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The rear deck features a movable spoiler that deploys automatically when the car reaches 80km/h - and drops down again at 60km/h - but can be operated manually via a button in the overhead control panel.
Many have described the Coupe's roof to look like someone wearing a baseball cap back to front. I personally can't disagree with that description as the roof certainly has such a profile with the roof mounted spoiler acting as the 'peak' of the baseball cap! With the lower roof and tasteful honeycomb inserts for the radiator grille and darkened headlamps on the Cooper S, the Coupe certainly has that purposeful hunkered down stance but the oddball roofline will certainly divide opinions.
Many have described the Coupe's roof to look like someone wearing a baseball cap back to front. I personally can't disagree with that description as the roof certainly has such a profile with the roof mounted spoiler acting as the 'peak' of the baseball cap! With the lower roof and tasteful honeycomb inserts for the radiator grille and darkened headlamps on the Cooper S, the Coupe certainly has that purposeful hunkered down stance but the oddball roofline will certainly divide opinions.
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Performance, ride and handling
As with the Cooper S hatchback, the Cooper S Coupe is powered by a 1598cc four-cylinder turbocharged unit making 184bhp and up to 260Nm of torque. The latter is available from below 2000rpm on overboost. Although the engine has a nice, flat torque curve, it doesn't feel as tractable and lag free as some recent turbo engines. But once the engine comes on song though, the Coupe is pretty nippy and quick. It takes 7.1 seconds for it to hit 100km/h from rest, a 0.1 second improvement over the Cooper S hatch. The Coupe's 224km/h top speed betters the hatch by a mere single km/h.The Cooper S Coupe certainly feels quick enough for it to be labeled as a performance model. Those who are in need of an even quicker model will have to wait for next year's John Cooper Works variant with a manual gearbox. Like in the recent BMW 118i we recently tested and other Cooper S models, the four-pot motor lacks outright refinement - it can sound loud and gruff as you pile on the revs.
Most local buyers will opt for the automatic transmission like the car tested here, which is a real pity really as a fun car like this ought to be even more rewarding to drive with a manual gearbox. The six-speed torque converter automatic gearbox is pretty responsive to throttle inputs nonetheless, always eager to kick down with the slightest of prods and the manual mode allows you to switch cogs via the lever or the somewhat unintuitive to use old-style BMW steering mounted paddles.
One of the unique features of the Mini has always been the way it handles. Its go-kart like agility will guarantee to leave a smile on your face after a blast through the twisties. The same can be said of the Coupe. It goes round corners with aplomb thanks to a sporty suspension set up and steering that inspires confidence at all speeds. Its handling is just so wonderfully chuckable and it delivers entertainment by the bucket loads. Mini actually says that the Coupe has an even more dynamic character than the hatch. Its lower height should help but Average Joe won't be able to feel the Coupe's additional dynamic capabilities over the hatch.
It's not all bright on the handling front though - the engine's relatively high torque output affects the steering (i.e, torque steer) when you feed the power hard at low speeds. Another downside is the Coupe's ride quality. Its inability to cancel out bumps and isolate occupants from road irregularities mean that the ride is too uncomfortable for long distance cruising - it will just thump over bad bumps as it goes over them, sending shockwaves down one's spine.
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Interior and conclusion
The Coupe's style and quirkiness continues through the cabin. Up front, it shares everything with the standard Cooper S which means there's a unique looking dash with a centrally mounted speedometer that is as big as a full sized pan pizza, toggle switches and climate control switches arranged in the shape of the Mini logo among other notable details. The lower roofline doesn't come at the expense of driver and passenger comfort, though. Oval recesses in the headlining provide extra headroom. |
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Like all recent Cooper S models, the Coupe comes with the Mini Visual Boost infotainment system which features a big LCD screen within the even bigger centrally mounted speedometer, Bluetooth connectivity, iPod connectivity and so on. Other standard kit for the Cooper S Coupe includes Harman Kardon hi-fi speakers, Xenon headlamps, rain sensor, DSC with DTC, 17-inch Twin Blade style alloy wheels, leather upholstery and so on.
The Coupe is actually not significantly more expensive than the hatch - just $7,000 separates the prices of the pair. The Coupe certainly has its own distinct style but its appeal though, will be limited by its impractical nature and its quirky looks. For those who don?t require four seats, the Coupe offers a fun drive and character that only a Mini possesses.
The Coupe is actually not significantly more expensive than the hatch - just $7,000 separates the prices of the pair. The Coupe certainly has its own distinct style but its appeal though, will be limited by its impractical nature and its quirky looks. For those who don?t require four seats, the Coupe offers a fun drive and character that only a Mini possesses.
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