MINI Coupe

SPECIFICATIONS

1. Sharing the same engines as the hard-top model range, the base Coupe models make 121-hp, Cooper S Coupes 181-hp and JCW models 208-hp. 2. The John Cooper Works model is the quickest and fastest MINI ever with a 0-60 time of 6.1 seconds and a top speed of 149 mph. 3. Pricing for the model range starts at $21,300 for the base Cooper, $24,600 for the Cooper S and $31,200 for the JCW, an increase over the hard-top of $1,800, $1,500 and $1,300 respectively.

PREVIEW

After a day spent at the autocross with the new MINI Coupe, we're having dinner at Immogine+Willy, a boutique Jeans store in Nashville, Tennessee. Once a gas station, it's retained much of that old charm but now features some seriously retro looking equipment for making custom fitted jeans right on site. There's a scoreboard over the door, a motorcycle in the front window and a manikin wearing a tweed vest and a bowtie. In short, it's an urban hipster's paradise.

But what does all this have to do with the new Mini coupe? Everything of course!

INTERIOR

Behind the wheel you won’t notice much else either. Sure there are some new leather options and some changes to the materials, but the general design is still very much the same, complete with frustrating toggle switches.

What is different is the sculpted out ceiling, which is reflected with two bumps on the outside of the car, as well as a ledge behind and between the two seats with space to store purses, etc. Otherwise the most notable update is to the MINI Connected telematics system, which gains the MOG music service. It may seem trivial, but infotainment is hugely important in a segment filled with young urban buyers. Plus, the update shows how versatile the MINI Connected system is, with new apps a simple download away.

While all Coupes will come standard with HD Radio and a one-year free subscription to Sirius satellite radio, for $9.99 a month MOG gives subscribers access to 12 million songs. It even lets you create custom playlists. If you’re an audiophile or even if you think you’ll download more than 10 songs a month of iTunes, then this is a unique and valuable feature.

UNDER THE HOOD

With so many similarities to the hatchback, why stop now. Under the hood are three engine options, all of which are identical to the rest of the MINI lineup. A bit disappointing perhaps, but if Volkswagen can use its 2.0T motor in everything, then who’s to fault MINI for making full use of its 1.6?

In the base Copper model look for 121-hp and 114 lb-ft of torque delivering a 0-60 time of 8.5 seconds. Turbocharged Cooper S models make 181-hp and 177 lb-ft (192 with an overboost function) to deliver a 6.5 second time. And finally, the top-dog John Cooper Works model ups the power further to 208-hp and 192 lb-ft (207 in overboost), making it the fastest accelerating MINI ever with a 6.1 second 0-60 time. When compared to the hatch, these times are roughly a tenth or two quicker, adding a smidge more performance to back up the xy-chromosome styling.

MINI cleverly kept us away from the base Cooper model with what is sure to be underwhelming performance, although MINIs do have a tendency to feel faster than they are and even a base hard top model can deliver its share of thrills. Instead we tested both the Cooper S and JCW models – the latter looking particularly impressive with its custom 17-inch wheels and aero kit.