2012 Mini Cooper Roadster: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

The 2012 Mini Cooper Roadster marks another new addition to this German-owned British brand's lineup. This sporty car is the convertible companion to the Mini Cooper Coupe, which itself borrows its basic design from the Mini Cooper hatchback. Unlike many convertibles, the Roadster's top operates manually. Like the Coupe, Base, S, and high-performance John Cooper Works models will be offered. The Roadster's powertrains are the same as in the Cooper; all use a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine. The Base has 121 horsepower. The S and John Cooper Works are turbocharged and produce 181 and 208 horsepower, respectively. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard across the board. A 6-speed automatic is optional on Base and S versions. Safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, and side airbags designed to protect the head and torso. The optional navigation system includes Mini Connected. This infotainment system allows users to change vehicle settings via a central dashboard screen. Data plan-enabled smartphones can connect to the system and utilize certain applications, including streaming Internet radio, RSS news feeds, Facebook, and Twitter. Other optional features include automatic climate control, keyless access/engine start, rear-obstacle detection, leather upholstery, heated front seats, and many personalization accessories. We have not yet tested the 2012 Mini Cooper Roadster.