Mini Cooper S Convertible First Drive Review - Getaway

British royalty and its German connections are well known. But I’m not talking about the House of Windsor! I’m referring, in fact, to German stewardship of British automotive royalty - VW’s ownership of Bentley and BMW’s stewardship of Rolls-Royce.

It’s safe to say that both marques have probably never had more stability and access to resources throughout their storied histories as they do now. Moreover, it wouldn’t be an understatement to say that they continue to produce some of the most incredible cars in the world. But there’s another legendary British brand that’s thrived under BMW ownership, and that’s Mini.

I drove the first resurrected Mini over two decades ago, and it’s a drive I’ll never forget because it was everything a modern-day Mini ought to have been. It was like nothing else on the road at the time - it had tons of character, was very well built (as you would expect from BMW) and, most important of all, it was incredibly fun to drive. That’s a trait that perhaps no one could have done better than BMW. Of course, we always knew they were masters of the rear-drive platform, but they proved, with Mini, that they also had the versatility to make a front-wheel drive car equally fun to drive. More importantly, it was small and light enough to enjoy throwing around while driving down to the shops. You didn’t need a racetrack or even a set of twisties to get the most out of a Mini, which was very much in keeping with the spirit of the original.

But, over the years, Minis have continued to get bigger, heavier and perhaps further removed from that original mantra (at least more so than I would have liked). But that’s simply the nature of things in the automotive world at present. As an automaker, if you want a bigger piece of the pie, you have to veer towards catering to a larger audience by making your cars bigger, softer and easier to drive. But does that mean Mini has become a victim of its own success - especially when it comes to a car like the Cooper S Convertible, which will always remain niche and never be mainstream? After all, this is a car that needs to feel special simply to justify its existence.

Mini Cooper S Convertible Design and Interior: Quirky, Premium, and Familiar

Well, in a word, yes! You can’t help but smile as you approach it. The Cooper S continues to look approachable, yet unique enough to stand out from the crowd.

And it’s even more special and quirky on the inside, while also being usable and practical. The cabin is clean and minimalist, whilst being of very good quality and unique. That textured dash seems to work much better on a Mini than a BMW. The central screen harks back to the speedo of old, except that this is a Samsung OLED screen that’s absolutely cutting-edge. You can even get the graphics to quite successfully mimic the gauges of the original Mini.

The Cooper S no longer has driving modes; it’s got ‘Experiences.’ And in go-kart mode - or in the ‘Go-Kart Experience’ I should say - the display changes to a new-age driver-focused graphic, the throttle response sharpens, the exhaust valves open, and the Cooper S gets ready to embrace its fun-to-drive roots.

Through the sound system, the car even goes “Woo Hoo,” to express its excitement at what’s to come - a bit like a dog that sees its leash. Although I have to say it’s far cuter when it comes to the latter. In the Mini, it just seems like it’s trying a tad too hard.

Mini Cooper S Convertible Driving Experience: Fun First, Flaws Included

Well, that sense of it trying too hard actually comes through the first time you put your hands on the steering wheel - or I should say when you unsuccessfully attempt to wrap your fingers around the rim of the steering wheel but fail miserably because it’s just too thick. For some reason, BMW feels that thick-rimmed steering wheels denote sportiness. But the real trouble with the steering is that it’s totally uncommunicative. There’s simply no road feel or texture that comes through it at all.

Fortunately, things get a lot better when it comes to the drivetrain and chassis. The 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine is responsive, fast even, and the chassis has tremendous grip and road-holding capability. It does have some turbo lag, but if you have the top down, that just adds to the experience because the first thing you hear when you stomp on the accelerator pedal is the turbo spooling and the wastegate vanquishing extra boost before the Cooper S shoots forward. The front wheels scramble somewhat to overcome torque steer, but again, that’s good because it involves you in the driving experience. The Mini quickly settles down, before responding to your inputs quickly and diligently - all of which is accompanied by a thrummy engine and deep exhaust note, both of which serve to involve you that much more.

Add to that the wind in your hair and the trees rushing past your overhead peripheral vision, and you suddenly realise what this car is all about. It’s not necessarily about getting from point A to B but about doing so in the more entertaining way possible - while not only putting a smile on your face, but also on that of all the passersby who get a glimpse of you as you enjoy your Sunday drive.

Sure, it’s not as analogue as it used to be or as I would like - but nothing is these days! However, that’s not to take away from the fact that it’s entertaining and individualistic all the same. It may not be a pure driver’s car, but it is the perfect ‘getaway’ car - to get away from your mundane everyday life, that is. This remains the perfect conduit to go from the greyscale of reality into the kaleidoscope of escapism. There’s very little else that feels as much of an occasion as jumping into the driver’s seat of a Cooper S Convertible.

Mini Cooper S Convertible Review Verdict: A Car That Exists to Make You Smile

Here’s where this Mini strengthens its case. BMW claims that they’ve sold over 1,000 Mini convertibles in India, so it may not be as niche as you’d think. Also, strangely, convertibles tend to hold their value better in our market than other cars. The Cooper S also has four seats, although even your six-year-old would struggle to spend the day in the back seat. It does, however, have a 200-litre boot, so it is more practical than you’d imagine. It’s also quite comfortable to drive every day if you so choose.

But if it’s a driver’s car that you want, you may want to wait for the JCW pack. After all, the Cooper S doesn’t even get shift paddles, nor does it have a gear lever. So, if you do want to change gears manually, you’ll have to opt for the John Cooper Works edition. If it’s simply a Sunday car that you’re looking for, one that isn’t a boy racer but still puts a smile on your face, then this is the perfect car for you.

What I can assure you is that you’ll smile every time you get behind the wheel, and that’s quite a difficult trait to quantify. So, forget the numbers, just put the top down (hope like crazy that the air quality is acceptable) and enjoy the momentary escape from your everyday life, and just revel in the wind in your hair and the turbo whoosh in your ears.