at maximum speed.
Airflow has been optimized to an even greater degree on the MINI John Cooper
Works Roadster. The most powerful member of the Roadster line-up is fitted with
a John Cooper Works aerodynamic kit as standard in a nod to its exceptionally
dynamic performance capability.
Go-Kart Feeling in a Roadster Wrapping
Teaming up with the powerful engines and customary MINI front-wheel drive,
chassis technology of a quality unparalleled in the small car segment imbues the
MINI Roadster with the brand's hallmark driving fun. MacPherson struts at the
front axle, a multi-link rear axle, Electric Power Steering with speedsensitive
assistance, powerful brakes offering excellent feel, and bespoke tuning for all
chassis components come together to produce a new interpretation of the
time-honored MINI go-kart feeling. Sports suspension, which brings stiffer
damper characteristics, sturdier anti-roll bars and upgraded springs, is
available as an option.
A Sport Button on the center console, standard in the case of the MINI John
Cooper Works Roadster and optionally available for all other model versions,
allows the driver to adjust the car's steering characteristics and accelerator
responses. If the optional six-speed automatic gearbox is specified, pressing
this button also shortens shift times.
The standard DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) system selectively brakes
individual wheels and reduces engine power to prevent a front or rear-end slide.
The system includes ABS anti-lock braking, EBD (Electronic Brakeforce
Distribution), CBC (Cornering Brake Control), Brake Assist and Hill Start
Assistant. DSC also adds DTC (Dynamic Traction Control) with EDLC (Electronic
Differential Lock Control) for the driven axle as standard on the MINI John
Cooper Works Roadster and as an option on all other model variants.
MINI John Cooper Works Roadster: Photo Gallery, Review (1/2) and Specifications