MINI delivers quick Cooper convertible for 2009

• By STEVE WHEELER
• Advocate Wheels editor
• Published: Jun 26, 2009

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One of the smallest cars in America, the MINI Cooper has built an iconic status during its 50 years on the road. It may be small, but you can’t miss it when it rolls by.

Add an “S” to the MINI Cooper name and you’ve got a turbocharged little mighty mouse. Then put a convertible top on the Cooper S and you can have more fun than Andy and Barney  when they met the fun girls from Mount Pilot.

The turbocharged engine in the Cooper S delivers 172 horsepower, which will move the little stretch car from zero to 60 miles per hour in less than seven seconds. Top speed is 138 mph, according to information from MINI.

And with mileage ratings of 26 miles per gallon in the city and 34 mpg on the highway, you can have your fun while scooting past gasoline stations.

The dark silver metallic MINI Cooper S convertible I tested was equipped with a 6-speed manual Getrag transmission that delivered smooth gear changes throughout the range. A 6-speed automatic is optional.

The convertible I tested had an optional sport button, which enhances performance by manipulating the engine, steering and the transmission.

Handling was sweet, particularly so in the sport mode. With electric power assisted steering, MacPherson struts in the front and a multi-link rear suspension in the back, the Cooper S convertible was sure-footed and tight in the corners.

It earned a rare five stars in rollover protection from the government, but hasn’t yet been tested in frontal or side crashes. Electronic stability control is standard for 2009.

The soft convertible top, which will stop at the sunroof opening, completely lowers in less than 15 seconds. The top can be opened while driving at 20 mph or slower.

 A single-piece retractable roll bar behind the back seats looks pretty cool and will deploy if it is ever needed.

Inside, I found the MINI’s heated seats among the most comfortable around. With firm bolsters, the heavy sport seats were just like baby bear’s — not too hard and not too soft, but just right.

Gauges and instruments are pure MINI. There’s a giant speedometer in the center of the dashboard, a feature that is sure to be loved by back-seat drivers everywhere.

The window switches are toggles at the bottom of the center stack — a position I had to get used to over time. It helped that the power window switches are one-touch up and down. The sound system  is a CD, AM/FM stereo with six speakers. There is also a tilt/telescoping steering wheel.