MINI Roadster Debuts Ahead Of 2012 Australian Launch

MINI ROADSTER

UPDATE: Australian details added.

MINI has completed the circle this week with the unveiling of its new Roadster, the topless twin of the MINI Coupe revealed earlier this year.

Entering as the sixth model in MINI's expanding line-up, the Roadster differentiates itself from the Cooper Cabriolet with sleeker lines, a more handling-oriented design - and just two seats.

It's not far off the Cabriolet in size however, measuring 3734mm front to back (+99mm) and 1683mm at its widest point (-6mm).

The most obvious point of difference is the Roadster's height, with that laid-back windscreen and lower overall design making it 20mm shorter than its four-seater stablemate.

Powertrains

Engine options for the Roadster are a mirror of the Coupe's line-up, featuring three petrol engines and a single top-end diesel option. All variants are offered with a front-wheel-drive layout only.

Petrol

All three petrol variants are powered by MINI's familiar 1.6 litre engines, paired to a six-speed manual transmission as standard.

A six-speed auto is on the options list for the Roadster and S Roadster, but it can't be had with the JCW (we don't think it will be missed).

In entry-level Roadster form, the four-cylinder engine delivers 90kW at 6000rpm and 160Nm of torque at 4250rpm, giving it a 0-100km/h time of 9.2 seconds. Top speed is 199km/h, fuel consumption a claimed 5.7 l/100km.

Stepping up to the S Roadster, MINI's turbocharged 1.6 litre petrol engine is under the bonnet, producing 135kW at 5500rpm and 240Nm at 1600rpm - with a temporary overboost function offering a further 20Nm.

The S Coupe's 0-100km/h dash is just 7.0 seconds, with a top speed of 227km/h and fuel consumption 6.0 l/100km.

The top-shelf JCW Coupe also features a 1.6 litre turbocharged petrol engine, with power dialled up to 155kW at 6000rpm and 260Nm between 1850 and 5600rpm.

The same overboost function gives the JCW Coupe another 20Nm on top.

The 0-100km/h sprint for the JCW variant is a rapid 6.5 seconds, a top speed of 237km/h and fuel consumption of 7.3 l/100km.

Diesel

Available with both a six-speed manual and six-speed auto, the Cooper SD Coupe is powered by a 2.0 litre common-rail turbodiesel, producing 105kW at 4000rpm and a sizeable 305Nm of torque at 1750rpm.

The diesel's 0-100km/h time is listed at 8.1 seconds, with a top speed of 212km/h and fuel consumption dropping to a claimed 4.5 l/100km.

Suspension is MacPherson struts up front, teamed with a multi-link arrangement at the rear. As it has with the Roadster's Coupe sibling, MINI promises "a new interpretation of the time-honoured MINI go-kart feeling".

A Sport Button on the centre console, standard in the the JCW 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.

Australia

Speaking with TMR today, MINI Australia's Piers Scott confirmed that the Roadster will make its local debut toward the end of the first quarter in 2012, launching alongside the MINI Coupe.